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Tastings: August 2011
30 August 2011
90PTS
Quails' Gate Pinot Noir Dijon Clone Selection 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA Dijon (Burgundy) clone selection, now over a decade old, is behind this new, only available at the winery (and restaurants) release. This no trophy wine but rather the result of 20 years of searching for the holy pinot grail. Expect a spicy, celery salt, rhubarb and ripe strawberry nose with flecks of tobacco leaf, dried herbs and barnyard. The attack is dry, fresh and supple with strawberry, smoky, herbal, rhubarb, tobacco, lees, and spicy, minty, vanilla flavours. Good finesse with fresh acidity and a juicy note. Best if decanted for about 15 minutes. Drink now or over the next 2 years. Duck confit would be a perfect match.Prices:| BC | $55.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Haywire Pinot Noir 2010
Summerland Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe ethereal Haywire style marks this pinot with its light rhubarb and strawberry nose and peppery, carrot top aromas. Soft, round, dry and easy on the palate with peppery, tobacco, rhubarb, sour cherry and herbal flavours. A fresh finish with very light tannins for near term consumption. Best with simply prepared food.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Chateau La Longua 2007
Fronsac, Libourne, Bordeaux, FranceDry peppery, meaty, saddle leather nose with bits of chocolate, beef Oxo aromas. Dry, light, tight palate with smoky, cedar, meaty, coffee, leather, prune, rooty flavours. No joy in Mudville especially at $25.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Quails' Gate Pinot Noir 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaTobacco, barnyard, rhubarb, smoky, herbal, celery aromas. Round, supple, dry, fresh palate with smoky, herbal, tobacco, celery root, barnyard, rhubarb and menthol flavours. Finish is solid but very warm with light tannins.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $25.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Antonin Guyon Hautes Côtes de Nuits Les Dames de Vergy 2009
Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceSpicy, orange, compost, gamey, peppery, raspberry, meaty aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant, supple palate with tobacco, compost, orange, meaty, raspberry, leafy flavours. Solid style for near term consumption.Prices:| BC | $31.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Antonin Guyon Chambolle-Musigny Clos du Village Monopole 2009
Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceVery spicy, underbrush, orange, strawberry, raspberry, light smoky, tobacco, vanilla, waxy aromas. Round, dry, fresh, elegant, supple palate with vanilla, meaty, orange, floral, raspberry, smoky, light licorice and coffee flavours with a touch of rhubarb. Good fruit, acidity and finish. Drinkable now but should improve over the next -4 years. A feminine, delicious style.Prices:| BC | $65.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Leopard's Leap Lookout Cabernet Sauvignon - Shiraz - Cinsault 2009
Western Cape, South AfricaFloral, cassis, tobacco leaf, smoky, earthy, cherry aromas. Round, fresh, slightly sweet and sour palate with cherry, plum, earthy, leather, coffee flavours. Simple, fresh style with good fruit and solid value.Prices:| BC | $10.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Château Roquetaillade La Grange 2007
Graves, Bordeaux, FranceCedar, tobacco leaf, green olive, spicy, meaty, peppery, black cherry aromas. Dry, light, somewhat tart palate with light tannins. Smoky, earthy, olive, cassis, cedar, resin, leather flavours. Try this with roast beef. It doesn't really overcome the challenge of the vintage.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Noble Ridge Pinot Noir 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeppery, smoky, chocolate, tobacco, earthy, vanilla, rhubarb aromas. Round, supple, dry, warm palate with light cedary tannins. Big chocolate, mocha, peppery, rooty, prune, smoky flavours. Very warm and oaky on the finish which hides the wines varietal heritage.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Thelema Mountain Red 2007
Elgin, Overberg, South AfricaA shiraz merlot blend with a green tobacco leaf, olive, herbal, smoky, rooty, savoury aroma. Round and smooth on the palate with more tobacco leaf, cherry, coffee, barnyard and smoked leather saddle flavours. Should be cleaner in this day and age.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $16.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
La Casona de Castaño Old Vines G-S-M 2009
Yecla, Valencia and Murcia, SpainVery spicy, floral, plum, cherry, savoury, celery salt aromas. Fresh, tight, somewhat lean palate with white pepper, orange, plum, rooty, savoury, mineral flavours. A bit tart but has good fruit and freshness with some persistence. Great value.Prices:| BC | $9.50 | 750ml |
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29 August 2011
89PTS
Telmo Rodriguez Gaba do Xil Godello 2009
Valdeorras, Galicia, SpainSpanish winemaker Telmo Rodriguez specialises in ancient local grape varieties enter Gaba do Xil. The grape is 100 per cent godello grown on old granite soils in the region Valdeorras. The wine is rich and intense with big aromas of pear and melons. The plate is equally rich with waxy textures and more mineral pear flavours. It could use a bit more acidity but it is definitely heading down the right road where new meets old and the food is the winner.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $28.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Fazi Battaglia San Sisto Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Riserva 2006
Marche, ItalyMuch like the previous version you can expect nutty, creamy, baked apple, honeyed aromas with a touch of spice in the background. This version is always oaky and lacks the bright acidity of the regular version of verdicchio but still for those who like the vanilla, honey and roasted nut flavours mixed with baked pear well this wine is for you. We suggest lobster or prawns pairing rich with rich.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
J Vineyards Pinot Noir 2008
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesClassic sweet New World nose with bits of spice, soy, ripe raspberry and dried herbs. The attack is supple and warm with sweet smoky back raspberry and clove flavours with cinnamon and vanilla in the back end. Very suave but with refinement and delicacy you expect from a cooler Sonoma site. Delicious.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
| US | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Albis 2010
Setúbal Peninsula, Central and Southern Portugal, PortugalExpect an aromatic muscat-y with litchi notes and white flowers. The attack is lean and dry and mostly citrus with a flat mid-palate and finish. This is really a luncheon wine preferably for simply prepared seafood served cold on a warm summer's day. Needs food.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
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28 August 2011
88PTS
Pentâge Winery Sauvignon Blanc - Semillon 2008
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe latest "Bordeaux" white bend from Pentâge mixes roughly 2/3 sauvignon blanc with sémillon projecting a fresh grassy, citrus, nettle nose. The attack is equally fresh and round with gooseberry guava and tropical fruit notes throughout with bits of mint and spice in the back end. The texture is perfect, the new Stelvin closure has also added some brightness and lift to what is a great seafood match.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Chateau St. Jean Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Sonoma County, California, United StatesSonoma cabernet always has that inviting nose of black fruits, cedar and tea leaves. The '06 is coming into its own with plenty of ripe fruit to balance off some considerable tannin. Love the rich plummy fruit on the attack that lingers with bits of cedar, leather, black olive and tobacco. Perfect for grilled steaks or lamb chops.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $37.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $35.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $50.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Sacred Hill Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandFresh showy aromatic nose of tropical fruit/gooseberry notes. The palate is a lively mix of lemongrass, green fruits and citrus. The finish is super clean and fresh with a balance of fruit and acidity. A great vintage.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $23.40 | 750ml |
