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Tastings: December 2009
31 December 2009
88PTS
Robert Oatley Pinot Grigio 2008
Currency Creek, Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia, AustraliaThe Oatley pinot gris deliberately labelled 'grigio' is an intriguing bottle. Crisp and bright it has dry, grassy, lemon aromas with a bit of spice and ripe, red apple pear fruit. Lively but with some texture and weight it delivers more than most Northern Italian example. Try it with your favourite seafood.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Robert Oatley Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Margaret River - Pemberton - Frankland River, Western Australia, AustraliaMargaret River, Pemberton and Franklin River in Western Australia is where the sauvignon blanc fruit originates. It's all fermented at low temperature to preserve the fruit and acidity. Bright fresh and juicy with lime, green apple, lemon flavours with a touch of lees for texture. Tasty, supple, clean fresh.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Robert Oatley Shiraz 2007
Mudgee, New South Wales, AustraliaBillionaire and octogenarian Bob Oatley, the former founder of Rosemount Wines is back in business in Mudgee with the eponymous Robert Oatley brand. The style is espoused to be modern but elegant, as in not overcooked or over extracted. In fact this is an easy sipping red with soft textures and cool fruit flavours. The nose is fragrant with smoky cassis notes and a floral, peppery, mineral dark berry fruity aftertaste. It is simple stuff that is easy to drink.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Bodega del Desierto Chardonnay 25/5 2006
Alto Valle del Rio Colorado, La Pampa, ArgentinaDesierto wines come out of Argentina's high desert province La Pampa and the town of 25 de Mayo. Look for a fresh intense pear and tropical/pineapple fruit nose and flavours with just a dusting of lees and subtle hazelnut notes. Fresh clean modern but with fine fruit intensity. Very promising.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Andeluna Winemaker's Selection Chardonnay 2006
Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaOpen aromatic cool tropical fruit nose with bits of citrus, peach and vanilla. The style is slightly old fashioned with the French oak showing thorough a bit too much. On the palate you taste a mix of melon/pineapple and more vanilla. The winery suggests salads, soft cheeses, light pastas, grilled fish food pairings. Drink now.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
De Martino Gran Familia Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
Isla de Maipo, Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChilePeppery, cassis, sappy, menthol, tobacco, floral, cedar, soy aromas. Rich, round, dry palate but slightly hard edged but softer acidity. Peppery, rooty, cassis, smoky, resin, tobacco ash, black olive flavours. Finish is drier and leaner than prior vintage. Drink up.Prices:| US | $45.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
De Martino Gran Familia Cabernet Sauvignon 1995
Isla de Maipo, Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileSpicy, cassis, minty, tobacco, cherry, cedar, cigar, earthy, rooty, soy aromas. Round, dry, supple, elegant palate with good acidity. Tobacco, rooty, cedar, soy, liquorice, prune, cooked cassis flavours. Holding well with solid fruit and balance if a touch edgy. Ready to drink.Prices:| US | $45.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
De Martino Gran Familia Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
Isla de Maipo, Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileSimilar to 2001 with lots of sappy cassis, black cherry, leather, bay, savoury, spicy, black pepper, minty, tobacco aromas. Round, dry, full with grainy tannins and some astringency, a bit warm and tart and more linear but structured to age. Coffee, peppery, rooty, menthol, cassis, savoury, leather, tobacco, meaty flavours. Again, needs several years to tame the tannin structure but has potential to improve.Prices:| US | $45.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
De Martino Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 347 Vineyards 2007
Region del Valle Central, ChileTobacco, peppery, sappy cassis, bay leaf, savoury aromas with a touch of leather. Fresh, round, dry, lightly astringent palate with cedar bark, cassis, black olive, tobacco, rooty, resin, smoky herb flavours. Solid Maipo red wine style. The fruit is a 65/10/25 mix from Maipo, Cachapoal and Maule. Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
De Martino Gran Familia Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Isla de Maipo, Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileThe current release opens with a big bay leaf, savoury, minty, sappy, cassis nose with chocolate, rooty, leather, tobacco leaf aromas. Round, dry, full palate but slightly less fruit concentration yet structured with some dry, grainy tannins. Cassis, coffee, peppery, rooty, tobacco, black olive, menthol, mineral, liquorice flavours. Good solid cabernet character but a bit less intensity and balance than prior vintages. Again, needs time to soften the harder tannins. The grapes come from a 40-year-old section of vineyard in Isla de Maipo.Prices:| US | $45.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
De Martino Gran Familia Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
Isla de Maipo, Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileSpicy, minty, sappy, black cherry, cedar, cassis jam, bay leaf, savoury and chocolate aromas. Round, dry, rich and fresh, grainy tannins with some astringency but good juicy acidity. Black cherry, cassis, cedar, tobacco, sappy, vanilla, coffee, liquorice, rooty, savoury flavours. Still young and vibrant but needs 2-4 years to soften the tannins. Well-made and it remains in excellent shape.Prices:| US | $45.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
De Martino Gran Familia Cabernet Sauvignon 1999
Isla de Maipo, Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChilePeppery, meaty, gamey, cassis jam, chocolate, tobacco ash, muddy, slightly volatile aromas. Round, dry, supple, slightly chunky palate that finishes lean. Spicy, cassis, rooty, cedar bark flavours flecked with muddy, herbal, resiny flavours. A bit too lean and hard on the finish lacks cleanliness.Prices:| US | $45.00 | 750ml |
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30 December 2009
90PTS
Taylor Fladgate Late Bottled Vintage Port 2003
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalSurprisingly pruny on the nose for Taylor but with black cherry jam, plum, peppery, tea and liquorice aromas. The entry is supple with a slightly sweeter style but very full and warm. Intense chocolate, peppery, spirity, black tea, nutty, licorice root, black cherry jam, prune and coffee flavours. A bit warm with light tannins on the finish but lots of stuffing for the money here. Good value.Prices:| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $22.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| NL | $21.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Lindemans Bin 85 Pinot Grigio 2009
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaConsistently fresh style here with green apple skin citrus and pear notes. The palate is dry with more citrus, nectarine and green apple fruit and a slightly fuzzy,dry finish. Simple, well-made affordable picnic white for light sandwiches and or seafood spreads.Prices:| BC | $10.50 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.50 | 750ml |
| SK | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $13.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Deinhard Pinot Grigio Fine Wine 2008
Baden, GermanyLightly aromatic grigio with an earthy, spicy citrus fruit aromas and flavour. Simple but much cleaner than previous versions. No bargain at this price but useful enough for simple seafood dishes and charcuterie dishes.Prices:| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Graham's Late Bottled Vintage Port 2003
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalPeppery, grapey, liquorice, black plum, spicy, black tea, floral aromas. Round, moderately rich, elegant style with light tannins and good acidity sweetness but hot. Very spicy, peppery, licorice, chocolate, cherry jam, pruny, minty, tea flavours. Good finesse with some potential to improve but a lighter style for near term drinking.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $27.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $21.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Fetzer Valley Oaks Pinot Grigio 2008
