quicksearch
Tastings: January 2011
30 January 2011
90PTS
Marimar Estate Pinot Noir Don Miguel Vineyard 2006
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesBlack raspberry jam, cherry, spicy, licorice, floral, light saddle leather, barnyard, orange, gamey aromas. Ripe, round, dry, elegant, slightly tannic palate with juicy acidity and good finesse. Sour cherry, black raspberry, resin, cola, smoky, dried herb, tobacco, tea and leather flavours. Good fruit and finesse can drink now or keep for 1-2 years.Prices:| BC | $42.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $42.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
97PTS
Taylor Fladgate Scion NV
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalTaylor Fladgate Scion, self-described as one of the oldest and rarest wines ever sold will be made available in very limited quantities to collectors and connoisseurs around the world this month. The pre-phylloxera port was crafted in the mid-nineteenth century and has been ageing in cask for the past 155 years. Taylor Fladgate successfully acquired both remaining casks after the death of the last remaining family member in possession of the wine and moved the wine Vila Nova de Gaia in January. Given the pedigree and current quality of the wine it was decided it would be bottled without blending to become a highly sought after collector's item. Announcing the release CEO Adrian Bridge said: "This extraordinary Port, which has spent fifteen decades in oak casks, may be one of the only wines to survive from the pre-phylloxera era in faultless condition." The wine is offered in a specially designed crystal decanter that recalls the period in which the 155-year-old Port was made and a limited-edition book which tells the story of Scion. Our tasting note is as follows: a deep brick/brown colour with a green edge. Molasses, tobacco, rancio, toffee, cedar, fiery, dried cherry, black tea and savoury aromas waft from the glass. The palate is creamy with fine acidity and only moderate sweetness and plenty more toffee, cedar, tobacco, molasses, walnut, dried orange peel and butterscotch flavours. All in all a smooth, nutty, rancio-style finish in what can only be described as an old tawny with an intensity you must experience. A real piece of history. Only 1000 units were made and bottled in a replica decanter reflecting the style of pre-phylloxera Portugal. It is a rare opportunity for collectors to buy a wine so old and exposed to the elements that it will likely remain unchanged in style for decades. Should be in select Canadian markets by mid-March.Prices:| BC | $3500.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $3500.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $3500.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Doña Paula Los Cardos Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Mendoza, ArgentinaOpen peppery, spicy, tobacco, black cherry, rooty, smoky, garrigue, cassis aromas. Fresh, juicy, slightly tannic palate with cola, leather, peppery, cassis, resin, tobacco, herbal, coffee flavours. Simple, easy style at a fair price. The fruit is grown at 1100 metres.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Doña Paula Los Cardos Syrah 2009
Ugarteche District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaInviting spicy, coffee, mocha, and vanilla bean nose with black cherry, incense and tobacco aromas. Ripe, round, smooth palate with peppery, black cherry jam, prune, coffee bean, mocha, licorice flavours. A tad ripe and full but with good fruit and texture. Best with grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $16.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Graffigna Centenario Malbec Reserve 2008
San Juan, ArgentinaA slightly different take on the value end malbec with a much drier firm savoury pepper y nose that continues onto the palate. The black fruit plays second fiddle to quite an acidic Oz style mid-palate with a dry peppery finish. The acid seems to dry out the back end. A hamburger red at best.Prices:| MB | $14.25 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.50 | 750ml |
| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $16.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Rodney Strong Russian River Pinot Noir Estate Vineyards 2009
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesVanilla, caramel, smoky, espresso, Bing cherry jam, cologne, compost, herbal aromas. Soft, round, fresh palate with good smooth texture. Smoky, coffee, vanilla, resin, licorice, green tea, olive, tobacco leaf, herbal, raspberry jam, Bing cherry flavours. Good fruit and acidity but a bit too reliant on smoky oak and vanilla. A slight oak diet would up the ante.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $27.00 | 750ml |
| US | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Marimar Estate Pinot Noir Don Miguel Vineyard 2004
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesBlack tea, tobacco leaf, cola, licorice root, resin, barnyard, cherry jam, pruny, vanilla aromas with an herbaceous note. Rich, full, dry palate with some gritty tannin. Cedar, prune, coffee, black cherry jam, licorice, menthol, savoury, compost, tobacco leaf flavours. A bit hot and mature, drink now.Prices:| BC | $42.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $42.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Doña Paula Estate Malbec 2009
Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy, floral, black cherry, liquorice coffee, peppery tobacco, violet, vanilla, smoky herb aromas. Dry, slightly astringent and tart palate but full bodied. Coffee, vanilla pudding, black cherry jam, prune, licorice, tobacco, black olive, savoury, spicy, plum flavours. Good fruit and intensity for drinking now but should improve with 1-2 years.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $20.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $18.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Georges Duboeuf Fun Beaujolais 2009
Beaujolais, Burgundy, FranceSpicy, black cherry, plum jam, liquorice, gamey, mineral, floral aromas, very ripe. Soft, fresh, dry, elegant palate with ripe strawberry, black cherry, liquorice, earthy, tobacco leaf, peppery flavours. A bit warm and fresh but good solid fruit for current drinking. Good value.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Le Serre Nuove Dell' Ornellaia 2008
Bolgheri, Tuscany, ItalyPeppery, black olive, tobacco, meaty, black cherry jam, cassis, resin, smoky vanilla, barnyard, leather, cranberry aromas with a floral, dried herb note. Full, round, juicy, dry palate with some smooth grained tannin. Black olive, tobacco leaf, peppery, liquorice, orange peel, cassis, black cherry, vanilla, coffee, rooty, smoked meat and dark chocolate flavours. Long and dry with some youthful tannin. Although drinkable now, it will improve with 2-4 years. Ornellaia 'bambino' is half merlot mixed with cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and petit verdot.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $50.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $58.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $60.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Pascual Toso Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSmoky leather, Oxo, cassis, peppery, earthy, liquorice, prune, blackberry, cola, tobacco aromas. Round, supple, fresh palate with a warm edge. Rooty, meaty, earthy, coffee, saddle leather, peppery, prune, blackberry, liquorice root, and tobacco flavours. Full, warm style for beef.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Wither Hills Pinot Gris 2010
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandFloral, bubble gum, ripe pear, melon, matchstick, honey, bread aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy palate but quite sweet and slightly cloying. Honey, baked pear, orange, grapefruit rind, grassy, gooseberry flavours. Solid but like many NZ pinot gris it is too sweet.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Xanadu Next of Kin Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Margaret River, Western Australia, AustraliaStemmy, tobacco, black olive, herbal, black pepper, cedar, smoky cola aromas. Tart, juicy palate with light tannins. Cedar, coffee, herbal, Oxo, leather, peppery, green cassis, stemmy flavours. Basic and cool.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $16.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Doña Paula Los Cardos Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaMarlborough or Mendoza? It is priced like Mendoza but tastes like New Zealand. The fruit is from Finca Los Cerezos, Tupungato. Viticulturalist Eddy Del Popolo employs a 'spring' pruning technique to successfully delay the growing season one month and shifting the ripening time into cooler weather. Look for bright yellow grapefruit, intense gooseberry and light mineral, bell pepper aromas. Fresh juicy entry with nettle, lime, gooseberry fruit and just a squeeze of citrus and asparagus. Grilled chicken anyone. White wine for wine drinkers.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $15.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
29 January 2011
87PTS
Cassini Cellars Reserve Pinot Noir 2008
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRooty, cooked rhubarb, strawberry jam warm pinot site flavours with tobacco leaf, herbal, smoky aromas. Round, warm, fresh, supple and soft palate with very light tannins. Smoky, herbal, tobacco leaf, peppery, soupy plum, cooked rhubarb, vanilla flavours with a bit of coffee and cedar. Simple, forward, warm style that is ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Castaño Dulce C Monastrell 2006
