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Tastings: November 2010
30 November 2010
93PTS
J Vineyards Pinot Noir Barrel 16 2007
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesA blended selection of 16 different barrels from various vineyards with different soils and microclimates. Spicy, celery, rooty, rhubarb, cherry, barnyard, dill, tobacco, wild strawberry aromas with a bit of green tea and herbs. Ripe, round, warm, velvety and juicy palate. Coffee, cherry jam, tea, tobacco, dill, orange, vanilla, cocoa, spicy, red licorice flavours. A bit warm but has a fine combination of green, exotic and fruity components. Well balanced for near term consumption, it will also improve in bottle.Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
J Vineyards Pinot Noir Robert Thomas Vineyard 2007
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesFrom one of the coolest vineyards in the collection, this offers a floral, smoky, tobacco leaf, dill, barnyard, cherry, licorice and herbal nose. Dry, fresh, slightly lean and warm with light tannins and good acidity. Smoky, celery, carrot, cherry, raspberry, rose, vanilla, dill, tobacco leaf and compost flavours. A bit young and fresh on the palate with an herbal streak, it has good finesse to improve in bottle. A bit exotic and cool.Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
J Vineyards Pinot Noir Nicole's Vineyard 2007
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesSpicy, celery, rhubarb, peppery, barnyard, compost, cocoa, tobacco and dill aromas with some bright cherry. Ripe, round, full, elegant palate that is supple and warm but juicy. Smoky, vanilla, compost, plum, cherry jam, celery, fig, earthy, tobacco flavours. A bit warm on the finish but has good finesse and length. Will improve for 2-3 years.Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
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29 November 2010
88PTS
Santa Rita Pinot Noir Medalla Real Gran Reserva 2008
Valle de Leyda, Valle de San Antonio, Region de Aconcagua, ChileBig liquorice, black cherry jam, smoky, tobacco, orange aromas with a floral, peppery streak. Rich, ripe, round and full, the palate that is both supple and warm with smoky, vanilla, black cherry, liquorice, compost, rooty, cola flavours. Long and big, bold and ripe style that makes Leyda pinot easy to like. Drink now.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.29 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.60 | 750ml |
| NS | $22.60 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Santa Rita Syrah Medalla Real Gran Reserva 2007
Valle del Limari, ChileBig deep black cherry colour. Tapenade, licorice root, garrigue, spicy, peppery, meaty, black cherry, cassis aromas. Ripe, round, dry, supple palate with light tannins. Spicy, tobacco, peppery, black olive, smoky, rooty, black cherry, tea and citrus flavours. Good concentration and intensity. A cool but fruity style that could improve with 1-3 years aging.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.29 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.60 | 750ml |
| NS | $22.60 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Santa Rita Sauvignon Blanc Medalla Real Gran Reserva 2009
Valle de Leyda, Valle de San Antonio, Region de Aconcagua, ChileGrapefruit, floral, passion fruit, orange, jalapeno and light asparagus aromas. Ripe, round, full and elegant but juicy palate. Smoky jalapeno, passion fruit, orange, grapefruit rind, nettle, herbal, spicy flavours. Good mouthfeel and fruit with an herbal note.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Santa Rita Chardonnay Medalla Real Gran Reserva 2009
Valle de Leyda, Valle de San Antonio, Region de Aconcagua, ChileSmall yields and 100% barrel fermented in older oak. Floral, citrus, pineapple, green apple, grassy, vanilla aromas. Round, full, slightly viscous palate with good acidity. Grapefruit, honey, vanilla, baked apple, grassy, pear flavours with a touch of citrus butter on the finish. Cool style but full bodied. Good value.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.65 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Lomas del Valle Unfiltered Pinot Noir 2010
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileSpicy, black cherry, plum, carrot, orange, dried dill and compost aromas. Round, dry, ripe, and juicy palate. Lots of orange, cherry, rhubarb, carrot, floral, spicy flavours. Elegant and supple with juicy fruit and ready to drink. Good solid pinot character.Prices:| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Lomas del Valle Unfiltered Cabernet Franc 2009
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileCranberry, cherry, chocolate, floral, tobacco, ash nose with a light herbal streak. Ripe, round, supple and fresh palate with very light tannins. Juicy cranberry, cherry, earthy, chocolate, floral meaty, spicy flavours. Delicate, round, ready to drink style with good fruit and finesse and not the veggies.Prices:| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Lomas del Valle Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileMelon, passion fruit, lime, floral, grapefruit, gooseberry aromas. Round, delicated, slightly viscous palate with a touch of fruit sweetness. Fresh lime, grapefruit, green melon, passion fruit flavours with a bit of lemon grass at the end. Good finesse and fruit.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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28 November 2010
89PTS
Blue Mountain Pinot Gris 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe BM gris vineyard is now 22 years old and follows the Mavety mantra: let the fruit shine. The harvested was completed over three days in mid-September. They used two French clones and 60 percent is fermented in stainless steel the remainder spends seven months in 3 year old French oak barrels and is periodically stirred to integrate the lees into the flavour and texture of the wine. Look for a slightly exotic orange/ tangerine nose with expressive citrus flavours and dry crisp finish. You can drink this now but it will improve in bottle for the next two to three years.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $27.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Premier Cru Réserve Particulière NV
Champagne, FranceA consistent producer and the price has held steady the last two years. Fine mousse with fresh floral, citrus, nutty, baked apple, light cherry aromas with a touch of strawberry and brioche. The palate is fresh and off dry with more citrus, green apple skin, dried pear and hazelnut flavours throughout. Good finesse and balance in a style that will accompany a wide range of food. The blend is 20/40/40 chardonnay/pinot noir/pinot meunier.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $55.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $52.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $50.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Rosé NV
Champagne, FranceLittle change with this light salmon coloured sparkle. Vibrant strawberry, cherry, citrus aromas with a bit of toasty apple and hone. Persistent mousse makes for a smooth entry and very fruity mid-palate with strawberry, cherry, baked apple, mineral and nutty citrus flavours. Delicious and for drinking or with food.Prices:| BC | $64.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $68.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $54.25 | 750ml |
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27 November 2010
91PTS
Jean-Claude Boisset Puligny Montrachet 2006
Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceNutty, butter, honey, floral, baked pear, apple, peach, guava, leesy aromas. Ripe, round, full, fresh but soft palate with good finesse. Ripe apple, baked pear, peach, honey, waxy, nutty, lees, spicy, guava and citrus flavours. Good fruit and intensity and ready to drink. A first under in screw cap!Prices:| BC | $67.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Jean-Claude Boisset Marsannay 2008
Marsannay, Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceFloral, pear, butter, mineral, orange, waxy, nutty aromas. Very brisk, fresh, elegant but austere and bony palate. Nutty, waxy, lemon, mineral, apple skin, buttery flavours. Made only for oysters and steamed mussels with the brisk acidity finish.Prices:| BC | $37.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Josef Chromy Pinot Noir 2009
Tasmania, South Australia, AustraliaLight ruby, cherry colour. Complex nose of cherry jam, smoky, spicy, celery salt, licorice, barnyard, meaty, dried herb aromas. Round, dry, supple, forward palate with juicy acidity. Celery salt, smoky, herbal, cherry, rhubarb, vanilla, tobacco leaf, orange peel flavours. A bit warm on the finish but good fruit and intensity for current drinking. Solid value.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $27.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Robertson Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Robertson, Breede River Valley, South AfricaLight grapefruit, bell pepper, asparagus, and gooseberry aromas. Fresh, crisp, easy style with grapefruit, artichoke, grassy, bell pepper, and green apple flavours. Good value for the price.Prices:| BC | $10.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $10.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Ganton & Larson Prospect Winery Lost Bars Vidal Icewine 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig lemon, lychee, marmalade, lime, spicy, honey, baked apple, mineral aromas. Rich, ripe, fresh, round, juicy palate with balanced sweetness. Orange, lime, floral, baked green apple, honey, plasticene, honey flavours. Good finesse and fruit in a forward style.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 375ml |
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86PTS
Undurraga Terroir Hunter Syrah 2008
Valle del Limari, ChileBig tobacco, meaty, leather, smoky, coffee, resin, licorice, peppery, black cherry jam aromas. Full, round, dry, slightly lean palate with light tannins. Warm and a bit tart with smoky herb, resin, peppery, salty, gamey, leather, licorice, barnyard flavours. Somewhat thin and unbalanced finish.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Undurraga Terroir Hunter Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Valle de Leyda, Valle de San Antonio, Region de Aconcagua, ChileNettle, grapefruit rind, bell pepper, smoky jalapeno, light passion fruit aromas, more herbaceous style nose. Fresh, rich, juicy, round palate with smoky jalapeno, asparagus, nettle, grapefruit, grassy, herbal flavours. Good balance but a much more aggressive herbal and slightly austere style.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Maycas del Limari Chardonnay Reserva Especial 2008
Valle del Limari, ChileBig honey, floral, butterscotch, nutty lees, spicy, seashell aromas. Fresh, crisp, elegant, slightly austere palate with garlic, orange, nutty lees, spicy, honey, butter, pineapple and green apple flavours. A bit warm and tart on the finish but very solid styling for food.Prices:| US | $16.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Maycas del Limari Syrah Reserva 2009
