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Tastings: March 2010
30 March 2010
88PTS
Porcupine Ridge Syrah 2008
Coastal Region, South AfricaThree vineyards sights Malmesbury, Wellington and specifically at Boekenhoutskloof are the source of this well made syrah. Eight months in French oak reduces the wild character and sets up a pleasant, floral nose with bits of liquorice. On the palate it is fresh, the tannins soft and the flavours a mix of meaty, spicy, savoury and black fruit with a twist of barnyard. Take it to the next barbecue and watch it disappear.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $17.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.85 | 750ml |
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29 March 2010
88PTS
Santa Carolina Dry Farmed Carignan 2008
Valle de Cauquenes, Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileLast time I was in Chile the surprise was carignan. You will love the peppery, black cherry, clove, floral, sage scented fruit here flecked with bit of orange and roasted coffee bean aromas. Round, supple, easy and dry on the palate it comes with an agreeable freshness (acidity). Its orange, chalky, black raspberry jam, spicy, tobacco, herbal flavours with the light coffee notes and a savoury finish flashes the buy signal. Simple but well made with solid fruit expression and intensity. Grown on dry-framed, 80+ year old vines. Good value.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Stone Cellars Chardonnay 2008
California, United StatesStone Cellars continues to evolve down the leaner, less oak road. The nose is fruity with bits of apple, spice and brown sugar. Creamy lees marks the mid-palate textures with more apple fruit and a bit of oak and vanilla in the back end. There is a touch of bitterness in an otherwise pleasant finish.Prices:| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $15.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $14.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Mazzei Badiola 2007
Tuscany, ItalyBadiola (vineyard) is a 70/30 blend of sangiovese and merlot that spends about nine months in barriques. Look for the classic earthy mushroom Tuscan nose with a small floral component, pepper, tobacco and cherry aromas. The palate is resoundingly dry and fresh with meaty peppery, licorice root flavours with sour cherries and more tobacco leaf flavours. This is a food wine in the good sense. Try with a mushroom dish or spaghetti Bolognese. Would love to see the artificial cork disappear.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $20.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Farnese Sangiovese Daunia 2008
Moro River Valley, Abruzzo, ItalyFarnese has always found a way of getting fairly decent juice into a bottle at a very fair price as is the case with this '08 sangiovese from Abruzzi. The warmer climes add a little heft to the sangiovese. The rest is simply a bit of roasted earth, a touch of plums and hint of spice. The good news is the palate refreshes as the wine slide downs. As good as it gets for $9.Prices:| BC | $9.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Desert Wind Ruah 2007
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesRuah is a Bordeaux style blind that mixes 48/36/16 merlot/cabernet sauvignon/cabernet franc from a very warm Wahluke Slope site. Look for classic aromatic cedar, Washington dried herb aromas with coffee, cedar, blackberry fruit with bits of liquorice and earth on the palate. The finish is a touch lean with slightly bitter notes. Best with grilled meats or after dinner with soft cheeses. The name Ruah comes from the ancient Hebrew for wind, breath, or spirit.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Deinhard Sparkling Diamant NV
Easily the coolest new product I've seen in wine in quite a while. At the equivalent of $19 a bottle this 200mL brushed aluminum bottle with a crown cap is ultra-cool looking and feels equally stylish in your hand. Best of all this "aerated semi-sparkling wine obtained by adding carbon dioxide: it says so on the side of the tin can, is bright and fresh on the nose with peachy/strawberry fruit and citrus. Try it with spicy Asian fare with a flute or with a straw.Prices:| BC | $4.75 | 200ml |
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27 March 2010
88PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Pinot Gris 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe latest MHFE is pale yellow with a hint of pink. The nose is an attractive mix of florals, pink grapefruit, butter, green apple, peach and nutty, chalky aromas. Round, dry, fresh palate with some elegance and juiciness with just a hint of austerity. Gooseberry, grapefruit, green apple, butter, melon rind, citrus, canned fruit, tropical flavours. Good solid style if a bit light. Try with scallops or sole.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Mionetto Prosecco Brut NV
Veneto, ItalyCitrus, peach, floral, apple skin, honey aromas. Fresh, crisp, off dry palate with light, foamy mousse. More citrus peel, peach, almond, floral, honey flavours with a juicy, green apple finish. A touch sweet but good juicy acidity makes it fun.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Beato Bartolomeo Breganze Prosecco Vespaiolo Vino Frizzante NV
Veneto, ItalyFloral, almond, toasty, peach skin, baked apple aromas. Rich, round, somewhat fresh and foamy palate with baked peach, almond, brioche, apple and rose petal flavours. Nice intensity of fruit but a bit sweeter style finish but good acidity.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Castello di Gabbiano Pinot Grigio 2008
Friuli-Venezia Giulia, ItalyFloral, apple, quince, citrus, earthy aromas. Round, dry, fresh palate with nutty, citrus, nectarine skin, spicy flavours with a touch of butter but short finish. Simple, food style at a fair price. This delicate nature of this wine would blossom under screwcap.Prices:| BC | $11.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $14.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $12.20 | 750ml |
| PEI | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $14.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Bollini Pinot Grigio Trentino 2008
Volano, Trento, Trentino- Alto-Adige, ItalyHoney, nutty, floral, quince, pear, anise, mineral aromas. Round, fresh, easy style with a hint of sweetness. Pear, nutty, quince, lemon, floral, spicy, butter flavours. Good richness with a slightly austere, tart finish. Not quite as expansive as the previous year but still good.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $17.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Armani Cabernet Franc Claps 2007
Friuli-Venezia Giulia, ItalyHerbal, leafy, coffee, caraway, buttery lactic, cranberry aromas. Dry, thin, lean palate but elegant. Cranberry, spicy, herbal, tobacco flavours. Simple, light, somewhat fresh Euro style but likely to skinny even for who prefer the leaner style.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Santa Cristina Antinori Pinot Grigio 2008
Sicily, ItalyNutty, lemon, spicy, floral, quince, nectarine aromas. Soft, fresh, round palate with juicy apple, nectarine, lemon, mineral, floral flavours. Good characters but it is so obvious it would benefit from a screwcap for more freshness and fruit lift.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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80PTS
Maipe Malbec 2008
Mendoza, ArgentinaWeird green apple, cherry, spicy, peppery, somewhat volatile nose. Round, tart, rustic palate with herbal, peppery, bruised apple flavours. Bizarre, commercial mix and unbalanced.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Di Lenardo Vineyards Pinot Grigio dal Vigneto Vigne dai Vieris 2008
Friuli-Venezia Giulia, ItalySpicy, floral, lemon, nutty, honey, pear aromas. Round, dry, elegant palate with mineral, buttery, pear, nutty, melon rind, spicy, apple skin flavours. Solid style if a bit light.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Diego Murillo Malbec 2009
