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Tastings: March 2012
29 March 2012
85PTS
Paul & Phillipe Zinck Crémantd'Alsace Brut NV
Alsace, FranceLight yellow colour with solid, fine mousse. Nutty, creamy, floral, lemon, baked pear, green apple, slate aromas. Fresh, foamy, crisp, dry palate with an austere edge. Marzipan, toasty, green apple, citrus, lemon oil, earthy, ginger flavours. Somewhat severe and very toasty on the finish.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $23.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
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28 March 2012
88PTS
Sandhill Chardonnay Sandhill Estate Vineyard 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSandhill has done a fine job managing this vineyard and trimming the oak and fat out of this wine. The 2010 offers up some enticing honey, spicy, baked apple, vanilla and lees character with peach, butterscotch and oatmeal notes. The attack is fresh and juicy if slightly sweet with more butter, vanilla, nutty lees, pineapple, honey, baked apple and lemon flavours. The finish is a bit warm but with solid fruit and balance.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $18.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $17.00 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Echeverria Merlot Classic Collection 2010
Region del Valle Central, ChileCedar bark tobacco leaf, prune, berry jam, crushed leaf, and herbal aromas. Round, smooth, soft palate with light tannins and a bit of sweetness. Crushed leaf, tobacco ash, peppery, rooty, resin, milk chocolate and cedar bark. Green tea and bark finish. Disappointing.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Equus Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileGrapefruit rind, passion fruit, gooseberry, nettle, herbal aromas. Fresh, crisp, dry, juicy palate but a bit austere. Lemon, grapefruit, grassy, jalapeno, artichoke, passion fruit flavours with a bitter, rind-y finish.Prices:| BC | $15.21 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.24 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Margaret River, Western Australia, AustraliaBig peppery, tobacco leaf, riparian, black olive, dill, compost, coffee, rubbery, smoky herb aromas. Fresh, dry, elegant but slightly lean and tart. Spicy, cassis, smoky, espresso, charred oak, tobacco leaf, roasted bell pepper, vanilla, green bean flavours. Elegant but very herbal, cool style with some oak and tannins to lose.Prices:| ON | $37.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $42.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $42.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $37.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Obikwa Chenin Blanc 2011
Western Cape, South AfricaFloral, peach skin, baked pear, matchstick, apple aromas. Ripe, round, fresh, juicy and slightly sweet palate with pear, grapefruit, honey, floral, apple flavours. Juicy, easy, attractive consumer style. Good value.Prices:| BC | $10.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $9.25 | 750ml |
| SK | $10.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $8.49 | 750ml |
| ON | $8.50 | 750ml |
| NS | $9.99 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Santa Rita Merlot 120 2010
Region del Valle Central, ChileSpicy, savoury, tobacco leaf, olive, cherry, cedar bark, menthol aromas. Fresh, juicy, slightly tannic palate with cedar bark, earthy, meaty, prune, cherry, chocolate and sappy, cassis flavours with a bay and menthol finish. Very herbaceous style. Try this with a big juicy hamburger.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $10.15 | 750ml |
| NF | $13.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2008
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileSappy, minty, cassis, peppery, bay leaf, tobacco, olive and chocolate aromas. Soft, full, round palate with light tannins. Cedar bark, peppery, coffee, resin, rooty, tobacco leaf, cassis, sappy, riparian flavours with a hint of sweetness on the finish. Too much oak and cedar to really enjoy especially without food.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.90 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
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82PTS
J. P. Chenet Cabernet - Syrah 2010
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FrancePrune, meaty, cooked berry, tobacco leaf, resin, chocolate aromas. Soft, round, smooth, somewhat sweet palate with herbal, tobacco leaf, prune, prickly, compost flavours. No joy here.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $14.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $13.50 | 750ml |
| NF | $13.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
J. P. Chenet Premier de Cuvee Merlot - Cabernet Reserve 2010
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FrancePeppery, cassis, bell pepper, tobacco leaf, earthy, gamey aromas. Soft, round, smooth, sweet palate with cedar bark, milk chocolate, cassis jam, cherry, rooty flavours. Very tart and sweet finish with dried cedar.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $14.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $13.50 | 750ml |
| NF | $13.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Domaine Serres Mazard Cuvée Henri Serres 2007
Corbières, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceBig black olive tapenade, smoky, savoury, licorice, meaty, black cherry and pepper aromas. Full, round, dry, supple palate with smoky, black olive, meaty, garrigue, black cherry, saddle leather and licorice root flavours. Fresh acidity and good intensity lend this to accompany lamb or beef stew. Very good value here stock up.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Wolf Blass Yellow Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
South Australia, AustraliaSomewhat consistent minty, tobacco, cassis, earthy nose flecked with pepper and cedar. Ripe, round, fresh and smooth with that requisite tart back end and more cassis, sour cherry, spicy, peppery, earthy, compost flavours. Solid effort if a bit tart in the finish with some lean tannins. Best with grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $18.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.45 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $19.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $18.00 | 750ml |
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27 March 2012
88PTS
Pfaff Steinert Pinot Gris Grand Cru 2008
Alsace, FranceHoney, guava, orange, baked pear, spicy, green apple and citrus aroma with a rose note. Full, rich, slightly soft palate with some sweetness but juicy. Butter, honey, ginger, spicy, earthy, guava, orange peels and wax flavours. Balanced sweetness to go with Indian or spicy Chinese food.Prices:| BC | $34.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Hugel Gentil 2010
Alsace, FrancePear, red apple, matchstick, spicy, floral, peach, ginger aromas. Fresh, crisp, somewhat austere and dry palate with a light oily texture. Ginger, green apple, pear, grapefruit, grassy flavours. A bit green on the finish with light extract but clean.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.45 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $22.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Hugel Pinot Blanc "Blanc de Blancs" 2008
Alsace, FranceEarthy, floral, pear skin, struck matchstick aromas with a hint of citrus. Fresh, juicy, elegant palate with pear, green apple, citrus, earthy, light lees flavours. Finish is a bit lean and buttery but juicy and well balanced.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Lucien Albrecht Gewurztraminer Reserve 2009
Alsace, FranceIntense rose perfume, spicy, ginger, lychee, peach skin, red apple and slate aromas. Round, fresh, soft palate with some sweetness but elegant. Ripe peach, honey, ginger, soapy, rose water, spicy, lemon oil flavours with a long lychee finish. Good finesse and intensity if a touch soft on the finish. Very textbook varietal. Try with chicken korma or spicy basil prawns.Prices:| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Paul & Phillipe Zinck Pinot Blanc 2009
Alsace, FranceRipe pear, floral, quince, citrus, red apple, light lemon oil aromas. Round, fresh, slightly soft and quite sweet entry with baked pear, citrus, earthy, leesy, butter flavours. Simple, easy, consumer summer sipper or for spicy food to balance the sweetness.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $17.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Torres Perpetual 2009
Priorato, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainBig spicy, fresh cherry, plum, liquorice, peppery, orange peel, meaty, leather aromas. Fresh, juicy, smooth but dry palate with peppery, black liquorice, cherry, plum, earthy, chocolate, chalky, cedar, vanilla and garrigue flavours. Youthful with good fruit and some grainy tannins, needs 2-3 years to soften. Impressive.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $52.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $41.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Jean Leon Merlot 2010
Penedès, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainCherry jam, tobacco, spicy, milk chocolate, vanilla, black olive, light dill aromas. Dry, somewhat tart palate with light tannins. Cedar bark, chocolate, cherry, olive, tobacco leaf, herbal flavours. Light, slightly oaky style. Less wood and more terroir is the route this wine is headed and that is a good thing.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Jean Leon Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva 2001
