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Tastings: April 2011
29 April 2011
89PTS
Balthasar Ress Hattenheimer Schützenhaus Riesling Kabinett 2009
Rheingau, GermanyFresh green apple, honey, floral, guava, clover aromas. Ripe, fresh, juicy, delicate palate with honey, apple, orange, lime, clover, floral, guava flavours. Excellent acidity and sweetness balance with good juicy fruit flavours.Prices:| BC | $23.99 | 750ml |
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28 April 2011
91PTS
Domaine Louis Moreau Les Vaillons 1er Cru Chablis 2009
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceCitrus peel, floral, seashell, honey, light lees, green apple and peach pit aromas with a touch of lime. Fresh, crisp, juicy, elegant palate with creamy texture. Ripe orange, lime, green apple, mineral, honey, pear core, nutty, seashell flavours. Good fruit, vibrancy and texture. Can age 2-5 years but good now.Prices:| BC | $44.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Domaine Louis Moreau Les Fourneaux 1er Cru Chablis 2008
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceFloral, lime, seashell, seashore, green apple, light lees, pear skin and lemon aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy and slightly lean palate this is also more on the delicate, elegant side with fresh acidity. Good green apple, spicy, floral, lemon, seashell, grassy, light lees flavours. Good finesse and delicacy with the ability to improve over the next 1-3 years.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
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27 April 2011
91PTS
Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2007
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesThe '07 has an enticing blackberry jam, chocolate, spicy nose that previews a rich, warm glossy palate with fine grained tannins. The vintage gets an upgrade with the re-launch of Alexander's Crown postponed in 2007 in favour of 2008 leaving the best fruit from the Crown available to the Reserve Cabernet label. Expect an intense style red with smoky, blackberry jam, tobacco and savoury dried herbs underneath. Much better balanced than the 2006 showing more finesse and style. Best with a grilled steak or lamb.Prices:| BC | $66.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $55.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $60.00 | 750ml |
| US | $40.00 | 750ml |
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24 April 2011
88PTS
Hester Creek Trebbiano 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMade from 30-year old vines this unique Okanagan varietal is thriving under winemaker Rob Summers and the new Hester Creek winery facilities. The wine remains bright and fresh on entry with tropical passion fruit notes mix with apple, citrus and peach flecks. Great on the patio but even better with curries and pizzas.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Stoneboat Vineyards Pinot Gris 2010
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaStoneboat has nailed the fresh aspect of pinot gris revealing a very fruity gris with flecks of pear, honey and nectarine skin. The finish brings plenty of citrus and creamy mineral notes that cleanse the palate for the next bite of food. Well done. Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Gehringer Brothers Ehrenfelser Classic 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGehringer Brothers has a new package that believe it or not is mostly under screwcap. That means the cleanest freshest winemaking in the valley just got an upgrade. The Ehrenfelser Classic is a testament to the historical Becker project cross that delivers fresh, creamy orange creamsicle aromas and flavours. The finish is off dry and perfectly balanced by fine acidity and bright minerality. Crazy value in a delicious summer sipper.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Davis Bynum Chardonnay 2008
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesThere is a richness and a roundness to Russian River chardonnay that can be seductive especially if you manage to add some creamy lees character. All that and more is at the heart of this DB chardonnay flecked with honey vanilla and ripe apricot fruit with smooth hazelnut finish. There's just enough acidity to keep it fresh and food friendly. Impressive.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Laporte Les Duchesses Pouilly-Fumé 2008
Pouilly-Fume, Upper Loire, Loire, FranceChalk and flint contribute to the wines fresh mineral-flavoured backbone. Love the fresh grassy, citrus fruit and bright crisp palate. Delicious green fruit marks the mid-palate of what is a super lively dry wine with just a hint of fumée or smoke at this point. Terrific fish wine.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Yealands Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandClassic tinned asparagus with bits of jalapeno, passion fruit notes. The entry is fresh with creamy soft textures; the palate is a mix of passion fruit, grapefruit, asparagus, and cool grassy, lemon flavours with touch of herbs. Pungent aggressive style Kiwi savvy.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $17.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $19.00 | 750ml |
