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Tastings: January 2007
27 January 2007
88PTS
Concha y Toro Trio Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileRipe passion fruit, gooseberry, butter, kiwi aromas with a slightly smoky, grassy edge. Round, soft, elegant and clean with grassy, grapefruit, passion fruit, smoky apple flavours with a hint of artichoke. Crisp and balanced with persistent fruit on the finish. Good value.Prices:| ON | $13.95 | 750ml |
| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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25 January 2007
87PTS
Finca Flichman Expresiones Reserve Shiraz - Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Mendoza, ArgentinaThis new series of wines from Finca Flichman opens with a soft, round, easy-sipping demeanour with an upfront hit of vanilla and black fruit. The finish is savoury with hints of pepper and more warm spicy vanilla fruit. Well made, affordable red. A fine upgrade from the varietal series.Prices:| ON | $15.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Katnook Founder's Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaA refreshing mix of harmony, flavour, depth, style and value. This is the real thing a great price. Little if any menthol and leaf and more ripe cassis, black cherry and smoky tobacco fruit. Round smooth savoury, black olive, black cherry finish. Well made and a pleasure to sip even without food. Best with roast beef.Prices:| NS | $16.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $17.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
A Mano Primitivo 2003
Castellaneta, Taranto, Puglia, ItalyWinemaker Mark Shannon and his wife Elvezia continue to hone their fashionable Puglia primitivo with much success. The '03 has a ripe peppery nose flecked with cardamom and raspberry. The entry is marked by sweet fruit, the palate with savoury chocolate flavours and a licorice black fruit finish. Solid work-horse spaghetti red and more.Prices:| AB | $15.95 | 750ml |
| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Miguel Torres Santa Digna Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2004
Valle del Curicó, Region del Valle Central, ChileFine colour with a rich, earthy cassis barnyard nose with hints of licorice. Soft round, juicy black fruit greets your palate with spicy cassis and leather notes in the finish. There is fine balance in what is solid, straight-up cabernet with a soft, minty, licorice finish. Good value.Prices:| BC | $15.95 | 750ml |
| US | $10.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.95 | 750ml |
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22 January 2007
91PTS
Tormaresca Masseria Maime 2003
Salento, Puglia, ItalyMasseria Maime is an estate selection of negroamaro that is aged 14 months in barriques and another 10 months in bottle before release. We love the spicy, black fruit nose, with the smoked meat and almond undercurrents. It is rich and weighty on the palate with concentrated, black cherry and plum pudding flavours. Lovely spice and finesse in the finish. Drink now or hold a 3 to 5 years.Prices:| BC | $37.99 | 750ml |
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21 January 2007
88PTS
Sumac Ridge Meritage Black Sage Vineyard 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA big expressive smoky vanilla, chocolate pudding nose with flecks of black olive and cassis. The entry is richer and broader than last year with plenty of ripe tannins and peppery, bitter chocolate, coffee spicy, coffee flavours with bits of green olives in the finish. This will improve over the next three to five years.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
See Ya Later Ranch Ping 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSimilar in structure to the 03 with notes of cranberry and cedar bark on the nose and in the flavours. The entry is dry the tannins well managed with a slightly grainy textures at this spoint. The flavours mix tart, peppery, fruit with mocha, coffee and, leafy cherry notes. It should fatten up with a bit of age. Solid, but currently under delivers for the price.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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20 January 2007
75PTS
Stonehill Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSweaty saddle, barnyard, leafy, tobacco, smoky, prune nose with some oxidation - definitely some defects. Soft and acidic with leafy, horsy, sweaty, leafy, compost flavours. Not much to enjoy here.Prices:| BC | $17.40 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Rigamarole Red 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRhubarb, leafy, sour cherry, coffee, green olive tapenade aromas and a touch of pepper. Soft, round, supple palate with some sweetness and acidity. Smoky, tobacco, olive, rhubarb, herbal, mineral, dill flavours. Soft, light and a bit too green and tart.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Peller Estates Private Reserve Cabernet Franc 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCoffee, mocha, tobacco, smoky, black cherry, cranberry nose. Soft, round, supple, easy drinking style with smoky oak, vanilla, coffee, resin, cedar, black berry, cigar, soapy cranberry flavours. Ripe, round, ready to go consumer style with lots of smoky oak flavours. Serve with a steak.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $18.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.29 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Château Baret Blanc 2003