Penedès, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainChocolate, roast meat, barnyard, saddle leather, medicinal, tobacco, pruny, cassis, peppery aromas. Dry, somewhat tart, slightly tannic palate with earthy, prune, coffee, vanilla, dill, black olive, tobacco ash, peppery, saddle leather, Band-Aid flavours. Somewhat old, leaner style that needs drinking and with rare roast beef.Prices:| ON | $28.95 | 750ml |
| BC | $38.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Paul & Phillipe Zinck Pinot Gris 2008
Alsace, FranceLemon oil, floral, green apple, ginger, buttery, quince aromas with a nutty lees note. Fresh, juicy, somewhat lean palate with baked apple skin, pear, nutty, mineral, Meyer lemon, waxy, toasty flavours. Very crisp, slightly leesy style now mature.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Jean Leon Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2005
Penedès, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainSpicy, green bean, floral, cassis, cedar, blackberry, crushed herb, sappy, saddle leather, tobacco, dill and coffee aromas. Very dry, somewhat austere palate with light, cedary grainy and fresh acidity. Cassis, black olive, green bean, tobacco leaf, peppery, rooty, earthy, meaty, cedar flavours. A dry, somewhat leaner, cool style that will be best with grilled beef. The blend is 85/15 cabernet sauvignon cabernet franc.Prices:| ON | $28.95 | 750ml |
| BC | $38.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Ernest Preiss Riesling 2009
Alsace, FranceSpicy, earthy, lemon oil, green apple, light petrol, pear and slate aromas. Dry, fresh, crisp, full but elegant with light petrol, green apple, pear, waxy, citrus and quince flavours. Good intensity and balance with nice acidity and showing a bit of butter and citrus rind in a more full but austere style. Try with sole and lemon or scallops. Good value for Alsace.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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25 March 2012
88PTS
Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesThis northwest cabernet blends fruit from across the Columbia Valley in eastern Washington including Cold Creek, Canoe Ridge Estate and Indian Wells vineyards all aged in 16 months in 31 percent new American and French oak. The blend is 83/9 cabernet sauvignon and merlot with minor amounts of syrah, malbec, cabernet franc and petit verdot. Look for an expressive style with peppery, black fruit aromas with similar cran-cherry fruit flavours. The finish is round and warm with dried herbs and smoky vanilla highlights. Try this with roast pork.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Boutari Naoussa 2008
Naousa, Makedonia, GreeceAlways earthy and peppery on the nose you also pick up hints of black cherry, liquorice and smoky meaty notes. The style is Euro lean with a dry, tight palate all with a modicum of suppleness. The flavours follow the nose with black cherry, sage, leather flavours leading and some prominent acidity in the finish. Try this with grilled lamb for best results. Naoussa is made using the indigenous and ancient grape variety: xynomavro.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $16.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $13.45 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Obikwa Merlot 2010
Western Cape, South AfricaOpen spicy smoky rubber nose with leafy black fruit notes. The attack is soft with a mix of sweet peppery fruit saved by a dry, finish. A solid barbecue red at a very affordable price.Prices:| AB | $10.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $10.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Santa Rita Shiraz 120 2010
Region del Valle Central, ChileSmoky, peppery, sausage meat, liquorice/black cherry aromas with bits of dried herbs. Round, fresh, smooth, suave palate with more black cherry, smoky, rosemary, black olive flavours flecked with resin, pepper and savoury, berry fruit finish. Good solid varietal effort and a fine value.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $10.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $12.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon 120 2010
Region del Valle Central, ChileSlightly reduced nose with peppery, earthy, cassis, cedar, and herb and olive aromas. Fresh, round, smooth palate with cedar bark, peppery, rooty, earthy, cassis, smoky, tobacco, bay and resin flavours. Straight up consumer style.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $9.75 | 750ml |
| ON | $9.45 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.19 | 750ml |
| SK | $11.94 | 750ml |
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24 March 2012
86PTS
Flying Solo Grenache Syrah 2011
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceFlying Solo honours the famous "Aeropostale" who flew solo from Toulouse to Barcelona and eventually on to North Africa and South America using Domaine Gayda's Tree of Moscou (L'Arbre de Moscou) as a key visual reference. As for the wine the grenache/syrah blend offers up a fresh raspberry a scent with chalky, mineral red fruit flavours in a soft easy sipping style. Perfect for summer picnics and barbecues.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Real de Aragon Cava NV
Penedès, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainMedium fine mousse with lemon, almond, quince, floral, nutty aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy, off dry palate with slightly foamy mousse. Peach, honey, nutty, lemon, quince and red apple flavours. A bit tart on the finish but has good fruit intensity and length, more so than one would expect from the nose and the price. Enjoy this with tapas.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $19.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Kiwi Walk Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandClassic, zingy Marlborough sauvignon with passion fruit, lemon grass and fresh tropical fruit aromas and flavours and plenty of bright acidity. The food match is mussels but it will be just as fine with clams steamed in tomatoes and garlic.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Antiyal Carmenere Vinedo Escorial 2010
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileThis Álvaro Espinoza carmenère is made with bio-dynamically farmed fruit fermented in concrete eggs. Look for liquorice, minty, bay leaf, cassis, vanilla, earthy, saddle leather, coconut, coffee, light chocolate aromas. Ripe, round, smooth, suave palate with cassis, peppery, tobacco leaf, minty, chocolate, rooty, liquorice, vanilla and saddle leather flavours with a touch of roast meat. A well-balanced carmenère that should improve over the next year or two in bottle. Prices:| US | $60.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Riesling 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLime, marzipan, green apple, matchstick, light petrol aromas. Fresh, round, off dry palate with green apple skin, pear, honey, grapefruit rind and lemon oil flavours with a touch of lime rind on the finish. Juicy, slightly austere style. Try it with spicy sushi favourites.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $25.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Schloss Schönborn Hattenheimer Pfaffenberg Riesling Kabinett (Feinherb) 2010
Rheingau, GermanyThis medium dry style has a touch of Vaseline with green apple skin, almond, matchstick, pear and honey aromas. Fresh, juicy, off dry palate with lightness previews its spicy, pear, almond, baked green apple, floral, citrus flavours. Finish is quite tart with a bit of bitter citrus rind.Prices:| BC | $32.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Trimbach Riesling 2009
Alsace, FranceBaked pear, lemon, floral, marzipan, light petrol aromas. Dry, fresh, somewhat lean but elegant palate. Lees, waxy, earthy, citrus, apple skin, light petrol flavours. Finish is quite dry and tart with an edgy balance.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $24.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Deakin Estate Moscato 2010
Victoria, AustraliaFloral, petrol, baked pear, sausage, matchstick, lees and ginger aromas. Sweet, fresh, juicy palate with a light spritz. Soapy floral, ginger, spicy, leesy, red apple, honey and peach skin flavours. Lots of acidity on the finish for a picnic wine.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Echeverria Carmenère Classic Collection 2010
Valle del Curicó, Region del Valle Central, ChileCrushed leaf, cigar tobacco, and peppery, smoky, earthy, gamey, riparian aromas. Full, round, fresh, smooth palate with peppery, earthy, tobacco leaf, cassis, licorice, compost, bay leaf flavours. Easy sipping style for any grilled meat dish.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Peter & Peter Riesling Feinherb 2010
Mosel, GermanyPear, green apple, earthy, matchstick, citrus, slightly cooked peach nose. Fresh, juicy, light palate with some sweetness. Red apple, nectarine, pear skin, citrus, honey flavours with a citrus rind, apple finish. Simple, easy style.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Santa Rita Carmenère 120 2010