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23 April 2011
89PTS
Church & State Wines Chardonnay 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe '08 chardonnay is a mix of Gravelbourg and Dekleva Family Vineyard blending fruit from two south Okanagan benches: Black Sage and Golden Mile. This is an impressive wine chardonnay with winemaker Bill Dyer's deft touch all over it. Love the bright, tropical fruit aromas, creamy textures and toasted vanilla hazelnut finish. A great wine with halibut.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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22 April 2011
87PTS
Bisquertt Casa La Joya Reserve Merlot 2009
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileSimilar to the previous edition the focus is on minty, bay leave notes with spicy resiny green olive notes. The entry is smooth with savoury, pencil lead, coffee, chocolate notes sprinkled with vanilla. The finish is spicy and warm but round and complete. Serve this with grill chicken or flank steak.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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20 April 2011
86PTS
Miguel Torres San Medín Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Valle del Curicó, Region del Valle Central, ChileVery spicy, sappy, cassis, barnyard, leather, bay leaf, earthy, menthol, licorice aromas. Dry, fresh palate with very light tannins. Cassis, prune, earthy, tobacco, coffee, eucalyptus, cedar, light leafy flavours. Simple style ready for grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Rainoldi Nebbiolo 2008
Valtellina, Lombardy, ItalyCherry, rooty, licorice, prune, barnyard, orange, cedar, leather aromas. Dry, slightly lean, elegant, tart palate with cherry, orange, rhubarb, spicy, tobacco leaf and prune flavours. Simple, fresh nebbiolo for meat dishes.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Quinta do Crasto Superior Douro 2008
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalBlack cherry, smoky, spicy, liquorice, vanilla, plum, cedar, floral aromas. Round, dry, elegant palate with light tannins and good acidity. Smoky, tobacco, black cherry jam, black raspberry, earthy, vanilla, peppery flavours. Good intensity but needs a year or so to round out.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Chateau Labrande Cahors 2008
Cahors, Sud-Ouest, FranceSpicy, rooty, licorice, meaty, black cherry, barnyard, smoky aromas. Dry, elegant but tart and slightly tannic palate. Peppery, rooty, spicy, cedar bark, herbal, cherry, resin flavours. Very dry, leaner style of malbec.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Tommasi Poggio al Tufo Rompicollo 2008
Maremma, Tuscany, ItalyVery spicy, cassis, smoky, barnyard, sausage meat, gamey, saddle leather, cherry, savoury nose. Dry, round, supple palate with juicy acidity. Cherry, plum, cedar, tobacco, cassis, smoky herb flavours with some barnyard and grilled meat notes. A bit rustic but has solid fruit and concentration.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
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17 April 2011
91PTS
Davis Bynum Pinot Noir 2009
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesThe Davis Bynum pinot is a mix of 113, 114, 115, Pommard and Mariafeld clones all grown on gravelly loams soils in the Russian River Valley. The Bynum style is lush, aided by rich, warm Russian River style pinot fruit. The '09 opens with smoky, black cherry fruit notes that carry through the entire wine. It's all pinot so big and rich in the mouth with an equally full-flavoured spicy finish. Hedonistic pinot at an affordable price.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
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13 April 2011
87PTS
Stag's Hollow Syrah Rosé 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis stylish Okanagan pink is farmed as a rosé before brief skin contact yields its orange/pink eye of the partridge colour. Expect a bright, fresh red berry nose and a similarly fresh, citrus, red fruit and mineral flavoured palate. The blend is 94 percent syrah with 5 percent viognier and one percent muscat.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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10 April 2011
84PTS
Stag's Hollow Syrah 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCurry, caraway, tobacco leaf, roasted bell pepper, coffee, prune, dried herb aromas. Dry, tight, fresh palate with light tannins. Green tobacco leaf, tomato leaf, peppery, coffee, curry spice, licorice, savoury, meaty flavours. A cool varietal expression with a tart, astringent finish. Perhaps time in the bottle will help.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Barista Pinotage 2010
Western Cape, South AfricaLike last edition, intense smoky, roasted coffee grind, meaty, chocolate, leather, resin, barnyard, roasted tomato aromas. Very warm, sweet and sour palate with milk chocolate, candied cherry, resin, green herbs, smoky leather and meaty, barnyard, tea flavours. I'm not sure what the point of this wine is but unless you love coffee it doesn't make a lot of sense to us.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Schug Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2008