California, United StatesI was expecting this to be California sweet or ripe but was pleasantly surprised by its dryness. Look for citrus and dried herbs on the nose with bits of apple and minerality in the back end. The finish is a touch dry but otherwise good value here in a white wine made for food.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.45 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Fetzer Valley Oaks Chardonnay 2008
California, United StatesLight green apple, aromatics with bits of peach, mineral and melon notes. The entry is fresh and soft with more nutty, apple, nutty lees, citrus notes and a dry creamy finish. Attractive modern well-made chardonnay with a touch of residual that over delivers for the price. Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Van Westen Vineyards Vino Grigio 2008
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSimilar to the 07 with bright floral lifted mineral, green apple skin and spicy honey/melon aromas. The entry is crisp and dry with an oily/gewürztraminer-like character. The palate is clean with more grassy, grapefruit, green apple, honey flavours and a touch of citrus rind in the finish. Solid and should be fine with mussels, or Thai dishes.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Koyle Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChilePeppery, savoury, dried herbs, tobacco, cassis, menthol, and black cherry and cedar aromas. Round, dry, full bodied palate with some grainy but fine tannins and some astringency. Cassis, sappy, tobacco, cedar bark, mulberry, leather, chocolate, herbal flavours. Good concentration and balance but young, needs a few years to soften or try with rare roast beef.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Cooralook Chardonnay 2008
Victoria, AustraliaCanned grapefruit, honey, butter, candied apple aromas. Round, fresh, slightly sweet palate with good acidity. Light weight palate with citrus rind, green apple, honey, buttery lees flavours. Simple, clean, straight up white.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Yabby Lake Vineyard Chardonnay 2006
Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, AustraliaOpen nose with hazelnut, creamy lees, vanilla, spicy, butter, baked pear, apple skin, citrus aromas. Dry, crisp, slightly leaner palate but elegant. Nutty, baked pear, mineral, buttery, citrus, green apple, waxy lees flavours. Good complexity, just lacking somewhat in concentration and length.Prices:| BC | $43.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $37.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Rosemount Pinot Grigio 2007
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaThis is straight up, unremarkable, commercial pinot grigio with the dryness and crispness of the grigio or Italian style with the tropical melon fruit notes of Oz. Ready to drink. Should be fine with creamy pasta dishes.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Caliterra Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2008
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileSlightly reductive with cassis, rooty, peppery, sausage, cedar and tobacco aromas. Round, fresh, soft palate with chocolate, menthol, cherry, sappy, spicy flavours with some light, cedar-y tannins on the finish. Simple but full for grilled meats. Good value for cabernet drinkers.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Church & State Wines Pinot Gris 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis is a well-made pinot gris. The nose is bright and fresh with earthy, honeyed aromas with ripe pear fruit flavours with a citrus undercurrent and cleans crisp finish. Classic crisp, British Columbia gris that will match a wide variety of foods.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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29 December 2009
86PTS
Tormaresca Paiara 2007
Puglia, ItalyPeppery, resin, licorice root, cassis, black cherry, meaty, tobacco, smoky olive nose. Round, fresh, smooth palate with a touch of sweetness on entry. Resin, licorice root, black cherry, earthy, meaty, dried herb and tobacco flavours. Solid consumer wine for meat and pizza. Fresh jammy fruit on the finish. Good value.Prices:| BC | $10.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $12.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Sandeman Tawny Porto 20 Years Old NV
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalPale amber brick colour. Nutty, toffee, tea leaf, spicy, licorice root, tobacco ash, dried citrus peel, dried fig, rancio aromas. Full, round, elegant, warm palate with good acidity and sugar balance - not too sweet. Balck tea, toffee, nutty, dried fig, cherry compote, creme brulee, licorice, spicy, peppery, ginger flavours. Very fine structure and finesse with a long, rancio finish. Superb. Try with pecan tarts.Prices:| BC | $63.99 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Opera Prima Brut Charmat NV
SpainMedium fine, white mousse. Peach, butter, melon rind, floral, nutty aromas. Fresh, foamy, crisp, slightly sweet palate. Orange, peach skin, floral, spicy, anise, baked green apple flavours. Simple, slightly coarse finish in a fun, easy-sipping bubble you can mix with fruit juice or sip solo.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
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95PTS
Ornellaia 2006
Bolgheri, Tuscany, ItalySpicy, chocolate, black olive, licorice, meaty, peppery, vanilla, tobacco, floral, black cherry, cassis jam, cedar, mocha aromas. Rich, ripe, round, supple palate with smooth, grained tannins. Very good juicy acidity with coffee, peppery, cassis, blackberry jam, chocolate, tobacco, cedar, meaty, Oxo, licorice, resin, vanilla, orange peel flavours. Long, ripe, elegant and structured with finesse. A very fine bottle.Prices:| BC | $179.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $170.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $160.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $160.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $429.00 | 1500ml |
| ON | $499.00 | 1500ml |
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28 December 2009
84PTS
Mission Hill Pinot Noir Five Vineyards 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVery cedar-y, tobacco leaf, herbal nose with bits of resin and rhubarb. The plate/texture is fresh and round with light tannins. More cedar, strawberry, rhubarb, tobacco and herbal, resin flavours mark the palate with a bitter tea finish. Basic pinot for the price.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $19.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Tormaresca Masseria Maime 2005
Salento, Puglia, ItalySmoky, meaty, peppery, gamey, black licorice, black cherry, tobacco, leather, earthy, vanilla, plum aromas with a floral hint. Rich, round, dry and supple but slightly tannic with good acidity balance. Meaty, gamey, black cherry, black plum, licorice root, resin, vanilla, peppery, tobacco, and tapenade flavours. A bit rustic but has good fruit and balance. Try with grilled beef or lamb or a hearty stew. A good varietal example with some complexity.Masseria Maime is an estate selection of negroamaro that is aged 14 months in barriques and another 10 months in bottle before release. Prices:| BC | $33.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $34.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Farnese Primitivo 2007
Puglia, ItalyBlack plum jam, licorice, spicy, peppery, floral, candied cherry nose. Round, supple, fresh palate with a bit of sweetness and very light tannins. Rooty, licorice, black cherry, plum, floral flavours. Simple, slightly tart finish but clean and fruity consumer wine. Solid value.Prices:| BC | $10.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Ganton & Larson Prospect Winery The Census Count Chardonnay 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRipe pear, butter, grapefruit rind, floral, baked peach nose. Fresh, crisp, slightly oily and sweet palate with red apple skin, peach, butter, baked pear and melon flavours. Simple, fresh, easy style with solid fruit and value.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Ganton & Larson Prospect Winery Birch Canoe Pinot Blanc 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGrassy, grapefruit, gooseberry, peach skin nose. Round, soft, slightly sweet and flat palate with grapefruit rind, apple skin, nettle, lemon oil and butter flavours. Simple, citrus rind style.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $17.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Gallo Family Vineyards Pinot Grigio 2008
