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Tastings: November 2008
30 November 2008
89PTS
Père Anselme La Fiole du Pape Châteauneuf-du-Pape NV
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceBig open spicy, floral, peppery nose with notes of tobacco leaf, cherry, almond aromas with a bit of roasted meat. Soft, round, supple style but dry with light tannins and some acidity. Peppery, spicy, licorice, chocolate, plum, mineral, tobacco flavours. A good solid effort that will improve with a year or two in bottle or drink now with lamb cassoulet.Prices:| BC | $53.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $45.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $49.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $44.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $42.95 | 750ml |
| NB | $48.99 | 750ml |
| PEI | $48.99 | 750ml |
| NFL | $57.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
The Show Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
California, United StatesThe Show is not so showy. A blend mostly cool coastal fruit it suffers from a bit too much cedar and clove character. The colour is richer than the palate that offers up more cedar, blueberry fruit and cocoa powder. Just a bit too tangy for the real California cabernet lover. Again one that is best served with a steak or roast beef to tame the edges.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Rodney Strong Merlot 2004
Sonoma County, California, United StatesThe nose is fragrant mixing cedar and vanilla and some toasted oak notes. The entry is slightly lean and acidic a theme that runs through its spicy black fruit flavours. Solid if a little too cedar-y to be considered serious. Needs food to smooth put the edges.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| US | $19.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Melini Chianti 2006
Tuscany, ItalyA fine improvement over the previous edition in what is a true, if simple normale. Look for a pleasant floral fragrant nose with hints of cherries and almonds with just a dusting of mushrooms in the back end. Dry and slightly acidic it calls for a mushroom ravioli dish or spaghetti Bolognese.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.25 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.85 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Viniterra Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSoft almost sweet entry here with a touch of volatility. The fruit is warm and spicy with moderate tannins. More of a mid-week red that would look best alongside a fresh grilled hamburger.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Diego Murillo Merlot 2007
Alto Valle del Río Negro, Rio Negro, Patagonia, ArgentinaThis basic stuff with spicy, black fruit nose flecked with rubber and the scent of a root cellar. The palate is warm and dry with smoky leafy black fruit and a warm rustic alcoholic finish. Simple at best.Prices:| BC | $10.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Carmen Merlot 2006
Region del Valle Central, ChileAlmost a carbon copy of last year. With its big leafy cedar scented nose flecked with olives and mint. The palate is soft if a bit acidic with green olive, pepper and sour cherry flavours. Herbal Chilean merlot that needs some charred beef to tame it.Prices:| NS | $10.99 | 750ml |
| NB | $12.99 | 750ml |
| QC | $13.20 | 750ml |
| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $12.99 | 750ml |
| PEI | $13.98 | 750ml |
| NF | $12.98 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Barefoot Chardonnay NV
Sonoma County, California, United StatesThere is no vintage on the Barefoot chardonnay but it doesn't seem to matter. The blend of years and fruit mixes green apple peaches with just enough vanilla and nuuty honey tones to keep it interesting for the price. This is basic light, easy-sipping chardonnay for the masses.Prices:| BC | $10.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon NV
Sonoma County, California, United StatesReasonably consistent fresh fruity style red with black fruit undertones and leafy cassis highlights. Simple, soft and easy-sipping red with spciy black fruit and cedar on th epalate. Light, fruit-driven simple, straight-up cabernet.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
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29 November 2008
87PTS
Van Westen Vineyards Viognier 2007
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, spicy, ginger, butter, quince aromas with a touch of lemon oil and white peach. Crisp, round, slightly oily palate with minty, lemon oil, green apple skin, floral, ginger, light lees and nectarine flavours. Good solid fruit expression, a bit tight now with a hot finish. Should improve over the next year. Getting better every year.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Oxford Landing Viognier 2007
South Australia, AustraliaSpicy, floral, honey, mineral, ginger aromas. Fresh, round, slightly sweet entry with orange, butter, guava, citrus peel, mineral flavours. Good solid drink for the money. Well done.Prices:| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Fazi Battaglia Le Moie Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore 2006
Marche, ItalyNutty, leesy, buttery, spicy, baked apple, anise, ginger aromas. Crisp, dry, warm and juicy with oily texture. Spicy lees, nutty, lemon oil, quince, mineral, ginger and apple core flavours. Warm with good intensity but slightly austere.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Raimat Albarino Chardonnay 2006
Costers del Segre, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainSpicy, ginger, peach, floral, lemon and ginger aromas. Dry, crisp, round, full bodied but slightly juicy. Ginger, green apple, ginger, nectarine skin, spicy, mineral and butter flavours. Good solid seafood and turkey wine for any occasion. Highly underrated and would likely sell even better given a fresher looking label and a Stelvin screwcap closure. Fine turkey wine.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.99 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Terre di Talamo Vento Vermentino 2006
Maremma, Tuscany, ItalyRipe pear, light lees, nutty, buttery, spicy, clove, mango aromas. Moderately rich and round and fresh with a slightly oily texture. Buttery, nutty, ripe melon, smoky, baked pear, citrus, spicy papaya flavours. Excellent vermentino and will be a great match for seafood wines.Prices:| BC | $28.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Van Westen Vineyards Vino Grigio 2007
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, mineral, green apple skin, spicy, honey aromas. Crisp, dry, juicy palate with an oily texture. Cool green apple, grassy, grapefruit, gooseberry, honey flavours. Some bitter lime rind notes on the finish but solid.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Paul Mas Syrah - Viognier 2007
Sud de France, FrancePaul Mas continues to chip away at market offering solid value and serious wines. This blend comes off the 22 hectare Enclos de Nicole, on the 100-year-old family estate on a hillside in the Hérault Valley. The nose is fresh and dry with the aromatic lift you get from viognier and plenty of peppery dark fruit flavours.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Stellenzicht Semillon Reserve 2003
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South AfricaNutty, garlic, spicy, buttery, cashew, baked pear and peach aromas. Dry, round, full bodied, soft but fresh palate with grassy, grapefruit, nutty, spicy, butter, gooseberry flavours. Unique, mature style with good intensity.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Guntrum Niersteiner Bergkirche Riesling Auslese 2002
Rheinhessen, GermanySlightly mature nose of cream, peach, mineral, guava, waxy, honey aromas with a touch of petrol. Fresh, elegant, crisp and delicate on the palate with petrol, green apple, guava, creamy, mineral, waxy, nutty flavours. Nice delicate style with some maturity and finesse if not great intensity.Prices:| DE | $10.00 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Trauma Arogonez 2005
Lisboa, Central and Southern Portugal, PortugalSpicy, peppery, black cherry jam, compost, tobacco, rooty aromas. Tart, dry, somewhat light palate with light tannins. Green tobacco, cherry, kirsch, orange peel, resin flavours. Too tartPrices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Trauma Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Lisboa, Central and Southern Portugal, PortugalBig compost, tobacco leaf, green olive, resin aromas. Tart, thin, round palate with resin, compost, green olive, tobacco leaf, coffee and cassis flavours. Very green style.Prices:| UK | $7.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Trauma Vinho Verde Loureiro 2007
Vinho Verde, Northern Portugal, PortugalSmoky, lees, grapefruit, passion fruit, floral, lime rind aromas. Fresh, rich, dry and somewhat austere but full palate. Passion fruit, gooseberry, grapefruit, lime and light petrol flavours. Good intensity but needs food to temper some of the austerity.Prices:| DE | $7.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Trauma Vinho Verde Alvarinho 2007
Vinho Verde, Northern Portugal, PortugalVery fresh, floral, smoky, nectarine skin, mineral, quince aromas. Crisp, dry, somewhat fizzy entry and delicate. Green apple, smoky, spicy, nectarine, lemon and lime peel flavours. Fresh and tart on the finish, a fine example designed for fresh fish with olive oil on a warm summer day.Prices:| DE | $7.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Viniterra Select Malbec 2006
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaFloral, peppery, cocoa powder, black cherry, tobacco and cedar bark aromas. Tight, dry, tart palate with cedar bark, resin, tobacco leaf, black olive, plum and vanilla oak flavours with a cocoa streak. Too lean and dry to drink without food.Prices:| UK | $10.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Viniterra Select Carmenere 2006
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaTobacco leaf, compost, resin, peppery, earthy, chocolate, minty, cherry aromas. Ripe, round, warm, smooth palate with light tannins. Coffee, vanilla cocoa, peppery, minty, tobacco, cedar and cherry jam flavours. Good intensity if warm, solid style for food.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Terra Sparkling Malbec 2007
