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Tastings: April 2010
28 April 2010
97PTS
Cheval des Andes 2006
Las Compuertas, Vistalba District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaThe star of the 2001 to 2006 vertical is the soon to be released '06 Chevl des Andes. Pierre Lurton (Cheval Blanc) and Nicolas Audebert (Cheval des Andes) have made the ultimate French style Argentine malbec in '06. The colour is black the nose an exceptional scent of minerality toasted bread, floral notes and liquorice. On the palate the wine is silky smooth and loaded with sweet tannins and big spicy, savoury, black cherry, violet flavours. There is perfect tension between acidity and the fruit that gives this 60/35/5 blend of malbec, cabernet sauvignon and merlot wine the finesse, complexity and structure to age for a decade and beyond. Seriously good.Prices:| AB | $75.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $83.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $85.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $76.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Cheval des Andes 2003
Las Compuertas, Vistalba District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaThe '03 Cheval des Andes blends 41 malbec 41 cabernet sauvignon and 18 petit verdot into what is a giant wine. Its release was delayed until after the 2005 to give it more time to settle down in bottle and that decision has turned out to be a bonus for consumers who can now buy and drink this wine. Cheval des Andes is made at Terrazas de los Andes and represents a joint venture between Terrazas and Cheval Blanc. Look for a big wine with substantial tannins. True they remain sweet but the volume and weight has given this wine extra punch. Look for chocolate and liquorice sprinkled across its restrained, mineral/red fruit palate with bits of tobacco and dried herbs and figs in the finish. You can cellar this further or drink it now with a T-bone steak.Prices:| AB | $75.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $83.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $85.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $76.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Cheval des Andes 2002
Las Compuertas, Vistalba District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaCheval des Andes is made at Terrazas de los Andes and represents a joint venture between Terrazas and Cheval Blanc. A first bottle was showing signs of oxidation but a second bottle was perfect. At eight years the colour was remarkably deep and showing only a little age. The nose was open and full of red berries with floral and mineral scents. The palate of the 60/26/7/7/ blend of malbec, cabernet sauvignon, merlot and petit verdot are equally beguiling with spicy cinnamon and ginger flecks throughout the soft intense cran-cherry, liquorice and mineral fruits. Approaching full maturity and ready to drink.Prices:| AB | $75.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $83.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $85.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $76.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Laurenz V. Und Sophie Singing Grüner Veltliner 2008
Niederösterreich, Weinland Österreich, AustriaYear to year Singing Grüner Veltliner continues to impress. So clean, so sharp, so mouth-watering so delicious it translates it terroir with ease. The story goes this wine sings on the palate and when you taste its fresh acidity, creamy flavours and blatant minerality you should agree. Look for a creamy palate with floral citrus, crunchy fruit and honey notes flecked with pepper and lemon oil. Delicate and dry but with finesse and staying power. Oysters, clams, poultry you name it, this is a versatile wine.Prices:| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
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27 April 2010
89PTS
Finca Flichman Gestos Shiraz 2007
Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy sweet, black fruit nose with bits of liquorice and savoury, meaty notes. The palate is soft and open but with bright acidity and plenty of black fruit, pepper, smoky, meaty, liquorice mineral flavours. There is more concentration and weight than finesse but at this price it over delivers. Best with grilled beef or cellar for 18 months.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Panther Creek Verde Vineyards Pinot Noir 2007
Willamette Valley, Oregon, United StatesThis Willamette-based pinot comes off three sustainably farmed vineyards: Momtazi, Temperance Hill and Elton Vineyards. The nose is fresh and aromatic with spicy carrot and cherry notes flecked with floral and vanilla. The palate is silky smooth and long with a warm black raspberry and cloves and earthy forest floor tones. Well-shaped at 13 per cent alcohol.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Mascota Vineyards Unánime Gran Vino Tinto 2005
