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Tastings: September 2008
29 September 2008
92PTS
De Bortoli Noble One Botrytis Semillon 2006
AustraliaBaked peach, mineral, butter, vanilla, floral, lime, honey aromas. Rich, round, ripe and concentrated with good acidity and sugar balance. Apricot, hay, nectarine, nutty, honey, orange and cedar flavours. Crisp, elegant finish, perhaps a bit lighter than last vintage. Needs 2-5 years to really shine.Prices:| QC | $27.00 | 375ml |
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92PTS
Signorello Chardonnay Vieilles Vignes 2006
Napa Valley, California, United StatesMineral, peach skin, butter, vanilla, guava, melon, citrus aromas with a honey, mineral streak. Rich, round, elegant but crisp style with good viscosity but warm. Baked green apple, melon, citrus, spicy lees, nutty, butter, lemon and honey flavours with a touch of bitter apple on the finish. A full but austere, dry style with good aromatics and some big alcohol. It needs a year or 2 to settle down.Prices:| BC | $52.00 | 750ml |
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95PTS
Signorello Padrone 2004
Napa Valley, California, United StatesBig cedar, tobacco, plum, blackberry, spicy, floral, peppery, earthy, coriander, mineral aromas. Rich, round, full bodied and concentrated with lots of young, smooth grained tannins. Spicy, coffee, cedar, vanilla, mocha, earthy, tobacco, cassis jam, black berry, licorice and orange peel flavours. Youthful, warm finish but very good finesse and fruit throughout. Needs 4-7 years. ExcellentPrices:| BC | $120.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $121.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Domaine Moillard Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru 2005
Appellation Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru, Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceRipe cherry, mocha, tobacco, peppery, vanilla, meaty, plum, orange aromas with a light floral, forest floor note. Dry, rich, elegant, slightly chewy palate with good acidity and the tannin structure to age. Orange, raspberry, coffee, peppery, vanilla, licorice, mineral, tobacco leaf and floral flavours. Long, very youthful, elegant, needs 5-7 years to come around. Built to age.Prices:| BC | $156.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Penfolds RWT Shiraz 2005
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaLook for big aromatic notes of white pepper, blueberry, tobacco, licorice, floral, vanilla and coffee aromas. Rich, round, supple, elegant palate with smooth tannins. Cedar, clove, nutmeg, blueberry, cedar, licorice, peppery, tobacco leaf and coffee vanilla flavours. Long, balanced palate with a touch of acidity and tannins showing on the finish. Needs 3-5 years to soften a bit.Prices:| BC | $132.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $135.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $121.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $135.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $118.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $115.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $79.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Wolf Blass Platinum Label Shiraz 2005
South Australia, AustraliaSpicy, blueberry, blackberry, coffee, peppery, tobacco, vanilla aromas. Dry, tart, somewhat lean palate with grainy tannins. Very good blueberry, black berry, coffee, vanilla, orange peel, licorice flavours. Very good fruit but the finish is very tart, warm and dry that accentuates the youthful tannins. Needs time to age, especially under screwcap.Prices:| BC | $95.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $82.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $115.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $105.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $115.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $90.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Wolf Blass Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Malbec 2004
South Australia, AustraliaSmoky, coffee, tobacco, black cherry jam, cassis, eucalyptus, coconut, vanilla, black olive and violet aromas, good fruit complexity. Dry, full, somewhat tart and tannic palate, very youthful. Cassis, tobacco, spicy, mocha, vanilla, peppery, savoury flavours. Very good fruit and structure but the finish is quite tannic and acidic. Needs 3-5 years to round out but the acidity is too apparent.Prices:| BC | $100.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $100.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $100.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $95.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $100.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $87.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $91.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $100.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Penfolds Cabernet Sauvignon Bin 707 2005
South Australia, AustraliaRich coffee, cassis, black olive, vanilla, tobacco leaf, waxy, floral, coconut and cedar aromas. Rich, round, dry, tight palate with young, smooth grainy tannins and fresh acidity. Big coffee, cassis jam, orange, vanilla, licorice, black olive, peppery, tobacco and mint flavours. Lots of intensity here but needs 3-7 years to soften the tannins and integrate the acidity.Prices:| BC | $120.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $120.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $199.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $160.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $120.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $110.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $120.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $130.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Viu 1 2005
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileBig cassis, savoury, peppery, tobacco, earthy, vanilla, orange spice, coffee aromas. Rich, full bodied, somewhat tannic entry, very youthful with good acidity. Peppery, vanilla, black cherry, cassis, coffee, licorice, tobacco leaf, black olive, cedar and floral flavours. Big, chewy style with great fruit but needs 2-4 years to soften. Best with lamb.Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Poggio al Tesoro Dedicato a Walter 2005