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, United StatesStrawberry, barnyard, tobacco leaf, compost, spicy, smoky, carrot top and lees aromas. Round, dry, elegant, supple palate with smoky, barnyard, tobacco, strawberry jam, celery salt, carrot top, earthy, tea flavours. Solid expression and ready to drink in a traditional style.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $27.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Shiraz 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFive spice, peppery, smoky, tobacco, meaty, coffee, barnyard, tea leaf aromas with a bit cherry. Fresh, round, slightly tannic palate. Coffee, peppery, meaty, spicy, savoury, leather, tobacco leaf, plum, vanilla, rooty flavours. Solid if a bit dry and lean on the finish with green tannins. Best with grilled meat or keep a year or so.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $22.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $24.70 | 750ml |
| SK | $24.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $24.25 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Hillside Pinotage 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCinnamon, barnyard, tobacco leaf, roasted bell pepper, dill, rooty, herbal aromas. Dry, lean, somewhat astringent palate with coffee, herbal, curry spice, clove, resin, tobacco leaf, sour cherry, rooty, barnyard, leather flavours. Very oaky, tart, tannic finish with a dusting of dried herbs.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Colonia Las Liebres Bonarda 2009
Mendoza, ArgentinaFloral, prune plum, barnyard, wet earth, saddle leather, sour cherry, peppery aromas. Round, soft, fresh, dry palate with dried cherry, plum, resin, rooty, licorice, resin, wet earth and prune flavours. Finish is dull and warm with chunky tannins. Best with hamburgers.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.50 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Barda Pinot Noir 2009
Patagonia, ArgentinaPruny, cherry jam, saddle leather, bretty, volatile, dirty barnyard aromas. Round, soft, elegant, warm palate with cherry jam, dirty barnyard, leather, coffee and prune flavours. Has texture and balance but too warm and dirty with a volatile undercurrent. Disappointing for the price.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Paiara Puglia Bianco 2007
Puglia, ItalyLemon, butter, nettle and nectarine skin mark the nose of what is an amazingly crisp fresh white from southern Italy. Look for peachy, citrus fruit with a flash of ginger in the back end. A wine drinker's wine at a bargain price.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Blasted Church Syrah 2008
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeppery, curry, savoury, licorice, meaty, coffee bean, chocolate, vanilla, perfumed, cedar, berry jam aromas. Dry, tart, somewhat thin palate with tobacco leaf, vanilla pudding, sour cherry, espresso, roasted tomato, milk chocolate flavours. Too oaky and thin with low varietal expression.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Treana Red 2008
Central Coast, California, United StatesVery spicy, cassis, tobacco leaf, cedar bark, resin, smoky, cologne, cherry jam aromas. Rich, round, full, somewhat sweet entry with some grainy tannin. Coffee, peppery, cassis, tobacco, earthy, licorice, milk chocolate, meaty, tea, vanilla pudding flavours. A solid effort but getting a bit too commercial for the price.Prices:| BC | $53.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $53.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $45.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Matchbook Dunnigan Hills Syrah 2007
Dunnigan Hills, Yolo County, California, United StatesTobacco leaf, prune, spicy, coffee, black cherry, herbal, barnyard aromas. Dry, tart, somewhat tannic entry with coffee, cedar, earthy, meaty, leather, resin, rooty flavours. Very acidic, dry, astringent finish.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Van Westen Vineyards Vivacious 2009
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAnother solid effort with a fresh style on the nose showing green apple skin, resin citrus and floral notes. The palate is mix of honey, lees and grassy, butter, apple flavours. Ready to drink. The Vivacious blend is mostly pinot blanc with a touch of gris.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Sartori Regolo Rosso 2005
Pedemonte Valpolicella, Verona, Veneto, ItalyPrune, coffee, tobacco leaf, barnyard, leather, Band-Aid, roast meat. Round, soft, flabby palate with smoky, saddle leather, meaty, Band-Aid, menthol, barnyard, leafy resin flavours. Tired and dirty.Prices:| AB | $26.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $23.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Graffigna Centenario Pinot Grigio Reserve 2010
San Juan, ArgentinaLove the value here and the fresh, crisp clean styling. Look for spicy, green apple, melon and nutty notes and round fruity palate of melon, baked apple and citrus flavours. Nice and juicy. A wonderful wine for grilled chicken or pork. Good value.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.50 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.25 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $15.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Young & Wyse Collection Syrah 2009
