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Tastings: December 2011
30 December 2011
88PTS
CedarCreek Pinot Gris 2010
British Columbia, CanadaWhen you trace winemaker Darryl Brooker past from Ontario's Thirty Bench and Flat Rock Cellars to Villa Maria in Hawkes Bay New Zealand you quickly understand the nuances and flavouring of this gris assembled form seven different sites. The 83/17 blend of stainless steel fruit and barrel fermented juice over delivers creamy peachy, mineral, spicy fruit with subtle tropical fruit undertones and firm acidity. A super holiday entertainer at a great price.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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29 December 2011
86PTS
Stepp and Gaul Mineralstein 2010
GermanySpicy, baked red apple, floral, matchstick, nectarine skin, pear aromas. Fresh, juicy, off-dry palate with grassy, grapefruit, green apple, honey, nectarine skin and guava flavours. A bit lean but juicy with a tropical note.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Laurenz V. Und Sophie Singing Grüner Veltliner 2010
Niederösterreich, Weinland Österreich, AustriaTypically clean with a bright fresh nose of wet rocks and oyster liqueur. The attack is round with a touch of creaminess and ripe, floral citrus, white fruits flecked with citrus oil. Delicate, dry and full of finesse. Served it with assorted sushi to cheers.Prices:| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Torre del Falasco Valpolicella Ripasso 2009
Veneto, ItalyTobacco leaf, green olive, earthy, spicy, sour cherry aromas. Dry, smooth, fresh, light palate with some light tannins. Earthy, tobacco compost, peppery, sour cherry, barnyard, stewed pepper flavours. No real fruit and quite tart.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Gran Fuedo Edicion Tempranillo 2009
Navarra and Basque Country, SpainEarthy, cigar, spicy, leather, black cherry, smoked meat aromas. Dry, round, smooth but lean palate with juicy acidity. Black cherry, peppery, spicy, barnyard, coffee, meaty, earthy, resin flavours. Try this with pizza and or barbecue.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $14.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $17.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Round Hill White Zinfandel 2010
California, United StatesFloral, peach, plasticene, sausage, cherry jam aromas. Fresh, off-dry palate with light tannins. Cherry, strawberry jam, tobacco leaf, spicy, canned citrus flavours. A solid off-dry picnic wine.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Vina Maipo Carmenere Reserva 2010
Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileSmoky, cedar, leather, riparian, black currant, menthol, cedar, coffee aromas. Round, smooth, fresh palate with celery root, cedar, currant, cedar, spicy, menthol, cigarette ash flavours. A simple, easy style on the herbal side.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Casillero del Diablo Malbec Reserva 2010
Region del Valle Central, ChileSmoked meat, menthol, savoury, Oxo, carrot top, rooty, cedar bark aromas. Dry, fresh, somewhat lean and tannic entry with smoky, herbal, savoury, menthol, riparian, cedar bark, coffee flavours. Warm, tart finish but lacks identity.Prices:| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $13.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Casillero del Diablo Merlot Reserva 2010
Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChilePeppery, menthol, cedar, tobacco leaf, olive, bay leaf and green herb aromas. Dry, somewhat lean, flat palate with crushed herbs, compost, cedar, minty, rooty, resiny flavours with a smoked meat, menthol finish. Low fruit and low appeal.Prices:| AB | $11.95 | 750ml |
| SK | $14.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NF-LAB | $13.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Black Hills Carmenere 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBlack olive, black pepper, tobacco leaf, dill, smoked tomato, coffee, herb aromas. Dry, light, elegant but lean with light tannins. Coffee, cedar, smoky, dill, tomato leaf, sour cherry, peppery flavours. Tart, dry finish. A simple curiosity at this point that doesn't support its price. It really needs some fruit and ripeness if it is going to move ahead.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
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80PTS
Moillard Pinot Noir Huges le Juste 2010
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceThis wine continues to disappoint. Reduced, rubbery, dill brine, compost nose with sulphide aromas. Dry, lean, tight palate with herbaceous, rubbery, reductive, coffee bean flavours. Back to the drawing board.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Montes Cherub Rose of Rosé 2010
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileNice raspberry colour with spicy, peppery, cherry, apple, pear, spicy aromas. Fresh, juicy, dry palate with peppery, spicy, liquorice, herbal, cherry and citrus flavours. A very fresh style with fine fruit, acidity and balance.Prices:| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Purple Angel by Montes 2009
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileOpen spicy, peppery, tobacco nose laced with menthol, bay, coffee, cassis, cedar, chocolate, five spice aromas. Rich, round, ripe, smooth palate with light, grainy tannins. Vanilla, coffee, peppery, chocolate mint, savoury, poultry spice, cassis, orange peel, coconut, black cherry and celery salt flavours. Warm and gloss with some fine tannins on the finish. Drinkable now with beef but will improve within 2-4 years. The Purple Angel mix is 92 per cent carmenère and 8 per cent petit verdotPrices:| US | $50.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $55.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $54.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $50.00 | 750ml |
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28 December 2011
87PTS
M. Chapoutier Belleruche Côtes du Rhône Rouge 2010
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceVery spicy, savoury, peppery, tobacco, black cherry, gamey, liquorice aromas. Soft, fresh, round, easy palate with very light tannins. Smoky, gamey, black raspberry, peppery, poultry spice, roasted pepper flavours. Elegant, somewhat juicy finish. Drink now and over the next year.Prices:| BC | $18.50 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
M. Chapoutier Crozes-Hermitage Les Meysonniers Rouge 2009
Crozes Hermitage, Northern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceOpen savoury, poultry spice nose with peppery, black raspberry jam, liquorice and gamey roasted pepper aromas. Ripe, round, smooth, elegant but light palate with juicy acidity. Peppery, smoky, spicy, gamey, black raspberry, menthol, tobacco and liquorice flavours. Good finesse but a lightweight version that is ready to drink or hold a year or two maximum.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Gray Monk Gewürztraminer 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, spicy, sausage meat, light lychee, leesy, seashore aromas. Round, somewhat flat, juicy palate with green apple, leesy, spicy, sausage, peach skin, and lychee flavours. Solid fruit but could be a bit cleaner.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
M. Chapoutier Les Arènes Cornas 2007
Cornas, Northern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceBlack plum, garrigue, roast pepper, savoury, floral, gamey, curry, barnyard and prune aromas. Ripe, round, full palate with some grainy tannin and good acidity. Peppery, tobacco, roasted pepper, licorice root, gamey, garrigue, prune and saddle leather flavours with a spiced plum finish. A tad rustic and youthful will benefit from 2-5 years aging. The vineyard is on the slopes in the village of Cornas partly on decomposed granite, locally called "Gore" and partly on clay and calcareous alluvial deposits. A great cheese wine after dinner.Prices:| BC | $65.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $40.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
M. Chapoutier Deschants Saint Joseph Blanc 2009
Saint Joseph, Northern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceHoney, floral, pineapple, quince, pear aromas with a bit of fresh citrus. Very full, round, slightly oily texture but juicy. Spicy, lees, ginger, guava, honey, pineapple, baked pear flavours. A bit warm but has a juicy, elegant, long finish. Wonderful drinking now but will age. Try with Chinese style green onion and ginger crab. The marsanne fruit comes off vineyards surrounding Tournon: Mauves, Saint-Jean de Muzols et Lemps and a Saint-Joseph hillside parcel owned today by Chapoutier and Saint-Épine.Prices:| BC | $44.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $40.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
M. Chapoutier Deschants Saint Joseph Rouge 2009
Saint Joseph, Northern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceBig black pepper, sausage meat, licorice, garrigue, black cherry, tobacco and mineral aromas. Round, full, elegant palate with smooth tannins and fresh acidity. Meaty, smoky, peppery, licorice, black cherry, savoury, garrigue, and menthol flavours. Very true to region and variety with some elegance. Drink now - 5 years.Prices:| BC | $44.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $40.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
M. Chapoutier Hermitage Monier de la Sizeranne Rouge 2007
Hermitage, Northern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceBlack plum, blackberry, peppery, gamey, curry spicy, barnyard, floral, garrigue, saddle leather aromas. Fresh, round, juicy, dry but elegant palate with some grainy tannin. Peppery, curry, licorice, meaty, black cherry, savoury, floral, roasted pepper, mineral, orange peel and vanilla flavours with a touch of leather and prune. Well-structured palate with fine fruit intensity and acidity. Needs a further 4-7 years to develop in bottle. Best in many years for this edition.Prices:| BC | $115.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $99.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
M. Chapoutier Ermitage L'Ermite Rouge 2008
Hermitage, Northern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceThe darkest of the three select parcel Ermitage. Very peppery, spicy, curry, black cherry, smoky, gamey, prune, tobacco, barnyard, vanilla and garrigue aromas. Dry, tight, elegant, juicy palate with some youthful tannins and intensity. Smoky, peppery, curry, garrigue, prune, roasted pepper, black cherry, licorice, slate stone, meaty, leather and tobacco flavours. Good complexity and intensity but very youthful, perhaps more tannic than Le Meal. Will need a full decade to come into its own in the bottle.Prices:| BC | $250.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $275.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
M. Chapoutier Le Pavillon Ermitage Rouge 2008