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy, black cherry, plum, licorice, tobacco leaf, mineral nose. Dry, fresh, somewhat tart palate with cherry, licorice, resin, smoky, peppery flavours. More of a frizzante style but has some decent fruit if the finish is quite dry.Prices:| ON | $13.85 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Viniterra Pinot Grigio 2008
Mendoza, ArgentinaVery floral, spicy, green apple, nectarine, mineral, light butter aromas. Ripe, round, warm, slightly sweet palate with some juicy acidity. Green apple skin, grapefruit, mineral, spicy, butter, lemon oil flavours with a bitter zesty finish. Solid but a bit bitter.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Crowsnest Riesling 2007
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGreen apple, peach skin, floral, guava, grassy aromas with a slight bread-y note. Fresh, round, soft entry with some mid-palate sweetness. Bready, guava, leesy, red apple, peach and honey flavours. More suitable for spicy Indian food or with fruit.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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28 November 2008
86PTS
Castillo de Monséran Viura 2005
Cariñena, Aragon, SpainViura when made correctly can be the poor man's albariño. While hardly exotic, it can be if well handled and fresh. This one is inviting on the nose with floral notes. In this case at 12.5 percent its delightful quaffer with enough orange fruit and softness to have wine appeal. EnjoyPrices:| BC | $10.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Kenwood Pinot Noir 2006
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesKenwood's Russian River fruit is 25 per cent estate grown on cool rocky sites not far from the coast. Ten percent of the wine is whole berry fermented to intensify the fruit character. It's aged in French oak for just over ten months. Look for a full-bodied pinot with smoky plum flavours and spicy, rootsy, cherry jam undertones with traces of celery salt and forest floor. Youthful and it will improve over the next few years. Try this with a mushroom pasta dish.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $0.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $24.75 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Mission Hill S.L.C. Merlot 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe latest S.L.C. merlot has slightly smoother textures than previous editions but remains long on French oak, coffee grounds and cool peppery spicy notes. The palate is firm and dry with more minty garrigue notes mixed with coffee, black cherries and cedar and cocoa powder. The finish is long and showing some youthful dry tannins. This still needs time to soften and let the fruit shine. Should be perfect with lamb shanks.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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27 November 2008
92PTS
Romano dal Forno Vigneto di Monte Lodoletta Amarone della Valpolicella Superiore 2000
Verona, Veneto, ItalyVery dark, deep cherry colour. Very raisiny, volatile, tobacco, black pepper, barnyard, sweaty saddle, Band-Aid, coffee, licorice, resin nose. Rich, round, ripe and fat with good concentration but hot with high acidity and somewhat tannic. Very peppery, coffee, chocolate, black cherry jam, raisiny, tobacco flavours. Big, warm, grapey style but high volatility and tannic.Prices:| BC | $1120.00 | 1500ml |
| BC | $2650.00 | 3000ml |
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26 November 2008
90PTS
Dow's Late Bottled Vintage Port 2001
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalLook for a very pretty Dow with ripe sweet fruit of black cherries with spice, liquorice, coffee and tea aromas. Fresh and floral on the palate with excellent balance and very pretty peppery, black cherry jam fruit with chocolate and smoky leather undertones. A stylish LBV for current drinking.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $12.00 | 375ml |
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89PTS
Warre's Warrior Special Reserve NV
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalWarre's Warrior Special Reserve is the oldest mark of Port having been shipped continuously since the 1750s. It's still being made the same way - aged in seasoned oak casks for 4 to 5 years before being drawn off and bottled following a light filtration. Like all the wood ports in this category Warrior Special Reserve is ready to drink sans decanting. Look for dark, intense ripe prune fruit and a strong cocoa powder flavour. Not as sweet as the Graham's and not as dry as the Dow. A pleasing fireside sipper -- break out the toasted walnuts.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
| BC | $14.00 | 375ml |
| NF | $23.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $21.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $21.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.00 | 375ml |
| MB | $14.00 | 375ml |
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89PTS
Noval Unfiltered Late Bottled Vintage Port 2003
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalA deep, red black colour previews the spicy smoky plum fruit nose of this LBV. The entry is soft and supple with fiery plum fruit flavours with licorice root, pepper and dark chocolate flavours. Best now with chocolate style desserts or cellar for two to five years. Impressive weight and structure for an LBV. Expect this to throw a light deposit in a few years. Prices:| BC | $32.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $26.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $34.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Smith Woodhouse Vintage Port 2003
Rio Torto, Cima Corga, Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalThe Smith Woodhouse Vintage Port 2003 comes out of the Rio Torto, a small isolated valley, in the Douro. Look for young grapey notes on the nose and similar Graham-like sweetness. Violets, black berries and boysenberry mark the nose and palate with bits of licorice and tea. It's yet to close down in the bottle something young ports routinely do and so is still a candidate for drinking. Symington suggest with a bit of chocolate after dinner. This will be something in 2023. A perfect gift for those celebrating wedding anniversaries based on the year 2003, or perhaps as a future gift to children born in 2003.Prices:| BC | $78.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $75.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $75.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $74.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $74.00 | 750ml |
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24 November 2008
80PTS
Columbia Crest Two Vineyard 10 Rosé 2007
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesAlcoholic, flat and acidic are not the best descriptors for any rosé but that pretty much covers this one. You can add dry some bitter dry flavours in the finish. Disappointing.Prices:| US | $8.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Thirty Bench Small Lot Gewurztraminer 2007
Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaThere isn't much of this stuff made (86 cases) but it is good. I complained about not getting to taste these wines so low and behold they have finally shown up on my tasting bench. Love the smooth oily gewürztraminer entry and the fresh tropical fruit underneath. Rich but structured long but not overpowering it is a delicious drop of wine. Perfect under screwcap.Prices:| ON | $30.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Sumac Ridge Rosé Private Reserve 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBright looking appealing colour with a fairly fresh outlook. The entry is soft and smooth, the flavours like the nose aromatic and slightly lifted. Candied apple and candied lemon rind mark the finish of this likeable pink sipper.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $16.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Mission Hill Rosé Five Vineyards 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFresh lively bright colour and nose floral under tones and a hint of minerality. On the palate there is a definite sweetness, perhaps too much for some, while welcomed by others. Orange, citrus, caramel and nectarine skin keep it interesting. This needs to be drier id it's going to make it to the table for lunch. And it should have a screwcap for easier use.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Cono Sur Gewurztraminer Limited Release 2007
Valle del Bio-Bio, ChileMuch like last year the '07 made with fruit from cold Bio Bio opens with big floral orange peel notes with bits of honey and spice. The flavours are fruit forward with ginger, orange, nectarine and grapefruit all with a splash of minerality. Perfect with Indian or Thai food.Prices:| BC | $11.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Triplebank Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandA not so savvy "savvy" from Marlborough. This wine is distinctively herby with a pronounced asparagus nose and flavour. There is some citrus and stone fruit character underneath but it is the asparagus tomato leaf sweaty armpit flavours that rule the day.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Rigamarole Rosé 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA somewhat light pink cranberry colour previews a simple sweet style rosé. Sweet juicy strawberry fruit flavours finish with bits of bitter citrus rind, candied apple and resin. Lacks verve and freshness for a rosé.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Rodney Strong Chardonnay Chalk Hill 2006
Sonoma County, California, United StatesFresh open toasty nutty, green apple, floral nose with a light brushing of vanilla. More nutty oily notes on the mid-palate with a fine creamy mix of pears and citrus. Love the leesy nectarine notes in the finish. Fine value.Prices:| ON | $23.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| US | $15.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay 2006