Alto Valle del Río Negro, Rio Negro, Patagonia, ArgentinaMeaty, peppery, tobacco leaf, savoury, black cherry, cola, rooty aromas. Round, supple, dry but somewhat tart palate with light tannins. Chalky, herbal, savoury, peppery, tobacco leaf, meaty, reduced flavours. Regression of style unfortunately.Prices:| BC | $10.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Cave de Tain Saint Joseph Esprit de Granit 2005
Crozes Hermitage, Northern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FrancePruny oxidation, try another.Prices:| BC | $34.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Rolling Shiraz 2007
Central Ranges, New South Wales, AustraliaSpicy, coffee, cola, blueberry, resin, meaty, tobacco leaf aromas. Round, rich, somewhat sweet and sour palate with peppery, meaty, reduced, cola, resin, blueberry, tobacco leaf flavours. Finish is tart and slightly astringent.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Primo'V Prosecco Extra Dry NV
Treviso, Verona, Veneto, ItalyKosher approved. Lots of fine, white mousse. Very floral, peach, lemon, grassy, nutty, apple skin aromas. Fresh, crisp, slightly sweet entry with some fine, foamy mousse. Red apple, honey, peach skin, citrus, buttery flavours. Fun, fresh, elegant style for apéritif.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Hester Creek Reserve Cabernet Franc 2006
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCigar, smoky, cranberry, earthy, leather, black olive, caraway, barnyard, cedar aromas. Dry, moderately rich, slightly tart palate with grainy tannins. Smoky, coffee, savoury, vanilla, cranberry, cherry, tobacco, meaty, leather flavours. Somewhat rustic and chunky style for grilled meat.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Trapiche Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2007
Mendoza, ArgentinaPeppery, cassis, meaty, rooty, earthy, smoky, licorice aromas. Round, dry, slightly thin and tart palate. Coffee, dried herbs, cassis, tobacco leaf, black olive, resiny flavours. Finish is tart, warm and chalky.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $10.00 | 750ml |
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81PTS
Osborne Solaz Tempranillo Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Valdepeñas, Castilla-La Mancha, SpainCherry, cassis, peppery, candied green apple, floral aromas. Raw, somewhat tart and disjointed palate with herbal, leafy, tobacco, olive, cassis, tea leaf flavours. Tart, thin finish. No charm here.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.45 | 750ml |
| QC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $12.70 | 750ml |
| SK | $13.40 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $13.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $14.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Osborne Solaz Shiraz Tempranillo 2007
Valdepeñas, Castilla-La Mancha, SpainSpicy, peppery, blueberry, tobacco, dried herb, aromas. Fresh, round, somewhat tart palate but fruity with floral, cherry, blueberry, soapy, herbal, tobacco flavours. Chalky, slightly buttery finish. Simple barbecue red.Prices:| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $10.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Inniskillin Okanagan Discovery Series Petit Verdot 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVery peppery, inky, savoury, vanilla, poultry spice, earthy, black cherry aromas. Round, dry, fresh, supple palate with light tannins. Cassis, black cherry, savoury, vanilla, spicy, floral, coffee, chalky flavours. Good intensity and length. Should improve over the next year or so and soften out the light black tea tannins. Well done. A real discovery.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Inniskillin Okanagan Discovery Series Malbec 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAttractive correct smoky, savoury nose with peppery, plum roasted mushroom, rooty, tobacco aromas. Round, dry, supple, slightly tart palate. Cherry, orange, tobacco, carrot top, savoury, coffee, herbal, resin flavours. Finish is a bit herbal but has good varietal expression. Only 575 cases made. Good effort.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Flor Prosecco NV
Veneto, ItalyCorked, try another.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Bonterra Vineyards Syrah 2006
Mendocino County, California, United StatesCorked, try another.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Lustau East India Solera Sherry NV
Sherry Jerez - Manzanilla, SpainNice walnut, ruby colour. Spicy, toffee, walnut, dried citrus peel, chocolate, cedar, tobacco nose with some flor character. Rich, full, round, somewhat sweet style but good acidity. Big rancio, walnut, toffee, orange peel, cedar, tobacco, earthy, peppery flavours with some chocolate in the finish. Lots of intensity here for desserts or spicy food.Prices:| BC | $32.99 | 500ml |
| ON | $24.00 | 500ml |
| QC | $24.00 | 500ml |
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86PTS
Joel Gott Sauvignon Blanc 2008
California, United StatesBig grapefruit rind, sweaty, gooseberry, jalapeno, green apple, nettle aromas. Round, fresh, somewhat sweet entry with canned grapefruit, gooseberry, sweaty, grassy, lemon nettle flavours. Solid if a bit commercial.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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26 March 2010
88PTS
Kris Pinot Grigio 2008
Veneto, ItalyFresh floral, spicy, green apple skin, lemon oil, mineral aromas. Soft, round, rich, slightly buttery palate with pear, nutty, butter, honey, mineral, apple skin flavours. Finish is round but crisp with good finesse but more austere for food.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Castillo de Monséran Viura 2007
Cariñena, Aragon, SpainEarthy, menthol, grassy, gooseberry, grapefruit, lime aromas. Fresh, crisp, clean palate but a bit lean. Lime, grapefruit, gooseberry, passion fruit, nutty flavours. Finish is very floral with passion fruit and a crisp finish. Offers good intensity and length for the money but is a food wine, try with grilled squid, clams or anchovies. Excellent value for the student of wine.Prices:| BC | $10.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $9.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Ganton & Larson Prospect Winery Major Allan Merlot 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCherry, peppery, tobacco leaf, cedar bark, herbal aromas. Dry, fresh, round palate with light tannins. Cedar, vanilla, dill, cherry, rhubarb, coffee, rooty flavours. Simple, somewhat tart style that needs food.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Hester Creek Reserve Merlot 2006
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaResin, cola, roasted cherry, coffee, rooty, sausage, vanilla aromas. Dry, slightly lean, tart, full palate and warm. Sour cherry, espresso, tobacco leaf, dill, black olive, herbal flavours. Finish is quite oaky and tart.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Inniskillin Okanagan Merlot Reserve 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeppery, rooty, plum, tobacco, cedar, dried herbs, smoky, vanilla, coffee aromas. Round, supple, fresh palate with light tannins. Coffee, peppery, black olive, dill, cedar, tobacco, leather, prune flavours. Solid if a bit lean and green on the finish.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Inniskillin Okanagan Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeppery, spicy, clove, vanilla, coffee, cassis, green olive, leather, smoky herb aromas. Dry, fresh, slightly tart palate with light tannins. Cedar, dusty, earth, coffee, leather, herbal, tart cassis, olive flavours. A bit oaky and tart but has cab character.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaHmm another improved red form Mission Hill. Look for an attractive spicy, cassis, black cherry, leather, coffee, and tobacco nose sprinkles with dried herbs, smoky aromas. Fresh, crisp, dry, elegant but tight palate with cassis, cranberry, leather, coffee, peppery, licorice, rooty, leather and vanilla flavours. Very juicy and a bit oaky with some light green tea tannins to shed. Good fruit character now but it will improve as it ages in bottle. Try it now with grilled beef.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $26.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $23.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Robin Ridge Merlot 2006