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBlackberry, licorice root, smoky, tobacco, black plum, savoury, leather, meaty compost aromas. Warm, round, rich palate with supple tannins but structured with good acidity. Peppery, cassis, black plum, licorice, savoury, vanilla, tobacco, orange, meaty, cranberry flavours. Good concentration and intensity with further ability to improve in bottle. Good effort and value here.The blend is aged 20 months in oak mixing 60 per cent cabernet sauvignon, 25 per cent malbec and 15 per cent cabernet franc from 50 year old vines.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Southern Most Red 2009
San Patricio del Chanar, Neuquén, Patagonia, ArgentinaReferred to as the 'end of the earth' winery this simple tasting red blend is a bit of a mystery. It hails from Neuquén, Patagonia and is made by Bodega Del Fin de Mundo. After that there is little information available on the blend. The palate is warm and sweet with plenty of cedar-y black fruit and pepper and a soft smoky chocolate finish. Your basic hamburger red at a great price.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
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26 April 2010
85PTS
Gallo Family Vineyards Pinot Noir 2008
California, United StatesSpicy, carrot top, compost, tobacco leaf, light cherry, strawberry jam, rooty nose. Dry, round, supple palate with rooty, compost, herbal, strawberry, coffee, raspberry leaf flavours. Simple, easy, clean style, better than the last bottling.Prices:| BC | $9.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $10.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $9.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $9.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $10.00 | 750ml |
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19 April 2010
88PTS
Villa Maria Pinot Noir Private Bin 2007
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandOpen inviting dried herbs nose with flecks of cherry, strawberry jam, orange, barnyard and pepper aromas. Round, dry, supple, fresh palate with crisp acidity. On the palate look for delicious spicy, caraway, thyme, strawberry, liquorice flavours and solid fruit with acidity that finishes a touch warm Good value for pinot hunters.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
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11 April 2010
85PTS
Quails' Gate Merlot 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaTight cedar, cherry, tobacco leaf nose with herbal, green tea, earthy aromas. Round, dry, fresh, slightly austere entry with light tannins and soft textures. Black olive, cedar, coffee, resin, herbal, tobacco flavours. Warm but fairly lean finish with some cedar-y tannins. Needs time to integrate but not a plush style.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.99 | 750ml |
| QC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $30.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Mission Hill S.L.C. Merlot 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeppery, spicy, savoury, floral, coffee, black cherry, black olive nose. Dry, fresh entry with some grainy tannins and a touch of austerity and more black olive, resin, tobacco, black cherry, bitter chocolate flavours. There is fine concentration here but finish is warm and lean. Needs another year or two to integrate further. Drink now with grilled meat.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Mission Hill S.L.C. Chardonnay 2007
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMango, citrus, butter, vanilla, pear, floral, canned grapefruit aromas with a hint of grassiness. Fresh, round, elegant palate with spicy, pink grapefruit, pear, nutty, butter, vanilla, baked apple flavours. Good delicacy with a hint of sweetness and tropical fruit and grass on the finish. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Ata Rangi Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Martinborough, Wairarapa, North Island, New ZealandA fine alternative style to Marlborough. Look for a grassy, grapefruit, lemon grass, cooked gooseberry aromas with slightly nutty, smoky notes. Ripe, rich, juicy, dry palate with a spicy, passion fruit, gooseberry, lemon, floral, mango, grassy, jalapeno flavours. Good length and concentration with fresh acidity on the finish. Very classy and good value.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
