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Tastings: February 2012
25 February 2012
88PTS
Katnook Founder's Block Cabernet Shiraz 2008
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaEarthy, tobacco leaf, peppery, black olive, rooty, blueberry, light cassis, roasted bell pepper, vanilla aromas. Dry, fresh, lighter style palate with some lean tannin. Smoky, resin, tobacco, cherry, cassis, balsamic, compost, vanilla flavours. Solid fruit but very cool and a bit lean.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Miguel Torres Santa Digna Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé Reserva 2010
Region del Valle Central, ChileInteresting spicy, minty, earthy nose with bits of floral black fruit. The attack is fresh with clean citrus cran/cherry off-dry fruit flavours. A cool refreshing fun summer sipper that will stand up to spicy sweet and sour dishes.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Miguel Torres Las Mulas Organic Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé Reserve 2011
Region del Valle Central, ChileA good organic rendition of rosé that hits the mark for its price point. The colour is pinkish orange with a fruity ripe cherry strawberry nose. The palate is a mix of citrus and sweet red fruit flavours that persists through the finish. Easy sipping summer patio style you could serve with spicy sushi bites.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Miguel Torres Santa Digna Syrah Reserve 2010
Valle del Curicó, Region del Valle Central, ChileRooty, meaty, mercaptan, savoury, smoky, black cherry aromas with some tobacco leaf. Fresh, juicy, round palate with some light, lean tannins. Cherry, chocolate, meaty, leesy, tobacco, rooty resin flavours. A country style red for casseroles and stews.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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80PTS
Calona Vineyards Artist Series Pinot Noir Reserve 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVery volatile, acetic nose with compost and leather aromas. Dry, thin, lean, smoky, horsey, barnyard, leather, resin, acetic rhubarb flavours. Not up to speed.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Ganton & Larson Prospect Winery Red Willow Shiraz 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeppery, meaty, savoury, sausage nose with vanilla, menthol, saddle leather notes. Dry, fresh and round on the palate with light tannins. Cedar, vanilla, smoky, herbal, tobacco, meaty, leather and prune flavours. A rustic style red that would work with barbecue. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $21.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Duck Pond Pinot Noir 2009
Willamette Valley, Oregon, United StatesTobacco leaf, rhubarb, smoky, saddle leather, gamey, compost aromas. Fresh, dry, somewhat lean palate with smoky, cedar bark, tobacco leaf, and meaty, medicinal, rhubarb flavours. Not much pinot character here.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $27.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Goats do Roam (Red) 2010
South AfricaSmoky, meaty, earthy, saddle leather, tobacco, coffee, black cherry, barnyard aromas. Soft, round, easy palate with fresh acidity. Spicy, meaty, cherry, coffee, smoky, saddle leather flavours with earthy, orange peel flavours. It finishes warm and a bit tart but would be fine with stews or grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $13.30 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Katnook Founder's Block Cabernet Shiraz 2007
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaMenthol, resin, tobacco leaf, compost, black olive, dill, peppery aromas. Dry, lean, tart palate with light, gritty tannins. Smoky, vanilla, menthol, compost, tobacco, resiny, earthy, carrot, ash flavours. Very cool, lean palate. Fruit please.Prices:| NB | $21.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Colle Secco Rubino Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2008
Abruzzo, ItalyBig meaty, smoky, balsamic, leather, prune, menthol, tobacco nose. Fresh, dry, somewhat lean palate with light tannins. Vanilla, balsamic, Oxo, gamey, tobacco, resin, black cherry, and licorice root flavours. Lots of intensity if a bit tart. Made for grilled meats or poultry.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $8.90 | 750ml |
| YK | $19.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Mount Fishtail Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandLemon, nettle, grassy, gooseberry, light asparagus, canned jalapeno aromas. Fresh, juicy, slightly sweet and sour palate with lemon peel, jalapeno, bell pepper, gooseberry, grapefruit flavours. Very juicy, grapefruit and lemon finish. Try this with mussels, clams or oysters. Good valuePrices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Rocky Creek Wild Blackberry 2010
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaIntense blackberry jam, liquorice, smoky aromas jump from the glass. The attack is juicy and sweet with some underlying tart notes that mix with smoky, ripe black berry jam, pepper, and balsamic flavours. Lots of intensity and true to the berry style. Well done.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 500ml |
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82PTS
Rocky Creek José's Tempranillo 2010
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaDry resiny, smoky, barnyard, gamey nose with bits of carrot top, leather and rhubarb aromas. The attack is similarly dry and herbaceous with light green tannins. The palate is a mix of soft weedy smoky, barnyard, oaky olive flavours. Back to the vineyard for this one and try to get it riper.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 500ml |
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84PTS
Rocky Creek Robin's Rosé 2010
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaLeesy, soapy floral, rhubarb, tobacco, apple aroma. Fresh, easy, round palate with light extract. Spicy, tobacco, herbal, rhubarb, cool floral flavours. A simple style for current drinking.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Rocky Creek Pinot Gris 2010
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaGrassy, gooseberry, sweaty grapefruit rind, green apple aromas. Ripe, fresh, juicy, slightly lean palate with gooseberry, grapefruit, green apple, butter flavours with a cool floral note. Solid cool climate style that will work well with seafood, chicken, and pan Asian dishes.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Rocky Creek Jubilee NV
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaMedium fine mousse with a pale orange colour. Yeasty, apple skin, perfumed, pear aromas. Dry, fresh, crisp attack with floral, bruised apple skin, soapy, mineral, pear and yeast flavours. A good start to build on with bit more fruit and persitence in the finish.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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80PTS
Mt. Boucherie Estate Collection Pinot Gris 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaYeasty, acetic, pear, apple skin aromas. Flat, somewhat sweet, dull palate with yeasty, honey, acetic, green apple flavours. Definitely a problem here. Not recommendedaPrices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
See Ya Later Ranch Nelly Rose 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaNelly has gone from ridiculously sweet to bone dry, perhaps too dry in this case. There's a hint of strawberry on the nose but themed-palate is tart and dry and the finish even drier. It is a better rose on the dry side but a dash of fruit would make it a bit friendlier. Try this with cold, grilled chicken sandwiches.The blend is 81/8/4/7 gamay, gewürztraminer, riesling and pinot noir.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Chateau de la Roulerie Chenin Blanc 2010
Anjou, Loire, FranceNutty, lemon, nettle, grassy, quince and light honey aromas. The entry is dry and tight, the palate fresh with quince, lemon, bitter apple, soapy, nutty flavours. Somewhat green fruit and lean. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Regaleali Bianco 2010
Sicily, ItalyBaked pear, honey, butter, floral, apple and lemon aromas. Dry, fresh, round, slightly austere but juicy palate with pear, apple, citrus, almond, buttery flavours with a bit of grapefruit on the finish. Serve with simply prepared seafood dishes.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
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23 February 2012
85PTS
Branciforti Feudi Bordonaro Nero d'Avola 2010
Sicily, ItalyBlack cherry jam, plum, floral, liquorice, meaty, spicy aromas with a touch of tobacco ash. Fresh, light, elegant style with very light tannins. Cherry, plum, peppery, tobacco, liquorice, mineral, earthy flavours. There is plenty of fruit and juiciness but a bit tart on the finish. Good with pasta with tomato sauces or lamb stew. Good value.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Robertson, Breede River Valley, South AfricaSmoky, peppery, earthy, leather, barnyard, black olive, prune, cassis aromas. Soft, round, easy, slightly sweet palate with prune, smoky, resin, peppery, cassis jam, saddle leather, meaty flavours. A simple, warm, entry level style with some milk chocolate and sugar.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Di Majo Norante Sangiovese del Molise 2010
Molise, ItalyVery peppery, smoky, meaty, gamey, black liquorice, black cherry, balsamic aromas. Fresh, dry, juicy, easy palate with black cherry, cedar, tobacco, smoky, meaty, plum, liquorice and game flavours. A bit fresh on the finish but will go well with roast meats and ribs. Solid value here.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
LePlan - Vermeersch GT-A Grand Terroir Aramon 2009
Sud de France, FranceSavoury, meaty, liquorice, blackberry, smoky leather, garrigue and black cherry aromas. Ripe, round, smooth and rich with smooth, light tannins. Black plum jam, vanilla, clove, cedar, savoury, garrigue, licorice, resin and gamey flavours with a touch of balsamic. A bit on the oaky, milk chocolate side but has very good fruit and balance for current drinking.Prices:| BC | $27.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Cabirol 10 2010
Montsant, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainSpicy, smoky, black cherry jam, meaty, floral, black raspberry, tobacco and liquorice root aromas, very ripe fruit. Fresh, dry, juicy palate with light tannins. Blood orange, tobacco, red licorice, black raspberry jam, spicy, peppery, gamey flavours. A bit tart and warm on the finish but big jammy, clean fruit flavours for duck or lamb.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
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21 February 2012
86PTS
Santa Cristina Chianti Superiore 2008
Tuscany, ItalyBig meaty, gamey, leather, black cherry, prune, earthy, pepper, tobacco leaf, Oxo aromas. Round, smooth, supple palate with light tannins and juicy acidity. Tobacco, cherry, prune, licorice, meaty, leather, smoky, resin and ash flavours. Finish is solid with some green tea tannins.Prices:| ON | $12.25 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $16.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.70 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Santa Cristina Antinori Sangiovese 2009
Tuscany, ItalyPeppery, meaty, barnyard, liquorice, black cherry jam, ash and leather aromas. Round, smooth, juicy palate with black cherry, peppery, smoky, leather, gamey, prune flavours with a warm, easy finish. Solid pizza and bbq red.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.25 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $16.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.70 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Farnese Sangiovese Daunia 2010
Puglia, ItalyMeaty, gamey, prune, liquorice root, barnyard aromas. Dry, full, chunky palate with some fresh acidity. Black cherry, licorice, meaty, barnyard, tobacco, black tea flavours. Finish is rustic and tart.Prices:| BC | $9.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Tolaini Al Passo 2007
Castelnuovo Berardenga, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyBig smoked meat, gamey, peppery, licorice root, barnyard, tobacco, cedar and saddle leather aromas. Ripe, rich, round but chunky and fresh palate. Prune, smoky, Oxo, gamey, barnyard, saddle leather, Band-Aid, black cherry and tobacco flavours. Rich and chunky in a very rustic, warm style.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Oveja Negra Syrah - Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2010
Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileWait for it. Warm, spicy black cherry/leather aromas with a hint of game and spice. The attack is soft round and soupy with more vanilla creamy cherry fruit. Soft simple and easy to drink but this wine could come from just about anywhere. Drink now with hamburgers.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Peller Estates Private Reserve Syrah 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoky, tobacco leaf, sausage meat, peppery, vanilla, sage aromas. Soft, round, smooth palate with vanilla, sage, liquorice, peppery, poultry spice, chocolate, coffee, meaty flavours with some coconut and mace. Easy to ike and sip commercial style with a big dollop of sweet oak.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Mt. Boucherie Summit Reserve Syrah 2007
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVery savoury, tobacco leaf, rhubarb, peppery, sausage meat, barnyard, saddle leather. Dry, fresh, easy palate with very light tannins. Chocolate, vanilla, peppery, tobacco leaf, earthy, resin, rhubarb, cherry, cedar flavours. A cool style but has some finesse. Ready t drink.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Mt. Boucherie Estate Collection Gamay Noir 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVery peppery, green olive, tomato leaf, sausage, herbal aromas. Fresh, smooth, slightly sweet and sour palate with sausage meat, leafy, tobacco leaf, rhubarb, green herbal, apple flavours. Unripe.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Mt. Boucherie Family Reserve Zinfandel 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, cedar, vanilla, peppery, tobacco, menthol, chocolate aromas. Dry, fresh, somewhat lean palate with cedar bark, coffee bean, vanilla, tobacco leaf, minty, herbal, black cherry flavours. Very tart, somewhat oaky finish. Not a great example.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Nk'Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Meritage 2008
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, tobacco, leather, light barnyard, smoky, prune, stewed tomato, cedar, soy and cranberry aromas. Smooth, round, fresh palate with light tannins. Cranberry, smoky, cassis, tobacco leaf, olive, rhubarb, peppery, rooty, green olive and green bean flavours. Very tart, coffee mocha finish with a lean edge. Best with grilled or roasted beef.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Pétales d'Osoyoos 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen earthy, savoury, light barnyard, cranberry, mushroom aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant but slightly austere palate. Peppery, mocha, smoky oak, earthy, prune, tobacco, cranberry flavours. Finish is short and a bit lean and tart. Where's the fruit?Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Jackson-Triggs Shiraz Gold Series Sunrock Vineyard 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAnother good example from this vineyard. Very peppery, black berry jam, sweet vanilla, chocolate, coffee, liquorice, meaty, leather, savoury, tobacco leaf aromas. Dry, fresh, round, slightly tannic palate and chunky. Smoky, meaty, peppery, black berry, plum, licorice, cedar, tobacco, vanilla, coffee, orange peel, poultry spice flavours. Lots of oak and fruit with some youthful tannins to shed over the next 2-5 years.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
See Ya Later Ranch Rover 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeppery, black berry jam, spicy, meaty, vanilla, chocolate, poultry spice, licorice, five spice, orange peel aromas with a bit of tobacco leaf. Full, round, dry, fresh palate with some light, grainy tannin. Smoky, tobacco, savoury, vanilla, floral, ginger, black berry, peppery, poultry spice flavours. A bit light on mid-palate concentration but has an attractive style for 2-4 years aging.Prices:| AB | $27.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Sumac Ridge Gewürztraminer Private Reserve 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen spicy, floral, light lychee, grapefruit rind, green apple aromas with a touch of soap and ginger. Fresh, easy, off dry palate with light honey, citrus, green apple, grassy, grapefruit, lychee, floral flavours. Fresh, juicy finish will appeal to many general consumers.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $10.45 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Domaine Mas Barrau 2010
Le Gard, Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceSmoky, cranberry, dried leaf, compost, spicy, peppery, cherry, herb aromas. Soft, round, smooth palate with fresh acidity. Peppery, tobacco, cedar, cranberry, cherry, smoky, meaty, dried tomato flavours. Soft seamless plate textures and well balanced. Good value red that should appeal to 'franc'-ophiles.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Prelius Vermentino 2010
Maremma, Tuscany, ItalyHoney, floral, waxy, lemon, quince, baked pear and apple aromas. Fresh, round, full, juicy palate but a bit soft and chalky. Floral, juicy pear, honey, melon, guava flavours. A touch austere but with big fruit and juiciness that will go well with spicy food as well as seafood and fruit salsa. Drink now while fresh and fruity. The fruit is organically grown.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Prelius Morello di Prile 2009
Maremma, Tuscany, ItalyBig tobacco leaf, peppery, meaty, cranberry, gamey, cassis, orange, herbal, compost and barnyard aromas, very cool. Dry, round, full, smooth palate with tobacco ash, liquorice root, cranberry, smoky, olive, orange, compost and leather flavours with a vanilla, coffee finish. Well balanced but very cool climate style. All fruit is organically grown.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico 2008
Tuscany, ItalyMeaty, sausage, peppery, savoury, cedar, tobacco, black olive, carrot top, light barnyard aromas. Dry, fresh, slightly lean but elegant style with light tannins. Cherry, weedy, prune, tobacco, earthy, spicy, orange, peppery, meaty, carrot top flavours. Dry, somewhat rustic and tart finish. Best with grilled meat.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $22.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Cuvee Jean Paul Vaucluse Rouge 2010
Vin de Pays de Vaucluse, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceMenthol, herbal, peppery, resiny, somewhat reduced aromas. Fresh, round, smooth but tart palate with rooty, earthy, prune, menthol, coffee, cedar flavours. Finish is somewhat bitter and tart with some green tannin.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Farnese Edizione Cinque Autoctoni 2009
ItalyFragrant jasmine flower, prune, meaty, spicy, peppery nose with bits of black cherry, coffee, vanilla, licorice and barnyard aromas. Rich, ripe, round, smooth, almost sweet palate with chocolate, vanilla, prune, black cherry jam, orange, meaty, compost, barnyard, leather, five spice flavours. The finish has some tobacco, cedar and dried fig and balsamic notes with some light, chunky tannin. Good ripeness but its over-the-top ripe and the bottle weight is huge. From another era. The fruit is a blend of Abruzzo and Apulia sites.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $37.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $33.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $40.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $39.00 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Farnese Trebbiano d'Abruzzo 2010
Abruzzo, ItalyEarthy, almond, pear skin, resin aromas. Dry, fresh, light palate with similar flavours and a bit of lemon oil. Not much concentration or flavour here. It seems as if it is TCA affected.Prices:| BC | $9.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $10.60 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Young & Wyse Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaTobacco leaf, roasted tomato, sappy cassis, riparian, smoky, prune, earthy, compost aromas. Round, dry, fresh palate with light tannins. Smoky, herbal, black olive, green bean, riparian, cranberry, tobacco leaf, tomato flavours. Very tart, somewhat lean finish with light extract.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Herder Meritage 2009
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSavoury, smoky, peppery, pruny, inky, dried herb, tobacco, compost, black berry aromas. Dry, elegant, fresh but somewhat lean palate with light tannins. Cedar, smoky oak, coffee, vanilla, herbal, tobacco leaf, cranberry, cherry jam, prune, olive and dill flavours. Finish is somewhat tart but capable of aging 2-4 years to smooth out.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Herder Three Sisters 2010
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, nutty lees, lemon, honey, buttery, floral, apple skin aromas. Fresh, crisp, clean, juicy palate with citrus, green apple, honey, salty, butter and ginger flavours. Finish is crisp and slightly austere to lend it to seafood dishes.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Sledgehammer Zinfandel 2009
North Coast, North Coast Region, California, United StatesMint, chocolate, cedar box, tobacco, liquorice root, peppery, prune, earthy, resin aromas. Soft, round, slightly sweet with some tannin. Chocolate, vanilla cream, cedar bark, earthy, tobacco, resin, cherry flavours with a tart, somewhat tannic finish. Yellow Tail makes zinfandel.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $25.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Sledgehammer Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
North Coast, North Coast Region, California, United StatesTobacco leaf, earthy, menthol, chocolate, cedar, vanilla, peppery, barnyard, prune and leather aromas. Full, round, slightly tannic and sweet palate. Herbal, tobacco leaf, riparian, cassis, prune, cedar, menthol, black olive, herbal, coffee and chocolate flavours. A leafy, sweet oak, easy sipping style for beginners?Prices:| BC | $16.49 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.95 | 750ml |
| NS | $18.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Regaleali Nero d'Avola 2007