Yecla, Valencia and Murcia, SpainChocolate, raisin, incense, coffee, floral, molasses, prune and tobacco aromas. Fresh, ripe, juicy palate with good acidity and sweetness but intense. Tobacco, peppery, prune, coffee, molasses, honey, raisin, meaty, leather, nutty flavours. Some light tannins on the finish but lots of concentration.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 500ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Doña Paula Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Ugarteche District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSmoky, dried herb, tobacco, black pepper, black licorice, cassis jam, barnyard, saddle leather, meaty aromas. Round, full, fresh, slightly tart and dry palate. Spicy, peppery, smoky, herbal, black olive, cassis, savoury, vanilla, coffee and barnyard flavours. Solid effort for drinking now-2 yearsPrices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Pascual Toso Malbec 2009
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaMeaty, black cherry, sausage, smoky, coffee, prune, tobacco, barnyard, savoury aromas. Ripe, round, fresh, supple palate with black cherry, tobacco, black olive, savoury, sausage meat, leather, smoky, resin and sage flavours. Good solid fruit with a bit of rusticity on the finish. Getting a bit sloppy and diluted. Too much success in export markets?Prices:| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Gloria Ferrer Pinot Noir Carneros 2006
Carneros, Sonoma County, California, United StatesSmoky, coffee, cooked prune, cherry jam, tobacco leaf, floral, cola, vanilla, orange rind aromas. Round, full, dry, juicy palate with very light tannins. Cedar, tobacco, cherry, raspberry, rhubarb, smoky, herbal, compost, coffee, licorice root flavours. A bit oaky and warm but has solid fruit and a juicy finish. Made from 100 per cent estate grown grapes from eight different clones.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $34.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $34.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Laughing Stock Vineyards Chardonnay 2009
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLemon, butter, honey, nutty lees, spicy, waxy, vanilla aromas with a touch of roasted garlic and baked apple. Round, elegant, soft palate with a warm edge. Honey, garlic, nutty lees, spicy, baked apple, smoky, diacetyl flavours with a salty, nutty, slightly sweet butter and flat finish. Very solid effort but if we are picky it is still sporting a bit too much barrel work (lees) and not quite enough acidity to lift the flat finish. Try it with roast chicken.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
28 January 2011
88PTS
Burrowing Owl Syrah 2008
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSavoury, sausage, smoky, dried herb, liquorice, vanilla, blackberry, tobacco, poultry spice, barnyard aromas. Fresh, dry, somewhat tart palate with light tannins. Vanilla, coffee, smoky, poultry spice, savoury, rooty, cherry, black tea, tobacco leaf flavours. Solid with some heat in the back end.Prices:| BC | $38.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $41.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Burrowing Owl Merlot 2008
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoky, resin, coffee, Bandaid, saddle leather, savoury, barnyard, earthy, olive aromas. Dry, slightly tart, lean entry but elegant. Barnyard, smoky, earthy, tobacco, coffee, vanilla, savoury, sweaty saddle leather mixed with hints of Band-Aid and sour cherry flavours. Not the best merlot we have tasted from BOV.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $31.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
27 January 2011
90PTS
Chateau Puech-Haut 2006
Coteaux du Languedoc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceFloral, butter, nutty, ginger, citrus, baked pear, lemon oil aromas. Fresh, dry, juicy, elegant palate with good finesse. Spicy, ginger, honey, floral, grapefruit, orange, mineral, nutty, quince flavours. Mature now but with fine acidity balance and without too much heat or alcohol.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
| SAQ | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Concha y Toro Winemaker's Lot 148 Las Pataguas Vineyard Carmenere 2008
Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileMinty, dried bay leaves, cedar, tobacco, chocolate, saddle leather, tar and smoky, cherry jam aromas. Full, round, supple, dry palate with fresh acidity and smooth, grainy tannins. Big smoky, peppery, tobacco leaf (carmenère), coffee, vanilla, sage, eucalyptus, cassis, cherry and crushed herb flavours. A bit tart and chunky on the finish but shows some of the best aspects of this variety. Solid value.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Burrowing Owl Athene 2008
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSavoury, meaty, liquorice, coffee, vanilla nose flecked with saddle leather, barnyard, tea, dill and peppery, black olive, resin aromas. The style is dry and slightly lean with a somewhat tart entry. The palate is typical of what we see form Black sage with its smoky, vanilla, savoury, espresso, black olive dominating the cassis and cherry notes with more meaty, peppery, liquorice root and dried herbs flavour. It lacks a bit of fruit, concentration and balance for the price but it should improve in the bottle for another two or three years.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Burrowing Owl Cabernet Franc 2008
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoky, vanilla, coffee, cranberry, black cherry nose with bits of tobacco leaf, black olive, savoury, spicy aromas and more barnyard and leather. The entry is dry and elegant with a somewhat tart palate and light, dry tannins. Cedar, tobacco, coffee, vanilla, herbal, savoury, cranberry, sour cherry, dark chocolate, resin, earthy flavours with a bit of leather and Oxo on the finish. Good effort but will require another two to three years in bottle to really express itself.Prices:| BC | $33.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
26 January 2011
90PTS
Treana Marsanne Viognier Mer Soleil Vineyard 2008
Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, Central Coast, California, United StatesFloral, honey, waxy, ginger, orange marmalade, spicy, bacon aromas with a slightly smoky note. Creamy, fat, full, warm, juicy palate. Honey, ginger, marmalade, pineapple, canned peach, floral citrus flavours. Finish is warm and creamy with a touch of sweetness. A more intense, ripe style. Fun to drink. Try it with your favourite curry.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
84PTS
181 Merlot 2008
Lodi, Central Valley, California, United StatesCedar bark, rooty, tobacco leaf, menthol, herbal incense aromas. Fresh, slightly tart palate with light, dry tannins. Tobacco leaf, cedar bark, herbal, menthol, coffee, smoky, rooty flavours. Hard, dry finish.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
82PTS
The Little Penguin Merlot 2009
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaTobacco, cedar, blueberry, cherry, rooty aromas. Round, soft, somewhat sweet and tart entry with cedar, black olive, blueberry, tobacco leaf, olive flavours. Sweet, tart, weedy finish.Prices:| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $13.50 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $13.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $13.50 | 750ml |
| QC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $13.25 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Laughing Stock Vineyards Portfolio +14/10 2008
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaTypical Northwest peppery, tobacco leaf, savoury, dried herb nose with black olive, smoky, coffee, vanilla and light barnyard aromas. Round, dry, fresh palate with some grippy tannin. Vanilla pudding, coffee, peppery, earthy, cedar, tobacco flavours dominate the youthful palate before you get to the black cherry, cranberry, savoury, green tea flavours. Love the youthful, fresh finish but with a big dose of oak to shed. Needs 2-4 years more in bottle. Another good effort and getting closer to the finish line.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Mendel Malbec 2008
Mendoza, ArgentinaSavoury, tobacco, black cherry, vanilla, dried thyme, plum, herbal, rooty aromas. The style here is refreshingly elegant. The palate is full-bodied with light, dry, grainy tannins. Cherry, plum, tobacco, savoury, liquorice root, vanilla, smoky, mushroom, caraway flavours. Good solid malbec with some light tannin to shed. Try with grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $37.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $30.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Montgras Antu Ninquen Syrah 2007
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileConsistently well-made syrah sporting spicy, menthol, bay leaf, savoury, meaty aromas flecked with black berry, licorice and light barnyard. The palate is round and slightly tannic with fresh acidity and smoky, coffee, black berry fruit with bits of vanilla, dried herbs. Still youthful with some oak and tannins to shed, but with a fine core of fruit.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $17.95 | 750ml |
| NS | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $23.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Boutari Cambas Blanc NV
GreeceEarthy, minty, floral, peach pit, pear skin aromas. Round, fresh, slightly fat but dry palate with spicy, earthy, pear skin, quince, lemon zest and baked apple flavours. Simple, solid seafood white for the summer. Good value in the litre bottle format.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 1000ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 1000ml |