California, United StatesGooseberry, grassy, grapefruit, red apple, floral, candied ginger nose. Round, fresh, somewhat sweet style with canned grapefruit, peach, grassy, fruit cocktail flavours. An easy drinker.Prices:| BC | $10.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $10.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $9.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $9.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $10.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Mirassou California Pinot Grigio 2008
California, United StatesFloral, passion fruit, lemon, slate, red apple nose. Fresh, crisp, rindy palate with a bit of sweetness and oiliness. Pink grapefruit, lemon, passion fruit flavours. Easy consumer style but not very varietal.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $15.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
McWilliam's Hanwood Chardonnay 2007
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaButtery, toasty lees, nutty, melon, peach, diacetyl nose. Round, soft, somewhat sweet palate with red apple, citrus, buttery, leesy, toasty, candied peach flavours. Standard stuff that is a bit too sweet.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $14.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $14.99 | 750ml |
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24 December 2009
85PTS
Johnny Q Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaA formulaic, simple, easy-drinking South Eastern Australia cabernet sauvignon. Look for dried herbs and black fruit with lifted aromas of cassis and the ever-present acidity poking through the back end. Best now with barbecued meats to help tame down the acidity and the dryness in the finish.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Hellbent Shiraz Cabernet 2007
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaPeppery, blueberry smoky nose with bits of bacon, cedar, dried herbs and liquorice root nose. Fresh warm palate with a plenty of acidity and tannins poking through the earthy black cherry cola finish.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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23 December 2009
88PTS
Tenuta del Portale Starsa 2007
Basilicata, ItalyA fine improvement over the meaty resiny '04. The '07 is fresher with more floral/minerality and earthy dusty black fruit. A true aglianico, just different enough to be interesting and dry enough to be very meat friendly. T-bones anyone.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Lulu B Shiraz 2006
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceCleaner on the nose than previous versions with ripe, dry, peppery syrah. A firmer mid-palate this time out with dense, dry fruit flecked with plum flavours. Simple, well made and more Euro now which is a good thing. Keep this handy around the barbecue.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Lulu B Chardonnay 2007
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceLimoux sits along the western edge of the Languedoc and is the source of fruit in the Lulu B chard. Some 85 percent of this white is stainless steel fermented resulting in a nutty mineral peachy scented chardonnay that tastes like it smells. Honey and citrus butter streak its creamy finish. Good value and it is sealed under screwcap.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.50 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Velletri Centurio 2006
Lazio, ItalyTypically dry and fresh Centurio has a pleasing dark colour, a smooth suave entry and plenty of soft black cherry fruit supported by natural acidity spicy earth and some firm but reasonable tannins. The perfect spaghetti red at a crazy value in Toronto.Prices:| BC | $11.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $7.20 | 750ml |
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87PTS
The Lucky Country Shiraz 2007
Barossa Valley / McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaThe Lucky Country label is de-classified Two Hands fruit and a pleasant surprise on the nose thanks to its authentic shiraz aromas. Interestingly it is aged 16 months in mostly older French and American oak, then 6 months in new French oak. Look for typical blueberries and spice mixed with Christmas pudding notes with bits of plum, dried herbs, white pepper and mocha. The finish is soft with some acidity poking through reassuring you its Australian. Best with grilled lamb chops.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Firriato Primula Nero d'Avola 2007
Sicily, ItalyFirriato is based in Paceco, westernmost Sicily that is working in a modern way with outside oenologists from California, Australia and New Zealand. Rich red racy mouth filling, juicy néro d'Avola that finishes with some acidity poking through (a la Oz) that heightens the dryness in the back end. Simple, unremarkable red wine for pizza. Prices:| BC | $11.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Tres Palacios Carmenere 2007
Cholqui Valley, Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileSuper dark colour. Only 15 per cent of this wine sees time in neutral wood to preserve its varietal character. Classic carmenère with intense crushed leaf nose with pencil lead and bits of minerality. The palate is dry with tarry flecks of plums and chocolate. Intense resiny carmenère finish. Try this with fire grilled meats or strong cheeses. Needs a bit more finesse to support its wild characters. Prices:| AB | $17.50 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Twisted Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
California, United StatesThis 'California' appellation cabernet features candied raspberry and cherry aromas with a dollop of sweet vanilla. Sub-standard stuff with green, herbal, candied black fruit flavours, elevated acidity and a smooth spicy finish. Another hamburger red in the Oz/Yellow Tail style. Is there really a market for this stuff?Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Oxford Landing Merlot 2008
South Australia, AustraliaMerlot has never been an Australian strong suit and this label is no exception. Look for a lifted cedar-y nose with dark fruit, black raspberries and liquorice flavours. The textures are soft; the finish smooth and spicy but with elevated acid. Simple straight up hamburger red.Prices:| CDN | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $10.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $10.70 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.99 | 750ml |
| NS | $13.99 | 750ml |
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22 December 2009
88PTS
Napa Cellars Mount Veeder Chardonnay 2006
Napa Valley, California, United StatesAn all hand-harvested chardonnay that is barrel fermented and sur lie aged in French oak. Look for rich, tropical, melon fruit nose with a nutty, resiny, citrus palate and a long warm finish. The oak predominates at this point but the fruit is firm and the acidity should support some medium term ageing. Leave alone for a year or two and let the oak settled down. More old style Napa than new.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $22.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $26.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Finca Los Primos Chardonnay 2008
San Rafael, General Alvear, Southern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaStill good value the Los Primos focuses in on green apple skin aromas and cool fruit with bits of peach and orange. On the palate, there is a touch of lees with more pear peach and sweet orange fruit with a fairly well balanced back end. Fresh and affordable drink all summer on the patio.Prices:| BC | $11.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Champagne Deutz Brut Classic NV
Champagne, FranceThere is something friendly about this Deutz with its refined mousse and attractive leesy nose. The blend is almost equal parts pinot noir, pinot meunier and chardonnay that exudes a rich but balanced style with creamy, nutty citrus aromas and flavours. Subtlety and style so well balanced it is at home with or without food. Enjoy with sushi or sashimi or simply with oven-warmed cheese twists.Prices:| BC | $75.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $65.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $60.99 | 750ml |
| NS | $65.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $65.90 | 750ml |
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21 December 2009