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCoffee, green tobacco leaf, smoky, vanilla, resin, spicy, meaty, savoury aromas, quite green. Round, dry, slightly tart entry with espresso, vanilla, rooty, tobacco leaf, herbal, green olive, savoury, resin, chocolate flavours. Very oaky and somewhat green, not much varietal character.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Castillo de Monséran Viura 2009
Cariñena, Aragon, SpainCorked? Why isn't this under screwcap?Prices:| BC | $10.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $9.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Obikwa Shiraz 2009
Western Cape, South AfricaSomewhat reduced nose with smoky, chocolate, mocha, meaty, savoury, prune and rubber aromas. Fresh, round, sweet entry with tobacco, meaty, tobacco, smoky, leather, coffee bean, plum jam. Tart, warm, sweet and sour finish.Prices:| BC | $10.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $10.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $9.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $10.00 | 750ml |
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82PTS
L'Avenir Pinotage 2007
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South AfricaBig barnyard, meaty, sweaty saddle, burnt rubber, Band-Aid, smoky, resin, prune aromas. Dry, thin, somewhat tart entry with smoked leather saddle, barnyard, tobacco, meaty, gamey, sour cherry, black tea leaf flavours with a tart, astringent finish. Unclean and unbalanced.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Glaetzer Wallace Shiraz Grenache 2008
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaBig chocolate, coffee, floral, raspberry jam, licorice, prune, smoky spice aromas. Rich, round, tart palate with light tannins and lots of warmth. Orange, black raspberry kirsch, coffee, vanilla, chocolate, peppery, tobacco leaf and menthol flavours. Finish is very tart and hot and astringent. Lacks balance.Prices:| AB | $28.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $26.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
St. Hubertus Chasselas 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSeemingly solid now under screwcap with its bright floral leesy nose flecked with citrus notes. Fairly soft and round, with touch of sweet fruit this year and more soapy, green apple flavours. A classic summer sipper.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
CedarCreek Platinum Meritage 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, chocolate, peppery, cedar, black cherry, plum, tobacco leaf, leather and resin aromas. Rich, full, dry, fresh palate with some grainy tannin. Cassis, peppery, black cherry, coffee, vanilla, tobacco leaf, black tea, smoky resin, herbal flavours. Has potential with fruit and intensity but the finish is very tart and warm. Needs a few years.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
CedarCreek Platinum Malbec 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoky, coffee, peppery, tobacco leaf, black olive, savoury herb, vanilla, riparian aromas. Dry, tart but elegant palate with light tannins and medium light extract. Coffee, peppery, vanilla, tobacco leaf, cherry, sour plum, green tea, olive and clove flavours. Solid effort for first time.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Pink by Yellowglen Rosé NV
AustraliaVery consistent even from a tiny 200ml sample. Pink in colour but less sweet than you think and clean fresh on the palate. Look for earthy red berry fruit nuances on the nose and a barely sweet palate that merges perfectly with its acidity. Serve this solo, or pair it up with appetizers. Good value.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $11.72 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $15.50 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Lindemans Bin 50 Shiraz 2010
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaSmoky, tobacco, coffee bean, herbal, rubber, menthol, blueberry, perfume aromas. Fresh, rich, somewhat sweet and sour entry with blueberry, smoky, coffee, mocha, resin, tobacco, savoury flavours. Lacks balance and syrah character.Prices:| SK | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $11.50 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $12.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $13.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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80PTS
Lindemans Bin 45 Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaVery rubbery, spruce, menthol, green pepper, green olive, perfumed, resin and cedar bark aromas. Sweet, tart, tannic palate with green fruit, herbal, tea, leafy flavours. A very poor effort for cabernet sauvignon.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $13.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Banfi Rosa Regale Brachetto d'Acqui 2009
Tuscany, ItalyRosa Regale comes from one of Italy's smallest production zones, the Brachetto d'Acqui DOCG. It is crafted from 100% Brachetto grapes from the single vineyard La Rosa. Expect quite a delicate sweet red with flavours of strawberries and raspberries with just enough acidity to stay fresh. A delicious low alcohol sparkler you could serve with charcuterie or as dessert itself.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 375ml |