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCoffee, cola, tobacco, peppery, cooked rhubarb, barnyard, leather and cedar aromas. Tart, slightly astringent palate with reduced, peppery, cola, coffee, sour cherry, resin, cedar and dried herbal flavours. The finish is soft but with a green undercurrent.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Villa Teresa Merlot (Organic) 2008
Veneto, ItalyBig dill, green olive, tobacco leaf, rooty aromas. Round, soft, sweet and sour palate with green olives, tobacco leaf, tomato, leafy, resin flavours. Disappointing and probably why the organic moniker is as much a detriment as it can be a benefit.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Pink Elephant Rosé 2008
PortugalLight orange ruby colour. Spicy, licorice, floral, cherry, peppery, citrus aromas. Fresh, crisp, tart palate with pomegranate, rhubarb, raspberry, mineral, spicy flavours. Very crisp, simple style that will handle most foods. Solid value.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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25 March 2010
91PTS
Domaine de Beaurenard Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2007
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceBlack pepper, garrigue, smoky, spicy, black cherry, plum, meaty, orange peel, floral aromas. Full, round, soft, supple and fresh with good acidity and soft tannin structure. Black cherry, orange, plum, floral, licorice, peppery, garrigue flavours. Very fruit, elegant, long, pure finish with good acidity and balance. Drink now-5 years. Great for modern consumers. Good value.Prices:| BC | $55.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $45.95 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Domaine de Beaurenard Boisrenard Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2007
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceAll the different grapes are harvested and fermented together and barrel fermented. Floral, spicy, honey, apricot, vanilla, lemon, mineral, ginger, almond aromas. Rich, ripe, round, elegant and fresh palate with a light oily texture, quite delicate. Spicy, mineral, chalky, floral, apricot, ginger, quince, citrus, nutty flavours. A tad warm but very good finesse and balance, long and fresh. Only 10 barrels made. Drink now or 10 years down the road.Prices:| BC | $87.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $88.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Domaine de Beaurenard Boisrenard Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2007
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceSmoky, black pepper, garrigue, floral meaty, black cherry jam, licorice root aromas. Ripe, rich round and supple with good acidity yet elegant and full. Persistent and long flavours of vanilla, orange, cherry jam, black berry confiture, smoky, peppery, meaty, spicy flavours. Very fine fruit and structure, more acid and tannins than the regular version.Prices:| BC | $94.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $89.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Domaine de Beaurenard Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2006
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceVery peppery, spicy, tobacco, licorice, meaty, black cherry, orange peel, garrigue, smoky aromas. Round, ripe, dry, supple and forward but has an austere edge. Big licorice, gamey, garrigue, peppery, smoky, menthol, tobacco, orange, black cherry flavours. Good concentration, a bit warm but balanced. Drink now-4 years.Prices:| BC | $55.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $45.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Domaine de Beaurenard Côtes du Rhône 2007
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceMostly grenache with a bit of syrah and cinsault. Spicy, black cherry, orange, licorice, peppery, meaty aromas. Round, dry, elegant and supple palate, a forward style. Cherry jam, orange, spicy, peppery, licorice flavours. Soft, dry, slightly austere finish. A bit restrained but good for food.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.00 | 750ml |
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23 March 2010
89PTS
CrossBarn by Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Napa Valley, California, United StatesCedar, barnyard, tobacco, eucalyptus, coffee, peppery, meaty, cologne, cassis aromas. Ripe, round, full, warm and supple palate with light grainy tannins and good acidity. Cassis jam, blackberry, coffee, chocolate, vanilla, herbal, peppery, pruny, cedar, menthol flavours with a touch of leather. Warm but good fruit and finesse for current drinking.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $52.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $35.00 | 750ml |
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21 March 2010
87PTS
Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2009
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileThe latest Veramonte blanc is a Kiwi Marlborough look-a-like with its herby, floral, gooseberry nose. On the palate the entry is clean, with tart, juicy gooseberry fruit flecked with dried herbs and bits of bitter citrus rind. A little less fruit forward this year but still solid.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.25 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Sebastiani Unoaked Chardonnay 2007
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesA definite departure from the standard Sebastiani oak bombs, and I mean that in a nice way. The fruit is just cleared more focused with the citrus and green apple notes jumping to the fore with some delicious nectarine and grapefruit notes. There's nothing thin or tinny about this wine the textures are creamy and smooth and it will be perfect with prawns, scallops, shrimps or pork.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Armonia Verdejo-Viura 2009
Rueda, Castilla-Leon, SpainFloral, melon, butter, apple, grassy, lemon aromas. Round, fresh, light, elegant style with some sweetness on entry. Bright melon, nectarine, grapefruit, lemon flavours streaked with floral, honey flavours. A bit sweet on the finish but has good fruit intensity for the money. Drink all summer. Good value.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Escudo Rojo Chardonnay 2007
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileAttractive sweet fruit style with ripe pears and flecks of orange rind in the aromas and flavours. The oak is a bit dominant at this point but that shouldn't scare off most consumers who like a bit of vanilla. Generally fresh and floral which helps with the super ripe fruit flavours in the finish. Drink now.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Liberty School Chardonnay 2007
California, United StatesMonterey chardonnay remains undervalued as evidenced by the broader Central Coast tag on the label which doesn't make me want to buy this wine, but buy it you should. The chardonnay fruit used here come out of the Santa Lucia Highlands in Monterey's Salinas Valley. Two-thirds is barrel fermented in 50/50 French and American oak and there is no malolactic fermentation allowed to keep it fresh. The wine is bright and fresh on the palate with plenty of juicy citrus fruit and the odd fleck of orange rind. Roast chicken is the perfect foil here. Pricey. Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $26.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Casa de Campo Reserve Torrontés 2008
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy, orange, ginger, lemon, melon aromas. Round, slightly oily palate but it is a tad flat. Ginger, orange, spicy, earthy, lees flavours. Simple, easy style but a bit lacking in varietal intensity. Still under cork which makes it a less attractive buy when it comes to aromatic wines.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $16.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Marquis Phillips Holly's Blend 2007