Region del Valle Central, ChilePeppery, savoury, tobacco leaf, riparian, sappy cassis, smoky aromas. Round, smooth, easy palate with coffee bean, cedar bark, smoky herb, cassis, milk chocolate, tobacco leaf flavours. Simple, commercial style.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Santa Rita Reserva Carmenère 2009
Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileBay leaf, stemmy, cassis, riparian, smoky, minty, leather aromas. Smooth, round, juicy palate with light tannins. Cedar, bay leaf, menthol, coffee, peppery, cassis, milk chocolate, stemmy flavours. Solid if basic carmenère best with grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Santa Rita Carmenère Medalla Real Gran Reserva 2008
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileIntense minty, sappy cassis, coffee, peppery, liquorice nose with vanilla, herbal, tobacco leaf aromas. Expect dry, fresh, round, smooth palate with vanilla, coffee, menthol, bay leaf, tobacco and peppery, cedar and chocolate flavours. Solid expression but somewhat dry and tart on the finish.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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23 March 2012
86PTS
Flying Solo Grenache Blanc Viognier 2011
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceLight bright fresh nose with hints of citrus and white flowers. The attack is crisp with fine acidity, chalky textures and light lemony mineral (wet stone) flavours from the grenache with a bit of weight and length from the viognier that all finishes clean and fresh. A well-made simple, everyday white wine at a great price.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Arrowleaf Pinot Gris 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Arrowleaf style is always fresh and floral and this gris is no exception. Lemons and limes with ripe red apples and honey mark the nose while lemons and lime rind mark the finish. Delicious summer sipper styling but you can also pair this with salmon sushi.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
James Oatley Tic Tok Pinot Grigio 2010
Adelaide Hills, Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide, South Australia, AustraliaTic Tok gris is a very good expression of what you can do in a warm country with a cool-climate. Cool Adelaide Hills fruit gets it off to a fresh start on the nose. With bits of earth and honey and a touch of wet stone. Texture and weight is medium with flavours of pear, honey and earth throughout. Ready to drink with light simply prepared seafood dishes. Good value.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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22 March 2012
87PTS
Pasqua Surani Pietrariccicia Fiano del Salento 2010
Salento, Puglia, ItalyFresh floral, nectarine, almond, lemon, grapefruit aromas. Fresh, dry, juicy and slightly austere palate but with some fullness in the mouth. More citrus, green apple, honey, floral, nectarine and lemon flavours. Well balanced, crisp juicy style with some fruit intensity. Good value.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Chono Classic Chardonnay 2011
Region del Valle Central, ChileHuge matchstick/sulphur nose mars the lighter baked apple, pear and grapefruit aromas. Fresh, crisp, lean, light palate with fresh green apple, grassy, grapefruit rind flavours that finish with more obvious sulphur. Give this one plenty of air.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Chono San Lorenzo Estate Chardonnay 2009
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileGarlic, sulphur, green apple, lees, grapefruit, melon aromas. Fresh light, tart acidic palate and with buttery, lees, grapefruit rind, honey, bitter granny smith flavours. Just a bit to lean and tart for us.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Masi Modello Bianco delle Venezie 2010
Verona, Veneto, ItalySimple patio sipper with grapefruit, green apple aromas flecked with pear, floral, light earth aromas. The palate is round, soft and ripe with baked pear, honey, apple skin, floral flavours. Clean, fresh finish for easy drinking with a bit of sweetness.Prices:| QC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $10.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $9.50 | 750ml |
| SK | $12.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $13.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $15.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Echeverria Unwooded Chardonnay Classic Collection 2011
Casablanca - Curico, ChileA fine discovery for $15. Melon, honey, butter, baked apple with light struck match aromas. Soft, fresh, round, slightly sweet entry with baked apple, pear, butter, grassy, grapefruit rind flavours. An easy sipping stylish chardonnay for the price.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Evans and Tate Meritcup Road Chardonnay 2009
Western Australia, AustraliaButter, light garlic, spicy lees, baked pear, floral, passion fruit, guava aromas. Fresh, elegant, dry, juicy palate but slightly lean with green apple, buttery, nutty, grapefruit rind, diacetyl, lees flavours. Good but the style is a bit bitter and overworked for 2012.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.25 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Closson Chase Vineyard Chardonnay 2009
Prince Edward County, Ontario, CanadaI've visited many wineries that reek of money but not all of them have a soul for wine. Closson Chase has both in spades plus the formidable Deborah Paskus to grow the grapes and make the wine. The home vineyard spans just over 12 hectares along the eastern end of Lake Ontario at 44°N. This single vineyard chardonnay is simply electric, with tightly wound cool, citrus fruit and plenty of minerality. You can almost taste the limestone. Stark and lean, with big sommelier appeal, this is to be appreciated at the highest level of tasting. Certainly among handful of the best chardonnays made in this country and should turn heads internationally too. Can't wait for these vineyards to fully mature and settle in.Prices:| ON | $30.00 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Closson Chase Chardonnay S. Kocsis Vineyard 2009
Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaCompletely oxidized. Cork problem no doubt?Prices:| ON | $35.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Closson Chase Chardonnay K.J. Watson Vineyard 2009
Niagara River, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaFloral, honey, baked apple, pineapple, vanilla, lees aromas with a touch of grapefruit. Juicy, elegant, ripe palate but somewhat sweet. Very buttery, honey, leesy, canned pineapple, pear, sweet vanilla, oatmeal and light garlic flavours. Love the fruit and ripeness but the finish is somewhat heavy with a buttery honey sweet note.Prices:| ON | $35.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Quails' Gate Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVanilla, creamy, nutty lees, light garlic, butter, baked green apple, pear aromas. Fresh, elegant, juicy but slightly sweet entry. Buttery diacetyl, nutty lees, green apple, honey, vanilla, cedar, earthy, grapefruit flavours with a grassy note. Good finesse but light and a bit short for a reserve. Serve this with fresh halibut.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $33.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $27.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $32.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Quails' Gate Chardonnay 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOatmeal, garlic, canned fruit, melon, butter, peach aromas. Ripe, fresh, juicy, off dry palate with grapefruit, green apple, cedar, butter, honey, lees and hazelnut flavours. Very citrus, leesy, austere style designed for food.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $24.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Aveleda Casal Garcia Vinho Verde NV
Vinho Verde, Northern Portugal, PortugalAlmond, nectarine skin, lees, spicy, apple skin, matchstick aromas. Fresh, juicy, light, off dry palate with red apple, pear, honey, floral, grapefruit flavours. A simple but attractive style for the summer picnic and seafood on a hot day. Good valuePrices:| BC | $14.49 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.99 | 750ml |
| YK | $14.25 | 750ml |
| NB | $12.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $12.29 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Vasse Felix Chardonnay 2011
Margaret River, Western Australia, AustraliaSpicy, nutty lees, light garlic, baked green apple, nectarine, grapefruit aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy, elegant palate with butter, nutty lees, garlic, green apple, lime, toasty, gooseberry flavours. A more complex, slightly austere style with some finesse.Prices:| BC | $34.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Jean Leon Chardonnay 2010
Penedès, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainGreen apple, floral, citrus, light butter, matchstick, cashew aromas. Fresh, ripe, juicy, elegant palate with baked green apple, lime, spicy, butter, vanilla, hazelnut, passion fruit and pear flavours. Very citrusy and fresh with some good texture in an austere Euro style.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Santa Rita Chardonnay 120 2010
Region del Valle Central, ChileMelon, butter, honey, baked red apple aromas. Fresh, juicy, off dry style with butter, melon rind, honey, spicy, grapefruit rind flavours. Fuller, citrusy style.Prices:| AB | $11.50 | 750ml |
| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $13.00 | 750ml |
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79PTS
J. P. Chenet Premier De Cuvee Chardonnay Reserve 2009
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FrancePerfumed butterscotch with baked apple aromas. Sweet, soft, round, butter, caramel, baked apple flavours. An insipid, artificial style.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $13.50 | 750ml |
| NF | $13.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay 2009
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesNutty lees, lime, green apple, vanilla, light butter, honey, roasted garlic aromas. Fresh, juicy, ripe palate but a bit soft. The palate is a vanilla, nutty lees, garlic, baked pear, honey affair with pineapple, pear skin flavours. Good fruit but pretty warm and slightly California sweet in the finish.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $42.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Oveja Negra Chardonnay Viognier 2010
Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileHoney, ginger, floral, peach, grapefruit, buttery aromas. Ripe, round, fresh, slightly oily and sweet palate with butter, candied ginger, peach, grapefruit, grassy, bitter herb flavours. A bit too much rind and ginger but solid.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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21 March 2012
85PTS
Torres Sangre de Toro Rosé 2011
Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainPale raspberry colour with candied strawberry, tobacco, spicy, earthy, liquorice aromas. Fresh, juicy, dry palate with grapefruit, earthy, tobacco, cherry, rooty flavours. A bit lean but fresh and food-friendly.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Funambule Red 2010
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceTobacco leaf, spicy, peppery, cassis, riparian, rooty, black olive, savoury aromas. Smooth, round, fresh palate with cassis, spicy, peppery, cedar bark, tobacco leaf, liquorice, coffee, vanilla flavours with a light sweet and sour finish.Prices:| BC | $14.95 | 750ml |
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82PTS
The Bishop of Riesling 2010
Mosel, GermanyFloral, green apple, honey, citrus aromas with a strong matchstick note. Fresh, crisp, juicy palate that is just off dry. Green apple, citrus, pear skin, light honey flavours with some matchstick. Too much sulphur is suffocating the delicate Mosel flavours.Prices:| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $13.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $14.25 | 750ml |
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88PTS
The Ned Waihopai Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandPassion fruit, grapefruit rind, bell pepper, nettle, matchstick, green apple aromas. Fresh, crisp, tart palate with green apple, nettle, grapefruit rind, gooseberry, passion fruit and jalapeno flavours with a lemon finish. Good solid value and styling with a bit more fruit than last vintage.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $21.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Oveja Negra Cabernet Franc Carmenère Reserva 2010
Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileDill, tobacco leaf, peppery, smoky, cranberry, cedar aromas. Fresh, smooth, round palate with cedar, dill, peppery, smoky herb, tobacco leaf, sappy, resin flavours. Very leafy, herbal style but balanced.Prices:| BC | $13.50 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Château Canada 2008
Bordeaux, FranceCedar bark, dill, dried herb, tobacco leaf, leather, earthy aromas. Very dry, lean, light palate with cedar tannins. Dry herbal, olive, peppery, cedar bark, smoky, resin flavours with a cigarette ash note. Needs a highly-marbled steak to counter the dryness and low fruit.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Siren's Call Petit Verdot 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBlack cherry, inky, liquorice, spicy, chocolate, vanilla, cheesy nose with a somewhat volatile balsamic note. Dry, lean, somewhat tart palate with tobacco, peppery, chocolate, cocoa, cedar bark, resin, rooty, tobacco leaf and canned olive flavours with a hot balsamic finish. Oaky and lean.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Siren's Call Malbec 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSappy, fresh cedar, black pepper, curry spice, tobacco leaf and cranberry aromas. Dry, fresh, slightly lean but elegant palate with some light, cedary tannin. Milk chocolate, cedar bark, menthol, tobacco leaf, smoky herb, rooty flavours. Somewhat oaky and leafy with some green tannins on the finish.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Tyrrell's Moore's Creek Chardonnay 2011
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaNutty lees, spicy, butter, baked apple, pear, citrus aromas. Fresh, crisp, elegant palate with baked apple, citrus, pear, honey, nutty, butter, spicy, waxy flavours with a citrusy finish.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Colby Red 2009
California, United StatesRooty, liquorice, menthol, black cherry, cedar, savoury, tobacco leaf aromas. Smooth, round, sweet attack with light tannins. The palate is a mix of Cherry jam, strawberry, peppery, spicy, cedar bark, rooty, licorice and orange flavours with a leafy, coffee, sweet and sour finish. An easy sipping sweeter style red with a warm finish.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
M. Chapoutier Beaurevoir Tavel 2010
Tavel, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceCherry, raspberry, tobacco, spicy, floral, earthy, waxy aromas. Fresh, juicy, crisp, elegant palate with baked apple, tobacco, peppery, cherry and strawberry flavours with a light orange and herb finish. Good solid food style with intensity and fruit. Try with duck or pork.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $26.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $23.00 | 750ml |
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19 March 2012
88PTS
Tarapacá Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva 2010
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileOpen cassis, bay, eucalyptus, vanilla, coffee, tobacco, saddle leather aromas. Dry, fresh, smooth, supple palate with chocolate, cassis, spicy, tobacco, liquorice, vanilla, orange peel, prunes and mint flavours. Good finesse and intensity for current drinking. Try this with flank steak.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Purato Nero d'Avola Organic 2010
Sicily, ItalyPurato is made with certified organic fruit from Vittoria in the south eastern region of Sicily. The entry is fresh with sweet, earthy, dark raspberry fruit flavours with an underlying dry earthy character and some acidity poking through the back end. Try this with truffle pizza or a mushroom pasta dish.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Longue-Dog White 2010
Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceA surprisingly drinkable French white made from colombard and a dash of chardonnay all grown in the heart of the Languedoc. The region is famous for oysters and mussels and the wine if chilled would be a perfect match. Expect a fruity crisp white that mixes bits of citrus and with sweet melon fruit. Good value.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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18 March 2012
86PTS
Chat-en-Oeuf Vin Blanc 2010
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceThis is basic French (Languedoc) white wine that is not unlike an aromatic blend from the south Okanagan except about $5 cheaper. Look for a crisp fresh clean and easy to sip white that relies on a strong citrus undercurrent with bits of apricot skin and lime rind in the finish. Light fish dishes or even a roast chicken would work here. Good value.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Ferrari-Carano Fume Blanc 2010
Sonoma County, California, United StatesAnother edition of this delicious sauvignon officially transformed into a seriously lean, citrus fruity white you can serve with a wide range of foods. The attack is creamy and fresh, the flavours a mix of lemon grass and sweet melon fruit flecked with honey and ginger. Well done and seriously reliable. Should be a restaurant wine list staple.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $23.00 | 750ml |
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17 March 2012
93PTS
Champagne Pierre Gimonnet Brut Special Club Chardonnay 2004
Champagne, FranceGood fine white mousse with very toasty, big citrus, green apple, oyster juicy, floral, honey aromas. Full, ripe, creamy mousse and juicy but slightly austere palate with dryer brut sweetness. Honey, pear, baked green apple, grapefruit, floral, toasty, lemon flavours. Vibrant and more reserved with lots of acidity, this still needs a few more years in bottle to develop fully. Delicious flavour with fine style and finesse.Prices:| BC | $85.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Champagne Varnier-Fanniere Cuvée St. Denis Brut Grand Cru NV