Graves, Bordeaux, FranceButtery, grassy, passion fruit, floral, lees and vanilla aromas. Round, soft, medium bodied style with a dry, oily texture. Vanilla, spicy lees, herbal, grassy, grapefruit flavours with a touch of hay and honey. A bit closed but should open up over the next six months.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Summerhill Pyramid Winery Pyramid Cabernets 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLeafy tobacco, cedar, olive, mocha, resin, lifted, cherry, saddle leather nose. Soft, round, dry, fairly elegant with smoky, tobacco, resin, coffee mocha, green olive, resin, cranberry flavours with a slightly ropy, acidic and alcoholic finish. Seems that oak has continued to dominate as the fruit begins to fade. Drink up.Prices:| BC | $18.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Fairview Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCassis, leafy tobacco, black olive, resin, peppery, coriander, mocha vanilla oak aromas. Round, dry, supple palate with some light, cedar-y tannins. Coffee, mocha, leather, tobacco, cassis, olive and black pepper flavours. A bit herbaceous, leafy and warm but balanced.Prices:| BC | $24.90 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Sumac Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Black Sage Vineyard 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaHuge toffee, smoky coffee, vanilla, butterscotch nose with tobacco, pepper and a hint of cassis. Soft, supple palate with roasted coffee beans, char, peppery, tar, cassis, cranberry, black olive, tobacco leaf flavours. Simple and ready to drink with some herbaceous notes on the finish.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.45 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Sumac Ridge Cabernet Franc Black Sage Vineyard 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaExpressive toffee, sweet vanilla, lifted, smoky, cherry jam, tobacco leaf, orange aromas. Dry, round, elegant, supple palate with cedar, orange peel, cranberry, tobacco leaf, green olive, espresso flavours. Somewhat over oaked and herbal but has some ripe tannins in the finish.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
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80PTS
Hillside Cabernet Franc 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSweaty saddle, volatile, horse-y, tobacco, smoky, cranberry aromas. Soft, round, supple and slightly sweet with spicy, orange peel, olive, resiny, sour cherry flavours with some warmth and acidity on the finish.Prices:| BC | $18.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Burrowing Owl Pinot Noir 2005
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, vanilla, black cherry, strawberry nose with a tobacco, saddle leather note. Dry, round, supple style but very warm with some light tannins. Compost, spicy, prune, strawberry flavours with some orange peel and smoky licorice notes. Very solid but a bit low in concentration.Prices:| BC | $24.90 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Burrowing Owl Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaTobacco, gamey, earthy, leafy cassis, saddle leather, coffee aromas. Soft, round, easy style with supple tannins. Cassis, black olive, cedar, tobacco, resiny, cranberry, coffee oak flavours. Simple, forward style cabernet with a bit of acidity and oak showing on the finish.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Gesellmann Pinot Noir Siglos 2003
Light compost, barnyard, spicy, cherry, floral, rhubarb aromas. Soft, round, supple and forward style. Spicy, stewed rhubarb, smoky, celery, sour cherry and compost flavours. Simple, ready to go, Euro-style pinot the delivers on the lighter style.Prices:| BC | $24.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Golden Mile Cabernet Sauvignon Luckhurst Family Vineyards 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoky, spicy, vanilla, cassis, sour cherry, tobacco, leather aromas. Soft, round, supple style with cassis, cranberry, tobacco, coffee, olive, mocha flavours. Ready-to-drink style with resin and pepper on the finish. Drink now with steak or chicken.Prices:| BC | $23.90 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Château Teyssier Contre Le Vent 2005
Montagne - Saint Emilion, Libourne, Bordeaux, FranceTasted a second time 4 months later. Honey, lees, mineral, vanilla, grassy, passion fruit nose with a touch of orange, nut and fig. Dry, slightly austere palate but elegant with a touch of oiliness. Grapefruit rind, grassy, honey, baked pear and vanilla flavours with a nutty, citrus finish. Good finesse but needs a year to fully develop.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Caldora Pecorino Colle dei Venti 2004
Abruzzo, ItalyFloral, lemon oil, honey, canned peach, light lees aromas. Ripe, rich round and dry with honey, canned pineapple, mineral, lees and lemon flavours. Very ripe with good intensity for current drinking. Try with crab cakes or Chinese food.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Casa Viva Pinot Noir 2004
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileCherry, compost, orange rind, resin, rootsy nose. Soft, round, supple palate with orange, cherry, smoky, carrot, tobacco flavours. Simple, easy-drinking pinot selling for a fair price.Prices:| BC | $13.49 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Mistral Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaStewed overripe nose that is a bit on the foxy side. Similar stewed almost Amarone-like fruit characters. Intense over-extracted flavours that exhibit little finesse or style. Round and dense but lacking freshness. Needs food and already at this point, drinking. Second bottle deteriorating with more oxidation 3 months later.Prices:| BC | $24.90 | 750ml |