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27 August 2011
89PTS
Terras Gauda O Rosal 2009
O Rosal, Rías Baixas, Galicia, SpainMuch like the previous version this exciting white with its intense citrus and melon aromas flecked with ginger and bits of slate is very inviting. The palate is both round and elegant with a crisp, clean, back end. The palate is all citrus with nectarine, chalky, ginger notes. We love the delicate styling and intense flavours that cry out for roasted chicken and shellfish dishes.Prices:| AB | $28.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Poggiotondo Toscana Bianco 2010
Tuscany, ItalyPoggiotondo Toscana Bianco 2010 is an interesting new study for British Columbia given its owner /viticulturalist Alberto Antonini is working in Summerland at Okanagan Crush Pad. The fresh lean mineral styling is a given for Antonini as he works to express the vineyard's terroir. The 40/30/30 blend of vermentino, ansonica and malvasia works with no oak to reveal the chalky calcium makeup of the vineyard. Try this with shellfish and light seafood pasta dishes and enjoy the freshness and aromatics at work. It's amazing for the price.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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16 August 2011
86PTS
Colle Secco Rubino Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2006
Abruzzo, ItalyBig spicy, tobacco, barnyard nose with meaty game aromas. The entry is dry and round with fresh acidity and a touch of tannin in the back end. The palate mixes smoky, dried herb and meaty notes with leather, coffee, barnyard and cherry flavours. A rustic spaghetti red that can be tamed with some meatballs. Restaurants should serve this one by the glass.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
The Lucky Country Shiraz 2008
Barossa Valley / McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaRetased and equally fine. Look for a spicy, liquorice root, coffee, raspberry jam nose flecked with tobacco, black cherry aromas. Round, fresh, slightly tannic and warm palate. Raspberry kirsch, orange, tobacco, chocolate, black pepper, rooty flavours. Good fruit. Best with food. The Lucky Country label is made with declassified Two Hands fruit.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
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15 August 2011
86PTS
C'est la Vie Chardonnay - Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceI get nervous when the French tell you, which grapes are in the wine, then put the said wine in a snappy package and then put a screwcap on it. Actually this chardonnay sauvignon blanc made in a 60/40 split isn't half bad. Fresh clean zippy with just a hint of butter it is a simple everyday white for mid-week meals at home. Especially chicken and pastas.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Santa Cruz de Alpera Verdejo 2010
Almansa, Castilla-La Mancha, SpainAvoiding the heat is key to getting the Alpera blanco fresh and clean. The fruit is night harvested and fermented cool. The attack is fresh and crisp with super bright acidity on the mid-palate and finish. Look for a big citrus hit on the front of the palate with bits of guava and melon fruit throughout. Should be well suited to mussels. Good value.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Haywire Pinot Gris Switchback Vineyard Clone 52 2010
Summerland Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIts year two for the single-vineyard, single clone (clone 52) pinot gris made from five year old vines. Last year we suggested Haywire is a study in subtlety and nuance and it remains so in 2010. Acidity is the primary focus of the undercarriage and it sets the stage for a delicate array of tree fruits and floral notes to entertain the nose. The flavour intensity has been bumped up ever so slightly as the vineyard finds its way. Minimalist and proud of it, 'Haywire' is anything but in year two. Oysters anyone.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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14 August 2011
88PTS
Kestrel Merlot 2007
Washington, United StatesTypically northwest dark and brooding in colour with a hint of lifted black fruit and cranberry. On the palate, it opens up showing richer layers of black and red fruits raked with a savoury spicy undercurrent. The finish is long, rich and warm with an abundance of ripe fruit. Serve this with your favourite cut of steak. Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Rodney Strong Merlot 2006
Sonoma County, California, United StatesThe nose is fragrant with cedar, spice vanilla and mint in the foreground. The attack is fresh with some obvious mid-palate acidity and dryness. The entry is slightly lean for California, almost Bordeaux-like in its demeanour. Look for delicate plum and black cherry fruit with a soft, toasted vanilla finish. This one is ready to drink now.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $24.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Carmen Reserva Merlot 2009
Valle del Cachapoal, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileMuch like last year, the nose is definitely leafy with a spicy cran-cherry aroma and bits of savoury, dried herbs. The attack is soft and dense with black olive, cedar, medicine chest, black cherry and tobacco flavours. Rustic but ready for grilled meats of the barbecue. Fair value at $12.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $13.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Mankas Crest Dry Rosé 2007
Suisun Valley, California, United StatesThis cabernet rosé is made after a short, early pressing of cabernet fruit. It gets a touch of oak otherwise, the style is round and soft with a touch of sweeter fat fruit. A richer, off-dry style with notes of blueberries cherries and watermelon. Less of a summer sipper and more of a light food wine. Getting long inthe tooth for a rosé.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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13 August 2011
88PTS
Sandhill Small Lots Program Syrah Phantom Creek Vineyard 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig vanilla, smoky, coffee, mocha, meaty, black liquorice, savoury, five-spice, peppery aromas with a bit of roast meat. Dry, round, supple, fresh palate with vanilla, mocha, savoury, spicy, peppery, cherry jam, prune, savoury flavours. Very warm, oaky, somewhat tart finish. Lots of flavour but on the heavy, blockbuster side.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Domaines Astruc 'dA' Marsanne 2009
Limoux, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceHoney, apricot, floral, light lees, butter, fresh pear aromas. Ripe, fresh, juicy, off dry palate with pear, nectarine, mineral, honey, red apple and lychee flavours. Fun, elegant, juicy, fruity style for any food. Bravo.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Thornhaven Syrah 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWarm peppery, cedar, smoky, tobacco leaf, savoury, vanilla, tealeaf, meaty, black berry jam and chocolate. Palate is round, dry, warm and somewhat tart with light tannins but good concentration. Peppery, tobacco leaf, black tea, coffee, smoky, rooty, prune, meaty, sage flavours. Finish has some green tea tannins to dissipate.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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95PTS
Domaine Christian Moreau Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos 2009
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceFloral, spicy, seashell, lees, nutty, pear, honey, grassy aromas with ripe red apple and peach notes. Fresh, juicy, elegant, succulent palate with lime, seashell, baked green apple, honey, spicy lees, pear, rose petal and lemon flavours. Great finesse and intensity with a juicy, clean finish. Excellent fruit and length. Drink now or keep for 3-5 years. A bit softer than the '08 but somewhat riper fruit notes. Delicious and wonderful value given other white Burgundy and Bordeaux.Prices:| BC | $67.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $55.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $65.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Domaine Christian Moreau Chablis Grand Cru Valmur 2009
