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Tastings: February 2010
27 February 2010
86PTS
Duck Pond Riesling Sacgawea Vineyard 2006
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesBeginning to show some colour and age along with an advanced nose of honey lemons and white flowers. The mid-palate is a bit soft and fleshy lacking acidity and lift. The finish is medium dry with bits of honey, apple and vanilla custard. Ordinary at best for the price. Should we be tasting the 2009.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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26 February 2010
88PTS
Vasse Felix Heytesbury 2007
Margaret River, Western Australia, AustraliaFresh spicy, cedar, juniper berry nose with leafy undercurrents. The palate is thin and hot with prominent acidity poking through the blackberry cranberry/cherry fruit flavours and spicy finish. Definitely needs some lamb chops to settle down the acidity and fairly thin edges.Prices:| BC | $80.00 | 750ml |
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25 February 2010
89PTS
Tyrrell's Shiraz Steven's Single Vineyard Hunter Shiraz 2006
Hunter, New South Wales, AustraliaLight earthy, citrus nose with bits of leather and black fruit. On entry the wine shows its class and the age of its vines, some of which were planted in 1867 just as Canada was becoming a nation. Look for spicy cherry black fruit flavours with a riff of raspberry running through the wine. Still youthful and a touch dry but perfect with barbecued ribs.Prices:| AU | $30.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Heathcote Estate Shiraz 2006
Victoria, AustraliaThis is one big shiraz with a three percent dusting of grenache and plenty of alcohol. Look for a lifted nose with a whack of black and blue berry fruits with a strong undercurrent of raspberry cedar and mocha chocolate. Spice and more black fruit and a touch of dried herbs coat the palate along with some fine grained tannin. Rich and youthful, you can cellar it for five years or decant and serve with a roast lamb.Prices:| BC | $43.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $39.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Ridge Shiraz 2007
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaExpect a showy, sweet, spicy Barossa style here with white pepper, smoky blueberries and cedar on the nose. The entry is smooth with more sweet black fruits, vanilla and a touch of dried herbs. An attractive style of shiraz that will work well with any number of bold meat dishes. Big rich and showy for the money but well balanced.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
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24 February 2010
88PTS
Luna Beberide Mencia 2007
Bierzo, Castilla-Leon, SpainThe recent scandal in the Languedoc, where the French shouldn't even be making pinot noir, can only help the future of authentic wines like this delicious mencia. The nose is a touch reductive so be sure to air this one out for 30 minutes but then be prepared for a delicious drop of red wine that focuses on minerality, earth and liquorice with just a dusting of red fruits. Soft supple delicious red wine ready for food. Impressive effort. And it will improve in bottle for the next three years.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Château Pey la Tour Reserve du Chateau 2006
Bordeaux, FranceTextbook Bordeaux blend with a delicate spicy, cherry, smoky/mocha nose. Everything in order with spicy, sweet, liquorice, cassis and tobacco flavours. Elegant balanced ripe and a treat to sip. Try this with any meat dish and you will be rewarded.Prices:| BC | $26.49 | 750ml |
| QC | $21.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $22.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Road 13 Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIntense leafy, capsicum nose with bits of black cherry and cassis. Soft glossy chocolate and cherry fruit notes on entry with plenty of savoury dried herbs, menthol and vanilla. Should be fine with beef but you have to like the intense herbal, cool-climate cabernet flavours. At least the tannins and the resulting textures are soft.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Three Saints Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesThree Saints draws its fruit from three Santa Barbara regions: Santa Maria Valley, Santa Ynez Valley, and Santa Rita Hills and the mix is intoxicating. Big rich blackberry fruit with bits of ripe plum, dried herbs and dark chocolate. Smooth soft, warm, spicy New World finish. California cabernet in all its glory.Prices:| BC | $32.00 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Rutherford Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Napa Valley, California, United StatesCorked. Try another.Prices:| BC | $30.60 | 750ml |
| AB | $26.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $22.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Margaret River, Western Australia, AustraliaConsistently well made this is the cleanest VF I have tasted in years. If cabernet can be aromatic this is it. Cedar spice and black fruit with a dusty herbal, liquorice, black currant nose. There is a combined Western Australia/Vasse Felix minty/herbal house style that can be charming when the wine is clean and balanced and this is it. Dry elegant styling that will melt into a roast beef main course or cellar for a decade.Prices:| ON | $30.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Peller Estates Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaGood colour here with a quiet, dry, earthy black fruit nose. Fairly acidic entry with dry, skinny, cedar/fruit flavours and a short finish. Simple stuff.Prices:| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