Bolgheri, Tuscany, ItalyOpen full nose of tobacco, pepper, spice and black cherry notes with savoury, rooty, cranberry, coffee, black cherry, vanilla and resin aromas. Rich, round, dry, supple tannins but very grainy and youthful. Coffee, mocha, vanilla, cassis, black cherry, cigar, peppery, cedar, black olive flavours. Long, intense palate with fresh acidity on the finish. Needs 3-6 years to soften. Fine effort for this varietal.Prices:| BC | $102.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Poggio al Tesoro Sondraia 2005
Bolgheri, Tuscany, ItalyBig sappy cassis, spicy, peppery nose with lead pencil, chocolate, black olive, vanilla, rooty aromas. Rich, round, dry and supple with grainy tannins and good acidity balance. Cassis, tobacco, peppery, cherry jam, chocolate, coffee, vanilla, meaty, spicy, garrigue flavours. Lots of intensity here but needs two to five years to soften fully or try with a beef steak.Prices:| BC | $58.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Batasiolo Barolo Vigneto Boscareto 2004
Piedmont, ItalyTarry, tobacco, mineral, coffee, black cherry, rooty, saddle leather, earthy aromas. Dry, elegant but tannic palate with good acidity. Cherry jam, prune, coffee, tobacco, tarry, licorice, meaty flavours. Good acidity and fruit but quite tannic and hard on the finish. Youthful, will need 4-7 years to mature.Prices:| BC | $77.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $67.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Batasiolo Barolo Vigneto Boscareto 2003
Piedmont, ItalyLots of cigar, cedar, cherry jam, prune, resin, coffee, floral, gamey, sweaty saddle leather aromas. Dry, full, elegant style but very structured and tannic. Oxo cube, rooty, tarry, licorice, black cherry flavours with tobacco, leather, cooked carrot, vanilla and coffee finish. Very tight, warm, tannic finish needs 5-7 years to soften. A more traditional style Barolo that needs time and food.Prices:| BC | $77.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $67.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Albert Bichot Pommard Clos des Ursulines Domaine du Pavillon 2005
Burgundy, FranceBig compost barnyard nose with tobacco leaf, cherry, rhubarb, smoky oak and mineral aromas. Rich, ripe, round, supple palate with smooth tannins. Spicy, tobacco leaf, licorice, smoky, vanilla, compost, cherry, orange peel and mineral flavours. Good structure and acidity will need 2-5 years to settle down. Good value for the vintage.Prices:| BC | $56.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $50.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $53.95 | 750ml |
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28 September 2008
85PTS
Yalumba Merlot Y Series 2004
South Australia, AustraliaThe Y series merlot offers up lifted aromas of plum and raspberries on the nose with minty, herbal, spicy red fruits on the palate. The entry is soft but the finish is dry and slightly acidic with a warm, spicy aftertaste. Best with grilled chicken or pork.Prices:| NS | $22.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
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27 September 2008
89PTS
Meyer Family Vineyards Chardonnay Micro Cuvée 2006
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight yellow colour with buttery, spicy lees, creamy, floral, peach skin, baked pear, vanilla aromas. Round, dry, somewhat delicate palate with nutty lees, spicy, citrus, buttery, baked green apple skin, mineral flavours. Finish is dry and slightly tart with lots of butter and lemon. Good effort but needs a bit more mid-palate concentration to lend more texture.Prices:| BC | $65.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Oracle Shiraz 2007
South AfricaMeaty, smoky sausage, saddle leather, tobacco, prune, roasted pepper aromas. Round, supple, slightly flat and sweet palate with light tannins. Bacon, smoky, resin, saddle leather, tobacco, compost, cooked prune flavours. Tart edge on the finish with a bit of cranberry.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Blasted Church Merlot 2006
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaTobacco leaf, spicy, cedar, resin, black olive, compost, earthy, rooty aromas. Dry, tart, round palate with fresh acidity. Coffee, vanilla, cedar bark, cranberry, rooty, rhubarb flavours. Somewhat unripe fruit but full and tart on the finish.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Blasted Church Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot 2004
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVery reduced, rubbery nose with sausage meat, tobacco leaf, compost, earthy, resin, leesy aromas. Soft, round, dry palate with sweaty grapefruit, earthy, rubber, sausage, peppery, green cassis flavours. Tart and warm on the finish.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Du Peloux Terres du Rhone Côtes du Rhône 2006
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FrancePeppery, meaty, spicy, black raspberry, tobacco, rooty, herbal aromas. Very dry, tart palate with lean tannins. Peppery, smoky, menthol, black cherry, tobacco, meaty, coffee, roasted pepper flavours. Some decent fruit but too tart and tannic on the finish, needs food.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Chateau Sainte Eulalie La Cantilene Minervois 2006
Minervois, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceVery peppery, tobacco, sausage meat, saddle leather, floral, black cherry, rooty, cedar aromas. Dry, round, slightly chunky palate but good intensity and light tannins. Spicy, white pepper, cedar, tobacco leaf, cassis, black cherry, and meaty, orange peel flavours. Finish is a bit hard and hot but very solid. Best with food.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $21.90 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Chateau Sainte Eulalie La Cantilene Minervois 2005
Minervois, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceBig spicy, meaty, floral, black cherry, licorice, resin, prune aromas. Round, dry, ripe palate with light, grainy tannins. A bit chunky with ripe black cherry jam, peppery, meaty, spicy, menthol, raspberry flavours with a touch of resin and cigar. Warm, rustic finish to go with lamb or beef.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $21.90 | 750ml |