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaRound, light, slightly sweet and rindy palate with canned grapefruit, gooseberry, melon, grassy, lime and butter flavours. A forward, easy style with a blend of tropical and cool, grassy fruit characters. Good value.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Fuzion Chenin-Torrontés 2009
ArgentinaSpicy, floral, orange, nectarine, mango, ginger aromas. Crisp, fresh, just off dry palate but juicy with lime, ginger, green apple, lemon, sausage and floral flavours. A simple, delicate, fresh style for any seafood or summer occasion. Fun and great value - and under screwcap to boot.Prices:| BC | $9.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $8.49 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Van Westen Vineyards Vivacious 2008
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, melon, green apple, spicy, peach aromas. Round, fresh, elegant palate with some sweetness. Honey, grassy, butter, melon rind, apple flavours. A simple, easy-sipping style or with appetizers. Vivacious is mostly pinot blanc with a small amount of pinot gris.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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20 March 2010
88PTS
Oyster Bay Pinot Noir 2008
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandOyster Bay Pinot Noir 2008, Marlborough - As always there is intense varietal pinot fruit character on the nose with bits of spice and curry. The palate is silky smooth and packed full of sweet, round, plummy fruit that slides down easily. The finish is equally supple with dry savoury, earthy red fruit notes. Duck or chicken. Given the dollar and the production this wine would own the market at $19. At $25 it is probably a little less sustainable as an everyday pinot or wine list star. Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $27.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $30.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $24.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Escarpment The Edge Pinot Noir 2008
Martinborough, Wairarapa, North Island, New ZealandAnother, introductory, baby brother label designed to get your foot into the market and an unfortunate necessity in Canada. The Edge is a delicious mix of red and black fruits, with just the right spicing and an undercurrent of French oak for support. Its attractive silky slippery flavours can distract you from the structure and fruit that is surprising for the price.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Ata Rangi Crimson Pinot Noir 2008
Martinborough, Wairarapa, North Island, New ZealandCrimson may be the archetypal New World pinot noir, half Burgundy, the good half and half New World, again the best half. The nose and palate are in synch sharing a spicy, black fruit character and a long silky smooth texture from front to back with moderate tannins and a dry, earthy, savoury note throughout. Easy to drink now. More than an introductory wine. Good value. Should be on every restaurant list in the city.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Coudoulet de Beaucastel Rouge 2007
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceOpen meaty, chocolate, peppery nose with black cherry jam, garrigue, floral, raspberry aromas and black liquorice. Fresh, round, dry, supple palate with light tannins and excellent finesse. Black raspberry, black plum, liquorice, chocolate, peppery, licorice, meaty, dried herbs and orange peel flavours. Finish is long and warm with good fruit. A baby Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Drinkable now but will improve with a few years of age in the bottle.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $32.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $31.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $29.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $37.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Trapiche Malbec Single Vineyard Viña Federico Villafane 2006
La Consulta, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBig peppery, liquorice, black cherry, savoury, vanilla nose with clove, coffee, tobacco and strong floral undercurrents. Rich, full, round, supple palate with ripe, fine-grained tannins. More coffee, vanilla, black cherry, plum, liquorice, poultry spice, tobacco, mineral, cedar flavours. Good length and finesse without being heavy or alcoholic. A stylish effort that will further improve with 2-5 years of bottle age. Bravo Argentina.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $34.00 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Doña Paula Malbec Selección de Bodega 2005
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaCorked, try another.Prices:| AB | $40.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Doña Paula Estate Malbec 2008
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaThe best yet from the Dona Paula "estate" malbec that will be poured at the 2010 Playhouse Wine Festval. Love the spicy, savoury, vanilla, sage, coffee nose laced with black cherry jam, liquorice and tobacco notes. The palate is round and fresh with a rich, lightly tannic palate. Lots of chocolate, vanilla, sage, tobacco, dried herbs, black cherry, plum, orange flavours speckled with poultry spice and fresh fruit. Fine intensity and balance should allow this to age gracefully. Well done.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $20.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $18.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Famille Perrin Côtes du Rhône Rouge Réserve 2007
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceOpen pepper, meaty, spicy, garrigue scented nose with black cherry, raspberry, liquorice root aromas. Round, dry, elegant, forward style with good texture and structure. Black cherry, liquorice, dark plums and savoury mineral, exotic orange, meaty flavours. Good intensity and finesse on the finish. Good value in the category.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $16.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Famille Perrin Vacqueyras Les Christins 2007
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceLiquorice, chocolate, orange, cherry confiture, barnyard, leather, garrigue, meaty aromas. Ripe, rich, round, supple palate but dry with light tannins and good finesse. Warm with big chocolate, red liquorice and meaty, savoury orange flavours. Warm finish but has very good intensity and acidity. Drink now or hold for 1-3 years. Try with roast duck or pork.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $23.15 | 750ml |
| ON | $22.95 | 750ml |
| NF | $19.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $22.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Tomero Gran Reserva Finca Las Alamos Parcela Selec No. 41 2006
Vistalba District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBlackberry and black cherry notes on the nose with bits of liquorice, savoury, orange, coffee tobacco aromas. Full, round, rich, fresh, ripe palate with light, grainy tannins. Coffee, peppery, savoury, vanilla, clove, meaty, blackberry, black cherry jam, tobacco flavours. Finish is a bit warm and tart but has good fruit and intensity. Best with grilled beef or lamb or keep for a year or so.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Wolf Blass Yellow Label Sparkling Brut 2005
South Australia, AustraliaTasted several times I must say at this point five years down the road this sparkler is beginning to lose its edge. The nose is nutty and somewhat oxidative slightly but once on the palate the fruit is lively cran-cherry orange flavours with just a bit of the oxidative notes in the back end. The texture is fine with creamy bread dough notes. The blend is 70/30 pinot noir and chardonnay. Drink up.Prices:| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Brotte Côtes du Rhône Les Brottiers 2007
