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Tastings: October 2008
29 October 2008
84PTS
Peller Estates Sparkling Ice Cuvée Classic NV
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaVery floral baked apple nose with spicy peach and soft round fruit. Sweet mid-palate wit more baked apple and peach fruit with hints of cherry and a sweetish finish. Simple commercial style bubble.Prices:| NB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $25.00 | 750ml |
| NF-LAB | $26.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $30.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $32.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $33.00 | 750ml |
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28 October 2008
91PTS
William Fèvre Montée de Tonnerre 1er Cru Chablis 2006
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceGreen apple, floral, orange, chalky, spicy, oyster shell, lees and slate aromas. Round, dry, tight but elegant and crisp palate. Lees, butter, green apple skin, chalky, lemon, grapefruit, spicy flavours. Good intensity but it needs a few years yet in bottle to fully mature.Prices:| BC | $55.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
William Fèvre Vaillons 1er Cru Chablis 2006
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceGreen apple, floral, lime, mineral, chalky, peach skin aromas with a touch of butter and lees. Dry, crisp, elegant style with good finesse. Spicy lees, butter, green apple skin, lime, seashell, chalky, seaweed flavours. Tight, structured style that will be best in 2-3 years. Classic Chablis.Prices:| BC | $55.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Fuse Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Napa Valley, California, United StatesVery spicy, peppery, rooty, meaty, cassis jam, black cherry, iodine, tobacco aromas. Ripe, round, supple but slightly rustic and tart palate. Blueberry, peppery, blackberry, coffee, vanilla, licorice root, savoury flavours. Good intensity if a bit rustic and young. Needs 2-4 years or try with roast lamb.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $33.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Mission Hill Quatrain 2005
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen fragrant, savoury, mint, black cherry nose with licorice, meaty, tobacco and sandalwood notes. Rich, round, supple, elegant and full palate with more coffee, vanilla, peppery, licorice, black cherry jam, black berry, tobacco and orange flavours. Very spicy, warm black olive finish with some light tannins to shed. Nice textures and intensity, should improve over the next 2-5 years.Prices:| BC | $48.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
J. Lohr Cabernet Sauvignon Hilltop Vineyard 2005
Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, Central Coast, California, United StatesVery peppery, earthy, licorice root, black berry jam, cassis, spicy, pruny, mocha and tobacco aromas. Rich, ripe, round, supple palate with good concentration but a bit hot. Intense black berry jam, blueberry, peppery, coffee, spicy, mocha, vanilla, resin and licorice flavours. Good intensity and textures but very warmth, best with roast beef or keep for 2-4 years.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $39.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $50.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $44.75 | 750ml |
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88PTS
St. Francis Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Sonoma County, California, United StatesPeppery, earthy, cedar, pruny, coffee, black olive, tobacco leaf aromas with a floral, cassis note. Ripe, rich, round and full bodied with some grainy tannins. Big coffee, vanilla, mocha, cassis jam, black berry, resin, tobacco and iodine flavours with some slightly green tannins to shed. A bit warm and young but should improve over the next few years.Prices:| BC | $37.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $32.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Paul Dolan Cabernet Sauvignon (Organic Grapes) 2005
Mendocino County, California, United StatesPeppery, blueberry, cassis, rooty, licorice, spicy, cedar bark aromas. Rich, round, warm and chewy with black cherry, peppery, rooty, licorice, resin, coffee and cassis flavours with a hint of cooked black olive, prune and chocolate. A bit rustic, warm and chewy on the finish but solid needs 2-4 years or a rare steak.Prices:| ON | $22.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Ukiah Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
California, United StatesVery peppery, licorice root, cassis, spicy, resin, tobacco leaf, black olive aromas with a touch of saddle leather. Ripe, round, supple palate but full and warm. Spicy, savoury, vanilla, peppery, coffee, cassis jam, licorice flavours with a bit of tobacco leaf and olive on the finish. Good intensity if a bit rustic but solid value.Prices:| BC | $23.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Puente Alto, Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileBig cassis, minty, sappy, coffee, peppery, licorice, cedar aromas. Rich, round, warm and supple palate with grainy tannins. Lots of coffee, chocolate, peppery, cassis jam, black cherry, bay leaf, mint and licorice root flavours. Very hedonistic with ripe tannins but well balanced despite the warmth on the finish. Good value cabernet.Prices:| ON | $19.95 | 750ml |
| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $25.00 | 750ml |
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27 October 2008
92PTS
Montes Folly Syrah 2005