| SK | $19.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $9.40 | 1000ml |
Read Full Note
25 January 2011
88PTS
Kung Fu Girl Riesling 2009
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesAt first glance the "Kung Fu Girl" Riesling label looks like a bad Jackie Chan movie - was there ever a good one, but when you taste the wine it's a black belt. The nose is a fresh mix of floral, mineral and pear scents. On the palate the acidity you hope for arrives to freshen up the lime, wet-stone and just off-dry apricot/tangerine flavours. Perfect for spicy dishes, appetizers or serve solo on the deck before dinner. Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
CedarCreek Merlot 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis wine has improved in bottle since last April as we suspected it might. A little less coffee and chocolate from the oak has revealed more black cherry, tobacco, sausage meat and black olive aromas. The entry is still linear but with a bit more fruit and dry earthy, cedar, tobacco, sour cherry, coffee and pepper flavours. The finish is dry but softening up, especially with food. It was perfect with steak.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
23 January 2011
86PTS
Santa Rita Shiraz 120 2009
Region del Valle Central, ChileA consistent style here built around eucalyptus, spice and savoury blackberry, tobacco aromas. The entry is supple with medium bodied weight and more savoury, peppery, meaty tobacco flavours. An affordable, easy sipping barbecue red that over delivers for $10.Prices:| BC | $10.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $10.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $12.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Obikwa Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Western Cape, South AfricaA touch drier this year which is a good thing with an herbal/ asparagus passion fruit thread from front to back. Keep this well chilled and enjoy it with a variety of appetizers and pre dinner tapas. Hard to beat for $10.Prices:| BC | $10.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $10.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $9.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $9.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $10.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $11.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Chateau Lagrezette 2006
Cahors, Sud-Ouest, FranceThis French version of malbec (87 percent) is blended with a bit of merlot and tannat. The blend is assembled to go the distance, namely two decades or more. The nose is warm and inviting with soft, supple tannin. The palate is dark, the fruit brooding and dense, with some chewy and at this point rustic tannin in the back end but in a strange way it delivers. Try it with powerful, meaty dishes or let age a decade...or two.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Rudolf Muller Riesling Chardonnay 2009
Pfalz, GermanyThis isn't the greatest wine made at Muller but that's not the point. Blending riesling with chardonnay adds another layer of likeability for less than $13. The nose is fruity but not tart the palate is soft but not flabby at the flavours fresh and off dry palate with green apple, mineral, green apple pear skin flavours. Good value and fun wine for sushi and many Chinese and Indian dishes.Prices:| BC | $12.49 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
The Little Penguin Shiraz 2009
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaWarm open spicy, blueberry fruit scented nose. The entry is smooth and sweet with more blueberry/blackberry fruit flecked with milk chocolate and liquorice. Sweet, easy-drinking style with the usual acidity poking thorough on the finish.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $13.25 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $13.50 | 750ml |
| SK | $13.50 | 750ml |
| QC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $13.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Croix du Mayne Cahors 2007
Cahors, Sud-Ouest, FranceSimilar to last year with a rubbery reduced nose mixed with resin, black cherry and tobacco leaf. The attack is fresh with prominent acidity with slightly earthy black cherry, spicy, mineral flavours with a tart finish. Best with meet but likely to acidic and rough for most regular Argentine malbec drinkers.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
22 January 2011
87PTS
Torres Vina Esmeralda 2010
Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainEsmeralda has been a winning wine since 1961. The fruit 85/15 mix of moscatel/gewürztraminer sourced from the Upper Penedès and has been efficiently finished under screwcap for several vintages now. The nose is bright and fresh with floral, lemon oil and nectarine skin aromas. The palate is similarly style with litchi, lemon lime notes. A fine match with calamari, mussels, clams, assorted seafood pasta dishes and Indian curries.Prices:| BC | $14.49 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.50 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
21 January 2011
91PTS
Porto Messias Colheita 1985
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalVery nutty, rancio, cedar, tobacco, prune, dried cherry, lifted aromas. Fresh, elegant, juicy, sweet, warm palate but good finesse. Nutty, honey,licorice, molasses, rancio, almond, dried orange peel, toffee flavours. Warm finish but very good flavours and dried fruit notes. Bottled once per year, this one in 2009. Drink now.Prices:| AB | $77.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Jose Maria Da Fonseca Moscatel Setúbal Alambre 20 Years NV
Setúbal Peninsula, Central and Southern Portugal, PortugalBrick amber colour. A blend of 20 different vintages of which the youngest is 20 and the oldest about 80 years. Very rancio, nutty, cedar, tobacco, toffee, ginger, orange peel, butter, spicy aromas. Rich, full, round palate with good sweetness and acidity balance and not too warm. Toffee, prune, honey, molasses, rancio, nutty, orange, floral, ginger, spicy, cedar, tobacco flavours. Good finesse in a rancio style. Fine value.Prices:| BC | $79.99 | 500ml |
Read Full Note
93PTS
Quinta da Bacalhôa Moscatel de Setúbal 1999
Setúbal Peninsula, Central and Southern Portugal, PortugalVery orange-gold colour. Big spicy, nutty, apricot, dried tangerine rind, ginger, floral, rancio, mineral aromas. Rich, round, full and sweet with good acidity. Raisiny, gingerr, honey, dried apricot, nutty, floral, minty, dried citrus peel and toffee flavours. Very good concentration and length with a buttery, ctirus finish. Can age but delicous now also. Made somewhat like a vintage port with skin maceration and after alcohol addition, kept in contact for 5-6 months before going to barrel.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Quinta do Cachão Grande Escolha Red 2007
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalSpicy, smoky, coffee, earthy, black cherry, plum, leather, licorice root, cedar, sage, barnyard, tobacco and dried fig aromas. Rich, round, full, smooth, warm palate with good acidity and supple tannins. Blackberry, plum, coffee, licorice, sage, dried herb, tobacco, curry, floral, cocoa flavours. A bit warm but has good concentration, intensity and finesse. Drink now and for the next five years.Prices:| QC | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Bacalhoa Tinto da Ânfora Grande Escolha 2006
Alentejo, Central and Southern Portugal, PortugalPeppery, meaty, smoky, cherry jam, sage, dried plum and herb aromas. Fresh, round, supple and elegant with juicy acidity. Cherry, plum, floral spicy, smoky, tobacco, mineral flavours with a meaty, chocolate, vanilla, herb finish. Very good fruit and finesse and a fine food style wine.Prices:| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Cloudy Bay Chardonnay 2006
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandButter, honey, floral, pear, baked apple, spicy lees, melon, waxy aromas. Ripe, round, juicy and creamy palate with nutty lees, cinnamon, peach, melon, lemon, butter and honey flavours with a tropical note on the finish. Good fruit and balance for current drinking. Fully mature and nicely controlled oak.Prices:| BC | $32.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $37.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $38.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $43.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Barone Ricasoli Brolio Chianti Classico 2007
Tuscany, ItalySpicy, curry, cherry, prune, gamey, rooty, licorice, floral, aromas with a bit of saddle leather and garrigue. Ripe, dry, full palate with slightly grainy tannins. Black cherry, savoury, leather, tobacco, earthy, meaty, smoky, peppery, chocolate flavours with a bit of barnyard. Good concentration and intensity if rustic. Drink now and over the next two years.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $27.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $26.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $26.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Castello di Gabbiano Chianti Classico Riserva 2007
Tuscany, ItalyPeppery, black cherry jam, plum, curry spice, licorice, earthy, gamey, floral, cedar, tobacco aromas with a hint of vanilla and chocolate. Dry, round, full, elegant and juicy palate with light tannins. Spicy, gamey, smoky, dried cherry, prune, tobacco, coffee, leather and meat flavours. Good concentration with a warm finish and light grainy tannins. Drink now - 5 years. A definitive improvement in quality from this producer.Prices:| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Joel Gott Zinfandel 2008