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceBig spicy, meaty, chocolate, black cherry aromas. Round, soft, rich, supple palate with peppery, licorice, smoked meat, leather, black cherry jam flavours. Slick, dark fruit style with a warm finish.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $18.50 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Delas Saint Esprit Côtes du Rhône 2007
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceGood black pepper, animal, garrigue, black cherry, floral, spicy nose. Ripe, rich, round, slightly tannic palate but ripe with good acidity. Cherry, plum, liquorice, meaty, orange, floral, rosemary, mineral, chocolate flavours. Good intensity and freshness with lots of fruit on the finish. Drink now or hold for a few years.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Osborne Solaz Merlot Tempranillo 2007
Valdepeñas, Castilla-La Mancha, SpainFloral, spicy, meaty, candied cherry, tobacco, dried herb aromas. Round, soft, fresh, slightly sweet entry with cherry, orange, tobacco, peppery, earthy flavours. Finish is fresh and fruity.Prices:| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.45 | 750ml |
| NF | $12.70 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Mount Riley Pinot Noir 2008
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandThe grapes are sourced from Marlborough and Nelson and the mix of clones used to add complexity to the blend include: UCD 5 and 6, 10/5 and Dijon clones 115, 118, 375 and 777. Look for floral, liquorice, spicy orange, nose with a touch of caraway and curry spice. The palate is dry, round and elegant with supple tannins. The flavours are a wild mix of tobacco leaf, caraway, carrot top, cherry, orange peel and strawberry flavours with a touch of tea leaf. Good finesse. $25Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Lucien Albrecht Crémant d'Alsace Brut Rosé NV
Alsace, FranceThis is a consistently delicious Crémant sparkler with a faint pink/coppery/salmon colour. It's made from hand-picked pinot noir grapes that deliver its strawberry/cranberry fruit flavours with plenty of zippy acidity and a whiff of minerality. Excellent for patio appetizers or sushi. Serve liberally.Prices:| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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19 March 2010
86PTS
Jean Bousquet Malbec (Organic Grapes) 2008
Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaVery savoury, spicy, vanilla, chocolate, roasted mushroom, cherry, tobacco leaf aromas. Round, supple, fresh palate with light tannins and slightly leaner structure. Cherry, peppery, savoury, vanilla, herbal, tobacco, orange flavours. Finish has some light, grippy tannins and fresh acidity to go with roast beef. A little leaner and thinner than earlier offerings.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Fork in the Road Oliver Block 212 White 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, spicy, ginger, melon, butter, baked green apple, citrus aromas. Round, fresh, elegant palate with a bit of sweetness. More bright green apple, butter, melon, orange, grapefruit flavours flecked with spicy ginger and grassy, mineral flavours. A simple, fresh, fruity style you can serve as an apéritif or try it with seafood Chinese style.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Chateau du Trignon Sablet 2005
Sablet, Côtes du Rhône Villages, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceSablet is hardly a household Côtes du Rhone village but the town sits between the more famous sites at Gigondas and Rasteau. The wine has a definite spicy liquorice mineral note on the nose and palate with bits of pepper and garrigue or dried herbs. Ageing takes place in a mix of old foudres and concrete vats which explains fruity earthy finish. Try this with duck or rabbit. Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Ganton & Larson Prospect Winery Haynes Barn Merlot Cabernet 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCedar bark, tobacco leaf, black olive, leather, barnyard, smoky, peppery, meaty, coffee aromas. Round, dry, slightly flat palate with cherry, coffee, cedar, tobacco, coffee, roasted pepper, menthol, barnyard flavours. Still somewhat green and soupy.Prices:| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $19.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Fetzer Valley Oaks Zinfandel 2007
California, United StatesThis is light stuff. Spicy, cherry jam, liquorice, peppery, bramble, cedar aromas. The palate is soft and approachable the fruit is tart with light tannins. Peach skin, sour cherry, smoky, coffee, bramble flavours. A bit tart and tannic on the finish. Try this with duck or bbq ribs.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Terroso Kosher Red Merlot 2007
Yecla, Valencia and Murcia, SpainSimple country wine with notes of tobacco, meat, leather, cherry and dried herbs on the nose. Round, dry, supple, fresh palate with cherry, chocolate, garrigue, herbal, tobacco flavours. Simple, easy style suited to grilled meats. In the scheme of affordable Kosher reds this is one of them. Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Castaño Hécula 2005
Yecla, Valencia and Murcia, SpainFresh peppery, tobacco, herbal nose with chocolate, smoky resin and rich black cherry jam aromas. Ripe, rich, round, fresh, supple palate with light tannins. Smoky, tobacco, peppery, savoury, black cherry, fig, vanilla, coffee, black olive flavours. Finish is long, warm and slightly tannic. Good value. Drink with roast lamb or kid.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.45 | 750ml |
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85PTS
The Black Chook Shiraz Viognier 2007
South Australia, AustraliaSomewhat reduced now with sausage meat, peppery, rooty, rubbery, blackberry aromas. Ripe, round, supple, full with tart acidity and light, tight tannins. Tobacco, peppery, blackberry, rooty, meaty, rubber, coffee flavours. Palate shows promise but the nose is too reductive with its meaty stinky notes.Prices:| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Portada 2006
PortugalRustic meaty, tobacco, rooty nose with flecks of blackberry, light barnyard, chocolate, mineral aromas. Round, ripe, supple, velvety palate with soft acidity and more chocolate, blackberry jam, fig and spicy, peppery flavours. Good fruit and acidity on the palate with a black cherry finish. Solid value in that Euro-style for casual meals.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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18 March 2010
86PTS
Castaño La Casona Monastrell 2007
Yecla, Valencia and Murcia, SpainOkay here you go super cheap and tasty. Look for black cherry, pepper, floral, chocolate notes with savoury aromas. The entry is soft and supple with a pinch of rustic tannins but with good body. Chocolate, peppery, dried herbs, black cherry, fig and liquorice root flavours impress for the price. Good fruit and intensity makes this a great value and under screw cap means it every bottle will likely be as sound as this one. Believe it or not the wine is dry-farmed, (no irrigation and that keeps yields naturally low) and the vines are 40 to 60 years old. All for $9.50. Back up the truck and load up.Prices:| BC | $9.50 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Chateau Haut Perthus Bergerac 2006
Bergerac, Sud-Ouest, FranceCedar bark, green olive, herbal, tobacco, resin, cranberry aromas. Dry, round, elegant palate but light and slightly tart. Herbal, cranberry, cedar bark, tobacco, smoky, earthy flavours. Brisk finish, best with food.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Finca Los Primos Syrah 2008
San Rafael, General Alvear, Southern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaPeppery, earthy, smoky black cherry nose with reduced notes. Full, warm, round, slightly tart and tannic palate. Simple black cherry, cedar, meaty, tobacco leaf flavours. There is decent richness for the price but he finish, at least this year, is very warm, somewhat tart. Serve with hamburgers.Prices:| BC | $11.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Rutini Malbec 2006