Apalta Valley, Santa Cruz, Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileSpicy, vanilla, tobacco leaf, cassis, black cherry, mocha, meaty, floral nose with a hint of bay leaf and black olive. Rich, ripe, round, warm palate with good acidity and young, grainy smooth tannins. Big black cherry, cassis jam, peppery, vanilla, cardamom, smoky coffee, bay leaf, licorice root and grilled meat flavours. Very warm finish at 15% alcohol but has good concentration and intensity. Needs 1-3 years to round out or try with bbq lamb or chops.Prices:| US | $65.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $88.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Parducci Petite Sirah 2005
California, United StatesSomewhat reductive nose that eventually reveals peppery, sausage, raw blueberry fruit, prunes and ash aromas. Somewhat tart, warm palate with peppery minty, sausage, blueberry and black flavours. This still needs time to settle down. Serve now with flank steak or hamburgers for best results.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.95 | 750ml |
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26 October 2008
91PTS
Grant Burge Filsell Shiraz 2005
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaFilsell vineyard is approaching 100 years of age and are producing little over 2.25 tons to the acre. The nose is intense and extremely fragrant mixing scents of dark fruit with bits of chocolate and dried herbs. The textures are ripe and glossy on the plate with smoky oak and cinnamon and black cherry, floral, spicy pudding flavours. Impressive red wine and certainly big enough to handle braised lamb shanks or roasted meats.Prices:| BC | $46.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $37.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $36.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Grant Burge Miamba Shiraz 2005
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaThe fruit is grown mainly at the 150-acre Miamba vineyard on 18 to 20 year old vines. It's barrel fermented using 50 per cent new American oak, the remainder is a mix of one and two year old American and French hogsheads. As it turns this was sensational vintage mark by the exuberant blueberry and chocolate fruit aromas and flavours. Rich and dense on the mid-palate the finish leans out offering elegant cedar, liquorice, coffee and cardamom and blueberries. Well done for the price.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $24.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $25.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Grant Burge Barossa Vines Shiraz 2006
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaThe BV shiraz is fermented in stainless steel tanks initially at 27ºC and then it's brought down to 22ºC. Free run and pressings are combined as is older American and French oak. Look for a fresh fruit driven style with cola, liquorice and cedar aromas and similar flavours. It's soft and round and quaffable and all under screwcap. Serve with grilled lamb or steak or even southern French casserole dishes.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Grant Burge Barossa Vines Unoaked Chardonnay 2006
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaAs its name would suggest the Barossa Vines Chardonnay is 100 per cent Barossa-grown. Only twenty per cent of the blend goes through malolactic fermentation and about 20 per cent is aged on its lees. The result is a fresh round soft-ish entry with ripe tropical fruit undertones. Bright and fresh with big lime and mineral notes. Thai food is the answer with this almost complex, un-wooded chardonnay.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Beringer Founders' Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
California, United StatesAnother soft, ripe version of the grape consumers can get enough of. The Founders' is soft and syrupy on the palate with cassis and peppery fruit flavours and a fresh balanced finish. Simple easy-drinking, introductory cabernet sauvignon with a soft fleshy finish. Simple but ready-to-drink.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $23.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $21.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $20.00 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Red Truck California Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
California, United StatesRed Truck goes green and I don't mean organic. Sickly sweet and soft with herby, oaky cola notes. Commercial with capital "C." This successful brand under the Cline folks has been hijacked and watered down.Prices:| ON | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Deakin Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Victoria, AustraliaClearly among the best cheap reds coming out of Oz by virtue of its ability to avoid the super acidic and the super sweet monikers. The nose is an inviting black fruit mix of liquorice and spice with a touch of earthy compost notes. The palate is soft; it is a simple sipper but with a touch of style. Think ribs or spaghetti here.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
| PEI | $13.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $13.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Inniskillin Okanagan Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2006