No. 8 Wire Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandRipe passion fruit, melon, gooseberry, ripe kiwi aromas. Fresh, soft, moderately dry palate with grassy, lemon, nettle, canned asparagus, passion fruit, grapefruit flavours. Juicy, citrusy, smoky finish. Good value.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Stone Paddock Scarlet 2007
Hawkes Bay, North Island, New ZealandCool style, fresh menthol, spicy, cassis, cherry nose with tobacco, cedar, black olive, licorice root notes. Round, dry, fresh, elegant palate with cherry, rooty, cedar, tobacco, tart cassis, cola, herbal, carrot flavours. Finish is suave but a bit tart.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Paritua Red 2007
Hawkes Bay, North Island, New ZealandBig peppery, spicy, cola, tobacco, black olive, green bean, cassis, and coffee aromas. Dry, round, elegant palate with light, grainy tannins. Smoky, rooty, Oxo, peppery, cassis, black cherry, coffee, and tobacco flavours with a savoury note. Good finesse in a cool climate style.Prices:| BC | $44.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
RedWire 2008
Hawkes Bay, North Island, New ZealandSpicy, peppery, rooty, reduced, cherry, tobacco, cedar nose. Round, supple, easy palate with earthy, spicy, cedar, black olive, tobacco, cherry, resin flavours. A bit tart but ready to go for grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Paritua Twenty One Twelve 2007
Hawkes Bay, North Island, New ZealandSmoky, peppery, tobacco, black cherry, cassis, vanilla, coffee, floral, saddle leather, barnyard aromas. Rich, round, full bodied palate but somewhat tart with grainy tannins. Coffee bean, peppery, cola, tobacco, dried herbs, black olive, green bean, cassis, leather flavours. Again, has finesse and concentration but it's a cooler style with some apparent acidity on the finish. Needs a few years to integrate or try with barbecue beef.Prices:| BC | $54.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Paritua Syrah 2007
Hawkes Bay, North Island, New ZealandBig meaty, tobacco, cola, licorice, black cherry, roasted pepper aromas. Round, dry, supple, fresh palate with peppery, sausage meat, cola, garrigue, smoky, black cherry, and coffee grind flavours. A very cool, meaty expression of syrah but has good mouth feel.Prices:| BC | $44.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Skillogalee Single Vineyard Riesling 2009
Clare Valley, South Australia, AustraliaThis is the best Skillogalee (Celtic for a gruel served prisoners) we have tasted to date. The fruit is grown above 500 meters and the tonnage is low. We love the fresh peachy, lime aromas and bright acidity and the fresh crunchy mid-palate fruit. The finish is crisp and clean. Tried this with pork tenderloin and it was perfect. Serve all summer on the deck.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Wither Hills Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc Rarangi 2008
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandVery intense canned jalapeno, asparagus, gooseberry, grapefruit rind, smoky, nettle aromas. Rich, round, textured palate with a touch of sweetness but juicy acidity. Grapefruit, passion fruit, jalapeno, melon, lees, grassy, nettle flavours. Good length and juicy acidity with a full finish.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Chateau de la Galiniere Rosé 2009
Côtes de Provence, Provence, Sud de France, FranceVery fresh, spicy, cherry, floral, rooty, red apple nose. Fresh, crisp, easy, simple palate with citrus, tobacco, earthy, cherry, mineral flavours. Juicy, fresh, dry finish to go with duck salad, barbecue pork or a spicy pasta salad. Fun to drink.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Wither Hills Pinot Gris 2008
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandRipe pear, earthy, melon rind, floral aromas. Ripe, round, rich, somewhat sweet entry with fresh acidity. Nettle, pear, honey, lees, butter, melon rind, earthy flavours. Good ripe style with intensity if a tad sweet.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Mission Hill Vidal Ice Wine Reserve 2006
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVery deep gold colour. Big citrus peel, apricot, nectarine skin, spicy, butter, baked pear aromas with a touch of nalgene. Fresh, crisp, moderately rich palate with good acidity sweetness balance. Lime, orange peel, nectarine, dried apricot, granny smith, butter, plasticene flavours. Good intensity and balance with potential to age a few more years.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 375ml |
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90PTS