Hermitage, Northern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceWhite pepper, curry spice, prune, black cherry, liquorice, tobacco, gamey aromas with a hint of smoke and warm rosemary. Dry, tight, structured palate with some youthful tannins and acidity but concentrated. Smoky, roasted pepper, cherry jam, prune, tobacco, garrigue, carrot top, vanilla, roast meat, cedar and tapenade flavours. A very tight, youthful wine now with the structure to age 20 to 25 years. Not a big fruit style but has aromatic intensity.Prices:| BC | $217.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $230.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
M. Chapoutier Châteauneuf-du-Pape Barbe Rac Rouge 2008
Hermitage, Northern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceThis 100 per cent grenache is described as coming off a quaternary terrace (The quaternary covers the time span of glaciations classified as the Pleistocene ) with a surface of shingles (galets) coming from the former bed of the Rhône river. The vines are 90 years old. Look for a spicy meaty, barnyard nose with black plum, garrigue, leather, savoury, roasted pepper, curry and five spice aromas. Dry, elegant, tight but with finesse and fine tannins. Peppery, black plum, wild game, savoury, thyme, Christmas cake and curry dominate with and orange peel flavours wand more meaty, barnyard notes. You can drink it now or hold it for ever. A very aromatic but elegant style.Prices:| BC | $104.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $125.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Méal Rouge 2008
Hermitage, Northern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceHuge peppery, plum jam, orange compote nose with cedar, curry spice, prune, barnyard, liquorice and vanilla aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant but tight with some grainy, youthful tannins. Curry spice, garrigue, pepper, black cherry, plum, liquorice, cedar, tobacco, meaty and smoky herb flavours. Good concentration and length with more fruit than Le Pavillon. This will also benefit from 7-10 years or longer in bottle and will live for decades. Made from 50 year old vines with alcohol barely reaching 13.5 percent. Prices:| BC | $250.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $275.00 | 750ml |
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95PTS
M. Chapoutier De L'Orée Ermitage Blanc 2008
Hermitage, Northern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceSome 60 to 70 years old marsanne is the story here. Apricot, pear, marzipan, acacia, quince, honey, candied lemon peel with a hint of butter and vanilla. Ripe, round, juicy, fresh, textured palate with good finesse but concentrated. Baked apple, apricot, honey, lemon, almond, acacia, ginger and anise flavours. Long, fresh, juicy finish. Delicious now but has the tradition and ability to age 3 decades. Ooh la la, very fine. Try this with foie gras.Prices:| BC | $175.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $225.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
M. Chapoutier La Mordorée Côtes Rôtie 2008
Côte Rôtie, Northern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceOpen spicy, aromatic nose with curry, garrigue, saddle leather, cedar, menthol, roasted pepper, black cherry, tapenade, white pepper and herb aromas. Round, dry, elegant but structured palate with light tannins. Intense smoky, meaty, gamey, garrigue, curry spice, olive, resin and plum flavours with a saddle leather and menthol finish. Pheasant anyone? This is still a bit chewy and dry, will need 5-10 years. One hundred per cent syrah, average age 60 years, grown over chlorite and ferruginous mica-schist blending in loess depressions and earth veins on the border of the "Côte Blonde."Prices:| BC | $150.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $200.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
M. Chapoutier Saint Joseph Les Granits Rouge 2008
Saint Joseph, Northern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceA fully biodynamic and organic wine. Very spicy, intense black pepper, sausage meat, roasted pepper, black cherry, smoky, garrigue, cigar aromas. Round, dry, supple, full, elegant palate with a touch of austerity. Juicy black cherry, peppery, meaty, leather, chocolate, garrigue, mineral, licorice flavours with a touch of clove and curry. Very fine balance with finesse yet the ability to age 4-7 years, perhaps longer. A fine effort from a selection of our oldest syrah trunks in the heart of the Saint Joseph appellation.Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $95.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
M. Chapoutier Saint Joseph Les Granits Blanc 2008
Saint Joseph, Northern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceChapoutier's oldest marsanne is hand harvested off the steep granite slopes in the south of Tournon. Half of the wine is fermented in vats, the other part in big wooden barrels (600 liters). Ageing on lees from 8 to 10 months with stirrings. Apricot, nutty, honey, buttery, lemon, spicy, waxy, floral aromas but a bit on the oxidative side, a stage in development for this grape. Fresh, round, juicy, elegant, smooth palate with honey, nutty, lees, vanilla, lemon, apricot, pear skin and ginger flavours. Good finesse and balance for current drinking or you can age this half a century or more.Prices:| BC | $72.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $95.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Kenwood Pinot Noir 2009
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesStrawberry jam, compost, tobacco leaf, rooty, celery salt, carrot top, herbal, barnyard aromas. Round, smooth, fresh palate with spicy, rooty, carrot top, stewed cherry, celery salt, worsteshire, tobacco leaf flavours. Finish is very warm and tart, needs food.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $22.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Casillero del Diablo Carmenere Reserva 2010
Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileBig smoky leather, peppery, carrot, bay leaf, sausage meat, menthol, savoury herb aromas. Fresh, round, smooth palate but light with peppery, menthol, herbal, carrot top, rooty, smoky leather, meaty, fresh currant flavours. Very smoky but has some appeal for barbecue meat.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $14.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $14.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $13.50 | 750ml |
| NB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NF-LAB | $0.00 | 750ml |
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27 December 2011
87PTS
Van Westen Vineyards Vulture 2009
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIntense barnyard, cedar, leather and prune notes with dried cranberry, cherry and vanilla aroma. Full, round, ripe palate with grainy tannins. Chocolate, vanilla, coffee, dried cherry, cranberry, prune, savoury, saddle leather and floral flavours. Very ripe fruit with good concentration but the oak is fairly overt and it is showing early signs of volatility.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Argento Classic Pinot Grigio 2010
Mendoza, ArgentinaEarthy, baked pear, apple skin, leesy, matchstick, floral aromas. Round, soft, slightly lean palate with honey, baked pear, grassy, citrus, buttery flavours. Simple and a bit unclean on the finish.Prices:| ON | $10.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $12.50 | 750ml |
| NF | $13.50 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Black Hills Viognier 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSimilar to last year with a spicy, gingerbread, honey, floral, lemon oil, green apple skin and light lees aromas. Dry, fresh, slightly lean palate with juicy acidity but a bit austere. Lees, butter, grassy, green apple skin, quince, honey, ginger, bready flavours. A lean, somewhat dilute style with a bit of diacetyl on the finish.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Duck Pond Pinot Gris 2009
Willamette Valley, Oregon, United StatesVery leesy, baked pear, butter, honey, marzipan, citrus aromas. Fresh, soft, sweeter style palate with honey, baked pear, butter, citrus, creamy, cooked peach flavours. Very ripe and warm finish.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $18.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Gérard Bertrand Tautavel Hommage aux Vignerons 2007
Tautavel, Côtes du Roussillon Villages, Roussillon, Sud de France, FranceVery ripe black raspberry, black cherry, vanilla, chocolate, prune, savoury, peppery, licorice aromas but some noticeable volatility and a bit of prune. Ripe, round, smooth but flat palate with some youthful tannin. Chocolate, coffee, peppery, garrigue, prune, vanilla, volatile, Christmas cake, black raspberry jam and orange peel flavours. Very ripe but over done on maturity and oak.Prices:| BC | $42.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $40.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $37.50 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Van Westen Vineyards Voluptuous 2008
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRipe cherry jam, dried cranberry, vanilla, chocolate, spicy, savoury, peppery, clove, cedar, meaty aromas with a bit of tobacco and orange peel. Dry, tight, full palate with some grainy tannin. Smoky, peppery, cherry jam, prune, cranberry, cigar, peppery, vanilla, coffee, olive, meaty, barnyard flavours. Good fruit concentration but an austere finish with some volatility and prune notes. Needs 2-4 years.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Van Westen Vineyards Vivre la Vie 2008
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, prune, cherry jam, slightly volatile aromas of tobacco, chocolate, vanilla, cedar and coffee aromas. Dry, full, round but firm palate with cedar, tobacco, pepper, Christmas pudding, cherry jam, cranberry, barnyard and prune flavours. Somewhat dry and austere on the palate. Try it now with grilled meats or age this for five years in bottle.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Tinhorn Creek Cabernet Franc 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaClassic cool climate franc with floral, cranberry, tobacco leaf notes mixed with pepper, olive, barnyard and smoky tomato leaf. The attack is fresh and round with light, grainy tannins. Coffee, cedar, tobacco leaf, smoky herb, barnyard, saddle leather, cranberry, chocolate, vanilla flavours. Solid now but will be better in a year or two with some bottle age.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Tinhorn Creek Merlot 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSavoury, tobacco leaf, black olive, vanilla, coconut, coffee bean, cedar aromas. Dry, round, slightly chunky palate with cedar, chocolate, smoky, herbal, cherry, tobacco leaf and olive flavours with a bit of saddle leather. Try this with rabbit or grilled flank steak.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Tinhorn Creek Oldfield Series Merlot 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, cedar, cherry, barnyard, coffee, vanilla, cranberry, olive, tobacco leaf aromas with a touch of prune. Round, dry, smooth palate with light, grainy tannins. Cherry, prune, cedar, smoky, tobacco flavours flecked with pepper, chocolate and savoury olive flavours. Good concentration if a bit fresh on the finish. Needs a couple of years to round out.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Tinhorn Creek 2Bench Oldfield Series Red 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeppery, barnyard, sweaty leather nose with nuances of chocolate, vanilla, cranberry and savoury black olive and cassis aromas. Dry, round, warm and somewhat tart palate with light but lean tannins. Cranberry, tobacco leaf, herbal, green olive, green bean, peppery, savoury, coffee, smoky roasted bell pepper flavours. A somewhat austere style that will need more time in the bottle to come around.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Gérard Bertrand Château L'Hospitalet La Clape Grand Vin Rouge 2009