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23 February 2010
88PTS
Viña Chocalán Malvilla Pinot Noir 2008
Valle de San Antonio, Region de Aconcagua, ChileBlack cherry, smoky, rhubarb, spicy, floral, Oxo, vanilla, tobacco leaf aromas. Round, supple, fresh, full palate. Celery, smoky, vanilla, black cherry, rhubarb and plum fruit with some peppery, spicy, savoury notes. Soft, fruity, forward style that's ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Casa Silva Doña Dominga Shiraz Single Vineyard El Rebaño 2007
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileHerby minty, bay leaf, Chilean nose with bits of cedar cherry and pepper. The entry is smooth and dry with a fairly acidic mid-palate with flavours cedar and red fruits and a dry finish. No real varietal character in what is an ordinary red wine.Prices:| BC | $13.25 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Milton Park Shiraz 2008
South Australia, AustraliaDeep intense, aromatic, blueberry fruit nose in full bloom already. Soft plummy blueberry fruit entry and a long sweet spicy finish. Sweet ripe black fruit flavours persist in the finish. Serve now with grilled lamb chops.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Peller Estates Private Reserve Meritage 2007
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaExpect an earthy, leafy, cedar bough nose with bits of black fruit and pepper. The entry is acidic and thin with mostly mouth drying tannins and very low fruit and a thin sour finish. The blend is 47/30/23 cabernet franc/cabernet sauvignon/merlot. Disappointing.Prices:| ON | $22.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Peller Estates Private Reserve Cabernet Franc 2007
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaMedium colour red with a cedar-y leafy, spicy red fruit nose. The wine presents on the palate exactly as it smells with sweet leafy cedar, vanilla cherry chocolate flavours. Very simple and soft for the price.Prices:| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Peller Estates Private Reserve Merlot 2007
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaThe nose is lightly reductive with tobacco, resin and dirty, meaty, leafy aromas. The palate is dry and resiny with bits of poultry spice, and savoury black fruit. Just a bit too green, dry and unclean to be enjoyable. Sorry but the price is crazy for this quality.Prices:| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Rosemount Shiraz 2007
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaSurprisingly the latest Rosemount is bit more like it was a decade ago. The nose is fresh with spicy, blueberry, cardamom aromas and a whiff of mocha. The entry is supple with rich, black cherry jam, coffee fruit flavours. A friendly mid-week barbecue red.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $18.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $19.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $18.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $19.50 | 750ml |
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22 February 2010
87PTS
Shingle Peak Pinot Noir 2008
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandOpen cherry raspberry nose spicy black fruit nose with spicy brambly undertones. The entry is soft and simple with fine underlying acidity and a juicy five-spice, black fruit finish. Solid effort at an affordable price. Definitely serve this with pinot friendly foods.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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21 February 2010
87PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Pinot Noir 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaTypically soft and round with plenty of cherry jam, spicy, vanilla fruit. The textures are soft and pinot and the flavours warm spicy cherry and oak with a dry spicy finish. Easy to like but not particularly pinot in structure. Needs a bit less oak and bit more finesse, fruit and verve. Drink now though 2012 with duck, or roast chicken.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $28.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Deinhard Riesling Classic 2008
Rheinhessen, GermanyNot quite as terrific as the '07 for the price but still well made, serviceable. Fairly tight limey citrus rind flavours with bits of red apple and citrus. Good value for a mid-week sipper.Prices:| NS | $11.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
St. Hallett Faith Shiraz 2007
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaOpen lifted, vanilla, mocha fruit nose with cherry/blackberry jam notes. The palate is dry with juicy peppery blueberry fruit flecked with mocha, coffee, liquorice mint and tobacco leaf notes. The finish is smooth and warm with a bit of edgy acidity poking through. You can drink now or hold another 24 months.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $22.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Mt. Boucherie Summit Reserve Merlot 2006