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17 January 2007
0PTS
Morandé Terrarum Reserve Pinot Noir 2004
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, Chilecorked, try another botte. PromisingPrices:| BC | $17.49 | 750ml |
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16 January 2007
85PTS
Cabs Premières Côtes de Bordeaux 2005
Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux, Cotes de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, FranceCabs is a 50/50 blend of cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc from the Premier Cotes de Bordeaux. Look for a dry, resiny entry with tomato leaf and black fruit flavours, firm acidity and a dry finish. Think barbecued back-ribs.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Jean Bousquet Malbec 2005
Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaJean Bousquet's organic grapes, grown at 1200 metres, produce a tasty ripe malbec with hints of toast, savoury black fruit and mocha notes. Good value in an everyday New World red style.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Leopard's Leap The Lookout Cabernet Sauvignon - Shiraz - Cinsault 2005
Western Cape, South AfricaLeopard's Leap Lookout Red mixes cabernet sauvignon/shiraz/cinsault in a soft peppery resiny meaty red with a touch of leather spice. Simple, soft and affordable.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
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14 January 2007
94PTS
William Fèvre Les Preuses Chablis Grand Cru 2004
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceThe star of Fèvre's 2004's and one to buy. Look for a melon, vanilla, lees, and lemon oil nose with butter, honey, smoky flint, chalk and anise. Round, rich, elegant, dry and fresh. Waxy, lees, lemon, lime, green apple, buttery, honey, floral, pear, juicy flavours. Long and succulent with good acidity and delicacy but full. Excellent, can age 3-7 years.Prices:| BC | $75.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
William Fèvre Les Clos Chablis Grand Cru 2004
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceCitrus, floral, light honey, waxy, pear, baked apple, flint, lemon lime nose. Round, fresh, rich, fresh acidity but good concentration. Fresh, juicy, succulent palate with green apple, lime, honey, light vanilla, lees, butter, flinty mineral flavours. Very good length and balance, will need time. Just a slight green edge when compared to Les Preuses.Prices:| BC | $89.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $86.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
William Fèvre Bougros Chablis Grand Cru 2004
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceRound, fresh, dry, tight but full palate. Mineral, lemon, spicy, anise, chalky green apple skin flavours. Full but very dry and with high acidity and good structure. Needs another two to five years in the bottle to really grow into itself.Prices:| BC | $64.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
William Fèvre Montmains 1er Cru Chablis 2004
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceFloral, buttery, citrus, honey, mineral nose. Round, dry, elegant palate but a bit very and disjointed with the acidity. Butter, lemon, waxy, rind-y flavours. Not showing well now at the moment.Prices:| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $38.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
William Fèvre Fourchaume 1er Cru Chablis 2004
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceSpicy, vanilla, lees, floral, melon, citrus, baked apple aromas. Ripe, round, elegant and fresh but tight with good acidity. Vanilla, lemon, mineral, spicy, melon skin, floral flavours. Good finesse and length with some vibrancy. Fine.Prices:| BC | $39.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $48.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $45.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Chevalier Montrachet Grand Cru 2004
Puligny Montrachet, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceFloral, honey, smoky, mineral, vanilla, citrus, waxy, lees, spicy, peach skin nose with a touch of butterscotch. Dry, elegant, tight, fresh acidity but fine finesse. More mineral, green apple, citrus flavours mixed with butterscotch, lime, peach skin and nutty lees notes with spicy, waxy, honey, vanilla flavours on the finish. Very bright acidity but great long finish with good intensity. Needs time, perhaps 3-10 years. Very fine.Prices:| BC | $259.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 2004
Aloxe-Corton, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceSpicy, melon, lees, vanilla, toasty, butter, citrus, baked green apple skin, pear, mineral, honey aromas. Dry, rich, tight, concentrated palate with very good acidity. Fresh with green apple, spicy, mineral, vanilla, lees, honey, citrus peel, floral flavours and a buttery, anise finish. Very young, needs 3-7 years. Has structure and vibrancy if a slightly hard edge. Not quite the finish of the Chevalier but it has fine intensity.Prices:| BC | $135.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Meursault 2004
Meursault, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceMelon, floral, mineral, chalky, green apple, lemon, waxy nose. Dry, round, elegant and delicate but a bit tight - needs 2-3 years to integrate. Green apple skin, citrus, mineral, lees, toasty vanilla flavours. Good acidity, very fresh, nutty note. Solid Meursault.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Beaune du Chateau Blanc Premier Cru 2004
Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceFloral, honeysuckle, passion fruit, vanilla, ripe apple, lees nose but bright and pure. Round, dry, elegant and fresh with green apple, passion fruit, citrus, vanilla, stony peach flavours. Nice pure fruit and elegance with a light buttery finish. Drink near term.Prices:| BC | $44.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Echezeaux Grand Cru 2004
Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceSpicy, menthol, celery, carrot top, barnyard, vanilla aromas with a floral, barnyard streak. Round, dry, elegant and delicate but a bit lean with good balance. Spicy, herbal, raspberry, vanilla, floral, waxy, cherry flavours. Good finesse and length with fruit. Not big but good complexity. Keep 3-6 years. Prices:| BC | $149.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Bouchard Père & Fils Clos Vougeot Grand Cru 2005
Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FrancePeppery, spicy, smoky, herbal tea, strawberry jam, vanilla and menthol nose with a touch of dill. Dry, tight, elegant, light palate. Floral, vanilla, raspberry, carrot top, chocolate, waxy flavours. Nice delicacy, juicy but light with a few tannins to shed. There is a bit more stuffing in the Echezeaux.Prices:| BC | $149.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Kaesler WOMS 2004
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaBlack cherry, rootsy, vanilla, saddle leather, floral, mineral, poultry spice nose with blueberry and cassis notes. Rich, ripe, round, supple and fat with big concentration. Big black cherry, savoury, vanilla, spicy, cola, licorice, blueberry, cassis flavours. Somewhat tannic and rustic with edgy acidity now but very fruity, will need 3-7 years to integrate.Prices:| BC | $74.45 | 750ml |
| AB | $60.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Kaesler The Fave 2005
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaCherry, floral, spicy, blueberry, mocha, orange compote, jammy nose. Fresh, round, elegant and supple with fresh acidity and a dry edge. Creamy, orange, black raspberry jam, floral, spicy, licorice flavours. Good fruit forward style. Made from 97 per cent grenache with just a touch of cab. Made from a single vineyard, The Fave, planted in the 1930's.Prices:| BC | $74.45 | 750ml |
| AB | $60.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Kaesler Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaCassis, pencil lead, green bean, olive, peppery, licorice, resin and mint aromas. Ripe, round, somewhat fresh palate with supple tannins but full bodied. Lots of cassis, coffee, black cherry, cola, olive, tobacco and vanilla flavours. Good fruit in what is a very young bottle of wine. Needs 2-4 years to grow into its frame.Prices:| BC | $32.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $27.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Kaesler Avignon GSM 2005
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaStrawberry, raspberry jam, orange peel, kirsch, vanilla, floral nose. Soft, round, ripe and supple with a touch of fruit sweetness. Sexy style with ripe cherry, raspberry, orange Kool-Aid, spicy, cola flavours. Nice finesse in a very fruity, forward style.Prices:| BC | $37.63 | 750ml |
| AB | $32.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Kaesler Stonehorse GSM Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre 2005
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaSpicy, orange peel, cherry, strawberry jam, licorice root, smoky nose. Ripe, round, soft and elegant with lots of strawberry, black raspberry jam, orange peel and licorice flavours. Ready to go, fruity style. The latest vintage is under screwcap and it appears to be boosting the fruit.Prices:| BC | $26.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.50 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Kaesler The Bogan Shiraz 2004
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaEven richer than the previous edition it comes with a smoky, vanilla, peppery, spicy, black cherry, prune, cola, chocolate and orange peel nose. Ripe, rich, concentrated and supple with some tannins showing. Good black cherry, vanilla, coffee, spicy, orange, blueberry flavours with some Christmas pudding on the finish. Big and warm.Prices:| BC | $74.45 | 750ml |
| AB | $60.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Kaesler The Bogan Shiraz 2005
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaBlack cherry, floral, vanilla, sweet blackberry, coriander, five spice, mocha, licorice nose - very aromatic. Ripe, round, fat, forward style with some warmth - only 15.9 per cent alcohol! Vanilla, orange, blueberry, black cherry, mocha, cola flavours. Good concentration and balance despite the warmth and very fruity. Drink now and over the next 2 years.Prices:| BC | $74.45 | 750ml |
| AB | $60.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Kaesler Old Vine Shiraz 2005
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaFloral, spicy, cream vanilla, peppery, coriander, blueberry, blackberry, saddle leather nose. Ripe, round, supple and warm with slight acidity and sweetness. Lots of coffee, vanilla, blackberry, rootsy, orange, blueberry and licorice flavours. Long, warm, attractive style with good fruit intensity.Prices:| BC | $65.55 | 750ml |
| AB | $45.45 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Kaesler Old Bastard Shiraz 2004
