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Tastings: March 2007
26 March 2007
91PTS
Brooklyn East India Pale Ale NV
Plae amber, fine creamy mousse. Very spicy, fruity hops on the nose with a malty, honey, apricot, pear and earthy streak. Creamy, rich, full palate. Earthy, malty, spicy, ginger flavours with a floral, bitter hops finish. Long and intense with a bit of residual sweetness. Greast aromatics, good match for spicy foods.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Brooklyn Brown Ale NV
Mahogany brown colour and pale brown mousse. Very fruity, spicy hops nose with bits of coffee, chocolate and honey. Rich, round, crisp palate with a dry finish. Malty, nutty, roasted coffee flavours with some earth;y, spicy, bitter hops mixed in. Good solid ale with little residual sweetness.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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23 March 2007
89PTS
Albert Bichot Domaine Long-Depaquit Chablis Les Vaucopins 1er Cru 2004
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceSteely, slate, green apple skin, lees, light garlic nose with a touch of seashell and lime rind. Ripe, round, elegant palate with lees, green apple, lime, smoky flint flavours with a floral hint. A bit soft on the finish but solid and ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Casal Thaulero Sangiovese Tere di Chieti 2005
Abruzzo, ItalyMeaty, prune, floral, cherry nose with a smoky, Band-Aid, tar streak. Soft, round, supple style with a bit of sweet and sour palate. Plum, gamey, smoky, Band-Aid, prune and resin flavours. Simple barbeque wine.Prices:| BC | $9.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $6.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $10.10 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Ceuso IGT Sicily 2003
Sicily, ItalySpicy, meaty, peppery, floral, cedar, mocha, coriander, prune and cassis nose with some tobacco, licorice and dried ginger in the background. Rich, round, full and concentrated palate with youthful tannins. Intense coffee, cassis, cedar, olive, tobacco, cherry and prune flavours with a long vanilla, oaky, resin finish. A combination of New and Old world styles. Needs 2-4 years to round out but lots of stuff here.Prices:| BC | $43.78 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Scurati Nero d'Avola 2005
Sicily, ItalyPeppery, spicy, floral, meaty, plum, cherry nose with a meaty Band-Aid and tea leaf streak. Rich, chunky, full palate with some dry tannin. Big black cherry, plum fruit with licorice, pepper, floral, tobacco, smoky meat flavours with a bit of Band-Aid barnyard. Big, warm and chunky with fruit, designed for roast meats and fowl.Prices:| BC | $23.93 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Folie à Deux Ménage a Trois White 2005
California, United StatesVery floral, honey, citrus, orange blossom, minty, peach skin aromas. Round, fat, slightly sweet entry with apple skin, honey, lime, ginger, butter, spicy, floral flavours. Solid consumer style for Asian food or picnic.Prices:| BC | $17.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.99 | 750ml |
| NS | $19.99 | 750ml |
| NB | $19.99 | 750ml |
| PEI | $19.99 | 750ml |
| NF | $19.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Bisquertt Casa La Joya Reserve Viognier 2006
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileOrange, ginger, floral, mineral, slate aromas with a hint of butter and matchstick. Round, moderately dry, soft palate with mineral, flinty, ginger, orange blossom, light butter, apricot skin flavours. Solid if a bit warm and bitter on the finish. Good value.Prices:| BC | $14.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Anakena Viognier 2005
Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileFloral, butter, honey, ginger, light marmalade aromas. Ripe, round, rich, dry palate with some oily texture. Mineral, apricot, orange, butter, ginger peel, apple skin flavours. Good intensity and balance with good viscosity.Prices:| BC | $17.50 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Laroche Chablis 2005
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceNew in screwcap with a lemon, green apple skin, floral, lees aromas with a hint of gun smoke and melon. Round, elegant, fresh palate with creamy acidity. Ripe citrus, green apple, floral, mineral, lees, flinty flavours. Nice ripeness and finesse if a bit light but shows the ripe acidity and fruit for the vintage. Very solid seafood wine.Prices:| BC | $29.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $26.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $22.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Paul Mas Viognier 2005
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceVery floral, perfumy, butter, ginger, slate, mineral, honey and lees aromas. Dry, round, elegant, slightly lean entry but crisp. Apricot, ginger, mineral, butter, orange, honey and butter flavours. Very attractive style for food and very good value.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Voga Quattro 2005