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSimilar styling to the 05 with a dill, leafy, tobacco spicy nose. On the palate the entry is dry and fresh with intense spicy, somewhat volatile black cherry flavours mixed with green olives and resin and leafy undercurrents. The finish is warm and tight with bits of coffee and dried herbs and acid poking through the back end.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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80PTS
Woodhaven Zinfandel 2007
California, United StatesSweet, candied brambly, scented red that tastes just like it smells. Sorry but this tastes more like a fruit drink than wine. Too sweet, too candied, too soft and too syrupy. It's impossible to suggest you can drink this with food.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Van Westen Vineyards Voluptuous 2006
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 06 Voluptuous is a 67 33 merlot/cabernet franc blend. The nose offers up a sweet vanilla and cherry aromas with bits of resin, earth and tobacco. The entry is dry and round with medicinal, cherry fruit flavours and slightly rougher, gripp-y tannins. A bit rustic for the varieties involved but will no doubt soften with another year or two in bottle. Will be best with grill beef entrées.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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19 February 2010
88PTS
Matua Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Hawkes Bay, North Island, New ZealandAlways fresh and intense, the Matua Hawkes Bay sauvignon mixes grapefruit rind with minerals nectarines and a pinch of jalapeno pepper. The palate is crisp, with more mineral dried herbs and green melon notes a slightly less biting style than the Marlborough. Pair it with summer salads or fresh goat's cheese.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Poggio Morino Maremma Toscana Rosso 2007
Maremma, Tuscany, ItalyA new listing and right from the start it gets a delicious rating. The mostly sangiovese blend bolstered by a lashing of syrah shows some of that savoury, salty chocolate/black fruit flavour you get from this side of the Italian coast. Look for a reasonably complex wine (for the price) with bits of dried herbs and cherries in the finish - all with fine balance and weight. A perfect, inexpensive restaurant wine list selection or a red you can serve liberally at home. Well done.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Sonovino Primitivo Negroamaro 2007
Sicily, ItalyA mix of primitivo and negroamaro makes up this simple red wine blend from Puglia in southern Italy. Expect a soft, spicy blend with black cherry fruit, resin and liquorice and a bit of Oz-like acidity creeping in at the end. Simple barbecue red at best.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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80PTS
Delicato Family Vineyards Shiraz 2008
California, United StatesIt's been years since I tasted this wine and my worst fears have been realised. What was once a drinkable red with smoky, liquorice, blackberry/prune fruit has become an overly sweet, verging on the volatile version of this grape that is about as commercial as it gets. No redeeming features this time out.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $10.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $13.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Mount Langi Ghiran Billi Billi Shiraz 2005
Victoria, AustraliaThe Billi Billi label is made with mostly purchased fruit that comes off 80 to 100-year old bush vines and a small amount of estate grown fruit. The style is soft and round the fruit plush and ripe with peppery, blueberry flavours and a spicy finish. This is a big, glossy, sweet Oz red that will appeal to those who like the shiraz at or over the edge of ripeness.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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16 February 2010
84PTS
Woodhaven Merlot 2007
California, United StatesExpect the commercial stuff here. Soft round and sweetish with cedar and vanilla throughout and some acidity pushing through the back end al la Oz. Very simple stuff that finishes surprisingly dry and tart. This is the merlot the movie 'Sideways' railed against.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $14.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Cave de Saumur Samur-Champigny 2003
Saumur, Loire, FranceCave de Saumur with age is a delight to sip. The nose is as mellow as leafy cabernet franc can get but with bits of black fruit, smoky green pepper and some fresh, mineral undercurrents it is fun to sip. There are still some dry tannins that might suggest at its age the time to drink it is now. And do that with a piece of meat to smooth the dryness.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Palo Alto Reserva 2008
Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileThe blend is a 55/30/15 mix of cabernet sauvignon/carmenère/syrah from Maule and it has a typically dried herb bay leaf nose with black cherry aromas. The plate is soft and round with herby, dried cherry fruit flavours bits of cedar, coffee and smoky oak. Solid effort. Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $13.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Reserve Pampas Cabernet Malbec 2008