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen dried herb green bean nose with bits of cassis and black currant. Similarly herby and dry on the palate with resiny bell pepper notes and dry tannins poking through the finish. Not much to recommend here and definitely requires grill meat to tame its dry tannic nature.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.99 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Jindalee Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Murray River Valley, Victoria, AustraliaThis is simple fruit forward stuff for quaffing around the barbecue. The fruit is soft and sweet with ripe jammy strawberry flavours with a touch of spice. Simple straight up pizza red. Prices:| BC | $12.20 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Yalumba Cabernet Sauvignon Y Series 2006
South Australia, AustraliaQuite an intense nose of cedar, dried herbs with black fruit nuances. The entry is warm and fiery showing elevated alcohol and cedar mulberry flavours with some obvious mid-palate acidity. Dry, savoury, spicy finish with a bit of a burn. More of a hamburger red than a steak wine.Prices:| BC | $16.50 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.00 | 750ml |
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25 October 2008
92PTS
Mitolo Reiver Shiraz 2006
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaThe name 'Reiver' is taken from the border raiders of the Anglo-Scot borders, the site is a single vineyard (60 year old vines) in the Northern Barossa Valley. The 06 crop was small and intense with Reiver cropping under 25 hl/ha. Look for a rich nose of dark plums and liquorice mixed with smoky oak, mushroom and leather. The mid palate is soft and rich with spicy, blueberry, plums, pepper and licorice flavours. Fine intensity in the dry earthy finish.Prices:| BC | $54.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $44.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Shaw and Smith Shiraz 2006
Adelaide Hills, Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide, South Australia, AustraliaLove this cool-climate style farmed at 1.8 kilos per vine. Look for an aromatic almost white peppery nose with bits of liquorice and blueberry. The entry is dry and soft with spicy clove notes and more cherry/blueberry, vanilla and smoky garrigue flavours. Tasty fragrant stylish red wine with a finish that won't quit.Prices:| BC | $44.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $36.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $48.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $55.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Shaw and Smith Chardonnay M3 Vineyard 2007
Adelaide Hills, Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide, South Australia, AustraliaThe Shaw and Smith "M3" Chardonnay is named after the partners: brothers Michael and Matthew Hill Smith along with cousin and winemaker Martin Shaw. The M3 2007 is the 7th version of this Adelaide Hills wine and it's as far in style from the first version as it gets. From overblown to Burgundy the smoke and oak has been trade in for more mineral, citrus and oatmeal flavours and aromas with flecks of guava, nectarine skin honey with a creamy texture in the back end. It has a beautiful long delicate, but flavourful, finish. Very impressive.Prices:| BC | $44.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $36.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $36.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $55.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Shaw and Smith Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Adelaide Hills, Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide, South Australia, AustraliaThe '08 SB is intense to say the least with a rich aromatic scent from front to back. The style is very crisp, lip smacking if you and very food friendly. Shaw and Smith are closing in on 20 vintages and you can sense the maturity and confidence in this wine with its lean entry and intense un-oaked flavours of gooseberry, citrus rind and grassy chalky undercurrents. Prawns anyone.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $35.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Mitolo Savitar Shiraz 2006
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaLike the G.A.M. Savitar Shiraz comes off the Chinese Block vineyard in southern McLaren Vale. The soils are rocky and sparse, the fruit handpicked, and only the best barrels make the final blend. Look for big aromatics with pepper, garrigue, liquorice cassis notes that preview a rich fat glossy red. The flavours continue along the same path with blueberries, chocolate cardamom and smoky, earthy fruit. The finish is long and powerful.Prices:| BC | $67.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $151.00 | 1500ml |
| BC | $316.00 | 3000ml |
| BC | $632.00 | 6000ml |
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88PTS
Mitolo Jester Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaSome two per cent of the Jester cab is made with dried grapes al la Amarone manner. The technique is used to fill out the mid-palate, perhaps much the same way the shiraz does in the cab shiraz blend. Jester is aged in old French oak for about nine months. The nose is mix of smoky mulberry fruit notes bits of spice and resin or tar. The mid-palate is all cassis with some acidity poking through and lifted fruit and roasted coffee in the finish. Best with a big piece of meat to offset the acidity.Prices:| BC | $31.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Mitolo Serpico Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaSerpico is another air-dried Mitolo cabernet the theory being it concentrates the flavour by 30 per cent. It's plenty rich and dense and much fatter than the 06 Jester cabernet. Look for big chocolate and black fruit flavours with bits of liquorice, leather and coffee. There is good finesse here and a little extra time should help this wine developed in a quality cabernet.Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Mitolo G.A.M. Shiraz 2005