California, United StatesDry-farmed, old, head-trained vines in Lodi and Amador are behind the intense spicy bramble black fruit aromas that mark the nose of this wine. The palate is a spicy, mix of juicy, blackberry, liquorice, cedar and raspberry, tobacco and bramble aromas. Ripe, rich, round, slightly tannic and warm palate with fresh acidity. Chocolate, blackberry, raspberry jam flavours. Only 25 percent new American oak is used.Prices:| SK | $20.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Villa Antinori Toscana Rosso 2006
Tuscany, ItalySmoky, peppery, floral, black cherry, saddle leather, meaty, barnyard, liquorice and prune aromas. Ripe, full, round, fresh palate with light tannins. Cherry, black plum, barnyard, saddle leather, meaty, gamey, spicy, coffee flavours. Good structure for food in a slightly rustic style.Prices:| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $24.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Rocca delle Macie Chianti Classico 2008
Florence, Tuscany, ItalyOpen spicy, peppery, nutmeg, meaty, black cherry, liquorice, tobacco, barnyard, floral, plum, rosemary aromas. Round, dry, supple, elegant palate with juicy acidity. Black cherry, plum, liquorice, rooty, flora, peppery, gamey, dark chocolate flavours with a bit of tobacco and resin. A more delicate, forward, fruitier style with structure for near term drinking. Good value.Prices:| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Ruffino Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale (Tan Label) 2006
Tuscany, ItalyGamey, sausage meat, saddle leather, floral, waxy, black cherry, plum, licorice, barnyard aromas. Ripe, round, supple, elegant palate with juicy acidity. Smoky, black cherry, plum, peppery, spicy, saddle leather, tobacco, gamey, floral, meaty flavours. A tad rustic but fine balance and mouthfeel with solid fruit. Drink now - 3 years.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $27.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $30.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $35.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $39.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro Chianti Classico Riserva 2005
Tuscany, ItalySmoky, saddle leather, cigar, gamey, savoury, black olive, black cherry, Band-Aid, prune, coffee and vanilla aromas. Ripe, round, dry, elegant palate with fresh acidity and tight, light tannins. Peppery, tobacco, ash, licorice root, black cherry, coffee, meaty, Band-Aid, leather, savoury flavours with a hint of dried thyme. Finish is full solid concentration. Drink now or will improve somewhat over the next 1-3 years.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $44.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $45.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $50.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Miquel Torres Cordillera Chardonnay Viognier Reserva Privada Familia 2008
Valle del Curicó, Region del Valle Central, ChileDefinitely something different. This new arrival to Canada is an 85/15 blend of chardonnay / viognier where the chardonnay is made with three different clones all aged in new French oak. The nose is fresh and aromatic with bits of red apple, mango. The palate is similar in what is really a fruity style white a touch of lees and hazelnut in the finish. Bright fresh, modern easy-drinking style, try it with shellfish.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $33.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Melini la Selvanella Riserva Chianti Classico 2005
Tuscany, ItalyOld style spicy, prune, coffee, light Band-Aid/Brett aromas with tobacco, meaty, sausage and earthy, floral, black olive. Dry, elegant, fresh, slightly tannic palate. Cherry, spicy, plum, prune, gamey, tobacco, peppery, mineral, meaty, savoury flavours. Elegant but in a leaner, higher acid style. Best with grilled meats and or game.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $26.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
17 January 2011
88PTS
Ruffino Il Ducale 2007
Tuscany, ItalyPeppery, meaty, cherry jam, floral, chocolate, saddle leather aromas with a touch of game. Soft, round, dry, supple palate with dark chocolate, leather, prune, roasted meat, peppery, tobacco flavours and a touch of blackberry. Good solid Tuscan blend showing all three grape varieties in a balanced way. Ready to go.Prices:| QC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $23.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $23.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
16 January 2011
87PTS
Caliterra Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileAnother excellent effort from this label. The 2010 is all value for money with its passion fruit, nettle, and lime rind notes that scream ,cool sauvignon. The entry is round with a touch of sweet, red apple fruit followed by a flood of citrus, passion fruit and grassy lime rind and honey notes. Crisp and juicy and very representative of Casablanca. Shellfish as in clams, oysters or mussels will. Stock up.Prices:| QC | $11.75 | 750ml |
| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $9.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Santa Rita Sauvignon Blanc 120 2010
Valle del Lontué, Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileThis sauvignon over delivers most years given its healthy production. In 2010 of touch of sweetness and a slight watery quality mark the palate of this open grassy passion fruit scented white. The style is easy-sipping and with the touch of sweetens it can easily work with spicier dishes. The fruit comes from Maule and Casablanca, it is all stainless steel fermented fruit and a crisp and a crunchy as it can be. Sushi, oysters, pasta salads take your pick they all work.Prices:| BC | $11.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $11.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $12.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Avalon Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Napa Valley, California, United StatesA nice improvement on last year with a much riper personality and no green notes. The nose is still peppery and fresh with bright blackberry and tobacco aromas. The palate is smooth and well-structured with ripe Christmas cake, blackberry, cassis flavours with some spicy fresh black olive notes on the finish. Solid Napa at a very attractive price.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
14 January 2011
88PTS
Brotte Côtes du Rhône Les Brottiers 2008
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceWhite pepper, tobacco, gamey, spicy, black cherry, licorice and dried thyme aromas. Ripe, round, supple, juicy palate with black cherry, plum, raspberry, peppery, spicy, tobacco, meaty flavours. A drier style but excellent fruit and balance. Solid value here.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $18.50 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
M. Chapoutier Belleruche Côtes du Rhône Rouge 2008
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceBig peppery, cool plum, black liquorice, orange rind, smoky, gamey, rooty aromas. Fresh, dry, round, slightly tannic palate with juicy acidity. Spicy, peppery, black cherry, black raspberry, smoky, dried herb, gamey flavours. Good concentration and balance can drink now or age 1-2 years.Prices:| BC | $18.50 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Château de Montfaucon Baron Louis Côtes du Rhône 2007
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceBig peppery, black liquorice, gamey, meaty, tobacco nose with garrigue and black cherry jam aromas. Warm, round, supple, juicy palate with light tannins. Black cherry jam, chocolate, peppery, thyme fruit flavours flecked with garrigue and gamey, meaty, smoky, tobacco notes. Good intensity and fruit that will easily age a year or two.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $26.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Chateau de Saint-Cosme Gigondas 2008
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceHuge white peppery, spicy, black raspberry jam, orange peel, smoky, gamey, licorice root, garrigue aromas, great complexity. Rich, dry, round, full bodied style but has some young tannins to shed. Juicy palate with black raspberry, black plum jam, licorice, smoky, peppery, spicy, tobacco, gamey, Oxo, smoky herb flavours. Youthful with excellent intensity with a warm finish. Needs 2-4 years but try now with lamb stew or duck.Prices:| BC | $43.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $42.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Château Pesquié Côtes-du-Ventoux Quintessence Rouge 2007
Sud de France, FranceBig spicy, barnyard, black cherry jam, black raspberry, licorice, saddle leather, meaty, cedar, floral, garrigue and beef Oxo cube aromas. Rich, warm, round, sophisticated, intense palate with light tannins and excellent acid. The attack is spicy, smoked meat, Oxo cube affair with garrigue, jasmine, black cherry compote, orange peel, licorice root, leather and tobacco flavours. It is a full-blown, slightly rustic style with some warmth but with high concentration. It takes a few years to round out, or you can try it with grilled steak and rosemary. At Pesquié, the Quintessence Rouge is an 80/20 blend of syrah and grenache that is selected from old, south-facing vines that sit at an altitude of 230 to 260 meters.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $24.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Chat-en-Oeuf Côtes du Ventoux 2009
Ventoux, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FrancePeppery, spicy, black licorice, rooty, gamey, black cherry aromas. Round, dry, fresh, supple, juicy palate with black cherry, plum, spicy, peppery, liquorice, garrigue, smoky flavours. Good fruit and intensity at a great price from a good year in the Rhone.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