Matua Valley Paretai Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Wairau Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandBig grapefruit and lime zest, asparagus, passion fruit, granny smith, melon rind, gooseberry aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy palate with good finesse. Green apple, lemon nettle, asparagus, green melon, gooseberry, grapefruit flavours with a smoky note. Good finesse and elegance with a very crisp, granny smith, jalapeno finish. Needs a bit of time to integrate but this is good stuff.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $30.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Rustico Farm Motherlode Merlot 2007
Golden Mile Bench, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaReduced meaty, sausage, peppery nose with bits of, tobacco leaf and sour cherries. Round, fresh, supple palate with light tannins. Meaty, green tobacco, rooty, herbal, cherry, rhubarb, cedar flavours. Finish is hot and a bit sweet and sour. The style is a bit too rustic for the price.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Inniskillin Vidal Icewine Commemorative Edition 2006
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaBig orange peel, nectarine, beach ball, spicy, baked green apple nose with a touch of pear and butter. Fresh, round, elegant palate with butter, baked nectarine, pear, orange, mineral, green apple and plasticene flavours. Good finesse but lacking a bit in intensity on the finish.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 375ml |
| AB | $60.00 | 375ml |
| ON | $60.00 | 375ml |
| QC | $60.00 | 375ml |
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86PTS
Estampa Syrah Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileSomewhat reduced, rubbery, meaty, leesy, coffee, gamey, black pepper aromas. Round, dry, slightly tannic palate but well balanced. Good plum, black cherry, meaty, gamey, licorice, menthol, tobacco flavours with a vanilla, cassis finish. Good palate and flavours but the nose is a bit too dirty. Try airing this first as the fruit is there.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Diego Murillo Merlot 2008
Alto Valle del Río Negro, Rio Negro, Patagonia, ArgentinaSpicy, coffee, cherry jam, tobacco, plastic, meaty aromas. Dry, fresh, slightly tight palate with cedar, cherry, orange, tobacco leaf, mineral, coffee, leather flavours. Finish is a bit tart and rustic but solid value here to have with the barbecue season.Prices:| BC | $10.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Quails' Gate Maréchal Foch Limited Release Fortified Vintage 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVery smoky, gamey, rooty, tobacco, coffee, liquorice, resin, menthol, pruny aromas with a touch of oxidation. Rich, warm somewhat hot and tart entry with moderate sweetness and flavours of Oxo, gamey, meaty, rooty, resin and liquorice with stewed prunes and coffee flavours. FVF as it's referred to, is made in a traditional fortified Port style using super ripe maréchal foch grapes.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 375ml |
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87PTS
Quails' Gate Old Vines Foch Reserve 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig meaty, espresso, vanilla, mocha, tobacco leaf, roasted tomato, peppery, black currant aromas. Round, rich, smooth, supple palate with huge sweet espresso, chocolate, vanilla, currant jam, peppery, meaty, rooty flavours. It is warm, fresh and very oaky in the back end but that only makes it more appealing to some.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Stone Cellars Merlot 2007
California, United StatesTobacco, herbal, cherry, orange peel, olive aromas. Warm, slightly tart and tannic entry with a bit of sweetness. Cedar bark, tobacco, cherry, dried herb, olive and tea leaf flavours. Standard Central Valley fare here.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Domaine Lafond Tavel Roc-Epine 2008
Tavel, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceTraditionally a bit bigger in style for rosé this Tavel offers a cherry, floral somewhat candied berry nose with mineral, tobacco, earthy aromas. Round, rich, soft, forward but dry palate. Tobacco, earthy, candied cherry, peppery, floral, savoury, buttery flavours. Good intensity but mature. Drink now.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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10 April 2010
87PTS
Antaño Rioja Crianza 2007