Valle del Limari, ChileBig licorice root, floral, boysenberry, resin, peppery, smoked leather aromas. Rich, round, dry, supple palate with gamey, peppery, boysenberry jam, smoky, chocolate, licorice root, floral, rooty flavours. Good concentration and intensity and ready to drink. Fine value.Prices:| MB | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Amaral Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Valle de Leyda, Valle de San Antonio, Region de Aconcagua, ChilePassion fruit, gooseberry, floral, grapefruit, lemon grass, smoky jalapeno, melon rind aromas. Fresh, juicy, crisp, dry palate with light warmth. Grapefruit rind, waxy, gooseberry, nettle, lemon, passion fruit, smoky jalapeno flavours. Good length and intensity, good value. Excellent modern sauvignon.Prices:| NS | $17.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Lomas del Valle Unfiltered Syrah 2009
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileUnoaked version to express pure fruit. Very peppery, rooty, licorice, resin, celery salt, blackberry, tobacco aromas. Rich, ripe, fresh, slightly tart palate with light tannins. Big black pepper, boysenberry, black licorice, spicy, floral, gamey, wild herb flavours. The flavours are a bit tart but with great fruit intensity it is perfect with food.Prices:| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Loma Larga Cabernet Franc 2007
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileBig spicy, cranberry, black cherry, smoky, spicy, dried herb, savoury, barnyard, light leather aromas. Ripe, round, dry, juicy, supple but grainy palate. Intense black cherry, coffee, chocolate, tobacco, dried herb, savoury, orange, leather flavours. A bit warm and tart and young needs 2-3 years but with fine fruit intensity and concentration. Well done.Prices:| ON | $23.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Loma Larga Unfiltered Merlot 2008
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileMinty, peppery, spicy, herbal, cherry, rooty, tobacco, barnyard, resin, meaty, soupy prune aromas. Dry, round, supple, fresh palate with light tannins. Savory, cherry, cranberry, barnyard, meaty, Band-Aid, orange peel, dried dill, leafy flavours. Solid but a bit too rustic and herbaceous in the finish.Prices:| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Quintay Pinot Noir 2009
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileSmoky, rhubarb, cedar bark, vanilla, rooty, celery salt aromas. Dry, round, slightly lean but elegant palate with smoky, herbal, celery salt, resin, rhubarb, coffee, tobacco leaf flavours. A touch herbal but well constructed for the price.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Quintay Chardonnay 2008
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileOpen spicy lees, nutty, citrus nose with flecks of honey, garlic, lemon grass and grilled bread. The entry is warm and round the palate fresh and juicy. More honey, toasted lees, nutty flavours laced with grapefruit, lemon, and guava flavours. Long and intense and ready to drink now.Prices:| US | $13.50 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Quintay Clava Coastal Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileGooseberry, zesty grapefruit, nettle, lemon herb aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy but slightly austere entry. Nettle, lemon grass, herbal, sweaty grapefruit rind flavours. Pure and correct with a bit of lime and herb on the finish. Delicious drinking now.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Quintay Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileFloral, grapefruit rind, nettle, lemon grass, light asparagus, matchstick, light bell pepper aromas. Ripe, round, full, fresh palate with smoky bell pepper, grapefruit, mineral, gooseberry, lemon, nettle, grassy flavours. Good texture and juiciness but a touch bitter and austere on the finish. Very solid food style for mussels and clams.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Hester Creek Late Harvest Pinot Blanc 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeach skin, floral, plastic, orange, green apple aromas. Fresh, ripe, sweet, elegant palate with butter, marmalade, baked apple, honey and minty, lime flavours. Solid balance and style in what is a delicious drinking late harvest wine.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 200ml |
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87PTS
Cottesbrook Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandLemon grass, light smoked jalapeno, grapefruit, gooseberry, grassy aromas. Soft, round, fresh, easy palate with gooseberry, grapefruit, smoked jalapeno and baked apple flavours. Finish is somewhat sweet but balanced. Fun to drink and very good value for New Zealand.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Carmen Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileClassic warm, spicy, Maipo mint nose with cedar, resin and black fruit aromas. The attack is fresh with big black berry, bramble berry, black cherry cedar fruit and an undercurrent of smoky, cedar, tobacco and menthol. The tannins will need a year or two to dissipate or serve now with grilled meats such as flank steak.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Carmen Pinot Noir Reserva 2009
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileSpicy, tobacco leaf, rhubarb, smoked meat, celery root, resin, peppery aromas. Dry, round, supple palate with smoked herb, tobacco leaf, resin, coffee, rhubarb, meaty, cedar, dill flavours. New World pinot at a fair price.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
MontGras Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2008
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileBig cedar plummy, black currant nose with a dollop of vanilla. The palate is fresh with more cedar, cassis and pencil lead, bay leaf flavours with a smoky herbal, toasted oak and vanilla finish. Tannins are light. It's 100 percent Colchagua cabernet sauvignon. Try this with grilled meats form the barbecue.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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26 November 2010
88PTS
Rigal The Original Malbec 2009
Cahors, Sud-Ouest, FranceWhat was a bit rustic in 2008 has really up the ante in 2009. Malbec from Argentina seldom displays this finesse in the bottle, especially at this price. Expect a spicy floral mineral nose. The entry is soft and supple with cedar, white pepper, resin, cherry flavours. The finish is polished with light tannins. Excellent value.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Valle Las Acequias Malbec Oak 2006
Medrano, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaMade from old vine - 85+ years - and you can taste the intensity. Expect a big sweet New World nose with floral mineral undertones and fresh notes of cranberry and black fruits. The palate is awash in rich sweet, spicy, savoury fruit flavours with a warm vanilla-brushed finish. Big red and glossy this will handle any grilled meat dish or old hard cheese. Good value.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Ogier Clos de L'Oratoire des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2007
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceBig black cherry jam, licorice, peppery, spicy, clove, anise, garrigue, meaty, black raspberry aromas. Rich, ripe, round, dry, supple palate with light grainy tannins. Lots of ripe orange, raspberry, black cherry, licorice, white pepper, mineral, kirsch, chocolate, tobacco and vanilla flavours. Long, warm, fruity and fresh with good extract. Enjoyable now but will improve with 2-5 years age. Delicious.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $44.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $43.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $40.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $45.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $52.00 | 750ml |
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25 November 2010
88PTS
Rollingdale Merlot Iversen Vineyard Organic 2008
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaImpressive organic merlot grown along the Golden Mile. The attack is fresh with vanilla and black fruit. Perhaps too much oak on the nose but the palate is well balanced and exhibits some finesse. Black fruit and bitter chocolate precede its dry finish. Best in two years or drink now with lamb.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Seven Stones Speaking Row 128 Merlot 2008
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLook for cedar earthy nose with bits of black fruit and vanilla. On the palate the wine is warm and expansive with soft merlot character and spicy, cedary, olive, plum and black fruit flavours. The finish is warm and dry with more oak showing through. This needs a bit of time to settle down in thebottle maybe another year or serve now with grilled meat.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Mistaken Identity Abbondante Rosso Organic 2008
This is our first look at this organic grown blend of Leon Millot and zweigelt grapes. The nose is slightly volatile with earthy, foxy black cherry notes. The palate is fresh and tart with skinny black fruit dry finish. Simple luncheon style or hamburger red.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Dunham Froese Merlot 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaClean spicy, black cherry and tobacco nose with savoury floral, dried herb notes. The entry is round and fresh with excellent balance. The palate is packed with mocha, black cherry and olive flavours with a healthy dose of tannins. Well-made merlot that needs another 15 to 18 months in bottle to settle its considerable tannin.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Dunham Froese Amicitia Red 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAn interesting blend of merlot, cabernet sauvignon, syrah, cabernet franc, malbec and petit verdot with a bright floral, spicy, black cherry nose. The entry is warm and spicy with some obvious alcohol contributing to a smooth supple character in the mouth. The flavours are a mix of black cherry fruit, dried savoury herbs and cassis all heightened in intensity by the alcohol. Will appeal to some but we would like to see a bit less alcohol and more finesse in the future. Much cleaner than the previous version and well on track.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Obikwa Merlot 2009
Western Cape, South AfricaOpen smoky spicy nose with hints of chocolate. The attack is warm and soft with plenty of sweet ripe peppery fruit and a warm pleasing dry, finish. Your basic hamburger red that delivers for the price if you don' mind the sweet notes in the finish.Prices:| BC | $10.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $10.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Bonitas Merlot Artist Series Block 1 2007
Summerland Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRich oaky vanilla nose with hints of black cherry. The entry is soft and oaky, the palate somewhat rustic with spicy plummy ripe fruit and some acidity poking through the dry finish. Simple chunky style best with beef stews or casseroles to tame the tart finish.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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24 November 2010
88PTS
Chateau Bernadotte 2001
Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceCoffee, peppery, barnyard, saddel leather, tobacco, floral, black cherry, olive, coriander, herbal aromas. Dry, round, supple, elegnat but slightly hollow palate. Good acidity balance with smoky, saddle leather, peppery, prune, cassis, tobacco, earthy, floral flavours. Still youthful and can improve with 2-4 years or good for food now. About 2/3 cabernet sauvignon this vintage, more so than 2005.Prices:| BC | $46.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Chateau Bernadotte 2005
Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FrancePeppery, olive, leather, floral, barnyard, black cherry, rooty, menthol and mineral aromas. Dry, elegant but slightly lean and fresh with grainy tannins. Cherry, plum, spicy, tobacco, earthy, olive, cassis, and leather flavours. Fresh, youthful palate needs 2-4 years.Prices:| AB | $48.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Chateau Pichon Comtesse de Lalande 2003
Pauillac, Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceThe highest cabernet proportion in recent years at 65%. Open coffee, blackberry jam, cassis, tobacco, cedar, floral, waxy, plum, vanilla aromas. Round, dry, supple, slightly tannic and chewy palate with moderate acidity. Tobacco, chocolate, coffee, cassis jam, blackberry, peppery, floral, vanilla, olive, savoury, leather flavours. Good fruit and length, similar acidity to the 1982 so this should keep improving for at least 5-7 years.Prices:| NF | $183.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $160.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Chateau Pichon Comtesse de Lalande 2004
Pauillac, Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceSpicy, peppery, floral, cassis, plum, graphite, leather, prune, tobacco, meaty, menthol aromas. Round, dry, supple, elegant palate with some grainy tannins and mid-weight extract. Peppery, cassis, cherry, floral, tobacco, vanilla, coffee, barnyard flavours. Good finesse and acidity balance, needs 2-5 years for full maturity, solid value in Bordeaux.Prices:| NF | $121.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $140.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $129.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Chateau Pichon Comtesse de Lalande 2007
Pauillac, Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceSpicy, cedar, tobacco, floral, cherry, smoky, rooty, waxy, meaty, chocolate aromas with a hint of cassis. Dry, elegant, round, supple palate with slightly lean tannins and light extract. Cassis, coffee, earthy, peppery, spicy, black olive, herbal, leather flavours with some licorice root and green bean on the finish. Some light green tannins on the finish that should enable this to mature in 2-4 years. Finesse in a greener year.Prices:| BC | $129.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $170.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $139.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Domaine Lafond Tavel Roc-Epine 2009
Tavel, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceSimilar to last year this bigger style rosé from the Tavel appellation has a candied soft cherry berry nose with bits of tobacco and earth in the finish. The attack is soft and forward with plenty of earth, tobacco, pepper and candied cherry fruit with a coating of butter in the back end. More intense than most rosé which allows it to stand up to bigger richer summer fare.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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22 November 2010
91PTS
Louis Roederer Brut Premier Champagne NV
Champagne, FranceOne of the most consistent styles with a floral, citrus, toasty, nutty, creamy, strawberry, baked apple nose. Fresh, crisp, rich, creamy mousse palate on the drier brut side. Toasty, creamy, nutty, strawberry, orange, baked pear, apple skin and floral flavours. Clean, crisp, biscuity finish. A very fine example.Prices:| AB | $64.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $68.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $66.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $68.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $319.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $66.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $34.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $70.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $60.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Champagne Piper-Heidsieck Cuvee Brut Travel Pack NV
Champagne, FranceBiscuity, slightly toasty, green apple, citrus nose with a bit of baked pear, cherry and a floral note. Dry, crisp, fresh style with fine creamy mousse with tighter acidity. Toasty, baked green apple skin, citrus, quince and strawberry flavours. Very crisp, dryer, lighter style with a slightly austere finish.Prices:| BC | $69.99 | 750ml |
| QC | $60.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $54.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $61.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $36.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $55.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $50.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $50.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $52.00 | 750ml |
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21 November 2010
0PTS
H. Billiot Fils Brut Grand Cru Reserve Rosé Champagne NV
Champagne, FranceLight raspberry salmon colour with fine mousse. Spicy, tobacco, citrus, green apple, mineral, earthy, baked pear aromas. Crisp, dry, somewhat foamy palate but juicy. Cherry, almond, tobacco, floral, citrus, nutty, toasty, herbal flavours. Has intensity but finish is a bit bitter and tart with some herbal notes.Prices:| BC | $65.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
L'Acadie Vineyards Sparkling Rosé NV
Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, CanadaLight cherry brick colour with fine mousse. Earthy, tobacco, cherry, rhubarb, light nutty aromas. Fresh, foamy, slightly sweeter brut style with prune, sour cherry, tobacco, earthy, toasty flavours. Solid balance if somewhat unusual characters.Prices:| NS | $30.30 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Yellow Tail Bubbles NV
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaLight fine mousse with fresh spicy, peach, apple, light muscat aromas. Fresh, foamy, crisp and slightly sweet with grapefruit, peach, honey, floral, mineral and ginger flavours. Simple, easy to drink tank fermented bubble.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Yellow Tail Bubbles Rosé NV
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaVery pale raspberry salmon colour. Light bubbles with floral, muscat, spicy, citrus, lychee, peach skin aromas. Round, foamy, somewhat flat and sweet palate. Spicy, lychee, apple, peach, and muscat flavours with some bitter citrus on the finish. Simple party appetizer bubble.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Lomas del Valle Chardonnay 2009
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileThis brand is unoaked and used to show the pure cool climate fruit. Passion fruit, honey, grapefruit, green apple, citrus, pea shoot, grassy, peach pit nose. Round, fresh, elegant and delicate with a hint of sweetness. Honey, butter, grapefruit, mineral, citrus, green apple and peach skin flavours. Simple but juicy and delicate.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Loma Larga Chardonnay 2009
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileA blend of clone 76 and Mendoza, part barrel fermented in larger tonneau. Spicy, honey, light vanilla, green apple, floral, butter, pea shoot, grassy, citrus aromas. Round, fresh, juicy, palate with a touch of oiliness. Citrus, lemon, green apple, honey, butter, vanilla, spicy, waxy flavours. Good acidity and finesse with a light leesy, nutty finish. Not big but good delicacy and freshness.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Loma Larga Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileAn unoaked version from 3 clones. Floral, passion fruit, pink grapefruit, jalapeno, melon, kiwi, green apple aromas. Round, full, delicate and juicy palate with nice viscosity and a touch of austerity. Pink grapefruit, passion fruit, lime, green apple, asparagus, jalapeno and nettle flavours with a bit of lemon grass on the finish. Good finesse and length in a pure style.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Loma Larga Syrah BK - BL 2008
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileBig liquorice/black cherry, black plum jam nose with smoky menthol, tobacco, vanilla, rooty, garrigue aromas. Rich, ripe, round, juicy and velvety palate with light tannins and good finesse. Gamey, liquorice, floral, black cherry jam, plums and a wild peppery, vanilla flavour. Very fine fruit and balance with beautiful freshness on the finish. Drink now or hold another two to five years. Very low yields of 4T/ha.Prices:| ON | $30.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $32.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $37.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay 2008
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesSmoky, spicy, floral, guava, peach, honey, vanilla, light lees, citrus, baked pear aromas. Fresh, juicy, elegant, slightly sweet but fresh palate. Orange, honey, buttery, spicy lees, nutty, guava, green apple and pear skin flavours. Good overall intensity and balance.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $42.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Chamdeville Blancs de Blancs - Brut NV
FranceFine light mousse with fig, grassy, baked green apple, guava, floral, minty aromas. Fresh, crisp, foamy palate with honey, grassy, dried herb, green apple, floral flavours. Simple style here perhaps best with orange juice at breakfast.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $16.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Saumur Lieu-dit Les Pouches 2009
Saumur, Loire, FranceLime, floral, honey, grassy, green apple, almond aromas with a hint of mint. Fresh, round, delicate, somewhat soft palate but ripe with green apple, honey, mineral, anise. Lime, minty, chalky flavours. Finish is very juicy and tart, should go well with oysters or clams. Solid value seafood white at a fair price.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Antech Cuvée Expression Crémant de Limoux Brut 2008
Limoux, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceFloral, creamy, toasty, baked apple, pear aromas. Dry, somewhat austere palate with green apple skin, citrus, nutty, bruised pear flavours with a warm bitter finish. Try with a little bit of kir.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Champagne Varnier-Fanniere Brut Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs NV
Champagne, FranceFine continuous mousse mark the glass of this ripe pear, floral, baked green apple nose flecked with citrus, creamy, mineral, toasted butter aromas. Crisp, round, full, elegant palate with refined mousse. A touch of sweetness with brioche, honey, baked apple, pear, candied citrus, creamy, nutty, floral flavours. Good intensity and flavours and ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $65.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Freixenet Cordon Rosado Cava Seleccion NV
Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, Penedès, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainPale raspberry colour with fine white mousse. Cherry, almond, light toast, green apple aromas with a touch of honey and orange. Crisp, dry style but round with toasty, cherry, herbal, tobacco, spicy, nutty flavours. Simple, fuller, dry style at a fair price.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $15.50 | 750ml |
| NF | $16.50 | 750ml |
| NB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Freixenet Cordon Negro Gran Selección Cava Brut NV