M. Chapoutier Belleruche Côtes du Rhône Rouge 2009
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceThe Belleruche vineyards are spread across four separate Rhone departments in Drôme, Vaucluse, Gard and Ardèche sitting above a mix of clay and calcareous alluvial deposits. Spicy, peppery, chocolate, light barnyard, liquorice, gamey, black cherry aromas. Rich, smooth, dry, slightly tannic but supple palate with good acidity. Black cherry, plum, orange, peppery, spicy, gamey, liquorice resin, dried herb, dark chocolate flavours. Full, warm, well balanced and still youthful. Drinkable now but worth aging 1-2 years. Good value here.Prices:| BC | $18.50 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Domaine La Galine 2008
Minervois, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceVery spicy, peppery, licorice, meaty, black cherry, floral, garrigue aromas. Fresh, soft, elegant, full palate with light supple tannins. Black cherry, plum, peppery, licorice, floral, garrigue, chalky, dried herb, orange peel flavours. Good balance and finesse with fine fruit. Drink now or keep for 1-3 years. A winner, worth trying.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Domaine Notre Dame de Cousignac Syrah - Grenache 2008
Vin de Pays des Coteaux de l'Ardèche, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceBig rooty, peppery, spicy nose marked with resin, light floral, tobacco, meaty aromas. Round, supple, dry, elegant, fresh palate with black cherry, meaty, peppery, licorice, spicy, mineral flavours. Good solid balance and style for food. Good value. Domaine Notre Dame sits between the appellations of the Cotes du Rhone and Cotes du Vivarais. The wine is blend of syrah/grenache grown, but not certified organic and sold under the Vin de Pays de L'Ardèche appellation.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Cuvée du Vatican Côtes du Rhône Villages 2009
Côtes du Rhône Villages, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceSpicy, peppery, liquorice, garrigue, barnyard, tobacco, black cherry jam with smoky, saddle leather aromas. Rich, ripe, round, smooth palate with good juicy acidity and light tannins. Black cherry jam, black raspberry, earthy, liquorice floral, spicy, garrigue game and mineral flavours. Excellent concentration and fruit if a bit hot and rustic. Drink now with lamb while the fruit is foremost.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
12 January 2011
91PTS
Quinta dos Quatro Ventos Reserva 2006
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalSpicy, smoky, vanilla, cedar, tobacco, liquorice nose with earthy, black cherry, barnyard and fig aromas. Round, full, supple and broad on entry with good acidity balance and velvety tannins. Prune plum, liquorice and cherry jam flavours with flecks of coffee, smoky, peppery, floral, rooty flavours. A bit hot on the finish but with fine concentration and intensity. It will age well for 2-4 years.Prices:| US | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Aveleda Grande Follies Branco 2007
Bairrada, Northern Portugal, PortugalA very ripe, oaky style with lots of butter, vanilla, lees, pear, quince, guava and honey aroams. Fresh, creamy palate with good acidity with butter, vanilla, spicy, honey, nectarine flavours. Good concentration and finesse but is over-oaked and heavy handed.Prices:| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Aveleda Follies 2008
Bairrada, Northern Portugal, PortugalDeep cherry colour. Cassis, earthy, barnyard, peppery, cedar, meaty, leather aromas. Round, fresh, dry, tart entry with grainy tannins. Cassis, cherry, tobacco, savoury, vanilla, barnyard, olive flavours. Warm, tart finish, seems unbalanced.Prices:| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Bacalhoa Tinto da Ânfora 2007
Alentejo, Central and Southern Portugal, PortugalPeppery, cedar, prune, leather,earthy, smoky, cherry, vanilla aromas. Dry, round, supple and juicy with good acidity. Cedar, vanilla, cherry jam, cassis, meaty, dried herb flavours with a touch of iron and plum on the finish. Good fruit and balance. Another fine value. Made with a selection of grapes including aragonês, touriga nacional , trincadeira , alfrocheiro and cabernet sauvignon, grown in three wine regions in Alentejo: Arronches (Portalegre), Borba and Arraiolos. Prices:| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Aliança Quinta da Garrida Dao 2007
Dão, Northern Portugal, PortugalGrapes were grown on soils of granitic and clay composition. Poultry spicy, tobacco, cherry, earthy, herbal, sage aromas. Round, dry, elegant palate with light tannins. Vanilla, cherry, chocolate, tobacco, savoury, curry, sage flavours. Good intensity and length for the money. Very solid value here.Prices:| BC | $12.50 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Dados Reserva 2008
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalAged in American oak. Spicy, floral, black cherry, black berry, waxy, cassis, cedar aromas. Ripe, round, supple and full with light tannins and good acidity. Floral, spicy, vanilla, chocolate, black cherry, plum, peppery, licorice flavours with a mineral, tobacco note. A bit warm and fresh on the finish, this has very good fruit intensity. Needs a year or two to come around in bottle.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Periquita Reserva 2007
Vinho Regional Terras do Sado, Setúbal Peninsula, Central and Southern Portugal, PortugalPruny, saddle leather, vanilla, barnyard, cherry jam, tobacco, dried herb aromas. Fresh, tart, slightly sweet palate with light tannins. Spicy, rooty, leather, barnyard, tobacco, black olive flavours. Simple, consumer style.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
11 January 2011
86PTS
Averill Creek Vineyard Pinot Gris 2008
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaVery nutty, creamy, buttery, bruised apple, honey, waxy, mature aromas. Fresh, elegant, somewhat tart, skinny palate with buttery, honeyed, lemon, diacetyl flavours. Seems a bit tired on the nose and mature looking but there is plenty of lively acidity on the palate. Try this with simple seafood and shellfish dishes.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
83PTS
Yali Wetland Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileFloral, yeasty, grapefruit, melon, lemon and passion fruit aromas. Sweet, round, somewhat cloying palate with grassy, grapefruit, yeasty, passion fruit and lime flavours. Has fruit but this is way too sweet.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
The Black Chook Shiraz Viognier 2009
South Australia, AustraliaFloral, blueberry jam, plum, peppery, rooty, savour, cola, dried herb aromas. Rich, ripe, round, full palate with a touch of sweetness and fresh acidity. Blueberry, plum jam, spicy, floral, ginger, peppery, tobacco, licorice root flavours. Good fruit and balance but finish is definitely on the sweet side.Prices:| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Woop Woop Shiraz 2008
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaCedar, dusty, earthy, blackberry, peppery, spicy, blueberry, resin aromas. Ripe, round, soft, supple, slightly sweet palate with blackberry, cherry, coffee, medicinal, cola, peppery flavours. Finish is a bit warm and sweet with some fruit.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Boutari Cambas Red NV
GreeceMeaty, cherry jam, barnyard, leather, spicy, perfume, earthy nose. Round, soft, forward, fresh palate with cherry, floral, licorice, meaty, leather, spicy flavours. Simple, easy, slightly rustic barbecue red.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 1000ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 1000ml |
| SK | $20.00 | 1000ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Boutari Grande Reserve Naoussa 2004
Naousa, Makedonia, GreeceFloral, meaty, peppery, cherry jam, coffee, leather, smoky menthol aromas. Round, dry, elegant, slightly lean palate with cedar, black olive, cherry, coffee, rooty, licorice, meaty flavours. A bit dry and tart now, best with food.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $22.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $21.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Quails' Gate Old Vines Foch Reserve 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig meaty, waxy, espresso, charred, resin, peppery, tobacco, roasted tomato, roasted pepper, barnyard, saddle leather aromas. Ripe, round, dry, supple but slightly skinny extract. Big smoky, oaky, charred, roasted tomato, herbal, vanilla, bourbon flavours. Huge oaky, charred finish with a big herbal note. Unique.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Quails' Gate Old Vines Foch 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSappy, barnyard, leather, coffee, smoky, roasted tomato, blackberry, riparian aromas. Round, supple, slightly sweet entry with smoky herb, green olive, espresso, black cherry, gamey, peppery flavours. Finish is warm and fresh with some slightly bitter green tea tannins.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $24.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Pertimali Brunello di Montalcino 2004
Montalcino, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyBig smoky, prune, blackberry, ash, licorice root, Band-Aid, saddle leather, tobacco, meaty aromas. Rich, round, supple, full, smooth palate with fine tannins. Blackberry jam, prune, graphite, meaty, floral, ash, coffee, peppery, Band-Aid, meaty, soy flavours. Good intensity and length drink now - 5 years. Rustic style but well balanced.Prices:| BC | $99.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $85.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Elio Altare Dolcetto d'Alba 2007