Mendoza, ArgentinaA mostly equal blend of cabernet sauvignon and malbec from the Tupungato region of Mendoza. Look for a dark fruit nose with plenty of vanilla. The palate is dense lush and soft with 'sweet' plummy fruit and pepper fused with more vanilla notes from the oak. Youthful dry tannins in the finish call for grilled meats. Attractive red wine for the price.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.25 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.95 | 750ml |
| NF | $14.68 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Therapy Vineyards Merlot 2008
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGood colour but under screwcap the opening nose is reduced with slightly dirty notes. Underneath there is brighter plummy fruit with fairly taut acidity and plenty of vanilla and oak. The flavours are similar with chocolate plums and a touch of garlic. Definitely give this some air before serving perhaps as much as 45 minutes to an hour to blow off some the reduced character. On the bright side the textures are excellent offering fine varietal character.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
LoTengo Malbec 2008
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaOver the years LoTengo has always been good value if a little rustic and but at $12.50 a bottle you have to consider it well worth buying. Look for dark spicy red fruit with smoky undertones. The flavours are a mix of cedar, resin and cherries with good acidity and fine overall balance. It finishes dry and soft. Think barbecue ribs.Prices:| BC | $12.49 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Secco Bertani Valpolicella Valpantena 2007
Veneto, ItalySecco-Bertani has been cranking out wine for 125 years and is said to be the "grandfather" of the ripasso-technique where the must is left to rest for a few days each spring on the freshly-drawn lees from the Recioto Amarone. The blend is alight coloured mix of corvina Veronese 70%, rondinella 25% and molinara 5%. Some 75% of the wine is aged in large Slavonian oak casks, 25% in French oak barriques for about 18 months. Much like the last edition there is a smoky savoury mushroom undertone with a "sweet" silky texture and spicy floral, mushroom cherry jam flavours. Valpantena is the smallest region in Valpolicella with the coolest, darkest soils.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.95 | 750ml |
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15 February 2010
88PTS
Conde de Valdemar Crianza 2006
Rioja, SpainLook for a well structure wine with clean tempranillo fruit as the focus. A touch of mazuelo the secret weapon fills out the wine lending complexity and depth. It spends about 14 months in American oak. Another fabulous wine for lamb chops or osso buco.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $22.00 | 750ml |
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14 February 2010
88PTS
Quintay Clava Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileAs the quality goes up the price goes down; a very rare occurrence in the wine world. Fresh and delicious this sauvignon packed full of grapefruit, dried herbs, passion fruit sitting over a peppery undercurrent is impossible to beat for the price. Drink all summer by the case. Incredible value at this price.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Santa Rita Sauvignon Blanc 120 2009
Valle del Lontué, Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileConsistently well made this easy-sipping sauvignon designed for food and fun hits all the right notes again on 2009. Maule and Casablanca are home to the stainless steel fermented fruit that offers up a wealth of grassy, herbal, citrus tones with bits of green fruit in the finish. Sushi, oysters, salads - all would work with is true best value.Prices:| BC | $10.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $10.75 | 750ml |
| QC | $11.95 | 750ml |
| NF | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $10.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Giesen Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Canterbury, South Island, New ZealandIntense, sweaty, passion fruit nose flecked with pepper and minerals and pickled fruit. Crisp dry grassy mid-palate and long intense spicy, passion fruit/bell pepper flavours throughout the finish. A classic partner for steamed mussels.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Castaño Monastrell 2007
Yecla, Valencia and Murcia, SpainSlightly reduced nose under screwcap that cleaned up with a few minutes air. Drier than last year (yeah) it's a mix of earth, black cherry raspberry fruit with bits of liquorice and mocha. Soft easy sipping with a pinch of acidity in the finish. A solid barbecue red that I would highly recommend but nowhere near a 90 point experience some are claiming. Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Tapiz Malbec 2008
Mendoza, ArgentinaMade from a blend of Mendoza fruit the 08 edition is dominated by smoke and oak on the nose at this early stage. The nose is warm and spicy with a slightly dirty resin and black fruit nose with a touch of earth and compost. At just under 14 alcohol, it remains in balance. Best to wait another six months or if you must drink it now choose a T-bone.Prices:| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Therapy Vineyards Malbec 2008