Penedès, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainLots of continuous mousse. Waxy, floral, green apple, quince, light nutty aromas. Very dry, crisp, somewhat austere palate with light almond, green apple skin, waxy, pear, grassy, nutty flavours. Dry for blending or with food.Prices:| BC | $16.49 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.49 | 750ml |
| SK | $15.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.69 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.95 | 750ml |
| NB | $18.49 | 750ml |
| NS | $16.97 | 750ml |
| PEI | $17.50 | 750ml |
| NF | $17.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Domaine Drouhin Arthur Chardonnay 2008
Willamette Valley, Oregon, United StatesButtery, floral, waxy, leesy, lemon, quince, light vanilla aromas. Dry, lean, elegant, soft palate with butter, lemon, green apple, juicy citrus, honey, leesy, spicy flavours. A bit warm and tart on the finish but will be good with food. Burgundy in Oregon like the owners.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
M. Chapoutier Hermitage Chante Alouette Blanc 2006
Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceLight yellow gold colour. Nice nutty, quince, lemon, floral, honey, spicy, ginger, slightly toasty aromas. Ripe, rich, round, full, slightly sweet and warm palate but good intensity and finesse. Honey, nutty, baked quince, floral, ginger, creamy, orange and butter flavours. Fully mature now, try with Alsatian food or crab with butter. The wine is 100 Marsanne grown on soil made of loess, and covered with chalky clay all farmed bio-dynamically from the top of the Hermitage slope down to the bottom. It is exposed full south.Prices:| BC | $69.49 | 750ml |
| AB | $79.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $74.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Paul Hobbs Chardonnay 2008
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesBig grapefruit, lime, floral, minty, green apple, spicy lees, vanilla, waxy, honey aromas, good complexity. Rich, ripe, full, round, warm palate with good acidity and finesse. Bright vibrant, green apple, baked pear flavours flecked with honey, nutty lees, floral, spicy, guava and clove flavours. Fine intensity and elegance for current drinking. Consistent.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $55.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Edge Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Napa Valley, California, United StatesSmoky, leather, cassis, plum, peppery, chocolate, black olive aromas. Round, soft, supple, warm palate with light tannins. Chocolate, coffee cube, cassis jam, warm berry, tobacco, vanilla, rooty flavours with a bit of sweetness and warmth on the finish. Simple but drinkable cabernet.Prices:| BC | $34.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Signorello Chardonnay Vieilles Vignes 2008
Napa Valley, California, United StatesPale yellow gold colour. Open lemon, guava, spicy, pear, green apple, quince, nutty, leesy, waxy, peach aromas. Ripe, rich, warm, slightly fat but elegant palate. Baked apple, honey, guava, nutty lees, spicy, waxy, lemon butter, clove flavours. Good intensity if a touch warm on the finish. Drink now-2 years.Prices:| BC | $55.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Tormaresca Neprica 2008
Puglia, ItalySimilar to last year's with liquorice, meaty, peppery, black cherry jam, orange, tobacco, leather aromas. Round, supple, smooth palate with black cherry, liquorice root, tobacco, meaty, peppery, smoky leather, barnyard flavours. Good solid rustic red for stews and casseroles.Prices:| BC | $16.50 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Doña Paula Los Cardos Malbec 2009
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSlightly reductive nose with roasted pepper, mushroom, orange peel, black cherry, rooty, savoury aromas. Ripe, round, smooth, slightly sweet and fresh palate. Cherry, earth, tobacco, orange, savoury, olive, cedar flavours. Simple, fresh, easy style for consumers. Decant for 15 minutes for best results.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $16.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Tormaresca Paiara 2008
Puglia, ItalyReductive nose with fresh herbs, cherry, rooty, licorice, tobacco leaf, meaty, barnyard aromas. Dry, fresh, light palate with earthy, licorice, orange, meaty, tobacco flavours. Simple, somewhat rustic and light.Prices:| BC | $10.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $12.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Stoneboat Vineyards Verglas 2008
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLots of marmalade, minty, baked pear, green apple, honey, plasticene, floral, apricot aromas. Rich, full, juicy, sweet style but good acidity balance. Honey, orange, lime, apricot, floral, spicy, granny smith, creamy flavours. Very juicy, fruity, tart finish with good finesse. Attractive style for fruit flan or lemon tart. Well done.Prices:| BC | $33.00 | 200ml |
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20 November 2010
90PTS
H. Billiot Fils Brut Grand Cru Brut Réserve Champagne NV
Champagne, FranceMature toasty, nutty, brioche, baked apple, honey, strawberry aromas. Medium mousse with citrus peel, baked apple, nutty, honey, toasty, dried herb, lemon flavours. Finish is mature with some bitterness. Crisp, developed style.Prices:| BC | $65.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Diebolt-Vallois Prestige à Cramant Blanc de Blancs Brut NV
Champagne, FranceFloral, green apple, creamy, citrus, pear, light nutty, brioche aromas. Fresh, crisp, delicate, slightly foamy mousse. Baked green apple, lime, honey, pear, floral, juicy quince, creamy flavours. A drier, slightly tarter brut style with very good finesse and delicacy. Can age 1-3 years or drink now.Prices:| BC | $90.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Charles Heidsieck Rosé Reserve (Degorgment 2008) NV
Champagne, FrancePale salmon colour. Fine, light mousse. Nutty, toasty, strawberry, honey, floral, creamy, baked pear aromas. Fresh, round, slightly foamy palate with good intensity in a slightly sweeter style brut. Strawberry, tobacco, nutty, spicy, honey, creamy, citrus peel, baked apple flavours with a hint of lavender. Drink now with the fruit showing well.Prices:| QC | $61.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $55.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $61.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $55.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $72.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Champagne Piper-Heidsieck Brut Rosé Sauvage NV
Champagne, FranceGood salmon raspberry colour with good mousse. Earthy, tobacco, spicy, nutty, rhubarb, cherry, toasty, citrus aroma. Crisp, off dry, somewhat foamy palate. Nutty, earthy, tobacco, almond, honey, strawberry, citrus, baked apple flavours. Not quite as clean and fruity as the last edition but well balanced.Prices:| BC | $69.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $78.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $69.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $88.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $65.00 | 750ml |
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19 November 2010
87PTS
Tommasi Valpolicella Ripasso 2008
Veneto, ItalyTobacco, cologne, prune, barnyard, orange peel, meaty, coffee, peppery aromas. Dry, round, warm, supple but slightly tannic palate. Coffee, meaty, Band-Aid, barnyard, leather, tobacco, pruny flavours. Has good intensity but already showing Brett. Note the ripasso system supercharges the valpolicella with a re-ferment on Amarone skins.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $26.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $27.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $26.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Fonseca Quinta do Panascal 2001
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalVery peppery, licorice root, menthol, dried plum, black tea, dried fig, spicy, orange aromas. Rich, warm, full, somewhat tannic, tight palate with good sweetness but not cloying. Warm, slightly spirity palate with espresso, hot black licorice, spicy, black tea, fig, blackberry, prune, menthol flavours. Lots of intensity with a warm finish, needs another 5-7 years to fully mature.Prices:| BC | $69.90 | 750ml |
| QC | $76.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $65.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $59.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
L'Acadie Vineyards Vintage Cuvée Rosé 2008
Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, CanadaLight salmon colour. Fine continuous mousse. Light foxy, tobacco, grapey, honey, toasty aromas. Fresh, crisp, foamy palate with tobacco leaf, nutty, earthy, rancio, compost sour cherry, rhubarb flavours. A bit too strong on the finish.Prices:| NS | $40.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
L'Acadie Vineyards Prestige Brut 2007
Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, CanadaFine continuous mousse. Grassy, green apple, light toast, nutty, garlic, herbal, citrus aromas. Dry, tight, austere palate with lots of mousse. Green apple skin, quince, grassy, grapefruit, bitter herb, floral flavours. Very tart, dry style that is best with food.Prices:| NS | $40.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Dow's Late Bottled Vintage Port 2005
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalBig peppery, licorice, spicy, tobacco, black tea, prune plum aromas. Rich, full, warm, fresh palate with good sugar and acid but some tannins. Chocolate, prune, licorice, peppery, orange, plum jam, ginger, black tea flavours. Lots of structure to age, but you can drink now in a slightly drier style. Excellent LBV.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Freixenet Carta Nevada Brut NV
Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, Penedès, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainLight floral, citrus, honey, green apple aromas with a hint of toast. Soft, fresh, off dry palate with citrus rind, green apple, light almond, honey, butter flavours. Simple, clean and crisp with a touch of sweetness.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.75 | 750ml |
| SK | $11.98 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.45 | 750ml |
| QC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $13.48 | 750ml |
| PEI | $11.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $14.50 | 750ml |
| YK | $16.50 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Miguel Torres Manso de Velasco Old Vines 2007
Valle del Curicó, Region del Valle Central, ChileSappy, cassis, bay leaf, menthol, peppery, cedar, tobacco leaf, barnyard, slightly meaty aromas. Dry, round, elegant, slightly tannic palate and a bit austere. Coffee, smoky, resin, barnyard, riparian, cassis, peppery, vanilla, rooty, menthol and cedar flavours. Needs 2-4 years to soften but lacks the fruit and extract for more.Prices:| MB | $41.00 | 750ml |
| US | $32.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
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81PTS
Seven Stones Speaking Rock Syrah 2008
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBrick cherry colour. Herbaceous, tobacco leaf, coffee, mercaptan, coriander seed, dill, roasted tomato aromas. Dry, thin, tart palate. Roasted tomato, coffee, herbal, menthol, carrot, barnyard, pruny flavours. Too green and oaky and lean. Back to the drawing board.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Château Pey la Tour 2008