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceSpicy, jasmine, pear, anise, seashell, lees, seashell, seashore, baked green apple and grass aromas. Fresh, round, juicy, dry, slightly austere palate with nutty lees, spicy, floral, honey, baked pear, green apple, lime, seashell, acacia and vanilla flavours. A bit more austere and backward than Le Clos but super fine intensity. Perhaps give it a year or so or keep for 3-5 years.Prices:| BC | $67.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $55.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $58.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Drouhin Vaudon Chablis Reserve de Vaudon 2009
Chablis, Burgundy, FrancePear, green apple skin, seashore, light lees, floral, lime and nut aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy, forward palate with good finesse. Ripe apple, pear, honey, lemon, seashell and lees flavours. Good intensity for matching with seafood.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $32.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $32.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Laughing Stock Vineyards Syrah+1/10 2009
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAttractive spicy, peppery, floral, savoury nose with flecks of sweet vanilla, blackberry jam, tobacco, saddle leather and warm prune aromas. Ripe, round, supple, smooth palate with light tannins but warm. Peppery, tobacco, liquorice, vanilla, spicy, blackberry jam, meaty, tea flavours. Good texture and length despite the warmth on the finish. Will go well with roast lamb or beef. A classy interpretation of syrah.Prices:| BC | $34.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Painted Rock Syrah 2008
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig five spice, mocha, vanilla, wild game, peppery, black cherry jam, meaty, tobacco and barnyard aromas. Ripe, rich, fresh, round palate with good texture and acidity. Spicy, savoury, vanilla, coffee, licorice, smoky, tobacco, black tea, roast meat flavours with a bit black tea tannin on the finish. Suave, fresher style with good intensity but still with a fair bit of oak showing. Time in the bottle will help this wine reach its full potential.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Sibling Rivalry Red 2009
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaTobacco leaf, savoury, spicy, meaty, cherry aromas. Soft, round, supple, fresh palate with coffee, vanilla bean, herbal, tobacco, peppery, meaty, cherry flavours. Simple, easy sipping red that offers fair value.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Moon Curser Tempranillo 2009
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeppery, cherry, earthy, smoky, sage, licorice, vanilla, tobacco leaf aromas with a touch of coffee. Dry, tight, fresh palate with some light, cedar tannins. Smoky, sour cherry, herbal, tobacco, rooty, vanilla, smoky, vanilla, savoury flavours. Well-made if a bit tart and thin in the aftertaste.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Moon Curser Merlot 2009
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaExpressive rich open smoky, cherry, plum nose with bits of tobacco, vanilla, spicy, saddle leather, and barnyard aromas. Ripe, round, supple, smooth palate with fresh acidity and more tobacco, cedar, meaty, saddle leather, cherry kirsch, black olive, savoury flavours. Finish is warm and fresh with light tannins but with a strong core of fruit. Very well done.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Moon Curser Syrah 2009
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, savoury, vanilla, mocha, black cherry jam, saddle leather aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant but warm palate with light tannins. Smoky, savoury, tobacco, licorice, herbal, cherry, mocha, salted meat flavours. A bit warm and youthful but has potential. What it really needs is a bit more texture to support the flavour and weight.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Finca Los Primos Syrah 2010
San Rafael, General Alvear, Southern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaFloral, plummy, spicy, peppery, meaty aromas, nice and fresh. Ripe, round, fresh, smooth palate with a hint of sweetness. Black cherry jam, smoky, spicy, peppery, tobacco, chocolate flavours. Good fruit and clean, back on track. Great value.Prices:| BC | $11.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Durbanville Hills Shiraz 2008
Coastal Region, South AfricaVery smoky, meaty, peppery, black cherry, rooty aromas with some sweaty saddle. Fresh, dry, round palate with earthy, smoky, meaty, peppery, black cherry, herbal flavours. Warm and a bit tart on the finish with some pruny fruit.Prices:| SK | $16.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $16.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Jose Maria da Fonseca Domingos 2008
Setúbal Peninsula, Central and Southern Portugal, PortugalBig black pepper, spicy, minty, black olive, black cherry jam, plum, smoky, savoury aromas. Round, dry, supple, slightly tight palate with fresh acidity. Dried herb, tobacco, mineral, smoky, meaty, licorice root, floral, black cherry flavours. Good solid effort if a bit thin and austere on the finish. A good value food wine.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Miss Molly by Môreson In My Bed Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2008
South AfricaEarthy, rooty, black olive, tobacco, smoky, cassis, meaty aromas. Soft, supple, round palate with fresh acidity. Smoky, tobacco leaf, herbal, olive, cassis, coffee, and resin flavours. Simple, cleaner style.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Sandhill Syrah Sandhill Estate Vineyard 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSavoury, liquorice, vanilla, sage, spicy, blackberry, coffee, slightly meaty aromas. Round, dry, warm, supple, slightly flat palate. Liquorice, peppery, spicy, rooty, vanilla, chocolate, dried herb, berry flavours. Very warm, oaky finish but ready to drink. Perhaps a bit over ripe this time but solid fruit.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
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11 August 2011
85PTS
Cono Sur Pinot Noir 2010
Region del Valle Central, ChileRetasted but the same nose with spicy, rooty, rhubarb, cedar, cola, celery salt aromas and a note of reduction. Dry, fresh, supple, easy palate with cedar bark, resin, black cherry, rhubarb, smoky, celery and carrot top flavours. A bit tart on the finish but shows pinot character at an affordable price. Seems stretched these days. It's no longer the pinot it was at the turn of the millennium.Prices:| BC | $11.49 | 750ml |
| NS | $11.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $10.45 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Quinta Ferreira Cabernet Merlot 2009
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen but somewhat volatile, gamey, animal, jammy, pruny, coffee aromas. Dry, slightly lean, tart, astringent palate with coffee, vanilla, volatile, animal, herbal, toffee, cranberry, cassis, carrot top flavours. Too green and dirty, our least favourite of a good series of recent releases.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Quinta Ferreira Cabernet Franc 2008
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig chocolate, coffee, vanilla pudding, peppery, tobacco, saddle leather, cedar, cherry jam aromas. Ripe, dry, round, fresh palate with tobacco, vanilla, cherry, orange peel, cedar, meaty, leather, licorice and olive flavours. A bit warm and dominated by oak but has good intensity and balance. Needs -3 years. This one is on track.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Quinta Ferreira Syrah 2008
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig spicy, floral, meaty, sausage, gamey, peppery, tobacco, sage, liquorice, bacon aromas, good complexity. Ripe, round, fresh, supple palate but a touch hollow. Spicy, coffee, peppery, smoked meat, tobacco, roasted bell pepper, liquorice, vanilla and black cherry flavours. Finish is warm, youthful and fresh with some light tannin, should improve over the next year or two or try with beef stew.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Herder Cabernet Franc 2008