Piedmont, ItalyBig ash, barnyard, meaty, medicinal, resin, smoky, earthy nose. Ripe, rich, round, full palate with supple tannins and good acidity. Peppery, meaty, smoky, black cherry, plum, earthy, liquorice aromas. Well balanced with good intensity but somewhat at odds with its slightly rustic, dirty aromas. Decant for 30 minutes for best results.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Pinot D'Alsace 2007
Alsace, FranceMineral, chalky, floral, white peach, buttery, honey, nutty, citrus aromas. Full, rich, round, good acidity but warm palate. Honey, baked peach, citrus peel, lemon, chalky, earthy flavours. Ready now it has big weight but with fine freshness. Serve cold with sole in a cream sauce. Great value in pinot auxerrois.Prices:| BC | $34.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Pinot Gris Calcaire 2007
Alsace, FranceHoney, floral, spicy, baked pear, earthy, apricot skin, citrus peel aromas. Rich, round, somewhat soft and quite sweet palate but fresh. Waxy, lemon peel, honey, apricot, spicy, waxy, floral, buttery flavours. Long, warm, full juicy finish. Try this as a dessert wine or with foie groie as it is quite sweet.Prices:| BC | $48.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $44.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Muscat Goldert Grand Cru 2007
Alsace, FranceVery spicy, floral, ginger, lemon oil, nectarine skin, minty, leesy aromas. Fresh, full, round, dry palate with ginger, mint, grassy, floral, spicy, quince and light honey flavours with a lemony finish. Good freshness and elegance but a light style. Pricey.Prices:| BC | $69.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
80PTS
JoieFarm Reserve Chardonnay 2008
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVery mature colour and oxidised nose and palate. faulty cork? Will try another bottle. Second bottle similar with aging colour and mature butter, cooked pineapple, somewhat baked, oxidized apple aromas and flavours. Palate is also now mature and fading with soupy butterscotch, vanilla, baked flavours. Third bottle similar.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
10 January 2011
87PTS
Surani Pietrariccia Fiano 2009
Salento, Puglia, ItalyBig floral, spicy, ginger, honey, citrus, light butter with a big streak of matchstick. Ripe, round, fresh, dry palate with honey, ginger, orange, lemon, red apple, quince and floral flavours. Good acidity and fruit on the finish, somewhat akin to a viognier with lemon. Solid value here.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $17.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Black Tractor Shiraz 2008
Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia, AustraliaBlueberry, liquorice, menthol, light coffee, spicy, peppery, black cherry aromas. Soft, elegant, slightly lean style with fresh acidity. Black olive, blueberry, black cherry, liquorice, coffee, cola, spicy, floral, rooty, roasted flavours. Good fruit and finesse but quite tart on the finish.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Finca Los Primos Malbec 2009
San Rafael, General Alvear, Southern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy, cassis jam, prune, peppery, floral, rooty, savoury aromas. Smooth, sweet, round, fresh palate with cassis, peppery, black olive, smoky, vanilla bean, chocolate flavours. Good fruit but sweet with some rustic tannins on the finish.Prices:| BC | $11.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Finca Los Primos Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
San Rafael, General Alvear, Southern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy, cassis jam, prune, peppery, floral, rooty, savoury aromas. Smooth, sweet, round, fresh palate with cassis, peppery, black olive, smoky, vanilla bean, chocolate flavours. Good fruit but sweet with some rustic tannin on the finish.Prices:| BC | $11.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
84PTS
Finca Los Primos Syrah 2009
San Rafael, General Alvear, Southern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaRooty, meaty, peppery, floral, black cherry, licorice, light barnyard aromas. Sweet, fresh, round, slightly tannic palate. Prune, coffee, blackberry, floral, licorice, peppery flavours. Good fruit but again, gone the commercial route with a sweet and tart style a la predecessors with some tannins.Prices:| BC | $11.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Fort Berens Meritage 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPrune, coffee, barnyard, leather, tobacco, espresso, dill, black olive, ash, cranberry aromas. Dry, elegant, slightly sweet and sour with espresso, coffee oak, cranberry, carrot, cherry, rhubarb, stemmy, olive flavours. Has finesse but green and oaky.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Fort Berens Cabernet Franc 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCigar, leafy, savoury, roasted tomato, prune, coffee, barnyard, leather, celery aromas. Dry, supple, tart, slightly astringent palate. Cedar bark, cranberry, tobacco leaf, celery root, coffee, vanilla, roasted tomato flavours. Some sweet and sour with wood tannins on the finish. Needs better ripeness.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
84PTS
Fort Berens Pinot Noir 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBrick colour. Cherry, rhubarb, spicy, prune, earthy, tobacco and herb aromas. Dry, somewhat lean but full entry with leafy, sour cherry, dill, savoury, coffee flavours with a somewhat bitter herb, tart finish.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
0PTS
Tua Rita Rosso dei Notri 2008
Tuscany, ItalyCorked, try another bottle.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Foxglove Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, Central Coast, California, United StatesMinty, prune, meaty, tobacco, black olive, peppery, cassis, leather, coffee aromas. Round, full, slightly tannic palate with fresh acidity and a touch of sweetness. Coffee, prune, cassis jam, peppery, smoky, peppery, tobacco leaf, cola, cedar bark flavours. Rustic, somewhat tart finish with gritty tannins. Serve with beef for best results.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $28.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Lamberti Santepietre Pinot Noir 2007
Veneto, ItalyPrune, peppery, barnyard, spicy, meaty, rhubarb aromas. Soft, round, slightly sweet and fresh palate with cherry, strawberry, spicy, celery root, mushroom flavours. Simple, easy, slightly rustic style.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $15.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Remy Pannier Sauvignon Blanc di Touraine 2009
Loire, FranceLight floral, gooseberry, passion fruit, and lemon aromas. Fresh, light, elegant, dry palate with lemon grass, oyster shell, passion fruit, gooseberry, light bell pepper flavours. A bit skinny but good intensity and fruit and solid value.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
09 January 2011
89PTS
M. Chapoutier Beaurevoir Tavel 2009
Tavel, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceIt's hard to beat grenache when it is used to make rosé. So lively and fresh, yet dry, the focus is on structure and weight with fine cherry fruit and apricot skin flavours that tone down the fruit and bring up the terroir. Classic Tavel styling and finish. The perfect chicken wine but is versatile enough to match most chilled luncheon selections. Or go in a different direction withy sushi. Textbook.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Miguel Torres Santa Digna Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé 2008
Valle del Curicó, Region del Valle Central, ChileBrief skin contact is all you need with cabernet sauvignon but the result is red pink colour, an aromatic fragrant red fruit nose and a similar character on the palate. A fine dose of sugar overcomes any deficiencies sweet fruit lively fun and ready for most summer sipping challenges. Perfect for light cheeses, charcuterie dishes and chicken pasta dishes. Fun and good value.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
84PTS
The Little Penguin Chardonnay 2009
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaOur favourite varietal offering from the Little Penguin set although it's appears to getting riper and sweeter with each passing year. The nose is fresh with big peachy, honey, butter and red apple notes. The entry, as mentioned, is off-dry with more honey, peach and cherry vanilla notes. Simple stuff for large parties.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $13.20 | 750ml |
| SK | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $13.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $14.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $12.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Finca Los Primos Chardonnay 2009
San Rafael, General Alvear, Southern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaAnother consistent offering this time from 2009. Los Primos does a great job mixing cool fruit with bits of green apple skin and flecks of melon and peach for flavouring. There is a barely perceptible touch of lees on the palate that helps to balance the ripe fruit and keep it interesting. Super value in what is a versatile chardonnay for appetizers and patio parties.Prices:| BC | $11.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
84PTS
Fort Berens Pinot Noir 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFlat round, soft entry with strawberry and spice aromas on the nose. The palate is similar with slightly tart, yet flat textures with minimum fruit flavours. A clean if simple start for this Lillooet producer. Try it with chicken or tuna salad sandwiches.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