Bordeaux, FranceHerbal, prune, tobacco, cedar, resin, barnyard, leafy aromas. Very dry, lean, light bodied with moderate acidity. Cedar bark, herbal, coffee cube, resin, leafy, riparian flavours with a leathery, twiggy finish. Disappointing bottle.Prices:| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Accordini Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2006
Veneto, ItalyOlder cedar bark, menthol, coffee, barnyard, chocolate, olive, meaty nose. The entry is round and elegant; the palate is fresh. Expect a mix of dry almond, chocolate, liquorice root, prune, coffee, herbal, tobacco flavours. Ready to drink for the winter season.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesProminent oak, coffee, chocolate, cedar, prune, cassis jam, olive, menthol aromas. Dry, somewhat austere palate with some tight, cedar tannins. Coffee, oaky, chocolate, resin, earthy, smoky, herbal, pruny, cedar flavours. Very warm, dry, oaky, rustic finish lacking in fruit. A bit old style here.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $28.00 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Obikwa Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Western Cape, South AfricaPeppery, cool herbs, tobacco leaf, menthol, slightly weedy nose. Soft, round entry with tart acidity. Rooty, herbal, resin, smoky, leafy, coffee, tobacco flavours. Very tart, warm finish.Prices:| BC | $10.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $10.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $10.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $9.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $10.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $10.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Nederburg Shiraz The Winemasters Reserve 2008
Western Cape, South AfricaSmoky, meaty, leather, barnyard, peppery, cigar, candied citrus aromas. Dry, tart, light palate with smoked meat, leather, resin, prune, barnyard, Band-Aid, coffee, cigar flavours. Has some balance but too unclean.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.45 | 750ml |
| NS | $12.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Castillo de Monséran Garnacha 2009
Cariñena, Aragon, SpainVery unusual nose with nasturtium, ginger, coriander, mineral, tobacco, licorice, orange, black cherry aromas. Round, supple, fresh palate with chocolate, cherry, orange peel, ginger, spicy, menthol, tobacco flavours. Warm, slightly tannic finish. Serve with grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $11.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $9.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $9.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $11.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Jean Leon Magnolia Red 2009
Penedès, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainCassis, rooty, violet, resin, peppery, tobacco, earthy aromas. Fresh, dry, slightly tart palate with light tannins. Menthol, cassis, resin, cologne, rooty, herbal, coffee cube flavours. Very warm, tart finish. Not the same quality as the white version.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Doña Paula Shiraz Malbec 2008
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaAromatic meaty, leather, sausage, coffee, roasted pepper nose with bits of prune, resin and some funky aromas. Dry, warm, fresh, supple palate with smoky, coffee, resin, prune plum, sausage, liquorice, orange flavours. Somewhat oaky and a bit overripe with some acidity poking through. Too Oz-like. Love to see a little less acidity and more syrah character not shiraz.Prices:| BC | $20.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Santa Rita Shiraz 120 2008
Region del Valle Central, ChileSpicy, menthol, eucalyptus, blackberry, savoury, meaty, tobacco aromas. Soft, round, dry, supple palate with light body, Savoury, peppery, leafy, tobacco, menthol, meaty, sage flavours. Simple, easy barbecue style.Prices:| BC | $9.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $10.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.28 | 750ml |
| ON | $10.05 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Bonitas Casabella 2008
Summerland Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGreen apple, floral, grassy, citrus, light lees aromas. Fresh, crisp, slightly lean palate with nutty, grassy, citrus, apple skin, ginger flavours. A bit lean, bitter and hot.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
De Bortoli DB Shiraz Cabernet Family Selection 2008
AustraliaRooty, resin, liquorice, smoky, peppery, bacon, sausage aromas. Round, supple, fresh, slightly lean palate with fresh acidity and a touch of sweetness. Spicy, coffee, blackberry, sausage meat, peppery, resin, rooty flavours. Simple, fresh, bbq style.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Chateau de Ferrand 2000
Saint Émilion, Libourne, Bordeaux, FranceBig spicy, meaty, barnyard, saddle leather, pruny, earthy, pencil lead, stable aromas. Dry, lean, slightly tannic palate with a salty note. Pruny, cedar, coffee, resin, barnyard, sweaty saddle leather, shoe polish flavours. No fruit. Past its prime.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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81PTS
Nederburg Twenty Ten Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Western Cape, South AfricaSmoky, menthol, tobacco leaf, green bean, olive, barnyard, saddle leather aromas. Dry, tart, round palate with light tannins and lean edge. Resin, saddle leather, Band-Aid "Bretty", barnyard, smoky, tobacco, herbal flavours. No joy here.Prices:| ON | $15.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.99 | 750ml |
| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Black Label 2006
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaLook for the typical earthy, cedar, cigar box (Coonawarra) black fruit nose. The entry soft with a mixture of pure black fruits spiked with liquorice and red fruit that carries through to its chalky, slightly grainy tannin finish. A true cabernet and one of the best we have had from Wynns in years. Try this with lamb chops of a slab of beef.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
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18 November 2010
88PTS
Santa Carolina Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2010
Valle de Leyda, Valle de San Antonio, Region de Aconcagua, ChileI really liked this wine last year but the 2010 is better. The nose is so fresh and inviting with grapefruit, lemon and light lees notes. The palate is juicy and round with ripe guava, melon and light smoky jalapeno flavours. Fine intensity for the price. Another fine effort from Santa Carolina delivering a modern, important single appellation wine at great value.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.75 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.26 | 750ml |
| NF | $11.11 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Santa Carolina Oceanside Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Valle de San Antonio, Region de Aconcagua, ChileRun don't walk to taste this delicious sauvignon blanc which aptly illustrates the new Chile. Seawater, citrus and oyster liqueur are the gist of this San Antonio white. Crisp clean and awash in minerality this is a terrific buy for any seafood lover. A real jump up in quality for Santa Carolina. Bravo.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.75 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.26 | 750ml |
| NF | $11.11 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Tommasi Pinot Grigio Le Rosse 2008
Verona, Veneto, ItalyThe '08 Le Rosse jumps from the glass showing plenty of youthful, fresh, tropical fruit notes combined with bits of orange and nutty quince notes. The palate is equally fresh with weighty creamy textures offering spicy, citrus tropical fruit. Classic Northern Italian white that would work well with a variety of fresh fish. Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $16.00 | 750ml |
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17 November 2010
84PTS
Finca Sophenia Viognier Reserve 2009
Gualtallary, Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaMatchstick nose with bits of flowers and oranges. The wine spends six month in French oak but I'm not sure it's helping anyone. There are some floral orange notes in the flavour but the wine is simple and frankly a bit disappointing. Too much sulphur has masked the identitity of this wine.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Finca Sophenia Synthesis Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Gualtallary, Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBig grassy, nettle, fresh nose of sauvignon with flecks of grapefruit and lemongrass. Delicate palate with slightly more intensity than the regular but still lacks a bit of mid-palate intensity and extract. A good start and a likely promising future if they can get the viticulture right. Look for lime and grapefruit flavours in the finish. Estate grown at 4000 feet.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
AltoSur Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Gualtallary, Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaEstate grown at 4000 feet look for a fresh, light, citrus nose. It is appealing style so crisp and clean and refreshing. Not a lot of intensity but balanced and fun to drink and finished under screwcap. Delicate juicy, fresh and not the least bit aggressive with a touch of grass in the finish. Drink now. Matías Michelini is the winemaker and Michel Rolland is the consulting winemaker.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Bodega Lurton Gran Lurton Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Mendoza, ArgentinaExcellent colour, fresh nose of cassis and pepper with delicate leafy, ripe cabernet fruit aromas. Love the finesse on the palate a clear jump up in quality and style here. Soft round well managed tannins yet with some grip for the future. Very impressive quality and length. Definitely a dinner wine.Prices:| QC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Finca Flichman Dedicado 2006
Mendoza, ArgentinaFresh elegant red fruit nose with bits of tobacco and savoury elements. Bright fresh palate with elevated acidity and structure. The cabernet dominates the malbec and syrah with cassis olives and peppery notes. Needs more time to settle down but should be fine with some age and if the acidity doesn't poke through the finish.Prices:| US | $23.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Finca Flichman Paisaje de Barrancas 2007
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaRich open spicy warmer character with the syrah and malbec leading the way. Juicy, ripe, sweet mid-palate with equally soft, spicy round tannins in the warm finish. The flavours are dark fruit, plums and chocolate with some meaty spicy gamy notes. The blend is a mix of syrah malbec, cabernet sauvignon that is aged twelve months French and American oak. Ready to drink now through 2013. Flichman Barrancas vineyards is located some 700 meters above sea-level. Paisaje de Barrancas is a 75/20/5 blend of syrah/merlot/cabernet sauvignon that receives 12 months of ageing in new barrels -- a 50/ 50/split of American and French oak. Prices:| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Finca Flichman Paisaje de Tupungato 2007