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaCoffee, vanilla, mocha, blackberry, peppery, licorice, savoury, compost aromas. Rich, ripe, round and fat but with fresh acidity. Supple tannins with some heat but big vanilla, coffee, spice, blackberry jam, black raspberry, licorice, mineral, orange, savoury poultry spice flavours. Nice concentration and balance if somewhat warm and tart. Very good effort.Prices:| BC | $132.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $128.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Meursault Genevrières 1er Cru 2004
Meursault, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceA big step up from the village wine. Waxy, vanilla, floral, butter, melon, baked apple, spicy, nutty toast aromas. Dry, round, elegant, tight, good acidity. Spicy lees, vanilla, citrus rind, green apple, chalky, floral, melon skin flavours. Young, vibrant, good concentration, will improve with 3-5 years. Prices:| BC | $89.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Nuits Saint Georges Les Cailles 1er Cru 2004
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceSpicy, waxy, black cherry, strawberry, smoky, compost nose with some vanilla and barnyard. Round, elegant, firm, balanced palate with cherry, raspberry, orange flavours. Acidity is a touch high but has good forward fruit and some new oak showing. Needs 2-5 years. Very good for the vintage. Prices:| BC | $89.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Bouchard Père & Fils Gevrey Chambertin 2004
Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceStrawberry, floral, spicy, compost, orange rind, barnyard, mocha nose. Tight, elegant, delicate, light tannins with fresh acidity. Celery, carrot top, orange, raspberry, vanilla flavours. A bit sour but has good elegance and bright fruit for near to mid-term consumption. Prices:| BC | $52.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Le Corton Grand Cru 2004
Aloxe-Corton, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceSpicy, vanilla, clove, barnyard, mineral, strawberry jam, compost, meaty, peppery aromas. Round, elegant, dry, supple tannins with moderate concentration and balanced acidity. Smoky, celery, vanilla, raspberry, chocolate, herbal, and tobacco leaf flavours. Good finesse but a bit green and light. The nose would suggest more, may improve with 2-4 years.Prices:| BC | $89.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Volnay Caillerets Ancienne Cuvée Carnot 1er Cru 2004
Volnay, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceSpicy, raspberry, carrot top, dill, barnyard, saddle leather nose. Light, delicate, round, low concentration. Green leafy, herbal, menthol, dill, raspberry, licorice and chocolate flavours. Not much intensity this year. Prices:| BC | $64.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Beaune Grèves Vigne de l'Enfant Jésus 1er Cru 2004
Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceFloral, barnyard, wild raspberry, vanilla, barnyard, gamey, waxy nose with some orange rind, plum and smoke. Dry, round, elegant and fresh but balanced. Delicate with smoky vanilla, licorice root, spicy, dill, cherry, raspberry, carrot top flavours. Light, dry tannins on the finish with good finesse. Will benefit from 2-5 years aging, a good effort for the vintage. Prices:| BC | $89.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Beaune du Chateau Rouge 1er Cru 2004
Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceSpicy, vanilla, strawberry, barnyard, saddle leather, celery salt and tobacco aromas. Dry, round, elegant, slightly tight palate but balanced. Spicy, smoky, herbal, dill, celery, raspberry, vanilla flavours. A bit acidic but has good fruit freshness. Needs 2-3 years to round out.Prices:| BC | $44.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Bouchard Père & Fils Santenay 2004
Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceEarthy, peppery, smoky, barnyard, cherry aromas. Dry, tight, elegant palate but a bit green and lean. Spicy, sour cherry, earthy, rootsy, orange rind flavours. Light, fresh, elegant style but not much concentration. Prices:| BC | $34.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Bouchard Père & Fils Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2003
Burgundy, FranceMenthol, cherry, spicy, underbrush nose with some raspberry and barnyard. Warm, round, dry, elegant but a bit hot and acidic. Spicy, raspberry, earthy, peppery, cedar flavours. Lively style but somewhat tight and tart on the finish. Prices:| BC | $23.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Château des Charmes Gamay Noir Droit St. David's Bench Vineyard 2004
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaOpen earthy barnyard nose with peppery, sausage, floral notes. The entry is warm and dry with peppery, herbal black fruit and licorice flavours. Somewhat lean and dry with a warm alcoholic finish. Best with simple meat dishes - grilled sausages, hamburgers and or flank steak.Prices:| BC | $16.89 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Hillside Gamay Reserve Series 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen sweet baked fruit nose with peppery black cherry, gamey streaks. Soft and warm on entry with a caramel baked apple fruit flavours and touch of oxidation. Getting tired and needs drinking.Prices:| BC | $24.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
William Fèvre Chablis Champs Royaux 2004