88PTS
Colomé Torrontés 2008
Calchaqui Valley, Salta, North, ArgentinaThe label says Vino Blanco de Grand Altura we say delicious white wine from high altitude. Thirty to 60 year old vines offer up a blast of lemon and honeysuckle that will startle you. Fresh clean balanced delicate, ethereal and delicious. Think Pan-Asian food and extraordinary evening.Prices:| NS | $14.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Santa Ana Torrontés 2007
ArgentinaClassic torrontés. All floral and green apple skin on the nose with citrus and nectarine skin notes. You think it will be sweet but its bone dry with nectarine citrus and even a touch of melon and white pepper in the finish. Screamingly fresh. Oysters please.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Ruffino Il Ducale 2006
Tuscany, ItalyOur latest look at Ruffino's Il Ducale doesn't disappoint. We love the latest mix of 60/20/20 sangiovese/merlot and syrah. The sangiovese is fragrant, floral and spicy while the smooth textures of the merlot and the fleshy meaty spicy fruit of the syrah fill in the frame. A mini super-Tuscan at a bargain price this is a fine and affordable dinner wine at home or in a restaurant. Look for the red and cream yellow label that riffs on Ducale history.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.99 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.99 | 750ml |
| NS | $22.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Golden Kaan Winemakers' Edition Shiraz 2004
Western Cape, South AfricaMature to say the least with typical red fruits, blueberries mixed with burnt rubber and resin notes. The mid-palate is meaty with plenty of acid poking through into the leathery dry finish. Warm and friendly but the flavour profile is an acquired taste. Serve with barbecued meats.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
The Winery of Good Hope Pinot Noir 2008
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South AfricaSurprising quality here in what is a mix of Stellenbosch fruit, richer denser and Elgin fruit cooler more finesse with some minerality. There is lot going on for the price including French oak but hardly any new barrels. It's quite fragrant and clean on the nose with an earthy farmyard note and some black cherry. Bravo. Look out Cono Sur.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Vinha do Alqueve 2006
Tejo, Central and Southern Portugal, PortugalAs I said last time out any red made from trincadeira, tinta roriz, touriga nacional, cabernet sauvignon and touriga franca is okay with me. Expect a fairly dry naturally tart red with some dark plum and black fruit flavours. A simple rustic red that would be the perfect foil to grilled sausages.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
MezzaCorona Pinot Noir 2007
Trentino- Alto-Adige, ItalyIf there is such a thing as pretty good cheap pinot this it. The all-Trentino fruit is sweet on entry with just a hint of earth and cedar bark. Soft round quaffable style perfect for light fare such as any number of pizza toppings.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $16.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
La Motte Shiraz 2007
Western Cape, South AfricaA fine peppery fresh blend from all over the Cape including Walker Bay (30%), Franschhoek(15%), Darling(13%), Tulbagh(12%), Paarl(10%), Wellington(10%) and Elim(10%). It's been aged in mostly French but only 24 percent new oak and it shows. We love the bright spicy clove fruit and well managed acidity. The mid-palate is warm and the fruit black but there is a core minerality that keeps it fresh and focused. The finish is thankfully clean. Perfect for game birds, or roasted meats.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Glen Carlou Grand Classique Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2005
Paarl, Coastal Region, South AfricaGrand Classique is Bordeaux blend of mostly cabernet sauvignon (41) and merlot (40) with smaller amounts petit verdot, malbec and cabernet franc. Look for deep coloured red with a fine mineral nose dusted with vanilla and some meaty Brettanomyces notes. The entry is round the body dense with cedar and black fruit and liquorice flavours throughout. The finish is slightly dry with elevated acidity poking through. Best with roasted meats. Drink now.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $20.00 | 750ml |
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20 December 2009
87PTS
Santa Cristina Antinori Pinot Grigio 2007
Tuscany, ItalyA newish wine from Antinori out of Sicily that will surprise many with its crisp fresh character. Bright citrus floral notes mark the nose and palate of this slightly watery mineral pinot grigio. Fresh and tasty if pricey.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Tenuta Villanova Pinot Grigio 2008
Friuli-Venezia Giulia, ItalyThis DOC Friuli Isonzo pinot grigio grows on alluvial stony soil that explains the bright minerality and floral aspect. The palate is a mix of fresh fruit and honey with more steely mineral notes. Simple clean and fresh. Good value. Try with seafood and light charcuterie.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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19 December 2009
89PTS
Frog's Leap Rutherford Petite Sirah 2006
Rutherford, Napa Valley, California, United StatesWe often rave about petite sirah but it mostly falls on deaf ears in retail wine shops. Frog's leap nails this grape by keeping the alcohol in check and exposing the smoky fresh mineral side of the petite sirah, the black fleshy fruit all with a sprinkling of that magical Rutherford dust. Love the density and weight and the bright acidity. Amazing value.Prices:| BC | $59.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $55.00 | 750ml |
| US | $30.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Frog's Leap Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Rutherford, Napa Valley, California, United StatesThe Rutherford label is mostly cabernet, all from the Rutherford bench but the word cabernet no longer appears on the front label. The nose is described by John Williams as something out of his youth. His grandmother's sofa would yield the same scent of warm dusty earth when you rubbed your hand against the nap in the sunlight. The fruit is ripe flecked with black raspberry and liquorice with more of that dusty Rutherford character. The tannins are light and fine-grained. A delicious, elegant, subtle, balanced Napa red that has few if any peers in modern winemaking in the valley. The blend is an 87/9/4 mix of cabernet sauvignon/cabernet franc/merlot.Prices:| BC | $114.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $105.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $105.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $114.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Frog's Leap Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Rutherford, Napa Valley, California, United StatesMore preaching, sorry but if you are going to get Frog's leap you should know what it is it all about. They are the original 'green' Napa winery; farming organically for 21 years. They also dry farm, using little precious water as they craft their relatively dry, low alcohol style. John Williams isn't a fan of sweet, over-extracted reds and he does as little as possible to let the natural character of his cabernet sauvignon shine through. A touch of dried herbs marks its violet and black fruit nose, it is cabernet after all, but after that it shows the richness and weight of cabernet without overpowering your palate. Elegance poise, style, you name it Williams has turned out a balanced red that you can imagine serving with a number of menu items including steak, roast beef, lamb and cheese. Well done. Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $61.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $64.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Frog's Leap Merlot 2005
Rutherford, Napa Valley, California, United StatesWinemaker John Williams likes to say hard to know, hard to makes and harder to sell but he knows when merlot is at its best it can often be great. The '05 does not disappoint. Love the fragrant earthy nose spiked with cocoa powder and red fruits. The best merlot in my estimation sits on clay and at FL the site around the Red Barn sits over rich clay loam soils. The cool feet warm body dry-farmed vines is the story behind this delicious balanced and very un-Napa-like restrained merlot. Surprisingly pure and correct it has a suppleness and texture that can only be enjoyed it in the mouth. Excellent quality and only 13.5 per cent alcohol.Prices:| BC | $58.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $55.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $45.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Frog's Leap Zinfandel 2007
