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Tastings: March 2009
29 March 2009
88PTS
Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc Private Bin 2008
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandThis wine's middle name is consistency. Year in and year out it really over delivers and I'm excited that Vancouver will get a close up look at New Zealand in 2010 when its producers will co-theme the festival with Argentina. Expect a super fresh nose and flavours with bits of tangerine, capsicum, melon and grass. Difficult to beat for the money.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Domaine du Tariquet Sauvignon 2007
Gascony, FranceThe Grassa family reputation was built on Armagnac, still made today, but this sauvignon is far more interesting. Under screwcap this is a recession-proof bottle at $15 that is as fresh as it gets. The nose is a mix of bright 'sauvignon' fruits - kiwi, passion fruit, lemons and limes with a floral, mineral, notes and crisp acidity. From oysters to curries and almost anything in between enjoy this delicious white.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Funky Llama Merlot 2007
Mendoza, ArgentinaFunky packaging funky name but unfortunately another funky editon of this wine. Ordinary merlot, the kind Miles railed against in Sideways. Dry funky, rubbery, simple red wine. I tried it with flank steak and it barely made the cut. Disappointing.Prices:| BC | $9.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $9.99 | 750ml |
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22 March 2009
0PTS
Tangled Vines Pinot Blanc 2007
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCorkedPrices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Talmage Pija Blend 2006
Mendocino Ridge, Mendocino County, California, United StatesThe Talmage Pija Blend 2006 takes its character from the practice of many old Italian vintners who planted several varietals in one vineyard block except in this case Brown blends grapes from different vineyards. It's been termed a sophisticated peasant wine but at $36 I think you will be impressed with spice and wild black fruit flavours that finish with bits of coffee, chocolate and vanilla. Try with grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $36.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Maycas del Limari Sauvignon Blanc Reserva Especial 2007
Valle del Limari, ChileBright fresh restrain fruit style with bits of gooseberry, mineral and citrus throughout the nose and the flavours. The finish is clean, lean and fresh with just enough lees character to keep it interesting. Well made if pricey sauvignon.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Mission Hill Five Vineyards Pinot Blanc 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWinemaker John Simes does a great job with this variety and if he ever gets it under screwcap, well look out. The '07 is getting long in tooth under cork but it is still relatively fresh with baked apple and honey undertones. Look for a mix of citrus and pineapple fruit and a soft buttery finish. Bring on the oysters.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $16.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.10 | 750ml |
| NF | $17.30 | 750ml |
| NS | $17.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $18.00 | 750ml |
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80PTS
Velletri Le Contrade Bianco 2007
Lazio, ItalyAs we have said on more than one occasion. This is simple straight-up Italian white from another era. Citrus garlic cardboard with a touch of almond mark this luncheon wine. You really need to be distracted on a Roman piazza enjoy an al fresco lunch. Ordinary but cheap.Prices:| BC | $8.25 | 1000ml |
| AB | $8.00 | 1000ml |
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87PTS
Wild Goose Mystic River Pinot Blanc 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAnother wine under cork that should be under Stelvin - the fruit is bright already sagging at 18 months. The style is light and elegant with bright flavours of red apple and pears with mineral and tangerine streaks. We appreciate the acidity and balance and bits of price in the back end. Well done. Would be killer under screwcap. Halibut is the dish here.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Red Rooster Pinot Blanc 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaNew package now under screwcap and the difference is noticeable. Big fresh nose of citrus and green apples with a squeeze of lemon and mineral. The flavours are similar with green apple, grapefruit rind, and just a touch of butter to soften the finish. It finishes round and touch warm with bits of orange and more mineral notes. Well done.