Sicily, ItalyTobacco, earthy, spicy, black cherry, liquorice and resin aromas. Dry, full but tart and lean palate with peppery, rooty, tobacco, somewhat leafy, earthy, cherry jam flavours.Prices:| BC | $20.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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20 February 2012
86PTS
Rocca delle Macìe Chianti Classico 2009
Tuscany, ItalyCedar, earthy, prune, black cherry, tobacco, leather, savoury, meaty aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant but slightly lean style. Cherry, orange, meaty, smoky, peppery, leather, prune, Band-Aid, menthol flavours with some leafy tannins on the finish.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Frescobaldi Pietraregia dell Ammiraglia Riserva 2008
Maremma, Tuscany, ItalySmoky, meaty, prune, leather, coffee, black berry, roasted mushroom, earthy, liquorice aromas. Full, round, fresh, slightly chunky palate with good concentration. Peppery, licorice, smoky, prune, black berry, and resin, cedar, tobacco, leather and roast meat flavours with a touch of vanilla and coffee on the finish. A bit youthful, could use a few years to round out or try with beef or boar stew.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Inniskillin Okanagan Discovery Series Malbec 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeppery, cherry, tobacco, savoury, sappy, menthol, herbal aromas. Dry, round but somewhat lean and tart despite being elegant. Cherry, raspberry, coffee, savoury, liquorice, vanilla, tobacco leaf, herbal flavours. A strange mix of juicy fruit and green. Best with food.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico Riserva 2007
Tuscany, ItalyBlack cherry jam, peppery, savoury, tobacco, meaty, peppery, sage, spicy herb and licorice aromas. Dry, full, round, supple palate with some grainy tannin. Smoky, prune, peppery, black cherry jam, Oxo, barnyard, leather, tobacco, resin and tea leaf flavours. A bit chunky and tannic on the finish but could use a few years to round out.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $40.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $35.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $31.00 | 750ml |
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19 February 2012
91PTS
Dog Point Vineyard Chardonnay 2008
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandThe DP chardonnay spends 18 months in small oak barrels but only a small portion is new. Hallelujah we say. Cool climate chardonnay cannot tolerate gobs of new oak. The flavours run the gamut of toasted nuts and citrus to ripe grapefruit to equally ripe strawberries all over chalky, yeasty, mineral background but with restraint. Very fine quality in a white Burgundy style. Try this with shellfish and assorted delicate seafood dishes. A big part of the new chardonnay movement.Prices:| ON | $40.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $40.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Brancaia Il Blu 2008
Tuscany, ItalyThe top wine at Brancaia is Il Blu a 50/45/5 super Tuscan mix of sangiovese merlot and cabernet sauvignon from Radda and Castellina only. Wow! It's the supple tannin that entices here. So soft and slippery but with delicious savoury, smoky black cherry fruit flavours. The wine doesn't lack power but elegance is its real hallmark and that is just fine with us. This will easily cellar through 2018 and beyond.Prices:| BC | $100.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $92.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $85.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $80.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Brancaia Ilatraia Maremma 2009
Maremma, Tuscany, ItalyIlatraia, Brancaia's Maremma project has tweaked the grape mix since the first release in 2002. The '09 is a clever mix of 60/20/20 cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and petit verdot. The style is sophisticated with ripe blueberry fruits flecked with leather and smoky coffee bits. Dense round lush and while young you can drink it now. Expect this to improve for at least five or six years in bottle. Classy red.Prices:| BC | $77.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $65.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $63.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $63.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Brancaia Tre 2009
Tuscany, ItalyTre, not surprisingly is a mix of three grapes: 80/10/10 sangiovese, merlot and cabernet sauvignon picked from three separate estates in Castellina, Radda, Morellino di Scansano. There is much more elegance here than in earlier versions. Love the open fresh savoury cran-cherry floral fruit nose flecked with liquorice and tobacco. More cassis and smoky, cherry liquorice flavours and an alcohol level in check. Classic Tuscan red made for pastas and or chicken.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $22.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $23.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $28.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Cono Sur Organic Chardonnay 2011
Valle de San Antonio, Region de Aconcagua, ChileThis line of organically grown fruit has spawned some terrific value white wines. The chardonnay is ripe and juicy with fine underlying tropical fruit flavours. Clean and light it has a touch of butter and oak to flesh out the finish.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Santa Rita Sauvignon Blanc 120 2011
Valle del Lontué, Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileThis is always a sure bet for the price. Lemon lime grass and guava mark the nose with herbal, citrus, chalky grapefruit flavours on the palate. There is less acid this year but that will only add to its appeal at the price point. Super value for an everyday sauvignon blanc.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $11.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $12.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Santa Rita Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2011
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileThe Santa Rita reserva sauvignon is half pungent Marlborough and half Casablanca cool with its intense gooseberry and lime rind nose flecked with green leaf aromas. The palate is similar with musky lemon and lime rind fruit flavours. Serve is with grilled seafood or spaghetti vongole. Good value.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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18 February 2012
88PTS
Trivento Eolo 2008
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaLiquorice, spicy, black cherry jam, cassis jam, ash aromas. Dry, tight, hollow, fresh, sweet but lean tannins. Coffee, peppery, black cherry jam, black berry, pruny, cedar, tobacco, liquorice, poultry spice but some kirsch. Very warm. Over the top style that finishes lean and hollow with too much oak.Prices:| NF | $122.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Nicolas Potel Chorey-les-Beaune 2009
Chorey-les-Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceFloral, raspberry, tobacco leaf, light compost, cedar, spicy aromas with a touch of strawberry jam. Fresh, dry, elegant palate with very light tannins. Cedar, tobacco leaf, compost, spicy, herbal, raspberry flavours with a hint of orange peel and plum. A bit light and austere on the finish but will soften with a year in bottle or with duck confit.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Drouhin Vaudon Chablis Premier Cru 2010
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceSimilar to last vintage, this offers floral, chalky, honey, lemon, light lees and green apple aromas with a touch of grass, passion fruit and melon. Crisp, dry, round, elegant palate with juicy acidity. Chalky, lime, green apple, melon rind, grapefruit, seashell, grassy, lees flavours. A touch austere and youthful, should improve over the next year or two. Best with lighter seafood like sole or squid.Prices:| BC | $42.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Joseph Drouhin Beaune Premier Cru 2009
Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceOpen spicy, tobacco, strawberry nose with cedar, sausage meat, barnyard and liquorice aromas. The attack is dry, the palate supple with fresh, juicy acidity. Peppery, smoky, tobacco, carrot top, meaty, celery seed notes dominate the nose with strawberry, vanilla and medicinal flavours throughout. Good texture and balance if a little bit rustic is style. Drink now or over the next three years.Prices:| BC | $47.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Joseph Drouhin Cote de Beaune Rouge 2009
Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceMeaty, smoky, light barnyard, tobacco, compost aromas with a touch of strawberry and spice. Dry, fresh, juicy palate but a bit austere with some light cedary tannins. Spicy, raspberry, peppery, meaty, leather, tobacco, rooty, orange and herb flavours. A simple wine that lacks tannin ripeness for the vintage. May improve with a year or two in bottle.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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15 February 2012
88PTS
Suter Juan Suter Gran Reserva Malbec 2007
San Rafael, General Alvear, Southern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBarnyard, ripe black cherry jam, tobacco, earthy, resin, coffee, vanilla, balsamic aromas. Dry, somewhat full, juicy palate with some chewy tannin. Black pepper, black cherry, coffee, cigar, savoury, vanilla, orange peel flavours. Good intensity and freshness but a bit rustic.Prices:| BC | $49.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Suter Malbec Reserva San Rafael 2008
San Rafael, General Alvear, Southern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaEarthy, tobacco, peppery, savoury, rooty, black cherry aromas. Dry, smooth, full palate, soft with black cherry, spicy, savoury, cigar, earthy, barnyard, leather flavours. Simple, fresher style with some balance.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Trivento Amado Sur Malbec Bonarda Syrah 2009
Mendoza, ArgentinaSavoury, meaty, peppery, smoky, blackberry, tobacco, licorice, prune and menthol aromas. Fresh, ripe, round, smooth palate with vanilla, coffee, meaty, peppery, savoury, minty, chocolate, black berry, smoky, meaty flavours. A bit rustic but full bodied with flavour intensity. Good value.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $17.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Freixenet Vivace Dolce Espumante NV
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaGood fresh mousse for medium bubbles. Very spicy, floral, honey, ginger, baked pear, guava and nectarine aromas. Fresh, juicy, crisp but pretty sweet and foamy with ripe nectarine, apricot, spicy, honey, floral flavours. Good and juicy and clean if on the sweet side. Try this with Indian cuisine.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Bodega del Fin del Mundo Malbec Reserva 2010
Neuquén, Patagonia, ArgentinaRipe black cherry, peppery, earthy, savoury, liquorice, minty, herb aromas. Dry, fresh, smooth palate with cherry jam, plum, orange peel, light vanilla, menthol, tobacco, savoury flavours. A bit astringent and tart but has some finesse if lower extract.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Bodega del Fin del Mundo Pinot Noir Reserva 2010
Neuquén, Patagonia, ArgentinaCherry jam, strawberry, spicy, tobacco, orange peel, light compost aromas. Dry, lean, thin palate with light tannins. Herbal, cedar, peppery, cherry, green tobacco flavours. Thin, bitter, astringent palate. A disappointment.Prices:| CDN | $22.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Vasija Secreta Malbec Vas 2010
Cafayate, Calchaqui Valley, Salta, North, ArgentinaPeppery, black cherry, spicy, light barnyard, savoury, roasted pepper aromas. Smooth, round, light, elegant palate with light tannins. Black cherry, spicy, peppery, floral, herbal, tobacco, barnyard, roasted peppers, stony. Cooler style and a bit astringent but has solid fruit.Prices:| US | $15.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Vasija Secreta Torrontes Vas 2011
Cafayate, Calchaqui Valley, Salta, North, ArgentinaFloral, spicy, light melon, honey, matchstick, slightly earthy aromas. Fresh, soft, juicy palate but bit flat. Lemon, floral, ginger, honey, grapefruit, slight lychee, quince flavours. A touch of bitterness on the finish but solid, elegant style.Prices:| US | $9.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Benvenuto de la Serna Trisagio 2007
Vista Flores, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSmoky, meaty, barnyard, leather, peppery, savoury, black berry, resin aromas. Dry, full, flat palate with some astringent tannin. Very peppery, smoky leather, prune, coffee, resin, earthy, vanilla. Very oaky, smoky leather palate with an astringent finish that lacks cohesion.Prices:| US | $22.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Benvenuto de la Serna Malbec 2007
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSmoky, meaty, barnyard, tobacco, peppery, resin, black cherry jam. Dry, tight, fresh palate but a bit lean and light extract. Juicy black cherry, peppery, licorice, vanilla, tobacco leaf, orange flavours. Solid fruit but too dry with edgy tannins.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Finca La Celia Supremo 2007
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaRipe black cherry jam, peppery, meaty, floral, spicy, tobacco, liquorice, savoury, menthol aromas. Dry, tight, fresh, full but astringent palate. Peppery, smoky, spicy, peppery, black cherry, liquorice, vanilla, orange peel, meaty, chocolate, leather flavours. Good intensity and concentration with some complexity but somewhat extracted.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Finca La Celia Reserve Malbec 2009
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaPeppery, black cherry, kirsch, smoky, savory, vanilla, herb aromas. Dry, light, somewhat lean, tannic palate with smoky, resin, cherry, cements flavours. Very lean finish with a light, sweet chocolate edge. Bizarre.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $10.55 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Bodega Riglos Gran Malbec 2008
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaVery savoury, spicy, tobacco, roasted mushroom, liquorice , peppery, black cherry aromas. Ripe, round, full, smooth attack with fine concentration and acidity, slightly tannic. Black cherry jam, black plum, vanilla, liquorice, orange peel, peppery, savoury, spicy, cardamom flavours. Long, finefruit, slightly youthful tannins, good finesse and intensity if warm. Needs another two to three years in bottle to settle down.Prices:| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $35.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Bodega Riglos Gran Corte 2008
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSmoky, prune, cassis, black cherry, tobacco, cranberry, cassis, earthy, black olive aromas with some vanilla and coffee, cab notes dominate. Ripe, round, full, rich palate, very warm but good concentration with grainy tannins. Cassis, black cherry, prune, cranberry, caraway, tobacco, herbal savoury, vanilla, coffee, barnyard, leather flavours. Alcoholic but with fine concentration in a Bordeaux/Argentina hybrid style.Prices:| AB | $48.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $38.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $39.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Tamari ZHIK Malbec 2007
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBig liquorice root, savoury, jarilla, resin, pruney, black cherry nose with smoky tobacco and sauvage aromas. Smooth, supple and warm with more smoky, peppery, leather, prune, coffee, vanilla, liquorice root fruit flecked with menthol, savoury, roasted bean, tapenade flavours. The finish is warm and somewhat extracted with barnyard and roast meat notes. Good but rustic.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Tamari Ar Malbec 2009
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaRipe blackberry, black cherry, spicy, vanilla, savoury aromas. Dry, fresh, light palate but somewhat flat and thin with light tannins. Blackberry jam, plum, savoury, spicy, peppery, vanilla, coffee flavours. A bit lean and lacking for region and warm on the finish.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Finca el Origen Malbec Gran Reserva 2009
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaVery spicy, savoury, poultry, tobacco, seashell, barnyard aromas. Soft, round, supple, flat, slightly sweet palate with flat profile. Very warm, pruney, black cherry jam, orange, savoury, vanilla flavours with a flat, coffee, hot finish. A bit too commercial.Prices:| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
La Chamiza Legend of Polo Winemaker's Selection 2010
Mendoza, ArgentinaTobacco leaf, black cherry, rooty, floral, incense aromas. Fresh, round, easy palate with a bit of sweetness. Cherry, tobacco leaf, rooty, resin, peppery, savoury, coffee cream, vanilla flavours. Sweet and sour finish for a very simple commercial style.Prices:| BC | $17.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
La Chamiza Martin Alsina Ultrapremium 2008
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, Argentina Coffee charred oak, vanilla, black cherry kirsch, black berry jam, black pepper, pruny, tobacco aromas. Dry, smooth, round palate with some grainy tannin, decent acidity, some astringency. Very pruny, over ripe blackberry, peppery, licorice smoky, rooty, coffee flavours. Solid but lacks regionality and freshness.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Bodega Boutique Clos de Chacras Gran Estirpe Malbec 2008
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBig spicy, smoky, peppery, ash, black pepper, black cherry jam, liquorice root, meaty aromas. Dry, full, round, supple tannins but structured if a bit flat. Very oaky, coffee, peppery, licorice root, black berry jam, bit overripe, black cherry, spicy, orange peel, vanilla, Christmas cake and pudding flavours. Very ripe fruit with a hot finish and some youthful tannin. Solid balance but young and astringent with some tannic edges. Needs another two to three years in bottle to mature. T-bone steaks are the match.Prices:| BC | $48.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Don Cristobal Hunting Season 2010
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy, savoury, meaty, sweaty leather, prune, black pepper, tobacco aromas. Dry, round, smooth but light palate with fresh acidity. Tight with cassis, herbal, tobacco, rooty, mineral, cherry, coffee, weedy flavours. No balance, no mid-palate.Prices:Read Full Note
88PTS
Don Cristobal Triana 2008
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaPeppery, tobacco, ash, black berry, black cherry, Christmas cake, orange peel, waxy aromas with some milk chocolate and coffee. Round, full, softer palate with some grainy tannin. Peppery, coffee, tobacco, cedar, cassis jam, blackberry, vanilla, and poultry spice flavours. Flat, oaky finish with some intensity but lacks a sense of place.Prices:Read Full Note
83PTS
Vinorum Premium Malbec 2010
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaReduced rubbery, oaky, vanilla, coffee cube, tobacco, rooty, cedar aromas. Dry, tight, lean, fresh palate with some green tannin. Oak cube, chocolate, leafy, tobacco, herbal, bitter green. Poor balance.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Vinorum Victorio Altieri Gran Reserva 2009
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSmoky, toasty oak, coffee, vanilla, leather, meaty, floral, black pepper, prune, waxy, cassis, slight barnyard aromas. Dry, full, round, juicy but warm with some grainy tannins. Big vanilla, coffee, charred oak, peppery, prune, black berry jam, poultry spice, tobacco with light cedar flavours. Big, solid but somewhat flat and oak dominated. Needs a few years to develop some complexity.Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Chakana Ayni Malbec 2009
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, Argentina Spicy, floral, black cherry jam, black raspberry, anise, resin, tobacco, peppery aromas. Soft, round, dry, smoother palate, lighter concentration, good acidity if warm. Black cherry jam, vanilla, coffee, peppery, licorice, floral, spicy, black raspberry, orange peel, tar flavours. A bit warm and flat but well balanced for drinking now -3 years.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Vistalba Corte A 2009
Vistalba District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBig vanilla, orange peel, cherry jam, spicy, cassis, savoury, peppery barnyard, saddle leather aromas. Ripe, round, rich, supple and suave palate. Very warm with blackberry jam, plum, vanilla, coffee, peppery, savoury, spicy, licorice, dried fig flavours. Finish has good acidity but somewhat tight, dry tannins but good extract. Young and warm, needs 2-4 years. A bit over the top but lots of fruit.Prices:| BC | $55.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $50.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $40.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Benegas Malbec 2009
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBig tobacco, savoury, herbal, roasted mushroom, peppery, barnyard, meaty, vanilla aromas. Dry, full, round, somewhat smooth but some gritty tannin. Sweet vanilla, plum jam, peppery, savoury, tobacco, rooty, meaty, pruney flavours, Somewhat warm palate with jammy fruit and a coffee, vanilla, bitter herb finish.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Tapiz Spirit of the Andes Malbec Organic 2010
Mendoza, ArgentinaReduced nose with light mercaptan, earthy, rooty, herbal aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant palate with cherry, tobacco, rooty, earthy, savoury flavours. Bit light with chocolate vanilla finish and some acidity and herbal notes. Not up to par.Prices:| US | $15.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Punto Final Malbec 2010
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaPeppery, tobacco, earthy, light barnyard, vanilla, black cherry, savoury aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant palate with light tannins. Spicy, tobacco leaf, cherry, plum, herbal, resin flavours. Simple, somewhat dry style but some finesse.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Las Hormigas Malbec Vista Flores Single Vineyard 2006
Vista Flores, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBig black cherry jam, vanilla, peppery, barnyard, sweaty saddle leather, savoury, cardamom, mandarin peel aromas. Dry, flat, round, somewhat tannic hard and extracted palate. Smoky, prune plum, black cherry, coffee, cedar, vanilla, rooty, resin, smoky, peppery, tobacco, saddle leather flavours. Not much finesse or balance here but it is big in style. Best with roast lamb or game dishes.Prices:| US | $65.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Montesco Passionate Wines Parral 2010
Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaVery peppery, fresh black berry, black cherry, liquorice nose with spicy, black olive, tobacco, sage aromas. Rich, round, dry, full but juicy with some young, gritty tannins. Warm with peppery, black cherry, sloe plum, gamey, liquorice root, coffee, charred oak flavours. A bit tart and warm but with good intensity if extracted with some wild game and fruit notes. Needs 4-5 years.Prices:| CDN | $30.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Montesco Passionate Wines Bonarda 2010
Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaLiquorice root, peppery, gamey, black plum, earthy aromas, slightly reduce. Full, round, warm, fresh palate with some light, tight tannin. Sloe plum, black cherry, licorice, peppery, dried herb, wild game flavours. Big, intense but somewhat tannic, needs a few years, lacks some of the fresh fruit as it is a bit over ripe but also dry tannins. A rustic style.Prices:| CDN | $15.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Montesco Passionate Wines Ineditos Bonarda Pura 2011
Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaA carbonic maceration style. Big liquorice, black plum jam, rooty, somewhat reductive nose. Dry, fresh, supple, elegant palate with similar flavours but reductive and earthy. Lean tannins preview a warm finish. Simple at best.Prices:| CDN | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Montesco Passionate Wines Agua de Roca Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaPea shoot, asparagus, passion fruit, leafy, grassy, menthol, artichoke aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy, elegant palate but low concentration. Herbal, nettle, grassy, artichoke, pea shoot, grapefruit flavours. Very dry, tart, austere palate. Tight electric, cool and green style.Prices:| CDN | $25.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Mi Terruño Limited Reserve 2009
Perdriel District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSomewhat closed with tobacco, poultry spice, milk chocolate, oak cube, floral, cassis, herbal nose. Dry, fresh, tart, somewhat lean palate again with milk chocolate, cedar, tobacco leaf, herbal flavours with a bit of reduction. Finish is somewhat thin and tart.Prices:| US | $22.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Mauricio Lorca Gran Lorca Opalo 2009
Vista Flores, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaThis unoaked premium shows peppery, liquorice, blackberry, black plum, smoky, inky, garrigue nose. Very ripe, round, fresh and juicy palate with smooth grained tannins. Black plum, black cherry, orange, licorice, savoury, sage, tobacco, garrigue, and smoky tar flavours. Big, warm and intense with good fruit purity but needs 2-4 years also to develop.Prices:| CDN | $35.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Mauricio Lorca Gran Lorca Poético Blend 2007
Vista Flores, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaPeppery, savoury, smoky, barnyard, leather, black berry, balsamic, meaty, licorice aromas. Dry, full, round, juicy palate with some young tannin. Big blood orange, black cherry jam, plum, peppery, meaty, chocolate, leather, vanilla and savoury flavours. Very good fruit and concentration with smooth tannins and a smoky, garrigue, tobacco finish. Needs 2-4 years to round out.Prices:| AB | $40.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Punto Final Reserva Malbec 2008
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaReductive, leesy, rubbery dirty nose with tobacco, rooty, resin, coffee and black cherry aromas. Fresh, round but somewhat astringent palate with sweet vanilla, coffee, chocolate and dried cherry, cedar bark, tobacco leaf flavours. Super commercial, no sense of place.Prices:| BC | $32.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Bodega del Desierto Cabernet Franc 25/5 2006
Alto Valle del Rio Colorado, La Pampa, ArgentinaCrushed cranberry, tobacco leaf, peppery, cherry jam, compost, savoury, menthol aromas. Dry, fresh, round, elegant palate with some light, dry tannin. Cranberry, spicy, cherry, tobacco, herbal, smoky, minty, dill, vanilla, orange peel flavours. A bit too lean but good freshness and elegance. More Euro styling here for the dinner table.Prices:| QC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Humberto Canale Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec 2010
Alto Valle del Río Negro, Rio Negro, Patagonia, ArgentinaTobacco, black cherry, cassis, herbal, spicy, floral aromas. Round, dry, somewhat astringent palate. Tobacco ash, herbal, savoury, leafy, cassis flavours. Not much concentration and leafy to boot. A disappointment.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Escorihuela 1884 The President's Blend 2007
Mendoza, ArgentinaHuge milk chocolate, coffee, balsamic, buttery vanilla, black cherry, prune aromas. Dry, astringent, lean palate with cedar bark, coffee, milk chocolate, buttery, tobacco leaf, pruney flavours. Oxidative, commercial style with some volatile notes.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Finca Syrah 2011
Gualtallary, Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaOpen ripe nose of savoury, meaty notes with good aromatics and a splash of vanilla. The attack is spicy but the structure is cool and balanced; the flavours a mix of white pepper, cocoa, liquorice, vanilla and meaty notes all with balance. Impressive styling and flavours for the price. You can cellar this for a year or two or serve now with lamb chops. Only a 1000 six packs were made.Prices:| ON | $19.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Doña Paula Estate Bottle Chardonnay 2011
Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaMelon, peach, honey, spicy, light lees, vanilla and citrus aromas. Fresh, crisp, dry and somewhat austere with grassy, green apple, lime and passion fruit flavours. Cool and more lean in styling.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Doña Paula Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaGooseberry, sweaty grapefruit rind, nettle, grassy aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant, juicy palate all in a tight lean style. The style is cool and stark with fresh nettle, grassy, grapefruit rind, green gooseberry flavours. Not a lot of texture but the style is fresh and clean. Try this with oysters.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Escorihuela 1884 Cabernet Sauvignon Limited Production 2009
Mendoza, ArgentinaMilk chocolate, coffee, vanilla, prune, tobacco leaf, poultry spice, spicy, cherry jam. Soft, light, round, easy palate with peppery, tobacco, floral, milk chocolate, earthy, cherry, prune flavours. Finish is oaky and very dry with some lean tannins. Needs time but lacks concentration.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Bodega Atamisque Catalpa Malbec 2009
Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaWarm milk chocolate, vanilla, floral, black cherry jam, tobacco leaf, peppery, poultry spice aromas. Soft, round, smooth, suppler palate with light tannins. Milk chocolate, vanilla, cherry jam, tobacco, savoury, orange, caramel, espresso, savoury flavours. Good fruit but the oak treatment is a bit too sweet and tannic.Prices:| US | $15.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Benegas Malbec 2009
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBig tobacco, savoury, herbal, roasted mushroom, peppery, barnyard, meaty, vanilla aromas. Dry, full, round, somewhat smooth but some gritty tannin. The attack is a mix of sweet vanilla and plum jam with peppery, savoury, tobacco, rooty, meaty, pruney notes. The finish is somewhat warm and alcoholic with a strong coffee/ vanilla undercurrent. Overall a bit muddled.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Piatelli Vineyards Malbec Grand Reserve 2009
Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBlack cherry, smoky, licorice, vanilla, poultry spice, savoury, tobacco leaf aromas. Dry, tight, elegant, slightly lean tannins. Juicy black cherry, blood orange, herbal, peppery, vanilla, cedar, anise flavours. Good solid styling but young and a bit lean, needs a few years.Prices:| US | $20.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Finca La Florencia Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Mendoza, ArgentinaLeafy, tobacco, cassis, spicy, somewhat reduced nose with over ripe blackberry. Dry, tight, lean, slightly tart palate with dry tannins. Spicy, cassis, tobacco leaf, resin, rooty flavours with some chocolate. Lean, chocolate finish.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Finca La Florencia Malbec 2010
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaTobacco, resin, slightly reduced, earthy, cherry, savoury nose. Round, dry, slightly lean but flat palate with floral, earthy, tobacco, poultry spice, cedar, tobacco, vanilla chocolate flavours. Again, flat profile with some lean tannins and an earthy, oak cube reduction note.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Las Perdices Reserva Don Juan 2008
Agrelo District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaVanilla, black cherry, plum, chocolate, graphite, cedar, meaty aromas. Dry, round, softer but some light tannin with dry edge. Coffee, chocolate, vanilla, earthy, peppery, black cherry, orange, prune plum and cedar flavours with a tobacco ash note on the dry, somewhat tannic, warm finish. Needs time but still somewhat flat.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Las Perdices Tinamu Blend 2007
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaPeppery, smoky, black cherry jam, chocolate, tobacco, roast mushroom, inky, coffee aromas. Dry, full but smooth with leaner tannins and a bitter edge. Coffee, chocolate, vanilla, smoky, herbal, peppery, savoury, meaty, orange peel flavours with a resiny, poultry spice finish. Dry tannins and hollow, short finish but should improve in bottle over the next two years. Best with grilled meat. The blend is 60/25/10/5 malbec, cabernet franc, petit verdot and tannat.Prices:| BC | $39.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Eral Bravo YBS Year's Barrel Selection 2007
Mendoza, ArgentinaPeppery, meaty, smoky, black cherry, tobacco ash, chocolate, vanilla aromas. Dry, fresh, soft but hollow palate with light, lean tannins and a tart edge. Sweet milk chocolate vanilla with tobacco, earthy, peppery, prune, cassis, meaty, mineral flavours. Not much concentration or finish.Prices:| US | $50.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Eral Bravo Cabernet Sauvignon Erales 2007
Mendoza, ArgentinaCassis, black olive, tobacco, peppery, rooty, meaty, resin aromas. Dry, round, smooth palate with very light tannins. Sweet vanilla, chocolate, peppery, rooty, orange, cassis, prune flavours. Finish short with leafy tannins.Prices:| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Manos Negras Torrontes 2011
Valle del Tulum, San Juan, ArgentinaBig floral, ginger, lemon, spicy, nectarine skin, light sausage aromas. Fresh, dry, juicy, slightly lean palate with lemon oil, peach pit, ginger, sausage, spicy, rose petal flavours. Try with Indian or Thai food. Very solid offering for the price.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Manos Negras Malbec 2009
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaRoast meat, menthol, smoky, savoury, tobacco, peppery, garrigue, iodine, licorice root aromas. Round, dry, fresh, smooth palate with similar flavours and a dose of coffee, prune and bitter chocolate. A very savoury style.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Manos Negras Point Noir 2009
Neuquén, Patagonia, ArgentinaPeppery, rhubarb, strawberry, tobacco leaf, earthy, cedar, chocolate aromas. Dry, fresh, light, elegant but slightly lean palate with stemmy, earthy, candied chocolate, cedar, tobacco, rooty, smoky, rhubarb and strawberry flavours. Has pinot character but not the generosity. Fair value.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Doña Paula Estate Pinot Noir 2010
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaMostly 777 clones with some 115 mixed in. The colour is dark the style soft and rich but a bit heavy for pinot noir. The palate is a mix of red fruits with floral notes a touch of minerality followed by oak. A work in progress that needs more subtlety and less oak in coming vintages.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Finca el Origen Reserva Malbec 2010
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaEarthy, tobacco, cherry, resin, savoury but slightly closed. Dry, tight, lean edge, juicy, fresh style with cherry, earthy, floral, savoury, sage flavours. Has fruit but too lean and dry.Prices:| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Zorzal Malbec 2010
Gualtallary, Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaVanilla, milk chocolate, coffee, black cherry jam, peppery, barnyard aromas. Soft, round, slightly sweet and juicy with chocolate, vanilla, cherry, rooty, tobacco leaf flavours. Simple, easy style but wiuth some green tannin on the finish and more sweet oak. A bit too commercial for the price.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Bodegas Los Haroldos Malbec 2011
La Consulta, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBlack cherry, savoury, spicy, tobacco leaf, slight vanilla aromas. Soft, slightly sweet, simple style with tobacco leaf, cherry jam, herbal, spicy, herbal flavours. Bit lean and tight.Prices:| US | $10.00 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Rutini Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
La Consulta, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaCoffee, prune, vanilla, animal, meaty, barnyard, chocolate. Dry, lean, thin, meaty, gamey, tobacco leaf, ash. A disappointing style with no fruit.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Piatelli Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Reserve 2009
Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaOpen spicy, blackberry, cassis, smoky bell pepper, barnyard, vanilla aromas. Dry, round, smoother but light tannins, juicy acidity with some warm notes. Earthy, cassis, olive, peppery, black cherry, licorice, coffee bean, vanilla, black olive flavours. Good cab character, solid fruit, slightly green with some youthful tannin to shed.Prices:| US | $32.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Bodega Boutique Clos de Chacras Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
La Consulta, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBig cassis, tobacco leaf, light bell pepper, tapenade, peppery, barnyard aromas. Dry, full, juicy, somewhat tannic palate if a bit lean. Warm with cassis, blackberry, bell pepper, black olive, vanilla, peppery, leather, coffee bean, dried herb, green bean. Good effort but dry tannins, somewhat green. Serve this with grilled meat to best effect.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Tomero Syrah Reserva 2009
Vistalba District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaMeaty, liquorice root, barnyard, floral, black cherry jam, tobacco, smoky aromas and garrigue. Dry, tight, light tannins with medium light extract and warm but good acidity. Black cherry jam, plum, peppery coffee, vanilla, earthy, tobacco, resin flavours. Good fruit if somewhat warm. It will need a bit more time in bottle to soften.Prices:| US | $25.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Zorzal Pinot Noir Reserve 2010
Gualtallary, Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaDeep colour. Strawberry jam, spicy, peppery, rooty, licorice, tobacco, light barnyard aromas. Dry, juicy, round palate with vanilla, coffee, tobacco leaf, rooty, earthy, strawberry, peppery, cedar flavours. Finish is very warm but somewhat complex.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
El Enemigo Gran Enemigo 2008
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSmoky, peppery, tobacco, earth, dried cherry, cranberry, orange peel and vanilla aromas with a bit of barnyard. Round, full, smooth, ripe, grainy tannins with fresh acidity. Smoky, meaty, leather, coffee, cigar, dried cranberry, vanilla, chocolate, cherry, cedar flavours. Good intensity and length, bit on the bretty side but ripe fruit and long. A fine effort to elevate cabernet franc in Argentina.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
El Enemigo Bonarda 2009
Santa Rosa, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBig plum, liquorice, spicy, peppery, chocolate, floral aromas. Dry, fresh, supple, smooth palate with good acidity and finesse. Light tannins with black plum, orange, vanilla, chocolate, spicy, red liquorice flavours. Good intensity to drink now-2 years with some grainy tannin to hold it. Good effort. Fine weight to fruit and balance ratio.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Bodega Atamisque Catalpa Pinot Noir 2010
Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaRhubarb, peppery, rooty, worsteshire, strawberry, light vanilla aromas. Dry, fresh, round slightly warm palate with strawberry, tobacco leaf, cedar, rooty, rhubarb, coffee, vanilla, herbal flavours. Solid if a bit warm and tart on the finish.Prices:| US | $15.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Mendel Unus 2009
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaIntense pepper, black cherry, graphite, vanilla notes with cassis, orange, floral, licorice, cedar aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant, round, somewhat tight palate but with fine acidity. Peppery, cassis, smoky, black cherry, cedar, tobacco, coffee, prune flavours. A bit warm but solid construction and fruit with ability to age two to five years. The mix is 70/30 malbec and cabernet sauvignon.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $45.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $38.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Mendel Malbec 2009
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBig sweet blackberry, black cherry jam, floral, tobacco, poultry spice, pruney, seashell aromas. Dry, round, full, good concentration but fairly tannic with some astringency. Big black cherry jam, black plum, blood orange, floral, spicy, peppery, savoury, vanilla, tobacco, smoky herb flavours. Good intensity and fruit with good acidity but rustic, dry tannins on the finish. Needs another five years to setle down.Prices:| AB | $29.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Flechas de los Andes Gran Corte 2009
Vista Flores, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaRich smoky, liquorice, savoury, chocolate, barnyard, black berry, black cherry, floral, vanilla aromas. Dry, full, concentrated, smooth and warm palate with fine grained tannins and good acidity. Sage, tobacco, spicy, peppery, tobacco, orange, black cherry, black berry, cedar, roasted pepper, meaty, coffee, vanilla, and savoury flavours. Good finesse and uniqueness in a big wine with the potential to age 5-10 years. Impressive structure and styling. the mix is 60/20/20 malbec, cabernet franc and syrah.Prices:| AB | $31.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $39.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Flechas de los Andes Gran Malbec 2009
Vista Flores, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaVery spicy, licorice, graphite, peppery, vanilla, black cherry, gamey, savoury, floral nose. Ripe, round, supple, juicy palate with good balance of concentration and tannins. Black cherry, plum, peppery, garrigue, licorice, floral, gamey, vanilla flavours. The fnish is warm but well balanced. Drink now but will benefit from 1-3 years.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Flechas de los Andes Aquaribay Malbec 2010
Vista Flores, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSavoury, spicy, peppery, graphite, black plum, cherry, smoky aromas. The attack is dry and fresh with smooth, juicy plum fruit flavours of black pepper, liquorice, savoury, orange peel and tobacco flavours. A fine fresh easy-drinking style that is structured and pure for current drinking. Impressive bottle.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $0.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Trivento Golden Reserve Syrah 2008
Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy, meaty, floral, black plum, peppery, tobacco leaf aromas. Dry, warm, fresh, supple palate with earthy, tobacco leaf, peppery, plum, resin, spicy flavours. Solid with a bit of Northern Rhone character but a bit lean and lacking in concentration on the finish.Prices:| NF | $215.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $25.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $28.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Mauricio Lorca Gran Lorca Poético Petit Verdot 2008
Vista Flores, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBig spicy, liquorice root, savoury, mulberry, black cherry, savoury, barnyard, clove, saddle leather aromas. Ripe, round, smooth, supple and fresh palate. Smoky, savoury, liquorice, ash, tobacco, plum jam, meaty, inky flavours. Well balanced with good concentration and ripe tannins but young, needs 2-5 years.Prices:| ON | $45.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Enrique Foster Firmado Malbec 2007
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaMade with grapes from two old vineyard sites (1919 and 1966) averaging over 60 years and then a barrel selection. Fermented in oak tanks and aged 15 months in 100% new oak barrels. Look for a spicy, cedar, black cherry jam, coffee nose with vanilla, balsamic, graphite, poultry spice, peppery, garrigue, barnyard aromas. Ripe, round, rich and supple but a bit warm and flat. Lots of spicy, black cherry jam, orange compote, coffee, vanilla, liquorice, tobacco, peppery, savoury flavours. Very smooth, suave and well balanced but could use a bit more acidity to keep the freshness. Steaks?Prices:| US | $90.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Enrique Foster Malbec Edicion Limitada 2006
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBig ripe black cherry jam, black berry, peppery, spicy, jammy, balsamic, vanilla, coffee and orange compote aromas with a touch of tobacco and cedar. Rich, ripe, smooth, hot and very fresh palate. Big jammy, peppery, savoury, tobacco, vanilla, chocolate, graphite and kirsch flavours. Good tannin management but hot and very jammy on the finish. Only 2,000 6-packs made.Prices:| AB | $45.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Enrique Foster Reserva Malbec 2008
Mendoza, ArgentinaLiquorice, smoky, black pepper, black plum, spicy, vanilla aromas. Ripe, round, rich and supple with juicy acidity. Black cherry jam, kirsch, chocolate, violet, peppery, savoury, vanilla flavours. A supple, juicy style that is ready to drink.Prices:| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Enrique Foster Ique Malbec 2011