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaG.A.M. represents the first initial of each of the Mitolo children's first names - Gemma, Alex and Marco. The site is known as the Chinese Block located in the Willunga district at the southern end of McLaren Vale. The nose is typically open and lifted jammy plums, liquorice and bacon notes. The palate is firm but glassy with more rich fruit with violets, vanilla chocolate and smoky minty notes. It should appeal to a wide variety of palates.Prices:| BC | $54.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $52.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $55.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $31.00 | 375ml |
| BC | $118.00 | 1500ml |
| BC | $240.00 | 3000ml |
| BC | $450.00 | 6000ml |
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89PTS
Mitolo Jester Shiraz 2006
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaBen Glaetzer is the winemaker at this young (established 1999) winery. The style is hedonistic and approachable at bottling. It's aged in two and three year old G.A.M. barrels ( French oak) which explain the classy oak and spicy vanilla nose complete with sour black cherry and cassis notes. The textures are smooth, rich with more dark fruit, garrigue and peppery flavours on the mid palate with just a touch of acidity poking through. A fragrant, relatively light style of shiraz.Prices:| BC | $26.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $26.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $27.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Nk'Mip Cellars Chardonnay 2007
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaClean bright fresh nose with aromas of ripe pears bits of honey and nectarine skin. Similarly the entry is clean and crisp with honey, pear, citrus and mineral flavours with just a touch of softness at the back end. An attractive style of chardonnay for current drinking.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $16.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Nk'Mip Cellars Pinot Blanc 2007
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaNot quite up to the previous edition showing more green apple skin and bitter citrus notes than bright fruit or minerality with a touch of bitterness in the finish. Simple at best.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
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23 October 2008
89PTS
Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon Medalla Real Reserva Especial 2005
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileThis is really an amazing wine for the price when you consider it comes from a single estate in the Alto Jahuel district of the Maipo Valley. Look for a spicy dried herbs nose with rich black fruit/cassis cedar and more bay leaf flavours wrapped into a full-bodied mid-palate and finish. The tannins are rich and soft but should easily melt into your steak. Fine value here.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.29 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.60 | 750ml |
| NS | $22.60 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
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22 October 2008
87PTS
Veramonte Chardonnay Reserva 2007
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileChardonnay may be the best grape variety grown in Chile's Casablanca Valley especially if it is lightly treated with oak. With only twenty five per cent new oak in the mix Veramonte jumps from the glass with clean fresh fruit flavours of nectarine and melon all with a light twist of minerality and lees. Modern, stylish and again affordable.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| US | $11.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Veramonte Pinot Noir Reserva 2006
Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileThe arrival of Paul Hobbs makes this pinot legitimate from the get go. Hobbs likens Casablanca to the Russian River and hopes to make a silky style pinot with some power. The first I've tasted is impressive and surely headed in the right direction. Fresh strawberry and black cherry fruit aromas mix with a simply earthy undercurrent and a silky, mouth filling pinot finish. Well made affordable pinot that would pair well with duck confit or roasted chicken.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2008
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileLook for an ultra crisp, juicy, grassy gooseberry nose with bits of green peach and apple. On the palate it clean, mouth-watering style offers up cool kiwi fruit, with melon and dried herbs. Bring on the shellfish or chicken dishes. Great value here and another dimension under screwcap.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.25 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Veramonte Primus 2005
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileChange is afoot at Primus where the emphasis is moving toward ripeness of fruit and texture on the palate. The 05 mixes 51/32/17 merlot, cabernet sauvignon and carmenère all from Casablanca. Look for tobacco and dried cherries and chocolate to dominate on the nose and palate in this full-flavoured red with fairly rich tannins. It's not as ripe as the new merlot and cabernet reservas varietals coming out of Colchagua but we expect this is the direction the wine is heading. Still it shows more finesse under Espinoza and is certainly one to watch for the price.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $27.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $23.25 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Veramonte Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2006