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesIt's gratifying to see the just how much the style of chardonnay is evolving in. Another good effort from Ferrari-Carano with floral, orange peel candied-lemon aromas. The entry is lean but the flavours intense mixing honey, orange blossoms, pineapple and nutty lees flavours with a fairly dry, crisp finish. A well done new look for this wine.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $42.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Mission Hill S.L.C. Chardonnay 2006
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVery similar to the 2004 in our estimation with its buttery, nutty oily citrus peel nose and flavours with underlying lees and vanilla. The fruit is fairly tight with bright green apple notes, minerality and harder oak notes that will likely appeal to Old World aficionados and maybe less with New World sippers. A cool style that is more in the French camp than say the cool examples from the coast of California or Chile. Creamy fish dishes should help reveal its best side.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $28.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Crowsnest Gewurztraminer 2007
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaClassic gewürztraminer nose with floral, spicy, fruity nose streaked with the scent of charcuterie. The entry is fresh and sweet with honey, nectarine skin and floral fruit flavours. The finish is long and dry in the Alsace mode. This is an excellent food for spicy pan-Asian dishes.Prices:| BC | $13.43 | 750ml |
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23 November 2008
83PTS
Peller Estates Proprietors Reserve Pinot Grigio NV
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA blend of imported juice and Canadian package in a nifty "thin" bag-in-the-box format that is best described as grigio and mostly Italian, as in dry and acidic. Light and lemony it will make you smack your lips and wish you had some food. It's $7 a bottle, enough said.Prices:| BC | $37.00 | 4000ml |
| AB | $44.00 | 4000ml |
| MB | $16.00 | 1500ml |
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87PTS
Tenuta Ca' Bolani Chardonnay dell Venezie Frizzante NV
Fresh lively dry chardonnay with a touch of fizz. The style is Italian dry and reserved with just a touch of fruit and almonds in the taste. A pleasant if pricey little apéritif to accompany most pre-dinner bites.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $18.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Mission Hill Sauvignon Blanc Five Vineyards 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaNow a solid workhorse in a slim B.C. category. Fresh and clean and zippy as you would expect with bits of kiwi fruit, pear, gooseberry herbal aromas and flavours. The latest edition is creamier which is a nice offset to the lime rind and mineral flecks in the finish. Think white meats, white sauces, white fish and this white wine. Bag the cork please.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $13.98 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Crossroads Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandTypically intense Marlborough style. Focused on passion fruit and gooseberry aromatics. The palate is rich, yet crisp, with big tropical fruit notes and lime rind in the finish. A solid cool-climate version of this varietal. Serve with steamed mussels for best effect.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Domaine La Lieue Chardonnay 2007
Provence, Sud de France, FranceWow, how good is this wine. It was a gold medal winner in Paris I can see, or should I say taste, why. Made by fifth generation growers in an organically certified environment this wine is a winner on so many levels. Bright and fresh with mineral and lees, fine mid-palate weight and a delicious balanced clean finish. Bravo. Great value. Bring on the roast chicken.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.55 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Rigamarole Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen aromatic herbaceous nose with bits of grapefruit and grass. The attack is soft the fruit ripe to the point of sweet. It flattens out on the palate perhaps to appeal to the aperitif crowd still waiting for food. I supposed it fits the rigamarole definition with its confusing dry aromatic nose and sweet soft palate.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Kenwood Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Sonoma County, California, United StatesKenwood has pioneered the fresh style of sauvignon in the US and this wine has it upfront with passion fruit and floral grapefruit aromas but the intensity and finish are somewhat underwhelming. Flatter and drying out it's probably best to look for the 2007. The synthetic cork needs to go too.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.20 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Barcello Canyon Cuvee No. 3 2006
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen aromatic baked fruit nose with peachy, bruised apple and pear flavours. Somewhat sweet entry with soft round red apple fruit flavours through the finish. A fun blend of pinot auxerrois, chardonnay and pinot gris that hits the mark. Consider serving with pates, chicken and other light meats.Prices:| BC | $15.75 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Sumac Ridge Merlot Black Sage Vineyard 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSlightly herbal, spicy black fruit and espresso nose with bits of tobacco. Light and dry on entry with strong notes of coffee and smoky, earthy, peppery black fruit flavours that finish warm. Smoky coffee dominate the finish. Pricey entry level merlot.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
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22 November 2008
94PTS
Castello di Bossi Vin San Laurentino 1999
Castelnuovo Berardenga, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyMade from partially dried grapes harvested at the end of August with high acidity. The wine ends up with 11% alcohol, 420 g/l residual sugar and a healthy 12 g/l total acidity and it is made like a Vin Santo. Smoky, nutty, cinnamon, floral, citrus, vanilla, mineral, herbal aromas. Rich, round, somewhat oily palate but great finesse and acidity balance. Buttery, diacetyl, nutty, green apple, dried pear, citrus, smoky, vanilla, raisin and cinnamon flavours. Dried fig, toffee, creamy finish. Fine effort with freshness and finesse.Prices:| BC | $130.00 | 375ml |
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92PTS
Castello di Bossi Corbaia 2003
Castelnuovo Berardenga, Siena, Tuscany, ItalySpicy, vanilla, chocolate, meaty, tobacco, leather, black olive, black cherry, cassis, waxy aromas with a touch of barnyard. Ripe, rich, dry, tight with grainy tannins but good acidity. Lots of chocolate, vanilla, meaty, peppery, spicy, black cherry, plum and cassis flavours with a minty, black olive, resin and licorice finish. Good intensity but a bit hard now, needs 5-7 years to fully integrate. Corbaia derives its name from a pigeon's nest where a Crow (corvo) lays its eggs it is a 70/30 blend of sangiovese and cabernet sauvignon.Prices:| BC | $86.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $68.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Castello di Bossi Girolamo Merlot 2003
Castelnuovo Berardenga, Siena, Tuscany, ItalySpicy, slightly smoky, black cherry jam, plum, rooty, black olive, tobacco, vanilla aromas with a floral, gamey note. Dry, tight, elegant palate with good concentration and good acidity. Peppery, tobacco, resin, vanilla, chocolate, spicy, savoury, black cherry flavours with a black olive, plum edge. Long with grainy tannins to disperse - Euro style but has good finesse. Needs 3-5 years to soften.Prices:| BC | $86.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $73.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $68.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Castello di Bossi Chianti Classico Riserva 'Berardo' 2003
Castelnuovo Berardenga, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyA single vineyard sangiovese, this has very spicy, peppery, leather, meaty nose with flecks of black berry, vanilla, black olive and saddle leather. Ripe yet somewhat tannic and dry. More vanilla, coffee, peppery and meaty, tobacco flavours mix with leather, iron, black berry, black cherry jam. Good length with some grainy tannin to disperse. Needs 3-5 years. Aged in French oak barriques for 24-36 months.Prices:| BC | $54.90 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Terre di Talamo Tempo Morellino di Scansano 2006
Morellino di Scansano, Maremma, Tuscany, ItalyBig spicy, black cherry, licorice, smoky, ash, peppery, vanilla, slightly gamey nose. Round, supple, dry and elegant with light tannins and good acidity balance. Black cherry, licorice, spicy, peppery, black olive, ash and game flavours. Solid food style wine with some good fruit.Prices:| BC | $29.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Stoneboat Vineyards Pinot Gris 2007
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFresh leesy bright style of pinot gris with bits of citrus and mineral. Dry stony mid-palate with just a hint of creamy spiced fruit in the finish. Fine ripeness marks a warm, floral, mineral finish. Good potential here if the alcohol is kept in check.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Stoneboat Vineyards Pinot Blanc 2007
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFresh enough with a slightly earthy edge on the nose and palate. Add some honey and spice with a touch of nectarine skin and mineral. The finish is warm showing ripe fruit. A solid if uninspiring varietal.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Deinhard Pinot Grigio Fine Wine 2007
Baden, GermanyAnother simple, fairly dry style with a touch of bruised apple, caramel and sulphur on the nose and palate. It's fairly skinny and dry, a la Italian, and needs food to really shine.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Gatao Vinho Verde NV