Veneto, ItalyThe glass water-bottle look-alike has an artificial cork hidden beneath the plastic screw top. Meaty, rootsy, plum, smoky, peppery, spicy nose with some wet tobacco and a bit of reduction. Soft, round, slightly tannic entry with a bit of sweetness. Plum, coffee, tobacco, mineral, gamey, rubbery flavours. Fruity with some residual sweetness but balanced with some acidity. Simple drinking style but why not just have a screw cap in and out?Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Spinelli Quartana Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2004
Abruzzo, ItalyMeaty, prune, smoky, peppery, cherry nose showing a bit of reduction. Fresh, round, dry, slightly tannic entry. Cherry, plum, meaty, spicy, rootsy flavours. A bit tart and lean on the finish but has decent fruit intensity. Solid rib wine at a good price.Prices:| BC | $8.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Vitae Sangiovese Puglia 2004
Puglia, ItalySmoky, resin, spicy, plum jam nose with black pepper, floral, rootsy, game notes. Dry, soft, round and supple with plum, cherry, spicy, smoky, licorice root flavours. Simple, easy going food wine with a solid fruit core and solid value.Prices:| BC | $13.25 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Tukula Chenin Blanc 2005
Groenekloof, Darling, Coastal Region, South AfricaLeesy, waxy, baked apple, pear skin aromas with a bit of lime rind and mango. Soft, round, fat, warm entry with apricot, mineral, honey, pear, lees flavours. Big intensity but quite warm and fat. Good match for Indian or spicy Chinese.Prices:| BC | $19.21 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Osborne Solaz Tempranillo Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Valdepeñas, Castilla-La Mancha, SpainThe 80/20 tempranillo/cabernet sauvignon combo is soft and fragrant. The fruit is a mix of plummy, earthy spicy, flavours with a touch of mushroom. Simple well-made, Spanish red from another era. Serve with lighter meats and poultry.Prices:| BC | $12.65 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.18 | 750ml |
| QC | $12.25 | 750ml |
| NF | $12.32 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Niccolo V Seicentenario Colli di Luni Riserva 2000
Tuscany, ItalySpicy, cherry, plum, gamey, mineral nose with some licorice root and coriander. Soft, round, supple palate with lots of plum, cherry, earthy, licorice, meaty flavours. A touch rustic but well balanced with good intensity. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Château Gaudrelle 2004
Vouvray, Touraine, Loire, FranceHoney, leesy, pear, mineral, buttery, baked apple, anise, lifted nose. Dry, round, rich, full bodied style but good finesse. Mineral, green apple skin, honey, spicy, lees, citrus flavours. Good intensity with a slight bitter, warm edge on the finish.Prices:| BC | $25.95 | 750ml |
| BC | $13.95 | 375ml |
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88PTS
La Poderina Brunello di Montalcino 2001
Montalcino, Siena, Tuscany, ItalySmoky, tar, black cherry jam, licorice, soy, Band-Aid, cedar, resin, gamey aromas. Ripe, rich, round, elegant palate with lightly rustic tannins. Peppery, resin, vanilla, smoky, rootsy, meaty, gamey, Band-Aid, black cherry, tarry flavours. Solid but shows a lot of Dekkera. Mid term aging potential.Prices:| BC | $67.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Apollonio Terragnolo Salento Rosso 2001
Puglia, ItalyVery dark cherry colour. Spicy, floral, peppery, blackberry jam, birar, vanilla, mocha, meaty aromas. Rich, round, ripe, slightly tannic palate. Cedar, blackberry, black cherry, licorice, vanilla, savoury meaty flavours. Good stuffing if a bit chunky. Needs a year more to soften the tannins or try with a leg of lamb.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Apollonio Salice Salentino Rosso 2001
Puglia, ItalyPeppery, gamey, meaty, floral, smoky, saddle leather nose with a bit of resin and tobacco. Rich, round, dry palate with light, chunky tannins. Smoky, licorice root, plum, savoury, meaty flavours. Solid, chunky style that finishes a bit warm.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Apollonio Squinzano Rosso 2001
Puglia, ItalyFloral, coffee, cedar, meaty, cherry, plum nose with a bit of rose and sweaty saddle leather. Rich, round, chunky palate with some youthful tannin. Smoky, resin, peppery, savoury, plum, cherry flavours with a licorice, mocha finish. Fine concentration if rustic.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Inniskillin Okanagan Discovery Series Chenin Blanc 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPerfumed, honey, guava, baked pear, leesy, bready, lifted nose. Round, tart, oily texture with baked pear, honey, lees, mineral, apple skin flavours with some ginger on the finish. Solid, if a bit fat and soapy, on the finish.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Apollonio Copertino Rosso 2001
Puglia, ItalyMeaty, gamey, savoury nose with smoky, plum, cherry, soy, resin and floral components. Rich, round, good concentration but slightly dry tannins and warm. Big licorice, black cherry, plum floral, gamey, smoky cofee flavours with a bit of vanilla, tobacco and cedar on the finish. Warm, chunky style to accompany roast lamb, goat or stews.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Domaine de Beaurenard Côtes du Rhône 2004