Rioja, SpainThis wine is a pleasant surprise for the price with its spicy, sausage meat, leather nose and floral, black cherry, barnyard aromas. The entry is supple and fresh on the palate with mineral, liquorice, black cherry, coffee, meaty, earthy, cardamom flavours. A good introduction to Rioja and good value. Try with grilled meat.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Fork in the Road Oliver Block 249 Red 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCoffee, peppery, cherry, tobacco, black olive, plum, savoury, rooty nose. Round, dry, warm, slightly tannic palate with chocolate, cedar, black olive, rooty, menthol, tobacco, cherry flavours with some light black tea tannins on the finish.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Quails' Gate Old Vines Foch 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeppery, tobacco, earthy, meaty, vanilla, coffee, resin aromas with a roasted tomato note. Round, supple, fresh palate with earthy, coffee, rooty, liquorice, resin, black cherry, menthol, gamey flavours. Good finesse despite a bit of bitterness and tartness on the finish.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $24.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Soul Growers Shiraz Cabernet 2006
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaCoffee, tobacco, mocha, meaty, rooty, black cherry, rubbery nose. Round, tart, soft palate with meaty, cherry, rubbery, tobacco, plum, dried herb and chocolate flavours. Finish is light and short but easy style with lots of warmth. Drink up.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Sandhill Merlot Sandhill Estate Vineyard Block C8 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig spicy, vanilla, tobacco, coffee, savoury, cedar, barnyard, cherry jam, gamey, warm kirsch nose. Round, rich, supple but grainy tannins. Clove, savoury, peppery, vanilla cream, coffee, chocolate, black cherry jam, tobacco and cedar aromas. Finish is very warm and oaky but has ripe fruit and good concentration. Very modern style, needs 2-3 years to integrate.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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07 April 2010
86PTS
Finca Flichman Misterio Malbec Oak Aged 2008
Mendoza, ArgentinaThe '08 Misterio is back on track. Elegant fine supple, red fruits with a rich dose of black liquorice. The finish is spicy and dry but the fruit and tannins are balanced. A fine solution to the great summer barbecue red conundrum. Good value too.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $10.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Doña Paula Los Cardos Malbec 2008
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaThe '08 Los Cardos is an attractive mix of red and black fruit flavours that despite its low price boast fruit from key production regions in Ugarteche, Lujan de Cuyo, and smaller amounts from the high-altitude Uco Valley. The vineyards are a missal selection of the French "Cot" clone developed over decades in Mendoza. Soft fresh, spicy, black fruit flavours with a dash of dried herbs simply get the job done for the price.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $14.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Trivento Amado Sur Malbec Bonarda Syrah 2007
Mendoza, ArgentinaNothing much changes with the Amado Sur a 72/16/12 blend of malbec/bonarda/syrah, although a $1 drop in price is much appreciated. At $15 it's all you can want in a smoky, meaty floral scented red with notes of savoury, black plums. On the palate the entry is smooth with more plum, black cherry coffee, tobacco, vanilla flavours with bits of savoury olives and liquorice in the finish. A classic hamburger red that over delivers for the price.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $17.00 | 750ml |
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04 April 2010
88PTS
Dr. L Riesling 2008
Mosel, GermanyFloral, red apple, citrus, matchstick, mango and slate aromas. Fresh, crisp, somewhat sweet but elegant and delicate. Slate, lime, mango, white peach, floral, red apple flavours. Good juicy finish with a touch of granny smith. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
CedarCreek Gewürztraminer 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, grapefruit, orange, sausage meat, ginger, spicy nose. Fresh, juicy, slightly sweet palate with grapefruit, mineral, ginger, green apple, spicy, lychee flavours. Simple, fresh, citrusy style with good varietal character.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Louis Bouillot Perle Rare Crémant de Bourgogne 2006
Burgundy, FranceBright floral, lemon, toasty nose with, butter, honey, grapefruit, green apple skin notes. Fresh, crisp, off-dry style with solid, somewhat foamy mousse. Green apple, lime, honey, butter, waxy, toasty, baked pear flavours. There is fine intensity and complexity with just hint of bitterness on the finish.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Pfaff Gewurztraminer 2008