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88PTS
The Chocolate Block 2006
Western Cape, South AfricaBig meaty, sausage, sweaty saddle leather, tobacco, resin, earthy, dried lychee, rooty aromas. Rich, round, dry, supple palate with smooth tannins. Spicy, orange peel, black raspberry, tobacco, licorice, bacon, smoky leather, resin, sausage and chocolate flavours. Very warm, somewhat tart, edgy finish but full. Best with food. Good fruit overall.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $42.00 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Greener Planet Shiraz - Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceCorked, try anotherPrices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Punt Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Yarra Valley, Victoria, AustraliaTobacco leaf, cassis, floral, spicy, blueberry, slight compost aromas with a touch of mint. Dry, slightly austere palate but some finesse with young, gritty tannins. Peppery, cassis, tobacco, rooty, coffee, vanilla, resin and cedar flavours. A bit tart on the finish but solid for food.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Punt Road Shiraz 2005
Yarra Valley, Victoria, AustraliaSmoky, peppery, licorice, black berry, tobacco, coffee,, meaty, prune and cedar nose. Dry, round, supple palate with light tannins and a touch of acidity. Cedar, chocolate, blueberry, coffee, peppery, compost, licorice flavours. Warm, slightly tart finish but has a good fruit core to accompany food. Will improve further with time in the bottle.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Skimmerhorn Marechal Foch 2006
Kootenay River Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, tobacco leaf, compost, black raspberry, earthy, floral, meaty nose. Round, dry, supple, full palate but a bit tart. Raspberry, menthol, tobacco leaf, earthy, coffee, stewed tomato and resin flavours. Full-flavoured and ripe for this variety. Well done.Prices:| BC | $16.90 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Chateau Saint Roch Lirac 2004
Lirac, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceCompost, meaty, Band-Aid (Brettanomyces), leather, stewed vegetable aromas. Round, full, soft palate with pruny, Band-Aid, meaty, cooked carrot, compost, tobacco flavours. Not up to its usual standards.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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25 September 2008
85PTS
Pentâge Winery Gewurztraminer 2007
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCooked apple, floral, lychee, sausage, nectarine skin aromas. Elegant, delicate palate but somewhat flat with a light spritz. Sausage, lees, spicy, apple skin, peach, bready flavours. Somewhat low concentration with a touch of unclean lees. Simple.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Meyer Family Vineyards Tribute Series Chardonnay 2006
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVanilla, lees, peach, buttery, baked apple nose. Round, slightly sweet, somewhat hot and bitter palate with green apple, citrus, light lees, butter and peach pit flavours. Fairly elegant style with decent acidity but lacks the concentration of a great wine perhaps due to simply too much new oak. A solid start.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Peller Estates Heritage Series Riesling 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight petrol, lees, butter, citrus nose with lemon, marzipan and peach skin aromas. A bit tart, hot and sweet and sour on the palate with granny smith, lime rind, peach, petrol and slate flavours. A touch bitter on the finish but an easy style. Simple.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Sandhill Small Lots Program Syrah Phantom Creek Vineyard 2006
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAfter some wavering in the last vintage the '06 Phantom Creek Syrah is back on track with its rich savoury, roasted pepper, black cherry nose flecked with vanilla, tobacco and sage aromas. It has a ripe, round, supple, forward style with cool black cherry, tobacco, savoury flavours with bits of vanilla, liquorice and sausage meat. Very fine, cool-style syrah with just a bit of heat on the finish. Finest effort from here to date and well done.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Church & State Wines Merlot 2006
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, smoky, weedy, rhubarb, cherry, minty, vanilla, mocha aromas. Round, supple, dry and elegant palate with smoky oak vanilla, chocolate, cherry, tea, tobacco and dill flavours. Decent finesse if a touch herbal and showing plenty of oak.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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23 September 2008
89PTS
William Fèvre Chablis Les Lys Premier Cru 2006
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceCitrus, floral, waxy, lees, seashell, lime rind nose with a touch of smoke. Dry, crisp, round and elegant palate. Mineral, Vaseline, green apple skin, lemon, lees, grassy, lime flavours. Good finesse and crispness with some depth. Needs 1-2 years to put on some weight. Classy.Prices:| BC | $51.99 | 750ml |
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94PTS
William Fèvre Chablis Bougros Côte Bouguerots Grand Cru 2006
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceFrom a small portion of the Bougros vineyard, this block has an appealing mineral, seashell, citrus, spicy lees, slate, smoky butter, honey and green apple skin aromas with a citrus blossom note. Dry, crisp, full palate with excellent acidity balance. Slightly austere but has very good weight with butter, green apple, lime, lemon, oyster shell, mineral, pear skin and floral flavours with a light, spicy lees and vanilla note on the finish. A precise, elegant style that needs several years in bottle. More robust than Les Clos but less complexity than Les Preuses, this may eventually surpass the latter. An excellent Chablis for the more patient.Prices:| BC | $95.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $77.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $94.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