Rutherford, Napa Valley, California, United StatesBarely zinfandel aptly describes this delicious red that 'barely' meets the varietal definition at 76 per cent zinfandel, the remainder of the mix is 19 per cent petite sirah and 5 per cent carignane. The alcohol is abnormally and 'barely' above 13 per cent so the emphasis is on fruit and balance not power and alcohol. As they like to say it Frog's Leap, "you can't use this stuff to light your charcoal grill." The zin story is a field blend of co-fermented zinfandel, petite sirah and carignane never picked overripe or raisined. Expect that classic briary, fresh picked blackberry nose with a dash of spice. The palate is mix of cocoa powder, tobacco, black raspberries and blueberry fruit with earthy undertones. It's all dry farmed and organically grown, offering a pureness of taste you seldom see in modern zinfandel. Elegant and food friendly.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $40.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Frog's Leap Chardonnay 2008
Rutherford, Napa Valley, California, United StatesThe less is more theme is a big part of the Frog's Leap chardonnay mantra along with a strong emphasis on earth and less on fruit. Just under 10,000 cases are made each year and amazingly it is picked, more or less, at 23 brix spawning a finished alcohol in the low thirteen per cent range. About 75 per cent of the wine is aged in French barrels although less than 25 of that is new wood. Winemaker John Williams allows his chardonnay to express its Carneros site seeking harmony of fruit and acidity with freshness and length all the while expressing a pureness of peach and melon fruit with an undercurrent of minerality complete with a touch of chalkiness. A terrific food wine for modern West Coast cuisine.Prices:| AB | $40.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Frog's Leap Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Rutherford, Napa Valley, California, United StatesThis is not your average California sauvignon. It's refreshingly, well, fresh in spite of its mid-valley, 100 per cent, Rutherford fruit content. The secret is low alcohol (12.7%) and bright acidity that result in crisp flavours that winemaker John Williams claims is a little Sancerre in the first year and a lot of white Bordeaux as it ages. Production is a hefty 20,000 plus cases all made with dry farmed organically grown fruit. In short, less is more at Frog's Leap, so you can enjoy the subtle bits of lemongrass and minerally wet stone notes. A lovely seafood wine that is built to support food as opposed to overwhelm it.Prices:| BC | $34.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Farnese Trebbiano d'Abruzzo 2007
Abruzzo, ItalyClassic skinny, almost watery Italian white with notes of orange blossoms throughout. Fresh lime and orange flavours, bright acidity and a super clean finish. Great oyster wine or try it with linguine vongole or bean soup. Farnese is never too far from the pulse of the modern wine drinker. Good value.Prices:| BC | $9.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Villa Teresa Pinot Grigio (Organic) 2008
Veneto, ItalyA bruised apple nose that carries through on the palate. The flavours are a mix of watery cooked pear and mineral with bits of orange and melon fruit. Simple, organic white wine without a lot of verve. Drink up.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Voga Pinot Grigio 2008
Veneto, ItalyLight fresh nose of almonds and lemon with a bit of honey and mineral. The entry is soft and round with fresh grapefruit and honey notes on the mid-palate with more bits of bitter almond and a touch of earth. A friendly grigio that would be perfect with veal cutlets.Prices:| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $16.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Sonovino Pinot Grigio Cataratto 2008
Sicily, ItalyFresh ultra-dry white with light pear and mineral fruit flavours on the mid-palate and then a super dry, cardboard-flavoured finish. This is simple stuff that might be a bit to dry and stringent for the audience. Try it with pasta in a cream sauce.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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18 December 2009
87PTS
Sperling Vineyards Market White 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMarket White is an intriguing 60/32/8 blend of pinot gris, gewürztraminer and riesling, in the vein of the old Alsace Edelzwicker. The lots are separated but it is all made in stainless steel to retain maximum freshness. The palate is fresh and clean with tropical litchi notes and an off-dry finish. What it lacks in exuberance it makes ups up for in texture and price. Try with mild Asian dishes or sip solo on the patio.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Sperling Vineyards Pinot Gris 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWinemaker Anne Sperling describes here restrained pinot gris style as pears and stones. The fruit comes off two very different benches on the home property in Kelowna's Mission District. It's essentially bone dry on the palate, light and fragrant all aged in old barrels for no wood influence. Lees stirring gives it a pleasing texture and protects tis dry citrus flavours. Less fruit more site expression is the goal. Food friendly.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Sperling Vineyards Old Vines Riesling 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe "old vines' are 30-plus but the wine is fresh and young. Look for bright citrus, peach and melon fruit with fruit and a fairly dry mid-palate and ripe citrus finish. A clean tasty version of this variety with just a hint of dryness in the backend. Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Sperling Vineyards Riesling Icewine 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Sperling Icewine is made in small amounts and not every year. There is a clear link to the regular riesling with its bright acidity and intense tangy peach and tropical fruit flavours. Well structured the acidity carries the sugar and leaves you wanting an extra glass - a rare episode for most icewine. It should also age well for a decade and beyond. Well done.Prices:| BC | $36.00 | 200ml |
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17 December 2009
88PTS
Telmo Rodriguez Basa Rueda Blanco 2007
Rueda, Castilla-Leon, SpainIt is a shame the vintage of this wine lags the current production but that said the latest offering we have remains fresh even under cork. Look for a super crisp white wine with floral, grapefruit and mineral notes throughout. The entry is fresh and with bright lemon lime and kiwi fruit notes throughout the palate. A great wine with food too. Bring on the 2009.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
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13 December 2009
85PTS
Calvet Bordeaux Reserve Red 2006
Bordeaux, FranceFairly dry and lean in character with aromatic cedar-y notes. Typical spicy cran/cherry fruit flavours in a softer style than the Mouton cadet. Simple ready to drink merlot/cabernet that is best served with food. Good value at this price.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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12 December 2009
87PTS
Le Vieux Pin Equinoxe Syrah 2006
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCoffee, saddle leather, vanilla, peppery, tobacco, compost, meaty, dried cherry, dried herb aromas. Round, dry, somewhat austere palate with some tight tannins. Cranberry, peppery, meaty, coffee, resin, rooty, compost, leather, savoury, gamey flavours. Finish is very warm and bit tart with some young oak showing. Needs 2-4 years to round out but lacks fruit and freshness.Prices:| BC | $65.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Moselland Piesporter Michelsberg Riesling Kabinett 2007
Mosel, GermanyFresh fruity, candied apple, floral, peach skin aromas. Fresh, somewhat sweet, round palate with red apple, honey, orange, sulphur, light lees flavours. Simple, easy, fruity style.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay 2008