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceBig garrigue, spicy, cooked black cherry, licorice root, dark chocolate, mineral aromas. Rich, ripe, round, slightly tannic entry but elegant and warm. Full with big black cherry, smoky, mineral, black licorice, orange compote flavours. Finish is a bit tannic but has good fruit. Needs 1-2 years, a more serious style.Prices:| BC | $23.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.80 | 750ml |
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18 March 2007
94PTS
Louis Latour Chambertin Cuvée Heritiers Grand Cru 2003
Gevrey-Chambertin, Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceVanilla, mocha, gamey, spicy, peppery, orange peel, floral, cherry jam aromas, very open and ripe. Dry, supple, fat and rich but well balanced. Very spicy, peppery, black cherry jam, black raspberry, mocha, vanilla and orange compote flavours. Great fruit, full and long, very fine - certainly hit the spot this year, always one of Latour's finest vineyards and they have tended it since end of the 19th century.Prices:| US | $150.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Louis Latour Nuits St. Georges Les Crots 1er Cru 2003
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceCarrot, celery, meaty, barnyard nose with a touch of Band-Aid. Dry, round, warm and full with some tannin. Cherry compote, compost, earthy, cooked carrot, Band-Aid flavours. Good finesse if a bit meaty and bretty.Prices:| BC | $90.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Louis Latour Aloxe Corton Les Challiots 1er Cru 2003
Aloxe-Corton, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceFrom a piece of vineyard below Corton Grancey comes a big spicy, barnyard, cherry, strawberry jam scented red with lifted balsamic notes. Ripe, round, supple style with light tannins. Nice cherry, spicy, compote, coffee, cooked carrot and orange flavours. Drink now or over the next 2-3 years.Prices:| US | $57.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Louis Latour Chateau Corton Grancey Grand Cru 1999
Aloxe-Corton, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceSpicy, Oxo cube, meaty, peppery, carrot, celery root, cherry, mineral aromas. Round, supple, dry and elegant. Peppery, spicy, licorice root, orange rind, cherry, rootsy flavours. Good acidity, very supple finish with some finesse. Will improve further. Very good effort.Prices:| BC | $110.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Château Corton Grancey Grand Cru 2003
Aloxe-Corton, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceSmoky, gamey, floral, black cherry, carrot, spicy nose. Rich, ripe, round and fat with good ripe supple tannins. Spicy, black cherry jam, coffee, vanilla, compost, carrot and tobacco leaf flavours. Long, round, ripe and full on the finish. Quite forward but has good mid-term aging potential.Prices:| BC | $110.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $108.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $100.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Simonnet-Febvre Crémant de Bourgogne NV
Burgundy, FranceCrémant de Bourgogne,made not all that far from Champagne, sparkles in the glass delivering citrus, toasty, nutty, apple, floral, peach aromas. It's round, soft and creamy with nutty, apple, peach and cherry flavours with a hint of biscuit at the end. It has fine concentration and finesse in a riper style. Good value. Simonnet-Febvre isowned by the folks at Louis Latour.Prices:| USA | $22.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Simonnet-Febvre Chablis Les Clos Grand Cru 2005
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceVery floral, lemon, anise, chalky, butter, lees, green apple skin and gun flint aromas. Ripe, round, elegant but good finesse and acidity. Butter, lemon, fig, anise, mineral, slate, chalky flavours with a hint of melon skin and pear on the finish. Very good ripeness and length. Drink now or hold for 5 years.Prices:| BC | $68.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Simonnet-Febvre Chablis 2005
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceLemon, floral, melon, mineral, chalky, clover aromas. Dry, round, elegant and ripe with some viscosity. Citrus, light butter, green apple skin, lees and anise flavours. Clean and ripe with good length for standard Chablis.Prices:| BC | $23.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Louis Latour Meursault Goutte d'Or 1er cru 2005
Meursault, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceMeursault Goutte d'Or is the first Premier Cru outside of the village of Meursault as you head south toward Puligny-Montrachet. Love the butter, lemon, nutty lees nose with the citrus, floral flecks. Rich, round, dry and concentrated if a touch fat. Lemony, buttery, nutty, spicy lees flavours with a long, intense citrus, pear finish. Worth trying.Prices:| BC | $62.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Louis Latour Puligny Montrachet Sous le Puit 1er Cru 2004
Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceFresh apple, grassy, citrus, butter aromas. Crisp, round, elegant palate but tight acidity. Grassy, buttery, citrus, mineral and lees flavours with a green apple skin finish. Good but young, needs 2-3 years to soften. Sous le Puits is in the middle of the top Premier Crus from Puligny-Montrachet near Les Truffières, Les Chalumaux and Les Perrières.Prices:| BC | $62.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Louis Latour Puligny Montrachet Sous le Puit 1er Cru 2005
Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FrancePeach, floral, pear, butter, melon aromas. Round, dry, fresh and elegant but a bit tight. Floral, buttery, pear, quince and lemon flavours. Good length on the finish, will improve with 2-4 years. Sous le Puits is in the middle of the top Premier Crus from Puligny-Montrachet near Les Truffières, Les Chalumaux and Les Perrières.Prices:| BC | $62.99 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Louis Latour Chassagne Montrachet Les Caillerets 1er cru 2005
Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceChassagne-Montrachet is located just to the south of Puligny-Montrachet in what is considered the last great white wine appellation of the Côte de Beaune. This premier cru Caillerets has a floral, mineral, slate, buttery, earthy, lemon, quince, spicy lees aromas. Rich, full, fat but with very good acidity. Lots of spicy, lemon, quince, baked pear, butter and nutty lees flavours. Very good finesse, long with good acidity on the finish. Very fine, a buy.Prices:| US | $75.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Louis Latour Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 2003
Aloxe-Corton, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceSpicy, citrus, white floral, baked pear, nutty lees aromas. Dry, round, rich and fat but has good finesse. Buttery, spicy, nutty, baked apple, pear, melon flavours with a touch of orange and lemon on the finish. A bit coarse but good drinking now and over the next 2-3 years. Corton-Charlemagne sits on the hillside of Corton pitched in a south-easterly direction to capture the maximum exposure to the sun and generally is harvested as late as possible to guarantee maximum ripeness.Prices:| BC | $149.95 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Louis Latour Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 2004
Aloxe-Corton, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceCorton-Charlemagne sits on the hillside of Corton pitched in a south-easterly direction to capture the maximum exposure to the sun and generally is harvested as late as possible to guarantee maximum ripeness. Look for a spicy, mineral, apple skin, lees, buttery, pear aromas. Round, tight, elegant palate with good concentration but a bit austere. Butter, toasty lees, spicy, mineral, pear, anise and vanilla flavours. Will benefit from 2-5 years of bottle age.Prices:| BC | $149.95 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Louis Latour Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 2005
Aloxe-Corton, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceCorton-Charlemagne sits on the hillside of Corton pitched in a south-easterly direction to capture the maximum exposure to the sun and generally is harvested as late as possible to guarantee maximum ripeness. Big white floral, spicy, citrus, quince, baked apple and melon aromas. Rich, ripe, fat and concentrated with good acidity balance. Intense apple, spicy lees, butter, vanilla, melon, nutty, quince flavours. Full, long, ripe and structured. One of their finest in many years. Buy cellar and enjoy for years to come.Prices:| BC | $149.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Louis Latour Chassagne Montrachet 2004
Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceLemon, green apple skin, earthy, mineral aromas. Round, dry, tight and elegant but a bit tart now. Very citrus lemon, mineral, apple skin, light butter flavours with a mineral finish. Good but young and a bit light in style.Prices:| BC | $48.99 | 750ml |
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13 March 2007
91PTS
Michele Chiarlo Barolo Tortoniano 2000
Piedmont, ItalyMade with contract grapes: from 50% Cerequio and 50% La Morra villages contract. A more approachable style, done in stainless steel. Smoky, peppery, black cherry, strawberry, tobacco, barnyard, tar aromas with a touch of truffle. Dry, round, supple and warm with some tannins showing. Very peppery, smoky, tobacco, olive, strawberry flavours with some orange, rootsy, tar flavours at the end. Good finesse, nearly ready but will improve over the next 2-4 years.Prices:| BC | $64.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $43.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $55.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Michele Chiarlo Barbera d'Asti le Orme 2004
Piedmont, ItalyCherry, licorice, smoky, floral, spicy, mineral aromas. Soft, round, elegant, forward style. Mineral, earthy, peppery, black olive, cassis, cherry, rootsy flavours. Ready now but should hold for a few years. Prices:| BC | $22.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Michele Chiarlo La Monache 2005
Vignale Monferrato, Alessandria, Piedmont, ItalyMade from barbera, merlot and cabernet sauvignon in a fresh style and designed for young people as an entry level wine. Spicy, black cherry, cassis, tobacco, gamey aromas. Round, dry, supple and fresh with cassis, black cherry, smoky, tobacco, rootsy, licorice flavours. Good balance, round, full and fruity. Prices:| BC | $26.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Michele Chiarlo Nivole Moscato D'Asti 2004