Mendoza, ArgentinaAn unoaked version that has peppery, tobacco, sage, cherry, earthy aromas. Ripe, round, smooth palate with good acidity. Spicy, liquorice, savoury, black cherry, rooty flavours. A simple, forward, fresh style malbec released the same year it is made for early drinking. A hamburger red.Prices:| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Doña Paula Selección de Bodega Malbec 2008
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaRich blackberry, black cherry jam, floral, spicy, liquorice nose with barnyard, savoury, tobacco elements. Dry, full, juicy entry but with youthful tannins. Black cherry, plum, chocolate, licorice, spicy, floral flavours. Good concentration but young and tannic, needs a few years to soften and round out.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $50.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Doña Paula Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Ugarteche District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaPeppery, black olive, tobacco, roasted pepper, earthy, cassis, aromas. Dry, fresh, soft, easy palate with coffee, rooty, peppery, black olive, tobacco, savoury and cassis flavours. Fresh, simple, elegant style that is ready to drink. After ten years this wine is made by block selection from the Villa Mt. Eden clone.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Fabre Montmayou Grand Vin 2008
Vistalba District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaFrom a vineyard planted in 1908. Huge black cherry jam, plum, liquorice, vanilla, peppery, savoury, tobacco, leather, tapenade and cassis flavours. Rich, full, round, warm and juicy intense palate with soft tannins and elegance. Spicy, clove, savoury, and poultry spice, black cherry jam, black berry, chocolate, vanilla, tobacco, peppery, liquorice, floral flavours. Big concentration and ripeness but balanced with lots of tannins to let this age five to ten years. Very fine effort here. Elegance with power. The blend is 85/10/5 malbec/cabernet sauvignon/merlot.Prices:| AB | $52.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Fabre Montmayou Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva 2009
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaTobacco, cedar, chocolate, peppery, black berry, cassis jam, menthol, black olive aromas. Dry, full, round, smooth and juicy with lots of concentration. Huge peppery, black berry, cassis jam, coffee, vanilla, tobacco, licorice, rooty, Christmas cake flavours. Big, bold, fruity and intense, this needs 2-7 years but a fine effort and value for Mendoza cabernet sauvignon.Prices:| AB | $26.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Fabre Montmayou Malbec Gran Reserva 2009
Vistalba District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaDeep black cherry colour. Tobacco, peppery, inky, savoury, vanilla, black plum, black berry, smoky, floral, licorice aromas. Smooth, rich, ripe, round and warm palate with juicy acidity and soft, present tannins. Vanilla, peppery, licorice, orange, Christmas cake, boysenberry, black cherry and savoury flavours. Warm and full in a fruity and savoury style that needs 2-4 years.Prices:| AB | $26.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Finca Flichman Parcela 26 2008
Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaA special block of selected clones from a one hectare plot planted in 1998. Very peppery, liquorice, smoky, menthol, black cherry, garrigue, liquorice root, savoury, tobacco, barnyard and leather aromas. Ripe, rich, full, juicy and concentrated with supple grainy tannins. Big black berry jam, peppery, floral, black cherry, vanilla, savoury, mineral flavours with some orange peel and chocolate on the finish. Young and intense, this needs 4-7 years but it's well balanced.Prices:| US | $23.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Finca Flichman Dedicado 2008
Mendoza, ArgentinaPeppery, savoury, smoky, floral, barnyard nose with leather, black berry, black cherry, cassis, olive, and vanilla aromas. Full, round, rich, juicy palate with fine grained tannins. Boysenberry, peppery, tobacco, chocolate, cassis, orange, kirsch, licorice and roast meat flavours. We like the finesse but with some tannin to shed it will need another three to five years in bottle. Definitely worth cellaring. The blend is 85/5/10 malbec, syrah and cabernet sauvignon that is 95% from Tupungato. The syrah comes from warmer Barrancas.Prices:| US | $25.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Finca Flichman Paisaje de Tupungato 2009
Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaExciting spicy, red liquorice, peppery, floral, black plum, cassis, waxy, savoury, herbal aromas. Rich, ripe, round, fresh and juicy palate with supple tannins. Big cassis, black berry, orange, smoky, savoury, tobacco, plum, vanilla and licorice flavours. Warm finish but very good fruit and balance with ripe tannins. Can age 2-3 years but good now too. Great value in a 70/25/5 blend of malbec, cabernet sauvignon and merlot.Prices:| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $21.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Huarpe Guayquil El Elegido 2006
Mendoza, ArgentinaPeppery, barnyard, boysenberry jam, meaty, black berry, cassis, smoky, savoury, coffee aromas. Ripe, round, smooth and supple palate with ripe tannins. Chocolate, leather, coffee, black berry jam, kirsch, vanilla, licorice, dried sage, gamey, saddle leather flavours. Very smooth and warm but balanced. Attractive current drinking. The fruit comes of three vineyards in the Mendoza districts of Barrancas/ Maipú, Agrelo/Luján de Cuyo and San José/Tupungato at 780 and 1,200 meters altitude.Prices:| AB | $40.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Huarpe Winery Selection 2008
Agrelo District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaThe mix is 80/20 cabernet sauvignon and malbec from two vineyards in Agrelo. Nice floral, black cherry, black plum, olive, savoury, vanilla, liquorice, cassis, peppery aromas. Rich, ripe, round, full and warm palate. Big black cherry kirsch, black berry, vanilla, black olive, savoury, tobacco, clove, prune and spice flavours. Full but warm and slightly tannic finish and very ripe. Needs a year or so to integrate yet but will be fine.Prices:Read Full Note
88PTS
Taymente Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Agrelo District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy, cassis, black olive, tobacco, light vanilla, clove and leather aromas. Fresh, round, smooth and supple palate with prune, cassis, peppery, olive, and vanilla, cedar and tobacco flavours. Good finesse with a bit of herbs and tannin on the finish. Delicious organic fruit that goes biodynamic in 2012. Drink now.Prices:| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Enzo Bianchi NV
San Rafael, General Alvear, Southern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaPrune, peppery, barnyard, saddle leather, cedar, black cherry, meaty, vanilla, licorice and cassis aromas. Dry, rich, supple but warm palate with fresh acidity and some young tannin. Cassis, meaty, tobacco, peppery, savoury, sage, menthol, orange flavours. Big, ripe and intense with good cab character but fairly warm and tart on the finish. Best with roast beef. the mix is 85/8/7 cabernet sauvignon/petit verdot/malbec.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Famiglia Bianchi Malbec 2010
San Rafael, General Alvear, Southern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy, floral, black cherry, minty, tobacco, peppery aromas. Ripe, fresh, smooth and supple palate with lots of spicy, plum, bay, mint, savoury, peppery flavours with a touch of leather and black olive. A more forward, balanced style with solid fruit.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Famiglia Bianchi Chardonnay 2011
San Rafael, General Alvear, Southern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaHoney, spicy, baked apple, pear and vanilla aromas with a floral note. Fresh, round, creamy and elegant palate with juicy baked apple, vanilla, clove, honey and spicy lees flavours. A bit soft and buttery on the finish but delicate.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Finca Sophenia Synthesis The Blend 2008
Gualtallary, Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSavoury, spicy, vanilla, poultry spice, barnyard, coffee, cassis, clove, olive, rosemary and carrot top aromas. Rich, full, round and supple but fresh. Big vanilla, coffee, pepper, olive, meaty, barnyard, black cherry jam, clove and savoury flavours with a bit of resin. Very concentrated but well balanced with supple tannins. The blend is 40/35/25 malbec/cabernet sauvignon/merlot.Prices:| AB | $50.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Finca Sophenia Syrah Reserve 2009
Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaVery peppery, menthol, smoky, black cherry, meaty, rooty, garrigue aromas with a touch of vanilla. Dry, round, full, warm and slightly tannic palate. Black cherry, coffee, tobacco, roasted pepper, meaty, licorice and black pepper flavours. A touch warm and tannic on the finish but has good fruit and solid concentration for the money.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Finca Sophenia Malbec Rose 2010
Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaPale raspberry colour with spicy, peppery, tobacco, cherry and citrus aromas. Fresh, juicy, round, slightly sweet palate with cherry, herbal, tobacco, apple flavours. A bit on the sweet side but fresh and balanced. Great warm weather, patio sipper.Prices:| BC | $15.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Salentein Numina Gran Corte 2009
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy, peppery, savoury, barnyard nose with flecks of liquorice, leather, smoky, black cherry and vanilla aromas. Rich, ripe, round and supple palate with juicy acidity. Smoky, peppery, black berry, black cherry, coffee, vanilla, herbal, cassis, roasted pepper, barnyard, rooty flavours. Good concentration, length and balance but will benefit from 2-3 years aging. The blend is 64/18/11/5/2 malbec, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, petit verdot.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Salentein Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2009
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaPeppery, black olive, roasted pepper, green bean, licorice, tobacco, cassis, black berry aromas. Round, dry, smooth, fresh palate with light supple tannins. Coffee, prune, cassis, black olive, herbal, cherry, tobacco, slightly weedy notes. Good finesse in a somewhat cooler, greener style. Blended from three vineyards. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Salentein Chardonnay Reserve 2011
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaHoney, spicy, baked pear, vanilla, creamy, grassy, floral and green apple aromas. Dry, fresh, delicate, juicy palate with citrus, green apple, honey, spicy, vanilla, pear and light guava flavours. Good finesse in a leaner, crisp and juicy style.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Etchart Arnaldo B Gran Reserva 2008
Cafayate, Calchaqui Valley, Salta, North, ArgentinaInteresting 60/25/15 mix of malbec/cabernet sauvignon/tannat. Look for savoury, spicy, smoky, cassis, meaty, liquorice aromas flecked with black cherry and tobacco. Rich, round, juicy and slightly tannic in entry with intense tobacco, peppery, roasted pepper, cassis jam, and blackberry fruit with bits of chocolate and vanilla flavours. A bit warm on the finish but very good fruit and length with ripe tannins to shed over the next 2-4 years. Very good value.Prices:| CDN | $25.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Etchart Torrontes Late Harvest 2010
Cafayate, Calchaqui Valley, Salta, North, ArgentinaOpen baked pear, honey, guava, floral, lychee, lemon oil, ginger and nectarine aromas. Ripe, round, fresh, delicate and creamy palate with good sweetness and acidity balance. Honey, guava, baked pear, ginger, lemon oil and lychee flavours. Good finesse and delicious flavours in a lighter, late harvest style.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 500ml |
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89PTS
Etchart Torrontes Reserva 2010
Cafayate, Calchaqui Valley, Salta, North, ArgentinaVery floral, spicy, ginger, lemon, lychee, honey and butter aromas. Fresh, round, slightly oily and juicy palate. Honey, orange, spicy, ginger, lemon oil, peach skin and butter flavours. Long with good finesse and texture. A fine effort here that would likely be even better under Stelvin. Crazy value.Prices:| QC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Graffigna Santiago Graffigna 2008
San Juan, ArgentinaThe Santiago Graffigna is a tribute to the winery founder blending the best of its San Juan fruit: malbec, cabernet sauvignon and shiraz. Big spicy, black berry, black cherry, tobacco, licorice, meaty, vanilla, spicy, cassis, floral aromas. Round, rich, dry and somewhat tannic with good acidity. Very peppery, licorice, ash, meaty, rooty, savoury, vanilla, coffee, black berry flavours. Big, full, warm and young, needs 2-5 years to round out the tannins and oak.Prices:| US | $35.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Graffigna Centenario Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva 2008
San Juan, ArgentinaPeppery, smoky, cassis, black licorice, barnyard, leather aromas. Round, full, dry, fresh palate but somewhat tannic and hard. Smoky, peppery, tobacco, rooty, earthy, cassis, coffee and vanilla flavours. Solid fruit but this needs a few years or rare beef to tame its somewhat hard tannins.Prices:| MB | $14.25 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.50 | 750ml |
| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $16.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Graffigna Centenario Malbec Gran Reserva 2008
San Juan, ArgentinaFrom a single vineyard near 1400 meters. Earthy, leather, barnyard, black cherry, tobacco ash, peppery aromas. Dry, round, supple palate with peppery, spicy, savoury, tobacco, ash, leather, black cherry and liquorice root flavours with some coffee and vanilla on the finish. A bit young and tannic but solid balance.Prices:| MB | $14.25 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.50 | 750ml |
| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $16.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Graffigna Centenario Torrontes Reserve 2011
Cafayate, Calchaqui Valley, Salta, North, ArgentinaFloral, honey, ginger, spicy, ripe nectarine aromas. Round, fresh, juicy palate with a touch of sweetness. Nectarine, floral, apricot, lemon, spicy flavours. Good finesse and fruit if a bit oily on the finish. Terrific value here from 40-year old vines.Prices:| MB | $14.25 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.50 | 750ml |
| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $15.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Viña Cobos Malbec Marchiori Vineyard 2008
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy savoury, peppery, black cherry jam, black raspberry, blood orange, coffee, vanilla, cedar, tobacco and licorice aromas. Rich, ripe, round, smooth and juicy with big concentration. Vanilla, Christmas cake, black cherry jam, black pepper, poultry spice, coffee, cedar and tobacco flavours. Very ripe style with a long, round, warm finish. Drinkable now but this will age gracefully through 2020. Steaks anyone?Prices:| BC | $198.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Cobos Bramare Malbec Marchiori Vineyard 2008
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaAlways a strong wine with intense leather, prune, black berry, floral aromas flecked with tobacco, poultry spice, barnyard, and liquorice notes. Warm and juicy with supple but grainy tannins and more black berry, cedar, black cherry jam and vanilla flavours flecked with pepper, chocolate, liquorice savoury flavours. Young, warm and fruity on the jammy side but needs another two to four years in bottle to round out.Prices:| BC | $80.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Cobos Bramare Malbec 2009
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaClassic savoury, black cherry, tobacco, rooty, vanilla, coffee, barnyard aromas. Rich, ripe, round and smooth palate with juicy acidity. Vanilla, black cherry jam, barnyard, tobacco, peppery, savoury, poultry spice and liquorice flavours. Good finesse and fruit intensity with some grainy tannin to smooth out on the finish. You can drink this now or easily cellar it through 2017.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Cobos Bramare Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaOpen savoury peppery, black berry nose with barnyard, floral, vanilla, menthol, coffee aromas. Round, full, supple but with some grainy tannin and juicy acidity. Coffee, vanilla, black berry, tobacco, herbal, savoury, leather flavours with a chocolate, olive, cedar finish. Good concentration and balance if a bit oaky and warm at this point. Give it a few years.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Felino by Viña Cobos Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Mendoza, ArgentinaPeppery, black olive, spicy, tar, cassis, tobacco leaf aromas. Round, fresh, juicy palate with light tannins. Tobacco, peppery, tapenade, meaty, smoky, cassis flavours. Finish is juicy but a bit leafy. Solid, ready to drink red for grilled steaks.Prices:| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Felino by Viña Cobos Chardonnay 2010
Mendoza, ArgentinaHoney, melon, peach, spicy, vanilla, butter, baked green apple aromas. Ripe, round, slightly oily palate with a hint of sweetness. Big honey, baked pear, melon, buttery, spicy lees flavours. A riper style with a good fresh finish but eventually this style is going to have evolve into a leaner more food-friendly version.Prices:| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Viento Sur Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy, peppery, black olive, bell pepper, cassis, smoky, rooty aromas. Round, fresh, juicy, soft palate but somewhat reduced with cassis, peppery, smoky, rubbery, rooty, olive and bell pepper flavours. Herbaceous, oaky style.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Viento Sur Torrontes 2011
Cafayate, Calchaqui Valley, Salta, North, ArgentinaVery spicy, floral, ginger, lemon, nectarine, muscaty aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy, light palate with ginger, spicy, lemon oil, nettle, nectarine and honey flavours. Nice fresh, juicy style but finishes a touch lean.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Luigi Bosca Finca Los Nobles 2007
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaOpen warm vanilla, chocolate, coffee, dried cherry, cigar, cedar, black liquorice, balsamic, gamey, meaty, leather aromas. Ripe, round, smooth, rich but bit flat. More vanilla, chocolate, coffee cream, cherry jam, balsamic, leather, game flavours. Slightly over the top if not somewhat volatile. Old style.Prices:| BC | $32.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $26.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $25.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Diamandes Perlita Red 2010
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy, earthy, meaty, peppery, savoury, licorice, black cherry, floral and curry spice aromas. Round, supple, fresh palate with savoury, peppery, liquorice, smoky, black cherry, gamey flavours. Good finesse and balance for current consumption in a more restrained style. The mix is 80/20 malbec shiraz.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Doña Paula Torrontes 2011
Cafayate, Calchaqui Valley, Salta, North, ArgentinaFloral, ginger, earthy, spicy, lemon oil aromas. Dry, somewhat flat and oily palate with light extract. Lemon oil, light lees, butter, ginger, grassy, floral, nectarine skin flavours. Solid, if light and soft.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Doña Paula Estate Malbec 2010
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaWarm floral attractive spicy nose with black liquorice, pencil lead flecked with savoury jarilla notes and black olives. The attack is fresh and soft with intense black raspberry, black cherry, orange peel and resiny earthy flavours. Still youthful with plenty of savoury dried herbs highlight the finish. Stylish young malbec that will improve in bottle over the next three years.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Doña Paula Los Cardos Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy, peppery, earthy, meaty, cassis, prune aromas. Soft, round, dry, easy palate with prune, earthy, tobacco, Oxo, black olive, weedy flavours. Straight up commercial style that is ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Bodega Lurton Chacayes 2007
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaChacayes named after the small jackals that roam the Andean plateaus is the property flagship red. Expect a rich savoury red mixing leather, chocolate, barnyard, cherry jam, and licorice, cedar, tobacco and cherry aromas. Dry, elegant the tannins are firm but with fine acidity and balance. Love the concentration here and the spicy, tobacco, smoky, coffee, vanilla, cherry jam, gamey flavours flecked with orange peel, cranberry, compost, leather, barnyard flavours. Good intensity, if warm, this will need another two to five years in bottle. Roast lamb is the ticket here.Prices:| CDN | $80.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Doña Paula Los Cardos Syrah 2010
Ugarteche District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaPeppery, meaty, liquorice, light rubber, stemmy, rooty, tobacco aromas. Soft, fresh, supple, simple palate with black cherry, earthy, rooty, smoky, tobacco, tar flavours with a bit of reduced note. Easy, fresh style for current consumption.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $16.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Bodega Piedra Negra 2008
Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBig spicy, white pepper, smoky, barnyard, leather and liquorice notes mark the nose with bits of black cherry and savoury, jarilla nose. The attack is supple and dry with medium concentration but good acidity. The palate is awash with smoky, peppery, savoury, cherry, mineral, liquorice and tobacco, leather flavours. A bit warm but with finesse. Needs a few years to round out. A more savoury Euro style. Piedra Negra comes off the Chacayes vineyard in Vista Flores and takes its name from the black stone soils of the nearby Andean foothills.Prices:| QC | $36.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Bodega Lurton Malbec Reserva 2010