Livermore, San Francisco Bay, California, United StatesButter, peach, red apple, citrus, spicy, canned grapefruit, honey aromas. Soft, fresh, round, slightly sweet palate with honey, buttery lees, citrus, baked pineapple flavours. Balanced easy-sipping style that is thankfully moving into the leaner, fresher style.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $22.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Ganton & Larson Prospect Winery Larch Tree Hill Riesling 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFresh floral, peach skin, red apple, candied citrus, matchstick aromas. Round, fresh, somewhat soft and sweet palate with grapefruit rind, green apple, honey, butter, floral flavours. Finish is tart and rind-y with a floral edge. Not up to excellent bottling made last year.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $17.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Bonterra Vineyards Chardonnay 2007
Mendocino County, California, United StatesFloral, citrus, butter, pear skin, green apple, mint, lees aromas. Fresh, round, off dry palate with pear, mint, sweet butter, baked apple, honey, grassy, citrus flavours. Modern expression of organically grown fruit with a bit of zip.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $21.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Joel Gott Chardonnay 2007
Monterey County, Central Coast, California, United StatesPear, citrus, butter, light lees, floral, honey, peach aromas. Fresh, crisp, easy entry with green apple, citrus, honey, butter, peach skin, pink grapefruit flavours. Simple, fresh style with a bit of butter and sweetness on the finish.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Thirty Bench Riesling 2008
Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaLight petrol, lemon, waxy, lees, green apple skin, slate aromas. Off dry, fresh, crisp and round palate. Granny smith apple skin, petrol, marzipan, grapefruit, mineral flavours. Good zippy style for food.Prices:| ON | $18.50 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Thirty Bench Small Lot Riesling Steel Post Vineyard 2008
Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaClean lemon, floral, nectarine, orange, mineral, waxy, light petrol aromas. Fresh, crisp, delicate, slightly sweet palate with lemon, petrol, nectarine, orange, mineral, granny smith flavours. A focussed, zippier style with some good fruit.Prices:| ON | $30.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Thirty Bench Small Lot Riesling Wood Post Vineyard 2008
Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaFloral, lemon, slate, green apple skin, petrol, leesy, bread dough, warm marzipan aromas. Fresh, crisp, round, delicate palate with slate, petrol, lemon curd, marzipan, peach skin, granny smith flavours. Crisp, snappy finish.Prices:| ON | $30.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Pentâge Cabernet Franc 2006
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAn improvement over the last year but still aggressively franc with cigar leaf, spicy, herbal, green olive, green pepper and cranberry aromas. Soft, round, dry, supple entry with cranberry, floral, tobacco, leafy, black olive, dried herbs, coffee flavours. Solid balance if a bit lean on the finish. Best roasted meats.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Dunham Froese Merlot 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, meaty, barnyard, black cherry, tobacco, saddle leather, floral, dried herb and olive aromas. Soft, round, fresh palate with light cedar-y tannins. Cool cherry, mocha, black tea, prune, herbal, olive flavours with a meaty, coffee, finish. Best served now with a piece of meat or give it another year of bottle age. A good start but needs more mid-palate charm.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Dunham Froese Amicitia Red 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, spicy, cedar bark, rooty, barnyard, coffee, prune and black cherry nose. Round, soft, supple palate with light tannins and fine balance. More peppery, prune, coffee, cherry, dried herbs flavours with bits of compost, carrot top and cassis. Well balanced if a bit lean on the finish but it should be ready to drink by 2010.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Hillebrand Showcase Riesling Ghost Creek Vineyard 2008
Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaLemon, green apple, floral, mineral, grapefruit aromas with a touch of matchstick. Crisp, fresh, delicate, round palate with lemon, granny smith, nectarine, honey, orange and mineral flavours. A bit of sweetness on the fine, delicate, crisp finish. Will have broad appeal. Well done.Prices:| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
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81PTS
Summerhill Pyramid Winery Platinum Series Foch 2006
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVery herbal, gamey, pruny, foxy, tomato leaf, coffee, vanilla cream aromas. Dry, round, supple palate with herbal, roasted tomato, tobacco leaf, meaty, tobacco, barnyard, sweaty leather flavours. The finish is light with some acidity showing through. Poor value.Prices:| BC | $46.00 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Summerhill Pyramid Winery Platinum Series Merlot 2006
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCoffee, cedar, barnyard, pruny, floral, cooked berry and somewhat volatile aromas. Dry, somewhat austere, flat entry but tart edged with some tannins. Very warm with pruny, tobacco, barnyard, leather, cooked, meaty, gamey, Band-Aid flavours. An unbalanced wine that finishes both alcoholic and tannic.Prices:| BC | $44.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $40.00 | 750ml |
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78PTS
Summerhill Pyramid Winery Star Galaxy Red 2006
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig barnyard, compost, shoe polish, gamey, sweaty, Band-Aid, cooked aromas. Dry, round, light, slightly lean palate with herbal, cooked prune, barnyard, stewed veggies, and compost, gamey. Unclean. Not a lot of appeal here.Prices:| BC | $18.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Milton Park Shiraz 2007
South Australia, AustraliaLifted blueberry notes with strong spicy leathery cedar-y notes. The entry is a mix of chocolate intense spice and soupy cedar-y blueberry fruit with a fair bit of mid-palate acidity. The finish is warm and spicy with an acidic edge.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Twisted Tree Six Vines 2007
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRooty, barnyard, spicy, smoky saddle leather nose with a dank compost undercurrent. Soft, round, supple, slightly sweet palate with herbal, cassis, tobacco leaf, olive, resin, sour cherry, coffee vanilla flavours. Warm slightly prickly finish but with soft textures. Needs more finesse and less green (cabernet/carmenère) tones to excel. Six vines is blend of malbec (25), cabernet sauvignon (25), merlot (23), carmenère (11), petit verdot (10) and cabernet franc (6) all grown on Osoyoos East Bench. Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Open Merlot 2007
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaPerfumed, chocolate, candied cherry, cedar bark aromas. Soft, round, flat palate but tart edge. Similar flavours with a sweet, herbal note. I'll be happy when all these sweet, cheap introductory brands disappear. Beer is a better alternative and a lot drier.Prices:| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Open Cab2 - Merlot 2007
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaStewed prunes, herbal, perfumed, candied cherry, tobacco leaf aromas. Soft, round, flat, sweet entry with herbal, cooked cassis, prune, tobacco, cedar bark flavours. This is basic wine with no redeeming features. This should encourage beer sales.Prices:| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Yalumba Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz The Signature 2005
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaSpicy, floral, black cherry, black olive, tobacco leaf, compost, saddle leather, coffee, barnyard, vanilla and cassis aromas. Ripe, round, supple, full bodied palate with some good elegance and fresh acidity. Coffee, vanilla, smoky, cassis, plum, peppery, black olive, tobacco, leather, mineral flavours with a touch of tapenade and blueberry. The finish is warm and a bit tart but the textures are excellent as is the fruit with an herbal edge. Drink now but it will continue to improve for 3-5 years.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $50.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $50.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $45.00 | 750ml |
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11 December 2009