Gavi, Piedmont, ItalyBig floral, peach, perfume, honey, spicy, quince nose. Light and spritzy, fresh and delicate with peach, red apple, floral, ginger, melon, honey flavours. Great freshness and fun to drink with the fresh fruit notes. Drink anytime of the day or night. Great value. Prices:| BC | $15.95 | 375ml |
| AB | $13.95 | 375ml |
| QC | $10.35 | 375ml |
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93PTS
Michele Chiarlo Barolo Cerequio 2001
Piedmont, ItalyGamey, smoky, peppery, tobacco, coffee, tar, black cherry, strawberry, black olive and leather aromas with a touch of licorice. Rich, ripe, round and supple but grainy tannins and structured. Big strawberry, cherry, licorice, peppery, tobacco, black olive flavours with good acidity balance at the end. Full, ripe, fresh with ripe tannins with good aging potential. Chiarlo says this shows best in first 5 years compared to Cannubi then shuts down, then after 10 years, emerges as better than Cannubi. Prices:| BC | $89.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $74.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $62.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Michele Chiarlo Barolo Cannubi 2001
Piedmont, ItalySmoky, spicy, tobacco, balsamic, tar, chocolate, anise and black cherry aromas. Dry, ripe, round, fat but with fine grained tannins. Ripe and concentrated with peppery, coriander, tobacco, strawberry, tar, anise, licorice and coffee flavours. Fine structure, intensity and finesse. Needs 2-7 years to come around but showing well. Generally a bit more austere vineyard. Made from a 1.4 hectare portion bought in 1985. Very steep slopes, now replanted in terraces with planting of grasses in rows with 1 meter high walls and no stones to maintain terroir and limit erosion. The wienry says it drinks best after about 7-8 years.Prices:| BC | $91.15 | 750ml |
| AB | $74.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $87.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Michele Chiarlo Gavi di Gavi 2004
Gavi, Piedmont, ItalyMineral, apple skin, floral, nutty, quince aromas. Dry, round, elegant, slightly lean entry with smoky slate, apple skin, lemon, nutty, quince flavours. Crisp, dry finish with good length but not a big wine, designed for food. Prices:| BC | $26.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Michele Chiarlo Barbaresco Asili 2000
Montforte d'Alba, Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalyPeppery, tar, black cherry, truffle, barnyard, tea and coffee nose, very aromatic. Dry, round, elegant style with light tannins, nearly ready. Smoky, resin, leather, dried cherry, mineral flavours with a tobacco, sour cherry finish. Very good finesse but young should improve over the next 2-5 years. A bit Burgundian like in style.Prices:| BC | $69.35 | 750ml |
| AB | $42.95 | 750ml |
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12 March 2007
89PTS
Brooklyn Penannt Ale '55 NV
United StatesPale amber colour. Good creamy, light mousse. Floral, spicy hops, malt aroma with a coffee note. Fresh, round, slightly bitter palate with medium body but showing a bit of sweetness balanced by a touch extra acidity. Spicy, apple, malty, pear flavours. Good creamy, slightly bitter finish. Very solid ale.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 355ml |
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88PTS
Brooklyn Pilsener NV
United StatesPale gold colour. Light fine mousse yields a spicy, earthy, malty nose with a touch of cooked rice. Dry, fresh, crisp, slightly bitter palate with earthy, floral, malty, mineral flavours. A slightly bitter, refreshing style with good body.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 355ml |
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09 March 2007
84PTS
Deinhard Riesling Classic 2005
Rheinhessen, GermanyNectarine skin, green apple, floral, matchstick, baked pear aromas. Round, ripe, elegant palate but not too sweet. Pear, green apple, floral, mineral flavours. Warm, slightly hard acidity finish. Simple, easy style.Prices:| BC | $10.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $9.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $10.75 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $9.81 | 750ml |
| PEI | $9.51 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Huia Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandA blend of several vineyard sites, it has a big gooseberry, passion fruit, grassy, grapefruit nose with a bit of asparagus and spearmint. Round, dry and elegant and very crisp. Gooseberry, minty, grassy, grapefruit flavours with a touch of bell pepper at the end. Solid, elegant style for food that will benefit from a year or 2 in bottle.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
La Vieille Ferme Côtes du Luberon Blanc 2005
Côtes du Lubéron, Provence, Sud de France, FranceFloral, lemon oil, quince, nutty, buttery, citrus nose. Clean, round, fresh, dry style with buttery, lemon oil, citrus rind, slate, pear skin flavours with a light floral, orange peel finish. Solid food wine.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.30 | 750ml |
| QC | $13.30 | 750ml |