William Fèvre Chablis Les Clos Grand Cru 2006
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceSpicy lees, floral, lemon, butter, smoky seashell, vanilla, pear and baked green apple skin aromas with a honeysuckle note. Crisp, dry, full but elegant and slightly austere palate but excellent body and texture. Great finesse with green apple skin, butter, seaweed, seashell, lemon, vanilla, mineral and slate flavours. Very precise with great finesse but not quite the intensity of Les Preuses. Will improve with 2-7 years in bottle.Prices:| BC | $89.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $86.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
William Fèvre Chablis Beauroy Premier Cru 2006
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceVery mineral, slate, floral, lime, green apple skin nose with sea shell, nori, butter and anise. Crisp, round, delicate, fresh palate. Juicy green apple, lime, sea shell, smoky grass, floral, butter and lees flavours. A very racy style that should age. Not quite as intense as Fourchaume or Montmains but a nice difference in terroir.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
William Fèvre Chablis Montmains Premier Cru 2006
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceFloral, green apple, pear, lees, oyster shell, lemon, slate aromas. Crisp, round, elegant, full palate with green apple, pear skin, butter, light lees, spicy, lemon grass and seaweed flavours. Good balance and intensity, a bit fatter and fuller than most of the other 1er Crus. Very good now - 4 years. Good value.Prices:| BC | $38.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
William Fèvre Chablis Fourchaume Premier Cru 2006
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceLime, lemon, dry slate, seashell, green apple skin, lees, butter, floral nose. Round, dry, elegant and delicate palate with good acidity and refined viscosity. Green apple, citrus, butter, grassy, slate, seashell, mineral flavours with a lemon, nutty finish. Great refinement and length. Very good value.Prices:| BC | $39.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $55.00 | 750ml |
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95PTS
William Fèvre Les Preuses Chablis Grand Cru 2006
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceCitrus, honey, floral, slate, pear, lees, butter, seashell and spicy quince aromas with a touch of anise, very complex. Round, elegant, rich but delicate and crisp with great intensity and acidity balance. Orange, lime, green apple, pear skin, buttery, vanilla, spicy, creamy lees flavours with a strong mineral note. Long, crisp finish with great finesse and nice viscosity. Delicious now but will improve over the next 2-5 years, perhaps more. Just about as good as it gets in Chablis and worth every dollar. Classy.Prices:| BC | $79.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Ridge Three Valleys 2006
Sonoma County, California, United States"Three Valleys" is the only Ridge wine blended from multiple vineyards; the philosophy is to bottle the most appealing lots that are readily accessible. Most of the fruit comes off younger vines at Lytton while bits are gleaned from older vines grown in the Alexander Valley and Russian River valleys. Fermentation is done with the grapes naturally occurring yeast and it is aged in American oak barrels. The sixth edition of three Valleys contains its highest percentage of zinfandel yet at 80 per cent. The remainder is a mix of to petite sirah, carignane and grenache. Look for brambleberry, spicy, cedar, floral, licorice root aromas flecked with saddle leather, pepper and plum notes. The entry is supple and forward as designed but with good acidity balance. Black cherry, coffee, orange peel, vanilla, cedar and black pepper mark its stylish flavour and finish. Try to stop drinking this gem with its fine fruit and style made for current consumption.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $28.00 | 750ml |
| US | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $28.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $28.50 | 750ml |
| QC | $29.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $34.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Ridge Lytton Springs Zinfandel 2006
Sonoma County, California, United StatesLovely enticing spicy, black berry jam nose bruised with bramble, chocolate, candied cherry, meaty, licorice and cedar nose. The palate is fresh with fine density and layers of peppery, licorice, spicy, black cherry, plum and cedar flavours with some coffee and saddle leather on the finish. Fine concentration if slightly warm, but why quibble with such bright fruit and acidity. You should age this for 2-4 years for best results. The vines are located on Lytton east where the zinfandel averages 100 years old.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $47.00 | 750ml |
| US | $35.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $50.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $45.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $36.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Ridge Geyserville 2006
Sonoma County, California, United StatesForty-one vintages later Geyserville remains a beacon for single-site zinfandel. The nose is a peppery mix of bramble berry jam and meaty licorice notes. The attack is ripe and warm with plenty of big juicy exotic fruit with black cherry jam, bramble berry fruit, orange peel and coffee flavours. We love the concentration and power of this very youthful zin. A bit bigger and brighter than the Lytton Springs it needs another two to four years to really hit its stride. The blend is a skilful mix of zinfandel (70), cariganane (18), petite sirah (10) and mataro (2).Prices:| AB | $47.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $37.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $45.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $50.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