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaTobacco, barnyard, coffee, black pepper, cigar, earthy, dried cranberry, saddle leather aromas. Ripe, round, fresh, dry, slightly tannic palate with good acidity and concentration. Peppery, cranberry, cherry, tobacco leaf, green olive, smoky, cedar, mineral, vanilla and tar flavours. A very solid, youthful wine that will improve over the next 1-3 years. Fine effort.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Herder Josephine 2008
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCoffee, vanilla, meaty, prune plum, cherry jam, tobacco, cedar, barnyard, saddle leather, sage aromas. Ripe, round, rich, elegant but warm palate with fresh acidity and some youthful tannins. Cranberry, cherry jam, coffee, chocolate, cedar, tobacco leaf, peppery, black olive, licorice and vanilla flavours. Good concentration but finish is warm, and a bit tart and rustic, needs 3-4 years to soften.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Gray Monk Odyssey Meritage 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoky, leafy, pruny, tobacco, meaty, leesy, coffee, resin, cranberry aromas with barnyard streak. Dry, tart, astringent but full palate with cranberry, orange, leafy, tobacco, coffee, vanilla, herbal, resiny flavours. A greener, austere style with a tannic finish.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Gray Monk Odyssey Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeppery, roasted bell pepper, spicy, coffee, smoky, cassis, black olive, cranberry aromas. Dry, elegant, tight, fresh palate with some light tannins. Cranberry, cassis, coffee, smoky, herbal, tobacco, leather, black olive and roasted pepper flavours. Solid but a bit too green and tart on the finish. Should improve with another year in bottle. Good effort.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Gray Monk Odyssey Merlot 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoky, coffee, resin, tobacco, cola, peppery, black cherry, toffee aromas. Ripe, round, dry, supple but fresh palate with light, dry tannins. Soy, cedar, peppery, toffee, espresso, smoky, herbal, cherry, tobacco flavours. Solid with some green olive on the finish.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Young & Wyse Collection Amber 2010
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAmber mixes viognier, pinot gris and gewürztraminer in search of an aromatic fresh summer sipper style with a bit of weight. It's hard to pick up any single variety so I guess the blend is a success. The palate is warm yet surprisingly skinny and awash in acidity and somewhat sour nectarine skin notes. The direction is great and the styling will appeal to minimalists but this needs some food to calm down the acidity and bitter notes. It's a fine line, and a good start but it is just off the mark.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Volcanic Hills Gamay 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGamay noir is the grape of Beaujolais and one that has worked well in the Okanagan. Soft earthy sweet notes preview a similar style in the mouth. Grown on volcanic soils on the side of Mt Boucherie you get a mid-weight in colour, ripe, juicy red berry fruit with an earthy grapey finish. Pleasant well made and easy to drink. Try it with simple chicken dishes.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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10 August 2011
90PTS
The Doctor's Riesling 2010
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandA low alcohol Kabinett style riesling picked at an early stage of ripening (8.5%) much like a German Mosel. We love the lime, slate, wet earth, floral nose streaked with green apple, spicy aromas with a touch of lees. Fresh, crisp, juicy, elegant palate with a zippy, creamy texture and more lime, floral, green apple skin, grassy, minty, mineral, sherbet mango flavours. Great balance and juicy acidity with lots of flavour. Equivalent to any German Kabinett. Terrific effort. Riesling freaks should buy this one by the case. Perfect for spicy foods.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Gunderloch Fritz's Riesling 2009
Rheinhessen, GermanyNice peach, ripe apple, honey, floral, orange, tropical aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy, elegant, slightly sweet palate. Ripe apple, honey, mango, orange, mineral, floral flavours. Good flavour intensity and length, great for halibut with peach salsa.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Bret Brothers Pouilly-Fuissé Climat en Carementrant 2009
Pouilly-Fuissé, Mâconnais, Burgundy, FranceAttractive butter, seashore, apple skin nose with citrus, waxy, leesy, flora, honey aromas much like an oakier Chablis. Rich, dry, round, fresh, juicy palate but a bit austere. Waxy, nutty lees, green apple, baked pear, seashell, mineral, buttery flavours. Very good intensity with a price to match.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $48.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Wild Goose Riesling 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, perfumed, green apple, spicy, matchstick, pear aromas. Ripe, fresh, elegant palate if a touch soft and sweet. Green apple, honey, floral, spicy, baked pear flavours with good texture and some citrus rind on the finish. Good value in a food friendly style.Prices:| BC | $14.50 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Wild Goose Riesling God's Mountain Vineyard 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVery floral, spicy, light lychee, honey, red apple, citrus, ginger, grassy and mango aromas. Ripe, fresh, elegant, off dry palate but crisp with a stony, austere edge. Honey, floral, spicy, ginger, grassy, apple skin, lime rind flavours. Good intensity if a bit heavier style, somewhere between Alsace and Pfalz.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Tantalus Riesling 2010
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLots of green apple, lime, floral, mineral aromas but a fair bit of SO2 also. Fresh, crisp, elegant, delicious creamy palate with green apple, floral, lime, honey and tangerine skin flavours. Finish is very juicy and crisp with just a touch of bitterness in the back end. This will no doubt improve in the bottle over the next five years.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $23.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Jacob's Creek Steingarten Riesling 2006
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaPale yellow colour. Maturing nose of wax, petrol, Vaseline, lime, cream, oatmeal, ginger, aromas. Dry, fresh, austere but elegant style with good acidity balance. Nutty, floral, petrol, Vaseline, lime, creamy, ginger, smoky, slate flavours. Fine elegance but it's a more austere, mature style that won't appeal to everyone.Prices:| NF | $35.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Jacob's Creek Reserve Riesling 2010
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaRipe peach, ripe apple, floral, lime, pineapple, stony aromas but noticeable matchstick. Ripe, round, slightly flat but crisp palate with apple skin, baked pear, peach pit, lime, floral flavours with some matchstick. Solid style but a bit too much sulphur with an austere, dryer streak. Needs some time in the glass to reduce the SO2.Prices:| ON | $17.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $20.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Selbach Riesling 2009
Mosel, GermanyJust in time for summer. It's intriguing slate, floral, lime, green apple, matchstick, grassy, citrus aromas previews a crisp, fresh off-dry, juicy yet very elegant palate. More honey, floral, slate, orange, mango, red apple flavours appeal. Fine length and flavours and all a great price. Stock up.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Calliope Riesling 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight lees, buttery, spicy, apple skin, lemon aromas. Round, fresh, crisp, dry palate with leesy, green apple skin, pear, buttery, nutty flavours with a tart finish. Needs a bit more fruit and less lees to better reflect its riesling varietal.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Joseph Drouhin Pouilly-Fuissé 2008
Pouilly-Fuissé, Mâconnais, Burgundy, FranceCitrus, baked apple, pear, matchstick, buttered popcorn, grassy aromas. Crisp, dry, fresh palate with juicy green apple, mineral, honey, pear skin, gooseberry flavours. Finish is very fresh, will suit mussels and clams perfectly.Prices:| BC | $33.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $33.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Monster Vineyards Riesling 2010