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis made be made with malbec but it looks like a pinot noir, not that colour is the final arbiter of quality suffice to say malbec fans expecting a big dense red will get a light to medium bodied version of the variety. The nose and flavours are a mix of resin, stewed tomato and sour cherries with a fairly acidic finish. Not much fun.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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13 February 2010
94PTS
William Fèvre Domaine Chablis Grand Cru Vaudésir 2008
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceAnother fine bottle. Collectors should be excited. Lime, green apple, mineral, seashell, orange, floral, light lees aromas. Ripe, round, full, juicy, creamy palate. Waxy, spicy lees, orange, lime, mineral, salty seashell, granny smith flavours. Delicate, long, creamy, elegant finish. One of finesse not power.Prices:| BC | $86.00 | 750ml |
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95PTS
William Fèvre Valmur Chablis Grand Cru Domaine 2008
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceFull, precise, concentrated and juicy with a tart tautness best describes this edition. Love the floral, lime, citrus, green apple, lees, seashell, honey aromas and the additional mineral, seashell, seaweed, floral, nectarine, smoky, chalky flavours. Long, great, juicy texture and creaminess. Needs time but will be outstanding. Lots of stuff here. One to buy for the long haul and cellar. The Valmur comes off 1.15 ha of the total 13.2 hectares exposed south by southeast. A super bottle too.Prices:| BC | $86.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
William Fèvre Chablis Fourchaume Premier Cru 2008
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceExpect this bottle to punch above its classification and price. The nose is bright and zesty with lemon, floral, honey, spicy notes mixed with grassy, pear and apple aromas. We love the rich, juicy, creamy acidity and full lime, green apple, pear skin, grassy, lees, nutty, mineral flavours. The finish is long, juicy and creamy. Very fine quality here that will only improve with age. Top effort for a 1er Cru. Finish under a Diam cork.Prices:| BC | $53.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $55.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
William Fèvre Chablis Montmains Premier Cru Domaine 2008
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceLight orange, seaweed, mineral, floral, lime, spice aromas. Round, rich, full, juicy, creamy palate with seaweed, green apple, oyster, lime, spicy flavours. Long, rich, juicy finish, will improve with age, very fine.Prices:| BC | $47.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
William Fèvre Chablis Beauroy Premier Cru Domaine 2008
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceFloral, lime, lees, oyster shell aromas, quite delicate. Round, fresh, juicy palate with a creamy texture. Lemon, green apple, lees, light seaweed flavours. Very clean with good vibrancy and body.Prices:| BC | $47.00 | 750ml |
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95PTS
William Fèvre Chablis Les Clos Grand Cru Domaine 2008
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceThere something about Le Clos that attracts you immediately to Chablis. Expect an enticing mix of honey, floral, spicy fruit aromas with lime, seashell, butter, waxy, ripe apple and peach scents. Full, ripe, rich, juicy, creamy palate, quite ripe. Floral, lime, green apple, orange, seashore, seashell, mineral flavours. Long, juicy, tight, excellent concentration, will age well. Outstanding quality that may merit a higher score down the road in a year or two. The Fèvre Grand Cru's all showed exceptionally well, very few marks difference between them. The edge goes to Les Clos and Les Preuses but there is only a 1 point separation between any of them.Prices:| BC | $99.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $86.00 | 750ml |
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95PTS
William Fèvre Les Preuses Chablis Grand Cru Domaine 2008
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceLike all the Fèvre wines the nose has big floral component with lime, lemon, spice, lees, oyster shell and seaweed aromas. The palate is rich, round and elegant with juicy, concentrated but lots of finesse. Floral, creamy, spicy lees, lime, green apple, oyster shell, lemon, vanilla, grassy flavours. Long and very fine, has concentration and finesse.Prices:| BC | $86.00 | 750ml |
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95PTS
William Fèvre Chablis Bougros Côte Bouguerots Grand Cru Domaine 2008
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceOrange, lime, floral, spicy, seashell, lees, granny smith aromas. Rich, round, good concentration, full, juicy palate. Seashell, seaweed, granny smith, lime, spicy, lees, honey flavours with creamy acidity. Very fine, will age and improve well. Bougros Côte Bouguerots makes up 2.11 ha of 12.6 ha Bougros appellation. Impressive bottle.Prices:| BC | $89.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $77.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $92.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
William Fèvre Chablis Les Lys Premier Cru Domaine 2008