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaOnly produced in exceptional years Paisaje de Tupungato is a high-altitude (1100 metres) blend of cabernet sauvignon, malbec and merlot that is aged 12 months French and American oak. Look for a ripe red licorice nose with savoury streaks of tobacco. The fruit is a mix of spicy black currant jam and with bits of acidity showing through in the finish. A robust, rich, old-style Mendoza red best with a rich piece of meat.Prices:| US | $17.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Chateau Lascombes 2007
Margaux, Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceTypical young vanilla, coffee, cherry, cassis nose with leather, chocolate, barnyard, roasted meat and floral aromas. Round, dry, tight, and elegant with leaner but balanced tannins and acidity. Cassis, cherry, cardamom, coffee, chocolate, tea, olive, vanilla, dill, leather and savoury meat flavours. A bit tight and acidic on the finish but has good fruit and finesse. Definitely a more modern style with more oak and reminiscent, a bit, of syrah. Needs two to four more years bottle time. Serve with roast beef.Prices:| BC | $109.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Chateau Haut Brion 2007
Pessac-Léognan, Graves, Bordeaux, FrancePrune, cherry, spicy, herbal, olive nose with bits of barnyard, leather, iron and meaty, cedar, tobacco aromas. Round, supple, fresh, slightly tannic palate but with excellent finesse. Cedar, cassis, cherry, herbal, spicy, coffee, earthy, leather, iron, olive, meaty, barnyard flavours. Very classy and true to style with some good finesse and aging potential, perhaps 5-10 years. The price makes no sense.Prices:| BC | $599.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $700.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Chateau Doisy Daëne 2007
Barsac, Sauternes, Graves, Bordeaux, FranceApricot, honey, spicy, floral, vanilla, baked nectarine aromas. Fresh, round, delicate and forward style with good finesse and acidity sweetness balance. Creamy, vanilla, apricot, lemon grass, honey, spicy, floral, grapefruit and passion fruit flavours. Not big but good fruit and finesse for near term consumption as it lacks the botrytis and acidity to go much past 5-10 years.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 375ml |
| ON | $62.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $41.00 | 375ml |
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91PTS
Chateau Leoville Las Cases 2007
St. Julien, Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceGood colour. Cassis, tobacco, earthy, barnyard, floral, peppery, savoury, olive, light vanilla aromas. Dry, tight, slightly lean but good acidity and finesse with youthful, elegant but noticeable tannins. Earthy, coffee, tobacco leaf, olive, cassis, peppery, herbal, green bean, vanilla, mineral flavours. Finish is dry and bit hard and muscular with some oak. This has potential and shows the class for the vintage and commune. Keep 3-10 years.Prices:| BC | $249.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $280.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $255.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Chateau La Lagune 2007
Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceSpicy, vanilla, tobacco, prune, barnyard, saddle leather, coffee, iron, resiny aromas. Dry, hollow, light palate with lean tannins. Earthy, rooty, tobacco leaf, olive, herbal, coffee, resin flavours. Very light, lean, tart finish with finesse but no concentration. Best 2-4 years.Prices:| BC | $79.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $80.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Chateau Calon Segur 2007
St. Estèphe, Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceSpicy, weedy, black olive, coffee, cassis, vanilla, tobacco, saddle leather, barnyard aromas - solid if on the green side. Dry, light, hollow entry with light, lean tannins. Delicate with earthy, prune, cassis, tobacco leaf, meaty, green pepper, leather, coffee, resin, Band-Aid, barnyard flavours with a green tea finish. Solid but light and green. Not a great year for St. Estephe.Prices:| BC | $89.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Chateau Providence 2007
Pomerol, Libourne, Bordeaux, FranceWeedy, resin, peppery, barnyard, tobacco, rooty, olive, dill, green herbal aromas. Dry, light, somewhat lean and green palate. Cedar bark, tobacco leaf, weedy, olive, rooty flavours. hard, green, barky finish with some coffee oak. A disappointment and poor value.Prices:| BC | $119.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Chateau Les Forts de Latour 2007
Pauillac, Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceDisappointing peppery, tobacco leaf, olive, cassis, barnyard, leather, floral, green bean aromas. Dry, fresh, slightly tart and tannic cedar-y palate. Similar tobacco leaf, cassis, cedar, olive, dried herbs, weedy, iron, resin, coffee flavours. Light, decent balance and finesse with solid expression but again, a bit dirty and green, especially for the price.Prices:| BC | $159.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $179.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $145.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Chateau Guiraud 2007
Sauternes, Graves, Bordeaux, FranceOpulent spicy, nectarine skin, lemon oil, honey, butter, vanilla aromas with flecks of floral, egg yolk and botrytis aromas. Round and fresh with excellent concentration and sweetness. Marmalade, almond, grapefruit, passion fruit, honey, guava, vanilla, dried apricot and egg flavours. Good acidity and length preview what should be an excellent future. Drink 2012 through 2020.Prices:| BC | $49.00 | 375ml |
| AB | $44.00 | 375ml |
| ON | $44.00 | 375ml |
| QC | $45.00 | 375ml |
| NF | $90.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Chateau Haut Bergey Blanc 2007
Pessac-Léognan, Graves, Bordeaux, FrancePear, vanilla, spicy lees, grapefruit, nutty, floral, grassy aromas. Dry, round, light, tart, elegant palate. Spicy, grapefruit, lemon, grassy, lees, creamy vanilla, herbal flavours. Good finesse but tart and light on concentration.Prices:| BC | $59.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Chateau Canon La Gaffelière 2007
Saint Émilion, Libourne, Bordeaux, FrancePeppery, tobacco, barnyard, coffee, prune, olive, dill, strong meaty, Band-Aid (Brettanomyces) aromas. Dry, round, light and elegant but lean with smoky, coffee, saddle leather, olive, tobacco flavours with more meaty, rooty, Band-Aid notes. Good finesse and a bit chunky but delicate and light. The detraction is the low fruit and the obvious presence of Brettanomyces at such a young age. It will only become m0re prominent in the bottle.Prices:| BC | $99.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc 2007
Pessac-Léognan, Graves, Bordeaux, FranceGrapefruit, passion fruit, vanilla, spicy lees, fig, floral, peach aromas with a bit of matchstick. Dry, round, flat, entry with light extract. Herbal, grassy, lemon, grapefruit, vanilla, spicy lees flavours. Very thin and lacking on the palate and finish. A disappointment for a Chateau of this reputation.Prices:| BC | $139.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $140.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $135.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
The Show Malbec 2009
Mendoza, ArgentinaCharles Bieler, Roger Scommegna and Joel Gott are the 3 Thieves Wine Company and The Show Malbec is a blend of high-altitude fruit from Luan de Cuyo and the Uco Valley. It's aged in American oak, lending it a warm soft vanilla undercurrent with plenty of soft generous dark plummy fruit. Best with a grilled steak.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon Medalla Real Gran Reserva 2007
Buin, Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileCabernet sauvignon fruit from a single estate in the Alto Jahuel district of the Maipo Valley with 5% cabernet franc. Spicy, sappy cassis, black plum, smoky, minty, peppery, floral, bay leaf, garrigue aromas. Dry, tight, slightly tannic and fresh but full bodied. Smoky, spicy, herbal, cassis, minty, bay, black cherry, peppery, licorice flavours. Good concentration and intensity with freshness. Still big, this needs 2-4 years. Continued fine value.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.29 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.60 | 750ml |
| NS | $22.60 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
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16 November 2010
92PTS
Louis Jadot Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru (Domaine des Heritiers Louis Jadot) 2006
Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FrancePeach pit, pear skin, green apple, nutty lees, grassy, floral, vanilla and nettle aromas. Dry, tight, elegant, full and fresh with a note of austerity but juicy acidity. Green apple skin, baked pear, clove, citrus, spicy, vanilla, creamy, grassy, stony flavours. Good acidity and very precise. Needs a few years to flesh out. Domaine des Héritiers Louis Jadot is proprietor of a 4.94-acre parcel of vines adjacent to Les Pougets exposed directly to the south. Purchased in 1914.Prices:| BC | $180.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Louis Jadot Chassagne Montrachet 2006
Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceLemon, floral, nutty, lees, butter, pear, grassy, green apple skin aromas. Dry, round, elegant but somewhat austere with fresh acidity. Butter, vanilla, green apple skin, pear, mineral, lemon flavours. Good finesse and juicy but a bit austere and tart on the finish. Best with food or keep for 2-3 years. Maison Louis Jadot vinifies the production of growers in the commune with which it holds purchase agreements based on the quality of the fruit each year.Prices:| BC | $47.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Louis Jadot Beaune Clos des Ursules Vignes Franches 1er Cru (DomaineLouisHeritiersJadot) 2005
Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceFrom old vines. Ripe cherry, prune, banryard, gamey, tobacco, rhubarb, orange, sauvage aromas. Dry, tight, austere, somewhat zippy and tannic palate. Raspberry, spicy, tobacco, orange, mineral, compost, barnyard, saddle leather flavours. Still tight and bony with fresh acidity, needs 2-5 years to round out but has good depth. The Clos des Ursules is a 6.8-acre enclave purchased by Louis Henry Denis Jadot in 1826, which has remained a solely-owned property of the Jadot family ever since. Prices:| BC | $185.00 | 1500ml |
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86PTS
Louis Jadot Savigny-Les-Beaune Clos des Guettes 1er Cru (Domaine Gagey) 2006
Savigny-lès-Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceSpicy, floral, stony, gamey, smoky, compost, cherry, barnyard aromas. Dry, light, fresh and delicate but somewhat thin. Tobacco leaf, spicy, smoky, raspberry, mineral, barnyard, gamey flavours. Fresh, simple, easy style with a bit of tannin on the finish. Drink now or over the next two years. Aux Guettes is an extensive vineyard lying at the northern edge of Savigny of which 33.5 acres, nearly all its area, are classified premier cru. The name, related to the verb "guetter," meaning "to watch over," may have to do with this vineyard's position high on the slope. Exposed due south, its iron-rich soils yield ripe, substantial, yet stylish wines. Domaine Gagey is proprietor of 6.5 acres in this cru planted predominantly to Pinot Noir Prices:| BC | $47.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Louis Jadot Gevrey Chambertin Clos Saint-Jacques Premier Cru (Domaine Louis Jadot) 2006