| US | $35.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Ridge Montebello Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Santa Cruz Mountains, San Francisco Bay, California, United StatesMontebello is the original California icon red and its better than ever in 2005. The colour is opaque. The nose a mix of pepper black cherry jam, cassis and liquorice with floral, tobacco, and smoky, leather notes. There is terrific power here but in that reserved Bordelais manner and the tannins are small and grainy. The flavours are intense yet elegant with spicy, cedar, liquorice, cassis jam, black berry, tobacco, earth and black olives. The finish is long with a coffee, vanilla, waxy note. Fine acidity and wonderful finesse is now a Montebello hallmark. Cellar for seven to 10 years and beyond.Prices:| AB | $150.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $170.00 | 750ml |
| US | $145.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $160.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $199.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Ridge Santa Cruz Mountain Estate Chardonnay 2006
Santa Cruz Mountains, San Francisco Bay, California, United StatesAt Ridge, the Santa Cruz Mountains appellation speaks to fruit grown on its famous Monte Bello Ridge. Washed in cool air and standing amid a limestone base Ridge quietly is cranking out some serious chardonnay. The first vines were planted mid-slope in the forties although they have long since been replaced slightly further down the hill. The nose is a delight of tropical fruit notes: pineapple, peach and pear with bits of vanilla, spicy lees and floral notes. Ripe and round the palate is lengthy yet elegant with bright notes of honey, citrus, spicy lees, guava, orange and earthy, mineral and baked apple and brioche. Not as tight as 2005 but delicious nonetheless.Prices:| BC | $55.00 | 750ml |
| US | $40.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $53.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $65.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Evans and Tate Chardonnay Margaret River 2006
Western Australia, AustraliaCitrus and nutty lees flecked with spicy. buttery, peach and melon fruit. Tight, elegant, almost skinny Western Australian style with a big lemon, butter, peach, green apple skin and lees flavours. Drink now with seafood or cellar for three to five years. A fresh, tart finish to go with food.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.25 | 750ml |
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21 September 2008
86PTS
Carmen Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Valle del Curicó, Region del Valle Central, ChileTypical grassy Carmen sauvignon with a strong mineral citrus undercurrent and a dash of asparagus. Clean and crisp with more gooseberry and lime rind flavours on the palate and finish. Decent value in an everyday sauvignon for shellfish or chicken dishes.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.50 | 750ml |
| NB | $12.99 | 750ml |
| NS | $11.50 | 750ml |
| PEI | $12.98 | 750ml |
| NF | $12.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Golden Kaan Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Western Cape, South AfricaStruck matchstick, canned artichoke, grassy, asparagus aromas with a bit of melon. Tart, round, slightly oily texture with grassy, grapefruit rind, asparagus, lemon and butter flavours. Solid if a bit clumsy. Needs drinking.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.25 | 750ml |
| SK | $12.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.95 | 750ml |
| NB | $11.95 | 750ml |
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20 September 2008
87PTS
Beringer Founders' Estate Chardonnay 2006
California, United StatesSimilar to 2005 the latest Founder's continues down the creamy lees, citrus, vanilla, tropical fruit path. It is soft on entry with sweet and sour entry and more mineral, citrus, spicy, tropical fruit and honey flavours. A fine match for grilled salmon.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $23.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Golden Kaan Shiraz 2006
Western Cape, South AfricaThe nose is a mix of red fruits, resin and rubber, not really dirty but muddled. The entry is very smooth and almost sweet with soft, meaty, black fruit and a fair bit of alcohol. The finish is round and warm.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.25 | 750ml |
| SK | $12.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.95 | 750ml |
| NB | $11.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Yellow Tail Pinot Grigio 2007
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaSome Yellow Tail labels can really surprise and this pinot grigio is one of them. Clean fresh, crisp and DRY, with just a dusting of lime rind and passion fruit make it tropical but in the end more grigio than you might think. More subtle and citrus than you might expect for price. The synthetic cork is a pain to pull out of the bottle but if they ever have the guts to go screwcap they could sell a lot of this wine.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
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17 September 2008
87PTS
Deen De Bortoli Vat 1 Petite Sirah 2007
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaPreviously labelled Durif look for black cherry, plum, peppery, spicy, tobacco notes with floral, meaty undertones. Dry, slightly tart and tannic palate. Spicy, peppery, smoky, tea, licorice, black cherry and beef flavours. A bit warm and rustic but good for a steak.Prices:| AB | $16.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Deen De Bortoli Vat 4 Petit Verdot 2007
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaPeppery, earthy, mineral, floral, black berry, smoky saddle leather aromas. Dry, fresh, round, slightly tannic palate. Black cherry, iodine, smoky, vanilla, tea, earthy, floral flavours. A bit rustic and tart on the finish but good solid food wine.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.99 | 750ml |
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16 September 2008
91PTS