08 January 2011
88PTS
Pierre Sparr Diamant Pinot Blanc 2009
Alsace, FranceFresh floral, citrus, honey, red apple, clover, lanolin aromas. Crisp, dry, juicy, slightly austere style with red apple, orange, lime rind, butter, honey and grassy flavours. Well balanced, fresh style for seafood.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
83PTS
St. Hubertus Pinot Blanc 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLeesy, garlic, buttery, matchstick, floral, earthy aromas. Sweet, round, somewhat bitter but fresh entry with baked green apple, butter, creamy, herbal, citrus rind flavours.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Montresor Soave Classico Castel di Soave 2009
Veneto, ItalyLight floral, nutty, citrus, nutty, buttery aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy but slightly lean entry. Spicy, lees, lemon butter, quince, baked green apple and quince flavours. Good intensity and concentration in a leaner style. Best with grilled chicken or grilled seafood.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Peller Estates Family Series Pinot Blanc 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGrapefruit rind, light butter, green apple skin, canned peach aromas with a touch of matchstick. Fresh, crisp, somewhat austere style with grassy, grapefruit rind, green apple, butter and chalk flavours with a bit of bitterness on the finish.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.50 | 750ml |
| SK | $13.50 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Boutari Kretikos 2009
Aegean Islands - Crete, The Islands, GreeceFloral, briny, quince, buttery, lees aromas with a touch of apricot. Fresh, juicy, elegant palate with citrus, butter, floral, quince, peach skin and almond flavours. Good solid value here with fruit and easy elegance for seafood. Looking forward to this in screwcap. Kretikos white hails from the island of Crete. It is a blend of 70/30 blend of vilana and thrapsathiri and athiri. Perfect match with squid.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NL | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $14.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Pierre Sparr Charisma Pinot Gris 2009
Alsace, FranceNectarine, floral, citrus, red apple, baked pear and light butter aromas with a touch of matchstick. Rich, ripe, intense palate but a bit soft and sweet. Honey, orange, spicy, butter, earthy, rose petal, anise flavours. Very ripe style with lots of intensity. Drink now while fresh.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Sartori Soave 2008
Soave, Verona, Veneto, ItalyMade with organic grapes. Slate, lemon oil, butter, baked pear, lime rind aromas. Light, dry, soft palate with lemon, butter, slate, peach skin, citrus flavours. Round, juicy, butter finish that will go well with light seafood.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $14.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $11.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
82PTS
Christian Tessier Cour Cheverny 2008
Cheverny, Touraine, Loire, FranceCitrus, nutty, quince, floral, apricot skin, sweaty, grassy aromas. Dry, thin, tight, acidic palate with some maturity. Earthy, citrus, quince rind, bitter almond, grassy, gooseberry flavours. Unbalanced and tart.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Christian Tessier Cheverny Blanc 2009
Cheverny, Touraine, Loire, FrancePassion fruit, sweaty grapefruit rind, floral, green apple, peach, gooseberry aromas. Dry, crisp, elegant but austere style with good intensity. Grapefruit rind, passion fruit, gooseberry, lemon grass, nettle, green apple flavours. Good intensity to match with clams, oysters or grilled sole.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Di Lenardo Vineyards Pinot Grigio dal Vigneto Vigne dai Vieris 2009
Friuli-Venezia Giulia, ItalyFloral, spicy, honey, quince, chalky, butter, baked pear and ginger aromas. Ripe, rich, fresh, round palate with honey, mineral, butter, baked apple pear skin, quince and nutty lees flavours. Good concentration and ripeness, ready to drink. Under Diam cork.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Quady Elysium California Black Muscat 2008
California, United StatesSpicy, raisin, earthy, tobacco, honey, floral, spicy, black cherry jam aromas. Ripe, round, fresh, juicy palate with a tart, warm edge. Intense black cherry, plum jam, honey, spicy, apricot, ginger, orange peel flavours. A bit tart but intense and fun to drink.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 375ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Quady Essencia Orange Muscat 2008
California, United StatesOpen ginger, honey, buttery, grassy, floral, baked pear, nectarine aromas with a touch of raisin. Fresh, juicy, round, intense palate with good sugar acidity balance. Orange, floral, ginger, spicy, dried apricot, honey, baked citrus flavours. Good intensity and balance and ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 375ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Camelot Vineyards Pinot Blanc 2009
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaEarthy, buttery, matchstick, lees, apple skin aromas. Fresh, juicy, round entry with buttery, garlic lees, lemon, grassy, grapefruit flavours. Crisp, buttery finish.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Wild Goose Mystic River Pinot Gris 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSomewhat ripe and mature nose with honey, floral, baked apple, orange, butter aromas. Rich, round, dry, full bodied style with honey, nutty, rose petal, spicy, baked pear, bitter orange peel flavours. Good intensity and length with balanced acidity. Ready now.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
07 January 2011
90PTS
Tomero Gran Reserva Finca Las Alamos Parcela Selec No. 41 2007
Vistalba District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSimilar to last year the 07 leads with a whack of ripe raspberry and black cherry notes on the nose and palate with flecks of savoury black liquorice and orange tobacco notes throughout. The tannins are fine and grainy and are well carried by the fruit and cedar in the warm finish. Break out the steaks for this one or wait five more years.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Jackson Estate Stich Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandSuper fresh passion fruit nose flecked with intense citrus notes. The attack is similar with more passion fruit, medium weight and bright acidity. Seafood mussels, shellfish will all work as will creamy pasta dishes. The finish is dry and palate cleansing.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $17.45 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
05 January 2011
88PTS
Gehringer Brothers Riesling Late Harvest 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen diesel/petrol nose with green apple skin, light floral, slate and warm citrus aromas. Fresh, delicate, round palate with light sweetness and solid acidity balance. Baked green apple, pear, citrus, petrol, slightly smoky, plasticene flavours. Solid, elegant style that is ready to drink. Uses a Diam cork. Good value.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 375ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Fat Bastard Shiraz 2008
Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceLight meaty, floral, resin, peppery, blackberry, licorice root aromas with a savoury note. Fresh, clean entry with supple tannins. Juicy palate with blackberry, smoky, resin, meaty, savoury, peppery, spicy, tobacco flavours. A bit tar but good fruit and balance for grilled meats and tomato sauces. Solid value.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $17.30 | 750ml |
| NS | $14.30 | 750ml |
| YK | $19.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $19.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Sandhill Cabernet Merlot Sandhill Estate Vineyard 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaTight herbal aromas of earth, tobacco and soya with flecks of vanilla. The attack is dry, the mid-palate is firm with more minty/savoury, coffee, oak, dark fruit with soya and cedar notes. A chunky hamburger red.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Sandhill Small Lots Program One Phantom Creek Vineyard 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVery similar to last year the nose is a savoury mix of cranberry, chocolate, tobacco, olive notes weave into a supple, elegant smooth palate. The flavours are bit cooked and pruny with cranberry, dried herbs a touch of Band-Aid and vanilla and a fairly oaky finish. The blend is 67 cabernet sauvignon,20 petit verdot, 10 malbec and 3 per cent syrah.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $32.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
84PTS
Château Canada 2006