La Consulta, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaA deep, dark red/black colour previews a nose that exhibits bright plum, cherry, savoury notes streaked with dried meat, pepper, floral aromas. Ripe, round, full, warm, fresh palate with light, grainy tannins. Full bodied with roast meat, black cherry, coffee, vanilla, plum, peppery, tobacco, waxy, mineral and orange flavours. Good intensity and structure, still a bit young, will improve over the next 2-3 years. Made with 65 year old malbec vines at Consulta.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Marquis Phillips Sarah's Red Blend 2007
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaBlueberry jam, cassis, peppery, cedar, tobacco, coffee, resin, smoky aromas. Fresh, round, somewhat elegant palate with cassis, cherry, spicy, tobacco, black olive, confected fruit flavours. Finish is very fruity but has more than ample acidity for an unbalanced finish.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Marquis Phillips Shiraz 2007
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaPeppery, cherry jam, licorice, mocha, spicy, floral aromas. Round, ripe, fresh, juicy palate with licorice, cherry jam, mocha, peppery, blueberry flavours. A very fruity-tutti style with some acidity on the finish but no lack of fruit intensity.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Joel Gott Zinfandel 2007
California, United StatesVery spicy, celery salt, blackberry, licorice, meaty, cedar, tobacco and bramble aromas. Ripe, rich, round, slightly tannic and warm palate with fresh acidity. Chocolate, blackberry, raspberry jam, mocha, peppery, tobacco, licorice flavours. Good fruit intensity if a bit warm and rustic on the finish.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
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17 March 2010
89PTS
Vistalba Corte C 2008
Vistalba District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaOpen minty, spicy mineral laden nose with super glossy textures. The palate is equally rich and dense with spicy, savoury dried fruits all with a floral undercurrent. A wine that offers up its terroir and will improve for many years to come. Drink now, if you must, or serve it with a T-bone or rib-eye steak.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
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16 March 2010
95PTS
Bodegas Alion 2004
Ribera del Duero, Castilla-Leon, SpainAlión is made not far from the River Duero and the famed Vega Sicilia. That said it is an entirely different wine, modern to begin with, and bold with intense dark fruit and meaty, mineral liquorice flavours. It is 100 per cent aged in French oak with substantial if round tannins in the back end. Very impressive now but will clearly improve in bottle as it ages say five to ten years.Prices:| BC | $85.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $160.00 | 1500ml |
| BC | $480.00 | 3000ml |
| ON | $81.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $83.00 | 750ml |
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14 March 2010
88PTS
William Fèvre Chablis Champs Royaux 2008
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceThe '08 vintage works its magic on this entry level Chablis super charging its mineral, green apple, melon nose at least in that 'reserved' French manner. The palate is fresh and crisp with citrus, melon, red apple, mineral flavours and a crisp finish. It was perfect with halibut. All that is missing is a screwcap.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
William Fèvre Chablis Champs Royaux 2007
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceA consistent wine with grassy, green apple, seashell, citrus, floral, mineral aromas. Crisp, dry, juicy palate with granny smith, mineral, lemon and shell flavours. Full but tart and young for light seafood. Very solid.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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13 March 2010
90PTS
Wither Hills Wairu Valley Pinot Noir 2007
Wairau Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandSavoury, carrot top, celery salt, barnyard, strawberry, meaty, raspberry aromas with a touch of tobacco. Fresh, round, dry, elegant palate with very light tannins. Juicy cherry, strawberry, celery, orange, vanilla, rhubarb, smoky, dried thyme and mineral flavours. The finish is rich and structured if a bit tart. Great for pork or duck dishes. Very good effort.Prices:| AB | $46.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Chardonnay 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFresh, clean grapefruit, green apple, canned fruit cocktail aromas. Crisp, round, rind-y palate with butter, vanilla, pineapple, fruit cocktail, pear and apple flavours. Easy going seafood wine.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Jackson-Triggs Esprit Chardonnay 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVery floral, candied peach, buttery, melon aromas. Round, ripe, somewhat sweet entry with butter, baked peach, candied apple, lees flavours. Simple, easy consumer style with a warm, somewhat sweet finish.Prices:| BC | $11.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Sandhill Chardonnay Sandhill Estate Vineyard Block B11 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, pear, pineapple, waxy, green apple, pear, lees aromas. Round, rich, slightly sweet entry with good acidity and an oily texture. Vanilla, butter, baked pear, green apple, grapefruit, pineapple, mineral, leesy flavours. Finish is full and warm and a tad fat. Good fruit and not too much oak but a bit on the sweet side.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Mt. Boucherie Summit Reserve Chardonnay 2006
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, grassy, green apple, mineral, toasty, pear skin and vanilla aromas. Round, ripe, slightly sweet entry with peach, green apple skin, pear, grassy, grapefruit, butterscotch flavours. Warm, slightly fat finish with a bit of sweet and sour.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Trumpeter Malbec 2006
Mendoza, ArgentinaGamey, peppery, tobacco, savoury, earthy, rooty, cherry aromas. Dry, slightly austere palate with earthy, meaty, peppery, cherry, tobacco, licorice root flavours. A bit dry, perhaps the newer vintage has better fruit.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Escorihuela 1884 Reservado Malbec 2008
Mendoza, ArgentinaVery spicy, orange, cherry jam, savoury, black olive, roasted mushroom, vanilla, tobacco aromas with an herbal, meaty note. Very round, supple, easy palate with smoky, poultry spice, tobacco, olive, green herbs, orange, cherry jam and mocha flavours. Fresh, round finish for current consumption. Good restaurant wine.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Santa Julia Reserva Malbec 2008
Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy, mocha, black cherry, tobacco, plum, peppery, floral, slightly jammy aromas. Round, supple, fresh, slightly chewy entry with peppery, savoury, orange, cherry jam, meaty, licorice, tobacco and olive flavours. A fine effort that punches well above its price range in value.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Arguentota Malbec 2007
Agrelo District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBig open rich savoury nose flecked with black cherry, plum, liquorice and orange/floral aromas. Round, ripe, supple, rich palate with plum jam, coffee, peppery, savoury, orange, vanilla, cherry, licorice, tobacco flavours. Finish is very lively but long with good fruit. Lots of stuffing here and well balanced. Solid value.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Burrowing Owl Merlot 2007
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMocha, peppery, tobacco leaf, green olive nose with smoky, meaty, light barnyard aromas. Dry, somewhat tart, soupy palate with light tannins. Soft and round but with green olive, dill, resin and sour cherry flavours. Not the ripest expression in 2007.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $31.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Burrowing Owl Pinot Noir 2008