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.99 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Peller Estates Heritage Series Pinot Blanc 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis is ordinary commercial B.C. white wine. It's thankfully clean and fresh with floral green apple fruit and buttery, baked apple flavours in the finish. A soft, easy sipping style that is ready to drink. Should be under screwcap by now.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $12.29 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Calona Vineyards Pinot Blanc Artist Series Reserve 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaReasonably fresh style with a green apple skin, mineral scent. On the palate the flavours are similar with more green apple fruit with a dash of pear and vanilla. Fairly crisp mid-palate and soft buttery finish. Pricey for the quality.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $16.00 | 750ml |
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21 March 2009
86PTS
Lello Douro Tinto 2007
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalBig earthy rustic nose with tobacco, cedar, chocolate and game aromas. The entry is dry and with fresh, peppery, floral, smoky cran-cherry mineral flavours. Not for everyone but a solid Old World red for a mid-week dinner.Prices:| US | $6.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
L'Avenir Chenin Blanc 2007
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South AfricaFresh clean, quiet fruit nose with ripe melon undertones. The palate is bright and fresh with honey and lemon notes and a touch of lees for mouthfeel and body. Very clean finish. Delicious, bright fruity style that is perfect for food. There is no wood in this wine. Classic styling that should be copied Cape-wide.Prices:| US | $16.00 | 750ml |
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20 March 2009
86PTS
Protocolo Tinto 2006
Vinos de la Tierra de Castilla, SpainOne of tempranillo's more enduring qualities is its soft, textures and reserved fruit. This wine over-delivers for the price offering up a mix of raspberry and strawberry fruit with vanilla, peppery notes and bits of earth. Certainly this wine delivers for the price offering an easy-drinking, medium-dry, fruit flavours with just a dusting of dry tannins in the finish. Made with 100 per cent high-altitude tempranillo, grown in central Spain.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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18 March 2009
89PTS
Wine by Joe Pinot Noir 2006
Oregon, United StatesJoe Dobbes is the man behind Wine by Joe and he boasts over two decades of winemaking in Oregon. The WBJ line represents his value picks and they are all bottled under screwcap. The '06 pinot is brimming with soft supple fruit. This is pinot noir in all its simple glory. The tannins are soft and slippery; the black fruit is mouth filling with just a hint of sweetness. Good value for Oregon whose wines have been consistently overpriced in British Columbia.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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17 March 2009
91PTS
Quails' Gate Stewart Family Reserve Pinot Noir 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis pinot has been a work in progress since winemaker Grant Stanley arrived. Red fruits, black cherries and spice with a one per cent drop in alcohol make this a winner to say the least. The wild ferment also adds another dimension. At the moment it's easy to like its fat, muscular edge but expect it to lean out a bit. Fine density and mouthfeel which is what pinot noir is all about. Bravo; the best yet.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $125.00 | 1500ml |
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16 March 2009
87PTS
KWV Roodeberg White 2008
Western Cape, South AfricaThe first Roodeberg White was born in 2007; the 2008 was launched in Canada at the Playhouse Wine Festival earlier this year. The style is aromatic and fresh. The blend is a 45/40/15 mix of chardonnay, chenin blanc and bits of viognier sémillon and sauvignon blanc. It's pretty delicious summer sipping stuff with fresh melon fruit, grassy citrus notes and swab of minerality in the finish. Our sample was served under cork but I believe by the time it arrives in Canada, at least in British Columbia, it will be bottled under screwcap so expect it to be another 10 to 15 per cent better on the nose. Less chardonnay more sémillon or sauvignon will really push this to new heights. Well done. Great value.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
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15 March 2009
91PTS
Chateau Lassègue 2005