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceLight lees, floral, seashore, lemon, green apple, honey aromas. Round, dry, fresh, juicy and creamy with green apple, spicy, lime, mineral, seashell, smoky, grassy flavours. Very good concentration and acidity with a juicy finish but needs time to fill out.Prices:| BC | $47.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
William Fèvre Chablis Bougros Grand Cru Domaine 2008
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceFloral, granny smith, lime, leesy, sea shore, peach skin aromas. Fresh, creamy, juicy, vibrant palate. Orange, lime, floral, creamy, spicy lees, mineral, smoky seashell flavours. Very long, juicy, full finish, great fruit and finesse. Will improve. The Fèvre Bougros comes off 4.12 ha of 12.6 total hectares. At Fèvre all grand crus are barrel fermented and closed under cork.Prices:| BC | $77.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
William Fèvre Vaillons 1er Cru Chablis Domaine 2008
Chablis, Burgundy, FrancePartly barrel fermented in older French oak and some stainless steel to add freshness. Look for green apple, spicy, floral oyster notes with a touch of anise. Round, dry, crisp, juicy palate with good texture and focus. Oyster shell, lime, lees, granny smith, floral flavours. Classy, tart, zippy style but with fine concentration. Terrific food wine.Prices:| BC | $42.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
William Fèvre Montée de Tonnerre 1er Cru Chablis 2008
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceFloral, pear, green apple, seaweed, honey, anise aromas. Fresh, crisp, delicate, juicy palate with green apple, mineral, oyster shell, lime, light lees flavours. More refined, tarter and delicate than the Les Lys and will need a bit of time to catch up.Prices:| BC | $53.00 | 750ml |
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12 February 2010
86PTS
Lindemans Bin 95 Sauvignon Blanc 2009
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaThis bin has impressed for several vintages now for the price. Always consistently fresh this dry, grassy nettle-scented white flecked with bits of citrus, green apple and lemons. Made for the patio and summer sipping but it is similarly at home with oysters.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $12.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $13.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $13.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $13.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Ogier Côtes du Rhône Heritages Rouge 2007
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceFrom a great year in the Rhone the '07 CdR from Ogier opens with a meaty spicy nose, a supple, ripe palate with fine acidity. Look for a black cherry, plum and liquorice flavours with a spicy, mineral finish with great fruit and fine balance. A great dinner wine. Continued solid value.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.25 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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11 February 2010
85PTS
Finca Flichman Misterio Cabernet Sauvignon Oak Aged Roble 2009
Mendoza, ArgentinaWarm smoky leafy nose with bits of tobacco and spice. The entry is soft and round with more peppery, smoky, leafy, black fruit flavours and a soft warm finish. Simple easy-sipping hamburger red.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $8.00 | 750ml |
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06 February 2010
88PTS
Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandGooseberry, grapefruit, light asparagus, kiwi, green apple, passion fruit aromas but somewhat less intense. Round, crisp, elegant, dry, slightly austere style. Canned asparagus, gooseberry, nettle, grapefruit, grassy, green apple and butter flavours. Very solid but seems to lack a bit of concentration and viscosity this vintage.Prices:| BC | $31.50 | 750ml |
| AB | $29.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $35.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $28.00 | 750ml |
| QUE | $35.75 | 750ml |
| NB | $35.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Castello di Bossi Chianti Classico 2006
Castelnuovo Berardenga, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyOpen smoky, black cherry, meaty, liquorice nose with resin, pepper, floral, pruny, leather nose. Dry, round, slightly tannic and lean but elegant with fresh acidity and fruity cherry, coffee, liquorice cedar-y, tobacco flavours. The finish is a bit rustic and tight, needs 2-3 years to round out or serve with grilled meat now. A solid and balanced of what is a modern style sangiovese.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Tormaresca Chardonnay 2007
Puglia, ItalyPeach, butter, floral, citrus, lime, nutty, gooseberry nose. Crisp, round, slightly oily palate but a bit austere and juicy. Green apple, peach pit, light butter, lime, grapefruit, smoky pear flavours. A cooler, fresher style for seafood and more elegant than the last vintages. Good value.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $14.19 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Melini Chianti 2007
Tuscany, ItalyPeppery, spicy, black cherry, tobacco, rooty, meaty nose with a floral note. Round, dry, supple, full, fresh palate with plum, black cherry, licorice, tobacco, peppery, meaty, coffee flavours. Good fruit intensity, fine value in basic Chianti for meat or pasta.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.25 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Rodney Strong Chardonnay Reserve 2007