Champagne, FranceMade from a single vineyard of old chardonnay vines, this has fine continuous mousse with a floral, toasty, nutty, anise, citrus rind, baked apple, toasty aromas, and a somewhat mature nose. Full, round, creamy mousse with good acidity and some brut sweetness but juicy. Nutty, creamy, toasty brioche, baked apple, honey and warm citrus flavours. A bit austere on the finish but also has length and intensity to lend itself to match well with food.Prices:| BC | $86.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Champagne Jean Milan Selection Transparence Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs 2006
Champagne, FranceMedium fine, white mousse. Green apple, citrus, floral, spicy, honey, toasty, anise aromas. Dry, fresh, slightly austere palate with toasty brioche, green apple, butter, oyster shell, citrus flavours. Good acidity and vibrancy but somewhat youthful and simple. This needs another two to three years ageing in the bottle.Prices:| BC | $78.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $52.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
H. Billiot Fils Brut Grand Cru Brut Réserve Champagne NV
Champagne, FranceFine mousse with a toasty, nutty, cherry, baked apple, floral, citrus, creamy aromas. Ripe round, full, juicy, somewhat sweet brut but well balanced. Ripe cherry, strawberry, citrus, baked apple, honey, toasty flavours. Good intensity and juicy, slightly sweet finish in a forward, attractive style for most consumers. Offers good value.Prices:| BC | $65.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Champagne Diebolt-Vallois Cuvee Prestige Blanc de Blancs NV
Champagne, FranceFine continuous mousse with green apple, pear skin, floral, citrus, toasty, chalky, seashell aromas entice. Fresh, juicy, slightly sweet brut with creamy mousse and fine acidity that preview more citrus, honey, orange, granny smith, pear, creamy, toasty brioche flavours. Simple but elegant and pure style that will attract oenophiles and general consumers alike. Oysters anyone.Prices:| BC | $79.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $57.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Lucien Crochet Pinot Rosé 2010
Sancerre, Upper Loire, Loire, FranceToasty, rhubarb, tobacco, citrus, green apple aromas. Fresh, soft, juicy, off dry palate with tobacco, grapefruit, rhubarb, and green apple flavours. A simple, fresh, easy style for immediate consumption.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Patricia Green Cellar Pinot Noir Reserve 2009
Willamette Valley, Oregon, United StatesLight ruby colour. Spicy, liquorice, smoky, tobacco leaf, rhubarb, strawberry and leather nose. Round, dry, juicy, delicate palate with a bit of warmth. Green tea, tobacco leaf, orange, strawberry, rhubarb, smoky, cedar, herb and leather flavours. Good finesse and balance but a bit on the herbal side. Best with duck pasta.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Talenti Rosso di Montalcino 2009
Montalcino, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyFloral, black cherry jam, smoky, tobacco, licorice, clove, vanilla, ash and game aromas. Ripe, round, rich and smooth, warm palate with clove, floral, smoky, black cherry, vanilla, red licorice, chocolate and barnyard flavours. A very ripe, forward, modern style with good fruit for current drinking.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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95PTS
Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Santo Stefano di Neive 2008
Langhe, Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalySpicy, strawberry jam, tar, licorice, smoky, saddle leather, orange, prune, clove, menthol, gamey aromas, very complex. Dry, ripe, juicy, round and elegant palate with some fine grainy tannins. Strawberry jam, tar, resin, licorice, rose petals, gamey, earthy, peppery, tobacco flavours. Great fruit, finesse and ripeness with great acidity balance. Drinkable now but should improve for 3-7 years. Not cheap but it reveals the finest of nebbiolo characteristics you can get in Barbaresco. Bravo.Prices:| BC | $200.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Aldo Conterno Bussiador Bianco 2008
Langhe, Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalySpicy, nutty lees, honey, peach, baked pear, butter, vanilla and guava aromas. Fresh, soft, round palate with toasty lees, nutty, honey, apple skin, baked pear, and vanilla flavours with a very buttery finish. Good elegance but with 100 percent new oak in the mix it lacks acidity and vivacity in the finish. Drink now.Prices:| BC | $65.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
René Rostaing Côte Rôtie Cuvee Terroirs 2008
Côte Rôtie, Northern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceIn 2008 a difficult year saw Rostaing declassify his three Côte Rôtie cuvées into a lighter style Cuvée Terroirs. Look for a peppery, tobacco leaf with curry, meaty, leather, prune, roasted bell pepper and barnyard aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy but austere backward palate. Spicy, savoury, menthol, roasted pepper, meaty, cherry, tobacco leaf, carrot top flavours. Good finesse but very cool fruit with a lot of the herbal side of syrah showing. Needs a bit more time to settle down in bottle but will be ready to drink much earlier than the norm.Prices:| AB | $89.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Roccolo Grassi Amarone della Valpolicella DOC 2007
Verona, Veneto, ItalyBig black cherry jam, plum, tobacco, vanilla, coffee, maraschino, orange peel, chocolate smoky, floral aromas. Very warm but juicy and fresh palate with some young tannins and a touch of sweetness. Black licorice, smoky, tobacco, chocolate, orange, prune, black cherry, peppery, vanilla, savoury, olive flavours. A hot finish balanced by great fruit and juiciness. Should age well for the next 5-10 years.Prices:| BC | $114.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Quinta do Vale Meão Douro Red 2008
Douro Superior, Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalSpicy, vanilla, coffee, black liquorice, peppery, prune, clove, mint, bay, dried fig, black plum aromas. Full, ripe, round, warm and smooth with some fine grainy tannin. Smoky resin, black licorice, minty, chocolate, vanilla, black berry jam, black tea, dried fig, savoury, tobacco flavours. Very warm finish but lots of fruit intensity and concentration. Needs 3-5 years in bottle.Prices:| AB | $69.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $99.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Mendel Semillon 2010
Mendoza, ArgentinaHoney, floral, grapefruit, guava, nettle aromas with a bit of vanilla. Ripe, fresh, juicy, creamy palate with honey, vanilla, grapefruit, cashew, melon rind and passion fruit flavours. Attractive consumer style with good finesse and fruit.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
J Vineyards Vintage Brut 2005
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesGreen apple, nutty, peach, pear, floral, tobacco aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy, slightly austere palate. Toasty, green apple, floral, nutty, peach pit, buttery, citrus flavours. Good finesse with very juicy, cool fruit nuances and fine mousse. Needs a year or two more bottle age to really excel in the glass.Prices:| US | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
J Vineyards Brut Rosé NV NV
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesSimilar to last edition with strawberry, floral, tobacco, citrus, toasty aromas. Crisp, juicy, fresh, slightly sweet palate with strawberry, cherry, tobacco, toasty, nutty, baked apple flavours. Good juicy, fruity, fun style with a pale raspberry colour and creamy mousse. Perfect wine for charcuterie or salmon.Prices:| US | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
J Vineyards Cuvée 20 Brut NV 25th Anniversary Magnum NV
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesDisgorged in 2010 and released now in magnum, this shows the same fine mousse with a waxy, baked apple, pear, floral, toasty, buttery, honey nose with hints of strawberry and citrus. Fresh, crisp, juicy, elegant palate with green apple, lemon, pear, nutty, toasty, buttery, tobacco and strawberry flavours. Fun, juicy style that shows some maturity now in magnum and a slight improvement over the single bottle format. Delicious.Prices:| AB | $50.00 | 1500ml |
| BC | $60.00 | 1500ml |
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92PTS
J Vineyards Pinot Noir Bateman Vineyard Estate 2009
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesSmoky, tobacco leaf, carrot top, savory, floral, vanilla, cocoa, peppery, cedar, plum and rhubarb aromas with a light barnyard note. Ripe, round, juicy and warm palate but vibrant. Vanilla, cocoa, tobacco, celery salt, carrot top, strawberry jam, plum, savoury, cedar and orange flavours. Good complexity, finesse and length but again, needs less sweet oak to enhance purity and drive.Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
J Vineyards Pinot Noir Galante Vineyard Estate 2009
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesTobacco leaf, celery salt, carrot top strawberry, liquorice, barnyard aromas with a touch of smoke and black cherry. Fresh, juicy, vibrant palate with blueberry, black cherry, smoky, vanilla, tobacco leaf, carrot top, liquorice and cocoa flavours with a savoury note. Still somewhat oaky and cocoa dominant but shows better balance and freshness.Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
| US | $50.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
J Vineyards Pinot Noir Robert Thomas Vineyard Estate Grown 2009