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileThe move to warmer Colchagua has completely revamped this cabernet. Gone is the green. The fruit is riper and juicier, with warm smoky tobacco flavours and a hint of creamy vanilla and chocolate. The finish is structured, with good acidity and firm tannins. This is the perfect steak wine and a bargain at the price.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Carmen Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Valle del Curicó, Region del Valle Central, ChileAlways intense, the latest Carmen Sauvignon offers up all the fresh, fruity hallmarks of this variety. Pineapple and gooseberry fruit dominates with bits of lemon and bitter lime rind in the finish. Simple affordable, seafood-friendly white.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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16 October 2008
87PTS
Veramonte Merlot Reserva 2006
Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileTypically spicy, dried herb aromatic nose with bits of black currant chocolate and tobacco on the nose. The warmest hillside vineyards at the warmest eastern edge of the Casablanca are the base for this wine. The latest '06 has a silky rich palate mixing black cherry, mint, ash and smoky vanilla flavours. Lamb chops would be a perfect match.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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95PTS
Champagne Pol Roger Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill 1998
Champagne, FrancePale yellow colour with very fine, continuous mousse. Very toasty, nutty, spicy, floral, quince, mineral, baked apple, cherry aromas. Crisp, juicy, full flavoured palate but elegant and concentrated with fine mousse. Citrus, nutty, spicy, honey, green apple, strawberry, floral flavours. Finish is long and balanced with baked apple and earth notes. More complex, fuller and crisper than the vintage brut, this can age further.Prices:| BC | $190.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $200.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $390.00 | 1500ml |
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92PTS
Champagne Pol Roger Blanc de Chardonnay 1999
Champagne, FranceVery refined, continuous mousse. Open fresh nose of floral, green apple, perfumed, pear, and orange, mineral and toasted bread aromas. Crisp, round, fresh, slightly fuller style with plenty of citrus, red apple, nutty, spicy, quince, honey and mineral flavours. Fine intensity and finesse with good acidity on the finish. Delicate and just a bit on the sweeter brut side. Excellent.Prices:| BC | $87.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $44.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $48.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $68.82 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Champagne Pol Roger Brut Vintage 1999
Champagne, FranceVery fine bubbles. Spicy, earthy, brioche, toasty, baked apple, pear, citrus, honey aromas. Crisp, round, juicy, slightly fuller with better acidity balance. Toasty, lemon, orange, baked apple, floral, honey, strawberry, spicy, creamy flavours. Good depth and persistence with some complexity and the ability to age. Slightly fuller and more complex than the Blanc de Chardonnay although they both spend seven years en tirage - the same as many Grand Marques.Prices:| BC | $83.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $80.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Champagne Pol Roger Brut Rosé Vintage 2000
Champagne, FranceLight raspberry orange colour. Made with the addition of 15 per cent pinot noir wine to the base. Strawberry, earthy, nutty, brioche, citrus, baked apple and mineral aromas. Fresh, elegant, crisp palate with a slightly sweeter brut style but delicate and juicy. Pear, strawberry, citrus, spicy, nutty, baked apple flavours. Good finesse and delicacy with ripe fruit. Attractive style for drinking with food or solo as an apéritif.Prices:| BC | $93.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $51.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $49.79 | 750ml |
| MB | $64.09 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Champagne Pol Roger Brut Reserve NV
Champagne, FranceContinuous mousse with a fine bead. Baked apple, floral, toasty, pear, citrus, brioche aromas. Fresh, round, slightly sweet style brut. Citrus, creamy, baked green apple, nutty, toast flavours with a touch of honey and lemon on the finish. Continued solid style with 36 months en tirage - a rarity for non-vintage brut champagne.Prices:| BC | $89.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $85.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $98.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $85.55 | 750ml |
| QC | $75.25 | 750ml |
| NS | $85.23 | 750ml |
| PEI | $84.99 | 750ml |
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15 October 2008
88PTS
Bouchard Père & Fils Pommard Premier Cru 2006
Pommard, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceMade from three 1er cru terroirs. Spicy, tobacco leaf, carrot top, caraway, meaty, rooty nose with floral and raspberry notes. Dry, elegant, slightly lean and tight but good finesse on the palate. Raspberry, spicy, orange, vanilla, meaty, carrot and tobacco flavours. Good finesse but a bit light on extract, now-2 yearsPrices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Bouchard Père & Fils Clos Vougeot Grand Cru 2006
Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceSpicy, vanilla, clove, cherry jam, tobacco, chocolate, licorice, floral, strawberry aromas, very nice complexity. Dry, elegant, tight and slightly tannic and fresh on the palate. Raspberry, menthol, spicy, peppery, tobacco leaf, vanilla, orange, gamey barnyard flavours. Nice finesse and acidity with delicacy but a bit leafy. A classy wine that will be early maturing, perhaps 2-7 years.Prices:| BC | $190.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Beaune Grèves Vigne de l'Enfant Jésus 1er Cru 2006
Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FrancePeppery, tobacco, barnyard, earthy, rooty, black cherry, spicy nose. Round, rich, dry and somewhat tannic and chewy but good acidity. Spicy, celery, caraway, meaty, barnyard, vanilla, licorice, vanilla, rhubarb and cherry flavours. A bit coarse and hard on the finish, needs time, perhaps 2-4 years to soften out. Time will tell more with this wine.Prices:| BC | $135.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Bouchard Père & Fils Gevrey Chambertin 2006
Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceCarrot top, smoky, barnyard, meaty, chocolate, black cherry, mineral, floral nose. Dry, tight, somewhat lean but elegant structure. Orange, rhubarb, cedar bark, tobacco leaf, herbal, mineral flavours. Lacks ripeness and suppleness for this fine villages area.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
William Fèvre Chablis Bougros Grand Cru 2006
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceBig oyster shell, seaweed, green apple skin, spicy lees, floral, lemon and orange aromas, good complexity. Round, rich, dry and crisp, almost succulent. Spicy, green apple, lemon, chalky, lees, butter, oyster shell flavours. Long, intense and balanced, drink now-5 years. Excellent.Prices:| BC | $64.00 | 750ml |
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12 October 2008
90PTS
Jeannot Pere et Fils Pouilly Fumé Les Riaux 2006
Pouilly-Fume, Upper Loire, Loire, FranceBig kiwi, gooseberry, grapefruit, floral, chalky aromas. Ripe, round, rich palate with good viscosity and intensity. Grassy, gooseberry, canned jalapeno, grapefruit, mineral flavours. Full, ripe style with good concentration and acidity, a somewhat riper, fuller version of Marlborough but from the Loire. Fine effort and good value.Prices:| BC | $25.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Chateau La Courançonne Gratitude Côtes du Rhône Villages 2006
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceRipe black cherry, plum, spicy, peppery, licorice, gamey aromas. Ripe, round, supple palate with good acidity balance and concentration. Peppery, meaty, black cherry, plum jam, licorice, spicy, garrigue flavours. A touch warm but great fruit and intensity, ready to drink. Solid value.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Doudet Naudin Nuits Saint Georges Aux Tuyaux 2005
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceSpicy, smoky, peppery, meaty, licorice, carrot top, vanilla, black cherry and tobacco aromas. Ripe, round, supple tannins and palate. Full with smoky, meaty, gamey, compost, carrot top, licorice, orange and cherry flavours. Forward but will age, has good intensity. Drink now-5 years. Good choice in the restaurant.Prices:| BC | $58.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Doudet Naudin Pouilly Fuissé 2006
Pouilly-Fuissé, Mâconnais, Burgundy, FranceLemon, butter, waxy, slate, floral, mineral, pear aromas. Ripe, round, slightly oily texture with good acidity and texture. Butter, orange, lemon, seashell, spicy, quince flavours. Good length and concentration with a slate and slightly fat, warm finish. Good finesse and ripeness, ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $36.95 | 750ml |
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10 October 2008
86PTS
Peller Estates Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, cedar, black live, smoky, meaty, licorice, savoury, coffee nose. Round, dry, supple palate with cassis, coffee, dill, black pepper, bell pepper, mint and tobacco leaf with a smoky, dry and slightly herbal finish. A forward, varietal style for current drinking.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $18.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.29 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Peller Estates Private Reserve Cabernet Franc 2006
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCranberry, cherry, spicy, tobacco leaf, black olive, dill, smoky sage aromas. Dry, round, slightly tart and tannic style but forward. Cherry, cranberry, orange, tobacco leaf, mineral, smoky, cedar and sage flavours. Simple, easy style but fresh and better balanced than many Loire styles.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $18.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.29 | 750ml |
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06 October 2008
86PTS
Cono Sur Pinot Noir 2007
Region del Valle Central, ChileNothing much changes here; except possibly there is a bit more competition at this level and thus more bottles of this budget pinot to go around. Look for a spicy earthy forest floor nose with bits of liquorice root and pepper. Expect a tart, black cherry fruit flavour mid-palate with more spice and mushroom in the finish. A turkey wine for sure and one you can afford.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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05 October 2008
94PTS
Rubicon 2004