Mendoza, ArgentinaVery savoury, spicy, vanilla, chocolate, menthol, tobacco, herbal aromas. Dry, fresh, round, supple palate but a bit stewed. Prune, spicy, menthol, tobacco, cherry jam, chocolate, compost flavours. Fresh acidity and supple but a combination of cool and overripe fruit wins the day. Steaks anyone?Prices:| NF | $19.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.25 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Diamandes de Uco Chardonnay 2010
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaHoney, light butter, baked apple, pear, earthy, spicy, floral nose. Dry, fresh, round, elegant and slightly oily palate. Nutty lees, spicy, honey, guava, baked apple, ginger and butter flavours. Good finesse if a bit warm and touch low in acidity. Perfect to drink now.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Diamandes de Uco Gran Reserva 2007
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBig plum jam, black cherry, celery salt, licorice, vanilla, orange peel, tobacco, smoky, floral, leather and barnyard aromas. Ripe, round, full and warm with juicy acidity and lots of concentration. Chocolate, vanilla, peppery, savoury, leather, tobacco, smoky, prune, black cherry and orange peel flavours. Drinkable now but could use 2-4 years more. A bit fatter compared to the upcoming 2008 but first class.Prices:| BC | $51.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $43.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $42.60 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Cheval des Andes 2007
Las Compuertas, Vistalba District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBig spicy, cedar, black olive, tobacco, peppery, cassis, black cherry, plum, licorice and garrigue aromas with a touch of vanilla. Ripe, round, dry and concentrated with supple tannins and juicy acidity. Cassis, black cherry, tobacco, cedar, vanilla, chocolate, leather and orange peel flavours with a bit of licorice, menthol and garrigue on the finish. A very well balanced wine with length and finesse to age 4-15 years. A cooler but more refined version compared to that of 2006. The blend is 50/48/2 malbec/cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc-merlot-petit verdot.Prices:| AB | $75.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $83.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $85.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $76.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Terrazas de los Andes 1945 Altamira Malbec 2009
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaAgain, a single vineyard parcel of old vines exhibiting more extreme south expression of malbec of a slightly cooler side and soil. Earthy, floral, smoky, blackberry, black cherry, peppery, leather, garrigue, tobacco and vanilla aromas. Dry, full, juicy and intense palate with high tannins but supple. Warm, juicy black cherry, plum, orange, licorice, peppery, mineral, wild game, garrigue and vanilla flavour. Again, huge structure that needs 10 years to come around.Prices:| BC | $100.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Terrazas de los Andes Las Compuertas 1929 Malbec 2008
Las Compuertas, Vistalba District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaA special selection of a single portion of a vineyard from old vines that offers a microscopic look at malbec expression in Las Compuertas. Big floral, spicy, black berry, black cherry jam, liquorice, savoury garrigue nose. Intense, concentrated full but supple palate. Black cherry jam, black liquorice, peppery, orange, savoury, garrigue flavours. Big bones, very warm but good balance. Needs ten years.Prices:| BC | $100.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Terrazas de los Andes Afincado Malbec Las Compuertas 2008
Las Compuertas, Vistalba District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaOpen peppery, black cherry jam, orange peel, liquorice nose with savoury, vanilla, garrigue aromas. Rich, full, concentrated palate with fresh acidity and slightly austere tannins. Black cherry, plum and liquorice flavours with savoury, tobacco, ash, smoky, coffee bits in the back end. Big, full, warm and youthful structure that needs four to five more years in bottle to mature. Fine intensity with finesse and power. Try this with beef prime rib.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Terrazas de los Andes Afincado Cabernet Sauvignon Finca Los Aromas 2007
Perdriel District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBig cassis, peppery, black olive, roasted pepper, smoky, prune, tobacco, earthy, cedar aromas. Rich, ripe, round palate with smooth tannins and good acidity but a bit austere. Cassis, blackberry, coffee, liquorice, earthy, black olive and vanilla flavours. Very good concentration and balance in a young but cooler style.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Terrazas de los Andes Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2009
Mendoza, ArgentinaBig black pepper, olive, roasted pepper, spicy, cassis, floral nose with a bit of blackberry. Round, dry, supple but grainy tannins on the palate. Cassis, peppery, black olive, rosemary, herbal, leather, tobacco, flavours with a touch of green bean and black cherry. A hybrid style of Bordeaux and Argentina that will benefit from 2-4 years aging.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Terrazas de los Andes Malbec Reserva 2009
Mendoza, ArgentinaChocolate, peppery, spicy, savoury, floral, barnyard, black cherry, tobacco aromas. Dry, full, supple, smooth palate with peppery, smoky, spicy, tobacco, cherry jam, chocolate, orange, leather and licorice flavours. Finish is young and warm with fine concentration and finesse. Needs two to four years more in bottle to express all its talent. Great wine for steak.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.50 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Terrazas de los Andes Torrontés Reserva 2010
Cafayate, Calchaqui Valley, Salta, North, ArgentinaBig spicy, ginger, honey, floral, lemon, grassy, mineral aromas with a nectarine note. Dry, round, juicy, creamy palate with ginger, honey, lemon, lime, guava flavours. Good juicy style with a mineral, austere finish. Great value here.Prices:| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Diamandes de Uco Viognier 2010
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy, ginger, guava, honey, floral, light lees and orange aromas. Rich, round, full, warm and creamy palate with nutty, lees, vanilla, spicy, honey, pineapple and baked quince flavours. Good fruit and intensity without being too hot or oaky. Just a bit short and soft but shows potential for the future. First vintage from single clone, six year old vines.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Diamandes de Uco Malbec 2010
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy, floral, olive, lack cherry, black berry, liquorice, vanilla, tobacco, meaty aromas. Dry, round, fresh but slightly tight tannins in an elegant style. Black cherry, spicy, smoky, dried herb, liquorice, savoury flavours. Good finesse but young, needs a year or two to settle down the tannins. The blend is 90/5/3/2 malbec/cabernet sauvignon/syrah/petit verdot. About 100,000 bottles were produced.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
O. Fournier Syrah Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Vista Flores, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBlueberry, blackberry jam, meaty, barnyard, tobacco, peppery, spicy, vanilla, chocolate, cassis aromas. Big, concentrated, warm, intense palate with some chunky tannin. Chocolate, meaty, peppery, black berry jam, tobacco, barnyard, leather, prune, cassis and smoke flavours. A big, ripe, fruity rustic red that still needs 5 or more years in bottle.Prices:| AB | $69.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
O. Fournier Alpha Crux Malbec 2008
La Consulta, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaA five day cold maceration previews another 23 days of skin contact. Expect a peppery, savoury, black cherry jam nose with bits of curry, vanilla, sage, garrigue, barnyard, leather, orange rind and Christmas cake aromas. A sturdy but rich red with ripe tannins, fine acidity and excellent intensity. The finish is long and concentrated with good finesse and aromatics. A fine example serious malbec that will improve for another five to ten years in bottle.Prices:| US | $40.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
O. Fournier Alpha Crux Red Blend 2004
La Consulta, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaOpen vanilla, chocolate, blackberry jam nose with peppery, meaty, smoky, spicy, tobacco and cedar aromas. Rich, round, concentrated and supple palate with good acidity balance. Black cherry jam, blood orange, chocolate, cherry, tobacco, vanilla, meaty, coffee, Christmas cake flavours. Long, full, warm and supple palate with good finesse. Still youthful but will improve for a few years yet. The A Crux blend is 50/30/20 tempranillo, malbec and merlot.Prices:| AB | $48.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $42.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
O. Fournier B Crux Red Blend 2007
La Consulta, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy, savoury, cherry jam, vanilla, meaty, peppery, chocolate, curry aromas. Rich, concentrated, warm, supple but slightly tannic palate. Chocolate, vanilla, orange, meaty, barnyard, peppery, kirsch, tobacco, celery, olive and herb flavours. A bit too warm on the finish but has great intensity and concentration with the ability to age 4-7 years. Good value. The B Crux blend is 60/10/15/15 tempranillo, malbec, cabernet, syrah.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $28.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
O. Fournier B Crux Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Vista Flores, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaThe fruit is grown at Vista Flores, Mendoza at 1100 meters and the harvest normally gets underway in Mid-February. There is an 8-hour maceration followed by a cold ferment in stainless steel. Look for a spicy, nutty, grassy, grapefruit, gooseberry, nettle nose with hints of artichoke. The attack is dry and fresh and crisp but with a slightly austere palate. Grapefruit, gooseberry, lemon, grassy, jalapeno, herbal flavours. The style is juicy, tart and austere and needs another year to round out.Prices:| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
O. Fournier Urban Uco Malbec-Tempranillo 2010
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaThis is a 50/50 mix of malbec and tempranillo with spicy, gamey, black cherry and dried herbs aromas. Rich, ripe, round and smooth palate with peppery, spicy, blood orange, black cherry, tobacco, gamey flavours. A touch warm but good fruit, balance and intensity. Again, another great value Urban mix. Why aren't these wines big in Canada?Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
O. Fournier Urban Uco Malbec 2010
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSavoury, smoky, barnyard, liquorice, meaty reductive notes with black cherry and herb aromas. Dry, full, fresh and slightly lean palate. Spicy, cherry, savoury, meaty, tobacco, vanilla, gamey, poultry spice flavours. Good concentration and solid but best decanted for twenty minutes.Prices:| CDN | $12.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
O. Fournier Urban Uco Tempranillo 2010
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSpaniard Jose Manuel Ortega has a thing for tempranillo as evidence by the spicy, tobacco, cherry jam, meaty, liquorice red. The attack is smooth and juicy with black cherry jam, tobacco, orange, vanilla, spicy flavours. Love the fruit and the supple finish all with good concentration. Good value too.Prices:| CDN | $12.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
O. Fournier Urban Uco Chardonnay 2011
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy, pear, pea shoot and light lees nose with a twist of butter and green apple skin aromas. Fresh, round, elegant and juicy palate with a touch of oiliness. Nutty, spicy, lees, apple, grassy, butter flavours. Simple with finesse and juiciness. Love the style and complexity for the price.Prices:| CDN | $12.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
O. Fournier Urban Uco Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSimilar to B Crux the fruit is grown at Vista Flores, Mendoza at 1100 meters and the harvest normally gets underway in Mid-February. The style is slightly more approachable with floral, passion fruit, guava, grapefruit, spicy, nettle aromas. Very fresh, dry, juicy palate with minty, passion fruit, grassy, gooseberry and nettle flavours. Good solid fruit and balance at a good price. Drink now with seafood and or chicken and pasta dishes.Prices:| CDN | $12.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Finca Decero Mini Edicion Petit Verdot Remolinos Vineyard 2009
Agrelo District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy, liquorice, earthy, tobacco, cedar, blueberry, plum, smoky, vanilla aromas. Dry, tight, full, hot palate with good acidity and some grainy tannin. Lots of vanilla, coffee, toasty oak, cedar, ink, black plum, blueberry, garrigue flavours with a bit of wild game and orange. Somewhat young and tannic with a warm finish, this needs two to four years to fully integrate.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Finca Decero Cabernet Sauvignon Remolinos Vineyard 2009
Agrelo District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaPeppery, black olive, spicy, coffee, light green bean, cassis, herbal, vanilla aromas. Dry, round, slightly tight gritty tannins but fresh and full. Peppery, coffee, rooty, cassis, green olive, tobacco flavours. A bit simple and green. It will need one to three years to soften out.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $22.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Finca Decero Malbec Remolinos Vineyard 2009
Agrelo District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaVery spicy, peppery, licorice, savoury, floral, black cherry, plum and vanilla aromas. Rich, full, warm, fresh and supple palate but a bit fat and warm. Coffee, tobacco, black berry jam, plum, meaty, vanilla, chocolate, earthy, resin and poultry spice flavours. Good concentration and finesse but too hot on the finish. They pick the floral parcels earlier adding to the aromatics.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $22.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Bodega Lurton Gran Lurton Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Mendoza, ArgentinaBig black pepper, black olive, floral, cassis, dried herbs, leather and tobacco leaf aromas. Dry, full, fresh, balanced palate with some light tannin. Licorice, coffee, chocolate, peppery, cassis, black berry, olive, green lean, leather and barnyard flavours. A cooler expression but balanced with the structure to further age two to four years.Prices:| QC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $20.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Zuccardi Aluvional 2008
La Consulta, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaZuccardi is launching a new Malbec called Aluvional which will be released in the next six months. It is from the sub-region of La Consulta, 130 km south of Mendoza city and has grapes from several alluvial soil plots and it is impressive. Look for a spicy floral, vanilla, barnyard, plum, leather nose with meaty, chocolate, poultry spice, violet and liquorice aromas. There is fine complexity in what is a rich, round, dry, smooth red with firm tannins and fresh acidity. The flavours mix plum, black pepper, coffee, vanilla, earth, violet, cherry jam and smoky, gamey, spicy herb flavours. Very good extract but it's youthful and fresh and needs at least three to five years to develop in bottle. Definitely a new level of achievement for the Zuccardis.Prices:| BC | $85.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Zuccardi Zeta 2008
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaA blend of 73/27 malbec and cabernet with malbec from La Consulta and cabernet from Gualtallary. Very spicy, floral, black cherry, barnyard, leather, cassis, vanilla, savoury, peppery, olive and licorice aromas. Fresh, ripe, juicy, slightly tannic palate with cherry, cassis, vanilla, licorice, poultry spice, tobacco, roast mushroom flavours. Good structure and intensity but needs two to three to improve its acidity and tannin balance.Prices:| NS | $47.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Emma Zuccardi Bonarda 2010
Santa Rosa, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaMade from vines planted in 1979 using the parral system. Spicy, smoky, bay floral, cherry, leather, plum aromas. Dry, fresh, round, juicy palate with smooth tannins. Cherry jam, orange, licorice, spicy, floral, mace, menthol, peppery flavours. A bit warm and tart on the finish but has good fruit and balance with some finesse. Small production her, only 6000 bottles.Prices:| BC | $43.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $45.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $31.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Ruca Malen Kinien Malbec 2009
Mendoza, ArgentinaDeep black cherry colour. Plum, black cherry, peppery, savoury, tobacco, floral, spicy, barnyard, leather and vanilla aromas with a touch of jarilla resin. Ripe, round, dry, suave and warm palate with smooth, grainy tannins. Delicious vanilla, coffee, black cherry, plum, orange peel, chocolate flavours flecked with pepper and poultry spice flavours. Big concentration and structure with lots of fruit but a bit hot on the finish. Perhaps a bit less oak would be preferred but very solid effort.Prices:| SK | $35.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $37.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Ruca Malen Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2009
Vista Flores, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaTapenade, tobacco leaf, cassis, peppery, floral, spicy, herbal, smoky, vanilla aromas with a touch of barnyard. Ripe, round, fresh, slightly tart palate with light, austere tannins. Cassis, peppery, spicy, sage, herbal, tobacco leaf, cherry and black olive flavours. A bit savoury and herbal but good balance and freshness for near term drinking with beef.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Ruca Malen Petit Verdot 2010
Agrelo District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBig dark colour. Mulberry, coffee, vanilla, black olive, tobacco, cedar, licorice, floral aromas. Ripe, round, smooth and suave palate with light tannin and juicy acidity. Vanilla, coffee blackberry jam, mulberry, licorice, smoky, roast meat, savory, peppery flavours. A bit warm with lots of toasted oak but good fruit with some light tannins. This needs another three years to reach its peak. Good value.Prices:| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Pascual Toso Alta Reserve Syrah 2009
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaThe third edition of this wine has a rich, black berry jam, vanilla, milk chocolate nose with meaty, peppery, lifted, garrigue aroma. Ripe, round, suave, supple palate with light tannins. Savoury black berry jam, vanilla, chocolate, coconut and orange flavours. Good fruit but a bit too warm and sweet to woo the serious collector.Prices:| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Susana Balbo Brioso 2007
Agrelo District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaMostly fruit from Agrelo with bits from Altamira and Los Arboles. This blend has nice cassis, prune, black berry jam, tobacco, rooty, peppery, leather, spicy, Oxo aromas. Ripe, round, full and juicy with some grainy tannin. Coffee, vanilla, tobacco, leather, cedar, prune, cassis, black olive, coriander flavours with a savoury, orange peel finish. A bit hot and tart with some tea tannins on the end but has good complexity to age the next 2-4 years.Prices:| AB | $36.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $38.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $49.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Susana Balbo Malbec Signature 2009
Mendoza, ArgentinaMulti-vineyard blend that shows black cherry, spicy, tobacco, savoury, poultry spice, resin, smoky, leather aromas with a hint of chocolate and tobacco leaf. Ripe, round, supple and fresh with good balance. Vanilla, coffee, chocolate, cedar, tobacco, licorice, black cherry jam and orange peel flavours. Good texture and balance but a bit oaky at this point. Decant and drink or cellar for a few years.Prices:| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Ben Marco Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Mendoza, ArgentinaPeppery, smoky, barnyard, cassis, prune, leather, black olive, black pepper aromas with a floral, chocolate note. Rich, round, full, juicy but slightly tannic palate. Chocolate, vanilla, coconut, cassis, blackberry, tobacco, coffee flavours with a cedar, tapenade finish. Good fruit and fresh but some green savoury tannin on the finish. This will need a few years to soften and show its best stuff.Prices:| ON | $17.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $18.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Magdalena Toso Limited 22 Barrels 2007
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaA very ripe style with spicy, peppery, coffee, tar, leather, liquorice, plum jam, barnyard, meaty, black berry, tapenade, minty aromas. Rich, full, round, supple and concentrated with some suave tannins. Similarly full flavours with added graphite, black plum, poultry spice and cassis flavours. Very good expression but needs 3-5 years.Prices:| BC | $90.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Pascual Toso Finca Pedregal Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon Single Vineyard 2006
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaAn 80/20 mix of malbec and cabernet sauvignon with a smoky, savoury, meaty, black cherry jam nose with bits of orange peel, barnyard, vanilla and earth aromas. Full and round the attack is juicy with excellent acidity and youthful tannins. Love the pure black berry, black cherry jam fruit with chocolate, vanilla and meaty/poultry spice flavours. Very good fruit and concentration with sweet, suave finish. This will improve in bottle through 2015. Steak anyone?Prices:| BC | $58.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $62.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Pascual Toso Alta Reserva Malbec 2009
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaFloral, spicy, peppery, meaty, savoury, coffee, orange peel, poultry spice and chocolate aromas. Delicious Ripe, round, juicy, full palate with light tannins. Black cherry jam, plum, coffee, olive, tobacco, orange compote and poultry spice flavours. Youthful with fin fruit, power and balance. Cellar this through 2015. Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Pascual Toso Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaCassis, earthy, peppery, black olive, prune, tar and tobacco leaf aromas. Ripe, round, full, smooth palate with sweet blackberry, coffee, vanilla flavours. Fine weight in an early-sipping style with fruit but fairly warm on the finish.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Pascual Toso Malbec 2010