Vinho Verde, Northern Portugal, PortugalA second look at this wine, now under screwcap. Super fresh light floral nose with a touch of fizz. Intense lemon apple, mineral, citrus flavours with bits of mineral and chalk. Delicate, easy-sipping, summer, patio white. Good value in non-New World style white.Prices:| BC | $11.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $10.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $13.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Castello di Gabbiano Pinot Grigio 2007
Friuli-Venezia Giulia, ItalyThe Gabbiano grigio fits the stereotype: light citrus and honey with bits of citrus and mineral. The entry is smooth and round, the fruit soft with hints of pear and melon and grass. Straight-up spaghetti white for pasta primavera or pesto linguine. Good value.Prices:| BC | $11.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $14.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Lorentz Pinot Gris Reserve 2005
Alsace, FranceSlightly tired at this point it has the weight and smoky character of Alsace sitting on its spicy cooked pear fruit aromas and flavours. More weight and structure than brightness but this is Alsace and it will have its fans. The finish is long and honeyed.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Fish Eye Pinot Grigio 2007
California, United StatesThis is simple stuff with a fresh nose of grass, lemon and a touch of melon and mineral. Fairly tart mid-palate with a crisp finish. This is a straight-up luncheon wine that would be perfect with a light charcuterie dish. Much cleaner and fresher under screwcap.Prices:| BC | $9.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $10.15 | 750ml |
| NS | $27.00 | 3000ml |
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21 November 2008
90PTS
Rolf Binder Halliwell Shiraz Grenache 2004
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaThe '04 Halliwell is a 60/40 mix of shiraz and grenache. It opens with a very spicy, floral, black berry, black raspberry, rooty, coffee nose with bits of vanilla, liquorice and tobacco leaf. The entry is soft and round but it's hot and a touch tart. The flavours mix licorice, coffee, blueberries, black raspberry, black cherry, mineral, vanilla, tobacco flavours. Fine fruit and texture.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Rolf Binder Halliwell Shiraz Grenache 2006
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaOpen spicy, peppery, coffee, tobacco nose with black berry, floral, licorice, rooty, smoky, saddle leather aromas. The entry is dry and supple with an overall warm palate and silky textures. The fruit is a mix of black cherry, plum, tobacco, coffee, orange, mineral flavours with a spicy, floral edge. Good finesse and intensity with a slight acidic edge. This will improve in bottle over the next year or two. Binder used about 25 new oak here but the regime is flexible.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $22.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Rolf Binder Heysen Shiraz 2006
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaAn even better version of the '05. Very spicy, floral, peppery, black cherry, licorice, tobacco, cedar, orange peel, savoury, rooty, raisin and vanilla nose. Ripe, round, rich with fine black cherry, plum jam, flavours flecked with orange, vanilla, spicy, savoury, tobacco and licorice with a kirsch and coffee finish. Again it is warm on the palate but excellent fruit and finesse.Prices:| BC | $55.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $55.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $56.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $52.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Rolf Binder Heysen Shiraz 2005
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaImpressive nose of black plums, mocha, pepper, smoky licorice, coffee, tobacco, leather and coriander. By now we see the trademark elegant and supple entry with just a splash acidity and fine textures. Savoury, spicy, vanilla, coffee, orange peel, black cherry, plum, flavours dominate the palate. It's warm and tart at the edge but with great fruit and intensity. Well done.Prices:| BC | $54.99 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Rolf Binder Heinrich Shiraz Mataro Grenache 2006
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaHeinrich is a 55/25/20 blend of shiraz / mataro / grenache. The nose is overt showing black cherry jam, plum, floral, orange rind and plenty of minerality. Flecked with bits of tobacco, vanilla, coffee, pepper and earth. Fine complexity. The entry is supple, the styling elegant with a warm, fresh edge. Orange, pepper, coffee, mocha, licorice, black cherry, black raspberry, tobacco flavours swarm the palate. A bit hot on the finish but fine fruit and some light tannin to allow a few years of aging. Good value.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $30.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Rolf Binder Hales Shiraz 2005
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaThe Hales comes with 6 per cent mourvèdre and 4 per cent grenache "you have to work the palate," says Binder. The nose is a rooty, cedar, black berry, black raspberry, licorice affair with spicy undertones. Round, dry, slightly tart and warm on the palate it packs fairly light tannins. Licorice, tobacco, black cherry jam make its peppery flavours. Warm finish but with good finesse and it is ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $22.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $28.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Rolf Binder Helios Semillon 2005
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaGrassy, fig, butter/oily, mineral, lime, nutty, toasted nose. The style is bright, clean and elegant the textures crisp and juicy. On the palate there is more nutty, spicy, grassy, grapefruit, lime flavours flecked with butter and quince flavours with a hint of lemon oil. Good concentration and finesse with a touch of age on it. A solid seafood wine and good value too.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Rolf Binder Highness Riesling 2007
Eden Valley, South Australia, AustraliaOpen light petrol notes mix with peach, lime, spicy, green apple and slate on the nose. Crisp, round, full and fresh but elegant in style with bright delicious chalky fruit. Lots of lemon, lime, green apple, slate, peach flavours with a floral note. Good balance and value. Impressive for the money.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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20 November 2008
87PTS
Gonzalez Byass Nutty Solera Oloroso Medium Dry NV
Sherry Jerez - Manzanilla, SpainNutty is the word for this classic rancio, pecan shell and figgy Oloroso. Just slightly sweet with fine underlying acidity and pinch of oxidation this warm treat slides down easily. Look for a spicy, rancio, walnut, buttery flavour with a bits of fig and date in the aftertaste. Serve as aperitif or as an after dinner treat. Great value.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Penascal Tempranillo 2005
Castilla-Leon, SpainTypically dry, gamy and touch rubbery. Make sure you get some extra air on this before serving. Look for floral black cherry, smoky leather aromas underneath that preview its soft, round, supple mouthfeel and spicy, earthy, cherry fruit flavours. Your basic pizza red, that delivers for the price.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
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16 November 2008
94PTS
Cuvée du Vatican Chateauneuf-du-Pape Réserve Sixtine 2006
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FrancePlum jam, black cherry, peppery, vanilla, chocolate, floral, sappy, tobacco, saddle leather, smoky dried herb aromas. Rich, full, round palate with good concentration and fine grained tannins but a bit chewy. Good acidity balance with big plum jam, black cherry, spicy, garrigue, vanilla, chocolate, tobacco, black olive tapenade, mineral, licorice flavours. Long, fruity, rich, very fine effort. A more modern but sophisticated use of barrique and foudre. Needs 5-10 years to fully soften.Prices:| BC | $82.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Rodney Strong Chardonnay 2007
Sonoma County, California, United StatesThis wine is on auto pilot and I mean that in a good way. The perfect mix of creamy lees, baked apple and peach flavours with a streak of citrus and a touch of nuttiness in the finish. The textures are creamy and soft the finish crisp. Classic new age Sonoma chardonnay.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.90 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Wild Horse Canyon Chardonnay 2007
Product of CanadaThis 'West Coast Appellation,' label is a blend of chardonnay fruit from British Columbia, Washington and California. Clean and fresh and much like last year, well executed. Just enough fresh fruit to keep it lively and a touch of sugar to make the finish pleasant. Fine value in a simple but well made commercial chardonnay.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Rutherford Ranch Chardonnay 2007
Napa Valley, California, United StatesNot much different than last year although it is generally fresher. The entry is ripe with an upfront sweet fruit in the form of peaches and red apples with a dusting of mineral and lees. It's Napa Valley fat with ripe pineapple melon fruit and flecks of baked apple pie and the crust in the finish. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Signorello Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Napa Valley, California, United StatesNapa Valley hillsides east of the Silverado Trail are the home to Signorello's low yielding cabernet grapes ― now at 17 years of age and around 2 tons to the acre it is settling in a for a long run of quality. The '04 is intense and black but with a twist of Stags Leap refinement. Look for black currant, vanilla and pepper to dominate with a full showy mid-palate and finish. The tannins are substantial but fine grained. It will take a decade of ageing to really release the full glory of this wine.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
| US | $40.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $49.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Signorello Seta 2006