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesSavoury, strawberry jam, plum, orange, barnyard, tobacco, vanilla, licorice and game aromas. Fresh, juicy, smooth and warm palate with strawberry jam, gamey, orange, coffee, vanilla, floral, licorice flavours. Again, good juicy fruit and elegant but with some elevated alcohol and sweet oak on the finish that makes it a bit clumnsy in the finish.Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
| US | $45.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
J Vineyards Pinot Noir Nicole's Vineyard Estate Grown 2009
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesNicole's vineyard is a 45.8-acre hillside vineyard comprised of Arbuckle soil. Look for spicy, herbal, tobacco leaf, cedar, liquorice and rhubarb with raspberry and vanilla aromas. Ripe, round, juicy, supple attack that previews a slightly fat palate. Cherry, vanilla, coffee, cocoa, tobacco leaf and herb flavours. Good finesse and fruit but again the sweet oak is too dominant.Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
| US | $60.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
J Vineyards Chardonnay Estate Grown Jewell Ranch Vineyard 2010
Green Valley, Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesSpicy lees, green apple, pear, vanilla, citrus, floral, waxy, lemon aromas. Fresh, juicy, creamy and elegant palate that is just a bit leaner and crisper than the others. Vanilla, nutty lees, spicy, waxy, light garlic, pear, green apple and creamy citrus flavours. Drink now but will benefit from a few years in bottle.Prices:| US | $45.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
J Vineyards Chardonnay Estate Grown 2010
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesCitrus, apple, pear, honey, waxy, creamy lees and floral aromas. Fresh, creamy, juicy and balanced palate with spicy lees, butter, honey, vanilla, citrus, baked apple, pear and lanolin flavours. Very good finesse and fruit but just a tad soft and leesy for any extended aging but delicious now.Prices:| BC | $44.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
J Vineyards Pinot Gris 2010
California, United StatesHoney, floral, pear, baked apple aromas. Ripe, round, full and juicy palate with a touch of sweetness. Quince, pear, floral, honey, butter and orange flavours. A bit warm but with fine flavour intensity and concentration. The richer style is more food-oriented. Try this with halibut.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
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16 March 2012
89PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Viognier 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBright citrus, floral, honey, light lees aromas flecked with green apple skin and light sausage and creamsicle notes. Fresh, juicy, crisp, off dry palate with a touch of oiliness. Red apple, honey, nectarine, ginger, grapefruit rind and spice flavours. Solid fruit and balance to match with spicy seafood dishes. A consistent performer from Mission Hill that is easy to recommend.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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15 March 2012
90PTS
Aldo Conterno Nebbiolo Langhe Il Favot 2008
Langhe, Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalyTar, clove, spicy, plum, strawberry, floral, saddle leather, barnyard, resin, cedar and tobacco aromas. Ripe, round, dry, juicy and balanced palate with some light, young tannin. Strawberry jam, prune, coffee, leather, tar, smoky, tobacco, menthol and Band-Aid flavours. Well balanced but showing some Brett. Drink now and over the next three years while the fruit is more dominant.Prices:| BC | $79.00 | 750ml |
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14 March 2012
91PTS
Alonso del Yerro 2008
Ribera del Duero, Castilla-Leon, SpainBig gamey, leather, black cherry kirsch, licorice, smoky, vanilla, coffee, rooty, barnyard, leather aromas. Ripe, full, juicy and concentrated with some youthful tannins. Floral, licorice, black cherry, plum, coffee, vanilla, smoky leather, prune, black tea, fig and balsamic flavours. Good fruit and balance despite some end warm. Try aging for 2-5 years.Prices:| BC | $68.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Domaine des Remizieres Saint Joseph 2009
Saint Joseph, Northern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceVery dark cherry colour. Big savoury, garrigue, vanilla, peppery, meaty, licorice root, black cherry, earthy, floral nose. Ripe, rich, juicy, full palate with some grainy tannin. Plum, peppery, blackberry, minty, floral, liquorice, smoky herbs, leather and vanilla flavours with a gamey note. A bit warm but fine fruit and acidity to age 3-5 years. Try this with braised meats.Prices:| BC | $43.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $42.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
J Vineyards Pinot Noir 2009
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesSpicy, black cherry, rhubarb, celery salt, smoky, cedar, tobacco leaf aromas. Ripe, round, elegant and juicy palate. Vanilla, tobacco, strawberry jam, rhubarb, celery salt, carrot top, spicy herbal flavours with some sweet oak on the finish. Good finesse and fruit for near term consumption.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
| US | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
J Vineyards Chardonnay 2009
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesSpicy, nutty lees, vanilla, butter, baked apple, pear, and citrus aromas. Ripe, round, juicy, slightly sweet entry with nutty lees, garlic, honey, butterscotch, citrus, green apple and vanilla flavours. Finish is slightly oily but has good finesse and fruit.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $33.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Viña Chocalán Selection Rosé 2011
Region del Valle Central, ChileThe mix is an interesting 80/20 syrah/petit verdot. We love the vibrant pink orange colour. The nose is bright and reminiscent of red fruits and citrus. Lovely balance and freshness including plummy flavours and a touch of minerality. The perfect antidote to a warm summer's day. Pair this with picnic foods, salmon and white meats.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Torres Vina Sol Rose 2011
Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainWe love the delicate styling, it's rosé people not Napa cabernet and the watery juicy red fruit flavours. There is just enough pepper and citrus to keep it all lively and fun. The blend is a perfect garnacha and cariñena grapes. Fresh fruit is a good match but this will shine with charcuterie/tapas cold chicken and pasta salads. Delicious.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Torres De Casta Rosé 2011
Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainSix years under screwcap the 40th edition of the de Casta Rosé looks a solid as ever. The blend is garnacha tinta and cariñena similar to the Vina Sole rosé but in slightly sweeter style. Expect a lot of cherry colour with a fresh mineral, cherry/black raspberry and almond flecked nose. Ripe, crisp and balanced with a touch of sweetness in the finish. Try it with spicy tapas, salmon and assorted vegetable dishes.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Oveja Negra Syrah - Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé Reserva 2010
Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileThe light pink/orange Provence-like colour attracts. On the nose you get a light herbal earthy undertone flecked with quiet red fruit aromas. The palate is juicy and lively if a touch warm with earthy, raspberry dried herbs flavours. A solid summer sipper.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Include () Merlot Rose 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaExpect a richer heavier style rosé somewhat Tavel-like in structure but lacking the finesse. The colour is strawberry red. The nose a mix of earth and candied apples. The palate is soft and simple with candied, dried fruit flavours. Needs drinking.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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13 March 2012
92PTS
Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Appellation Collection 2009
Knights Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesI have always enjoyed the half Napa, half mountain, half Sonoma character of Knights' Valley cabernet and this 2009 has it all with a kinder gentler edge. Beringer Vineyards has owned and farmed its Knights Valley vineyards since the mid-1960' and nothing is left to chance. The volcanic, well-drained soils are the perfect home to cabernet sauvignon and in this case four percent cabernet franc and two percent petit verdot. Small French Nevers oak barrels (28% new) perfectly fi this wine. Love the smooth polished textures and the cocoa powder, black cherry fruit flavours. Perfect to drink now but this will hold through 2016 and beyond. Great restaurant wine list pick.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $44.00 | 750ml |
| US | $22.00 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Oveja Negra Sauvignon Blanc Carmenere 2011
Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileA strange mix of sauvignon and carmenère. Expect a nettle, bell pepper, lemon, gooseberry, tobacco, gooseberry, matchstick aromas. Light, tart, dry palate with roasted bell pepper, jalapeno, grapefruit rind, grassy, nettle, bitter herb flavours. A bit too lean and austere and green.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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80PTS