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpiced, cooked rhubarb, very peppery, worsteshire, tobacco leaf, rooty aromas. Round, fresh, easy palate with chocolate, spiced vanilla, rhubarb, smoky, herbal, strawberry, leafy flavours. The finish is fresh with light, green tea and leafy tannins.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
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11 March 2010
87PTS
Trapiche Broquel Malbec 2007
Mendoza, ArgentinaTobacco, poultry spice, peppery, black cherry, blackberry, perfumed nose. Ripe, round, supple, fresh, juicy palate with black cherry, plum, savoury, vanilla, spicy, milk chocolate, tobacco and olive flavours. Good fruit and intensity but the finish is warm and tart. Best with roast meat.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $16.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Merlot 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAttractive southern Okanagan savoury nose with bits of coffee, blackberry, balsamic, tobacco and vanilla aromas. The entry is supple and sleek with light tannins and good acidity balance. Mocha, peppery, coffee, black cherry, plum fruit dominates the palate with some smoky, saddle leather notes and savoury, green olive on the finish. Appears close to maturity so don't be afraid to crack a bottle with a steak or a piece of roast beef. One of the best yet in the 'Reserve' series.Prices:| ON | $23.15 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $25.00 | 750ml |
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09 March 2010
85PTS
Canti Estate Barbera d'Asti Superiore 2006
Piedmont, ItalyBig celery salt, spicy, smoky nose with bits of cherry and saddle leather. On the palate it is fresh and supple with smoky, meaty, leather, tobacco and dried herb flavours. Dry and balanced it will work with variety of light meat dishes. Simple.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Bear Flag Red Wine Blend #1 NV
California, United StatesOpen floral, meaty, peppery nose with sweet smelling smoky, black cherry, orange, chocolate cherry aromas. Soft, round, warm, sweet palate with more chocolate, cherry, mocha, pepper and dried herb flavours. Soft round sweet red wine with few redeeming qualities.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Domaine La Croix Belle Caringole 2008
Vins de Pays des Côtes de Thongue, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceLiquorice, tobacco leaf and dried herbs (garrigue mark the nose of this southern French red. The entry is fresh, the palate supple with black olive, herbal, tobacco leaf, and mineral, cherry, meaty, mineral flavours. Finish is warm and easy if a bit leafy. Simple workhorse red suited to cassoulets and stews.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Porca de Murcia 2007
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalDespite its sexy Douro appellation this is simple unpretentious, everyday red wine. The nose is a mix of earthy, liquorice, chocolate, pepper and black cherry aromas. The entry is dry, and slightly tart with more earthy, tobacco, ash, and floral, meaty cherry flavours. Simple, basic, mid-week barbeque wine.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Mount Fishtail Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandBright gooseberry, nettle and light jalapeno nose with flecks of passion fruit. Round, fresh and elegant on entry with a slightly sweet palate of green apple and passion fruit flavours with interesting flecks of grass, asparagus, nettle and a lime rind finish. Solid fruit core but the finish is a bit sweet and sour. Try this with Thai food. Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Soul Growers Shiraz Grenache Mourvedre 2006
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaBig peppery, liquorice, savoury, tobacco, cedar, black cherry jam, meaty aromas. Rich, ripe, round, supple palate with fresh acidity. Big raspberry jam, mocha, chocolate, peppery, meaty, licorice, black olive, savoury flavours. A bit hot on the finish but has good fruit and textures.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Burrowing Owl Meritage 2007
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLeafy, barnyard, tobacco nose with clove, black olive, meaty, peppery, vanilla, coffee aromas. The entry is dry and elegant if a bit skinny entry with fresh acidity to balance. On the palate herbal, smoky, coffee, mocha flavours mix with dried leather, resiny, roasted tomato, savoury flavours. Easy going somewhat herbal style but with soft tannins. Just off the mark.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $50.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Rufus Stone Heathcote Shiraz 2007
Victoria, AustraliaPruny, cherry, barnyard, leather, peppery, chocolate. Round, soft, somewhat tart with light extract. Coffee, cherry chocolate, pruny, mint, cherry, dried herb, saddle leather, barnyard flavours. Fruity but soupy, warm, oaky and tart.Prices:| AB | $23.40 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Yellow Tail Sauvignon Blanc NV
AustraliaFloral, melon rind, grassy, grapefruit, butter, cooked gooseberry aromas. Fresh, round, slightly sweet entry with grassy, nettle, gooseberry, sweet melon, mineral, jalapeno flavours. Simple, easy, somewhat warm with a rind-y finish. A bit too sweet and sour with a skinny edge.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Pacific Breeze Winery Syrah 2006
Product of CanadaMade in British Columbia with California grapes. Open spicy, peppery, smoky nose with meaty, black cherry nuances mixed with dried rosemary and saddle leather notes. The entry is dry and elegant with a slightly lean profile of tobacco, dried herbs, menthol, meaty, liquorice, cherry flavours with a cedar red fruit finish.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Johnny Q Shiraz Viognier 2008
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaLiquorice, floral, meaty, rooty, blackberry, tobacco, mocha aromas with a light jammy note. Round, full, soft, supple palate with a hint of sweetness. Big raspberry jam, tobacco leaf, bitter chocolate, licorice, rooty flavours. Finish is a bit warm and soupy but many will find this style attractive.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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08 March 2010
88PTS
Inniskillin Okanagan Meritage Red Dark Horse Estate Vineyard 2006
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, peppery, saddle leather, black berry, cassis, tobacco, green olive, vanilla, savoury nose with a touch of dried herbs. Round, dry, supple palate with light tannins. Coffee, peppery, blackberry, mocha, vanilla, black olive, tobacco leaf, cassis, sage, savoury flavours. Finish is somewhat warm and oaky but has solid balance for drinking now and over the next few years. Very solid effort.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $27.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $21.00 | 750ml |
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07 March 2010
87PTS
Clay Station Viognier 2008
Lodi, Central Valley, California, United StatesAttractive open nose of melons and orange blossoms. More orange on the palate that I soft and a little bit flat or lacking in acidity. The finish is similar with sweet honeysuckle and melon fruit. Treat this as a delicious pre-dinner sipper you can serve on the patio all summer (thanks to that screwcap) with appetizers. Pricey given the exchange rate.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $21.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $22.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Cono Sur Viognier 2009
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileIf consistency is something you value the Cono Sur Viognier must be high on your list. A replica of the '08 it is fresh and clean with nectarine, honey, grapefruit, ginger, orange aromas and flavours. Light refreshing New World style with myriad food possibilities. Crazy value.Prices:| BC | $11.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $12.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Van Westen Vineyards Viognier 2008