Mission Hill Family Estate Oculus 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe latest Oculus continues down the path of richer, softer textures while eliminating almost all green aspects. We like the '05 and its spicy, peppery, chocolate nose laced with vanilla, black olive, tobacco leaf, coriander, cassis and cherry aromas. The palate is dry and elegant, and yes young and tight but in time this will dissipate. More cedar, tobacco leaf, cassis, orange peel, vanilla, coffee, green olive and licorice flavours mark the palate with a bit of cardamom and coriander on the finish. There is fine finesse in what is the best Oculus yet. Cellar for 3-5 years and beyond for best results.Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
CedarCreek Pinot Gris Estate Select 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen spicy fennel seed nose with a dusting of hazelnuts and lees. The entry is dry, the mid-palate lean with good acidity and dry, earthy, citrus fruit flavours. Without the honey and sweet characters it is more of a food style gris than a summer sipper. Well made.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Road 13 Pinot Noir 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaResin, smoky, cherry, celery salt, spicy barnyard aromas. Dry, soft, round palate with worsteshire, smoky, spicy, rhubarb, coffee flavours with some tea and tobacco leaf on the finish.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Road 13 Riesling 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGreen apple, floral, lees, peach pit, light Vaseline, slate aromas with a touch of anise. Fresh, round, crisp palate with good elegance. Apricot, honey, green apple skin, lees, slate and orange flavours. Good fruit complexity in a somewhat more austere style. Good length but best with food.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Road 13 Old Vines Chenin Blanc 2006
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, grassy, green apple, honey, grapefruit rind aromas. Fresh, round, juicy palate but somewhat sweet and soft. Canned grapefruit, green apple, honey, mineral, gooseberry flavours. Good fruit and juicy, a solid summer sipper or with spicy food.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Road 13 Fifth Element Red 2006
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWinemaker Michael Bartier pulled 26 lots from 279 barrels to blend his latest Fifth Element a mix of several south Okanagan red varietals. The fruit is ripe and dark with milk chocolate and cedar-y, pepper notes throughout with fine acidity. There a fair amount oak that leads to some dryness in the back end but it should dissipate over the next three years.Prices:| BC | $36.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Road 13 Honest John's White 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, grapefruit, grassy, honey, pear skin aromas. Round, fresh, dry palate with balanced acidity. Honey, grapefruit rind, floral, mineral, grassy, buttery flavours. Solid food style wine with some spice on the finish.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Road 13 Chardonnay 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCitrus, butter, vanilla, light lees, mineral, green apple skin, grapefruit aromas. Dry, round, elegant, fresh palate with vanilla, lees, butter, green apple skin, peach fuzz with a light diacetyl, rind-y finish. Good solid effort if a bit overly buttery.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Road 13 Jackpot Chardonnay 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, buttery, clove, lees, vanilla, baked apple, citrus aromas. Round, elegant, dry palate if a touch flat. Buttery, vanilla, lemon oil, spicy, clove, pear and baked apple flavours. Good fruit and balance but the oak and butter are somewhat dominant at this point.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Road 13 Jackpot Pinot Noir 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, cranberry, smoky, vanilla, cherry, tobacco leaf, coffee aromas. Dry, round, elegant palate but forward. Spicy, celery root, smoky, vanilla, cherry, strawberry jam, tobacco leaf flavours. Good solid effort with some finesse.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Road 13 Merlot 2006
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoky, vanilla, cherry, coffee, tobacco, chocolate, menthol, cedar aromas with a spicy, peppery edge. Dry, round, supple palate with light, grainy tannins. Full coffee, cedar, tobacco, peppery, cherry, vanilla, smoky, menthol, mineral, stony flavours. Good solid effort that has the ability to age 2-4 years.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Road 13 Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGreen olive, briny, peppery, tobacco leaf, herbal, minty, floral, coffee aromas. Dry, slightly tart, light bodied with some light, edgy tannins. Coffee, green cassis, green olive, resin, bitter green, menthol, rooty flavours. Somewhat green and bitter on the finish. Underripe.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Stoneboat Vineyards Pinot Noir 2006
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIt's year two for Stoneboat and without much fanfare they are coming along nicely. Grower Lanny Martiniuk (23 years fo experience) and family are behind the label and three clones of Pinot Noir give this modest red just enough character and style to merit your attention. The fruit is left to speak without being over-oaked offering up a mix of leafy, forest floor notes with sweet black cherries and silky tannins. Sensitive, stylish simple pinot that is on its way to stardom. Impressive given the generous 6.5 tonnes to the acre yield.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
CedarCreek Merlot Cabernet Classic Series 2006
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 'Classic' blend is 75/18/7 merlot/cabernet sauvignon/cabernet franc all of which spends 18 months in French oak. The style is dry and restrained with red and black fruit aromas and flavours. The palate is dry with blackberry, cedar and savoury flavours in the aftertaste. A perfect red for hearty fall dishes like roast beef of lamb.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
CedarCreek Merlot Classic Series 2006
British Columbia, CanadaMerlot took a big hit in Sideways and for good reason, but Miles wasn't drinking Northwest merlot and certainly not this one. Big and open with higher toned spicy fruit pudding with vanilla and black cherries. Bordeaux with fruit, cedar, pencil lead and a firm, dry, ripe finish. Delicious, well made merlot.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