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaThe fruit is a mix of 20-year old massal selection malbec. Some 40 percent is aged in two three and four year old oak. Look for a peppery, savoury, black cherry jam, tobacco leaf nose with supple, sweet fruit on the mid-palate. Round, supple and easy sipping with peppery, black cherry, tobacco, earthy, prune flavours. Ready to drink.Prices:| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Pascual Toso Torrontés 2011
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaFloral, honey, melon, nectarine, light ginger aromas. Round, dry, soft, delicate palate with honey, ginger, melon rind, earthy, nectarine skin flavours. A light delicate style that is ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Pascual Toso Chardonnay 2011
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBright spicy, honey, baked pear, apple and light lees aromas. Ripe, round, soft, fresh palate with fresh fruit salad and vanilla/creamy lees. A simple, solid, entry level style chardonnay.Prices:| BC | $13.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Luigi Bosca de Sangre 2009
Mendoza, ArgentinaPeppery, black olive, cassis, black plum, vanilla, chocolate, meaty, spicy, herb aromas. Ripe, round, supple, fresh palate with velvety tannins. Spicy, peppery, coffee, chocolate, meaty, black plum, vanilla and cassis flavours. Finish is warm but well-structured with a bit of tobacco, leather and thyme. Fun to drink.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Luigi Bosca Malbec Single Vineyard 2008
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBlack berry, black cherry, spicy, savoury, black olive, tobacco, floral and vanilla aromas. Dry, round, supple, fresh palate with light tannins. Spicy, smoky, savoury, coffee, chocolate, plum, liquorice and vanilla flavours. A bit warm and dry on the finish with a touch of austere tannins but very good fruit and balance. Can age 2-4 years with the fruit purity. The Bosca single vineyard malbec comes from the "La Linda" site in Vistalba.Prices:| BC | $32.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $26.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $25.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Kaiken Mai - The First One 2008
Agrelo District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBig liquorice, savoury, poultry spice, vanilla, black cherry, plum, tobacco and jarilla aromas. Rich, round, full and warm with fresh acidity and supple tannins. Coffee, vanilla, blackberry jam, licorice, Christmas cake, peppery, orange flavours with a tobacco and chocolate finish. Big, intense and warm/alcoholic on the finish but with fine fruit concentration. Needs 3-5 years. The base vines were planted in 1910.Prices:| CDN | $90.00 | 750ml |
| US | $85.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Kaiken Corte Cabernet Sauvignon - Malbec - Petit Verdot 2010
Agrelo District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBig cassis, black olive, peppery, savoury, licorice, barnyard and floral aromas. Dry, round, full and juicy with some youthful tannin. Savoury, vanilla, coffee, clove, cassis, peppery, licorice and olive flavours with a smoky, tobacco finish. Needs a year to soften the somewhat grippy tannins but has good balance.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Kaiken Corte Malbec Bonarda Petit Verdot 2010
Agrelo District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, Argentina.Peppery, savoury, tobacco, black cherry, barnyard, smoky aromas. Ripe, round, warm and smooth with fresh acidity. Plum, black cherry, peppery, coffee, tobacco, savoury, orange flavours. Soft and well balanced with a bit of warmth and a whack of spice and fruit. Made from ablned of Agrelo and Uco fruit.Prices:| ON | $17.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $19.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Nieto Senetiner Terroir Blend Malbec 2009
Mendoza, ArgentinaA blend of three different soils and climates from Vistalba, Agrelo and Vista Flores to offer different aspects. Very peppery spicy, coffee, barnyard, leather, black cherry, floral mineral, prune, graphite and liquorice aromas with a vanilla streak. Ripe, round, dry and elegant but fresh and juicy. Pepper, graphite, liquorice floral, black cherry, plum, slate, earthy, vanilla and leather flavours. A bit fresh on the finish but good complexity and balance, needs 2-5 years. Very good effort.Prices:| US | $30.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Nieto Senetiner Don Nicanor Malbec 2009
Agrelo District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSavoury, peppery, tobacco leaf, black cherry, chocolate, vanilla, floral, spicy, licorice aromas. Ripe, round, supple juicy palate with some young tannin. Vanilla, chocolate, coffee, black cherry jam, blueberry, tobacco leaf, herb, and savoury flavours. Good fruit and balance for mid-term consumption.Prices:| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Nieto Senetiner Bonarda Limited Edition Series 2009
Agrelo District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy, tobacco leaf, rooty, herbal, curry, balsamic, meaty, black plum aromas. Round, dry, supple and full with a juicy note and some light tannin. Peppery, tobacco leaf, herbal, savoury, curry, vanilla, balsamic, prune plum flavours. A bit tannic and lean but good finesse overall.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $33.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Catena Zapata Malbec Nicasia Vineyard 2008
San Carlos, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaPeppery, liquorice, smoky, floral, boysenberry, black cherry, barnyard and vanilla aromas. Dry, full, elegant and juicy with some tight tannin on the palate. Black pepper, licorice, coffee, tobacco, floral, chocolate, roasted herb, orange and black cherry flavours. Good finesse and fruit but needs 4-5 years to soften the somewhat chewy tannins on the finish. Mostly Altimira district fruit.Prices:| BC | $86.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $75.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $76.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Catena Zapata Adrianna Vineyard Malbec 2008
Gualtallary, Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaFloral, spicy, mint, boysenberry, savoury, black cherry, liquorice and vanilla aromas. Full, round, dry, slightly leaner and astringent palate but good concentration. Vanilla, boysenberry, black cherry, peppery, tobacco, savoury, earthy, liquorice flavours. Long, warm full but tannic finish. Needs 5-7 years perhaps to round out and develop fully. There is a bit of cabernet franc and viognier co-feremented in the mix.Prices:| BC | $86.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $79.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $79.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Trapiche Gran Medalla Malbec 2008
Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy, earthy, barnyard, leather, black cherry, peppery, clove, liquorice root and plum aromas. Round, smooth, rich and velvety. Prune plum, peppery, vanilla, black cherry, gamey, spicy, licorice and garrigue flavours. Good finesse, length and roundness and judicious oak use. Drink now-3 years. The fruit is Las Arboles at 1250m. It is a massal selection from vineyards of several producers. Impressive.Prices:| ON | $23.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Trapiche Gran Medalla Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy, black olive, tobacco, vanilla, barnyard, leather, cassis, black pepper, roasted red pepper, herbal, savoury nose. Fresh, round, supple and juicy palate with some light tannin. Tobacco, riparian, cassis, black cherry, vanilla, chocolate, licorice, black olive, green bean flavours with a bit of leather, prune and cedar on the finish. Good effort but still needs a few years to soften out on the finish.Prices:| ON | $23.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Trapiche Finca Las Palmas Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBig cassis, spicy, tobacco, leather, prune, rooty, peppery, olive, savoury nose with a touch of barnyard. Dry, fresh, juicy and full palate but with light tannins. Cassis, tobacco, cedar, rooty, red pepper, blackberry, earthy flavours with some coffee and vanilla. Solid fruit and balance with some youthful tannins and finesse. So much better than the commercial labels that come to Canada.Prices:| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Cantinian Malbec Reserve 2009
Perdriel District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaCork taint, try another.Prices:| BC | $26.95 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Cantinian Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Mendoza, ArgentinaCorked, try another.Prices:| BC | $16.80 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Vina 1924 De Angeles Gran Malbec 2008
Vistalba District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaThe top wine at De Angles is always impressive beginning with its peppery, smoky, savoury nose flecked with pencil lead, orange, cedar, tobacco and black cherry aromas. The attack is full, warm and rich with juicy, supple fruit. The palate mixes coffee, leather, tobacco, black cherry jam, black berry, vanilla, savoury, orange flavours with a mocha finish. Big concentration and complexity with supple tannins in a warm rich style. Buy and cellar this one for another five years. Excellent fruit and complexity.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Vina 1924 De Angeles Malbec 2009
Vistalba District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaAnother solid edition with its savoury, black cherry jam and poultry spice nose with coffee, liquorice, cedar, vanilla aromas with a hint of barnyard and leather. Ripe, round and supple with good finesse there is a wealth of black cherry jam, roasted mushroom, tobacco, savoury, pepper, liquorice, vanilla and sage flavours. Very smooth and well balanced a terrific steak wine. Drink now or keep for 2-4 years.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Tapiz Bicentenario 2008
Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy, peppery, floral, ginger, black cherry jam, tobacco, rooty, somewhat reduced aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy but slightly lean palate with some drier tannin. Peppery, ginger, spicy, black cherry, orange peel, prune and tobacco flavours. Hot, hollow mid-palate, short finish.Prices:| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Llama Malbec 2011
Agrelo District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaPeppery, rubbery, reduced smoky, prune, black cherry, rooty, tobacco ash aromas. Dry, round, supple but hollow palate with earthy, tobacco, spicy, herbal, cherry, milk chocolate flavours. Flat, hollow finish. Best with meat pizzas.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Chakana Estate Selection Malbec 2010
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaPeppery, tobacco, rooty, spicy, cherry aromas with light vanilla. Soft, round, fresh, easy palate but no mid-palate. Milk chocolate, coffee bean, weedy tobacco, orange flavours. Fresh finish but without A lot of concentration. Simple malbec.Prices:| AB | $28.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Arguentota Malbec 2009
Agrelo District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy liquorice, black cherry, smoky, vanilla, floral aromas. Soft, round, supple, slightly lean palate with milk chocolate, peppery, spicy, black cherry, vanilla, cedar, tobacco, roasted mushroom flavours. Spicy, vanilla, chocolate finish with light tannins. Some finesse and depth in a warm style. Best with grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $28.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Benegas Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaTobacco leaf, earthy peppery, spicy, floral, rooty aromas with a bit of cherry jam. Round, warm, flat palate with peppery, rooty, earthy, tobacco, cherry, resin flavour. Warm, somewhat hollow structure. Not much here.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Bodega Familia Sewell Estado Natural Malbec 2009
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaEarthy, dank slightly reduced nose with tobacco, rooty, cherry aromas. Fresh, soft, supple palate with cherry, prune, herbal, tobacco flavours. The finish is a bit warm and tart but with decent flavours.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
El Cortejo Malbec Syrah 2010
San Juan, ArgentinaPeppery, licorice root, black cherry jam, black berry, roast meat, spicy, garrigue nose. Round, dry, fresh palate with light tannins. Smoky, spicy, savoury, rooty, tobacco, black cherry flavours. Finish is a bit tart and lean but solid fruit for grilled ribs. Solid value.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Diamandes de Uco Gran Reserva 2008
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaDeep black cherry colour. Big savoury, tobacco, leather, smoky, black cherry jam, vanilla, bay, white pepper, cassis, Oxo and licorice aromas. Dry, full, round, rich palate with some youthful, grainy tannin. Coffee, peppery, black cherry jam, leather, savoury, blood orange, meaty, savoury, saddle leather, vanilla and tapenade flavours. Good length and concentration with some finesse. Needs 2-4 years to round out.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $51.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $43.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $42.60 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Budeguer 4000 Malbec 2009
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBig peppery, spicy, warm, floral, liquorice, tobacco leaf, black plum aromas. Dry, supple, round, warm palate with meaty, barnyard, leather, vanilla, peppery, compost, coffee cube, tobacco, savoury flavours. Bit too heavy with oak but bigger, darker style with peppery notes helps the overall picture.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Gauchezco Plata Malbec 2009
Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy, meaty, barnyard, black cherry, savoury aromas. Dry, fresh, supple, round palate. Peppery, spicy, black cherry, coffee, licorice, vanilla, and tobacco flavours. Simple, warm easy drinking red with a touch of acidity poking through in the finish.Prices:| US | $23.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Gauchezco Oro Malbec 2008
Mendoza, ArgentinaBlack cherry, blackberry, orange, coffee, vanilla, Christmas cake, savoury, peppery aromas. Round, warm, dry, supple but slightly tannic palate. Coffee, vanilla, cedar, tobacco, cassis, black cherry, menthol, savoury, peppery flavours. Good concentration and intensity if a bit warm and heavy.Prices:| US | $40.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Mi Terruño Mayacaba Malbec 2008
Perdriel District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBig vanilla, chocolate, peppery, spicy, savoury, poultry spice, jasmine aromas. Rich, ripe, round, supple palate with good finesse but also somewhat warm and tart. Big coffee, vanilla, chocolate, peppery, black berry jam, orange, poultry spice, savoury, tobacco, licorice root flavours. Warm and oaky but has good intensity and fruit with some finesse but vanilla, coffee, pudding (a la Paul Hobbs) finish can be overwhelming to some.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Finca Las Moras Reserve Sangiovese 2010
Valle del Tulum, San Juan, ArgentinaPeppery, sausage, cedar, tobacco, black cherry, liquorice aromas. Soft, round, fresh, juicy style with tobacco, meaty, peppery, chocolate, coffee cube, candied cherry flavours. Good balance but too much cherry, chocolate and oak.Prices:| NB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $14.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Finca Las Moras Black Label Bonarda 2009
Valle del Tulum, San Juan, ArgentinaSpicy, black cherry, plum, cedar, vanilla, peppery aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy, slightly tannic palate with incense, vanilla, peppery, herbal, black cherry, tobacco, licorice, earthy flavours. Good fruit but a bit too artificial with some reduction. A hamburger red.Prices:| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $17.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $17.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Alta Vista Alto 2007
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaPlum, prune, black cherry, vanilla, coffee, chocolate, cassis, smoky, barnyard, leather, licorice aromas. Dry, rich, round, warm palate with some grainy tannins. Prune cassis jam, black cherry, peppery, roasted meat, smoky, chocolate, vanilla, savoury, poultry spice, tobacco flavours. Big, youthful, needs 2-4 years, good potential and intensity without being too heavy but alcohol at 15%+. Big powerful blockbuster style but thankfully on the dry side. A 70/30 blend of malbec and cabernet sauvignon.Prices:| AB | $111.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Alta Vista Terroir Selection Malbec 2008
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaVery spicy, savoury, peppery, jarilla nose with plum, vanilla, leather aromas. Dry, fresh, full, warm and supple palate but with dry, grainy tannins. Very peppery, spicy, black cherry, orange, chocolate, mineral, liquorice, vanilla, coffee, savoury flavours. Lots of flavours and intensity, solid balance, needs years but a bit too hot at 15% but shows terroir of cooler area with good extraction balance and finesse. Slightly tight tannins. Fine effort and terrific value.Prices:| AB | $31.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Bodega François Lurton Gran Lurton Corte Friulano 2011
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaHoney, vanilla, quince, peach, floral, citrus, waxy, spicy, ginger, anise aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy, elegant, delicate palate with creamy texture. Melon, citrus, honey, baked apple, pear, grapefruit, earthy, vanilla, spicy lees with a waxy, floral note. A fresher, more delicate style that can age 2-4 years.Prices:| ON | $22.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $26.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Trapiche Iscay Malbec Cabernet Franc 2008
Mendoza, ArgentinaCherry jam, coffee, leather, spicy, orange peel, licorice, light barnyard, leather, tobacco, curry, sage aromas. Ripe, round, smooth, supple, juicy, round palate but a bit too fat. Smoky, peppery, menthol, sage, curry, vanilla, coffee, black cherry jam, orange peel, cranberry, cigar, chocolate flavours. Good intensity and finesse in a riper, rounder style, shows cab franc and oak now. Needs 2-4 years to integrate. More demonstrative of blending and varieties with some terroir but more appealing in the mouth.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $47.35 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Trapiche Malbec Single Vineyard Viña Frederica Villafane 2008
La Consulta, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSmoky, spicy, black cherry jam, barnyard, peppery, savoury, blood orange and plum aromas. Dry, full, juicy, fresh palate with good concentration and balance with ripe, grainy tannins. Leather, peppery, orange, cherry jam, plum, tobacco, liquorice, vanilla, savoury, floral, spicy, meaty flavours. Good finesse and intensity but young with length.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $34.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Trapiche Malbec Single Vineyard Viña Cristina y Bibiana Coletto 2008
Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaTight with smoky, spicy, peppery, vanilla notes flecked with black berry, plum, floral and liquorice aromas. Fresh, tight, juicy, bit lean palate with some astringent tannins and lower mid-palate. Spicy, savoury, peppery, tobacco, earthy, cherry, plum, vanilla, leather, light meaty flavours. Lighter but leaner and fresher style. All need 3-5 years.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $34.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Trapiche Malbec Single Vineyard Viña Domingo F. Sarmineto 2009
La Consulta, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaVery peppery, spicy, black cherry jam, licorice, smoky, floral, coffee, vanilla, barnyard aromas, good complexity. Dry, fresh, smooth, supple palate with fine grained tannins and juicy acidity. Vanilla, chocolate, peppery, cedar, black cherry, black berry, orange peel, jarilla, tobacco, savour flavours. Good finesse and intensity, softer but good extract but somewhat oaky now. Finer style.Prices:| ON | $34.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Trapiche Malbec Single Vineyard Viña Finca Suarez Lastra 2009
La Consulta, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaVery savoury, spicy, liquorice, leather, black cherry, smoky, tobacco aromas. Dry, fresh, tight, elegant, juicy palate with vanilla, spicy, peppery, coffee, licorice, leather, prune plum, cherry jam, rooty, menthol flavours. Very warm finish but has good intensity of fruit but stronger oak now. Needs 3-5 years.Prices:| ON | $34.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Trapiche Malbec Single Vineyard Viña Jorge Miralles 2009
La Consulta, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBig black cherry jam, plum, peppery, spicy, liquorice, savoury, light barnyard, tobacco, smoky aromas. Dry, fresh, full, elegant but tight palate with fresh acidity. Chalky tannins with vanilla, cherry, plum, chocolate, peppery, spicy, mineral, liquorice, orange, tobacco, meaty, roasted, savory flavours. Good finesse but somewhat austere and tannic and warm on the finish. Needs quite a few years.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $40.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Nicolás Catena Zapata 2008
Mendoza, ArgentinaBig spicy, tobacco, peppery, black cherry, garrigue, tar, leather, tapenade, orange peel, cassis and barnyard aromas, very aromatic. Round, full, suave palate with grainy tannins a good acidity. Cassis jam, blood orange, vanilla, peppery, tobacco, savoury, five spice, olive flavours. Very good fruit and concentration but needs 4-6 years to fully round out.Prices:| AB | $80.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $110.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $83.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $75.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino 2008