La Clape, Coteaux du Languedoc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceVery savoury, garrigue, floral, meaty, black cherry jam, prune, peppery, vanilla, gamey, licorice aromas. Rich, round, smooth, supple palate with black cherry jam, black raspberry, licorice, menthol, coffee, peppery, spicy, meaty, roasted pepper flavours. Good acidity and fruit with a long finish. Good value. Super restaurant wine.Prices:| BC | $26.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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26 December 2011
87PTS
Gehringer Brothers Riesling Private Reserve 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGehringer has always made a crisp clean style riesling and over the years it has traded sugar for ripe fruit and fine acidity. Look for green apple/peach notes with a dusting of wet stone flecked with honey and ripe pear. Amazing finesse and style for the price.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Caliterra Tributo Cabernet Sauvignon Single Vineyard Block Vignoble Quillay 2009
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileThis wine surprises with its ripe cabernet fruit nose with big cassis and black fruit aromas. The attack is rich round and soft with a dollop of dark chocolate and spice and a whack of generous red fruit flavours. You can drink this now or hold for another four years. Impressive styling for the price.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Caliterra Merlot Reserva 2009
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileAlways minty, spicy and herbaceous. The attack is soft and round with peppery red fruit and strong earthy leafy notes. Drink now with hamburgers or grilled chickens. Decent value here.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Caliterra Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2010
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileThe blend is 92/5/3/cabernet sauvignon, shiraz and malbec. Typically cool and spicy nose with cedar-y bay leaf notes. The attack is warm, soft and round with herbal, cedar-y fruit and a slightly dry and acidic finish. Best with flank steak or hamburgers.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Voga Pinot Grigio 2010
Veneto, ItalyLight lemon oil, green apple skin, pear, and light lees aromas. Soft, fresh, slightly sweet entry with baked pear, honey, red apple and lemon flavours. A simple, easy sipper for entry level consumers.Prices:| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $18.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $18.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Giorgio & Gianni Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie 2010
Salento, Puglia, ItalyFloral, grapefruit, green apple, earthy, lemon oil aromas. Soft, round, fresh and slightly sweet palate with honey, baked pear, and spicy, citrus rind flavours. Fresh, easy style with a juicy finish. Good value here.Prices:| BC | $11.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Vina Maipo Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2010
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileOpen leafy, spicy nose with bits of cran-cherry. The attack is supple, if warm, with easy-sipping peppery red fruit flavours. Your classic spaghetti red or even better with hamburgers. Solid everyday red.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2010
Region del Valle Central, ChileAlways minty, spicy and herbaceous. The attack is soft and round with peppery red fruit and strong earthy, leafy notes. Ready to drink and best with grilled chicken or meat dishes.Prices:| MB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $13.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $13.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $13.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Montes Alpha Carmenere 2009
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileAlways well-crafted with subtle chocolate undertones, pepper, mint, bay leaf and red licorice root aromas. The attack is dry but elegant; the flavours are a mix of smoky, peppery, coffee, olive, black cherry, chocolate, menthol and vanilla flavours—a long and persistent finish.Prices:| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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25 December 2011
87PTS
Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay 2010
Livermore, San Francisco Bay, California, United StatesHoney, spicy, floral, buttery, baked apple and lees aromas. Fresh, round, elegant but somewhat sweet entry. Nutty, buttery, honey, baked pear and spiced apple flavours. Good entry level style to go with seafood and chicken. Solid value.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $22.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Casillero del Diablo Chardonnay Reserva 2010
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileA fresh, lighter style now with green apple, light lees, butter, spicy aromas with a hint of vanilla and pear. Soft, fresh easy palate with light extract and not much verve compared to prior versions. Similar flavours but not much intensity. A dip here in quality.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $13.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Alamos Chardonnay 2010
Mendoza, ArgentinaCitrus rind, grassy, apple skin, petrol, smoky aromas, very unusual. Soft, flat, round palate with pear, butter, petrol, citrus rind flavours. Not a lot of varietal character here or balance.Prices:| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $15.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Napa Angel by Montes Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Napa Valley, California, United StatesPeppery, chocolate, tobacco leaf, cassis, blackberry, floral, black olive, cedar and vanilla aromas with a gamey note. Very round, full, smooth, suave palate with smooth tannins and fresh acidity. Savoury, spicy, peppery, cassis, blackberry jam, cedar, leather, vanilla and dried herb flavours. Finish is a bit warm but has good fruit and finesse for drinking now-3 years. A very good example of Napa cab with some elegance.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $45.00 | 750ml |
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24 December 2011
85PTS
Chamdeville Blancs de Blancs - Brut NV
FranceDry, firm toasty sparkling wine that is impressively consistent from year to year. Look for light notes of fig, baked green apple and floral aromas. The attack is fresh and crisp with bits of honey, grass, dried herbs and green apple. A simple style you can add to early morning orange juice or late afternoon aperitifs with crème de cassis.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $16.00 | 750ml |
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23 December 2011
86PTS
Rocky Creek Katherine's Sparkle Brut 2009
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, bready, floral, apple skin, citrus oil aromas. Fresh, juicy, somewhat foamy mousse. Soft and easy with apple, pear skin, yeasty, floral, spicy flavours. An easy- drinking, clean style.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Sumac Ridge Steller's Jay Brut Méthode Classique 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMedium fine mousse. Honey, baked pear, baked apple, toasty, citrus, peach, floral aromas. Foamy, round, sweeter style palate but lacks mid-palate. Baked apple, citrus, baked peach, spicy, toasty flavours. A fruitier, easy style that is ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $28.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Perrier - Jouet Grand Brut NV
Champagne, FranceMedium fine white mousse. Toasty, nutty, baked apple, spicy, citrus, pear skin and spice aromas. Fresh, crisper, medium weight palate with fine mousse and a juicy edge. Marzipan, toasty, baked pear, citrus peel, green apple flavours with a touch of honey. A bit more austere but full with good acidity structure. Will be best with appetizers.Prices:| BC | $67.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $67.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $64.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
G. H. Mumm Brut Cordon Rouge NV
Champagne, FranceBrioche, spicy, baked pear, honey, toasty, baked apple, citrus, creamy aromas. Fresh, crisp, medium sweetness brut style with good acidity. Toasty, marzipan, brioche, honey, citrus, baked pear and apple flavours. A bit lighter style but has good flavours and balance with a juicy, brioche finish. Will appeal to almost everyone.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $60.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $50.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $64.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $60.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $60.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $60.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $64.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $64.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $65.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $135.00 | 1500ml |
| QC | $63.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Louis Roederer Brut Premier Champagne NV
Champagne, FranceFine continuous mousse. Toasty, brioche, creamy, baked apple, pear, honey, floral, citrus, strawberry aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy palate with medium brut sweetness but a touch of austerity and good acidity. Green apple skin, baked pear, lemon, quince, honey, marzipan and brioche flavours. Elegant and structured with a slightly austere finish but good flavour concentration and length.Prices:| AB | $64.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $68.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $66.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $68.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $319.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $66.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $34.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $70.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $60.00 | 750ml |