Saint Émilion, Libourne, Bordeaux, FranceVery spicy, licorice, plum jam, coriander, black olive, orange, floral, vanilla, savoury, peppery, cherry aromas. Rich, round, full, vibrant palate with good acidity and concentration and grainy but supple tannins. Vanilla, chocolate, orange, black olive, peppery, licorice, clove, spicy, meaty, savoury flavours with bright plum and cherry fruit. Long, full and intense, has very good aging potential, keep for 7-15 years.Prices:| BC | $289.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $238.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Chateau Lassègue 2004
Saint Émilion, Libourne, Bordeaux, FranceBig licorice, tobacco, spicy, peppery, orange, saddle leather, meaty, coffee, savoury, chocolate, mineral aromas. Round, dry, rich and supple but has some youthful, tight tannins. Black olive, licorice, coffee, vanilla, carrot, orange, plum, black cherry and resin flavours with a peppery, clove finish. Good acidity, length and potential, needs 5-7 years.Prices:| BC | $89.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $69.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Chateau Vignot 2005
Saint Émilion, Libourne, Bordeaux, FranceCoffee, chocolate, spicy, meaty, saddle leather, vanilla, black cherry, plum, tobacco, floral and licorice aromas. Rich, round, full palate with fresh acidity, some youthful, grainy tannin but good finesse. Orange, black cherry, licorice, vanilla, plum, chocolate, spicy, clove flavours. Good length but tight with great acidity and fresh fruit characters. Needs 5-7 years but will drink well before with its fruit intensity.Prices:| BC | $162.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $136.39 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Chateau Vignot 2004
Saint Émilion, Libourne, Bordeaux, FranceSpicy, floral, vanilla, tobacco leaf, black olive, peppery, cherry, cranberry aromas. Round, supple, dry, smooth palate with good concentration. Very spicy, clove, licorice, vanilla, meaty, tobacco, cranberry, cherry jam, carrot top, black olive flavours with a touch of orange peel on the finish. Good finesse and acidity, needs 3-5 years to fully integrate. Solid value from St. Émilion.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $51.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Tenuta di Arceno Arcanum II 2004
Tuscany, ItalyPeppery, meaty, saddle leather, floral, black pepper, licorice, black cherry jam, plum and tobacco aromas. Ripe, round, supple and grainy with good concentration and acidity. Black cherry, plum, meaty, tobacco, licorice, black pepper, black olive, vanilla and carrot top flavours. A bit astringent and youthful but has good vibrancy. Needs 3-5 years for best showing.Prices:| BC | $156.49 | 750ml |
| AB | $112.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Tenuta di Arceno Arcanum I 2004
Tuscany, ItalyArcanum I is cabernet franc based (75 per cent) with 25 per cent merlot. Look for a smoky, rooty, tobacco, black olive, black cherry nose with flecks of vanilla and cranberries. The entry is round and elegant but the palate is rich and full. Chocolate, coffee, black olive, tobacco leaf, peppery, cranberry, cherry, mineral, vanilla flavours with a savoury, roast beef note. It has fine acidity that will allow it to age a further three to five years to you can drink it now with roasted meats.Prices:| BC | $156.49 | 750ml |
| AB | $112.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Tenuta di Arceno Chianti Classico Riserva 2005
Tuscany, ItalyOpen spicy, black pepper, leather, meaty, floral, smoky, tobacco, black olive aromas. Round, ripe, supple, grainy tannins with good mineral acidity. Spicy, black cherry, plum, peppery, leather, licorice root, smoky, meaty, black olive flavours. Good fruit with bright sangiovese expression and length, will age well for 3-7 years. Well done.Prices:| BC | $56.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $40.75 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Tenuta di Arceno Prima Voce 2004
Tuscany, ItalyWinemaker Pierre Seillan uses the term PrimaVoce, as in the leading voice in an opera company, to describe this mini-super-Tuscan blend that mixes 85 per cent merlot with 15 per cent cabernet sauvignon. Look for a meaty, saddle leather, smoky, tobacco, cherry, earthy, black olive nose. A supple, full palate with good acidity and slightly chewy tannins. The flavours mix dried cherries, prunes and plums with spicy, floral, tobacco, smoky, mineral, leather and chocolate flavours. The finish is a bit on the earthy side but with finesse. Drink now or over the next 2-3 years.Prices:| BC | $34.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $27.99 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Vérité La Muse 2004
Sonoma County, California, United StatesPlum jam, spicy, licorice, savoury, meaty, saddle leather, peppery, vanilla, black olive aromas. Round, supple, full, long palate with good acidity and some gritty, youthful tannins. Coffee, chocolate, spicy, clove, Christmas cake, orange, black cherry, plum, carrot and licorice flavours with a touch of green olive and tobacco leaf on the finish. Great concentration and ripeness with length if abit warm. Needs 3-7 years to fully integrate but very fine.Prices:| BC | $289.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $238.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Vérité La Joie 2004