| NS | $11.66 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc Private Bin 2006
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandGreen pepper, grassy, melon, passion fruit nose with a bit of jalapeno in the background. Round, delicate, crisp and fresh palate. Melon, bell pepper, granny smith, jalapeno flavours. Good delicate, slightly herbaceous style.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Church & State Wines Sauvignon Blanc Rock Rose & Stoney Hill Vineyards 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGooseberry, grapefruit, light grassy, fresh hay nose. Round, crisp, fresh palate with grassy, herbal, mineral, grapefruit rind flavours. Tart, slightly viscous finish. Solid if somewhat acidic and simple on the finish. Heading in the right direction.Prices:| BC | $18.90 | 750ml |
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06 March 2007
87PTS
Casillero del Diablo Chardonnay 2005
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileFloral, tropical fruit, pear, butter, vanilla aromas. Ripe, round, fresh palate with butter, citrus, vanilla, baked apple and pineapple flavours. A touch sweet and oily on the finish but good freshness and balance. Continued good quality and with a new screw cap.Prices:| AB | $11.50 | 750ml |
| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
| SK | $13.10 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.95 | 750ml |
| NS | $12.95 | 750ml |
| NF | $11.57 | 750ml |
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05 March 2007
88PTS
Albert Bichot Pommard Clos des Ursulines Domaine du Pavillon 2003
Burgundy, FranceMeaty, spicy, raspberry, peppery aromas flecked with floral, resin and briar notes. Warm, dry, slightly tart entry with light tannins. Spicy, smoky, gamey, orange peel flavours with raspberry, compost flavours with a resiny note. Warm finish with good intensity but a bit coarse. Solid drinking now and over the next 2 years.Prices:| BC | $56.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $50.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $53.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Evolution NV
Oregon, United StatesPeach skin, floral, pear, mineral, grapefruit rind aromas. Fresh, round, sweet and sour entry with perfume, mineral, lime rind, canned grapefruit flavours. A picnic-style wine with a sweet and sour finish.Prices:| BC | $27.45 | 750ml |
| ON | $24.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Wild Goose Mystic River Chardonnay 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, perfume, peach skin, mineral, slate nose with a touch of apple skin and honey. Fresh, round, easy style with green apple skin, light lees, orange peel, pear flavours with decent acidity balance. Simple, fresh, elegant style that is holding well.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Van Westen Vineyards Vivacious 2005
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, mineral, pear skin, lees aromas with a touch of struck matchstick. Dry, tart, crisp and somewhat austere with green apple skin, citrus rind, mineral, herbal flavours. Simple, very tart, austere style that needs food. The blend combines tank and barrel fermented sur lie style pinot blanc (96%) with a touch of pinot gris (4%).Prices:| BC | $17.90 | 750ml |
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04 March 2007
85PTS
Soaring Eagle Pinot Noir Limited Edition 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaHorse-y, sweaty saddle, cooked fruit, volatile nose with some black cherry and coffee. Dry, fresh, round, elegant palate with very light tannins. Cherry, orange peel, rootsy, smoky, Band-Aid flavours. Has potential but needs to be cleaner.Prices:| BC | $19.90 | 750ml |
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80PTS
Summerhill Pyramid Winery Pinot Noir 2002
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe colour is light but well within the pinot spectrum. It's sweet on entry and very peppery with a minty spicy herbal twiggy rootsy flavour profile. Too much oak and acidity mars the finish. Awkward at best, with too much oak and vanilla sitting on the fruit. It's pinot not merlot.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Dunham Froese Night Hawk Pinot Noir 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight coffee, spicy, lifted black cherry, garlic lees aromas with a bit of compost. Soft, supple entry that dries with strawberry, twiggy, rootsy, compost, rhubarb flavours with some coffee, espresso on the finish. A touch unclean with a bit of acidity showing on the finish.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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03 March 2007
90PTS
Kruger-Rumpf Münsterer Kapellenberg Riesling Kabinett 2005
Nahe, GermanyVery floral, red apple, baked peach, cement, spicy, apricot skin aromas. Crisp, round, fresh, juicy, elegant palate with slate, red apple skin, nectarine, apricot, lime and Vaseline flavours. Good concentration and delicacy but quite full and crisp. Can age but drinking well now.Prices:| BC | $24.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.55 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Dr. L Riesling 2005