Napa Valley, California, United StatesThe Seta (silk in Italian) model is Bordeaux Blanc, specifically Haut Brion. The blend is a silky mix of 60/40 sémillon/sauvignon blanc and it delivers on the palate. A consistent performer its mix of nectarine skin and minerality on the nose with bits of lime rind and passion fruit. On the palate it's oh so elegant with bright citrus fruit flavours and as always finely balanced in the finish. Very fine indeed.Prices:| BC | $38.00 | 750ml |
| US | $25.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Saumur Lieu-dit Les Pouches 2007
Saumur, Loire, FranceWow. Bright fresh nose with plenty of smoky green apple fruit and slate-y undertones. The entry is bone dry with oily juicy sapid green apple flavours with a touch of honey. Impressive lively white wine at a very fair price. A great restaurant wine for sure. Super value in a chenin blanc.Prices:| BC | $16.45 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Old River Road Cabernet Sauvignon Ponderosa Vineyard 2005
Sierra Foothills, California, United StatesYou sense the elegance and lighter body of this cabernet grown at 1900 feet on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. This is a bright red showing almost European acidity and a tightly wound cabernet undercarriage. The fruit is dark and brooding with spicy Christmas cake notes and slightly chunky tannins. The blend is 76/24 cabernet sauvignon/cabernet franc all aged in French oak. This needs more time in the bottle to settle down, or decanting and T-bone steak.Prices:| BC | $26.95 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Mendocino Farms Redvine Series 2004
Mendocino County, California, United StatesA biodynamic certified red named after the mix of soils the vines are rooted in at Mendocino. The blend is 75/15/10 cabernet sauvignon/petite sirah/syrah. The nose is soft and inviting with black fruit overtones mixed with earth and spice. On the palate the wine is soft and supple with substantial but fairly well managed tannin. The finish is long and balanced. This is the perfect wine for roasted meats or grilled beef. Impressive.Prices:| BC | $35.95 | 750ml |
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15 November 2008
85PTS
Finca Las Moras Reserve Chardonnay 2006
Valle del Tulum, San Juan, ArgentinaThis is a bit of an odd duck with its sweet citrus fruit and bright acidity making it a bit sweet and sour on the palate. A medium weight somewhat commercial effort that can be said to deliver for its price. Best with shellfish.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Inniskillin Okanagan Chardonnay Reserve 2006
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSimple straight-up B.C. chardonnay with some toast and browned butter notes on the nose. The palate is dry with bits of mineral, citrus, more butter and caramel baked apple and toasted almonds. Good value but drop they should consider dropping the "reserve" designation because it's not.Prices:| BC | $13.49 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Inniskillin Okanagan Chardonnay Dark Horse Estate Vineyard 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis wine always has fine chardonnay character mixing notes of green apples with peaches with just a touch of butter. The style is now a bit old fashioned, less oak would no doubt be a plus and it needs to get to market just a bit earlier. Still many will like this style and if served with a whole roasted chicken it will be hit.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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14 November 2008
89PTS
Segura Viudas Aria Estate Brut NV
Penedès, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainRipe peach, floral, nutty, melon, quince and citrus aromas with a touch of toasty lees. Fine, elegant mousse and quite dry but fresh and crisp with just a hint of sweetness. Good lime, lemon, buttery, peach, honey, toasty, nutty, mineral flavours. Very attractive, delicate style with good intensity to drink with food and enjoy anytime.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $24.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Chardonnay 2006
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaDarkish yellow orange for such a young wine. Peach, butter, pineapple, vanilla, mango, pear and baked apple aromas. Round, fresh, elegant and crisp with some fatness on the palate. Buttery, tangerine, pineapple, vanilla, spicy lees, grapefruit rind flavours with some green apple skin and ginger spice on the slightly bitter finish. Good effort if a bit warm but fresh.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Torres Salmos Priorat 2005
Priorato, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainSalmos is new label form Miguel Torres this time coming from the hallowed slopes of Priorat. I've tasted Salmos, meaning Psalms in Spanish, several times now and it continues to improve in bottle. It is an impressive mix of garnacha and cariñena grapes, blended with syrah and cabernet sauvignon. The nose is a rich mix of mineral, eucalyptus, licorice root, black cherry and smoky aromas with bright floral, savoury fruit of Priorat. Rich, round, warm and ripe with supple tannins, good acidity and a touch of fatness from the French oak (20 per cent new) ageing. Look for spicy, clove, black cherry, mint, smoky, black olive and milk chocolate flavours. Still a baby that will live well past 2015 and improve every year it sits in bottle. Bravo.Prices:| BC | $37.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $32.00 | 750ml |
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13 November 2008
88PTS
See Ya Later Ranch Pinot Noir 2006
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVanilla, smoky, barnyard, tobacco leaf, carrot top, black cherry, rooty, coffee, strawberry aromas. Round, dry, slightly tannic palate but elegant and round. Vanilla, spicy, peppery, worsteshire, cherry, rhubarb, clove flavours. Somewhat oaky and warm but with good overall balance.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Inniskillin Okanagan Merlot Reserve 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaHot, peppery, tobacco leaf, cedar, black olive, savoury nose. Dry, tight, slightly tart palate with light, somewhat green tannins. Smoky, resin, tobacco, cedar, rooty, pruny rhubarb flavours. Too hot and tart on the finish.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Vasse Felix Adam's Road Shiraz 2005
Margaret River, Western Australia, AustraliaPeppery, licorice root, blueberry, compost, tobacco, black cherry nose with a hint of mocha and vanilla. Dry, light, slightly thin palate with light tannins. Cedar bark, peppery, spicy, rooty, resin, blueberry, prune flavours. Tart, thin finish. Great nose but poor palate balance.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $25.00 | 750ml |
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12 November 2008
83PTS
Trauma Syrah 2006
Lisboa, Central and Southern Portugal, PortugalMeaty, curry leaf, peppery, rooty, resin, sweaty saddle leather, black cherry nose. Dry, round, light palate with low concentration. Spicy, tobacco leaf, herbal, rooty, mineral flavours. Lacks fruit and intensity overall but drinkable.Prices:| BC | $11.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Burrowing Owl Merlot 2006
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeppery, smoky, savoury, vanilla, coffee, menthol, rooty, meaty, cooked carrot aromas. Dry, round, supple but tight tannins. Tart entry with smoky, chocolate, coffee, black olive, resin, earthy, cedar, and tobacco leaf flavours with some green tea tannins on the finish. A bit disjointed.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Burrowing Owl Cabernet Franc 2006
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSavoury, earthy, tobacco, cedar bark, chocolate, ash, peppery, cherry, dried cranberry aromas. Dry, round, slightly tannic palate but well balanced. Smoky, tobacco leaf, cranberry, chocolate, peppery, orange peel, savoury, sweaty saddle, cigar and cedar flavours. Finish is dry, slightly tart and tannic, needs a few years in bottle to soften.Prices:| BC | $33.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Old Vines Garnacha de Fuego 2006
Calatayud, Aragon, SpainBig black pepper, spicy, black cherry jam, orange, leather, tobacco aromas. Soft, round, supple palate but very warm with orange peel, black cherry jam, licorice root, peppery, tobacco, prune and savoury flavours. Warm but good solid fruit for lamb or pork.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Deakin Estate Merlot 2006
Victoria, AustraliaSmoky, spicy, cedar-y, cherry, tobacco, slightly reduced aromas. Tart, round, supple palate but thin. Herbal, cedar, peppery, weedy cassis, mineral, lactic flavours. Simple commercial varietal wine.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Deakin Estate Shiraz 2005
Victoria, AustraliaSpicy, floral, blueberry, rooty, peppery, resin, menthol nose. Tart, dry, slightly tannic palate with prune, blueberry, earthy, spicy, cola, compost flavours with a bitter, perfume finish, very bizarre.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $13.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $13.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $13.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Boekenhoutskloof The Wolftrap 2007
Western Cape, South AfricaBig smoky, meaty, saddle leather, peppery, resin, prune and black berry nose. Soft, round, supple palate with smoked meat, lychee, peppery, rooty, prune plum, tobacco, licorice and resin flavours. Good textures and balance if somewhat rustic on the nose.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.50 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $14.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Wingnut Zinfandel 2005
California, United StatesSpicy, black berry jam, black cherry, licorice, meaty, peppery, vanilla aromas with some cedar bark. Round, dry, elegant palate with black cherry jam, cedar, peppery, licorice, plum, spicy, tobacco flavours with a vanilla, chocolate finish. Good solid zin for the money and well balanced.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Sumac Ridge Merlot Private Reserve 2006
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSoft open spicy nose with bits of green olive, leaf and spicy, cherry aromas. The entry is soft and warm with smoky vanilla, tobacco, cherry, resiny, flavours. Quite warm and alcoholic but decent value for the money.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Oxford Landing Shiraz 2006