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95PTS
Roederer Cristal Champagne 2004
Champagne, FranceLots of very fine, continuous mousse. Creamy, toasty, brioche, honey, floral, citrus, baked green apple, cherry, pear and butter aromas. Fresh, crisp, elegant, intense palate with lots of fine mousse and medium sweetness brut level but higher acidity. Brioche, nutty, spicy, baked citrus, baked green apple honey, lemon, spicy flavours. Long finish with fine intensity, needs 2-5 years to fully develop.Prices:| BC | $278.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $287.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $280.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $756.00 | 1500ml |
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21 December 2011
83PTS
Rocky Creek Pinot Noir 2009
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaCompost, stewed rhubarb, tobacco leaf, meaty, resiny, smoky, black tea aromas. Dry, lean, round but tart palate with some green, hard tannin. Peppery, compost, sausage meat, lees, rhubarb, sour raspberry flavours. This needs some work.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Ganton & Larson Prospect Winery Fats Johnson Pinot Noir 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, barnyard, leather, rhubarb, coffee, cooked cherry aromas. Round, smooth, easy palate with candied cherry, coffee, herbal, rhubarb, candied orange flavours. Very warm finish with some light, leafy tannin.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Mt. Boucherie Family Reserve Pinot Noir 2006
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaTobacco leaf, compost, spicy, peppery, caraway, rhubarb aromas. Dry, smooth, elegant palate with rooty, forest floor, tobacco, earthy, rhubarb, herbal, savoury flavours. Finish is a bit lean and tart with some warmth. A cool fruit example.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Herder Estate Pinot Noir Estate 2009
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLiquorice, spicy, black cherry, vanilla, compost, tobacco, barnyard, light lees aromas. Round, dry, fresh, elegant palate with very light tannins and a chalky texture. Warm with strawberry, rhubarb, peppery, celery, worsteshire, smoky, vanilla, coffee, rooty, meaty, herbal flavours. Finish has some heat and youthful tannins to shed. Good effort but needs a year or so to round out.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Tantalus Pinot Noir 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSaddle leather, barnyard, cherry jam, compost, worsteshire, smoky coffee aromas with an herbal, resin note. Dry, somewhat lean palate with chunky, hard tannins. Peppery, tobacco, rooty, cherry, rhubarb, cedar, smoky, meaty, vanilla flavours. Ripe but somewhat over extracted and tannic with a warm finish.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $30.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Champagne Lanson Le Black Brut NV
Champagne, FranceFine but light mousse with a pale yellow colour. Mature nose with toasty, brioche, honey, light garlic, baked pear, citrus, and apple aromas. Fresh, elegant, tight palate in a drier brut style with good acidity. Nutty, toasty, baked apple, lemon, earthy, pear and butter flavours. Finish is a bit austere but ready to go.Prices:| BC | $78.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $67.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $72.50 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Gray Monk Pinot Noir 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, stewed rhubarb, rooty, spicy, barnyard, cola aromas. Dry, slightly lean and light palate with some tannin. Peppery, worsteshire, sour cherry, vanilla, herbal, rooty flavours. A simple, youthful pinot but somewhat lean and lacking ripe fruit.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Napa Valley, California, United StatesBig cassis, spicy, peppery, licorice, black olive, vanilla, barnyard, blackberry and tobacco aromas with a touch of barnyard. Dry, full, juicy, round palate with some youthful, grainy tannins. Tobacco, peppery, cassis, black cherry, vanilla, light coffee, tapenade and leather flavours. Good concentration and intensity with lots of fruit and some aging ability. Drink now or over the next 2-4 years.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $37.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
CedarCreek Platinum Pinot Noir 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, light barnyard, cherry jam, strawberry, vanilla, smoky, compost, espresso and herb aromas. Dry, elegant, juicy, slightly astringent and lean palate. Vanilla, coffee cream, strawberry jam, rhubarb, smoky, compost, tobacco, meaty flavours. Very solid but still a bit oaky and tannic on the finish. Could use another year or two in bottle. Much better pricing.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Meyer Family Vineyards Pinot Noir Reimer Vineyard Kelowna 2010
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, barnyard, meaty, tobacco, compost, rhubarb, vanilla aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant palate with some firm tannin. Vanilla, coffee, strawberry jam, orange peel, herbal, tea, tobacco leaf, barnyard flavours with a warm, full finish. Good effort and fruit but would be even better with riper, softer tannins in the structure.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Meyer Family Vineyards Pinot Noir McLean Creek Vineyard - OK Falls 2010
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig celery salt, thyme, savoury, barnyard, lees, rhubarb, light cherry and tobacco leaf aroma. Fresh, juicy, elegant, tight palate with some light, gritty tannin. Vanilla, raspberry jam, rhubarb, compost, tobacco, barnyard, saddle leather flavours with a savoury, tea finish. Good effort and youthful, should improve over the next few years and soften the residual tannins.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Meyer Family Vineyards Pinot Noir McLean Creek Road Vineyard 2009
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCelery root, thyme, caraway, tobacco leaf, rhubarb, meaty, light barnyard nose with a touch of cherry fruit. Dry, round, full, somewhat chunky palate with astringent tannins. Vanilla, coffee, peppery, meaty, compost, medicinal, rhubarb, black tea, savoury, black cherry flavours. This one is ripe but somewhat over extracted and astringent in the finish with a lot of oak showing. There's potential if the finesse can be brought forward.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Meyer Pinot Noir 2010
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLeafy, vanilla, compost, celery root, tobacco, spicy, rhubarb, meaty, light barnyard aromas with a bit of cherry. Dry, fresh, round, supple and light palate with rhubarb, sour cherry, spicy, tea leaf, herbal, barnyard, rooty, caraway, slightly meaty, coffee flavours. Solid effort in a cool style with some light tannins on the finish.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Mumm Napa Brut Prestige NV
Napa Valley, California, United StatesMedium fine white mousse. Riper fruit nose with red apple, peach skin, citrus, toasty, honey aromas. Fresh, juicy, slightly sweeter style brut palate with lots of foamy mousse. Strawberry, baked apple, honey, toasty, pear and citrus flavours. A full, riper style for any consumer.Prices:| BC | $32.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $28.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $28.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $29.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $28.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $34.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Pinot Noir 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCherry, earthy, tobacco, herbal, stewed prune, celery root, spicy, vanilla nose. Dry, elegant, juicy palate with some light, lean tannin. Cedar, tobacco, spicy, worsteshire, herbaceous, peppery, rhubarb and coffee flavours. Good juiciness but the finish is warm and a bit astringent. Needs a year or so to soften and improve. Try it now with roast pork.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $25.00 | 750ml |
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95PTS
Kaesler Old Bastard Shiraz 2008
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaFabulous old vines here. Enticing rich nose of vanilla, mocha, blackberry and liquorice notes. The attack is rich and full but with perfectly balanced acidity. The tannins are supple the length super long and intense. The palate is refine with supple vanilla, spice, blackberry / black raspberry fruit flavours and more liquorice with a savoury spice flavours. Impressive rich red with excellent concentration and balance. A superb bottle of wine, the Old Bastard is considered the flagship shiraz at Kaesler. It is sourced from a 114 year-old vineyard and the fruit is aged for 19 months in new and one year old French oak.Prices:| BC | $176.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $160.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Kenwood Cabernet Sauvignon Jack London Vineyard 2008
Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesBig peppery, black olive, tobacco leaf, cedar, coconut, vanilla, smoky menthol, riparian, cassis and coffee bean aromas. Round, dry, supple, slightly lean palate with some grainy tannins. Herbal, coffee, peppery, olive, green bean, minty, smoky, resin, cassis and tobacco leaf flavours. Finish is a bit too tart and dry for its appellation.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $37.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $35.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $36.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $43.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $42.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Trapiche Astica Merlot Malbec 2010
Mendoza, ArgentinaSimilar to last year's edition with peppery, tobacco, floral, cherry, cedar and cologne aromas. Fresh, juicy, round palate but a bit lean and warm. Herbal, tobacco, cherry jam, peppery, earthy spicy flavours. Finish is a bit short and tart but appealing for immediate drinking with your pasta or barbecue offerings. The price is right.Prices:| BC | $9.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $9.50 | 750ml |
| MB | $9.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $9.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $10.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $10.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $10.00 | 750ml |
| NF-LAB | $10.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $11.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 1500ml |
| NB | $18.00 | 1500ml |
| QC | $8.10 | 750ml |
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20 December 2011
91PTS