Mosel, GermanyFloral, slate, red apple, mineral, peach skin, spicy aromas. Fresh, round, elegant, tart entry with green apple skin, peach pit, light Vaseline, guava, floral flavours with a bit of baked pear. Good solid food wine.Prices:| BC | $17.98 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Gustav Adolf Schmitt Niersteiner Riesling Spatlese Late Harvest 2005
Rheinhessen, GermanyOrange, spicy, peach, pineapple, candied ginger, baked green apple aromas. Ripe, fat, slightly sweet entry but elegant. Spicy, slate, rose, orange, cement, mineral, peach skin flavours. Good solid drink if a bit fat on the finish. Try with Indian curry.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Albert Bichot Côtes de Nuits-Villages 2003
Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceMinty, celery root, floral, compost, cherry, raspberry aromas with a touch of cedar. Round, soft, dry palate with cherry, spicy, rootsy, smoky, rhubarb, mineral flavours. Simple, fresh, well balanced style for current drinking.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Albert Bichot Bourgogne Vieilles Vignes Pinot Noir 2003
Burgundy, FranceRaspberry, cedar bark, smoky, earthy aromas. Dry, tart, light bodied style with mineral, raspberry, leafy, strawberry flavours. Tart and lean, needs food.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Vina Casas del Bosque Pinot Noir Reserve 2006
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileFloral, strawberry jam, celery salt, spicy aromas with a light leesy, mercaptan note. Dry, fresh, round, slightly tight palate. Celery salt, gamey, compost, strawberry, carrot, cedar flavours. Good elegance in a cooler style but could be a bit cleaner.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Skillogalee Hand-Picked Riesling 2005
Sevenhill, Clare Valley, South Australia, AustraliaFloral, nectarine skin, slate, green apple, lime aromas. Dry, round, elegant, fresh, juicy palate with green apple skin, passion fruit, nectarine skin, lime, mineral, slate and a hint of mandarin rind on the finish. Fine fruit intensity and elegance. Drink anytime.Prices:| BC | $23.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Beato Bartolomeo Breganze Savardo Pino Nero Superiore 2004
Veneto, ItalyResiny, smoky, saddle leather, black cherry, Band-Aid, compost aromas. Dry, round, full but elegant palate. Cherry, orange peel, rhubarb, cedar, rootsy, resin flavours. A bit tight on the finish but will be fine with food.Prices:| BC | $23.50 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Martinborough Vineyard Pinot Noir Te Tera Vineyard 2004
Martinborough, Wairarapa, North Island, New ZealandLight cherry colour. Meaty, celery salt, leafy compost, pruny, rhubarb aromas. Very soft, round, supple entry but quite dry. Elegant with cooked rhubarb, celery salt, spicy, minty, carrot top flavours. Good finesse but seems to be a bit tired and dry at the end.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Martinborough Vineyard Pinot Noir Martinborough Terrace 2003
Martinborough, Wairarapa, North Island, New ZealandVery spicy, floral, cherry, savoury, cranberry jam, rootsy, gamey aromas. Fresh, round, dry, slightly tight palate with good finesse. Gamey, celery, minty, rhubarb, cherry, savoury, balsamic flavours. Good elegance but a bit lean and tart overall. Needs a year or so.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Sokol Blosser Pinot Noir Estate Cuvee 2004
Willamette Valley, Oregon, United StatesSpicy, meaty, menthol, caraway, celery salt, smoky oak, vanilla, light garlic lees nose wit a bit of strawberry jam and touch of Band-Aid. Dry, round, slightly chunky palate with some concentration. Celery, mineral, spicy, vanilla, gamey, smoky, herbal, cherry flavours with some garlic and rubber.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Rodney Strong Russian River Pinot Noir Estate Vineyards 2005
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesSpicy, smoky, carrot top, caraway, vanilla, forest floor with some strawberry and burnt rubber. Dry, round, supple palate with resin, smoky, spicy, cherry, rhubarb, vanilla flavours with a light rubbery, mercaptan note. Well balanced with good texture but a bit too unclean.Prices:| BC | $27.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.50 | 750ml |
| US | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $24.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $0.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Torii Mor Pinot Noir 2005
Oregon, United StatesClove, spicy, maraschino cherry, Band-Aid, leafy, carrot top, rootsy aromas. Very dry but elegant palate with light tannins. Gamey, spicy, caraway, celery root, raspberry, leafy, floral flavours. Good elegance but needs more texture and intensity.Prices:| BC | $38.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Wolf Blass Yellow Label Pinot Noir 2004
Victoria, AustraliaLight colour with sour cherry, spicy, cedar, licorice, celery root aromas. Soft, round, dry, slightly tart entry with strawberry, rhubarb, balsamic, rootsy flavours. Simple, fresh style with a warm finish.Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $16.49 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.80 | 750ml |
| NS | $18.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Michel Torino Coleccion Pinot Noir 2004