| MB | $15.00 | 375ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 375ml |
| NS | $20.00 | 375ml |
| NB | $19.00 | 375ml |
| QC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $30.00 | 750ml |
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08 April 2011
86PTS
Quails' Gate Chenin Blanc 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig grapefruit, gooseberry, passion fruit nose a bit of grassy, apple skin aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy palate with grapefruit rind, gooseberry, grassy, soapy herb, pear juice flavours. More like sauvignon in style but we like the clean, fresh bracing style. Will be a winner with food.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $19.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.50 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Louis Latour Pinot Noir Bourgogne 2009
Burgundy, FranceRooty, spicy, cedar bark, barnyard, tobacco leaf, rhubarb and strawberry aromas. Dry, fresh, easy palate with tobacco leaf, compost, smoky herb, rhubarb, sour cherry flavours. A bit green and tight but easily pinot.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $24.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Domaine Drouhin Laurène 2007
Willamette Valley, Oregon, United StatesTobacco leaf, tea leaf, smoky, meaty, barnyard, menthol, rhubarb, herbal aromas. Dry, round, elegant, delicate palate with minty, green herb, tobacco leaf, tea, raspberry, rhubarb, smoky, meaty, Band-Aid, leafy flavours. A decent result in a difficult year.Prices:| BC | $77.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $60.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $56.50 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Dominique Piron Brouilly 2009
Brouilly, Beaujolais Villages, Beaujolais, Burgundy, FranceFloral, red liquorice, black cherry nose with spicy, earthy, gamey notes and tobacco leaf and light barnyard aromas. Fine complexity. Round, dry, fresh palate with light tannins. Cedar, black cherry, licorice, smoky, peppery, tobacco leaf, gamey, mineral flavours. Good effort that will improve in bottle of the next 2-3 years. Solid value.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Louis Latour Chardonnay Bourgogne 2009
FranceCitrus, green apple, pear, light butter aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy palate with a bit of austerity. Citrus rind, green apple, butter, pear skin and herb flavours. A delicate, dry style somewhat like Petit Chablis. The wine really needs a screwcap to escape mediocrity.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $21.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $21.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $21.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Twin Islands Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandPungent canned asparagus, bell pepper, grapefruit, passion fruit, nettle aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy palate with a bit of sweetness. Asparagus, gooseberry, grapefruit, passion fruit, nettle and lemon flavours. Good solid concentration in a zippy style for mussels.Prices:| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Louis Latour Ardèche Chardonnay 2008
FranceCorked, try anotherPrices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.45 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.70 | 750ml |
| NF | $14.50 | 750ml |
| PEI | $16.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Mission Hill Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMinty, lemon, nettle, grassy, grapefruit, light lees, mineral and green apple aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy, slightly sweet entry with lemon, grapefruit, nettle, apple juice, passion fruit flavours. Very crisp, juicy finish. Good solid effort.Prices:| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $20.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $21.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
L'Avenir Chardonnay 2007
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South AfricaRipe green apple, lime, grassy, floral, peach pit, slate aromas. Round, full, slightly soft palate but medium concentration. Butter, spicy lees, grapefruit, green apple, pear skin, mineral flavours. Good solid fruit but a bit lacking in concentration and verve.Prices:| US | $24.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Lindemans Bin 65 Chardonnay 2010
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaButtery, floral, peach, buttery lees aromas. Fresh, crisp, round, easy style with a bit of sweetness. Honey, butter, baked apple, peach and citrus flavours. Simple, fresh, easy style. Try it with grilled chicken.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $12.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $13.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $14.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Undurraga Sibaris Carmenere Reserva Especial 2008