Ganton & Larson Prospect Winery Lost Bars Vidal Icewine 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRipe apricot, honey, lemon, plasticene, green apple and baked pear aromas. Ripe, rich, round, fat palate with moderate acidity and quite sweet but good balance. Lime, honey, butter, orange marmalade, baked apple skin and apricot flavours. Good acidity and fruit on the finish for drinking over the next year or so. Good value in an ice wine.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 375ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Inniskillin Okanagan Riesling Icewine 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLime, green apple, apricot, honey, waxy, floral aromas. Ripe, full, round, juicy palate that is fairly sweet with moderate acidity. Lots of baked green apple, apricot, spicy, honey, floral, lime and lanolin flavours. Lots of good fruit and finesse here in a sweeter style. Drink now with the solid fruit and a bit of bottle age.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 200ml |
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89PTS
Kaesler Stonehorse Shiraz 2008
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaSpicy, black liquorice, blueberry jam, blackberry, rooty, vanilla cream and herb aromas. Ripe, round, suave, smooth palate with fresh acidity. Peppery, spicy, coffee, blackberry jam, smoky, vanilla, slightly meaty flavours with a bit of blueberry and earth. Very warm, fresh finish. Serve cool with turkey or lamb.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $27.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Kaesler Old Vine Shiraz 2008
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaPeppery, chocolate, vanilla, and licorice root, blueberry jam, black cherry, light garrigue, Smokey, meaty aromas. Rich, round, full palate with some light, grainy tannins to shed. Big blackberry jam, peppery, smoky, licorice, bacon, vanilla, floral, espresso, cedar and tobacco flavours with a very warm but fruity finish. Fine structure but this will need a few more years in bottle to soften. Well made.Prices:| BC | $65.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $57.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Kaesler Avignon 2007
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaSimilar to last vintage with blackberry jam, black raspberry, spicy, peppery, licorice, cola, cedar and blood orange aromas. Fresh, warm, juicy palate with light tannins. Blackberry jam, orange compote, black raspberry, licorice and coffee aromas. Good fruit and structure with a lot of warmth on the finish.Prices:| BC | $37.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Star Angel by Montes Red Wine Aurelio's Selection 2007
Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, Central Coast, California, United StatesCork taint, try another.Prices:| US | $75.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Montes Folly Syrah 2007
Apalta Valley, Santa Cruz, Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileBig spicy, eucalyptus, black cherry, sappy, vanilla, peppery, leather and rosemary aromas. Rich, full, dry, somewhat tannic but suave with good acidity. Coffee, vanilla, cedar, black plum, black pepper, dried herb, cedar, meaty, garrigue and tapenade flavours. Good intensity and balance despite being warm. Needs 3-5 years to fully soften the youthful tannins. Excellent syrah.Prices:| US | $65.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $88.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $83.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $88.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $75.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Niche Wine Co. Rosé 2010
West Kelowna, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLeafy, cooked strawberry, herbal, floral, baked apple aromas. Soft, round, somewhat sweet entry with cooked strawberry, leafy, rooty, candied apple and bitter herb flavours. Your basic picnic rosé. Chilled and serve with cold chicken.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Ganton & Larson Prospect Winery Ogopogo's Lair Pinot Grigio 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWaxy, honey, floral, matchstick, green apple skin aromas. Fresh, juicy, somewhat sweet and sour with candied grapefruit, green apple, honey, buttery, green peach flavours and a warm finish. Simple, consumer style for the picnic.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Toso Brut NV
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaMedium fine continuous mousse. Minty, green apple, floral, candied pear, burnt matchstick aromas. Light, foamy palate with a bit of sweetness. Grassy, light roasted garlic, herbal, apple skin, grapefruit skin, almond, bitter flavours. Simple, basic bubble.Prices:| BC | $15.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.99 | 750ml |
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18 December 2011
88PTS
Paul Mas Estate Single Vineyard Collection Malbec Gardemiel Vineyard 2010
Coteaux du Languedoc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceWe love the consistent quality of this wine, and based on the 08 and 09 the 2010 Mas malbec, a single vineyard collection from Gardemiel Vineyard, is another winner. Expect a fragrant peppery, floral nose that previews a warm savoury rich entry of black fruits, liquorice and pepper. A delicious, big time value of modern Euro malbec. Perfect for grilled T-bone steaks.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec 2008
Mendoza, ArgentinaCorked.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $25.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $28.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $215.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Black Hills Syrah 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaDark red colour with a fairly intense peppery nose with bits of black fruit and summer sausage notes. The attack is fresh and smooth showing a bit of acidity and alcohol with more black cherry and plum fruit flavours and a dry slightly acidic finish. A fine first effort.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Porca de Murça Tinto 2009
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalEarthy, peppery, dried herbs, smoky, black cherry, licorice and resin aromas. Fresh, round, dry palate with light tannins and juicy acidity. Cherry jam, plum, herbal, smoky, peppery, meaty, tobacco flavours. The nose is a bit closed but shows some fruit and intensity on the palate as a solid value.Prices:| BC | $11.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Tinhorn Creek Oldfield Series Syrah 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen spicy, meaty, floral nose with bits of blackberry, coffee, sage, and olives. The attack is dry and supple with some mid-palate acidity poking through. The palate is a mix of smoky, savoury, meaty, dried herb and blueberries flavours. Another good effort that only needs a bit more fruit to really shine. The fruit comes off both the Golden Mile and Black Sage Benches.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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17 December 2011
86PTS
Makia Merlot 2011
Mendoza, ArgentinaCoffee, chocolate, cedar, herbal, cherry aromas. Dry, soft, fresh, simple palate with tobacco, peppery, earthy, stemmy, cherry flavours. Basic entry level consumer wine in a sweet, weedy style.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Makia Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Mendoza, ArgentinaGooseberry, passion fruit, matchstick, grassy aromas with a bit of nettle. Dry, fresh, round, somewhat lean palate with grassy, nettle, grapefruit rind, gooseberry flavours. Solid but on the lean side with just a bit too much sulphur on the finish to shine.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Shiraz 2008
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaAlways Barossa showy the nose is bright and sweet with big, smoky, white pepper, cedar and blueberries. The entry is warm and round with a whack of black fruits, dried herbs and sweet vanilla. A very warm spicy attractive style of shiraz that would be great with grilled lamb chops.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $22.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Alamos Syrah 2009
Mendoza, ArgentinaClassic commercial syrah with a sweet spicy oaky nose. The attack is smooth and warm and full of big black spicy liquorice root and sausage meat flavours. The textures are supple through the finish. Easy drinking fun party red.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
JoieFarm PTG 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaEarthy, barnyard, meaty nose with candied cherry, tobacco, cedar aromas. Dry, round and lean on the palate with resin, smoked beef, cedar, tobacco leaf, cooked carrot and earthy flavours. The finish is warm and lean. Try it with some grilled sausages.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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15 December 2011
88PTS
Catena Chardonnay 2008
Mendoza, ArgentinaCitrus, green apple, spicy, nutty, baked pear and floral aromas with a touch of honey. Fresh, round, elegant palate with spicy, butter, vanilla, honey, baked green apple and pear flavours. A moderately fresh, lower oak style that is ready to drink. Solid effort here.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.50 | 750ml |
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13 December 2011
89PTS
Cameron Hughes Lot 219 Zinfandel Monte Rosso 2009
Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesVery spicy, peppery, blackberry jam, licorice, vanilla, earthy aromas with a touch of coffee. Ripe, round, smooth and a bit of fruit sweetness with good acidity and warmth. Good vanilla, peppery, cedar, riparian, blackberry, prune, savoury, tobacco and licorice flavours with a touch of leather on the warm finish. Good fruit and suppleness for that winter lamb stew or turkey.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
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12 December 2011
88PTS
Cameron Hughes Lot 244 California Field Blend 2009
California, United StatesLiquorice peppery, spicy, prune, light barnyard, leather, black cherry jam, smoky, savoury aromas. Full, round, smooth, warm but juicy palate with peppery, licorice root, five spice, prune plum, black berry jam, leather and chocolate flavours. Lots of good fruit here and freshness despite the very alcoholic (warm) 16% finish. Solid value in this unique blend.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Cameron Hughes Lot 173 Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Sonoma County, California, United StatesSpicy, vanilla, cassis, chocolate, leather, peppery, floral, cedar aromas with a touch of tobacco. Fresh, smooth, round palate with good acidity. Cedar, chocolate, vanilla, cassis, blackberry, leather, prune and olive flavours. Ready to drink style with some decent elegance despite a bit of warmth on the finish.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Tilia The Wines of Catena Torrontés 2010