British Columbia, CanadaHoney, perfumed, matchstick, baked apple, floral aromas. Ripe, round, elegant but soft and a bit sweet with canned grapefruit, honey, floral, ripe apple flavours. Fun style consumer style for summer drinking.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Kendall-Jackson Merlot Grand Reserve 2008
Sonoma County, California, United StatesHuge black liquorice, spicy, sage, black cherry, plum, tapenade, cedar, menthol, saddle leather, barnyard and vanilla aromas. Rich, ripe, round, full but fresh palate with supple tannins and big extract. Black cherry jam, plum, cedar, black licorice, peppery, spicy, orange, espresso, sage and herb flavours. A bit warm on the finish but has great fruit and complexity. Should improve over the next 3-5 years.Prices:| QC | $37.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $51.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $40.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $37.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Kendall-Jackson Merlot Vintner's Reserve 2008
Sonoma County, California, United StatesPeppery, prune, black cherry, black olive, tobacco, dried herb, leather, cedar and coffee aromas. Ripe, round, supple, elegant palate with black cherry, plum, coffee, cedar, chocolate, tobacco, sage, orange and vanilla flavours. Finish has good fruit but some youthful tannin with a slight green edge. Another step in refinement that is very encouraging.Prices:| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| US | $18.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $32.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $23.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $22.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Focus Riesling 2010
Lake Country, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMineral, salty, matchstick, green apple, pear skin aromas. Fresh, crisp, somewhat austere palate with light lees, green apple, green peach, butter and marzipan flavours with a citrus skin finish. Try with smoked salmon.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Painted Rock Merlot 2008
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaChocolate, coffee, vanilla, cherry jam, barnyard, saddle leather, cedar, dried orange peel, tobacco, menthol aromas. Dry, tight, slightly lean entry with some grippy youthful tannins but good extract. Flecks of orange and coffee and vanilla permeates its peppery, chocolate, black cherry, tobacco, mineral, cedar flavours with a touch crushed olives. It appears to be shutting down for the moment and will need two to four years before emerging to show its stuff. Definitely on track.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Herder Merlot 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen peppery, black cherry, prune plum, chocolate cedar nose with bits of tobacco, black olive, and vanilla, coffee and saddle leather aromas. Ripe, round, dry, elegant palate with some youthful tannins followed by more smoky, coffee, peppery, plum, cherry jam flavours spiked with cedar, earth and a touch of barnyard. A bit young, dry and youthful but with fruit and the ability to improve in the bottle over the next -4 years. Well done. Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Mission Hill S.L.C. Merlot 2006
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRound, dry, full palate with some youthful, tight tannin but not extracted. Chocolate, coffee, dried cherry, plum, peppery, savoury, aromas which preview plum tapenade, cedar, orange peel, earthy, leather flavours. Good overall concentration and ripeness, but still needs a few years to soften the tannins. More restrained style for food like grilled steak or veal chop. Expect even better evolution from this wine five years down the road.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
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09 August 2011
90PTS
Santa Rita Triple C 2005
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileBig chocolate, cedar, menthol, sappy, cassis, peppery, leather, tobacco, minty, bay aromas. Rich, dry, elegant, round but slightly austere style with some youthful tannins. Spicy, black olive, cassis, riparian, vanilla, cedar, tobacco, bay leaf, smoky, coffee, peppery, sappy, orange peel flavours. Good intensity and finesse but youthful with the carmenère showing strongly at this point. Will cellar with ease through 2015.Prices:| BC | $58.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $48.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $45.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $48.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer 2009
Alsace, FranceLight yellow colour. Honey, baked peach, warm apple, lychee, waxy, pear and slate aromas. Rich, round, fresh, elegant, very slightly sweet palate. Waxy, honey, baked pear, butter, mineral, rose and light lychee flavours. Good finesse and length and better pricing. Veal, pork and cheese are all in the mix.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Wild Goose Gewurztraminer 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAfter some quick airing it has rich litchi sausage nose flecked with orange, rose petal and ginger aromas. Round, fresh, warm but balanced palate with ginger, soapy rose petal, lychee, mineral, green apple flavours with a green mint and citrus rind finish.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Wild Goose Gewurztraminer Mystic River Vineyard 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, spicy, soapy, lychee, ginger, honey, grapefruit aromas, good intensity. Fresh, crisp, round, off-dry palate with mineral, lime, grapefruit, lychee, rose water and baked green apple flavours. Year in and year out a very reliable label.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Sperling Vineyards Gewurztraminer 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBruised apple, matchstick, mineral, citrus, butter aromas. Soft, flat, round and sweet with baked apple, honey, butter, mineral flavours. Lacks vivacity with a warm finish.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Hillside Gewürztraminer 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAttractive lime rind, rose petal, ginger, leesy aromas. Fresh, crisp, light, elegant palate with green peach, lime, ginger, buttery lees and rose petal flavours. It finishes a bit soapy with some green nuances. Simple but well made gewürztraminer made in the tart food friendly style.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Bottega Petalo Il Vino dell' Amore Moscato NV
Veneto, ItalyFresh clean sparkler with floral, peach, mineral aromas and medium froth. The style is sweet and delicate but there is a good balance of acidity. Look for peach apricot and ripe apple flavours on the palate with a perfect dash of minerality. A patio sipper with style, serve liberally all summer. Good value.Prices:| BC | $16.49 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Blasted Church Gewurztraminer 2010
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGrapefruit rind, canned fruit salad, floral, matchstick and lees aromas. Fresh, crisp, slightly oily and rindy palate with grapefruit, lees, mineral, green apple skin and butter flavours. A summer sipper from the Okanagan you can pair with chicken dishes.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Kettle Valley Gewurztraminer 2009
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA broader softer style of gewürztraminer with sausage, cooked peach, almond, citrus and baked apple aromas. Full, round, dry and slightly warm on the palate with mineral, ginger, honey, baked peach, almond, bitter citrus rind finish. Solid if a touch bitter and rindy. The grapes are blend of Oh, Selwood, McGraw Estate and King vineyards in Naramata, the Marchand, Intile and Cossentine vineyards in Penticton and the Lerchs vineyard in Summerland.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Intrigue Gewurztraminer 2010
Lake Country, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, green apple, spicy, peach skin, butter, mineral aromas. Round, soft, full palate with a touch of sweetness. Light lychee, green apple skin, lees, sausage, soapy, citrus rind flavours. It finishes a touch bitter but otherwise a solid effort at a fair price. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Cono Sur Gewurztraminer Limited Release 2010