Sonoma County, California, United StatesSpicy, peppery, cassis, black berry, sappy, leather, tobacco, smoky, plum, barnyard, coffee aromas. Dry, full, round, warm palate with grainy tannins but good finesse. Chocolate, tobacco, cassis, peppery, vanilla, leather, plum, resin, green bean, black olive flavours. Long, tight, warm palate with some tannins to shed. Needs 5+ years to come around.Prices:| BC | $289.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $238.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Vérité Le Désir 2004
Sonoma County, California, United StatesPeppery, spicy, tobacco, meaty, saddle leather, coffee, orange peel, chocolate, green olive, spicy, savoury aromas. Rich, round, full and supple with fresh acidity and grainy tannins. Coffee, leather, licorice, orange, vanilla, peppery, spicy, black tea, plum jam and black cherry flavours. Good finesse, intense with good fruit and complexity. Young and a bit hot, needs 5-7 years but very good potential.Prices:| BC | $289.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $238.00 | 750ml |
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14 March 2009
88PTS
Seghesio Zinfandel 2007
Sonoma County, California, United StatesPeppery, liquorice, spicy, black cherry jam, saddle leather, coffee, tobacco, prune and vanilla aromas with a touch of barnyard. Ripe, round, rich, supple palate but hot with light, chalky tannins and good acidity. Huge spicy, black berry, coffee, licorice, black cherry, clove, vanilla flavours. Good fruit but hot and a bit rustic.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Seghesio Old Vine Zinfandel 2006
Sonoma County, California, United StatesSpicy, cedar, blackberry jam, black cherry, licorice, mineral, floral, tobacco nose with a touch of prune plum. Round, ripe, supple, warm palate with light tannins. Lots of vanilla, cola, spicy, licorice, tobacco, black cherry, plum, orange peel, five spice flavours with a bit of mocha on the finish. Very good fruit and balance but very hot alcohol.Prices:| BC | $48.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Belle Glos Pinot Noir Meiomi Vineyard 2007
Sonoma County, California, United StatesCola, black cherry, licorice, vanilla, spicy, rooty, caraway aromas. Round, rich, full, smooth and warm palate. Black cherry, vanilla, cola, chocolate, orange peel, tobacco and spice flavours. Very New World style pinot for current consumption.Prices:| BC | $34.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Caymus Zinfandel 2005
Napa Valley, California, United StatesRed liquorice, spicy, peppery, blackberry, savoury, rooty nose. Dry, round, slightly tannic palate but good acidity and finesse. Mocha, licorice, cherry jam, raspberry, spicy, cedar, orange chocolate flavours. A touch warm overall but good finesse for near term drinking.Prices:| BC | $46.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Tommasi Poggio al Tufo Rompicollo 2007
Maremma, Tuscany, ItalyTypically smoky and meaty the latest Rompicollo a 60 /40 blend of sangiovese / cabernet carries the IGT Maremma Toscana moniker. The palate is smooth and Italian dry with black olives and plummy fruit with bits of liquorice cassis and vanilla. Ready to drink now with mushroom or tomato pasta dishes.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
De Bortoli Pinot Noir Yarra Valley 2007
Yarra Valley, Victoria, AustraliaSmoky, spicy, cherry jam, tobacco, vanilla, licorice, earthy, barnyard nose. Dry, round, fresh palate with fresh acidity. Juicy rhubarb, cherry, orange peel, smoky, caraway, carrot top flavours. Good pinot fruit intensity but young and warm on the finish. Best with food or give it a year or two in bottle.Prices:| BC | $33.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Babich Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandPassion fruit, smoked jalapeno, gooseberry, grapefruit rind nose. Fresh, crisp, round, easy style with some elegance. Lime, grapefruit, passion fruit, green apple, grassy, jalapeno flavours. Fresh, good solid drinking style for consumers.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.15 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Clos de los Siete 2007
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaLicorice, tobacco, spicy, clove, black cherry, ash, floral, all spice, roasted mushroom aromas with a touch of cassis. Round, dry, smooth palate with good acidity but very warm. Black cherry, plum, tobacco, ash, p;eppery, licorice, floral flavours. The finish is somewhat astringent and very young, needs a year or two to soften and round out or try with beef.Prices:| BC | $26.89 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $23.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $24.99 | 750ml |