Salta, North, ArgentinaVery spicy, floral, ginger, lychee, nectarine aromas with a touch of lemon oil. Fresh, round, slightly creamy and soft palate with ginger, lychee, grapefruit and lemon rind flavours. Good overall intensity and finesse that offers solid value.Prices:| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
40 Knots Rose 2010
Comox Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaVery pale raspberry colour with light rhubarb, tobacco, apple and strawberry aromas. Fresh, juicy, somewhat sweet style with similar flavours. A light, easy, simple picnic wine.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
40 Knots Pinot Noir 2009
Comox Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaPrices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Levante Rosato 2010
Abruzzo, ItalyPeppery, spicy, floral, strawberry, slightly herbal nose. Fresh, round, slightly sweet palate with savoury, tobacco, cherry, rhubarb and apple flavours. Clean, fresh, simple and juicy.Prices:| BC | $11.45 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Fontodi Chianti Classico 2007
Tuscany, ItalySpicy, meaty, black cherry, smoky, leather, barnyard aromas with a bit of menthol and herb. Full, round, dry, slightly astringent palate with good acidity balance. Cherry jam, pepper, tobacco, rooty, liquorice, leather, sausage meat and spice flavours with a bit of a medicinal note on the finish. Drink now and over the next 2-3 years.Prices:| BC | $34.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $38.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $40.00 | 750ml |
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11 December 2011
89PTS
Ruffino Modus 2008
Tuscany, ItalyModus is a 50/25/25 blend of sangiovese/merlot and cabernet sauvignon from Ruffino's Montemasso, Poggio Casciano and Santedame estate. Traditionally rich and savoury with spicy, olive gamey notes on the nose this edition appears slightly cooler and tight. The attack is a mix of savory black fruit and forest floor nuances with bits of coffee, vanilla and chunky tannins in the back end. You could serve this now with big game dishes or osso buco but its best cellared for a decade.Prices:| ON | $29.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $29.75 | 750ml |
| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $32.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $30.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $35.00 | 750ml |
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08 December 2011
86PTS
Balthasar Ress Rheingau Riesling Kabinett 2010
Rheingau, GermanyLemon, matchstick, green apple skin, light slate and grass aromas. Fresh, juicy, crisp palate with a touch of sweetness. Green apple, grassy, honey, grapefruit, green peach flavours. Solid fruit, finish is a bit tart, try with food.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Trim Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
California, United StatesTobacco leaf, herbal, spicy, green bean, black olive, liquorice and prune aromas with a bit of game and roast meat. Round, off dry, slightly astringent palate with fresh acidity. Prune, leather, coffee, liquorice, peppery, barnyard, roasted pepper, rooty flavours. Too much on herbal and warm side for California.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Moselland Ars Vitis Riesling Qualitätswein 2010
Mosel, GermanyBaked nectarine, matchstick, grassy, artichoke, citrus rind aromas. Sweet, fresh, juicy palate with herbal, grassy, grapefruit, asparagus and nectarine flavours. A greener version with a fair bit of sweetness.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $15.00 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Hess Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
California, United StatesBarnyard, Band-Aid, bretty nose with smoked leather, prune, coffee, resin, tobacco aromas; very unclean. The attack is supple, the palate smooth but with more smoked leather, prune, Band-Aid, meaty, resin, animal flavours. Full of brettanomyces and not much else. Avoid this one.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Louis Bouillot Perle d'Aurore Rosé Crémant de Bourgogne NV
Burgundy, FranceVery pale raspberry color. Open floral, raspberry, cherry, mineral, liquorice aromas with a light toast, nutty note. Bubbles are light and slightly foamy. On the palate it is a sweeter brut style with very fresh acidity and tobacco, cherry, strawberry, anise and citrus flavours. A bit sweet amd foamy on the finish but with some attractive fruit.Prices:| BC | $28.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Henschke Julius Riesling 2010
Eden Valley, South Australia, AustraliaLight floral, lime, petrol, warm slate, green apple skin aromas. Very fresh, crisp, dry, somewhat austere palate but good finesse. Grapefruit, lime, cement, apple skin, light lees flavours. A more reserved, tight style that needs a few years to develop.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $39.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $42.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Hester Creek Late Harvest Pinot Blanc 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRipe pear, honey, baked apple, spicy, floral aromas with a hint of citrus. Fresh, juicy, somewhat sweet entry but elegant with mandarin, apple, honey, peach and butter flavours. A lighter, more delicate style but solid fruit and balance for current drinking. Well done.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 200ml |
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87PTS
Clos du Soleil Saturn Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMinty, ginger, spicy, grassy, passion fruit aromas with a bit of canned grapefruit. Round, full, soft, somewhat sweet entry with menthol, grassy, honey, passion fruit, herbal, buttery, honey and candied ginger flavours. Finish has good acidity but a bit warm and rind-y.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 375ml |
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84PTS
Bree Riesling 2009
Pfalz, GermanyHoney, spicy, baked apple, citrus, slate, light petrol aromas. Fresh, round, off dry style with lees, petrol, honey, nutty, red apple and guava flavours. Has fruit but is somewhat muddled due to some obvious lees characters in the taste.Prices:| BC | $16.50 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Alamos Malbec 2010
Mendoza, ArgentinaA blend of Mendoza fruit picked at La Consulta, Tupungato, Lunlunta, and Agrelo that spend about nine months in 50/50 French and American oak. Expect a soft, round warm spicy fruit entry with earthy black fruit flavours mixed with black liquorice undertones in the finish. A soft, fleshy, simple malbec best served with meat.Prices:| AB | $11.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NFLB | $15.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Jean Bousquet Cabernet Sauvignon (Organic Grapes) 2010
Mendoza, ArgentinaCassis, barnyard, tobacco, leather, spicy, prune, meaty, pepper and olive aromas. Round, soft, somewhat flat palate with a hint of sweetness. Prune, peppery, tobacco leaf, herbal, leather, meaty, smoky, resin and tapenade flavours. The finish is a touch bitter and earthy with more subdued fruit.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $18.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
The Show Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
California, United StatesSmoky, meaty, cedar, menthol, prune, tobacco leaf, herbal, roasted bell pepper, vanilla, coffee bean aromas. Fresh, juicy, round, slightly sweet palate with cedar bark, tobacco leaf, prune, herbal, olive, roasted pepper, rooty, vanilla cream flavours with an odd vegetal chocolate finish. Very commercial without much cab character.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Summerhill Pyramid Winery Riesling Organic 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig petrol, lemon oil, slate, spicy, baked green apple aromas. Fresh, juicy, somewhat sweet but elegant palate with lemon oil, slate, petrol, nutty, nectarine and red apple flavours. Good finesse and acidity with low alcohol. If you like the petrol style, this is for you.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Truchard Cabernet Sauvignon Carneros 2007
Carneros, Napa Valley, California, United StatesSpicy, peppery, tobacco, rooty, earthy, prune/ cassis nose with black olive, herbal, leather aromas. Fresh, dry, slightly tannic palate on entry with smoky, prune, earthy, tobacco, leather, cassis, dried herb, coffee and resin flavours. We like the price but it is somewhat tart and hot on the finish lacking the richness of the vintage.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $28.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $27.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Ganton & Larson Prospect Winery Larch Tree Hill Riesling 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight floral, matchstick nose with candied apple, honey, grapefruit aromas. Fresh, crisp, slightly sweet entry with grapefruit rind, honey, candied apple, peach pit flavours with a slightly bitter rind finish. Simple, consumer-friendly style that will work with spicy Chinese food dishes.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
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07 December 2011
87PTS
Henschke Croft Chardonnay Lenswood 2009
Adelaide Hills, Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide, South Australia, AustraliaNutty, floral, green apple, diacetyl, baked peach skin aromas. Dry, elegant but light and skinny with buttery, grassy, green apple, light honey, citrus and popcorn flavours with a bit of vanilla. A very light weight version of chardonnay that lacks somewhereness for the price.Prices:| BC | $54.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Henschke Giles Pinot Noir Lenswood 2009
Adelaide Hills, Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide, South Australia, AustraliaSpicy, rhubarb, black cherry, tobacco, worsteshire, slightly floral aromas with a bit of barnyard and smoky licorice root. Round, dry, fresh, slightly tannic palate with very fresh acidity. Sour cherry, cedar bark, tobacco leaf, herbal, perfume, worsteshire, vanilla flavours. Finish is quite lean and sour. Needs food.Prices:| BC | $68.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $54.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Henschke Keyneton Euphomium Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Caberent Franc 2008
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaSpicy, black cherry, blueberry, cranberry, tobacco leaf, smoky, vanilla, coffee, leather and barnyard aromas. Round, dry, fresh, supple palate but with some light, grainy tannins. Leather, cranberry, orange, vanilla, coffee, resin, licorice, meaty, peppery, blackberry and tobacco ash flavours. Young and fresh on the palate, needs 2-5 years to open out but will always have a tart edge.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $50.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