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceLime, floral, lemon oil, green apple skin aromas. Dry, elegant, round style with good acidity. Round, slightly oily texture with citrus, green apple, light buttery, chalky flavours. Clean, tasty elegant style for introductory Chablis.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.75 | 750ml |
| QC | $22.75 | 750ml |
| ON | $21.50 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Kaesler Stonehorse GSM Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre 2004
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaBig cola, peppery, licorice root, black raspberry, gamey, coriander and orange peel aromas. Ripe, round, soft and supple with milk chocolate pudding, peppery, black raspberry jam, mineral, licorice and plum flavours. Warm, hedonistic style for current drinking. Try with turkey or pork roast. The Stonehorse series is constructed to highlight the fruit characteristics of the blend with less influence from new oak.Prices:| BC | $25.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.50 | 750ml |
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13 January 2007
86PTS
Wild Horse Canyon Chardonnay 2005
Product of CanadaThis 'West Coast Appellation,' label is a blend of chardonnay fruit from British Columbia, Washington and California. Expect a clean well executed wine with some 'Bin 65' tropical fruit undertones and touch of sugar in the finish. Uncomplicated, affordable and fresh. Good value.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Sandhill Gewurztraminer Seven Mountain Vineyard 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMineral, spicy sausage citrus nose with rosewater and peach peach pit aromas. Dry entry with good acidity but somewhat warm. Big mineral, perfumed, spicy, red apple, ginger citrus rind with dried lychee fruit. Simple but well made.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
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12 January 2007
87PTS
Chakana Syrah 2005
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSmoky, resiny, spicy, savoury, menthol, meaty, chipotle aromas with some black cherry jam. Warm, dry entry with smooth, round tannins. Full with savoury, menthol, resiny, black cherry, rootsy, coriander flavours. Very warm, dry, savoury finish. Solid.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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11 January 2007
84PTS
La Chamiza Shiraz Malbec 2004
Mendoza, ArgentinaGamey, rubbery savoury nose with hints of barnyard. The entry is sift and supple with a sweet edge of leafy, gamey, mineral and black cherry flavours with a touch of acidity poking through. A heavy duty party red for those occasions when quantity is required.Prices:| BC | $15.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Langhorne Crossing Dry Red 2004
Langhorne Creek, South Australia, AustraliaAlmost identical to the previous '03 version. With a smoky, stewed vegetable nose flecked with pepper and leafy black berry aromas. Soft and round on entry with more leafy black cherry licorice flavours and some fresh acidity poking through the finish. Simple skinny red.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $10.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.66 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Pascual Toso Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Las Barrancas Vineyards 2003
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaA lovely dark red colour pulls you into the glass where its sweet, savoury, vanilla aromas grab your interest. Very warm and spicy on entry with, silky black cherry black pepper, minty coffee fruit flavours and more vanilla. A stylish if a bit sweet red that will have wide appeal at this price point. Good value here.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Bisquertt Casa La Joya Reserve Malbec 2004
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileBig smoky leafy meaty nose with peppery cassis fruit. Soft round and warm on entry with more leafy dry earthy black fruit and vanilla flavours. Attractive despite its herbal edge and would be fine with grilled sausages, hamburgers or flank steak. The finish is long and smooth.Prices:| BC | $14.81 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Castaño Hécula 2004
Yecla, Valencia and Murcia, SpainAnother solid effort from Daniel Castaño. The entry is rich with ripe fruity notes of plum and black licorice that filter across the palate mixing with smoke, tobacco and spicy, boysenberry fruit. The finish is just a touch dry with some grip-y tannins but these will melt away in six months or alongside any grilled meat dish. Warm but balanced and once again flavourful. Yum 100 per cent older vine monastrell at a fair price.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.45 | 750ml |
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06 January 2007
86PTS
Pfaff Black Tie Pinot Gris Riesling 2005
Alsace, FrancePetrol, plasticene, slate, marzipan, green apple skin, floral, lime rind aromas. Ripe, round, slightly fat but dry palate with crisp acidity. Nutty, floral, petrol, slate, mineral, green apple skin, lime flavours. Very crisp, dry, warm finish. Will be fine with light seafood and Indian food.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $17.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Chateau Cabezac Cuvee Arthur Minervois 2003