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCertainly the best we have tasted from Van Westen. Each year the vines get older, the wine better and the Van Westens seem to get a bit surer about where they are headed. The palate is rich but crisp with flecks of ginger honey and lemon oil mixed with a leesy/ nectarine finish. Well made and fun to drink.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Fetzer Cabernet Sauvignon Valley Oaks 2007
California, United StatesThis is simple, straight up cabernet with the emphasis on simple. Look for cedar, some sour black cherry fruit a touch of spice and a soft finish. Think hamburgers or spaghetti Bolognese. A light version of the venerable grape.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Napa Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard 2006
Napa Valley, California, United StatesI always enjoy the exuberant high energy fruit that comes off Stagecoach vineyard and its expressive wild black fruit and super ripe plum flavours. The entry is glossy and showy with rich supple tannins and it is similarly smooth and glossy on the palate. It has all the classic sweet black fruit flavours you expect from Napa Valley and it is well balanced without any real heat or alcohol in the finish. Impressive bottle that should easily age through 2014.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
| US | $40.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Joel Gott 815 Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
California, United States815 bears the ubiquitous California designation but appears to rise above the meaningless moniker. The fruit is sourced from all over the state. The wine is soft and round on entry with a high-toned blueberry/black fruit spike with spice, cassis and touch of dried herbs. The finish is medium long showing a touch of raw wood. Should be a good value red for grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Napa Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Napa Valley, California, United StatesThe '06 comes off several Napa Valley sites and spends time in new and one year old American oak. Look for plenty of sweet vanilla overlaying gobs of ripe, black fruit and a thread of coffee and dark chocolate. The finish is warm and long with more vanilla and oak showing at this point. Lamb or a T-bone steak is probably the best thing you can do for pairing at this point. Or cellar this for three or four years. Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $22.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $26.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Burrowing Owl Cabernet Franc 2007
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis wine was a knockout at the Canadian Wine Awards and that is always saying something given the numerous quality cab francs entered from Ontario. The BOV franc has a bit of that Cheval Blanc mineral thing under its ripe, rich, spicy, earthy, black fruit. Just a whiff of local sage pulls the entire wine together. It will keep a decade handily. In fact, in 2017 you might want to serve it with Cheval to see how they both hold up. Impressive as always.Prices:| BC | $33.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
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06 March 2010
90PTS
Spy Valley Pinot Noir 2008
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandThe '08 Spy Valley is a killer little pinot that is too delicious and too affordable to be listed in BC Liquor stores but it will be poured at the Playhouse festival. Mostly Abel clone mixed with some 777 and 25 percent new wood does little to interfere with its bright mineral fruit, fresh acidity and finesse. Looks like pinot, smells like pinot and tastes like pinot. All natural winemaking and it shows. Incredible value.Prices:| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $30.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Pegasus Bay Pinot Noir 2007
Waipara Valley, South Island, New ZealandAlways a delicious version of the grape it comes with a bright, black cherry colour. The nose is open with spicy, smoky, rooty, cherry notes mixed with bits of compost, orange and strawberry jam. Beautifully polished silky tannins make this oh so sippable. A supple fruity delicious style pinot noir that sets a level denoting the best that come out of New Zealand. Attractive New World pinot that is every bit as exciting as top Burgundy.Prices:| BC | $63.00 | 750ml |
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05 March 2010
90PTS
Ata Rangi Pinot Noir 2007
Martinborough, Wairarapa, North Island, New ZealandThe '07 Ata Rangi is a bigger more muscular wine with less fine edges and amore power on the nose and palate than the 2008. The palate is packed with plummy rich spicy pinot fruit with a strong savoury edge and a touch of mushroom and farmyard they refer to as the 'Martinborough' gamey, savoury signature. The yields were low although in this case I'm not sure it was benefit.Prices:| NZ | $60.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $80.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Ata Rangi Pinot Noir 2008
Martinborough, Wairarapa, North Island, New ZealandThe 2008 is all about bright, floral strawberry/raspberry fruit aromas with a dusting of minerality and earth. The entry is delicate but silky and round with big bright red fruit flavours and smooth supple tannins that slip effortlessly along the palate. The finish is long and lingering. A very fine pinot. Made from a mix of clones but led by the Abel or Ata Rangi clone. Some blocks are about to turn 30 years old. This is the real thing at two-thirds the price of its Burgundy counterparts.Prices:| BC | $68.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $65.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $70.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Burrowing Owl Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAnother year another cabernet with peppery, leafy resiny notes on the nose. The entry is tight with dry, soupy, leafy, fruit and some acidity poking through the rear. Ordinary for the price and nowhere at the level of the fabulous cabernet franc. Prices:| BC | $38.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $41.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Pacific Breeze Killer Cab 2007
Product of CanadaEnticing, open, sweet vanilla nose with bits of black fruit. Rich soft super sweet black fruit with another dollop of vanilla black cherries and spice. There is an underlying bite of acidity with some foursquare tannin in the back end. An alcoholic, angular version of California cab that needs a big piece of meat to tame the jagged edges.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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04 March 2010
89PTS
Antinori Pèppoli Chianti Classico 2007
Tuscany, ItalyThe ripe, round, dry, full palate of Antinori Peppoli Chianti Classico 2007 suggest class and sophistication and the black pepper, black cherry, meaty, smoky, plummy fruit backs up the supposition. Expect fine acidity (great with food) and excellent concentration (to impress your guests). Peppoli makes that I know wine statement, quietly.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $26.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $26.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $31.00 | 750ml |
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01 March 2010
88PTS
Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
California, United StatesLiberty School Cabernet Sauvignon is my go to wine list wine when I'm looking for quality and value. The fruit comes from the warmer east side of Highway 101 but winemaker Austin Hope makes sure the wine isn't baked. The fruit is fresh and bright with ripe black fruit flavours bits of mocha and vanilla but all in balance with a pleasant smooth finish. Throw some steaks on the barbecue and enjoy the match.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.05 | 750ml |
| SK | $22.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $26.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $22.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.00 | 750ml |
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April 2010