Calchaqui Valley, Salta, North, ArgentinaVery floral, red berry fruit, leafy, celery root aromas. Dry, round, elegant palate with light tannins. Fresh with raspberry, leafy, mineral, spicy flavours. Simple, easy style with some finesse for current drinking with food.Prices:| NS | $21.95 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Noble Ridge Pinot Noir 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCorked, try anotherPrices:| BC | $24.94 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Blasted Church Pinot Noir 2005
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRootsy, reduced garlic, sour cherry, rubbery, compost aromas. Dry, slightly lean, tight palate with sour cherry, smoky, rhubarb, mercaptan flavours. Has some extract but lacks ripeness and the reduced characters are too strong.Prices:| BC | $22.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Greg Norman California Estates Santa Barbara Pinot Noir 2004
Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesSpicy, barnyard, sweaty saddle, garlic, lifted black cherry, smoky nose. Round, supple, dry palate but slighly tart and linera. Black cherry, spicy, compost, cedar, celery salt, smoky vanilla flavours with a slightly hot, tannic finish.Prices:| BC | $23.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $24.00 | 750ml |
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02 March 2007
85PTS
Mission Hill Pinot Noir Five Vineyards 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoky vanilla, cinnamon, spicy, aromas. Dry, round, supple entry and structure rootsy, smoky, resiny, spicy, celery salt, black fruit flavours. A richer, more full-bodied version than the previous edition. It's a well made and likeable red wine with a warm spicy rootsy finish. Introductory style, luncheon pinot noir.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $19.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Arrogant Frog Chardonnay Viognier 2006
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceHmm, viognier and chardonnay in a screw cap, how New World. Actually it's Old World, form the south of France. The Arrogant Frog white is a show stopper for the price. Round rich and oily, it's packed with spicy tropical fruit and a dash of refreshing minerality. The finish is clean and warm. Chill down and party with Thai or Indian food. Great value.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Voga Pinot Grigio 2005
Veneto, ItalyFresh aromas of citrus with bits of almond nutty lemon oil. On the palate there are grassy, honey, lime rind, nutty notes. The finish is dry and clean with honey, floral, baked apple nuances. Simple sushi wine.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Saturna Island Pinot Noir 2004
Southern Gulf Islands, British Columbia, CanadaLooks like pinot, yes Virginia pinot can be very pale in colour. It smells like pinot... and it tastes like pinot. After so many disappointments Saturna seems headed in the right direction. The '04 comes under screwcap that seems to have saved its delicate fruit. It's light and easy sipping, with a spicy celery salt edge but it's clean and has a place at the lunch table with a simply prepared salmon dish.Prices:| BC | $16.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Inniskillin Okanagan Pinot Noir Reserve 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaEarthy, compost black licorice spicy nose. On the palate it's thin with tight, lean, acidic fruit and dry tannins. More spicy smoky, peppery, licorice root, flavours with bits of cedar bark and cherry. The hot finish lacks balance and polish to really impress. Could the site be too warm?Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Inniskillin Okanagan Pinot Noir Dark Horse Estate Vineyard 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaNot much different than last year with a core of vanilla, licorice root, black cherry and spicy compost aromas. The entry is richer, but hotter too with spicy, vanilla, licorice root, and smoky oak flavours. It's just too much oak, French or not, for the fruit. So much so it masks the varietal character.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Michele Satta Piastraia 2002
Bolgheri, Tuscany, ItalyGamey, smoky, earthy, tobacco, black cherry, savoury mushroom aromas with a touch of Band-Aid and chocolate. Dry, slightly tannic entry with some grip. Smoky, cherry, cassis, meaty, licorice, tobacco, orange peel and vanilla flavours. Good fruit intensity but the tannins remain somewhat lean and rustic. Needs 2-3 years to round out. Good effort for the vintage.Prices:| BC | $44.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $38.00 | 750ml |
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80PTS
Peller Estates Private Reserve Pinot Noir 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaTight herbal vanilla smoky nose; not a lot of fruit. Sweet fat vanilla, milk chocolate flavours that have nothing to do with pinot noir. The finish is long and super hot. Quite bizarre. They recommend you serve it with filet mignon and pizza; I'm not sure what they have against filet mignon and pizza. Back to the drawing board.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
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April 2007