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12 March 2009
90PTS
Tommasi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2005
Veneto, ItalyThe latest Tommasi Amarone is made with corvina, corvinone, rondinella and molinara all grown on hillside terraces. At picking the grapes are placed directly onto small open racks and air dried until mid to late January typically loosing for 40 to 50 percent of their weight. The 05 has fresh character on the nose with hints of black cherries and spice. The textures are rich and smooth with youthful black plummy fruit, tobacco, pepper, and pruny chocolate flavours and rich but soft tannins. You could serve it now with roasted meats, game dishes or ripe cheeses or cellar for a decade.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $53.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $53.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $45.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $53.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $52.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $28.00 | 375ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 375ml |
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95PTS
Tommasi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 1997
Veneto, ItalyThe '97 is perhaps as fine as any Amarone vintage even the legendary 1969. At 12 years old, the wine has a wonderful sweet entry exhibiting ripe plummy black cherry fruit with bits of almond and spice and leather. The entry is mouth filling with plenty of soft delicious fruit, light almost non-existent tannins and rainy pruny strawberry fruit that push on through the finish. Ready now but should easily keep another decade excellent.Prices:| US | $55.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Tommasi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2001
Veneto, ItalyThe 2001 has an open spicy dried fruit nose with a whiff of vanilla and leather in the back end. On the palate the entry is warm and earthy with a mix of cherries, raisins and prunes all wrapped up in a medium-bodied, traditional Amarone style. Best with cheese or game dishes.Prices:| US | $65.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Tommasi Valpolicella Ripasso 2006
Veneto, ItalyThe "ripasso" Valpolicella is supercharged with a refermentation on the Amarone skins. Look for a much richer spicier nose with smoky, gamy notes and rich raisiny, plummy fruit flecked with leather, liquorice pepper and black fruit flavours. Fairly warm balanced with a savoury finish. Supple with light, velvety tannins. Stylish, flavourful and drinkable now or hold for 2-4 years.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $26.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $27.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $26.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $12.00 | 375ml |
| QC | $13.00 | 375ml |
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88PTS
Tommasi Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2007
Pedemonte Valpolicella, Verona, Veneto, ItalyThe wine has been very consistent over the last decade offering up an attractive gamey, licorice root nose with bits of white pepper, tobacco, almonds and cherries. The palate is dry with fresh plummy cherry chocolate fruit and a titch of tobacco. Margherita pizza or a vegetable pasta dish will do nicely here.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Quinta do Ameal Escolha Loureiro 2004
Vinho Verde, Northern Portugal, PortugalPear, baked apple, Honey, nectarine skin, mineral, floral aromas. Dry, crisp, elegant, round palate with very good acidity. Green apple, nectarine skin, slate, mineral, honey, lime citrus flavours. Very good, crisp finish, very riesling-like. Fine food wine.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Comp. Vinhos Alandroal Esporão Reserva 2006
Alentejo, Central and Southern Portugal, PortugalBlack cherry, orange, cedar, floral, spicy, barnyard, saddle leather, tobacco aromas. Rich, round, supple palate with good concentration and acidity but slightly tannic. Plum jam, spicy, peppery, black cherry, orange, coffee, vanilla, earthy, tobacco flavours. A bit hot on the finish with a touch of barnyard but very solid.Prices:| BC | $35.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Casa Ermelinda Freitas Tentação 2005