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesFloral, honey, citrus, nutty, toasty, melon, vanilla, creamy, baked green apple and pear aromas. Fresh, round, elegant, juicy palate with good acidity and finesse. Creamy, nutty, nectarine, toasty, honey, butter, citrus, vanilla and green apple flavours with a salty note. A touch warm on the finish but has fine balance and finesse with good, bright, cool fruit characters and juicy acidity. Solid value.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
| US | $37.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Inniskillin Okanagan Discovery Series Marsanne Roussanne 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, floral, green apple, citrus, peach skin, honey, ginger and mineral aromas. Round, ripe, fresh, elegant palate with some sweetness and a touch of oiliness. Lemon, orange, honey, ginger, rose, spicy, baked peach, quince flavours. Good finesse and elegance, just finishes too sweet despite nice acidity balance. Similar to last vintage.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Inniskillin Okanagan Pinot Blanc Dark Horse Estate Vineyard 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPear, floral, dry slate, quince, lemon oil aromas. Soft, round, dry, and warm with a slightly oily texture but fresh acidity. Green apple skin, slate, chalky, pear, floral, lemon grass flavours. Good intensity but a bit warm and austere on the finish.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Inniskillin Okanagan Pinot Blanc Reserve 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGrapefruit, grassy, passion fruit, slate, melon, floral, lemon oil aromas, very fresh. Crisp, juicy, fresh and round palate with green apple, grapefruit rind, passion fruit, butter and melon flavours. More sauvignon blanc in character but a solid seafood white.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Inniskillin Okanagan Chardonnay Reserve 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, floral, green apple, citrus, peach skin, honey, ginger and mineral aromas. Round, ripe, fresh, elegant palate with some sweetness and a touch of oiliness. Lemon, orange, honey, ginger, rose, spicy, baked peach, quince flavours. Good finesse and elegance, just finishes too sweet despite nice acidity balance. Similar to last vintage.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.60 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Bonterra Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
North Coast Region, California, United StatesLook for a big four-square style of cabernet with some grip-py tannins on entry and on the palate. Expect intense, spicy, black fruit flavours with bits of cedar, cranberry and cassis. Somewhat chunky and rustic this certified, organic red will work best with a steak of braised beef ribs.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $21.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Tyrrell's Vat 47 Hunter Chardonnay 2007
Hunter, New South Wales, AustraliaGreen apple, lime, butter, nutty lees, melon, vanilla, spicy, pear, nectarine aromas. Round, crisp, fresh, slightly oily texture and slightly austere yet a touch of sweetness. Lots of citrus, green apple, pear, melon, nutty lees and butter flavours with a vanilla, waxy, peach skin finish. Good finesse and elegance, will age 2-5 years.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Cooralook Pinot Noir 2008
Victoria, AustraliaAn interesting blend of cool region fruit (Strathbogie [88] and Mornington Peninsula [12]) this offers a spicy, carrot top, cherry, strawberry, liquorice nose with bits of tobacco and rhubarb with a floral, meaty streak. The palate is dry and supple with juicy fruit flavours of strawberry jam and cherry and spicy, vanilla, tobacco, compost, liquorice and orange flecks. A bit warm on the finish but has good finesse and fruit with a pinch of tannins. Good now but will improve over the next 1-3 years. Very solid and fine value in pinot.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Rosemount Chardonnay 2008
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaButter, baked peach, floral, citrus, apple, leesy aromas. Round, fresh, easy palate with some sweetness. Grapefruit, butter, melon rind, red apple, light lees flavours. Simple, easy, clean easy sipping style for current consumption.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $17.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $15.49 | 750ml |
| NF | $16.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $17.50 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Cecchi Chianti Natio 2007
Tuscany, ItalyMade from organic grapes, this offers up a spicy, peppery, floral, tobacco, smoky, meaty, dried plum, black cherry, liquorice and barnyard nose, good aromatics. Dry, elegant, slightly lean palate with light tannins but fresh and juicy. Black cherry, meaty, floral, liquorice, plum, peppery, leather flavours. A bit more austere style but has great fruit and some finesse for straight Chianti. Good value. Try with lamb or beef or a lasagne.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Cecchi Chianti Classico 2006