Region del Valle Central, ChileAttractive floral, ginger nose with spicy, honey, melon aromas. Expect a slightly sweet palate with spicy, red apple skin, lime, butter and candied citrus flavours. Simple consumer style and sweet enough to work with spicy ribs or noodle dishes. Good value.Prices:| BC | $11.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $12.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Errazuriz Estate Reserva Chardonnay 2010
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileLight toasty lees, green apple skin, honey, citrus and pear skin aromas mark the nose of this terrific chardonnay value. The palate is dry, fresh and elegant with light honey, vanilla, green apple skin and bright floral flavours. Good delicacy in an exciting cool-climate style. Good value.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Carmen Reserva Gewurztraminer 2010
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileLight spice, honey, floral aromas but has cork characters. Try another bottle.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Herder Chardonnay 2009
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight honey, floral, butter, vanilla, light lees, baked apple aromas. Fat, round, ripe, somewhat sweet entry with honey, baked apple, baked peach, butterscotch, popcorn and lees flavours. Ripe fruit style with a good whack of oak and lees. This is the full meal deal if a little bit old style.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Volcanic Hills Gewurztraminer 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight dried lychee, sausage, rose petal, honey, mineral, peach aromas. The style is fresh and crisp with elegance. The attack is sweet with ripe litchi fruit, mineral, honey, butter and citrus rind flavours. Ready to drink. We hope to see this under screwcap next year.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Therapy Vineyards Gewurztraminer 2010
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGrapefruit, lime, earthy, floral, spicy, peach skin aromas. Fresh, crisp, dryer style with green apple, nectarine, light lychee and citrus flavours with a slightly warm finish. Solid, crisp style. A versatile food wine for an array of Pan-Asian dishes.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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08 August 2011
93PTS
Masi Mazzano Amarone Classico 2000
Veneto, ItalyA single vineyard parcel in the highest, coolest and driest part of the vineyard area. Spicy, floral, leather, tobacco, coffee, roasted meat, dried herbs, barnyard, eucalyptus and dried cherry nose. Fresh, full, round, juicy, warm palate with some smooth tannins. Tobacco, dark chocolate, cedar, roast meat, prune, dried cherry, licorice, menthol and almond flavours. A more structured wine with good finesse and balance with fine flavour concentration.Prices:| BC | $133.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Wild Goose Blanc de Noirs Merlot - Pinot Noir 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWild Goose doesn't make rose every year but when they do its made like a white wine to conserve as much fruit as possible. You will love the ripe red apple fruit flavours with a dash of pear and apple. Easy sipping off-dry version that would be great with spicy Asian noodle salads.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Masi Riserva di Costasera Amarone Classico 2005
Veneto, ItalyCostasera Riserva is a special cuvée of the flagship Costasera Amarone. It's grown on south facing hillside vineyards that face the "sera" or the sunset. It's made using the ancient Oseleta, re-discovered by Masi, and using a long appassimento process lasting more than 120 days in new 600L oak barrels. Look for a spicy, gamey, meaty, black cherry jam nose with pepper, tobacco, dried herb, plum and chocolate aromas. Rich, round, full, warm slightly tannic palate. Big tobacco, peppery, prune, soy, dark chocolate, earthy, black cherry and almond flavours. Lots of concentration and flavours with a warm finish. Will be better in another five years and should keep for 20 years.Prices:| BC | $77.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Masi Costasera Amarone Classico 2000
Veneto, ItalyPeppery, spicy, almond, cherry jam, tobacco leaf, coffee, meaty, saddle leather, prune and licorice aromas with a bit of menthol. Round, supple, slightly tannic palate with prune, coffee, leather, meaty, smoky, raisin, nutty, tobacco, cedar and dried fig flavours. Well balanced, fruity style.Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Florio Zighidi Passito Liquoroso NV
Sicily, ItalyZighidì follows the traditional Pantelleria wine lines, the dried grapes, the golden caramel colour, the aromatics, the raisins and figs. The difference is the ferment is halted at 5° to 6° of alcohol. With the addition of distilled wine to 16° alcohol the sugar is preserved. The result is a richer dessert wine with bits of orange and apricot marmalade with raisins and vanilla. The finish is long and persistent and sweet. Will keep for decades. Prices:| BC | $33.00 | 500ml |
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92PTS
Florio Passito di Pantelleria 2008
Sicily, ItalyA delicious drinking dessert wine made from bush trained moscato di Alessandria, also known as zibbibo grown on island of Pantelleria. After the grapes are harvested they are left on the ground to dry in the sun for about 20 days. The shrivelled raisins are eventually pressed and aged first in glass lined vats and then 225-liter fine oak barrels. The wine is golden in colour orange flecks and highly aromatic. The nose is a mix of raisins, figs and apricots with a dusting of vanilla and almonds. Perfect for after dinner with or without cakes or rich peppery cheeses.Prices:| BC | $57.00 | 500ml |
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86PTS
Tantalus Rosé 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe colour is bright pink the nose a mix of strawberry/raspberry that is a bit muted when cooled to the correct temperature. The attack is dry, the palate is dry with citrus predominating and the finish is probably too dry for the casual sipper. Still this wine is totally on the right track it just needs a bit more ripe fruit or even a pinch of sugar to make it more approachable. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Road 13 Honest John's Rosé 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAnother tight, dry low fruit version of rosé that will be terrific with food. I must say it's encouraging to see the sugar dropped out of this category in BC one can only hope consumers respond. The nose is more herbal leafy cran-cherry flavours and like Tantalus the fruit quotient is dry and quite low. Food is the solution here; a creamy potato salad or an Italian bread salad would be perfect matches.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Thornhaven Rosé 2005
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight orange/pink colour. Bright fresh nose of citrus fruits and red berries and black cherries. The attack is sweetish with a smooth finish. Simple fun summer sipping style with enough sugar to tame spicier meats. The blend is gamay, merlot, pinot noir and syrah.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Les Ligeriens Rosé d`Anjou 2010
Anjou, Loire, FranceLes Ligeriens hails from Anjou in the Loire Valley. The colour is redder than pink but the nose slightly aromatic with notes of sliced watermelon. The attack is fairly sweet with strawberry and watermelon notes throughout and a sweet finish. This would be best served cold as an apéritif or with lightly spicy appetizers.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Jacob's Creek Reserve Shiraz 2007
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaSpicy nose of blueberries and black fruits with hints of cedar. The attack is dry and fresh, that sweet jammy fruit but brighter and drier plummy mulberry fruit with a touch of briar. Perfect for grilled meats and most barbecue fare.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $17.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.25 | 750ml |
| YK | $21.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
C'est la Vie Pinot Noir - Syrah 2009