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileSpicy, coffee, sappy, menthol, leather, barnyard, cassis, tobacco leaf aromas. Dry, fresh, round, slightly tannic palate. Tobacco leaf, cedar, cassis, menthol, leather, barnyard, rooty, peppery flavours. A bit chunky on the finish but solid.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Louis Jadot Saint Veran 2008
Burgundy, FranceFloral, green apple, light butter, citrus, honey aromas. Fresh, juicy, round, dry palate but light bodied. Granny Smith apple, pear skin, grassy, grapefruit, light butter flavours. Very dry, apple citrus finish for seafood.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $27.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Paddy Borthwick Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Wairarapa, North Island, New ZealandRipe passion fruit, guava, honey, grapefruit, nettle, pear, smoky jalapeno aromas, good ripeness. Ripe, rich, juicy, dry palate with an austere edge. Big passion fruit, nettle, quince, honey, gooseberry, kiwi, slate flavours. Good intensity and length in a tighter style reminiscent of a ripe Loire.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Viridian Pinot Noir 2007
Willamette Valley, Oregon, United StatesCherry brick colour. Smoky leather, barnyard, compost, olive, Band-Aid, savoury herb, rhubarb aromas. Dry, soft, light palate with dried herb, minty, compost, tobacco leaf, leather, Band-Aid, rhubarb, resin flavours. Needs to be cleaner with more fruit for this price.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Château Gaudrelle 2008
Vouvray, Touraine, Loire, FranceSpicy, baked pear, cooked red apple, honey, floral, quince aromas. Ripe, round, fresh, off-dry palate. Honey, spicy, baked pear, baked apple, orange, spicy lees flavours. Succulent, somewhat sweet and sour finish that will go well with Thai or Indian food.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $23.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Unfiltered 2000
Napa Valley, California, United StatesOpen mature smoky black fruit, violet and earth nose. The colour remains excellent with more smoky barnyard notes and rich, savoury, spicy black cherry jam flavours flecked with coffee, black olives and mineral and cassis notes. The palate is dense and fruity with fine concentration and length. On a nice plateau at the moment. The blend is 80/14/3/1.5/1.5 cabernet sauvignon cabernet franc, malbec, merlot and petit verdot. Some 52 per cent of the wine comes off To Kalon Vineyard the rest is form other Napa AVAs.Prices:| BC | $180.00 | 750ml |
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06 April 2011
93PTS
Alvaro Palacios Les Terrasses Velles Vinyes 2008
Priorato, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainHundreds of small vineyards in seven different municipalities come together under the maestro Alvaro Palacios to be Les Terrasses Velles Vinyes. Steep old north facing sites that escape the hottest sun are the secret to Les Terrasses great flavours. It spends 14 months in barrels; only 15 percent are new. Expect a sweet, supple, rich, spicy red with slate and mineral undertones with floral, violet, cypress overtones. Love the aromatic black fruit notes. Nothing but terroir. Lamb shanks, grilled lamb, lamb chops, well you get the message. Prices:| BC | $47.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $33.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
La Vendimia 2009
Rioja Baja., Rioja, SpainLa Vendimia or "the harvest" is famed winemaker Alvaro Palacios' ode to joven- Spanish wine that spend less than six months in wood. The fruit is a 50/50 mix of garnacha and tempranillo that with the exception of two growers is grown organically and will soon be certified as his vineyards mature. The small non-irrigated vines are 10 to 40-years old and the wine is aged in 80/20 French and American oak barrels whose average age is three years old. In 2009 after a wet winter and spring, magic spread across the Rioja where not another drop of rain fell. Its intense pure, aromatic, fruit flecked with violets and blood oranges will stun you. Should be on every wine list in the city. Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Descendientes de J. Palacios Pétalos 2008
Bierzo, Castilla-Leon, SpainPétalos is all about the old vine 60 years plus mencia grape that is bio dynamically farmed on several small hillside plots. Its mineral floral violet character stems from the rocky slate soils and old vines that Alvaro Palacios and Ricardo Perez Palacios, his nephew and co-proprietor, work with. You will love the warm, earthy nose and dark berry fruit flavours that are so well blanced you want to drink the entire bottle before your food arrives so you can have another. This is serious stuff at a very unserious price. There isn't much 2008 coming to Vancouver which means the incredible 2009 will be here before we know it.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $28.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $22.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Raimat Abadia Blanc de Blancs 2009