Minervois, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceSpicy, barnyard, vanilla, cedar, smoky, cherry, coffee mocha nose. Dry, round, slightly austere style with some cedar-y tannins. Big oaky, vanilla, smoky, coffee palate with some cherry, green olive, roasted pepper flavours. Young needs 2-3 years to soften the tannin but the oak is very dominating.Prices:| BC | $28.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Chateau Cabezac Belveze Minervois 2003
Minervois, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceMenthol, strawberry jam, cherry, mineral, peppery, spicy, resiny, vanilla aromas. Smooth, round, warm palate with some light, dry tannin. Cherry, smoky, spicy, sausage, strawberry, menthol, tobacco, peppery flavours. Good finesse but a bit young on the finish with some tannin to soften. Try with lamb leg or keep for 2-3 years.Prices:| BC | $45.99 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Chiopris Pinot Grigio 2005
Friuli-Venezia Giulia, ItalyGarlic lees, mineral, matchstick, nutty, apple skin aromas. Dry, fresh, round palate with mineral, lees, herbal, nutty, garlic, lime skin flavours. Best when decanted that should blow off the nose.Prices:| BC | $18.21 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Remy Pannier Chinon 2005
Loire, FranceHuge leafy, pyrazine, green olive, tobacco, earthy, mineral nose with a touch of oak. Dry, round, elegant but somewhat austere with smoky, resiny, tobacco leaf, cranberry, earthy flavours. Light tannins but dry and warm. Needs steak tartar to tame the edges.Prices:| BC | $16.19 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Louis Jadot Saint Véran Domaine Bois de Fee 2004
Saint Véran, Mâconnais, Burgundy, FranceMineral, grassy, green apple skin, light lees nose with a light floral note. Soft, round, elegant and fresh palate with a touch of dry oiliness. Green apple, mineral, smoky, oyster shell, citrus, floral flavours. A bit thin and light by modern standards but it's solid white you can confidently serve with food.Prices:| BC | $26.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Van Westen Vineyards Vino Grigio 2005
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, leesy, honey, apple skin aromas. Crisp, round, fresh palate with nectarine skin, honey, mineral, green apple skin, citrus rind flavours. A bit leaner style with lively acidity. The fruit is sourced from the Home Lot Vineyard located on Naramata Road. Prices:| BC | $17.90 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio 2005
Valdadige, Pedemonte Valpolicella, Verona, Veneto, ItalyCitrus, floral, baked green apple skin, marzipan aromas. Fat, round, slightly oily style but dry. Mineral, marzipan, honey, grassy, lees flavours. Simple, straight ahead stuff with bits of star fruit in the finish.Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Bollini Pinot Grigio Trentino 2001
Volano, Trento, Trentino- Alto-Adige, ItalyFloral, citrus, grassy, green apple aromas with a touch of honey. Soft, round, fresh palate with grassy, mineral, apple skin, nutty, lees flavours. Simple, forward Euro-style grigio.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.75 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
See Ya Later Ranch Pinot Gris 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaButterscotch, honey, vanilla, nutty lees, floral nose. Soft, round, dry, slightly fat entry with lots of butter, vanilla, smoky oak, cedar, mineral, honey flavours with a salty, floral, buttered popcorn finish. More chardonnay/pinot blanc than pinot gris.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Hillside Pinot Gris Reserve 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVery floral, perfumy, citrus, honey, mineral, tangerine peel nose. Ripe, round, dry, slightly oily texture with lees, mineral, apple skin, floral, citrus flavours. A bit austere on the finish but solid for food. Good effort.Prices:| BC | $17.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Church & State Wines Pinot Gris Saddle Ridge Vineyard 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, almond, earthy, honey, mineral aromas. Soft, round, fresh palate with a touch of oiliness. Honey, nutty, earthy, mineral, citrus, baked apple skin flavours. A touch hot on the finish but solid styling.Prices:| BC | $15.95 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Thornhaven Pinot Gris 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoky, citrus rind, lees, mineral, floral nose with a wack of burnt matchstick. Soft, round, slightly sweet entry with mineral, lees, citrus, green apple skin, canned pineapple with some SO2 at the end. Needs to be cleaner to get to the next level of quality.Prices:| BC | $17.90 | 750ml |
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05 January 2007
90PTS
Ferreira Late Bottle Vintage Port 2000
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalBig peppery, licorice root, black cherry, prune, spicy, iodine, black tea aromas. Rich, round, elegant but firm with light tannins and good acidity and sweetness. Black cherry, plum jam, earthy, licorice, peppery, spicy, tea flavours. Warm, slightly chewy, coffee finish. Fine intensity but will benefit from further aging.Prices:| BC | $16.44 | 375ml |
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91PTS
Valdespino Pedro Ximenez El Candado NV
Sherry Jerez - Manzanilla, SpainRich amber, tawny colour with a green edge. Raisin-y, rancio, creamy, molasses, orange peel, lifted nose. Rich, fat, round, smooth and creamy but very sweet. Nutty, raisin-y, orange peel, fig, molasses, floral, cigar flavours. Very intense and sweet with fruit, you don't need much of this for a sugar rush.Prices:| BC | $35.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Dow's 10-Year Old Tawny NV