Alsace, FranceNutty, spicy, honey, apricot, lychee, ginger aromas. Fresh, round, slightly fat entry but good acidity and sugar balance. Baked pear, honey, apricot, lychee, sausage meat and ginger flavours with a lemon, orange finish. Good intensity and value.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Accordini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Le Bessole 2004
Veneto, ItalyPeppery, floral, chocolate, meaty, plum, black cherry, liquorice root and Christmas cake aromas. Round, supple, forward palate with light, grainy tannins. Tobacco, coffee, vanilla, black cherry, plum, orange peel, kirsch, peppery, meaty flavours. Quite elegant despite the warmth and somewhat fresh finish. Will improve with 3-5 years in bottle. Fine quality.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $55.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Accordini Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2005
Veneto, ItalyPeppery, meaty, chocolate, tobacco nose with black cherry, black olive, rooty aromas. Round, dry, fresh and supple on the palate with very light tannins. Black cherry, cola, coffee, milk chocolate, vanilla, cedar bark, tobacco leaf. Looks more like an Oz wine than an Italian Valpolicella.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Ara Pathway Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandBig grapefruit, gooseberry, passion fruit, canned jalapeno, lemon nettle aromas. Round, fresh, elegant palate with good acidity and a touch of sweetness. Grapefruit rind, gooseberry, canned jalapeno, asparagus, passion fruit, zesty flavours. Good intensity if a bit herbal but it is classic Marlborough. Bring on the mussels.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Oak Bay Northern Lights 2006
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaDeep ruby rose colour with large mousse. Very earthy, leesy, toasty, tobacco, cherry, almond skin aromas. Foamy, somewhat off dry palate that is showing substantial maturity with buttery, vanilla, tobacco, earthy, oxidative, cooked cherry flavours.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Montalto Pinot Grigio Vino Spumante Brut NV
Sicily, ItalyLight mousse. Pear, biscuit, floral, earthy, citrus aromas. Fresh, crisp, very slightly sweet entry with light, foamy mousse. Red apple, pear, citrus, honey, floral flavours with a touch of bitter citrus rind on the finish. Simple, fresh, easy style. Solid value here.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Firesteed Pinot Noir 2007
Oregon, United StatesMeaty, smoky, pruny, earthy, tobacco, stewed rhubarb, barnyard, aromas. Dry, elegant, slightly tight palate with cedar, tobacco, earthy, pruny, cranberry, rhubarb, herbal celery flavours. Not much intensity here and lack of fruit.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $25.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
L'Acadie Vineyards Prestige Brut 2006
Nova Scotia, CanadaLight fine mousse. Nutty, honey, earthy, toasty, candied apple, very mature nose. Fresh, somewhat austere style with light brut sweetness. Very toasty, cashew, honey, citrus, baked pear, soapy floral flavours. A bit bitter on the finish but solid, mature style if a bit oxidative. Bring on the next vintage.Prices:| NS | $40.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Summerhill Pyramid Winery Cipes Rosé NV
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight mousse. Pear, biscuit, floral, earthy, citrus aromas. Fresh, crisp, very slightly sweet entry with light, foamy mousse. Red apple, pear, citrus, honey, floral flavours with a touch of bitter citrus rind on the finish. Simple, fresh, easy style. Solid value here. Certified organic.Prices:| BC | $26.50 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Rodney Strong Russian River Pinot Noir Estate Vineyards 2008
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesBig smoky oak, coffee, vanilla, clove, cherry, caraway, cedar aromas. Round, supple, dry, full bodied style but elegant. Very smoky oak, vanilla, coconut, clove, cherry jam, roasted style. What happen to the pinot noir. To oaky to show much if any pinot character. Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $28.00 | 750ml |
| US | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Sumac Ridge Tribute Gold Méthode Classique NV
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaExcellent refined mousse, quite continuous. Floral, pear, baked apple, grapefruit, lemon, spicy nose with light toast. Rich, round, off dry palate with citrus rind, baked apple skin, ripe pear, mineral, buttery, nutty flavours. A full bodied style that is slightly drier and richer than the normal Tribute.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $50.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Sumac Ridge Tribute Private Reserve Méthode Classique NV