Include () Bordeaux Style Red 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPrune menthol, coffee, tobacco leaf, cedar bark, barnyard, riparian, resin aromas. Tart, round but flat palate with cedar bark, earthy, resin, prune, coffee, tobacco leaf, carrot top, flavours. A tight lean herbaceous red that is in need of some fruit and freshness.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Siren's Call Harmonious 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaTobacco leaf, weedy, cassis, rhubarb, coffee, cologne resin, light barnyard aromas. Dry, fresh, somewhat lean palate with carrot, peppery, tobacco leaf, olive, coffee, cedar bark, resin, prune and sour cherry flavours. It finishes lean and tannic.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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80PTS
Siren's Call Pinot Noir 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPerfumed, chocolate, rhubarb, stewed carrot, compost aromas. Flat, tart, lean palate with chocolate chip, cedar bark, resin, stewed rhubarb, leafy flavours. No fruit or extract and definitely not pinot noir.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Tyrrell's Moore's Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaReductive nose with tobacco leaf, smoky, peppery, savoury, earthy, light cassis aromas. Tart, dry, slightly tannic palate with tobacco leaf, herbal, olive, compost, leafy cassis flavours. Not much here to like.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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80PTS
Tyrrell's Old Winery Cabernet Merlot 2010
AustraliaPruny, tobacco leaf, light cassis, olive, green bean, strange perfumed cologne character and cedar aromas. Round, dry, tart, thin palate with tobacco leaf and weedy, herbal, olive undercurrents. Green and lean with few redeeming qualities.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Tyrrell's Old Winery Semillon 2011
Hunter, New South Wales, AustraliaLime, floral, honey, grapefruit, matchstick, buttered nut aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy palate with grapefruit, gooseberry, lime, chalky, nectarine skin flavours. Good juicy, fresh style for seafood and summer dishes. Good value.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Tussock Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2010
South Island, New ZealandCanned asparagus, gooseberry, nettle, jalapeno, grapefruit rind aromas. Fresh, juicy, crisp palate but slightly leaner with grassy, herbaceous, bell pepper, gooseberry, grapefruit and asparagus flavours. A more austere, herbaceous style but balanced.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Sandhill Small Lots Program Two Sandhill Estate Vineyard 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPepper, spicy, savoury, chocolate, vanilla, coffee, liquorice, tobacco leaf, barnyard, compost, pruny, orange peel aroma. Round, dry, smooth palate with light tannins. More tobacco leaf, peppery, rooty, coffee, vanilla, cedar, black cherry, leather, prune flavours. Finish is very oaky with some lean tannins. This needs some tome to settle down but the oak will likely dominate forever.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $38.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Sandhill Cabernet Merlot Vanessa Vineyard 2008
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaChocolate, coffee, prune, peppery, tobacco, resin, liquorice root, saddle leather and vanilla aromas. Round, smooth, tart, warm palate with light tannins. Coffee, chocolate, peppery, savoury, black berry, cedar, stewed prune, cedar bark flavours. A lot of oak and fairly alcoholic on the finish without much fruit and extract to carry it all.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.00 | 750ml |
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80PTS
Escapades 2008
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South AfricaBig smoked, sweaty saddle leather, medicinal, burnt earth/rubber and tobacco compost nose. Dry, lean, slightly tannic on attack with low extract. Peppery, smoky, sweaty saddle leather, barnyard, coffee, resin, Band-Aid and stewed prune flavours. A very dirty, warm lean, oaky style. Yuk.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Ganton & Larson Prospect Winery Haynes Barn Merlot Cabernet 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoky, resin, menthol, tobacco leaf, coffee bean, green olive, cedar bark aromas. Soft, round, tart palate with chocolate, coffee, resin, more tobacco leaf, green olive, green bean and peppery, cedar bark flavours. Not much fruit or varietal influence here. Prices:| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $20.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Ganton & Larson Prospect Winery Regatta #1 Red 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCedar bark, resin, peppery, tobacco leaf, liquorice and cassis nose. The attack is lean, dry and tart with more cedar bark, coffee and earthy, resiny flavours. Somewhat green and tart style. Simple hamburger red.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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12 March 2012
90PTS
Beringer Chardonnay 2010
Napa Valley, California, United StatesThis wine is all grown up now. Yes it's Napa and there is a sense of richness or ripeness on the nose but this wine is as trimmed down as Napa gets with its fresher leaner, mineral/citrus aromas and flavours that descend into a fresh, creamy finish with flecks of orange and red apple fruit. Perfect lees management ads to its compl0065ity and drinkability. Excellent value.Prices:| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $30.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $35.00 | 750ml |
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11 March 2012
89PTS
Poggiotondo Chianti Superiore 2009
Tuscany, ItalyPoggiotondo is located on the west hills of the Chianti region. The vineyards of Alberto Antonini sit over a mix of limestone and marine sediment marked by ancient sea shells. Yes, delicate, chalky, minerality and florals mark the Chianti Superiore's cool nose. The palate is a mix of dark and mostly red fruits with more floral characters, minerality, dried herbs and spice with mild notes of oak. Round supple silky and with just enough tension to keep it fresh throughout. Stylish red wine for sophisticated sipper. Grilled chicken or beef would be great match.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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95PTS
Poggiotondo Chianti Riserva Vigna delle Conchiglie 2008
Tuscany, ItalyAt under 1kg per vine production or less than five tons to the hectare the sangiovese grapes gives all it has from Vigna delle Conchiglie. The wine is oak fermented in various size vessels using indigenous yeast lending the wine a sense of harmony and balance from the get go. An extended two week post maceration leads to a 20 month stay in French oak barriques of which only 20 percent are new. The nose is an amazing mix of florals, seawater and minerality with a mix of red fruits. The palate is sophisticated and suave with more red fruits and chalky tannins. Ripe and delicious but with finesse and style it is really a perfect wine for its style. An impressive bottle of sangiovese made from a massal selection of vines now twenty years old. Steak Florentine anyone?Prices:| BC | $87.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $78.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $82.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Champagne Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial Vintage 2002
Champagne, FranceThe Moet 'vintage' cuvée is almost always released to market after five years of ageing but the 2002 has been resting much longer in Reims in fact well after the 2003 hit the market. At 51 percent chardonnay 26/23/ pinot noir and pinot meunier it was showing too much fruit and not enough toast and weight in the early years. Now nearly nine years down the road the wine has a wonderful mix of biscuit-y toasted lees and dried fruit aromas with a fruity spicy undercurrent. The attack is harmonious with bits of mandarin, citrus and toasted almonds. The textures are suitably creamy and the flavours persistent. Ready to drink and enjoy now. An elegant, refined champagne in a slightly fruiter style.Prices:| BC | $90.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $88.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $86.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $88.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Champagne Moët & Chandon Nectar Impérial NV
Champagne, FranceThe Nectar Impérial is building a following thanks to its spicy, baked apple, tropical fruit honey and nut aromas with hints of apricot and candied citrus peel. The flavours are off-dry but fresh and balanced with streaks of candied citrus, mineral, spice, pineapple, mango and ginger mixed with creamy vanilla and cherries and sweet spices. Fine style and well balanced but all in an off-dry style. Serve post-dinner with a fruit dessert, before the meal with foie gras appetizer or try it with spicy, Indian food and or blue cheeses. The blend is 40/50 pinot noir, 30/40 pinot meunier and 10/20 chardonnay and 20/30 per cent reserve wines.Prices:| BC | $75.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $75.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $76.75 | 750ml |