South Australia, AustraliaCompost, meaty, rooty, black cherry, tobacco, peppery nose. Flat, soft, round palate with black cherry, tobacco, rooty, spicy, meaty, resin flavours. Simple barbeque wine.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $10.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $10.70 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.99 | 750ml |
| NS | $13.99 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Oxford Landing Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz 2006
South Australia, AustraliaCola, resin, crushed dried herbs, tobacco leaf, meaty, earth nose. Tart, sweet, round palate with light tannins. Blueberry, crushed herbs, tobacco leaf, olive brine, resin, cedar bark flavours. Tart, bitter, leafy finish.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.29 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.99 | 750ml |
| NS | $13.99 | 750ml |
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11 November 2008
88PTS
Toro Tinta de Toro 2006
Toro, Castilla-Leon, SpainThe grape is one hundred per cent local tinta de Toro or tempranillo. Typically soft and fruity this red can be tight early on but simply decant vigorously and get some air on it. In fact decanting all of today's picks will simply enhance them in the glass. The Toro is mix of berries earth and spice with just the right twist of rusticity and a glossy, smooth, dry finish. Think flank steak or burgers.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Finca Los Primos Malbec 2007
San Rafael, General Alvear, Southern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaA perennial star in this market it was equally comfortable in the competition with its showy black fruit, liquorice and savoury undercurrent. The tannins are soft the texture supple. This red has ribs written all over it and at $10 that's a lot of writing.Prices:| BC | $10.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Blue Nun Riesling 2007
Rheinhessen, GermanyBack in stock and just a crazy value is the Blue Nun 2007 Riesling from Rheinhessen, Germany. This wine over delivers to say the least with its bright fruit and zingy acidity. Do not confuse this wine with the sweet original Liebfraumilch and do not underestimate its price quality ratio. Simply pick up a bottle or 12 and order in some Thai or Chinese food and you tell me.Prices:| NS | $11.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $11.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Carmen Cabernet Sauvignon Gold Reserve 2003
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileLots of cassis jam, coffee, vanilla, cedar, black cherry, barnyard, tobacco aromas with a leather, bay and meaty note. Ripe, rich round and concentrated with supple tannins. Intense cassis jam, black berry, peppery, bay, menthol, tobacco, five spice, vanilla, coffee and leather flavours. Long cassis, coffee, chocolate, tobacco finish. Fine tannins and oak use but quite warm. Best effort yet, needs 5-7 years in bottle.Prices:| BC | $77.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $75.99 | 750ml |
| NF | $61.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Carmen Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileSpicy, peppery, bay, leather, black olive, sappy cassis, smoky coffee, tobacco and menthol aromas. Dry, round, elegant but rich palate with some chalky tannins. Cassis, peppery, black olive, bay, tobacco leaf, resin, coffee, menthol flavours with a vanilla, black cherry finish. Good balance if big and fresh. Needs a few years to soften further.Prices:| NF | $19.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.50 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Carmen Reserva Chardonnay 2006
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileRipe peach, honey, butter, pineapple, vanilla, spicy aromas. Round, dry, fresh and crisp palate but a touch warm. Pineapple, lemon, orange, butter, spicy vanilla flavours with green apple on the finish. Well balanced, crisper style now with a bit less oak.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
See Ya Later Ranch Chardonnay 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVanilla, buttery, diacetyl, peach, flora, citrus, spicy lees aromas. Soft, round, dry and crisp but a bit lean and oily. Big buttery, diacetyl, peach, green apple skin, leesy, vanilla flavours with a tropical, cooked peach finish. Decent acidity but shows some bitterness and very oaky.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Cono Sur 20 Barrels Limited Edition Pinot Noir 2007
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileOpen earthy, spicy black fruit nose with bits of barnyard, celery salt and herbal notes. Sweet entry with just a hint of balsamic and sour cherry fruit. Fine length and weight in what is a soft silky finish. The grapes are harvested by hand, fermented carbonical-ly in open top tanks and then foot trodden to extract colour before ageing 14 months in French oak.Prices:| BC | $32.50 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Castillo de Monséran Garnacha 2006
Cariñena, Aragon, SpainMuch like the previous version this grapey garnacha with the aromatic nose makes the most of its 50 to 100 year-old fruit, from Cariñena, Spain. Soft fruity meaty spicy black fruit flavours come with a dash of acidity at the end. This is an easy sipping red made for hamburgers, beef ribs, and or chicken.Prices:| BC | $11.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $9.05 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.00 | 750ml |
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10 November 2008
88PTS
Estrella Damm Lager NV
Light gold color. Fine, creamy white mousse. Light floral, pear, earthy, spicy, rice nose. Crisp, dry, full palate with earthy, spicy, light malt, pear flavours with some bitter hops on the finish. Good solid lager to drink with food. Try with traditional tapas.Prices:| BC | $2.09 | 500ml |
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93PTS
Bouchard Père & Fils Chambertin Clos-de-Bèze Grand Cru 2006
Gevrey-Chambertin, Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceSpicy, black cherry, meaty, vanilla, cedar, barnyard, five spice, oxo, peppery, floral aromas, good intensity. Round, dry, elegant but tight tannins but finesse and concentration. Spicy, celery, vanilla, bacon, gamey, orange, tobacco leaf, peppery, clove flavours. Good finesse and class, balanced acidity to aid in aging. Needs 3-5 years, perhaps a bit more but well made.Prices:| BC | $280.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Bouchard Père & Fils Vosne-Romanee 2006
Vosne-Romanée, Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceFloral, five spice, cherry, tobacco leaf, vanilla, gamey, licorice, mace aromas. Dry, slightly tannic and hard structure but juicy with finesse. Cherry, orange, mineral, vanilla, spicy, meaty, tobacco, smoky, rooty flavours. Good aromatics but needs time to round out the slightly bony structure.Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Bouchard Père & Fils Puligny Montrachet Les Folatières1er Cru 2006
Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FrancePeach, butter, vanilla, citrus, floral, honey, creamy lees, toast and mineral aromas. Fresh, elegant, crisp and juicy but a touch austere at this point. Green apple, citrus, vanilla, lees, honey, toasty flavours. Long finish but very young, needs 2-5 years, very fine quality.Prices:| BC | $108.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Bouchard Père & Fils Montagny Premier Cru Blanc 2006
Montagny, Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy, FranceWaxy, lees, citrus, toasty, floral, orange, slate and smoke aromas. Ripe, round, fresh and full but a tad fat. Juicy apple, quince, honey, lees, pear skin, spicy mineral flavours. Good ripeness and intensity, more forward style and blowsy but good.Prices:| BC | $33.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Bouchard Père & Fils Pouilly-Fuissé 2006
Pouilly-Fuissé, Mâconnais, Burgundy, FranceFloral, green apple, anise, seashell, leesy, citrus, waxy aromas. Ripe, round, crisp and juicy with good finesse. Lees, butter, citrus, seashell, green apple, quince flavours. Good length and ripeness will go well with any seafood. Diam cork.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Bouchard Père & Fils Bourgogne Chardonnay 2006
Burgundy, FranceToasty, butter, pear, mineral, slate, green apple aromas. Round, dry, elegant and crisp palate with baked apple, nutty lees, spicy, butter, pear and citrus flavours. Good flavour intensity and crispness for current consumption. Diam cork.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Volnay Caillerets Ancienne Cuvée Carnot 1er Cru 2006
Volnay, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FrancePeppery, spicy, caraway, vanilla, meaty, barnyard, strawberry jam, tobacco leaf nose with a touch of resin and mineral. Rich, round, dry, fresh and elegant, nicely structured. Spicy, mineral, smoky, orange, raspberry, peppery, rooty, tobacco and licorice flavours. Good intensity slightly sauvage and firm. Needs 2-5 years.Prices:| BC | $64.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Savigny-Les-Beaunes Les Lavières 2006
Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceLight toasty, smoky oak, vanilla, strawberry jam, tobacco, orange peel nose. Soft, round, elegant and fresh palate. Vanilla, toasty oak, raspberry, rooty, orange, light tobacco and compost flavours. Needs 2-3 years but solid, elegant, attractive style.Prices:| BC | $46.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Nuits Saint Georges Les Cailles 1er Cru 2006
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceSpicy, smoky, rooty, celery, oxo, coffee, peppery, tobacco, black cherry and strawberry. Ripe, round, supple palate with good concentration and acidity that shows real finesse. Black cherry, peppery, coffee, vanilla, spicy, celery, orange, tobacco, waxy, raspberry flavours. A very fine, classy example of the area and near Grand Cru quality. Will age perhaps 3-7 years but quite delicious even now.Prices:| BC | $115.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Meursault Genevrières 1er Cru 2006