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLots of fine, foamy mousse. Light nutty, green apple, floral, citrus, melon aromas. Crisp, slightly sweet entry with some good but foamy mousse. Baked pear, apple skin, honey, butter, toasty, citrus flavours. Finish is a bit bitter but quite nutty with decent persistence. Solid effortPrices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $30.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Glimmer of Hope Shiraz 2008
South Australia, AustraliaThis all McLaren Vale red is rich and dense looking with deep colour and a powerful nose of chocolate and red fruit. The palate is awash in blueberries, spice and chocolates with a pinch of acidity poking through. It does deliver the goods for the price and should be a hit with Oz shiraz fans.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
The Elegant Ocker Shiraz Cabernet 2008
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaThe Elegant Ocker is a joint venture between Kangarilla Road and Vancouver-based Whitefish Group. The blend is 75/25 shiraz cabernet, a reversal of the traditional cabernet sauvignon/shiraz blend all aged in French and American oak barriques. Big soft oaky dense fruit coats your palate with a sheen of acidity. Classic New Wave Oz with that sweet and sour tone throughout. Best with smoky barbecued beef.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Langmeil Three Gardens SMG 2006
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaRich peppery, coffee, black cherry, plum, liquorice, tobacco, minty, meaty, barnyard aromas. Round, supple, fresh, warm palate with spicy, peppery, smoky, black cherry jam, plum, tobacco, minty, resin, liquorice, herbal tea flavours. Finish is a bit fresh and warm but there is fine fruit intensity. It's new World Oz shiraz.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $22.00 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Masi Campofiorin Ripasso 1997
Verona, Veneto, ItalyCorked.Prices:| US | $45.00 | 1500ml |
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90PTS
Masi Costasera Amarone Classico 2006
Veneto, ItalyBig smoky oak, vanilla, peppery, roast meat, clove, rosemary, tobacco, barnyard, black cherry, menthol, resin aromas. Rich, round, supple, slightly sweet entry with light tannins. Very meaty, smoky, plum, cherry jam, menthol, tobacco leaf, gamey, dried herb, black olive, rooty flavours. Good textures and length, just enough fresh acidity to balance the warmth. Will improve with 2-4 years aging.Prices:| BC | $46.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $37.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $40.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $47.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $93.00 | 750ml |
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03 April 2010
87PTS
Louis Bouillot Perle d'Aurore Rosé Crémant de Bourgogne 2006
Burgundy, FrancePale orange salmon colour. Very floral, raspberry, cherry, mineral, liquorice aromas with a nutty edge. Bubbles are light and slightly foamy. On the palate it is a sweeter brut style with very fresh acidity and tobacco, cherry, strawberry, liquorice and mineral flavours. A bit heavy on the finish but with some attractive fruit.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Progenie Brut Nature de Vistalba Vino Espumante NV
Vistalba District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBig citrus, floral, honey, biscuity nose with nutty, quince aromas. Lots of somewhat foamy mousse with nutty, buttery, biscuit, citrus, baked pear, apple skin and quince flavours. Quite dry with good acidity and extract if a little coarse on the finish. A fine effort.Prices:| BC | $55.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Castillo de Monséran Old Vine Garnacha 2006
Cariñena, Aragon, SpainOpen peppery, liquorice, black cherry, orange, cedar, floral, slightly meat nose. Dry, fresh, slightly tight entry with cedar, tobacco, cherry, raspberry, liquorice, clove, vanilla, earthy, floral flavours. Good fruit but could use a bit more extract to balance the acidity. Still good value.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Secco Bertani Valpolicella Valpantena 2006
Veneto, ItalySpicy, menthol, meaty, cherry jam, gamey, Band-Aid aromas. Round, dry, soft palate but fresh with meaty, smoky, resin, barnyard, Band-Aid bretty notes. Balance is okay but this is highly Brett contaminated.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Rustico Farm Farmer's Daughter Dry Gewurztraminer 2007