Costers del Segre, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainA stunning spicy, ginger scented albariño chardonnay blend awash in peachy citrus fruit. So fresh and crisp it represents ridiculous value. Each year there is the perfect mix of green apple, ginger and nectarine skin flavours with just a hint of butter and minerality in the finish. A wonderful summer seafood wine or simply entertain with this bargain on the patio all summer long.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.99 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Pintia Toro 2006
Toro, Castilla-Leon, SpainIt is year six for Pintia and the muscular, 100 per cent tinta del Toro (tempranillo), owned by Vega Sicilia shows well in a so-so year. The colour and entry are dark and rich with a characteristic dark fruit and chocolate undertone. The palate is a smoky, earthy black fruit affair with typically hefty Toro tannins although they are moderately soft. Rack of lamb is the ticket here and perhaps another five years in bottle.Prices:| BC | $68.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $185.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $57.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $169.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $59.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Sandeman Vintage Porto 2007
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalDeep dark black cherry colour. Ripe nose with black plum, black cherry, licorice, peppery, floral, orange, fig, black tea and spice aromas. Rich, full, warm and juicy with very good sweetness and acidity and huge concentration. Intense blackberry, black cherry jam, licorice, peppery, smoky, black tea, dried fig, citrus, ash and roasted chestnut flavours. Huge, ripe and rich, this is an exemplary vintage from Sandeman. Needs 10-15 years at least.Prices:| BC | $77.00 | 750ml |
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05 April 2011
92PTS
Quinta Vale D. Maria Vintage Port 2007
Rio Torto, Cima Corga, Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalBig dark cherry colour. Peppery, black tea, chocolate, black cherry jam, smoky, black liquorice, floral aromas. Good aromas but somewhat closed in right now. Rich, full, juicy, warm, sweet but balanced with some very youthful tannin. Fiery with black tea, black liquorice, fig, blackberry, smoky, prune, tobacco, walnut flavours. Very fine concentration and intensity but very youthful. Needs 10-15 years.Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Quails' Gate Dry Riesling 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, grassy, green apple, peach pit, matchstick aromas. Dry, tart, elegant palate with lemon, granny smith, citrus flavours. Simple, elegant style with medium intensity. A pretty summer sipper.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Quails' Gate Gewürztraminer 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, spicy, peach, honey, fruit cocktail aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy palate with grapefruit rind, green apple, floral, honey, lemon flavours. Simple, rind-y style.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Chateau d'Armajan des Ormes Sauternes 2005
Sauternes, Graves, Bordeaux, FranceFloral, honey, marmalade, baked peach, botrytis, egg yolk, butter aromas. Rich, ripe, round, sweet palate with somewhat soft acidity. Baked nectarine, honey, spicy, floral, egg yolk, marmalade, citrus flavours. Nice finesse in a forward style with a light botrytis edge. Ready to drink. The blend is 70/25/5 sémillon, sauvignon blanc and muscadelle.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 375ml |
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87PTS
Zuccardi Q Tempranillo 2007
Mendoza, ArgentinaQ Tempranillo is made from 100 percent tempranillo grown at the Santa Rosa Vineyard in Mendoza. The wine is mature one year in both new French and American oak and another 12 months in bottle. The result is soft approachable fruity style red with the scent and flavours of cherries and figs. A fine improvement over our last exposure to the 2005. Cleaner riper fruit makes this much more attractive for current drinking. Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Summerhill Pyramid Winery Ehrenfelser 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRipe peach, leesy, sweaty, honeyed, candied apple aromas. Fat, sweet, round, cloying palate with leesy, honey, waxy, bitter alcohol, baked pear and peach flavours. A very basic patio sipper. Serve this well-chilled.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Michel Torino Don David Torrontés Reserve 2009
Cafayate, Calchaqui Valley, Salta, North, ArgentinaFloral, spicy, lemon oil, honey, apricot skin, quince aromas. Fresh, crisp, dry, somewhat austere palate. Lemon, apricot, mineral, spicy, honey, slate flavours. A bit oily on the finish but solid.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $17.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Sperling Vineyards Old Vines Riesling 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSlate, light petrol, light lees, granny smith, peach skin aromas. Ripe, round, fresh, somewhat sweet palate with honey, light petrol, waxy, floral, green apple, and citrus rind flavours. Solid if a bit sweet on the finish.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Deinhard Riesling Piesporter 2009