Meursault, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceVery spicy, vanilla, butter, lemon, mineral, seashell, floral, peach, baked apple aromas. Ripe, dry, round and rich with very good acidity balance. Butter, honey, lemon, orange, nutty lees, vanilla, mineral, juicy baked green apple flavours. A bit oaky on the finish but very good concentration and finesse. Needs 2-4 years to integrate- but this is an excellent effort and worth cellaring.Prices:| BC | $101.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Meursault 2006
Meursault, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceLight butter, lees, lemon, green apple, mineral, floral aromas. Ripe, round, elegant and dry but crisp. Citrus, grassy, green apple, butter and mineral flavours with a buttery, lees finish. Somewhat forward but should improve over the next 1-3 years.Prices:| BC | $58.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Le Corton Grand Cru 2006
Aloxe-Corton, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceVanilla, spicy, floral, gamey, smoky, meaty, tobacco, plum, caraway, celery salt, rooty nose. Round, moderately full and tannic but almost delicate for Corton. Cool tobacco, coffee, vanilla, toasty, raspberry, strawberry, meaty, rooty, compost flavours with a touch of cedar. Good intensity and finesse on the finish, needs 2-4 years to soften but will improve.Prices:| BC | $120.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 2006
Aloxe-Corton, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceSpicy, floral, citrus, orange, buttery, toasty, melon, slate aromas. Crisp, dry, tight but full palate with very good acidity and structure. Big citrus, toasty, pear skin, green apple, nutty, honey, earthy, lemon, flavours with a buttery, cashew finish. Very young and crisp with good intensity, a very fine example that needs 3-5 years aging.Prices:| BC | $180.00 | 750ml |
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95PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Chevalier Montrachet Grand Cru 2006
Puligny Montrachet, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceSpicy, floral, butter, honey, mineral, quince, pear skin, cream, baked apple, anise, vanilla, toasty oak, lees nose, very fine. Dry, crisp, full and round but juicy and structured. Lemon, butter, green apple, toasty lees, vanilla, honey, slate, floral, pear flavours. Long, elegant, juicy finish. Supremely classy, will age for years. Delicious but you pay the price for such limited production. Tough to believe that the La Cabotte version might be even better.Prices:| BC | $350.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Beaune Marconnets 1er Cru 2006
Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceRipe strawberry, spicy, plum, coffee, toasty, vanilla, floral nose with a touch of barnyard and meat. Round, delicate, fresh palate with light tannins. Spicy, carrot, meaty, raspberry, rhubarb, orange, mineral flavours. Delicacy and finesse are the words here but has some future potential.Prices:| BC | $57.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Beaune du Chateau Rouge 1er Cru 2006
Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceSpicy, carrot top, earthy, tobacco leaf, barnyard, meaty, light vanilla aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant, slightly tart palate. Raspberry, orange peel, spicy, peppery, meaty, tobacco leaf flavours. A bit green and tight but will improve somewhat over the next 1-3 years.Prices:| BC | $49.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Beaune du Chateau Blanc Premier Cru 2006
Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceVanilla, floral, citrus, apricot, red apple aromas. Ripe, round, elegant and dry with fresh acidity. Juicy green apple, citrus, vanilla, honey, nectarine, mineral and lees flavours. Very good structure and intensity if a bit oaky. Better in a year or so.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Beaune Clos de la Mousse 1er Cru 2006
Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceSpicy, vanilla, floral, raspberry, tobacco leaf, slightly meaty nose. Dry, slightly tight and tannic but fresh. Juicy raspberry, orange, coffee, earthy, tobacco flavours. Good complexity and length, needs a few years yet.Prices:| BC | $59.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Bouchard Père & Fils Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Damodes 1er Cru 2006
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceSmoky oak, cherry, tobacco, celery, gamey, coffee aromas. Ripe, round, dry and elegant with light tannins and good acidity. Coffee, vanilla, smoky, celery, orange peel, raspberry, mineral flavours. Finesse and length but somewhat oaky and now needs to integrate. Best in 2-4 years.Prices:| BC | $85.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Bouchard Père & Fils Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2006
Burgundy, FranceFloral, tobacco leaf, strawberry, carrot, smoky, herbal nose. Dry, light, elegant palate with earthy, spicy, carrot, rhubarb, raspberry, tobacco leaf flavours. Delicate, early drinking style. Diam cork closure.Prices:| BC | $26.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Talamonti Kudos Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2003
Abruzzo, ItalyKudos as in much praise is hardly Italian but then neither is blending merlot in your Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. The 70/30 blend is richer that the straight up version and built for a little extra ageing. Look for lots of red fruits, spicy blueberries and coffee/chocolate flavour with well integrated French oak.Prices:| BC | $33.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Santa Julia Viognier 2008
Mendoza, ArgentinaGinger, floral, spicy, light honey, sausage, butter aromas. Crisp, round, dry and elegant palate with juicy pear, peach skin, ginger, butter, lemon and orange flavours. Simple, fresh style with good acidity. Continued good value here.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
See Ya Later Ranch Ping 2006
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBlack olive, briny, rooty, vanilla, cedar, resin and black cherry nose with some coffee notes. Dry, moderately tannic but rich palate and alcoholic. Big oaky, vanilla, clove, spicy, espresso, tobacco leaf, olive brine, meaty, sweaty saddle leather flavours. Some cassis and cooked fruit on the finish. Very oaky, warm style with green tea and gritty tannins. Needs 2-4 years.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Doña Paula Los Cardos Chardonnay 2007
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaLight lees, butter, citrus, garlic, peach and green apple aromas. Round, full, crisp and dry with mineral, chalky, citrus, butter, peach pit, green apple skin flavours. Very solid food style wine.Prices:| BC | $13.50 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $19.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Rigamarole White 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaNice improvement over last year showing more minerality and floral notes with bits of spicy, honeyed fruit. The palate is fresh with peachy, honeysuckle and a touch of candied fruit all with an oily slightly sweet finish. The blend is a mix of riesling, gewürztraminer and a couple of secret "tank ends." Poultry veal and heavier fish dishes should work here.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Twin Islands Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandFresh fruity floral nose, seemingly less aggressive notes than previous editions. Look for citrus grassy notes with a hint of mineral and jalapeno mixed with asparagus, lime rind and pink grapefruit and smoky mineral flavours. Classic zingy fresh New Zealand sauvignon you can serve with shellfish.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Burrowing Owl Syrah 2006
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig spicy, black berry jam, peppery, smoky nose with bits of coffee and vanilla. The entry is dry and tannic, the style chunky style with a touch of volatility. The flavours are a mix of black berry, black cherry, tobacco, earthy, vanilla, tobacco and roasted pepper. Very hot (alcoholic) and extracted but give it some time in bottle and it should come around in 2010.Prices:| BC | $38.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Zonin Prosecco Brut NV
Veneto, ItalyGood fine mousse. Very floral, earthy, nutty, pear, grapefruit, mineral aromas. Fresh, crisp, slightly sweet entry but very delicate with foamy mousse. Red apple, peach, pear, floral, mineral flavours. Simple, easy going and fun with some decent flavour intensity. Fine value here.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Equus Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileBig grapefruit, gooseberry, grassy, lemon, floral nose. Crisp, delicate, round palate with good acidity freshness and a touch of sweetness. Gooseberry, grapefruit rind, mineral, butter, grassy, lemon flavours with a touch of jalapeno and passion fruit on the finish. Good solid, attractive food style at a great price.Prices:| BC | $15.21 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.24 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Terramater Vineyard Reserve Cabernet Sangiovese 2007
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileSpicy, black cherry, cassis, plum, smoky, peppery, rooty tobacco nose. Ripe, round, dry and chunky with youthful tannins. Big cassis jam, black cherry, spicy, peppery, mineral, licorice flavours with some olive, herbal, tobacco notes on the finish. Young and fresh, needs food to tame the tannins or a year in bottle.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Trivento Cabernet Malbec Reserve 2006
Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy, savoury, sage, floral, black cherry, cassis, licorice aromas. Dry, round, slightly fresh palate with light, cedar-y tannins. Cassis, peppery, cedar bark, earthy, black cherry, rooty, vanilla spice flavours. A bit more tart than previous editions but consistent.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.25 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.95 | 750ml |
| NF | $14.68 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Ricossa Antica Casa Barbera d'Asti 2005