Mendoza, ArgentinaFresh savoury, tobacco, peppery, dried herb nose with smoky, black cherry, rooty, vanilla, barnyard aromas. Dry, full, round, juicy acidity with some smooth but big tannin. Blackberry, black cherry, peppery, vanilla, spicy, chocolate, minty, orange peel flavours. Good fruit and intensity with some finesse, will benefit from 3-7 years aging. Several layers. All vineyards are going bio-dynamic.Prices:| ON | $89.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $99.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $97.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Ampakama Intenso Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Valle del Tulum, San Juan, ArgentinaPeppery, smoky, riparian, cassis, meaty, tobacco nose. Dry, round, slightly tannic palate with peppery, smoky, herbal, tobacco, cassis, roasted pepper, coffee flavours. On the cool side with green tannins on the finish.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
El Porvenir De Los Andes Laborum Tannat 2007
Cafayate, Calchaqui Valley, Salta, North, ArgentinaPeppery, chocolate, earthy, meaty, spicy, black cherry, smoky, vanilla aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy palate with light tannins. Cranberry, peppery, smoky, dried herbs, black cherry, chocolate, meaty, tobacco flavours. Good intensity and styling but young, needs 2-4 years. Clean and varietal, well done.Prices:| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Xumek Reserve Malbec Syrah 2009
San Juan, ArgentinaBlack berry, plum, peppery, meaty, licorice, vanilla, chocolate aromas. Dry, fresh, soft, juicy palate with light tannins. Blackberry, black plum, smoky, spicy, peppery, meaty, savoury, light vanilla flavours. There's bit of acidity pushing through but with good fruit and balance. Very solid.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Xumek Varietales Malbec 2010
San Juan, ArgentinaBlack berry, black cherry, liquorice, smoky, tobacco, earthy, peppery aromas. Dry, fresh supple palate with black cherry jam, orange, liquorice, earthy, tobacco, smoky, savoury, meaty flavours. A warm style (alcoholic) but with good fruit and balance.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Felix Lavaque Felix Malbec Tannat 2007
Cafayate, Calchaqui Valley, Salta, North, ArgentinaVery pepper, spicy, chocolate meaty, lifted, blackberry, cedar, vanilla, tobacco aromas. Dry, round, supple, more elegant palate, good acidity, but warm. Peppery, chocolate, prune, blackberry, barnyard, leather, smoky, roasted pepper, pruny flavors. Bit tart on the finish but has complexity and some length with some light tannins to shed. Best with grilled meat.Prices:| AB | $26.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Callia Magna Shiraz 2009
Valle del Tulum, San Juan, ArgentinaRoasted pepper, blackberry, spicy, savoury, cedar, tobacco, smoky, meaty aromas. Dry, round, supple but grainy tannins. Peppery, earthy, tobacco, black cherry, liquorice, meaty, smoky, vanilla, slightly leathery flavours. A bit too warm and simple despite its big structure. Needs 2-3 years to develop in bottle.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Tukma Malbec Reserva 2009
Calchaqui Valley, Salta, North, ArgentinaSpicy, prune, black cherry jam, tobacco, compost, barnyard, rooty aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy, supple palate with light tannins. Black cherry, riparian, tobacco, rooty earthy, spicy, peppery flavours. A bit tart on the finish but solid style with light tannins and cooler leafy characters.Prices:| MB | $20.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Telteca Anta Malbec 2009
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaFloral, black cherry jam, plum, spicy, vanilla, savoury, good fruit nose. Soft, round, fresh, easy palate with light tannins. Vanilla bean, coffee, peppery, savoury, tobacco, black cherry and herbal flavours. Solid commercial style but has some grip.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Finca Agostino Chardonnay Viognier 2010
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSimple style white wine with a sweet and sour bent. The textures are soft which leads to a lack of focus. There is a bit of butter in the grassy melon fruit. It is clean but otherwise too simple for the price.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Tukma Torrontés Reserva 2010
Calchaqui Valley, Salta, North, ArgentinaFloral, honey, ginger, nectarine, melon rind, spicy muscat nose. Dry, fresh, elegant, round, somewhat creamy but high acid palate. Spicy, ginger, green apple, lees, earthy, lemon flavours. Good intensity with texture and length and complexity.Prices:| MB | $23.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Ampakama Torrontés 2011
Valle del Tulum, San Juan, ArgentinaMelon rind, spicy, ginger, leesy, citrus rind aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy, dry palate with green apple, citrus, spicy, ginger, lemon, mineral flavours. Very fresh more food style on the leaner side.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
El Porvenir De Los Andes Laborum Torrontés 2011
Cafayate, Calchaqui Valley, Salta, North, ArgentinaNectarine, spicy ginger, red apple aromas. Dry, heavy, slightly soft, earthy, ginger, honey, green apple, citrus flavours. Lacks some intensity but has a creamy finish.Prices:| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Callia Reservado Torrontés 2010
Valle del Tulum, San Juan, ArgentinaOpen honey, ginger, lees, spicy, lemon oil aromas. Round, dry full palate with nectarine, ginger, lemon oil, spicy, mineral, floral flavours. Good intensity if a bit warm and heavy on the finish but solid style. Prices:| QC | $12.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Felix Lavaque Felix Torrontés 2010
Cafayate, Calchaqui Valley, Salta, North, ArgentinaFloral, spicy, ginger, honey, melon aromas. Fresh, dry, juicy, slightly warm palate with orange, honey, lees, ginger and sausage flavours. Good but a bit hot with a lemon oil finish.Prices:| AB | $26.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Escorihuela 1884 Reservado Syrah 2009
Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy, blackberry jam, black cherry, peppery, tobacco, cedar, vanilla, coconut aromas. Round, fresh, dry palate with light, gritty tannins. Licorice, mint, peppery, meaty, spicy, vanilla, cedar, tobacco, blackberry flavours. A bit fresh on the finish but has good fruit to go with a lamb leg.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Escorihuela 1884 Reservado Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Mendoza, ArgentinaBlackberry, cassis, savoury, rooty, cedar, Oxo. vanilla, chocolate, tobacco and prune aromas. Soft, round, fresh palate with cassis, black cherry, vanilla cream, peppery, leather and savoury herb flavours. Solid but lacks mid-palate.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Finca Flichman Syrah Roble 2010
Mendoza, ArgentinaMeaty, menthol, blackberry, roasted bell pepper, spicy aromas. Soft, round, easy palate with tobacco, peppery, earthy, light black cherry, and roasted bell pepper flavours. A simple, easy style for any barbecue at a fair price.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Finca Flichman Cabernet Sauvignon Roble 2010
Mendoza, ArgentinaFresh light peppery nose with bits of cassis and black cherry. The attack is warm and spicy with fresh cedar-y, black cherry, rooty flavours. A simple straight, mid-week hamburger red.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.00 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Finca Flichman Malbec Roble Oaked Aged 2010
Mendoza, ArgentinaBig barnyard, prune, saddle leather and cologne with coconut, savoury, meaty aromas. Dry, thin, light, leaner style with menthol, barnyard, saddle leather, medicinal flavours. A regression here to unclean times.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $10.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $9.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Trapiche Malbec Single Vineyard Viña Jorge Miralles 2008
La Consulta, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaPeppery, spicy, liquorice, tobacco, light barnyard, savoury, floral, black berry aromas. Dry, tight, elegant, supple palate yet slightly hollow and tight with fresh acidity. Coffee, black cherry, cassis, peppery, tobacco, savoury, herbal, mushroom flavours. A good red if lacking a bit of mid-palate stuffing and finishing on the warm side. Best with strong flavoured grilled meat.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $40.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Santa Julia Reserva Syrah Etiqueta Blanca 2010
Mendoza, ArgentinaBright peppery, rooty, spicy nose with meaty, light chocolate, blackberry aromas. The attack is soft and round, the palate fresh with smoky, savoury, spicy, cedar, meaty, peppery, black cherry flavours. A simple, easy style for pasta and meat but offers good balance and value.Prices:| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Finca Sophenia Malbec Reserve 2009
Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaOpen savoury, sausage meat, peppery, floral, spicy black cherry, rooty, tobacco aromas. Fresh, juicy, round palate with some warmth. Chocolate, tobacco, peppery, meaty, savoury, vanilla, black cherry, herbal, spicy flavours. Elegant, forward style for current drinking.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $17.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Argento Classic Malbec 2010
Mendoza, ArgentinaPrune, meaty, earthy, peppery, black cherry, savoury, aromas. Round, soft, fresh palate with cherry jam, tobacco leaf, savoury, herbal, peppery, roasted mushroom and licorice flavours. A bit reductive and chunky but has solid concentration to go with beef.Prices:| NF | $13.49 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Tapiz Malbec 2010
Mendoza, ArgentinaBarnyard, saddle leather, celery root, savoury, pruny, Oxo, roasted vegetable aromas. Round, smooth, flat palate with meaty, peppery, coffee, rooty, resiny, smoky, cherry, compost flavours. Finish is warm with a tart Oz edge.Prices:| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $19.50 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Tilia The Wines of Catena Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Mendoza, ArgentinaSlightly reduced nose with cassis, peppery, earthy, savoury, spicy, resiny aromas. Round, easy, dry palate with cedar, earthy, resin, herbal, cassis, olive flavours. Simple and fresh style.Prices:| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Tilia The Wines of Catena Malbec 2009
Mendoza, ArgentinaSausage meat, peppery, black cherry, savoury, tobacco leaf, spicy aromas but a slightly reduced nose. Round, soft, fresh palate, light weight with black cherry, peppery, tobacco leaf, savoury, earthy, meaty flavours. A bit hollow but solid fruit offering.Prices:| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Catena Alta Chardonnay 2008
Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaOh my, the Alta Chardonnay is amazing. Made lovingly with 100 per cent high altitude fruit (4,800'+) grown at the Adrianna vineyard in Tupungato this chardonnay should a scare the French. It's 100 per cent barrel fermented in French oak and while it's rich and mouth-filling the oak is not an issue. What you will love is the mealy, leesy, broioche that lays under ripe, red apple fruit that is persistent from front to back. Flecks of spice and butter and apricots only complex the slightly sweet finish. Fabulous value here in a terrific modern chardonnay with an Old World twist. This should be a wine list standard wherever the food is smart. Super value.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $32.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $39.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Catena Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Mendoza, ArgentinaCoffee, vanilla, tobacco, roast meat, peppery, leather, cassis, dried herb, savoury, black olive aromas. Round, smooth, easy palate with cologne, tobacco leaf, savoury, coffee bean, herbal, vanilla, leather flavours. Not a lot of appealing fruit here and must be served with grilled meat to best effect. Could be much better with a bit of ripe fruit. Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $21.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $24.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Catena Malbec 2008
Mendoza, ArgentinaChocolate, savoury, tobacco, prune, barnyard, sausage meat, peppery, black cherry jam aromas. Round, dry, smooth palate with very light tannins. Peppery, savoury, cedar, tobacco, chocolate, prune, black cherry, vanilla, orange peel and bay flavours. A bit short but offers solid varietal fruit and balance.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $29.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $17.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $24.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $24.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon (Estate Lots) 2007
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy, floral, savoury, cassis jam aromas mingled with meaty, leesy, barnyard resulting in a muddled, unclean nose. Dry, elegant, round palate with light, grainy tannins and fresh acidity. The attack is a mix of chocolate, vanilla, barnyard, saddle leather and meaty, menthol, tobacco, prune and cassis flavours. Good balance but this need to be cleaner to allow the sites and fruit to really shine.Prices:| BC | $47.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $44.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $48.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $54.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $54.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino 2007
Mendoza, ArgentinaBig savoury, spicy, barnyard, saddle leather, poultry spice, chocolate, roasted mushroom, black cherry, Oxo aromas. Full, round, rich palate but dry with some edgy tannins. Cedar, meaty, peppery, savoury, smoky, herbal, plum, olive, roasted carrot flavours. Finish is full but a bit short and hard. The 2008 appears cleaner and offers better balance.Prices:| ON | $89.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $99.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $97.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Nicolás Catena Zapata 2007
Mendoza, ArgentinaNicolás Catena Zapata is always a selection of the best cabernet sauvignon and malbec from across the company vineyards. The attack is rich and warm with generous soft tannins pushing in all directions. Look for savoury, dried herbs and black fruit aromas flecked with smoke, olives and caraway notes. Similar palate flavours with blackberry, garrigue and chocolate notes. Catena's super-Argentine red takes its name from Nicolas Catena's mother and also lends its moniker to the company's Mendoza winery. Drink now through 2017 and beyond.Prices:| AB | $80.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $110.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $83.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $75.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
El Enemigo Malbec 2009
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBig black cherry jam, saddle leather, spicy, poultry spice, tobacco, vanilla, tobacco aromas, very ripe fruit. Dry, elegant, slightly tannic palate with good finesse and balance. Savoury, vanilla, spicy, peppery, black cherry jam, licorice and light coffee flavours. Well balanced with nice fruit and some light tannins to carry through the next few years.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.95 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Alamos Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Mendoza, ArgentinaBlack olive, peppery, prune, minty, meaty, slightly rubbery aromas. Dry, slightly tart palate with light tannins. Cassis, peppery, savoury, meaty, herbal, leather, cedar bark and tobacco leaf flavours. Simple, fresh style.Prices:| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $15.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
The Show Malbec 2010
Mendoza, ArgentinaPrune, barnyard, gamey, black cherry, savoury, menthol, leesy, coffee bean aromas. Round, soft, fresh palate with black cherry, chocolate, peppery, cedar, rooty, coconut vanilla flavours. A very simple, commercial style. Not a value proposition.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Altos Las Hormigas Clasico Malbec 2009
Mendoza, ArgentinaSavoury, spicy, black cherry, herbal, tobacco, peppery, roast mushroom aromas. Fresh, dry, juicy palate with very light tannins. Cedar, black cherry, cassis, spicy, smoky, savoury, meaty flavours. Good solid balance and fruit at a fair price.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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14 February 2012
84PTS
Neck of the Woods Blanc de Noir Brut NV
Fraser Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGood fine continuous mousse. Bready, lees, garlic, apple skin aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy palate with some elegance. Green apple, nutty, lees, bready, light garlic and nettle flavours. Well balanced but with those bready/yeast characters on the nose it is a bit unclean.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Laya Garnacha Monastrell Vieilles Vignes 2009
Almansa, Castilla-La Mancha, SpainThe mix here is 70/30 garnacha tintorera and monastrell and it over delivers for the price. Give me a savoury fruit nose and flavour with some soft chalky tannins and I'm happy at this price. There a touch of oak to balance the liquorice and black fruit and the coffee notes. Perfect for grilled meats and again the price is terrific.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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12 February 2012
90PTS
Quails' Gate Late Harvest Totally Botrytis Affected Optima 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFresh floral, apricot, waxy, honey, baked apple, lime aromas with a touch of balsamic. Elegant, light, fresh palate with good acidity and sweetness balance. Green apple, honey, floral, spicy, lime and pear flavours with a touch of egg yolk. Nice finesse in a lighter style for current drinking now under screw cap so this will keep a long time.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 375ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 375ml |
| SK | $30.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $30.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Louis Latour Chardonnay Bourgogne 2010
FranceThis is one of the best Latour Bourgogne Blancs we have tasted in years. Honest, inexpensive, 'Burgundy'-like with a fresh floral nose flecked hints of butter and green apple skin. The palate is fresh and lean with a touch of texture and richness from the malolactic fermentation and freshness, complexity and persistence of flavour throughout. Well done and affordable. Great for an assortment of West Coast fish.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $22.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $21.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Yalumba Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz The Signature 2004
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaPrune, coffee, tobacco leaf, black olive, light barnyard, saddle leather, cedar, smoky, cassis, savoury aromas. Full, round, dry palate with some light tannin. Smoky, vanilla, coffee, rooty, tobacco, leather, prune, cooked cassis, olive, clove, dill and peppery flavours. Finish is a bit tart and chunky with some tea tannins. Nearing maturity, perhaps 2-3 more years.Prices:| BC | $68.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $52.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $60.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Miguel Torres Santa Digna Estelado Rosé 2011
Valle del Curicó, Region del Valle Central, ChileAn interesting ode to the first grape variety planted in Chile back in 1550s. It was known as Listán Prieto in Spain, in New World colonies it was tagged the mission grape while in Chile it would become país. Today it is estimated that there are some 15,000 hectares of pais, second only to cabernet sauvignon. The vines are concentrated in the dry interior and coastal areas of the Maule and Bio Bío regions where they are an amazing 8000 producers. Expect a pale raspberry colour with some medium mousse and fresh floral, earthy, tobacco, cherry aromas. The attack is crisp and in the drier style with spicy, tobacco, floral, strawberry, citrus flavours. Perfect for finger foods.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Delas Côtes-du-Ventoux 2009
Ventoux, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceVery spicy, clove, cinnamon, garrigue, black cherry, licorice, sausage meat aromas with a bit of roasted prune. Smooth, round, dry, warm palate with peppery, meaty, smoky, savoury, black cherry and tobacco flavours with a cooked berry finish. Solid value for current drinking.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Delas Saint Esprit Côtes du Rhône 2009
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceSpicy, peppery, black cherry, carbonic, meaty, savoury, smoky rosemary aromas. Soft, round, smooth palate with fresh acidity and very light tannins. Black cherry, peppery, licorice, chocolate, meaty, savoury, thyme flavours. Good solid fruit and acidity if a bit light on extract.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Wynns Coonawarra Estate John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon Limited Release 2005
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaCassis, spicy, floral, blueberry, coffee, vanilla, peppery, black olive, rooty, leather, light cedar and menthol aromas. Dry, round, fresh, slightly tannic but elegant palate but slightly lighter extract. Vanilla, smoky, coffee, black olive, tobacco leaf, cedar, menthol, cassis, blueberry and herb flavours. More elegant cool style that will age well another three to five years.Prices:| BC | $69.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Quails' Gate Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoky, tobacco leaf, leesy, light mercaptan, black olive, light asparagus, peppery, leather aromas. Dry, fresh, light palate with smoky, leafy, herbal, weedy, cassis, tobacco leaf, dill, vanilla, coffee flavours. A leaf, oaky style for current consumption.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Yalumba FDR1A Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz 2008
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaOpen fruity nose with cassis, blueberry, peppery, liquorice, vanilla, tobacco, and light barnyard, coffee and cedar aromas. Round, dry, supple, elegant palate with peppery, vanilla, clove, coffee, chocolate, leather, cedar, tobacco, blueberry and cassis flavours. Finish has a bit of tar and liquorice with a cigar note. Good finesse and balance, drinkable now but could use 2-4 years to integrate the oak. Well done.Prices:| BC | $32.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Yalumba Cabernet Sauvignon Menzies The Cigar 2009