Rutherford, Napa Valley, California, United StatesRubicon, Winemaker Scott McLeod and owner Francis Ford Coppola's ode to the historic Niebaum-Coppola estate, is all grown up. The intense scrutiny given this wine and its fruit is closing on two decades and the wine is really beginning to hit its stride. The '04 is a glossy seductive, red full of ripe black fruit mixed with smoky vanilla and hints of milk chocolate. Totally "California" it's almost all cabernet net with a mere 1/1/2 mix of merlot, cabernet franc and petite verdot. Made for short to mid-term drinking in this warm vintage. Prices:| US | $125.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $169.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $155.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Rubicon Estate Cask Cabernet 2004
Rutherford, Napa Valley, California, United StatesThe Cask Cabernet farmed organically from 130 acres within the 235 acre Rubicon Estate. The Cask style is focuses on ripe Bing cherry flavours. In the warmth of the 2004 season most Rutherford cabernet was fully ripe and willing to accept 100 per cent new American oak. It's a hedonistic offering with bright almost chalky dusty fruit. Fine elegance given the early warm conditions that finishes smooth and silky on the palate. Small berry clones of cabernet insure the flavours are intense but they are well ameliorated by the 500 litres American oak puncheons. Very sexy wine. Drink or hold up to seven years.Prices:| US | $75.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $99.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $101.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $103.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $96.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Domaine Moillard Beaune-Epenottes 1er Cru 2005
Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceBlack cherry, tobacco leaf, dill, rooty, meaty, earthy aromas. Dry, tight palate with gritty, chalky tannins. Spicy, tobacco leaf, caraway, carrot top, rhubarb, raspberry, herbal flavours. Tight, tart finish, not up to others in the range at the price.Prices:| BC | $79.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Joseph Faiveley Bourgogne Pinot Noir Paulee 2006
Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceFloral, rhubarb, strawberry, tobacco leaf, spicy nose. Dry, elegant but tight and slightly tannic palate. Tobacco leaf, herbal, spicy, orange peel, rhubarb, floral flavours with press tannins. Fresh, lean finish, best with food.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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80PTS
Albert Bichot Côte de Nuits -Villages 2004
Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceCarrot top, dill, brine-y, tobacco leaf, compost aromas. Soft, dry, somewhat lean palate. Compost, herbal, caraway, tobacco leaf, dill flavours with a bitter, tart finish.Prices:Read Full Note
88PTS
Stellenzicht Syrah 2002
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South AfricaSomewhat lifted, menthol, earthy, meaty, chocolate, peppery, black berry, tobacco leaf, resin, floral aromas. Round, rich, dry palate with some grainy tannins. Warm coffee, vanilla, peppery, meaty, floral, black cherry flavours with some tobacco leaf, meaty, barnyard, Band-Aid flavours on the finish. Solid concentration and balance with some grip but a bit oaky.Prices:| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
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80PTS
Domaine du Chateau d'Eau Pinot Noir 2006
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceGamey, rubbery, licorice, cherry, compost aromas. Dry, light, tight palate but elegant with smoky, rubbery, tobacco, resin, leafy flavours with a bitter green finish. Lacks ripeness and balance.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Porcupine Ridge Syrah 2007
Coastal Region, South AfricaFloral, meaty, peppery, smoky leather, roasted pepper, savoury, black berry aromas with a touch of coffee and barnyard. Fresh, round, supple palate with supple tannins. Leesy, tobacco, peppery, smoked meat, saddle leather, roasted pepper and cherry jam flavours.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $17.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.85 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Robertson Winery Shiraz 2007
Robertson, Breede River Valley, South AfricaBig smoky, sweaty saddle leather, meaty, peppery, cooked blackberry, stewed V8 juice. Tart, light, elegant palate with some sweet and sour. Cherry, floral, smoky, sweaty leather, meaty, resin, earthy flavours. Seemingly consistent flavour profile from year to year.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Trivento Reserve Syrah 2006
Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy, savoury, tobacco ash, peppery, black berry jam and resin aromas. Soft, supple, forward palate but rich and warm. Meaty, earthy, spicy, peppery, black plum, smoky, coffee, savoury flavours with a licorice and mace finish. Good solid wine and value.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $15.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
C. J. Pask Gimblett Road Syrah 2006
Hawkes Bay, North Island, New ZealandBig tobacco leaf, peppery, savoury, vanilla, cigar, rooty, black olive aromas. Round, dry, supple palate with some grainy tannins. Peppery, spicy, vanilla, coffee, resin, cigar, rooty, mineral, black cherry flavours with a touch of smoked pepper and tobacco on the finish. Solid effort.Prices:| BC | $24.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Tommasi Valpolicella Ripasso 2005