CedarCreek Chardonnay Classic Series 2006
British Columbia, CanadaBright pear and ripe red apple nose with bits of citrus and mineral and creamy lees. The entry is crisp and fresh with buttery, citrus, green apple fruit with a dusting of dried herbs. A simple straight-up cool-style B.C chardonnay that finishes with just a touch of bitterness. Solid.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Skillogalee Single Vineyard Riesling 2008
Clare Valley, South Australia, AustraliaOpen floral, peach, bubble gum, slate, mineral, lime, granny smith aromas. Dry, crisp, elegant and fresh style. Slate, lime, nectarine skin, green apple, floral, peach skin flavours. Very delicate, crisp style with good fruit intensity all hand-picked. Drink on the deck or with seafood or Asian food.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Terralsole Brunello di Montalcino 2003
Montalcino, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyVery spicy, smoky, prune plum, meaty, floral, black berry jam, licorice and tobacco aromas. Rich, ripe, round, elegant style with light, dry tannins. Peppery, smoky, spicy, black berry, plum, vanilla, cedar, tobacco and licorice root flavours with a meaty, cherry finish. A tad hot and tight but nice elegance for a mid-term aging Brunello. Try now with roast meat or keep for 2-5 years. A very hot vintage.Prices:| BC | $89.99 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Jindalee Chardonnay 2006
Murray Valley, South Australia, AustraliaLight butter, melon, peach, grassy nose, little varietal distinction. Round, warm, easy style with some residual. Buttery, melon, cooked peach, pear and apple skin flavours. Crisp finish offsets some of the sweetness.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Pintia Toro 2004
Toro, Castilla-Leon, SpainThere is nothing light about this Toro red owned by Vega Sicilia. Pintia is one hundred per cent tempranillo now in its fourth release. It big and brawny on entry with no shortage of heat and or alcohol. A fairly heady red with chocolate and black fruit smothered under young and somewhat obvious oak flavours. The finish mixes toasted oak and spicy black fruits and a fair whack of tannin. Roast lamb will tame it now otherwise it needs another five to ten years in bottle.Prices:| BC | $65.00 | 750ml |
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95PTS
Vega Sicilia Unico 1996
Ribera del Duero, Castilla-Leon, SpainMeaty, spicy, tobacco, peppery, saddle leather, sandalwood, black olive, chocolate, mineral, vanilla aromas. Rich, round, elegant but dry palate with light grainy tannins. Vanilla, black cherry, peppery, meaty, smoky, chocolate, orange, mineral, tobacco, olive flavours. Finish is long and fine with intense orange peel, plum and smoky leather flavours. Acidity is still lively with some tannins to shed. Needs another 10 years. Great complexity. Bravo tempranillo.Prices:| BC | $432.00 | 750ml |
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14 September 2008
88PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Pinot Gris 2006
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMore or less a carbon copy of the '05 with its fresh, crisp, lemony demeanour. The entry is lip-smacking fresh with northern Italian honeyed grapefruit, green apple mineral tones mixed with some creamy mid-palate textures. A touch less dry, or conversely fruitier than the previous version which I'm sure will be welcomed by most sippers. Made for B.C coastal food. Well done.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.25 | 750ml |
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13 September 2008
89PTS
CedarCreek Estate Select Syrah 2006
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIt's been a couple of years since I've tasted this label. The 03 was an excellent first effort and the '05 was a big winner at the Canadian Wine Awards. The '06 nose is rich and spicy with fragrant savoury sweet peppery aromas and flavours laced with chocolate and gamey meaty undertones. All soft and slippery it finishes dry. Impressive and hard to believe you can pick some up at select government stores. You best hurry. Terrific wine.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Road 13 Honest John's Red 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGreen olive, spicy, peppery, tobacco leaf, cedar, riparian, cranberry, rubbery aromas. Round, supple, dry palate with light tannins. Tobacco leaf, green olive, mint, spicy, resin, coffee, cranberry flavours. Easy, somewhat green style.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Sequel Syrah 2005
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesJohn Duval is the man behind Sequel with its peppery, smoky, spicy, mineral, vanilla, coffee, floral, gamey, saddle leather nose with a dusting of barnyard aromas, light cedar and tobacco. The palate is supple and engaging with smooth tannins and good acidity. Smoky, bacon, black cherry, cedar, tobacco, licorice, coriander, tapenade, and meaty, plum and orange spice flavours. Warm finish with some tannin to dissipate but long. Fine oak balance. Needs another three to five years in bottle to really blossom.Prices:| BC | $85.00 | 750ml |
| US | $55.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $0.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $85.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Pedestal Merlot 2005
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesMichel Rolland makes the most of Washington merlot exposing its richness and back fruit, the coffee, vanilla, oregano, tobacco, peppery, licorice root aromas mix with floral notes to spin a web of complexity. Round and dry on the palate the tannins are youthful and ripe if a touch chunky. Big flavour intensity with more cedar, coffee, tobacco, vanilla, orange peel, clove, peppery, black olive, black cherry flavours. Long, ripe and warm but with fine long-term potential. A nice jump up in quality over the 2004 and it will only get better over the next five years in bottle.Prices:| BC | $85.00 | 750ml |
| US | $55.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $85.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $75.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon 120 2006
Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileVery peppery, spicy, sappy, cassis, tobacco leaf, minty, cedar aromas. Dry, full bodied style with some grainy tannins. Cassis, peppery, tobacco leaf, menthol, cedar bark, licorice and coffee flavours. Warm and chunky for any meat dish. Good value in an introductory style cabernet. Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $9.75 | 750ml |
| ON | $9.45 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.19 | 750ml |
| SK | $11.94 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Nederburg Shiraz The Winemasters Reserve 2006
Western Cape, South AfricaSmoky, saddle leather, tobacco, resin, rooty, black cherry, meaty, floral peppery nose. Round, supple and dry palate but warm with a tart edge. Black berry, black cherry, smoky, leather, tobacco, resin, coffee flavours with a very meaty, smoked leather finish. The flavour has a fruit core but it is dominated by the smoked meat.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.86 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.45 | 750ml |
| NS | $13.85 | 750ml |
| NF | $14.38 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Tinhorn Creek Gewürztraminer 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight spicy, peach, floral, sausage, mineral nose. Soft, round, fresh palate with a touch of residual. Citrus, floral, spicy, peach skin, sausage flavours. Simple, easy, ready to drink style but lacks a bit of intensity.Prices:| BC | $16.50 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Manyana Tempranillo 2006
Cariñena, Aragon, SpainSpicy, black cherry, licorice, floral, peppery, smoky, strawberry jam nose with a bit of tobacco. Soft, round, dry, supple palate with strawberry, black cherry, spicy, licorice, rooty, peppery flavours. Easy going, fruit forward style for current consumption.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Skimmerhorn Autumn Tryst 2006
Kootenay River Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMineral, white flower, spicy, green apple skin, pear, earthy nose. Light, elegant, round and somewhat sweet with pear, green apple, slate, butter, floral, citrus flavours. A tasty summer sipper style.Prices:| BC | $14.90 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Skimmerhorn Ortega 2006
Kootenay River Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPrices:| BC | $16.40 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Collazzi I Bastoni Chianti Classico 2005
Tuscany, ItalyMeaty, peppery, smoky sausage, floral, sweaty saddle, black cherry nose. Dry, round, warm palate with light tannins but good intensity. Chocolate, tobacco, peppery, meaty, smoky, spicy, resin, dried mushroom, cherry and licorice root flavours. Good solid meat wine. Needs a year or two in bottle.Prices:| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Vega Sicilia Valbuena 5º Año 2003
Ribera del Duero, Castilla-Leon, SpainVery spicy, floral, vanilla, peppery, black cherry, meaty, tobacco aromas with a touch of barnyard and chocolate. Dry, round, elegant, slightly tannic palate with good fresh acidity. Black cherry, black plum, mineral, licorice, peppery, floral, spicy, tobacco leaf, meaty, orange peel flavours. Warm, fresh finish with great finesse. Needs three to seven years to gather itself in bottle or serve now with roasted meats.Prices:| BC | $250.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $400.00 | 1500ml |
| BC | $800.00 | 3000ml |
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90PTS
Altano Reserva Douro Red 2005
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalSpicy, black cherry jam, black tea, smoky, floral, chocolate, tobacco and tapenade aromas. Ripe, round, rich palate with dry but supple tannins to dissipate. Smoky, tobacco, peppery, coffee, meaty, black cherry, black berry, licorice and vanilla flavours. Good intensity and concentration but warm and a tad rustic. Needs 2-3 years or a hearty meat stew or grilled lamb.Prices:| BC | $33.00 | 750ml |
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0PTS
12 September 2008
90PTS
Col Solare Red Table Wine 2004
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesThe latest Col Solare at 80 per cent cabernet offer up a mix of cassis, leather, chocolate, black olive, mocha, cedar, tobacco and savoury coriander aromas. The textures are rich and dry with light, grippy tannins. More tobacco, pepper, vanilla, cassis, orange peel and plum flavours mark the palate with an herbal, clove finish. A bit young and grippy at this point. Needs another two to five years in bottle to round out.Prices:| QC | $80.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $89.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $93.00 | 750ml |
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06 September 2008
86PTS
Obikwa Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Western Cape, South AfricaGrassy, gooseberry, grapefruit rind, mineral aromas. Fresh, round, elegant style that is just off dry but good acidity. Grapefruit, green melon, butter, grassy, gooseberry flavours. A touch rind-y on the finish but good solid varietal character at a great price.Prices:| BC | $11.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $9.25 | 750ml |
| SK | $10.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $8.49 | 750ml |
| ON | $8.50 | 750ml |
| NS | $9.99 | 750ml |
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03 September 2008
90PTS
Ridge Santa Cruz Mountain Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Santa Cruz Mountains, San Francisco Bay, California, United StatesWow, what a slick wine. Look for a peppery, licorice root, black berry, cassis, tobacco, resin nose with bits of mocha and saddle leather. The palate is dry and elegant, the tannins firm but light. The 58/42 mix of cabernet and merlot offers ripe black cherry, peppery, tobacco and black olive notes flecked with vanilla, coriander and coffee. Fine structure and acidity with a floral mineral undertone in the finish. Fine value and worth laying away for three to five years.Prices:| BC | $49.99 | 750ml |
| US | $35.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $45.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $65.00 | 750ml |
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October 2008