91PTS
Sonoma-Cutrer Pinot Noir 2006
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, United StatesCarrot top, barnyard, plum, cherry, herbal, compost, leather and spice aromas. Fresh, round, dry, warm palate with spicy, peppery, liquorice, mocha, carrot top, dried herbs, leather, orange peel, raspberry and plum flavours. Good intensity but finish is warm and fresh. Drink now with the fruit to match food.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Shiraz 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, black pepper, vanilla, coffee, black cherry, smoky saddle leather, meaty sausage aromas. Dry, round, elegant but slightly lean palate with cherry, coffee, smoky, peppery, vanilla, tobacco leaf, dried herbs with a touch of sausage meat. Finish is a bit lean with some green tea tannins but otherwise solid. Drink now with lamb or hold for another two tears in the cellar.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $22.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $25.45 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Fetzer Sauvignon Blanc Valley Oaks 2007
California, United StatesCitrus, floral, honey, grapefruit, light bell pepper, passion fruit nose. Fresh, crisp, round, easy style with grapefruit, honey, floral, cooked kiwi, light jalapeno, grassy flavours. Good solid, clean seafood white for the money.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.45 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Piesporter Treppchen Riesling QbA 2007
Mosel, GermanyApple skin, almond, matchstick, light lees, slate aromas. Round, fresh, delicate palate with light sweetness. Baked green apple skin, citrus, almond, orange flavours. Simple, fresh, friendly style.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Burrowing Owl Syrah 2007
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSavoury, peppery, rubber, liquorice root, vanilla, coffee, sausage meat, leather, lees aromas. Dry, light, warm, slightly tart palate with very light tannins. Vanilla, coffee, cedar, tobacco, licorice, resin, savoury, sausage meat, dried herb flavours. A bit lean and bitter on the finish with some oak showing but may improve over the next year or two.Prices:| BC | $38.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $41.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Yabby Lake Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006
Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, AustraliaSpicy, meaty, cherry jam, strawberry, tobacco, light vanilla, coffee, herbal aromas. Warm, dry, round, elegant palate with juicy acidity. Barnyard, earthy, strawberry, cherry, cedar, rooty, orange peel, vanilla flavours. Finish has good fruit but a bit austere and hot. On the right track. Best with food like duck or turkey.Prices:| BC | $51.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $46.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Carmen Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Region del Valle Central, ChileMuch like the previous year look for plenty of grapefruit rind, passion fruit, grassy, lemon, herbal aromas. Crisp, round, fresh palate with a hint of sweetness. Grapefruit rind, grassy, lemon, nettle flavours with a touch of passion fruit on the finish. Solid, consistent style.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.50 | 750ml |
| NB | $12.99 | 750ml |
| NS | $11.50 | 750ml |
| PEI | $12.98 | 750ml |
| NF | $12.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Finca Flichman Cabernet Sauvignon Oak Aged 2008
Mendoza, ArgentinaCedar, chocolate, cassis, cherry, rooty aromas. Round, dry, fresh palate with light tannins. Chocolate, mocha, peppery, spicy, cassis, cedar bark flavours. Simple, direct style for food at a fair price.Prices:| BC | $11.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Finca Flichman Malbec Oak Aged 2008
Mendoza, ArgentinaVery spicy, savoury, peppery, licorice root, black cherry nose. Soft, dry, round, easy palate with spicy, smoky, rooty, black cherry, poultry spice and chocolate flavours. Simple well-made malbec that offers some pretty serious value.Prices:| BC | $11.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $10.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $9.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Caliterra Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2008
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileNettle, lemon grass, grapefruit, passion fruit, ripe apple aromas. Round, fresh, easy style with a bit of sweetness. Lemon, grapefruit, honey, passion fruit, nettle, grassy flavours. Crisp, juicy finish to go with most seafood. Good value and another, attractive, single appellation white from Chile with style.Prices:| QC | $11.75 | 750ml |
| BC | $12.45 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Pourpre (Purple) de Grezette Malbec 2004
Cahors, Sud-Ouest, FrancePeppery, tobacco leaf, saddle leather, spicy, floral aromas. Dry, round, elegant palate but a bit austere. Cedar bark, tobacco leaf, coffee, liquorice root, herbal, cherry flavours. Good finesse but on the herbal side. Best with grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Antares Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Region del Valle Central, ChileFlinty, lees, grapefruit rind, dried herb and sulphur aromas. Round, dry, slightly austere style with lees, butter, herbal, grassy, grapefruit rind flavours. Fairly basic white wine but will do where cost is a big factor.Prices:| BC | $9.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $10.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
King Estate Pinot Noir Signature Collection 2006
Willamette Valley, Oregon, United StatesSpicy, cherry jam, strawberry, compost, licorice, gamey, cedar, herb aromas. Dry, round, supple, elegant palate with nice acidity balance and suave. Mineral, cedar, tobacco, raspberry, strawberry, mocha, orange peel, barnyard, leather flavours. Good intensity and finesse for the money.Prices:| BC | $37.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Santa Carolina Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2009
Valle de Leyda, Valle de San Antonio, Region de Aconcagua, ChileZesty grapefruit, jalapeno, lemon, nettle, light lees nose with a hint of passion fruit. Fresh, round, juicy palate with a touch of sweetness. Grapefruit rind, lemon grass, granny smith, smoky jalapeno flavours. Full with good intensity, good value too. A very bright light for Santa Carolina and Chile delivering a modern, important single appellation wine at an incredible price.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.75 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.26 | 750ml |
| NF | $11.11 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Pentâge Winery Syrah 2006
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen spicy, savoury, sausage meat, white pepper, floral, tobacco, licorice aromas. Round, dry, elegant entry with a slightly tannic palate and more cherry, coffee, sausage, peppery, liquorice flavours with bits of vanilla, and a meaty, savoury finish. Fine elegance but it should improve for another two to three years.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Redbank Long Paddock Shiraz Victoria 2007
Victoria, AustraliaVery fruit forward nose with cherry, blueberry, spicy, floral, rooty aromas but on the palate the flavours are dry and tart with herbal, spicy, cherry, chocolate, tobacco leaf flavours. Not much body or balance and very tart in the finish. Disappointing.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Ringbolt Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Western Australia, AustraliaBig leafy, tobacco, herbal, riparian, smoky leather, cedar, green bean aromas. Warm, round, tart palate with a hint of sweetness. Sour cassis, cherry, herbal, tobacco leaf, mocha, resin flavours. A very cool herbal rendition of the cabernet style.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
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08 December 2009
87PTS
Santa Rita Reserva Pinot Noir 2007
Valle de Leyda, Valle de San Antonio, Region de Aconcagua, ChileThe second release this 100% Leyda bottling has lost a bit of its puppy fat and sweet fruit. The nose is a mix of spicy, liquorice, and forest floor with just a whiff of fruit. The entry is round, supple and dry, very soft and pinot-like but definitely with less cherry fruit and more earth. A solid follow up to year one if more on the Euro side. Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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06 December 2009