Veneto, ItalyMeaty, gamey, tobacco leaf, peppery, cherry jam, rooty, almond aromas. Ripe, round, elegant palate with light tannins and some density. Cherry jam, tobacco leaf, leesy, meaty, carrot top, barnyard and light Band-Aid (Brettanomyces) flavours.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $26.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Tommasi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2004
Veneto, ItalyBig chocolate, coffee, sweaty saddle leather, tobacco leaf, warm earthy, nutty, dried cherry and prune aromas. Ripe, round, rich and warm with some grainy tannins. Big chocolate, vanilla, tobacco, black cherry, pruny, meaty, spicy, pecan and cooked carrot flavours. Good structure, can age a few years.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $55.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $50.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $44.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Robertson Winery Number One Constitution Road Shiraz 2005
Robertson, Breede River Valley, South AfricaDeep black cherry colour. Peppery, spicy, black cherry, floral, meaty, mocha, tobacco, gamey, smoky, burnt earth aromas. Rich, round, dry, supple palate but fresh. Good black berry jam, coffee, peppery, spicy, tobacco, resin, meaty, smoky leather, floral, plum flavours. Fine intensity and ripeness, just a bit warm and edgy on the finish. Needs a year or two or try with duck or roast lamb.Prices:| BC | $39.98 | 750ml |
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86PTS
St. John's Road Julia Greenoch Shiraz 2005
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaMeaty, sausage, peppery, rooty, licorice, vanilla, tobacco, savoury, black berry aromas. Dry, tart, somewhat tannic palate. Peppery, earthy, coffee, chocolate, licorice, tobacco, resin and five spice flavours. A bit flat and tart on the finish without the mid-palate concentration to compensate.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Robertson Winery Wolfkloof Shiraz Limited Release 2005
Robertson, Breede River Valley, South AfricaFloral, spicy, white pepper, meaty, smoky, black cherry, licorice root and tobacco aromas with a touch of leather, very good aromas. Dry, round, elegant style with fresh acidity and light tannins. Coffee, vanilla, black cherry jam, coconut, peppery, spicy, tobacco, meaty, licorice flavours. Good balance and intensity to go with lamb, turkey or pork.Prices:| ON | $19.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Bouchard Aîné and Fils Pinossimo Pinot Noir 2006
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceFloral, cherry, spicy, compost, rooty aromas. Dry, light, supple palate with a bit of acidity and sweetness. Cranberry, candied cherry, compost, tobacco leaf, herbal flavours. Finish is lemony and warm. Basic south of France.Prices:| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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04 October 2008
88PTS
Ganton & Larson Prospect Winery Larch Tree Hill Riesling 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis was bit of a shocker for me if only because it's rare to encounter so much fruit, minerality and freshness in a B.C. riesling that is balanced to boot. This is another benchmark wine that proves we can grow this variety and make it well. A blend of three sites from south, central and north Okanagan its peachy, lime fruit and fresh aromatic style makes this a winner. The price is a bonus. Stock up.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
La Vieille Ferme Côtes du Ventoux Rouge 2006
Ventoux, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceThe Perrin Cotes du Ventoux is mostly grenache with small percentages of syrah, mourvèdre and cinsault. Look for a dry, spicy earthy red with bits of black cherry, licorice and pepper. The fruit is well managed and seemingly brighter under screw cap and the tannins are nicely fine-grained. It all finishes dry with a twist of acidity that shouts cassoulet or lamb stew. Stupid, as my kids would say, value. Drink all winter.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.30 | 750ml |
| QC | $13.50 | 750ml |
| NF | $14.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $13.30 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.75 | 750ml |
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03 October 2008
90PTS
Ferrari-Carano Fume Blanc 2005
Sonoma County, California, United StatesThis wine seems to get better each year as it is thoughtfully lean-out. We love the honey and floral grassy notes and the spicy bits of ginger mixed with vanilla and melon. On the palate it has an attractive viscosity with crisp fresh styling with more melon, passion fruit and tangerine that carries through the finish.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $23.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Palo Alto Reserva 2007
Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileThis is screamingly fresh and super dry sauvignon with a strong citrus bent on the nose and palate. Lip smacking is the best descriptor for this white that needs goat cheese or a vegetarian pizza to tame its big acidity. If you like your sauvignon dry and crisp this is it.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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02 October 2008
88PTS
Sumac Ridge Cabernet Franc Black Sage Vineyard 2006
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaStrong tobacco green olive nose with mixed with smoky oak, cigarette ash and leather. The entry is dry with more cranberry floral violet notes. A nice jump in ripeness over the previous wine and the oak is well integrated. Best with a strong meat dish.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
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November 2008