40 Knots Chardonnay 2010
Comox Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaLeesy, butterscotch, garlic, floral, baked apple aromas. Flat, round, soft palate with a soapy, floral, honey, citrus, nutty flavours. Again, a bit sweet, skinny and flat on the palate with low extract. Not as lively as the gris.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
40 Knots Chardonnay 2009
Comox Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, honey, butterscotch, bruised apple, cinnamon aromas with some light lees and nut notes. Flat, round, soft palate with some sweetness. Diacetyl, butterscotch, baked apple, honey, toasty flavours. A bit too sweet with oxidative characters.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
JoieFarm Reserve Chardonnay 2009
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, citrus, buttery, baked pear, honey, perfumed aromas. The entry is round if somewhat flat on the palate with a bit of sweetness and fresh acidity. Citrus rind, honey, butter, lees, baked apple, ginger flavours. All the parts are present but it lacks the concentration that would take it to the next level. It finishes with a bit of bitterness and heat. Drink now with roasted chicken. Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Astrolabe Voyage Chardonnay 2009
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandNutty, butter, nettle, grassy, apple skin aromas with a touch of popcorn. Fresh, juicy, slightly sweet palate with baked apple, honey, grassy, passion fruit, popcorn, butterscotch flavours with a bit of vanilla. Seems a bit washed out with a lot of buttered popcorn notes in the finish.Prices:| NZ | $20.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Mauro Chardonnay 2010
Puglia, ItalyToasty, buttery, light lees, baked pear, citrus aromas with a touch of white peach. Soft, round, somewhat sweet entry with nutty, garlic, citrus, baked pear, buttery flavours. A bit too sweet and flat for our taste but priced attractively for its quality.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Falesco Ferentano Bianco Lazio 2008
Lazio, ItalyVery nutty, toasty, butter, honey, quince, citrus, baked pear aromas. Round, full, slightly sweet and juicy palate with toasty lees, nutty, citrus, honey, baked quince and lemon flavours. The finish is a mix of bitterness with nutty butterscotch flavours. A different spin on white wine.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Domaine de Grand Pré Champlain Brut NV
Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, CanadaLots of mousse with floral, green apple, toasty, honey, wild berry aromas. Sweeter style but tart with lots of foamy mousse. Green apple, minty, herbal, floral, toasty flavours. Simple and fresh with a juicy, tart and toasty finish. Best with bite size appetizers.Prices:| NS | $20.00 | 750ml |
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06 December 2011
89PTS
Louis Jadot Volnay Clos de la Barre Monopole 1er Cru 2009
Volnay, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceCherry, spicy, strawberry, earthy, floral, barnyard, vanilla, carrot top, celery, waxy aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy, slightly tannic and tight palate but good finesse with some power. Peppery, raspberry, earthy, compost, carrot, minty, floral, orange, vanilla and herb flavours. Good potential needs 3-5 years but should last 15.Prices:| BC | $85.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Louis Jadot Bonnes Mares Grand Cru 2009
Chambolle Musigny, Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceMore from the Chambolle side, this has a spicy, carrot top, cherry, meaty, vanilla, strawberry jam, barnyard, tobacco leaf nose. Dry, round, supple but tannic streak with ripeness and fresh acidity. Cherry, strawberry, vanilla, gamey, waxy, smoky, tobacco, floral flavours. Long, fresh, powerful structure yet it's delicate and deceptive. Will need 10-15 years minimum in bottle before it awakes.Prices:| BC | $315.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Louis Jadot Chapelle Chambertin Grand Cru 2009
Gevrey-Chambertin, Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceRipe cherry, strawberry jam, floral, meaty, smoky, spicy, vanilla aromas with a bit of barnyard, coffee and tobacco. Dry, elegant, delicate palate but juicy and vibrant with light tannins. Raspberry, smoky, vanilla, tobacco, orange peel, spicy, carrot, celery salt flavours. Long, delicate yet youthful with some power and tannins to shed over the next 10 years.Prices:| BC | $245.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Louis Jadot Nuits Saint Georges Les Boudots 1er Cru (Domaine Gagey) 2009
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceSpicy, floral, waxy, gamey, cherry, strawberry jam, vanilla, carrot, orange, tobacco leaf, compost aromas, good complexity. Dry, round, tight, elegant palate with some tannins but juicy. Smoky, vanilla, raspberry, strawberry, carrot, earthy, gamey, toasty oak flavours with a bit of tobacco leaf and orange on the finish. Good concentration and length but very youthful. Needs 5 plus years minimum. Very fine.Prices:| BC | $120.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Louis Jadot Beaune Greves 1er Cru 2009
Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceSpicy, earthy, gamey, leather, barnyard, strawberry, liquorice, tea leaf and compost aromas. Dry, fresh, supple, elegant palate with strawberry, earthy, spicy, waxy, leafy, orange peel and tea aromas with a touch of leather. Good finesse and juicy, quite delicate. A bit closed but should improve for 3-5 years.Prices:| BC | $58.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Louis Jadot Gevrey Chambertin Les Cazetiers Premier Cru 2006
Gevrey-Chambertin, Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceSpicy, carrot top, earthy, celery, menthol, tobacco, herbal, strawberry aromas. Dry, tight, somewhat leaner palate with some chalky tannins and fresh acidity. Raspberry, carrot top, celery salt, spicy, tobacco leaf, herbal, gamey flavours. A bit green and closed but has aging potential. Still needs 2-5 years but definitely on the cooler, leaner side.Prices:| BC | $80.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Louis Jadot Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru (Domaine des Heritiers Louis Jadot) 2009
Aloxe-Corton, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceFrom one of the oldest plots, this has spicy, white pepper, nutty, floral, honey, buttery, citrus, green apple skin, and orange aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant and juicy but concentrated and slightly austere now. Nutty, lemon, vanilla, spicy, butter, citrus, green apple flavours with a honey, waxy, lime and peach skin finish. Very dry with high extract but offers finesse and power with vibrancy. Will need 5 years to start to come around fully.Prices:| BC | $190.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Louis Jadot Chassagne Montrachet Morgeot 1er Cru Clos de la Chapelle 2009
Chassagne Montrachet, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceCitrus, leafy, nutty, spicy, oatmeal, nectarine, green apple, grassy, waxy, vanilla aromas. Dry, intense, vibrant acidity with big extract. Spicy, citrus, green apple, oatmeal, vanilla, butter, grassy, nectarine flavours. Power and finesse here with lots of flavour. Needs 3-5 years and will continue long after.Prices:| BC | $98.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Louis Jadot Puligny Montrachet Clos de la Garenne 1er Cru Duc de Magenta 2009
Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceSpicy, nutty, honey, floral, baked apple, pear, peach, and butterscotch aromas. Dry, full, juicy but elegant with good acidity. Butterscotch, nutty, spicy, vanilla, baked pear, apple skin, melon and lemon flavours. Vibrant, delicate and long with ripe flavours, even a bit tropical. Very fine nuances and style.Prices:| BC | $112.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Louis Jadot Meursault 2008
Meursault, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceVery nutty, leafy, lees, spicy, honey, butter, baked apple aromas with a hint of butterscotch. Dry, vibrant, juicy, austere palate with nutty lees, spicy, buttery, lemon, vanilla, garlic and nectarine flavours. Good expression but very young, needs a few years to round out.Prices:| BC | $55.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Joseph Drouhin Beaune Clos des Mouches 1er Cru 2009
Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceVery smoky, coffee, gamey, underbrush, tobacco leaf, raspberry, strawberry, barnyard, meaty aromas. Ripe, round, supple and elegant with juicy fruit and acidity. Spicy, smoky, blood orange, strawberry jam, vanilla, coffee, tobacco, gamey, incense flavours. Light tannins and oaky on the finish but has good elegance. Needs 3-5 years to integrate.Prices:| BC | $96.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Joseph Drouhin Gevrey Chambertin 2009
Floral, gamey, barnyard, vanilla, smoky, waxy, strawberry jam, raspberry leaf and carrot top aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy and supple with very light tannins. Leafy, raspberry, strawberry, tobacco, gamey, vanilla, carrot top and spice flavours. More forward but has good fruit and acidity with some finesse, give it 3-5 years.Prices:| BC | $63.49 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Joseph Drouhin Puligny Montrachet 2009
Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceFloral, nutty, vanilla, creamy, peach, honey, green apple, lime and lees aromas with a grassy note. Ripe, round, full and creamy with a juicy palate. Vanilla, lanolin, spicy lees, pear, honey, baked apple, citrus flavours. Long with good finesse and intensity. Very solid effort here.Prices:| BC | $68.49 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Joseph Drouhin Saint Véran 2008
Saint Véran, Mâconnais, Burgundy, FranceLime, floral, pear, red apple, slightly nutty nose with a hint of peach. Round, dry, fresh, juicy palate with an austere edge. Ripe pear, apple, honey, lemon-lime and nutty flavours with a touch of butter on the finish. Good intensity for the class.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
William Fèvre Chablis Bougros Grand Cru Domaine 2009
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceSeashell, honey, lees, light vanilla, anise, lime, green apple and guava aromas. Fresh, round, elegant and juicy. Intense green apple, lime, honey, nectarine skin, seashell flavours. Very juicy and full with a long finish. A bit more forward in style but excellent intensity for nearer term.Prices:| BC | $78.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
William Fèvre Chablis Les Lys Premier Cru Domaine 2009
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceSeashore, grassy, green apple, lees, floral, lime and honey aromas. Fresh, juicy, crisp and elegant palate with lime, green apple, honey, floral, seashell and grassy flavours. A juicy, cooler expression but good finesse.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