Mosel, GermanySimilar to last year's with light petrol, slate, almond, green apple and matchstick aromas. Fresh, juicy, crisp, slightly sweet entry with green apple, smoky, light petrol, orange, floral and nectarine flavours. A bit tart on the finish but has good fruit intensity.Prices:| SK | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $15.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Chardonnay 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBright floral, honey, citrus, apricot skin nose flecked with butter, light lees and baked apple aromas. The palate is fresh, juicy and round with grapefruit, honey, vanilla, baked green apple, light lees and nectarine flavours. Crisp and clean the finish is elegant good fruit and vibrancy. The best yet in this series and a baby clone of the Perpetua at a great price.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $20.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Travaglini Gattinara 2005
Gattinara, Piedmont, ItalySmoky, leather, barnyard, tobacco, Band-Aid, menthol, cherry jam, roasted meat, cedar, earthy aromas. Round, dry, elegant slightly lean tannins. Peppery, smoky, earthy, meaty, saddle leather, resin, prune, dried cherry, cumin, Band-Aid, barnyard flavours. An older style wine but balanced.Prices:| BC | $37.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $30.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $32.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Peter Lehmann Clancy's Legendary Red 2007
South Australia, AustraliaMenthol, tobacco, olive, black cherry, cedar, rooty, licorice aromas. Soft, round, fresh palate with light tannins. Peppery, meaty, coffee, black cherry, licorice, rooty, menthol flavours. Fresh, easy style ready to go for grilled flank steak.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $22.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $22.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Bleasdale Second Innings Malbec 2009
Langhorne Creek, South Australia, AustraliaOrange peel, cooked boysenberry, spicy, peppery, chocolate, tobacco aromas. Ripe, round, supple, slightly tannic palate with some sweetness. Plum jam, spicy, savoury, vanilla, coffee, tobacco, boysenberry jam and roast mushroom flavours. A bit warm and sweet but has good fruit and some structure.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $16.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Peter Lehmann Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaBlack olive, tobacco leaf, green bean, coffee grind, peppery, somewhat reduced aromas. Round, fresh, juicy palate with light tannins. Cassis, peppery, smoky, olive, leather, tobacco leaf, cedar, stemmy and coffee flavours. Better flavours than the somewhat herbal nose would suggest. Solid beef wine.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Peter Lehmann The Futures Shiraz 2007
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaVery peppery, savoury, spicy, cola, smoked meat, barnyard, cedar, smoked leather aromas. Dry, full but somewhat lean palate with juicy acidity and some light tannins. Smoky, meaty, peppery, black cherry, licorice root, vanilla, coffee, rooty, prune and tobacco leaf flavours. Finish is warm and fresh with some light tannin to shed.Prices:| MB | $32.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $29.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Peter Lehmann Eight Songs Shiraz 2004
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaPeppery, pruny, menthol, black plum, leather, tobacco, coffee, chocolate, licorice root, cola, barnyard aromas. Dry, fresh, round but slightly tight with some light tannin. Smoky, leather, pruny, cooked blueberry, coffee, black olive, peppery, licorice, resin, menthol, tobacco leaf flavours. A somewhat cooked style that is ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $44.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $55.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $40.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Don Baltazar Petit Verdot 2008
San Juan, ArgentinaMeaty, inky, black cherry, tobacco, resin, rooty, pencil lead aromas. Dry, tight, full palate with black cherry, coffee, resin, tobacco, resin, smoky herb, tobacco, inky flavours. A bit rustic and dry but has good extract. Needs a year or two to soften or grilled meats. Should have wide appeal at this price.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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04 April 2011
89PTS
Concha y Toro Marqués de Casa Concha Merlot 2009
Puemo, Valle del Cachapoal, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileThis is a blockbuster style merlot. The nose is rich and warm with pure sweet, plummy fruit with bits of savoury dried herbs. On the palate the savoury, bay leaf, plum fruit theme continues with flecks of chocolate, vanilla and spice. The finish is long and glossy. Another clean version of this varietal that will be a hit with roast beef and grilled meat lovers. Big value here.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $24.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $25.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $22.00 | 750ml |
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May 2011