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceAn odd combination of grapes pinot noir and syrah are the mix here. It is lighter than you might suspect with a fair bit of tannin and acidity but then it's French and it's calling for traditional bistro food. Grilled sausages or pate would be affine match and help to shrug off the dryness.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $12.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Junta Winery Chile Carménère Syrah Reserve Momentos 2010
Valle del Curicó, Region del Valle Central, ChileAnother entry level red from Chile with soft, juicy, black fruit medium structure with just enough floral and mineral undertones o keep it interesting. Fresh and clean with a dry finish, we can see this working at most parties and or around barbecues. Pizza anyone.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Junta Winery Chile Carménère Reserve Momentos 2010
Valle del Curicó, Region del Valle Central, ChileRich purple colour. Bright savoury ripe fruit nose with leafy peppery undertones. The attack is soft, the fruit ripe, with a cran-cherry underbelly. Friendly soft, sippable carmenère that gets six months in French oak and is still sold at an affordable price. Who needs Yellow Tail? A hamburger red with some class.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Saxenburg Private Collection Shiraz 2006
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South AfricaConsistent in style but unfortunately not one we like very much. Earthy menthol, soupy, spicy fruit with a dollop of smoky, burnt rubber. The mid-palate is sweet and sour with cooked fruit flavours. The finish dry with earthy tobacco leaf notes. Drink with roasted meats.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $32.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Santa Cruz de Alpera Garnacha Tintorera 2010
Almansa, Castilla-La Mancha, SpainTwenty five year old vines are at the heart of this carbonic macerated red. So fresh and peppery with juicy ripe raspberry fruit and soft tannins it is the ultimate patio red. Hamburgers pizza chicken appetizers they all work. The variety is garnacha tintorera. Good value here.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Palestra 2008
Dão, Northern Portugal, PortugalPersistent fresh, earthy, black cherry fruit with a touch of oak. The attack is fresh with red cherry mineral notes and more earthy spicy undertones. A simple but solid hamburger or rib red for mid-week meals. The mix is touriga franca, tinta roriz and tinta barroca.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Foppiano Estate Bottled Petite Sirah 2008
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesThis is a full service petit sirah. Super dark black fruit with a rich open nose which previews a huge red robust in tannins and flavours and fruit. Glossy black sweet fruit slides down effortlessly. Delicious peppery finish.Prices:| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Rolling Shiraz 2009
Central Ranges, New South Wales, AustraliaSimple cedar candied fruit nose with bits of plums and white pepper. Soft entry and light mid-palate with skinny, spicy, cedar, red fruit flavours with a touch of elevated acidity poking through the back. Simple ready to drink red.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Devil's Lair Fifth Leg Shiraz Merlot Sauvignon 2008
Margaret River, Western Australia, AustraliaThe real "fifth leg" was part of an archaeological find not far from Devil's Lair winery where fossilised remains of a Tasmanian tiger were discovered along with a mysterious extra leg. Look for an herbaceous leafy, Western Australian, style red with dark fruit, blueberries with soft textures and spicy toasted oak in the finish. The fruit comes off a mix of sites from the Geographe and Margaret River regions. The blend is shiraz (55%), cabernet sauvignon (30%) and merlot (15%). Ready to drink; try it with flank steak.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
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05 August 2011
87PTS
Miopasso Nero d'Avola 2009
Sicily, ItalyMiopasso is the Sicilian version of Veneto's ripasso system. Hence a portion of the néro d'Avola grapes are dried in the sun prior to fermentation and the result is an intense red with a little more richness and complexity. The fruit is plummy and dry with more acidity than you might expect which dries out the finish. Best with rustic southern-style Italian fare. Should be good with hard cheese too.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $16.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Nollen Notorious Rooster Riesling QBA 2010
Mosel, GermanyEvery once and a while an inexpensive Germany riesling, almost always from the Mosel, over delivers and that is the case with Notorious a delicious little$14 riesling. We love the fresh nectarine skin aromas and the peachy, watermelon fruit all with freshness and balance. Great value for $14.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Haywire Gamay Noir Rosé 2010
Summerland Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRe-tasted 18 months after it was bottled and tis wine is singing. Its medium pink/orange colour, a la Provence, entices the eye while its subtle strawberry and green apple aromas pull your nose into the glass. The attack is crisp and juicy, with more feint red fruits, watermelon and citrus all with terrific acidity. Try this with a feta and watermelon salad.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
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03 August 2011
87PTS
Cassini Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis Golden Mile sauvignon and as such is definitely a warmer, riper style. Look for a grassy nettle, crisp ripe candied lemon flavours, tropical fruits with notes of pear and white pepper. Served well chilled with your favourite Pan Asian noodle dishes.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Caliterra Tributo Sauvignon Blanc Single Vineyard Block Vignoble Algarrobo 2010
Valle de Leyda, Valle de San Antonio, Region de Aconcagua, ChileA long cool season has conspired to shape this quality sauvignon blanc from the Leyda appellation that was picked three times with a ten day difference between the start and finish. No oak is used and it is not required. Love the lees treatment and the long peppery flavours form this single block sauvignon. Try this with an Alsace-style onion pie.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Carmen Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Valle de Leyda, Valle de San Antonio, Region de Aconcagua, ChileCarmen has a long history of making excellent sauvignon and this Casablanca version is no exception. Expect an intense gooseberry and grassy experience with green fruit and asparagus undercurrents. The palate is fresh, clean and elegant. A terrific style that has finesse and elegance and intensity. Oysters. Clams and or mussels are the ticket here.Prices:| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Pomorie Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Black Sea Region, BulgariaNettle and grass mark the nose of this muted Bulgarian sauvignon and we mean that in a good way. Look for some spice mixed with citrus and almond undertones and grassy figgy notes in the finish. Not quite as tight as it should be competent for the price. Try this with baked clams.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Mission Hill Sauvignon Blanc Five Vineyards 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFresh candied grapefruit nose with bits of lime rind, grass and nettle aromas. The attack is flat and round with a sweetish, cooked apple, grapefruit, herbal, nettle, lemon flavours. Solid if simple sauvignon for by the glass wine lists or summer salads.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Monster Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA cool year has spawned a cool style guava, green peach, gooseberry nose with bright melon flavours and a fairly intense lemon grassy character in the finish. A different looking style for British Columbia but one that is suited to much of our West Coast cuisine.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Kendall-Jackson Sauvignon Blanc Vintner's Reserve 2009