88PTS
Louis Bernard Côtes du Rhône Villages Rouge 2007
Côtes du Rhône Villages, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceThe CDR 'Villages' rouge is a slightly slicker, warmer version of the regular showing the class of the 07 harvest. Look for pepper, black cherry, liquorice and underbrush notes to mark the nose and palate. The grenache lends it a soft fleshy texture that leaves the finish long and smooth. We love the core fruit Bernard is getting into the bottle. Good value.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Louis Bernard Côtes du Rhône Rouge 2008
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceThe 08 CdR is showing bit more acidity than the 07 but it is still a seriously good value. Love the peppery, smoky, liquorice nose with bits of black fruit and the smooth-ish if a bit piquant mid-palate. Fine flavour concentration and weight for the money. Good value.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Fetzer Gewürztraminer Valley Oaks 2007
California, United StatesThere's no screwcap on this gewürztraminer but we love its super fresh nose and demeanour in the glass. The nose is a sweet mix of floral spicy fruit with orange blossom and peach highlights. The entry is round a soft with a slightly sweet attack. The flavours are mix of cool peachy fruit spiked with honey floral orange, litchi notes. Simple straight-up aromatic white on the sweet side of dry. Best with spicy Asian dishes or even turkey or serve solo on the patio. Good value.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.50 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Mt. Boucherie Estate Collection Riesling 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSurprisingly fresh and dry with big lemon citrus notes and a touch of minerality. The palate is clean, tart and crisp with bright tropical fruit notes of peach and more lemon that all finishes a touch sweet and sour. Excellent progress here and definitely heading in the right direction. Try this with roast chicken.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
The Bend in the River 2007
Pfalz, GermanyYou can't miss the long neck, wide bottomed frosted bottle but can you fit it in your fridge on its side? Expect a sweet fruit entry with a peachy, apricot, honey undertones and the richness and acidity of the 07 a harvest. Not a lot of complexity or length but this is solid stuff for the price and would be perfect with a little East Indian fare. Good value.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.35 | 750ml |
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05 December 2009
85PTS
Les Combelles Côtes du Rhône Grenache Syrah 2006
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceAnother inexpensive grenache/syrah blend with a peppery, leather and black fruit nose. The palate is dry, with warm peppery tannins and a mix of dried plums and cassis flavours. Simple straight up Côtes du Rhône red for the barbecue.Prices:| BC | $13.49 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Bishop's Selection Côtes du Rhône Villages 2007
Côtes du Rhône Villages, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceA southern Rhone blend the 07 Bishop is clean and bright with a cedar-y, spicy berry nose and a similar palate. Like the previous version there is some obvious mid-palate acidity poking through which tends to enhance the dry leather notes in the finish. Still quite a good deal for the price and a piece of cheese or grilled meat will smooth out that acidity. Ready-to-drink.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Chat-en-Oeuf Côtes du Ventoux 2007
Ventoux, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceAn exceptional harvest benefits all the wines of the region and the latest "Chat" is no exception. The nose is fresh and open with floral, mineral, red fruit notes flecked with pepper and liquorice. The palate is soft and round with more ripe raspberry, liquorice and mineral. A solid, affordable everyday red for mushroom pasta dishes or short ribs. Good value.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
M. Chapoutier Belleruche Côtes du Rhône Rouge 2007
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceThe Belleruche vineyards are spread across four separate Rhone departments in Drôme, Vaucluse, Gard and Ardèche sitting above a mix of clay and calcareous alluvial deposits. The '07 is big and rich with plenty of warm, peppery, raspberry/cherry fruit with spicy liquorice notes and soft, silky tannins. It should further improve in the bottle over the next three years. The blend, an 80/20 mix of grenache and syrah, is one of the best we've tasted from Chapoutier in some time. Well done.Prices:| BC | $18.59 | 750ml |
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03 December 2009
97PTS
Krug Clos du Mesnil 1998
Champagne, FranceIt is impossible to say anything new about Clos du Mesnil, the 100 per cent Krug chardonnay champagne grown in a vineyard surrounding by a wall (clos) within the village of Mesnil. For blanc de blanc fans the near imperceptible power and elegance of this wine underlies its spectacular flavours in the mouth. So chiselled, yet so refined and always meticulously put together on the palate. Youthful at nearly 12 years old the latest CdM is only beginning its life in the market. Subtle, delicate, supercharged and creamy it remains extraordinary in its class. Prices:| BC | $1343.00 | 750ml |
| US | $1300.00 | 750ml |
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95PTS
Champagne Krug Rosé 27ème Édition Brut NV
Champagne, FranceKrug Rosé is deliciously pale with the requisite tiny bubbles to highlight its gold and salmon coloured tones. The nose is explosively fruity with bits of wild strawberries and white flowers. The palate is fresh and spicy with more screamingly dry red fruit flavours woven into its enticing creamy textures. The blend fluctuates between 20-30% chardonnay, 15-20% pinot meunier and 50-55% pinot noir. Krug first released its rosé in 1983, 140 years after they opened for business. It has been a tradition ever since.Prices:| BC | $597.00 | 750ml |
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98PTS
Champagne Krug Vintage 1996
Champagne, FranceThis is as close as it gets to perfection in champagne. Of all the 1996s this is the king. And it wasn't released until eleven years after the harvest which featured low yields and the surprising combination of high acid and sugars. It's a wonderfully concentrated fizz with an exceptional palate of flavours ranging from dried and stoned fruits and berries to nutty creamy textures and mineral, floral salty aftertaste. The finish is long and extremely persistent with amazing depth and it is just beginning to wake up. If properly stored it should keep for several decades. Amazing.Prices:| BC | $354.00 | 750ml |
| US | $349.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Champagne Krug Vintage 1998
Champagne, FranceMy first taste of the '98 Krug, (the third declared vintage of the 90s to follow '95 and '96) and its showing some tightness despite a thin line of cherry fruit that runs through the glass. Look for pure primary fruit flavours with lime and stone fruits mixed with flinty, grassy, nutty, mineral notes. The finish is particularly long and marked by a creamy freshness and level of acidity most other producers can only dream about. It needs another five to eight years of bottle time. It is only the second Krug release to have a larger proportion of chardonnay than the 1981. On this day it is no match for the blockbuster 1996 but it is still a very good young Krug that will improve through 2015. Love the finesse and impeccably small, persistent, mousse.Prices:| BC | $354.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $248.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $395.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $273.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $218.00 | 750ml |
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02 December 2009
88PTS
Church & State Wines Syrah 2006
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWinemaker Bill Dyer continues to raise the bar at Blasted Church as evidenced by this rugged syrah. A bigger style red than previous version it is big on pepper and gamy notes on the nose and palate. The fruit is sweet and ripe with spicy cooked meat, menthol and black liquorice flavours in the finish. Just a baby but you could try it now with roast lamb or osso buco.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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January 2010