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Tastings: June 2007
30 June 2007
88PTS
Argiolas S'elegas Nuragus di Cagliari 2006
Cagliari, Sardinia, ItalyIt's been 18 years since the first S'elegas Nuragus di Cagliari was launched. The Sardinia white is made from the Nuragus grapes grown above 2000' by winemaker Mariano Murru and famed Italian consultant Giacomo Tachis. Look for a surprisingly fresh white wine with peach and citrus flavours and nutty undertones. There is partial malolactic fermentation otherwise its all stainless steel. Well done.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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29 June 2007
87PTS
Quails' Gate Pinot Noir Limited Release 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 05 Limited Release moves up another notch this year. Slightly riper with less resin and celery salt it's beginning to really smell and taste like pinot. The nose is mix of spicy sweet black cherry fruit with bits of barnyard and compost aromas. A cool climate supple red with slightly grippy, youthful, tannins at the backend. Lovely uncomplicated pinot from B.C. Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Thirsty Lizard Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2006
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaBox wine with flavour and style. I know that sounds odd but why not. Tetra paks, or in this case Prisma paks, are not going to go anywhere unless they wine that is put inside the box gets better. The Thirsty Lizard Semillon Sauvignon Blanc is just that. Fresh floral fruity with hints of lemon and lime rind. Just chill and serve it. If you do not finish the box, simply take off the plastic screwcap and squeeze box until the remaining comes to the top of the box removing all the air and reseal. It should keep for days.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
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27 June 2007
86PTS
Long Flat Red Cabernet Shiraz 2004
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaOpen earthy, spicy, rootsy nose with bits of blueberry fruit and compost aromas. The entry is soft and sweet, with plenty of ripe peppery, cassis, blueberry, tobacco flavours. A warm, friendly red with no pretensions. Pour liberally around the barbecue.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $9.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.15 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Trivento Cabernet Malbec Reserve 2005
Mendoza, ArgentinaAs in previous editions, this wine delivers from its white pepper nose to its black berry jam and meaty aromas. On the palate the entry is fat with savoury, coffee, black cherry jam flavours flecked with licorice. Love the flavour intensity for the price. Another great barbecue red.Prices:| BC | $12.98 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.25 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.95 | 750ml |
| NF | $14.68 | 750ml |
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18 June 2007
85PTS
Undurraga Pinot Noir Reserva 2006
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileEarthy leafy compost notes mark the front end of this straight-up, affordable pinot. Smooth, soft, mid-palate with more earthy pinot fruit and a soft, if short finish. Reasonable delivery for the price. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Carmen Pinot Noir 2005
Region de Aconcagua, ChileJust like the '04 the '05 over delivers in flavour and mouthfeel. Look for spicy licorice black fruit nose with some celery salt, compost and black cherry fruit. Intense fruity nose, yet dry and elegant on the palate with plenty of black cherry, smoky, spicy flavours. Fine finesse in the finish with a touch of that rootsy, strawberry compost flavour. Incredible pinot value.Prices:| BC | $13.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.50 | 750ml |
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08 June 2007
87PTS
Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinot Noir 2005
Walker Bay, Overberg, South AfricaLight cherry colour. Spicy, light sausage, smoky, black cherry, shoe leather, floral, stewed rhubarb aromas. Soft, dry, round, fresh palate with some elegance. Smoky, spicy, cooked celery, cherry, vanilla, resiny, leather flavours with a touch of tobacco, Band-Aid and game. Simple, forward style for current consumption.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
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05 June 2007
83PTS
Wild Vines Strawberry White Zinfandel NV
Strawberry juice and white zinfandel that tastes exactly as you might think. Super sweet berry fruit flavours with a sugary, sweet aftertaste. At six per cent alcohol it's probably best mixed with your favourite fruit juice or used with fresh fruit dishes.Prices:| BC | $5.99 | 750ml |
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04 June 2007
87PTS
Pentâge Winery Pinot Gris 2006
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe first, Pentâge pinot gris I have tasted gets a big thumbs up and it comes out of a very stylish, three-litre bag-in-a-(black)-box. The long but extremely narrow container fits perfectly, out of the way, along the sidewall of your refrigerator - ready to be poured from its state-of-the-art spout device. The winery claims it will have a three- month life span not that it will last more than a week in my house, but if you only want a glass and you need each one to be fresh, this is the ticket. Best of all, the wine is pretty delicious. Zesty lime rind and pink grapefruit flavours make it easy to sip. It's a bit more sauvignon than pinot gris but I can live with that thanks to the orange rind and mineral notes in the finish. Oh yes, it also sold in regular 750 ml bottles for $18.Prices:| BC | $18.95 | 750ml |
| BC | $67.70 | 3000ml |
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86PTS
Man Vintners Shiraz 2005
Western Cape, South AfricaLike its predecessors the '05 shiraz remains well made and consistent value. Smoky, cedar bark mixed with summer sausage and peppery blackberry fruit. The texture is soft with savoury licorice, smoky black fruit. Clean fresh round and should be perfect around the backyard Cue. Good value here.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $10.99 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Obikwa Shiraz 2005
Western Cape, South AfricaSmoky, saddle leather, resiny, peppery, barnyard, prune, gamey nose. Soft, round, easy sipping entry with a sweet and sour streak. Smoky, mocha, meaty, spicy, prune flavours with some roasted tomato and cherry. Simple, easy sipping, barbeque red.Prices:| BC | $9.49 | 750ml |
| AB | $9.25 | 750ml |
| SK | $10.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $8.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $9.05 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Plaisir de Merle Shiraz 2002
Paarl, Coastal Region, South AfricaSmoky, saddle leather, peppery, gamey, garrigue aromas with some black cherry underneath. Very dry, warm and round palate with good concentration but with cedar-y, astringent tannins. Black cherry jam, smoky cola, cedar, licorice root flavours. Warm slightly dry finish with some elevated bits of acidity.Prices:| BC | $34.70 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.99 | 750ml |
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03 June 2007
87PTS
Saxenburg Guinea Fowl Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2003
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South AfricaLove the clean fruity nose with its raspberry plum aromas. On the palate the wine has a pronounced acidity that call for food with bits of leafy, chocolate, smoky, black fruit flavours and just a touch of that scorch earth and leather in the finish. Perfect for rich oven roasted meats and or poultry.Prices:| BC | $17.50 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $20.00 | 750ml |
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July 2007