Golden Mile Bench, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen spicy, floral, ginger, lychee, perfumed aromatic nose. Soft, round, dry, somewhat light palate with mineral, rose petal, lychee, ginger, apple skin and earth flavours. Great intensity but needs a bit more fatness as it is slightly austere. Hopefully next version will be under screwcap.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Castillo de Monséran Garnacha 2008
Cariñena, Aragon, SpainVery floral, cherry jam, raspberry, peppery, spicy nose, very pure and clean. Fresh, round, dry, supple palate with peppery, liquorice, orange, raspberry and mint flavours. Finish is a bit tart but has great fruit for current consumption. Continued good value.Prices:| BC | $11.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $9.05 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.00 | 750ml |
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02 April 2010
91PTS
Soul Growers Shiraz 2007
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaA Blend of the best old-ish parcels Soul Growers can grab from Dimchurch, Ebenezer, Kroehn, Eden Valley and Bartsch, Tanunda vineyard aged in French oak, including 73 per cent new barrels. Only 90 cases made. Super rich and ripe with intense black plum and spicy liquorice flavours with moderate acidity. Impressive for the price and a true look at the Barossa style.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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01 April 2010
84PTS
Stone Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
California, United StatesStone Cellars is a big brand but in 07 it seems they are finally hitting the mark for $13. Think hamburger red with boysenberry, cassis and dried herbs. It's sweeter than I'd like but likely what the audience wants. Drink now.Prices:| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $14.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $12.65 | 750ml |
| NF | $15.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.80 | 750ml |
| NB | $14.29 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Pirramimma Petit Verdot 2005
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaAustralia wine scribe Tim White says, "Pirramimma has long been a benchmark for varietal verdot [in Oz]," and in 2005 it continues. Expect a huge sweet, black fruit nose and plenty of American oak vanilla undertones. The palate is warm and dense with more black fruit and spice and a touch of heat in the finish. With some rich tannin still lingering about think about lamb chops or a leg of lamb to softened the finish or cellar it for another three to five years. Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $26.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Allegrini Palazzo della Torre 2006
Verona, Veneto, ItalyPalazzo is such an elegant wine when compare to so many modern reds that are heavy on fruit and oak. The blend is a 70/25/5 mix of corvina Veronese/rondinella/sangiovese all with a portion of ripasso. Some 70% of the grapes are vinified immediately while the remaining 30% are left to dry until the end of December when they are vinified and re-fermented with the wine from the fresh grapes. There is plenty of Italian dryness but it sits in the background against the red liquorice fruits and peppery tobacco flavours. Serve it with Bolognese now or wait another two years for perfection.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $29.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Doña Paula Los Cardos Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Ugarteche District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaGrown at 3300 feet the Cardos cabernet is mix of mint and cassis with a fairly pronounced tobacco character on the nose. Cranberry, raspberry fruit dominates the palate and it finishes with a touch of gripp-y tannins. Grilled burgers or ribs would be a perfect for this useful. Good, affordable, simple red wine.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Masi Campofiorin 2006
Verona, Veneto, ItalyThere's been a lot of early hype about the 2006 but at $20 it doesn't over deliver. Tasted twice now the nose is meaty with smoky, spicy, floral, saddle leather notes mixed with tobacco leaf, olive and black cherry notes. On the palate, the wine is dry and somewhat lean with fresh acidity with very light tannins. More tobacco leaf, black olive, bitter almond flavours combine with sour cherry, liquorice, meaty, mineral flavours. Best served with meats or hard cheeses.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $17.45 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $22.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $20.00 | 750ml |
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May 2010