Gevrey-Chambertin, Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceFloral, spicy, herbal, strawberry, carrot, menthol, smoky, barnyard aromas, good complexity. Dry, full, supple, juicy and intense palate with light tannins but good finesse and concentration. Cherry, raspberry, orange, mineral, spicy, tobacco, carrot, meaty, barnyard flavours. A bit tannic and tart now but has very good intensity and length with fruit. Fine effort, 3-7 years.The Clos Saint-Jacques, a 17-acre vineyard in the center of the slope, is generally considered to be one of the two finest premiers crus of Gevrey. Domaine Louis Jadot is proprietor of 2.47 acres in this superb climat acquired in 1985.Prices:| BC | $159.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Louis Jadot Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru (Domaine Gagey) 2006
Morey-Saint-Denis, Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceFloral, raspberry, strawberry, rose, meaty, compost, carrot, barnyard, smoky, minty, incense and leather aromas. Round, dry, delicate, slightly lean and tannic palate with good finesse. Raspberry, orange, rhubarb, compost, tobacco, mineral, minty, olive, meaty, barnyard flavours. Good concentration and fruit but again somewhat austere. Needs 3-7 years but very pretty aromatics with some power. Clos-Saint-Denis lies just outside the northern walls of the village of Morey on an easterly exposed slope above the Route des Grands Crus.Clos-Saint-Denis proper, with 5.3 acres is the smallest of Morey's grands crus is one of its lesser-known even though it shares its name with the commune. André Gagey is proprietor of .42 acres in the center of Clos-Saint-Denis.Prices:| BC | $239.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Louis Jadot Echézeaux Grand Cru (Domaine Louis Jadot) 2006
Echezeaux, Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceSauvage, earthy, tobacco leaf, green herb, floral, meaty, barnyard, Band-Aid, waxy, cherry and raspberry aromas. Dry, tight, austere but elegant and fresh. Raspberry, tobacco leaf, orange, red currant, meaty, smoky, menthol flavours. A tight, somewhat austere and rustic style that needs two to five years to flesh out. Grands-Echézeaux and Echézeaux are in Flagey-Echézeaux and cover, respectively, 22.5 and 93 acres. While Grands-Echézeaux is a single "climat," Echézeaux covers eleven vineyard sites clustered around Grands- Echézeaux. Grands-Echézeaux may take the Echézeaux appellation, but not vice-versa. Echézeaux is often less concentrated and complex than Grands-Echézeaux. Domaine Louis Jadot is proprietor of .86 acres in Echézeaux purchased in 1995.Prices:| BC | $182.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Louis Jadot Nuits Saint Georges Les Boudots 1er Cru (Domaine Gagey) 2006
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceSmoky, spicy, barnyard, orange, raspberry, leafy, Band-Aid, leather, earthy, carrot top aromas. Dry, fresh, slightly tannic with juicy acidity but slightly austere. Raspberry, rhubarb, spicy, tobacco, compost, smoky, herbal, light vanilla, saddle leather, meaty flavours. A bit austere and rustic but has solid fruit core. Needs 2-7 years to fully mature.The Aux Boudots vineyard, on the Vosne-Romanée border near Les Malconsorts, is a squarish parcel covering 16 acres, and is one of Nuits-Saint-Georges' finest premiers crus. André Gagey is proprietor of a 1.24-acre parcel acquired in 1970, replanted in part in 1973 and completed in 1980 from cuttings from existing vines. Maximum annual production is 250 cases.Prices:| BC | $112.00 | 750ml |
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95PTS
Louis Jadot Chambertin Clos de Beze Grand Cru (Domaine Louis Jadot) 2006
Gevrey-Chambertin, Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceSpicy, peppery, sauvage, compost, cherry, strawberry, menthol, tobacco, meaty, coffee, carrot top aromas. Rich, ripe, round and full with good finesse and some light, grainy tannins with fresh acidity. Floral, strawberry, meaty, spicy, smoky, coffee, tobacco, sage, minty, barnyard flavours. A bit tannic with some rustic notes now but has a good long, full intense finish. Needs 5-7 years. Domaine Louis Jadot controls 2.04 acres in Clos-de-Bèze of which half were acquired in 1985 through the purchase of Domaine Clair Daü, with the balance under long-term contract.Prices:| BC | $320.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Louis Jadot Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru (Domaine Louis Jadot) 2006
Burgundy, FranceFloral, cherry, waxy, sauvage, barnyard, compost, meaty, spicy, orange and tobacco aromas. Dry, round, elegant, juicy and fresh with good finesse and ripeness. Nice cherry, strawberry, spicy, mineral, orange, sauvage, herbal, floral spice flavours. Very good finesse and fruit, fuller than the Clos St. Denis. Needs 3-5 years.Louis Jadot is one of the principal owners in the Clos Vougeot, with a 6.36-acre parcel assembled primarily from its acquisition of the vineyards of Clair Daü and Domaines Champy in the 1980s; Jadot controls, in addition to this, another 1.73 acres through long-term contracts.Prices:| BC | $160.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Quinta De Chocapalha Tinto 2006
Lisboa, Central and Southern Portugal, PortugalRetasted. Peppery, pruny, licorice root, smoky, spicy, black cherry jam, resin, floral, earthy aromas. Very dry, tight, warm palate with light tannins. Cedary, smoky, resin, peppery, prune, earthy, cigar, dried herb flavours. Very tight style with a warm finish. Fully mature, best with grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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15 November 2010
89PTS
Leyda Sauvignon Blanc Garuma Vineyard 2009
Valle de Leyda, Valle de San Antonio, Region de Aconcagua, ChilePassion fruit, grapefruit, smoky jalapeno, guava nose with light bell pepper and nettle aromas. Rich, ripe, round and full with good fresh acidity and a creamy texture. More smoky jalapeno, roasted bell pepper and passion fruit mark the nose with flecks of green apple, grapefruit, lemon grass and melon flavours. Fairly warm but with fine concentration, texture and intensity. It finishes on the slightly more herbal side. Leyda is coming into its own.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Leyda Pinot Noir Reserva 2009
Valle de Leyda, Valle de San Antonio, Region de Aconcagua, ChileSpicy, compost, barnyard, cherry jam nose with vanilla, light coffee, peppery, carrot top aromas. Round, dry, supple entry with a full mouth-filling palate. Cedar, tobacco, peppery, smoky, cherry, coffee, herbal, orange, liquorice root and resin flavours. Good textures and forward in style so ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
La Braccesca Vino Nobile de Montepulciano 2005
Tuscany, ItalyA rustic style with a meaty, savoury, nose and notes of Brettanomyces with tobacco, black cherry, cedar, ash aromas. Dry, supple and elegant but fresh palate. Cherry, tobacco, olive, chocolate, peppery, meaty, rooty, liquorice and Band-Aid flavours. Solid style for food but a bit too rustic.Prices:| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Guado al Tasso Bolgheri Superiore 2007
Tuscany, ItalySpicy, meaty, peppery, black olive, tobacco, cherry, cassis, vanilla nose with orange, peel and that characteristic, garrigue, barnyard, smoky aromas. Fine complexity here with rich, ripe, full and supple tannins and juicy acidity. Cassis, black cherry, cranberry, orange, smoky, meaty, peppery, vanilla, earthy, liquorice, tobacco, and olive flavours. A good balance of fruit, herbs and spice with the cabernet shining through. Better in three years but best in ten. One to watch.Prices:| BC | $94.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $80.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $83.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $247.00 | 1500ml |
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94PTS
Antinori Solaia 2006
Tuscany, ItalyA blend of mostly cabernet with sangiovese and a little cabernet franc or the reverse of Tignanello. Cassis, black olive, peppery, coffee, floral, blackberry, tobacco, cigar, saddle leather, barnyard, savoury aromas. Rich, ripe, dry, somewhat tannic and fresh palate with youthful, grainy tannins. Spicy, cassis, peppery, black cherry, liquorice, coffee, tobacco, earth, meaty, leather, vanilla flavours. Youthful and showing some oak and tannins, needs three to seven years to shine. A fine effort.Prices:| BC | $250.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva 2005
Tuscany, ItalyClassic spicy, peppery, black cherry, earthy, barnyard, leather, coffee, floral, rooty aromas precede a rich, ripe, round, full and slightly chunky palate. Vanilla, prune, cherry jam, tobacco, saddle leather, mocha, liquorice, peppery flavours. Good concentration and fruit for the vintage and ready to drink now. Try this with steak or mushroom risotto.Prices:| ON | $36.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $47.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Antinori Badia A Passignano Chianti Classico Riserva 2006
Tuscany, ItalySmoky, vanilla, spicy, cedar, tobacco nose flecked with olive, barnyard, leather, floral, black cherry, liquorice, savoury aromas. Dry, full, slightly hard and tannic palate with good acidity. Firm black cherry, vanilla, cedar, tobacco flavours with meaty, iron, earthy, ash and mineral notes. Good intensity and balance but will needs two to four more years to round out.Prices:| BC | $56.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Antinori Pian delle Vigne Brunello di Montalcino 2005
Montalcino, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyIntense spicy, tobacco leaf, saddle leather, floral, eucalyptus nose with black cherry, plum, ash, liquorice and vanilla aromas. Rich, round, supple and elegant with light tannins. On the palate look for plums, liquorice, vanilla, earthy, coffee, tobacco, ash, mineral, peppery, orange peel flavours. A bit tannic and lean on the finish but with finesse. This round out nicely in two to four years or drink it now with beef dishes.Prices:| BC | $77.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $75.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $172.00 | 1500ml |
| BC | $354.00 | 3000ml |
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94PTS
Antinori Tignanello 2007
Tuscany, ItalyClassic Tuscan styling with peppery, meaty, tobacco, black cherry, and black olive and cassis notes flecked with herbal, barnyard, floral, vanilla, menthol and saddle leather aromas. Full, ripe, round and rich on the palate with ripe grainy tannins and surprisingly juicy acidity. Black cherry, cassis, peppery, vanilla, meaty, smoky, tobacco, cranberry, leather, liquorice, mocha flavours. Young and well balanced with fine potential to age, needs 5-7 years to really shine. One of the best yet. Made with predominately sangiovese with parts of cabernet sauvignon and now cabernet franc.Prices:| BC | $97.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $99.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $98.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $98.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Emiliana Gé 2006
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileThis Biodynamic certified label is the best lots and barrels from Coyam but ends up with a slightly different blend with more syrah and no mourvèdre or petit verdot. Spicy, cedar, peppery, cassis jam, blackberry, menthol, bay, vanilla, chocolate, celery salt, meaty, savoury, light barnyard aromas. Rich, ripe, round, supple palate but warm and fresh. Eucalyptus, curry, blackberry, black cherry, coffee, vanilla, peppery, sage, smoky, cedar flavours with some tobacco and roasted meat on the finish. It is warm but with excellent fruit and finesse for its alcohol level. Good now but will improve with 2-4 years.Prices:| BC | $100.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $80.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Emiliana Pinot Noir Reserva Especial 2008