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalOrange, black tea colour. The nose is a peppery, spicy, licorice style with a rancio, spicy, tea streak. Rich round and mellow in a slightly fiery style. Rancio, spicy, peppery, nutmeg, walnut flavours with a touch of dried fruit. Slightly drier finish but rich with a touch more dried walnut.Prices:| BC | $35.84 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Quinta do Noval Late Bottle Vintage Port 1999
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalSpicy, pruny, black berry, peppery, licorice root, figgy nose and a bit fiery. Rich, round, slightly tannic entry but well balanced with good sugar and acidity. Big black cherry, smoky, peppery, fig, licorice, nutty, coffee flavours with a very warm finish. Very good fruit intensity and a bit young as it showing some fiery alcohol on the finish.Prices:| BC | $31.99 | 750ml |
| QC | $29.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Graham's Late Bottled Vintage Port 2000
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalFloral, plum, licorice, spicy, prune, peppery, dried fig, chocolate, mace aromas. Ripe, round, elegant and somewhat sweet with light tannins. Peppery, spicy, licorice, black tea, clove, nutty, black cherry, prune flavours. Consistent well made style that is just a bit sweeter and creamier with some warmth at the end.Prices:| BC | $26.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $22.19 | 750ml |
| QC | $21.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Graham Six Grapes Reserve Port NV
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalPruny, rootsy, earthy, licorice, black berry, tea, mineral, tobacco aromas. Ripe, rich, fat, slightly tannic entry with big black cherry, licorice, red berry, peppery, spicy, chocolate flavours. Higher acidity, more sweetness, more alcohol and younger, sappy fruit on the finish compared to the LBV.Prices:| BC | $26.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $33.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $26.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $24.99 | 750ml |
| YK | $30.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Jackson-Triggs Meritage Sun Rock Vineyard 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoky, coffee, vanilla, black berry, cassis, peppery, floral, spicy tobacco nose. Very warm entry but rich with some chewy, dry tannin. Plum, black cherry, earthy, peppery, chocolate, vanilla, and pudding flavours with a minty, olive note. A bit alcoholic and young but has some good fruit. Needs 2-3 years to round out.Prices:| BC | $33.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Jackson-Triggs Meritage Proprietors' Reserve 2003
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoky, plum, vanilla, coffee, peppery, menthol, resiny bacon nose. Dry, somewhat tannic entry with a warm entry. Peppery, resiny, smoky, vanilla, coffee, mocha, green bean, olive, cassis flavours. Young and spicy but has a lot of dry tannins and vanilla to smooth out over the next few years.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Cockburn's Tawny Porto (10 Years Matured in Wood) NV
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalPale amber, orange colour. Open nutty walnut, rancio, tobacco nose with hints of licorice, tea and raisins. Elegant, warm, creamy entry with good acidity and sweetness balance. Lots of rancio, walnut, licorice, dried cherry, tea and butter flavours with dried citrus. Attractive style for sipping any time.Prices:| BC | $39.64 | 750ml |
| QC | $30.75 | 750ml |
| MB | $29.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Burrowing Owl Meritage 2004
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaHerbal, green olive, carrot top, resiny, spicy, cranberry, vanilla aromas. Dry, round, elegant palate with some light, dry tannins. Cedar, cranberry, smoky, resiny, vanilla, tobacco, cassis flavours. Hot, somewhat green smoky finish. Lacks ripe fruit overall and to much overt oak for the style. Disappointing.Prices:| BC | $39.90 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Bogle Vineyards Petite Sirah 2004
California, United StatesMeaty, gamey, earthy, roasted pepper, blueberry, spicy, tobacco nose. Round, soft, supple palate with blueberry, smoky, earthy, peppery, baked plum, tobacco, coffee flavours. Good supple finish with fruit and light tannins but well balanced. Solid value in a tasty New World, dinner red.Prices:| BC | $19.81 | 750ml |
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83PTS
St. Hubertus Northern Summer 2005
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaHerbal, resiny, smoky, menthol aromas. Dry, tart, round and warm with mineral, herbal, cedar, spicy, resiny, sour cherry flavours. Very pruny, hot, smoky resin finish. Lacks ripe fruit.Prices:| BC | $12.50 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Laughing Stock Vineyards Portfolio 2004
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe nose is tight mix of coffee, black olive, resin, rootsy, saddle leather notes with flecks of menthol, cherry, tobacco leaf and barnyard. The entry is dry and round with light grainy, slightly cedar-y tannins and a bit of warmth in the back end. More smoky gamey, coffee, vanilla, pepper, resin flavours with black olive, cherry and tobacco leaf and a slightly warm tart finish. This will require further ageing to fully round out but it seems a bit leaner and greener than the last edition.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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February 2007