California, United StatesWinemaster Randy Ullom continues to fine tune his sauvignon into a more food- friendly, fresh style sauvignon using Lake County fruit as the base adding the melon, lemon grass notes to Monterey's citrus; Mendocino's florals and Sonoma's pear. The five percent chardonnay/sémillon helps top broaden and enrich the palate. The KJ style is always friendly but we like the acidity and the fine line Ullom walks with this wine. A small quibble is the heat in the finish. The winery pairing is sole with a lemon sauce or olives with feta cheese.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Cottesbrook Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandMuch like last year we enjoy this crisp lemony wine with the intense gooseberry, lemon grass and smoked jalapeno nose. The attack is fresh and well a balanced with grapefruit, baked apple and gooseberry flavours. Love the cleanliness and value of this sauvignon with a touch of Sancerre.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Two Tracks Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Wairau Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandBilled as an easy drinking sauvignon the combination of sweet fruit and tinned asparagus suggest the cooler you serve this the better. Pungent, fresh powerful, sauvignon flavours that can stand up to busy salads or Asian noodle dishes. We like the price.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Blue Mountain Pinot Noir 2009
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThere is plenty to like here beginning with a standard the rest of the valley would do well to ape. The wine is open top fermented, hand punched down and the result is the perfect combination of red and black fruit flavours flecked with vanilla and spice form the barrel. We love its dry attack and the firm dark fruit, fresh ripe rhubarb and compost and strawberry jam flavours. You can drink it now but it will improve with age in the bottle. Love the sensible alcohol here and its greta value. The vines are now 12 to 25 years old and the vineyards include multiple clones of pinot noir that surely add to its complexity.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Blue Mountain Reserve Pinot Noir 2008
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Striped Label Reserve is a blend of five clones and older vines - 19 to 25 years of age. When compared to the regular pinot is appears spicier and more deep fruited with dried cherries, forest floor and compost flavours prevailing on the palate. It supple palate plays host to a more savoury style pinot with bits of exotic orange and or nectarine in the finish to turn heads. Duck would a great pairing but roast chicken would be equally satisfying.Prices:| BC | $36.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
The Ned Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandA solid mid-weight sauvignon that has bracing, crunchy acidity throughout. Think food. Expect citrus, herbal passion fruit flavours with a zingy under carriage and notes of minerality. Well made an easily adaptable to most West Coast fresh seafood menu items. My choice oysters.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $21.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Mark West Pinot Noir 2009
California, United StatesOpen spicy floral aromatic nose with cherry rhubarb aromas dominating. The attack is supple and sweet with herbal, leafy, rhubarb, strawberry jam and vanilla flavours. A touch wild and gamey even bretty but at least it has some interesting flavours.Prices:| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Pinot Noir 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe reserve pinot has become softer and rounder over the years and now in 2009 it has acquired a bit of that elusive sweet pinot fruit. The attack is warm and spicy with bright cherry jam, barnyard and vanilla. Easy to sip and finally showing a bit of pinot finesse and style. Drink now or through 2014 with rich game dishes or a simple roast chicken. Well done.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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01 August 2011
88PTS
Masi Brolo di Campofiorin 2007
Verona, Veneto, ItalySpicy, floral, black cherry, almond, tobacco, herbal, meaty, vanilla, saddle leather aromas with a touch of sage and curry. Round, full, fresh and supple, warm palate. Tobacco, smoky, meaty, black cherry, prune, coffee, earthy, almond and chocolate flavours. A bit warm on the finish but good fruit and complexity.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $27.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Masi Campofiorin 2007
Verona, Veneto, ItalyCoffee, earthy, tobacco, meaty, cherry, barnyard, spicy, prune aromas. Round, fresh, supple and dry palate with good acidity. Chocolate, black cherry, tobacco, smoky, earthy, minty, meaty, Band-Aid flavours. Good solid fruit and balance but a bit rustic.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $17.45 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $22.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Masi Masianco 2009
Verona, Veneto, ItalyPear, apple, citrus, butter, quince aromas. Round, dry, elegant, slightly lean palate with citrus, butter, apricot, green apple, quince an almond flavours. A fresh, elegant style with some length, try with steamed clams. The blend is 75 grigio and 25 percent verduzzo.Prices:| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.50 | 750ml |
| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $17.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Stag's Hollow Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight medium intensity sauvignon with lemongrass and nettle notes on the nose. The attack is slightly sour with grassy pear, passion fruit and apple skin flavours all with a dusting of lemongrass. The finish could be crisper. Try it with chicken or seafood salads, or before dinner with passed hors d'oeuvres. Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Fazi Battaglia Titulus Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico 2009
Marche, ItalyThis wine is consistently fresh and clean nowadays although it could surely use a screwcap for ultimate reliability. Look for a nutty, green apple skin bouquet with bits for dried herbs for highlights. The body is round and supple but with enough acidity and herbal, gooseberry, green apple, citrus flavours to clean your palate after each bite. Grilled fish or simply prepared clams would be a perfect match. Good value.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Cameron Hughes Lot 212 Chardonnay 2008
Carneros, Sonoma County, California, United StatesLot 212 is made with excess juice grown on the Sonoma side of Carneros fermented in 30 per cent new oak. The style is rich with pineapple, tropical fruit notes on the nose with bits gunflint. The attack is rich with buttery baked apple flavours bits of lemon custard and spice. Big and rich with juts a modicum of restraint. Solid wine for halibut.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Kendall-Jackson Cabernet Sauvignon Vintner's Reserve 2008
California, United StatesA fresher style for KJ and its welcome. Love the blackberry, spice cassis aromas and the dry, fresh, elegant styling. The attack is soft and warm with earthy, black olive, coffee and dried herbs flavours. One of the better editions with less tannin and more finesse. Try it with most grilled meats off the barbecue.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| US | $18.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $22.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Santa Rita Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2010
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileThe style of Santa Rita sauvignon is all but locked down nowadays with its intense lime rind and gooseberry and cassis leaf aromas and flavours. Its Casablanca fruit shouts cool and clean and crisp with a citrus lime rind gooseberry undercurrent that persists through the finish. Serve is with grilled prawns or the Greek specialty saganaki.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $16.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Pierre Sparr Crémant Brut Reserve NV
Alsace, FranceClean correct fresh brut style with nectarine skin and peachy undertones. The attack is dry and fresh with citrus, creamy par fruit flavours. A spare style suited to pre-dinner appetizers with a citrus aftertaste. Prices:| ON | $17.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $21.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $32.00 | 750ml |
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September 2011