William Fèvre Chablis Bougros Côte Bouguerots Grand Cru Domaine 2009
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceFloral, seashell, honey, lees, green apple, spicy aromas. Ripe, round, rich and a bit forward but with very good acidity and precision. Honey, guava, green apple, lime, light lees and seashell flavours. Intense with good finesse and acidity, will age mid-term. Very fine.Prices:| BC | $90.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $77.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $92.00 | 750ml |
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95PTS
William Fèvre Les Preuses Chablis Grand Cru Domaine 2009
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceDelicate floral, anise, seashell, seaweed, citrus, honey, guava aromas with a hint of vanilla. Ripe, fresh, crisp and juicy with precise flavours of green apple, honey, lime, vanilla, seashell and lees with a floral, citrus finish. Very fine potential with delicacy and intensity. Worth keeping 2-7 years.Prices:| BC | $90.00 | 750ml |
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95PTS
William Fèvre Chablis Les Clos Grand Cru Domaine 2009
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceSpicy, apricot flower, seashell, lime, green apple, grassy, lees aromas. Ripe, full, rich and juicy but delicate and fresh. Honey, seashell, green apple, lime, grassy, guava seashell flavours. Very vibrant, refined palate with freshness. The price has gone up but the quality is here too. Originally rated the same as Valmur and Les Preuses, perhaps this will ultimately be the preferred one.Prices:| BC | $103.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $86.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
William Fèvre Chablis Beauroy Premier Cru Domaine 2009
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceAll the Fèvre premier crus are bottled using a taint-free Diam cork. Spicy, seaweed, lime, green apple, honey and light lees aromas. Dry, crisp, round and juicy with green apple, citrus, grassy, honey, pear and seashell flavours. Good intensity and acidity but softer for nearer term drinking.Prices:| BC | $47.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
William Fèvre Chablis Montmains Premier Cru Domaine 2009
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceFloral, nutty, honey, apple skin, lees, seashore aromas. Dry, tighter, fuller palate with good acidity. Green apple, honey, lime, grassy, seashell flavours. Good finesse and balanced, a fine effort for drinking now - 3 years. Try this with west coast oysters.Prices:| BC | $47.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
William Fèvre Chablis Fourchaume Premier Cru 2009
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceVery floral, citrus, red apple, mineral, oyster shell aromas. Ripe, rich, full, intense and succulent palate. Lime, lees, green apple, honey, floral, creamy flavours. Elegant and ripe with great intensity and vibrancy, just a shade off the 2008. Worth the extra money.Prices:| BC | $54.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $55.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
William Fèvre Valmur Chablis Grand Cru Domaine 2009
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceFloral, honey, seashell, lime, oyster juice, lees, nectarine aromas. Rich, ripe, full and juicy with honey, lime, green apricot, seashell, lees and seaweed flavours. Long, intense palate with very good acidity and expression. A bit leaner and tighter than Les Preuses and Les Clos while Bougros is a bit fatter.Prices:| BC | $90.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Beaune Grèves Vigne de l'Enfant Jésus 1er Cru 2008
Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceTypically floral, meaty, gamey nose with liquorice, smoke and cinnamon/cherry aromas. Ripe, round, dry and juicy with some youthful tannin that makes this a bit astringent right now. Gamey, cherry, raspberry, orange, mineral, tobacco, vanilla and cinnamon flavours. Good concentration and length but it's a bit wild at the moment. Will be fine in 4-7 years.Prices:| BC | $115.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Echezeaux Grand Cru 2008
Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceCherry, spicy, cedar, tobacco leaf, waxy, vanilla, smoky, compost aromas. Round, dry, supple but tight with good concentration and focussed acidity. Cherry, orange, riparian, tobacco, gamey, cedar, peppery, spicy, carrot top flavours. Very young with some tight tannins and a bit of barnyard to integrate. Needs 5-10 years.Prices:| BC | $160.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Nuits Saint Georges Les Cailles 1er Cru 2008
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceSpicy, cherry, meaty, gamey Oxo, carrot, tobacco, peppery, liquorice aromas. Ripe, round, supple and full with good elegance and acidity. Spicy, cherry, orange, liquorice, tobacco, peppery, meaty, gamey flavours with a bit of barnyard. Good finesse and fruit but needs 5-8 more years in bottle.Prices:| BC | $93.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Le Corton Grand Cru 2008
Aloxe-Corton, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceVery spicy, peppery, waxy, meaty, smoky, cherry jam, strawberry and sauvage aromas with a bit of worsteshire. Fine complexity and terroir expression. Rich, round, elegant but tight and concentrated with good acidity. Spicy, sausage, meaty, smoky, peppery, cherry, orange peel, strawberry and licorice flavours. Lots of potential here will need 5-15 years. A relative bargain for a grand cru.Prices:| BC | $99.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $85.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $96.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Volnay Caillerets Ancienne Cuvée Carnot 1er Cru 2008
Volnay, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceTasted twice now a year apart and improving. Spicy, tobacco, gamey, cherry, licorice root, carrot top, raspberry, barnyard aromas. Ripe, round, full and supple with velvety tannins and juicy acidity. Cherry, raspberry, gamey, peppery, tobacco, savoury, cedar flavours with a touch of vanilla and coffee on the finish. Good length and texture, needs 3-7 years. Continued fine quality from this vineyard.Prices:| BC | $76.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Beaune Marconnets 1er Cru 2008
Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceProbably the most consistent quality Beaune premier cru we see, this has spicy, cherry, strawberry, compost, liquorice aromas with smoky, meaty, floral notes. Dry, round, full and supple with good acidity and concentration with some light tannin. Black cherry, gamey, peppery, tobacco, spicy, cedar, worsteshire flavours with a juicy, fruity finish. Good finesse and balance, should improve over the next 2-7 years.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Beaune du Chateau Rouge 1er Cru 2008
Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FrancePeppery, minty, spicy, carrot, celery salt, floral, waxy, cherry, gamey, tobacco aromas. Round, dry, elegant and juicy palate with some delicacy. Cedar, tobacco leaf, strawberry jam, licorice, gamey, orange peel flavours. Good finesse and length that should improve over the next 2-4 years. Offers good value in this range.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Savigny-Les-Beaunes Les Lavières Premier Cru 2008
Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceVery spicy, floral, strawberry, meaty, peppery, waxy, liquorice aromas. Dry, round, tight but good acidity balance and intensity. Cedar, tobacco, smoky, strawberry, carrot, compost, orange and herb flavours. A bit cooler style but has some intensity and ability to age. Worth investigating and even more so, the next vintage.Prices:| BC | $43.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Meursault 2008
Meursault, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceFloral, citrus, ripe apple, pear, honey, spicy, melon aromas with a buttery streak. Ripe, round, juicy and full with lots of pear, vanilla, green apple, citrus, honey, lemon, nutty, butter flavours. Great fruit, vibrancy and intensity and represents a sweet value in its class to drink now or hold for 5 years.Prices:| BC | $49.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $43.50 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Beaune du Chateau Blanc Premier Cru 2008
Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FrancePear, floral, nutty, spicy, citrus, vanilla, baked apple and lees aromas. Ripe, juicy, full and tight with creamy, nutty, spicy, lime, green apple, pear and honey flavours. Good acidity and focus with finesse, can age 3-5 years. Solid value in white Burgundy.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Meursault Genevrières 1er Cru 2008
Meursault, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceFloral, waxy, nutty, citrus, honey, grassy, green apple, pear, peach pit aroma. Ripe, round, fresh, juicy and delicate palate but full. Vanilla, spicy, mineral, honey, lemon, nutty, slightly waxy flavours. Fine intensity and length, just a bit short of the Perrières but still a fine white and it sells for a bit less than the Perrières to boot.Prices:| BC | $83.00 | 750ml |
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96PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Chevalier Montrachet Grand Cru 2008
Puligny Montrachet, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceCitrus, honey, nutty, toasty, vanilla, peach pit, melon, anise and pear aromas. Round, rich, full and long with very good acidity and concentration. Huge waxy, citrus, green apple, butter, vanilla, honey, mineral flavours with a hint of guava and pineapple. Outstanding finesse and intensity with great acidity and delicacy yet the ability to age 20 years. Some 500 cases for the world explains the price.Prices:| BC | $349.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Meursault Perrieres 2008
Meursault, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceGreen apple, floral, nutty, honey, lime, lemon, oyster shell, pear, quince and vanilla aromas, very complex. Ripe, round, full and intense with juicy acidity. Pear, green apple, honey, vanilla, quince, spicy, nutty, apricot, waxy flavours. Very focussed, fresh, long and intense, will age 5-15 years. Worth every penny here.Prices:| BC | $86.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 2008
Aloxe-Corton, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceFloral, waxy, spicy, lime, green apple, ripe pear, nutty, honey, creamy, citrus aromas. Dry, full, intense and focussed with great acidity and verve. Green apple, citrus, pear, honey, butter, vanilla, spicy, wild fruit flavours. Long and intense with big extract but tight acidity and structure. Will need 5-10 years to reach its apogee.Prices:| BC | $153.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $155.00 | 750ml |
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January 2012