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaSmoky, tobacco leaf, peppery, rooty, menthol, warm cedar, coffee, vanilla, cassis and resin aromas. Soft, light, round, thin palate with a sweet and sour entry. Cedar, tobacco leaf, prune, dill, weedy, peppery, smoky, coffee flavours. Finish is light and pruney with weedy notes. Roasted beef is the ticket here.Prices:| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Maggio Vineyards Petite Sirah 2009
Lodi, Central Valley, California, United StatesBlackberry, plum, coffee, vanilla bean, chocolate, tobacco, rooty, clove aromas. Soft, round, warm, slightly sweet palate with clove, coffee cube, vanilla bean, rooty, cedar bark, prune and blackberry flavours. A simple, easy, commercial style.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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11 February 2012
85PTS
Devil's Rock Pfalz Riesling 2010
Pfalz, GermanyBruised apple nose with bits of petrol and citrus but not quite as fresh as previous editions. Similar buttery bruise fruit flavours mark the palate. Still a good effort for the price. Ready to drink now.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
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10 February 2012
90PTS
Chateau d'Or et de Gueules Les Cimels 2009
Costières de Nîmes, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceBig black cherry jam, smoky, savoury, meaty, peppery, garrigue, liquorice, tapenade and floral aromas. Dry, elegant but slightly tight with some youthful tannins and juicy acidity. Big rich attack of peppery, smoky, resin, garrigue and black cherry fruit flecked with raspberry, tobacco, black pepper and liquorice flavours. Good juicy style with some structure and intensity but will need a few years to round out or try with roast duck or lamb. Worth trying.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
El Petit Bonhomme 2010
Jumilla, Valencia and Murcia, SpainMeaty, peppery, black cherry, black raspberry, tobacco, floral and cedar aromas. Dry, fresh, slightly lean palate with light dry tannins but juicy. Liquorice, smoky, peppery, meaty, black cherry and cassis flavours with a warm, savoury finish. Warm and fruity offers solid value for grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Caliterra Tributo Carmenere Single Vineyard Block Vignoble Boldo 2009
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileBig spicy, bay leaf, sappy, cassis, tobacco, floral, vanilla, cedar, black cherry and herb aromas. Soft, round, fresh, supple palate with cedar, savoury, peppery, smoky, bay leaf, tobacco, cassis, resin and vanilla coconut flavours. Finish is a bit dry and tannic and chewy. Keep a year or two or try with an earthy meat.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Masi Brolo Campofiorin Oro 2008
Verona, Veneto, ItalyThis special selection of Campofiorin offers up a savoury, chocolate, tobacco, cherry jam, dried fig, meaty, resiny, almond and floral nose. The attack is rich and smooth the palate warm with juicy acidity and a bit of sweetness. Balsamic, dried cherry, smoky, chocolate, tobacco, prune, vanilla and savoury herb flavours. Finish is very smoky, cigar, vanilla and prune flavours with some tannins to shed. Save this for your winter osso buco or lamb stew. Well and and good value.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $27.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Unconventional Wisdom Naysayer Cabernet Franc 2009
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaEarthy, smoky, saddle leather, cedar, cranberry, prune, briary, riparian, tobacco aromas. Dry, elegant but tight palate with some chewy tannins and juicy acidity. Cedar, vanilla, olive, tobacco leaf, peppery, rooty, smoky, leather, cranberry, cherry flavours. Finish is very warm and a bit sweet and sour with some dry tannins and lots of oak. Needs a few years to settle down. A good start for an inaugural release.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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09 February 2012
87PTS
Quails' Gate Old Vines Foch Reserve 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAnother year another classic foch reserve. Rich gamey cedar-y meaty this wine has bit of the 'it' factor that compensates for its lowly DNA. The flavours are big mixing espresso and cedar with game, spice and leather. The finish is fresh with a good dollop of toasted oak. Try this with venison.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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07 February 2012
84PTS
Nederburg Shiraz Viognier Foundation 2009
Western Cape, South AfricaSpicy, peppery, prune, smoky, light game, earthy aromas. Fresh, round, slightly lean palate with prune, peppery, blueberry, smoky earth, leather, tobacco and ginger flavours. Finish is somewhat hot and acidic. Okay but lacks balance and concentration.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Nederburg Sauvignon Blanc The Winemaster's Reserve 2011
Western Cape, South AfricaAsparagus, grassy, light grapefruit, nettle aromas. Fresh, juicy, crisp, slightly oily palate with a hint of sweetness. Grapefruit, cooked gooseberry, lemon, nettle flavours. Simple, easy style and good value.Prices:| AB | $11.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $14.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Tussock Nelson Pinot Noir 2007
South Island, New ZealandSimple, clean, easy-drinking style of pinot noir with an earthy stemmy undercurrent. The fruit is bright and red with fairly marked savoury, resiny, dried herb highlights. Ready to drink if not a bit tired.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $30.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Nederburg Shiraz The Winemasters Reserve 2009
Western Cape, South AfricaGamey, rubber, earthy, prune, peppery, smoked shoe leather, barnyard aromas. Smooth, round, dry palate with light extract. Resiny, smoky leather, barnyard, peppery, prune and roast meat flavours.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.45 | 750ml |
| NS | $12.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Obikwa Shiraz 2011
Western Cape, South AfricaSimilar to the last edition the highly affordable Obikwa Shiraz comes with a smoky, spicy, saddle leather nose The attack is soft with some sweetness; the palate a mix of leather, coffee, resin, smoky, meat and plum flavours. Your basic pizza or barbecue rib red.Prices:| BC | $10.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $10.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $9.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $10.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Cape Roca Fisherman Vinho Regional Tejo Red 2009
Tejo, Central and Southern Portugal, PortugalVery floral, spicy, black raspberry, cherry jam, rooty aromas. Fresh, round, tart palate with pomegranate, peppery, rooty, licorice, black raspberry flavours. Fruity but very tart.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Cape Roca Lighthouse Douro Red 2007
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalBig smoky oak, vanilla, cedar, tobacco, prune, coffee, meaty aromas. Dry, fresh, slightly lean palate with fresh acidity. Coffee, prune, oaky, peppery, prune, cherry jam, meaty, floral flavours. Some intensity but very tart, warm finish.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Painted Rock Red Icon 2009
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig espresso, chocolate, cedar, vanilla, prune, tobacco, liquorice, resin, savoury aromas with a bit of cherry jam and cranberry. Dry, fresh, somewhat tart entry with light, grainy tannins. Intense vanilla, cedar, smoky coffee, chocolate, resin, licorice, meaty, tobacco, prune and tobacco leaf flavours. Finish is very warm and oaky. This needs at least five years to better integrate in bottle but that said we would love to see this blend back off the new oak and add a bit of fruitiness and terroir.Prices:| BC | $55.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Yarden Mount Herman 2009
Galilee, IsraelTobacco ash, black tea, peppery, barnyard, soupy, compost aromas. Dry, fresh, round, supple palate with tobacco leaf, compost, peppery, cranberry, tea leaf and cassis flavours. Finish is somewhat tart and compost. Needs more fruit ripeness at this price level.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Undurraga Altazor 2007
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileOpen spicy, bay leaf, cassis, black cherry, coffee, vanilla, cedar, tobacco, meaty, black olive, savoury aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant but slightly lean palate with smooth tannins. Cassis, sappy, menthol, peppery, bay leaf, savoury, smoky, vanilla, chocolate, smoked meat and olive flavours. Balanced but seems to lack mid-palate concentration with a somewhat herbal/cedary, celery salt finish.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Cenit 2007
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileBig cassis jam, spicy, peppery, tobacco, bay leaf, black cherry, savoury, vanilla, coffee, leather and sage aromas. Dry, elegant, slightly lean palate with juicy acidity and light tannins. Black olive, minty, cassis, sappy, riparian, tobacco, vanilla, prune, coffee, resin and dried herb flavours. Finish has some length but shows some tea leaf tannins - on the green side. Good nose but palate is lacking - solid but not exceptional.Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $60.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Chateau Laborie Portraits 2005
Cotes de Castillon, Cotes de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, FranceBig tobacco leaf, green cedar bark, peppery, rooty, cranberry aromas. Dry, thin, tight, tart palate with cedary tannins. Earthy, spicy, cedar bark, barnyard, herbal, olive and green leaf flavours.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Yalumba Bush Vine Grenache Barossa 2009
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaEach block of the Barossa Bush Vine Grenache is crushed as separate parcel some with their stems in. The initial ferment begins with indigenous yeast wild some batches are left on skins post ferment. It's a recipe for complexity. The fruit is red with bits of plums, black liquorice and savoury notes. The attack is similar fresh with bits of pomegranate and currants and tannins. Lamb chops, pork ribs and or sausages will all work here.Prices:| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Laughing Stock Vineyards Portfolio +29/09 2009
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCedar, resin, smoky oak, black olive, tobacco leaf, tea leaf, prune, earthy, vanilla, cassis and rustic/wild aromas. The attack is dry and elegant with light, firm tannins. Smoky oak, cedar, coffee, tobacco leaf, cassis, cranberry, chocolate, vanilla, and liquorice root flavours. Balanced but shows cool fruit characters and a big dose of oak. Give it 2-3 years to integrate. The 'futures' release price is a modest $35.Prices:| BC | $42.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Bouchard Aîné & Fils Pinot Noir Heritage du Conseiller 2010
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceCedar bark, barnyard, rooty, tobacco, peppery, savoury nose. Dry, tart, lean palate with rhubarb, cedar bark, peppery, resin, and smoky herb flavours. Not much pinot character and fruit here.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Taltarni Three Monks Cabernet Merlot 2007
Victoria, AustraliaEarthy, tea leaf, tobacco, compost, cassis, barnyard, slightly reduced rubber nose. Fresh, slightly tannic palate with a bit of sweet and sour on entry. Cedar, peppery, rooty, resin, cranberry, cassis, tobacco, compost flavours. Finish is warm, somewhat tart and rustic.Prices:| US | $14.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
CedarCreek Cabernet Merlot 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCranberry, cherry, tobacco leaf, peppery, spicy, cedar, saddle leather aromas. Dry, tight, somewhat lean and tart entry with smoky oak, peppery, rhubarb, resin, cranberry, prune and cedar flavours. Good nose but too acidic on the palate and finish.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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06 February 2012
89PTS
Gérard Bertrand Grand Terroir Tautavel 2008
Tautavel, Côtes du Roussillon Villages, Roussillon, Sud de France, FranceRich open, tobacco, gamey, black pepper blackberry jam nose flecked with cedar, chocolate and smoky, savoury notes. Rich, round, smooth, suave palate with poultry spice, licorice, blackberry, meaty, smoky, coffee, peppery, ginger, orange peel flavours with a slightly pruny edge. The finish is warm but with fine fruit and concentration with some tannin to round out over the next few years.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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04 February 2012
90PTS
Bottega Vino degli Dei Amarone della Valpolicella 2008
Pedemonte Valpolicella, Verona, Veneto, ItalyHuge black cherry jam, kirsch, orange compote, tobacco nose with notes of game, pepper and savoury, vanilla floral aromas. Ripe, round, rich, full, smooth and warm palate but good acidity and only slight sweetness. Peppery, black berry, black cherry jam, prune, smoky, tobacco, spicy, chocolate, olive and Christmas cake flavours. Big and fruity but a very warm finish. A winter wine.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Bottega Vino degli Dei Amarone della Valpolicella 2009
Pedemonte Valpolicella, Verona, Veneto, ItalyLiquorice, peppery, smoky, tobacco, black cherry, meaty, prune, ash and orange peel aromas. Very ripe, round, warm, supple palate with good acidity and a slight prickle. Prune black cherry jam, Christmas cake, tobacco, peppery, chocolate, licorice and rooty flavours. Good concentration and fruit but very warm on the finish.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Cusumano Nero d'Avola 2010
Sicily, ItalyFloral, cherry jam, spicy, meaty, red liquorice, plum, blood orange and dried herb aromas. Fresh, smooth, supple, elegant palate with spicy, tobacco, licorice, black raspberry, orange and plum flavours. Finish is a bit tart but has good fruit and balance to go with pork or duck. Solid value.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $10.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Jackson-Triggs Chardonnay Gold Series 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaHoney, butterscotch, baked peach, vanilla, waxy nose. Soft, round, slightly fat and oily palate with butterscotch, baked apple, honey, lees, pear, peach skin flavours. Finish is a bit sweet and too buttery on the finish. A bit old style now, this style needs a makeover.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Cuvee Jean Paul Gascogne Blanc de Blancs Sec 2010
Cotes de Gascogne, Sud-Ouest, FranceBig sweaty grapefruit, gooseberry, lemon, grassy, nettle aromas. Dry, round, fresh, juicy but slightly austere. Very sweaty, canned grapefruit juice, herbal, grassy, gooseberry flavours. Pretty fresh, green style.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Fort Berens Chardonnay 2010
British Columbia, CanadaLight nutty, lees, spicy, honey, butterscotch aromas. Fresh, round, dry, slightly flat palate with leesy, nutty, garlic, buttery diacetyl, nettle and apple skin flavours. Lacks mid-palate flavour depth but showing promise.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Drouhin Vaudon Chablis Reserve de Vaudon 2010
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceDelicious example of straight up Chablis made from fruit grown bio-dynamically at yields of about 55 hl/ha. The fermentation and ageing is all stainless steel for 7 to 8 months. Elegant chardonnay with a touch of seashore and chalk on the nose. Fresh and bright with fine acidity and ripe apple fruit. Just enough complexity to draw you back to the next glass. Well done.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $32.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $32.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Frescobaldi Giramonte 2008
Tuscany, ItalyThe Giramonte vineyard is at Tenuta di Castiglioni in the commune of Montespertoli about half hour drive outside the walls of Florence. A mix of clay and sand it's a perfect site for merlot that is closing in 20 years in the ground at 250 metres above sea level. Look for a rich nose of vanilla, cedar, smoky cherry jam and plums flecked with orange peel, anise, and peppery, dried herbs and earthy aromas. The attack is dry and but slightly austere with some young, grainy tannins but fine acidity. Cedar, pepper, earthy, vanilla, cola, black cherry, liquorice flavours fade into tobacco, leather, smoky herb, cardamom and eucalyptus notes on the finish. Good finesse but young and somewhat closed and hard on the palate currently. Needs three to five years to fully open out.Prices:| BC | $86.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $86.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $85.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $79.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Tantalus Chardonnay 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaButter, cedar, vanilla, lees, apple juice, lemon aromas. Round, dry, slightly oily and lean palate with apple skin, lees, nutty, spicy, waxy, buttery, lemon flavours. A very lean, leesy style in search of abit more fruit and texture.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $23.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Devil's Lair Chardonnay 2009
Margaret River, Western Australia, AustraliaCitrusy, waxy, nutty lees, spicy, baked apple aromas with a grassy note. Dry, fresh, elegant, light palate with green apple, leesy, spicy, nutty, grassy, orange, mineral flavours. Delicate and fresh but lacking some depth and complexity in the finish.Prices:| AB | $42.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $42.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Cape Roca Fisherman Vinho Verde NV
Vinho Verde, Northern Portugal, PortugalVery floral, green apple, lemon, grapefruit aromas. Fresh, juicy, light palate with some sweetness. Grapefruit, lemon drop, grassy, floral, honey flavours. Simple, easy drinking style for the summer.Prices:| US | $10.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Cuvée Mythique Blanc 2010
Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceEarthy, quince, light floral, lemon oil, grassy aromas. Dry, round, slightly lean palate with grapefruit, lemon, grassy, nettle flavours with a light floral, butter finish. A leaner style for calamari. Perhaps a Stelvin would be better.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Caliterra Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2011
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileSmoky jalapeno, grassy, nettle, grapefruit rind, floral nose with a touch of passion fruit. Fresh, juicy, slightly sweet but crisp palate with grapefruit rind, earthy, nettle, grassy, artichoke and tinned asparagus flavours. A cool, green style. Try it with mussels.Prices:| QC | $11.75 | 750ml |
| BC | $12.45 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Quails' Gate Old Vines Foch 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoky, gamey, sweaty, riparian, coffee, black cherry aromas. Dry, fresh, round, slightly tannic entry with smoky tomato leaf, peppery, vanilla, coffee, resin, riparian, herbal, leather flavours. Balanced but with a big smoky/gamey finish.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $24.99 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Masi Masianco 2010
Verona, Veneto, ItalyAlmond, lees, butter, lemon rind, grassy aromas. Dry, lean, crisp palate with grapefruit rind, butter, floral, marzipan and bitter herbal flavours. Not up to the usual quality and flavours here. The artificial cork has to go.Prices:| AB | $14.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $17.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Clos du Val Zinfandel 2009
Napa Valley, California, United StatesVery spicy, peppery, prune, black cherry, liquorice root, smoky, light barnyard aromas. Round, dry, fresh, somewhat elegant palate with black berry, smoky, licorice, peppery, black olive, leather flavours. Restrained but elegant style.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $23.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $25.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Hester Creek Limited Edition The Judge 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSaddle leather, soy, cassis, coffee, vanilla, cedar, barnyard, tobacco aromas. Dry, fresh, round, elegant palate with light tannins. A better mid-palate here but still strong on the smoky, resin, coffee, and cedar cranberry fruit coated with vanilla. Well balanced and savoury but too much obvious oak.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Hester Creek Character Estate Red Blend 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFresh tobacco leaf, green bean, green olive, cedar, resin, smoky nose with bits of roasted coffee bean and sagebrush aromas. Round, dry, supple palate but in a lean dry style. Similar flavours on the palate with a smoky oak, cedar finish. Texture is fine but it's a bit to herbaceous at this point.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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02 February 2012
86PTS
Codorníu Cuvée Clásico Brut Organic Cava NV
Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, Penedès, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainNot much changed here but consistent quality each year. The nose has fresh citrus, nutty, spicy, lees, apple skin and floral aromas. Round, soft, light mousse with a touch of sweetness. Fruity green apple, ginger, citrus, honey and toasted almonds flavours with a bit of extra body from the bit of chardonnay in the blend. Good value in a simpler style.Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $17.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.03 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.75 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.95 | 750ml |
| PEI | $18.59 | 750ml |
| NL | $1972.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Russell A Wee Angry Scotch Ale NV
British Columbia, CanadaGood fine light brown head with a spicy, malty, molasses, earthy, fruity nose. Fresh, rich, full bodied style with some sweetness and light bitterness. Roasted barley, toffee. Earthy, molasses, spicy flavours with a lightly bitter finish. A bit sweet but well balanced.Prices:| BC | $5.50 | 650ml |
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March 2012