Tuscany, ItalySpicy, plum, liquorice, cedar, tobacco, leather, cherry, meaty, resin, rooty, floral nose. Ripe, dry, round, slightly tannic palate with good finesse and fresh acidity. Plum, black cherry, resin, liquorice, meaty, tobacco, leather, earthy flavours. Good balance and intensity, just a bit short and dry on the finish. Will go well with grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Yering Station Pinot Noir 2005
Yarra Valley, Victoria, AustraliaCelery salt, spicy, tobacco, herbal, cherry, cedar, rooty, strawberry aromas with a touch of barnyard. Round, dry, supple palate with fresh juicy acidity and a velvety texture. Warm with rhubarb, raspberry, tobacco leaf, dried herbs, licorice, celery salt, cedar and leather flavours. Good intensity with a slightly warm, tart finish but has good finesse and delicacy. Good value in mature, ready to roll pinot from down under.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Deen De Bortoli Vat 8 Shiraz 2006
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaRooty, licorice, cola, meaty, peppery, tobacco, floral and blackberry jam aromas. Round, smooth, tart, slightly sweet palate with blackberry jam, plum, liquorice, coffee, vanilla, rooty, tobacco, floral flavours. Simple, easy, fruity tutti style with a crisp finish.Prices:| BC | $16.49 | 750ml |
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85PTS
De Bortoli dB Petite Sirah 2007
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaPeppery, boysenberry, black cherry, rooty, licorice, leafy, floral nose. Round, fresh palate with light, grainy tannins. Tobacco, boysenberry jam, black cherry, iodine, liquorice, coffee, earthy flavours. A bit sweet and sour on the finish but has good fruit and balance. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Torres Salmos Priorat 2006
Priorato, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainLiquorice, black cherry jam, tobacco, earthy, spicy, smoky, plum, sausage meat, floral nose. Round, dry, supple but grainy tannins with good juicy acidity but warm. Chocolate, peppery, black berry jam, black cherry, tobacco, liquorice, spicy, dried herbs and vanilla flavours. Good concentration and fruit if a bit warm and fresh on the finish. Well matched for pork or lamb and should improve for 2-3 years.Prices:| BC | $39.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $32.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Man Vintners Shiraz 2007
Coastal Region, South AfricaSpicy, meaty, smoky, menthol, liquorice root, floral, black plum jam with a hint of tobacco and leather. Round, fresh, slightly warm and tart palate with blueberry, black berry jam, coffee, smoky, savoury, meaty, liquorice, vanilla cream flavours. Much more Oz in ripeness and styling and has solid fruit offering good value in the category.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Wyndham Estate Bin 515 Shiraz Viognier 2006
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaBig black pepper, leather, licorice, rooty, spicy, garrigue, meaty, savoury, blackberry nose. Full, round, fresh, slightly warm and sweet with rosemary, resin, licorice, coffee, peppery, spicy, black plum, smoky leather flavours. The finish is very warm and slightly flat but there's lots of savoury aromatics and intensity to have with your grilled lamb or pork.Prices:| BC | $17.50 | 750ml |
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85PTS
J. Bouchon Carmenere Syrah Reserva 2008
Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileVery spicy, sappy cassis, menthol, tobacco, meaty, roasted pepper, green olive nose. Round, full, supple palate with cassis, black cherry, cedar, menthol, tobacco leaf, green olive flavours. Finish is warm and a bit sweet and sour but balanced. The carmenère dominates at this point. Solid consumer wine.Prices:| BC | $12.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Unfiltered 2005
Napa Valley, California, United StatesIntense cassis, cedar, tobacco, herbal, prune, leather, coffee, vanilla, floral, blackberry jam nose with a very spicy, white pepper and barnyard streak. Rich, ripe, round, full and warm palate but tight and somewhat tart with grainy, cedar-y tannins. Very rich cassis, coffee, cedar bark, tobacco, earthy, chocolate, black olive, resin, dried herb, barnyard, leather flavours. The finish is very warm and tart with tannins to shed. Like the fruit and complexity but not the balance and alcohol. This needs 3-5 years to shed the very dry, hard finish. A departure in style, almost Oz like.Prices:| BC | $140.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2006
Sonoma County, California, United StatesBig cassis, dusty, coffee, cedar, vanilla, earthy, tobacco, blackberry jam, pruny, peppery, chocolate nose but very lifted and warm. Rich, smooth, round, unctuous palate with dry, grainy tannins and very warm. Intense cedar-y, peppery, smoky, coffee, resin, cassis jam, blackberry jam, tobacco, dried herb flavours. No lack of intensity here but the finish is very dry, hot, and somewhat bitter with acidity poking out. Needs two to four years. Best with meat and be sure to serve a bit cool to offset the lofty alcohol.Prices:| BC | $64.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $49.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $59.95 | 750ml |
| US | $40.00 | 750ml |
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March 2010