Bordeaux, FranceSavoury, cedar bark, peppery, tobacco leaf, barnyard, menthol, green olive aromas. Dry, light, tight, somewhat thin palate with fresh acidity. Cedar bark, herbal, tobacco leaf, stemmy, resin, peppery, rooty, barnyard flavours. A light, thin, weedy style.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Tinhorn Creek 2Bench Oldfield Series Red 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe first release of a "Bordeaux" style blend from Tinhorn Creek mixing 42 cabernet sauvignon with equal parts of cabernet franc and merlot aged 18 months in new, one and two-year old French oak and then 15 more months in bottle. We like the smooth textures and floral notes that suggest a Bordeaux sensibility although the cabernet component is quite strong in a northwest herbal kind of way. The tannins are firm with black fruit, smoky chocolate coffee flavours. Age another 3 years or serve now with T-bone steaks.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Tinhorn Creek Oldfield Series Syrah 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoky, savoury, spicy, meaty, floral, blackberry, coffee, sage, tobacco, vanilla aromas with a touch of herbs and olives. Dry, round, supple, slightly tight palate but elegant with fresh acidity. Coffee, smoky, savoury, meaty, barnyard, tobacco, dried herb, minty, peppery, resin flavours. Well balanced and forward, should improve over the next few years. Solid style if a bit short on fruit. Certainly one of the best from Tinhorn.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
2 Familia Wrattonbully Shiraz 2008
Wrattonbully, Limestone Coast, South Australia, AustraliaThe Zork is not the most leak-proof of new enclosures, it is neutral. Peppery, liquorice, blackberry, resin, rooty, spicy, blueberry aromas. Soft, fresh, round, supple palate with blackberry, blueberry, coffee, peppery, floral, spicy, liquorice flavours. A bit tart and warm but offers good solid fruit with a juicy texture.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
04 January 2011
88PTS
Sperling Vineyards Sper...itz 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight spritz on pouring. Floral, green apple, lime, matchstick burn, honey, pear aromas. Elegant, fresh, light palate with a lively spritz. Clean green apple, floral, grapefruit, honey, spicy, nectarine flavours. Finish is juicy and crisp with a bit of sweetness. Light, fun, fresh summer wine. Bravo.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 375ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
M. Chapoutier Muscat de Beaumes Venise Vins Doux Naturel 2009
Beaumes de Venise, Côtes du Rhône Villages, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceVery floral, spicy, nectarine, ginger, honey, lemon oil aromas. Full, round, sweet and soft entry. Spicy, ginger, lychee, orange oil, honey, pear, quince flavours. Good fruit in a sweeter, elegant style but quite soft. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 375ml |
Read Full Note
84PTS
Caliterra Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2009
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileCassis, menthol, cedar bark, reduced, herbal aromas. Soft, round, supple, sweet entry with spicy, herbal, coffee, cassis jam, resin, smoky bay flavours. A simple, easy consumer drink.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Fat Bastard Chardonnay 2008
Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceFloral, lemon, pineapple, artificial cherry, cream aromas. Fresh, light, elegant but slightly sweet and warm entry. Honey, baked pineapple, light lees, lemon peel, mineral flavours. Simple, fruity, forward style. A solid southern French label with a modern twist.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $16.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Tomero Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Vistalba District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaMeaty, peppery, tobacco, prune, blackberry, savoury, liquorice aromas. Rich, round, full, chunky palate with light tannins. Prune, coffee, peppery, meaty, tobacco, resin, savoury, vanilla, cassis jam flavours with a bit of barnyard. Solid, warm, full-bodied style for meat. Classic Argentine cabernet.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
83PTS
Christian Tessier Cheverny Rouge 2009
Cheverny, Touraine, Loire, FranceCedar bark, incense, rooty, herbal, savoury, gamey, meaty aromas. Dry, somewhat tart, lean palate with earthy, prune, gamey, dried herb, roasted tomato, stemmy, smoky, cedar bark flavours. Too lean and too mean even for Europe.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Argiolas Costera Cannonau di Sardegna Red 2007
Sardinia, ItalyAttractive peppery, raspberry jam, spicy, floral, barnyard, meaty, rooty, bramble aromas. Dry, rich, firm palate with some tannin. Smoky, coffee, prune, black raspberry jam, dried cherry, orange, peppery, floral, mineral, tobacco flavours. Good intensity and length with some aging ability for two years.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Sandhill Chardonnay Sandhill Estate Vineyard 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAppealing aroma of lees with light garlic, creamy, baked green apple, pear, and honey, citrus and peach notes. Ripe, round, off dry, fresh palate with more honey, smoky, spicy, garlic, baked pear, leesy, orange and light vanilla flavours. Solid fruit expression with good lees and a bit of sweetness on the finish. Good value here in a modern chardonnay style.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $18.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Sandhill Small Lots Program Sangiovese Sandhill Estate Vineyard 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaExuberant coffee, prune, vanilla, espresso nose with plenty of oak, chocolate, riparian and black cherry, savoury notes. Soft, round, fresh palate with coffee, mocha, vanilla, savoury, licorice, resin, blackberry, prune flavours. Too much oak to tell what it is. Back to the drawing board.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $33.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Tinhorn Creek Cabernet Franc 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaEarthy, cedar bark, meaty, barnyard nose with cool cranberry, coffee, caraway, savoury aromas. Full, warm, slightly tart and tannic palate. Sour cherry, cranberry, pruny, meaty, cab franc flavours with cedar bark, resin and coffee bits. Warm and lean on the finish. Hold for another 18 months.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
2 Familia Wrattonbully Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Wrattonbully, Limestone Coast, South Australia, AustraliaFloral, cedar bark, cassis, prune, coffee, earthy, dried herb, savoury aromas. Tart, fresh, slightly astringent palate with coffee, herbal, resin, rooty, smoky, stemmy, cassis flavours with a sweet and sour finish.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Finca Flichman Misterio Malbec Oak Aged 2009
Mendoza, ArgentinaCedar bark, cassis, black cherry, tobacco leaf, floral, rooty, meaty aromas. Rich, round, smooth palate with fresh acidity and light tannins. Savoury, tobacco, olive, cherry, smoky, earthy, liquorice flavours. A bit stemmy on the finish but with a solid core of fruit.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $8.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $13.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $13.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Wild Goose Cabernet Sauvignon Kerry Hill Vineyard 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaTight peppery, barnyard nose with tobacco, earthy, prune, resin and herbal coffee aromas. Dry, tight, somewhat astringent palate with coffee, prune, cassis, peppery, black olive, smoky flavours with a meaty, sweet and sour finish. Lacks charm.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
03 January 2011
87PTS
Tinhorn Creek Merlot 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaStill quite youthful the '08 Tinhorn presents on the sweeter, softer, fruiter side. The entry is round and soft, the fruit spicy with black olive, dried herbs and roasted bell pepper and floral red fruit notes. The tannins are dry showing a touch of oak. Best with hearty meat dishes or spaghetti and meatballs. Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Camelot Vineyards Merlot 2008
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOur first crack at this Kelowna based merlot and I have to say it is intriguing. The nose is slightly muted but with bits of black cherry, liquorice and dried herbs - can you say northwest merlot. The palate is fresh and relatively smooth if a bit dry with more vanilla, plummy, graphite, black fruit flavours. Think barbecued meats, burgers and grilled lamb. A solid start. PriceyPrices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Sandhill Merlot Sandhill Estate Vineyard 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA bit of a throwback to older times for Sandhill showing quite a lifted, aromatic, herbaceous spicy, black cherry and tobacco nose. The palate is dry with smoky, resiny herbal fruit flavours that don't quite jive with its high alcohol finish. Best with grilled meat.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Tinhorn Creek Oldfield Series Merlot 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe seventh Oldfield Series Merlot blends 92% merlot with 5% cabernet franc and 3% syrah all aged 18 months separately in new, one and two-year old French oak. After the blending it spends another 15 months in bottle before release. The result is a red showing some attractive bottle-aged characters of sweet scented black cherry and chocolate with bits of cardamom, liquorice and saddle leather. Nice improvement on the previous edition. Try this with prime roast of beef.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
02 January 2011
89PTS
Ferrari-Carano Fume Blanc 2009
Sonoma County, California, United StatesThe FC Fume Blanc is now officially transformed into a delicious, lean, citrus fruity sauvignon that is perfect with food. The textures are creamy, the flavours a mix of grassy melon fruit with bits of honey and spiced gingered. The fruit is a mix of vineyard lots from Dry Creek, Alexander and Russian River Valleys. Modern bright and tasty.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $23.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
February 2011