Palmela, Setúbal Peninsula, Central and Southern Portugal, PortugalSpicy, cherry, rooty, floral, cedar, resin, meaty aromas. Rich, round, dry palate with good acidity but a bit tight. Prune, peppery, spicy, plum, resin, tobacco, coffee, cherry flavours. Bright fruit and good concentration but a bit rustic - best with food.Prices:| BC | $26.92 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Pétales d'Osoyoos 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, cherry, tobacco leaf, black olive, barnyard, cassis, coffee, herbal aromas. Dry, elegant, slightly tight and lean palate with light tannins. Cherry, cranberry, peppery, orange peel, five spice, tobacco, savoury, coffee and leather flavours. Good complexity needs a few years to round out. This is a bit more linear and green than the 2004 edition.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Tommasi Merlot Le Prunée 2006
Garda, Verona, Veneto, ItalyAnother light, elegant, balanced well made merlot with an earthy, barnyard, plum fruit nose, soft textures on the mid-palate with plummy spicy cherry fruit and liquorice notes. Classic Italian styling that suggests dinner dishes like osso buco, sausages or meat sauced pasta. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Peller Estates Cabernet Franc Peller Family Series 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, smoky, savoury, cranberry, cedar, tobacco leaf, caraway aromas. Soft, round, dry and smooth entry. Peppery, herbal, spicy, coffee, cedar bark, olive and tobacco flavours. Simple, easy, forward style with solid, somewhat herbal expression of cabernet franc.Prices:| BC | $14.50 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Tommasi Pinot Grigio Le Rosse 2007
Verona, Veneto, ItalyRecently re-tasted and still offering up a nose of spicy, nutty, lemon oil, and floral, candied orange aromas. The palate is soft and round, with creamy buttery, nutty mineral, citrus rind and quince flavours. Getting a bit long in the tooth (especially under screwcap) but still showing ripeness and elegance.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.25 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Tommasi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2003
Veneto, ItalyFrom a superheated vintage comes a similarly lush and powerful Amarone. Look for a black cherry, meaty nose with spicy, floral, gamey, smoky, rootsy aromas. Dry and still somewhat tannic it boasts plenty of cherry jam, raisins, pepper, smoked meat, licorice and tobacco flavours. A bit old style but there is good fruit and acidity suggesting this will continue to improve with another 2-3 years aging. Produced from the three main Valpolicella grape varieties -- corvina Veronese, rondinella and molinara -- all cultivated high on hillside terraces.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $55.00 | 750ml |
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10 March 2009
88PTS
Bellingham Sauvignon Blanc Chardonnay 2008
Coastal Region, South AfricaThis is a stylish bottle of white wine that in a small way points to the salvation of South Africa's wine making future. Fresh lively citrus and tropical fruit flavours with a dollop of pineapple offer the perfect weight and length in a bright, fresh, aromatic style. The perfect summer sipper on the patio or at the table.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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04 March 2009
89PTS
Kaiken Malbec 2007
Mendoza, ArgentinaMuch like the previous version it's packed with savoury, sweet malbec fruit etched with licorice, chocolate, black fruits and spice. The textures are glossy, the styling sleek. Great value. Chilean master winemaker Aurelio Montes travel from his native Chile to Argentina and back regularly to make this wine, hence the "Kaiken" moniker, named after the wild goose that flies back and forth over the Andes between Chile and Argentina. Prices:| MB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| US | $10.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $17.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
CedarCreek Chardonnay 2006
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLook for a bright, fresh, clean green apple core with a cover of vanilla. It's a barrel fermented adding an attractive, creamy buttery texture that over lays a honeysuckle, citrus fresh palate and finish. Crisp and clean with good flavour this is a terrific seafood wine. Good value.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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02 March 2009
93PTS
Signorello Chardonnay Vieilles Vignes 2007
Napa Valley, California, United StatesThe nose is fresh and open thanks to only 23 per cent new oak. Look for mineral, peach skin, apple butter, vanilla, citrus aromas with a mineral honey streak in the back. The entry is round and rich with more citrus, spicy, nutty, butter, lemon and honey flavours. There is excellent finesse here, the kind that makes you want to finish the bottle. Will easily aged two to four years.Prices:| BC | $56.00 | 750ml |
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April 2009