Piedmont, ItalyLicorice, spicy, meaty, peppery, floral nose with black cherry, red plum, resin and tobacco aromas. The entry is ripe and supple, the palate is dry with soft acidity; it is all balanced. Juicy black cherry, almond, chocolate, peppery, tobacco, resin, meaty kirsch flavours. Good fruit and intensity but warm on the finish. Very modern, ripe style but attractive for current consumption. Great value.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Concha y Toro Trio Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Cabernet Franc 2006
Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileBig peppery, sappy cassis, menthol, floral, plum, spicy, tobacco leaf, black olive and vanilla aromas. Fresh, dry, round and slightly chunky with some youthful tannin. Peppery, coffee, menthol, black olive, cedar bark, resin, sappy cassis, chocolate and tobacco flavours. A bit warm and chunky but will go well with grilled meats. Consistently good.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.28 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.95 | 750ml |
| NB | $14.80 | 750ml |
| NS | $15.71 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Region del Valle Central, ChileSmoky, spicy, peppery, tobacco, sappy cassis, minty, black cherry aromas. Ripe, round, supple palate with light tannins. Fresh cassis, spicy, cedar bark, minty, black olive, cherry, coffee and root flavours. Solid effort but a bit press-y with the cedar bark tannins and taste on the finish.Prices:| NB | $12.40 | 750ml |
| QC | $13.15 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.85 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.95 | 750ml |
| SK | $13.10 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.95 | 750ml |
| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| PE | $14.90 | 750ml |
| NS | $12.95 | 750ml |
| NF | $11.64 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Casillero del Diablo Merlot 2007
Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChilePeppery, menthol, rooty, cedar, tobacco leaf, coffee, green olive aromas. Soft, round, dry palate with light tannins. Cedar bark, peppery, olive brine, coffee, vanilla, sappy, spicy flavours. Not much concentration and a touch green. Not quite up to previous versions.Prices:| AB | $11.95 | 750ml |
| SK | $13.10 | 750ml |
| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.39 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.85 | 750ml |
| NB | $12.49 | 750ml |
| NS | $12.95 | 750ml |
| NF | $11.64 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Enzo Bianchi 2002
San Rafael, General Alvear, Southern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaLively peppery, black olive, vanilla nose flecked with cassis, black cherry, floral, cedar, savoury, leather notes. Supple with good acidity and floral, black cherry, spicy, peppery flavours with cassis jam, mineral, chocolate, vanilla, and coffee flavours. The finish is long with bits of tobacco, black olive, roasted mushroom and sweaty saddle leather. Good bright fruit and balance ready to drink but may improve further. Fine effort and not over-extracted.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Sandhill Small Lots Program Three Sandhill Estate Vineyard 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe latest Howard Soon Italian fling is rich and warm with big plummy fruit and showy oak and lots of spicy, savoury, gamey aromas. The entry is dry and warm followed by smoky, cherry, peppery, cassis flavours with more dry roasted coffee beans in the finish.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Blasted Church The Dam Flood 2007
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThey dropped the cabernet this year but lemberger and merlot remains an odd couple. Look for lifted floral aromas with chocolate and meaty notes. The palate is as mix of mocha chocolate and stewed plums and more earthy animal notes. Simple at best.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Carmen Cabernet Sauvignon Gold Reserve 2002
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileDusty, "Rutherford-like" earthy cassis jam with menthol, chocolate, tobacco aromas spiked with black olive, barnyard and coriander. Rich, round and full with supple tannins and good freshness but a bit warm. Big peppery, menthol, cassis jam and leather flavours with tobacco, licorice and cedar. The finish is coffee, earth and coriander. Very Maipo and very cabernet. Will cointinue to improve in bottle over the next 3-7 years. Well done.Prices:| BC | $77.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $75.99 | 750ml |
| NF | $61.99 | 750ml |
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09 November 2008
86PTS
Terramater Vineyard Reserve Zinfandel / Shiraz 2007
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChilePeppery, spicy, meaty, black cherry, tobacco, saddle leather and licorice aromas. Rich, dry, chunky palate with some youthful, hard tannin. Cherry, cedar bark, peppery, black olive, meaty, smoky flavours. Solid but quite extracted. Needs a rare steak to balance.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Cono Sur Viognier Limited Release 2007
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileSpicy, citrus, honeysuckle, mineral, butter, orange blossom and sausage nose. Fresh, crisp, round palate with good finesse. Juicy green apple, peach, ginger, citrus, honeysuckle, butter flavours. Good intensity in a more delicate style. Continued great value and now in Stelvin.Prices:| BC | $11.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $12.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Guntrum Niersteiner Rehbach Riesling Spatlese 2005
Rheinhessen, GermanyQuince, citrus, petrol, baked green apple skin, mineral and grassy aromas. Fresh, elegant, round palate but moderately sweet. Buttery, petrol, quince, citrus, grassy, apple skin flavours. Simpler spätlese with decent acidity balance to keep for 1-3 years.Prices:Read Full Note
87PTS
Diego Murillo Malbec 2007
Alto Valle del Río Negro, Rio Negro, Patagonia, ArgentinaPeppery, savoury, licorice, meaty, black olive, cherry and herb nose. Round, dry, supple palate with black cherry, resin, meaty, licorice, savoury, tobacco, spicy, plum flavours. Good fruit in an easy going style. Back on track and great value.Prices:| BC | $10.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Sumac Ridge Steller's Jay Brut Méthode Classique 2004
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral waxy peachy cherry toasted nose. Fat, round and sweet on entry with nutty, toasted lees, cooked cherry and apple flavours. Coarse and a bit hollow with foamy mousse. Not up to its usual standards and sweeter than normal and now pricey.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $28.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Capolan Merlot 2005
Sonoma County, California, United StatesCedar bark, resin, rooty, spicy, smoky, meaty, black olive nose. Round, full, chunky palate with very smoky, black olive, herbal, tobacco, cedar bark and cherry flavours. Full style with a very smoky cedar finish. Could use more fruit.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
C.J. Pask Roy's Hill Merlot 2006
Hawkes Bay, North Island, New ZealandGreen olive, tobacco leaf, spicy, savoury, cassis, herbal, brine and coffee nose. Soft, round supple palate with tobacco leaf, black olive, cassis, smoky resin, herbal flavours. Easy going cool climate merlot.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Nuviana Tinto 2005
Huesca, Somontano, Aragon, SpainSpicy, meaty, peppery, resin, smoky leather, tobacco aromas. Soft, round, dry palate with fresh acidity. Cherry, smoky, peppery, meaty, leather flavours. Simple, easy food wine for any time. Good value.Prices:| BC | $10.00 | 750ml |
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08 November 2008
87PTS
See Ya Later Ranch Pinot Gris 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, spicy, mineral, pear skin, grapefruit, light lees, butter and vanilla aromas. Ripe, round, moderately rich with a bit of sweetness and bitterness. Grapefruit, floral, spicy, pear, granny smith, buttery flavours. Good acidity and fruit but finishes a bit oaky and hot.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
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04 November 2008
91PTS
Mission Hill Perpetua Chardonnay Osoyoos Vineyard Estate 2006
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe MHFE top of the line chardonnay has an enticing orange, lime, green apple, vanilla, creamy lees nose with flecks of nectarine and light buttery aromas. Crisp, round and fresh on the palate it mixes lime and grapefruit with creamy vanilla, green apple skin, peach and butter flavours with a nutty, toasty lees on the finish. Good intensity and crispness with lots of citrus. Needs a year or 2 in bottle to fully develop but a very fine effort to start.Prices:| BC | $33.00 | 750ml |
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03 November 2008
92PTS
Jackson-Triggs Shiraz Sunrock Vineyard 2006
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe grapes for this single vineyard wine are plucked from a warm, southwest facing slope that literally nestle under a rock face that, most days, sits in the warm Okanagan sun some 200 feet above Lake Osoyoos. White pepper dominates the nose along with black almost meaty fruit across the palate. The fruit is bright and rich, the palate vibrant; the textures glossy. Bravo south Okanagan.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
CedarCreek Merlot Platinum Reserve 2006
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWinemaker Tom Di Bello absolutely nailed merlot in 2006 as evidenced by this delicious unfiltered offering that is mixed with 3.7 per cent each of cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc. Twenty months in French oak has delivered an elegant expression of this soft grape in a true cool-climate Bordelais style. The result is a super rich cedary, red that is steeped in spicy, plummy, black cherry/blueberry fruit, with flecks of chocolate, vanilla, mineral with a touch of that elusive orange peel.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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December 2008