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileMade entirely from organic fruit in transition to biodynamic this cool-climate pinot presents spicy, rhubarb, cedar, tobacco nose flecked with earthy, plum and floral, barnyard aromas. Ripe, round, fresh and juicy palate with supple, velvety tannins. Good elegance with vanilla, strawberry jam, vanilla, spicy, cherry, worsteshire, peppery, orange peel, herbs and liquorice flavours. A bit warm but with fine intensity and balance for consuming now. Good value.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Emiliana Novas Winemaker's Selection Viognier 2010
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileA fine example of modern organic wine with a bright nose of honey, spicy, orange, lees, lychee, ginger, floral, nectarine, green apple aromas. Ripe, juicy and elegant with a fresh palate and a hint of sweetness and a delicious mix of floral, apple, citrus, honey, mineral, spicy, apricot flavours. Good finesse and fruit at a solid value price. Turkey anyone?Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Emiliana Novas Winemaker's Selection Chardonnay Viognier Marsanne 2008
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileEnticing honey, ginger, vanilla, lees, apricot, nutty, quince aromas. Ripe, round, slightly fat but juicy palate with more apricot, honey, melon, orange, pineapple, vanilla flavours. Good fruit intensity with a touch of sweet fruit and warmth on the finish. Ready to drink. Try it with your favourite Thai dish.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Merryvale Vineyards Chardonnay Carneros 2008
Carneros, Napa Valley, California, United StatesThe Carneros based chardonnay is mostly Stanly Ranch Estate with contributions from Hyde Vineyard, Silverado-Stanly Ranch that spends eight months in 42 per cent new French oak on its lees. The result is a creamy textured white with a pronounced lees character on the nose and added complexity throughout. The style is rich and inviting offering nutty tropical fruit flavours with bright acidity and bits of toasted oak in the finish. Modern, clean and brighter than the 1990s versions this wine would be great with lobster and other richer seafood and pastas dishes.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $48.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $40.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Starmont Chardonnay 2008
Napa Valley, California, United StatesStarmont a standalone brand made by Merryvale comes off three relatively cool Napa Valley vineyard sites Milliken, Linda Vista and Stanly Ranch. You may be surprised by the freshness but a whole cluster press and 50/50 mix of stainless steel fermented and barrel fermented fruit aged a mere 8 months in only 15 per cent new oak seals the deal. A less is more chardonnay from Napa swimming in bright pear/apple/nectarine fruit with bits of butterscotch, vanilla and spice. A great addition to any wine list or evening at home. Roasted chicken stuffed with onions and rosemary would be ideal. Love that Ontario price.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $36.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $26.50 | 750ml |
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03 November 2010
93PTS
Louis Jadot Puligny Montrachet Les Folatieres 1er Cru 2006
Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceQuince, apricot, floral, honey, buttery, vanilla, spicy, baked apple, waxy aromas, very ripe with good complexity and a touch exotic. Ripe, full, dry and slightly austere palate with good textures. Very spicy, green apple skin, honey, nutty, garlic lees, quince, vanilla, butter, anise flavours with a touch of citrus on the finish. Fine balance and finesse with good intensity and length. Drink now-5 years. A fine effort. Domaine des Héritiers Louis Jadot is proprietor of .59 acres of vines in Les Folatières.Prices:| BC | $112.00 | 750ml |
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01 November 2010
92PTS
Champagne Moêt & Chandon Grand Vintage Rosé 2003
Champagne, FranceRed fruits are at the heart of this rosé, with its aromatic floral, earthy, musky, spicy undercurrents. The palate is intense with redcurrant, blackberries and wild strawberry flavours flecked with citrus, blood oranges. Complex, serious, yet playfully pink and bubbly.Prices:| BC | $90.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Champagne Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial Vintage 2003
Champagne, FrancePersistent fine mousse with a typical biscuity toasted lees and dried fruit aromas. The attack is fresh with a good mix of fruit and spice and earth in the flavours. Youthful but well blanced and should remain solid for another three to five years cellaring. An elegant, refined champagne for lighter seafood dishes.Prices:| BC | $90.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $83.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $86.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $88.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Champagne Moët & Chandon Rosé Imperial NV
Champagne, FranceBrut Impérial Rosé is a blend of 50 to 60 percent pinot noir and 15 to 20 percent chardonnay; the balance is meunier. Pale salmon is the colour with dried cherries and bush fruit aromas, all streaked with spicy baked apples and almonds. It is a little lean but elegant with raspberry, cherry, and apple flavours and some citrus peel in the finish. Effortless sipping style or serve with a fish garnished with a red fruit sauce.Prices:| BC | $93.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $99.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $104.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $99.65 | 750ml |
| QC | $95.50 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Tenuta San Leonardo Dolomiti 2001
Trento, Trentino- Alto-Adige, ItalyAlways a wine with finesse and on the cooler fruit side, this is no exception. Peppery, earthy, Oxo, barnyard, saddle leather, waxy, cassis, plum, black olive, cedar, meaty, gamey aromas. Dry, round, supple with fresh acidity but finesse. Red currant, earthy, tobacco, smoky, dried herb, cherry, minty, barnyard, leather and cedar flavours. This is drinkable now but will hold or improve over the next 2-5 years.Prices:| BC | $115.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Pianirossi Rosso Black Label 2006
Maremma, Tuscany, ItalySpicy, peppery, liquorice, floral, leather, meaty, inky, vanilla, cassis, plum, earthy, mineral aromas. Ripe, round, elegant but slightly austere palate with some light tannin. Peppery, earthy, liquorice, plum, cassis, meaty, leather, coffee, roasted chocolate flavours. Good concentration and finesse and balanced for food. Drink now-5 years.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Pianirossi Solus White Label 2006
Maremma, Tuscany, ItalyOpen meaty, peppery, leather, rooty, liquorice, black cherry, ash, tobacco, floral, ginger and menthol aromas. Dry, tight, fresh acidity palate but good concentration. Spicy, meaty, liquorice, resin, earthy, peppery, sour cherry and plum flavours with a tobacco, dried herb finish. A bit edgy now but well balanced for food.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Montevertine La Pergole Torte 2004
Siena, Tuscany, ItalyVery peppery, liquorice, menthol, black cherry jam, plum, smoky, meaty aromas. Dry, round, slightly lean palate but full with good acidity and finesse. Spicy, cherry, plum, leather, vanilla, coffee, meaty, peppery, liquorice, cassis, graphite, iron, smoky flavours. Good succulence and minerality but needs 2-5 years. A balance of extract, austerity and finesse.Prices:| BC | $120.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $114.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Montevertine Rosso Toscana 2005
Siena, Tuscany, ItalyMade from 100 percent sangiovese. Look for spicy, orange, meaty, leather, cherry jam aromas with Christmas cake, barnyard, and tobacco notes. Fine complexity. Dry, round, elegant and delicate palate with fresh acidity. Cherry, spicy, leather, peppery, plum, earthy, barnyard, meaty flavours. A lighter, more forward style designed for drinking with food. Drink now or cellar for another three to four years.Prices:| BC | $58.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Di Lenardo Vineyards TOH! Friulano 2009
Friuli-Venezia Giulia, ItalySpicy, floral, pear, citrus, anise, quince, peach aromas. Round, dry, fresh, elegant and clean style with creamy acidity. Pear, floral, red apple, citrus, chalky, nectarine skin flavours. A touch oily but with good body mineral and almond notes in the finish. An excellent food wine.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Giuseppe Mascarello Barbera d'Alba Scudetto 2004
Montforte d'Alba, Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalyFloral, black cherry, mulberry, liquorice, meaty, almond, menthol and ash aromas. Round, dry, supple and fresh with light tannins. Menthol, currant, cherry, earthy, tobacco, spicy, tar, rooty, almond and mineral flavours, an unusual combination. Good finesse and concentration with fresh acidity. Drink now-5 years.Prices:| BC | $68.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Giuseppe Mascarello Barolo Monprivato Riserva Ca D'Morissio 2001
Castiglione Falletto, Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalyCascina Mascarello or Cà d'Morissio in the Piedmontese dialect is a single block in the Monprivato vineyard from a special single clone of nebbiolo. The nose is floral with waxy, meaty, cherry jam, tobacco, liquorice, cooked carrot, tar, sage and dried herb aromas. Dry, full and round but somewhat austere with good acidity. Prune, smoky, rooty, cherry, liquorice, meaty, tobacco, resin, tar flavours. Gripp-y and still young, this needs 3-15 years. There is intensity and finesse here but it of gaminess. Try it with venison.Prices:| BC | $740.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Giuseppe Mascarello Barolo Santo Stefano di Perno 2003
Montforte d'Alba, Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalySpicy, carrot top, peppery, resin, tar, menthol, cherry, earthy, floral, tobacco, olive nose, very aromatic. Dry, round, full, supple and juicy palate with some light tannin still. Earthy, tobacco, tar, cherry jam, strawberry, licorice, floral, coffee, meaty flavours. Good length and finesse with balanced acidity. Fine with food but will improve with 3-7 years aging. A bit bigger than the Villero.Prices:| BC | $155.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Giuseppe Mascarello Barolo Villero 2003
Castiglione Falletto, Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalyRuby cherry colour. Cherry jam, olive, spicy, waxy, light tar, floral nose with bits of tobacco and gamey, dried herb aromas. Ripe, round, dry, supple and fresh palate with a touch of alcohol in the finish. Cherry, strawberry jam, tar, tobacco, meaty, coffee grind, almond, smoky flavours. A wine of good finesse and elegance despite the hot vintage. Delicious and balanced, drink now-7 years.Prices:| BC | $140.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $110.00 | 750ml |
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December 2010