| ON | $76.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $75.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Champagne Moët & Chandon Rosé Imperial NV
Champagne, FranceExpect a pale raspberry colour with an earthy, spicy red fruit nose built upon a 40 to 50 percent mix of pinot noir, 10 percent of which is red wine, along with 30 to 40 % pinot meunier again with 10 percent red wine included and 10 to 20 percent chardonnay. The attack is fresh and crisp with an elegant creamy mousse. On the palate, the flavours mix strawberry, spicy, citrus/peach stone fruit flavours flecked with herbal, toasty flavours. You can serve this full-flavoured style with elegance and balance with grilled shellfish, carpaccio, raw meats, and red flesh fish.Prices:| BC | $93.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $99.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $104.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $99.65 | 750ml |
| QC | $95.50 | 750ml |
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08 March 2012
84PTS
Chono Classic Merlot 2010
Region del Valle Central, ChileThe name Chono comes from an ancient Chilean tribe Darwin described as one of the bravest native tribes he ever encountered and the only one to resist being conquered by the Spaniards. The wine is a little less spectacular with its dry, leafy, undertones and skinny, red fruit, flavours. Full marks for authenticity but it could use some extra fruit and weight. Best with barbecued meats.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.00 | 750ml |
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06 March 2012
91PTS
Ca' du Rabajà Barbaresco 2007
Piedmont, ItalyThe Rabajà Barbaresco comes off 5 hectares of chalky/sandy soils at Rabajà, Pajorè in Treiso, Cascinotto-Serragrilli and Serracapelli vineyards. The ferment is in stainless steel followed by two months in concrete or stainless steel and eight months in wood to round it out. Smoky, tar, licorice root, barnyard, earthy, floral, spicy, peppery, prune, black cherry and menthol aromas. Full, dry, ripe and supple palate with balanced tanins. Peppery, coffee, vanilla, tar, smoky, saddle leather, black cherry, resin, meaty, medicinal, menthol flavours. Good finesse and balance, should keep well for the next 3-5 years with some rusticiity showing.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $45.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $43.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $43.00 | 750ml |
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05 March 2012
88PTS
Ritual Pinot Noir 2009
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileA blend of two clones, 115 and 777 with 40% new French oak aging. Spicy, cedar, celery salt, rooty, tobacco leaf, saddle leather, light barnyard, balsamic, gamey, plum jam, menthol and strawberry jam aromas. Fresh, dry, juicy, slightly tart but elegant palate. Smoky, spicy, vanilla, rhubarb, waxy, coffee, celery salt, carrot top, black cherry, compost and root flavours. Solid with good finesse but lacks extract and showing a fair bit of oak.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Ventisquero Vertice Syrah Carmenere 2007
Apalta Valley, Santa Cruz, Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileA wine made in conjunction with John Duval of Penfolds fame and now John Duval Wines in the Barossa Valley. Very spicy, prune, coffee, barnyard, sweaty saddle, gamey, blackberry, smoky, tobacco, licorice root, olive, compost, sappy, curry, menthol aromas. Round, dry, full, somewhat tannic, juicy, tart palate. Big barnyard, sweaty saddle, meaty, coffee, vanilla, cassis, blackberry jam, menthol, tobacco, carrot top, earthy flavours. A bit rustic and gritty but with good balance. It finishes a bit green and oaky with some bretty notes. Age another two years for best results. Aged 18 months in new French oak, perhaps a bit much. The blend is 45 syrah and 55 carmenère.Prices:| BC | $33.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Casa Lapostolle Canto de Apalta 2010
Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileA new blend and brand just entering the market, this is a carmenère, merlot, cab and syrah blend. Black berry, cassis, peppery, bay, resin, tobacco, earthy, coffee, meaty, chocolate aromas. Ripe, round, full, slightly tannic and juicy palate. Peppery, savoury, plum, black berry, minty, meaty, vanilla, tobacco, savoury flavours. A leanish, Euro-style but good fruit and balance.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Casa Lapostolle Clos Apalta 2008
Apalta Valley, Santa Cruz, Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileThis old vines blend is dominated by carmenère with some merlot and cabernet sauvignon. Very savoury, leather, sappy, cedar, menthol, black olive, tobacco, carrot top, chocolate, cassis, black cherry, rooty aromas. Ripe, round, full, juicy and dry palate with some grainy tannin. Menthol, chocolate, leather, rosemary, bay, peppery, vanilla, olive, tobacco and coffee flavours with a savoury, carrot top note. Good finesse and balance with full body but somewhat austere. Needs 3-5 years to fully round out. This certainly reveals the best side of carmenère.Prices:| BC | $99.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $115.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $100.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $92.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $130.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Casa Lapostolle Cabernet Sauvignon Cuvée Alexandre 2008
Apalta Valley, Santa Cruz, Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileSpicy, savoury, earthy, peppery, tobacco, cassis, menthol, light barnyard, leather, black olive aromas. Full, round, dry, juicy and supple with some grainy tannin. Cassis jam, blackberry, black olive, tobacco, cedar, earthy, spicy, leathery, dusty, peppery flavours with a coffee and vanilla finish. Good concentration and character but young, needs 2-3 years or a steak.Prices:| BC | $27.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $24.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $27.50 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Casa Lapostolle Merlot Cuvée Alexandre 2007
Apalta Valley, Santa Cruz, Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileOpen spicy, eucalyptus, tobacco, cedar nose with cherry jam, and vanilla, spicy, liquorice mixed with light barnyard and garrigue notes. The palate is ripe, round, smooth and juicy with some tight, lighter tannin. Peppery, cedar, coffee, olive, tobacco, saddle leather, vanilla, black cherry flavours. At four years of age it is well developed yet still youthful with fine fruit intensity. The price of the Cuvée Alexandre wine has dropped substantially in the last few years adding to its value for money prowess.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $27.50 | 750ml |
| NF | $28.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Casa Lapostolle Casa Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Valle del Cachapoal, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileFrom a warm, dry, ripe vintage, shows spicy, cedar, tobacco, black olive, peppery, cassis, leather, garrigue aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant but slightly tannic on the palate. Savoury, cassis, sappy, menthol, peppery, tobacco, cedar, meaty, vanilla flavours. Good juicy structure to go with beef. Excellent value.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.55 | 750ml |
| SK | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $21.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $21.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $18.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Casa Lapostolle Casa Merlot 2008
Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileSpicy, cedar, sappy, tobacco, cherry, black olive, liquorice aromas. Dry, full, slightly tannic and structured palate. Cedar, spicy, savoury, eucalyptus, bay, cherry, herbal, tobacco flavours. A good match for food in a more savoury style.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $17.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Casa Lapostolle Casa Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Valle del Cachapoal, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileA little different with 7 per cent sémillon in the blend. Gooseberry, grassy, floral, hay, melon, cooked grapefruit aromas. Fresh, juicy, round, dry palate but textured. Gooseberry, grapefruit, honey, asparagus, melon and passion fruit flavours. Ripe style with sweet fruit finish.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $18.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Casa Lapostolle Chardonnay Cuvée Alexandre 2008
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileA blend of barrel fermented and stainless steel wines. Honey, buttery, baked apple, vanilla, floral, lees aromas. Round, dry, full, juicy and warm palate with buttery, honey, vanilla, lees, baked pear, apple, spicy pineapple flavours. Good acidity and vibrancy but very ripe and a bit old fashioned. A toucvh more freshness would be a good thing.Prices:| BC | $27.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $24.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $27.50 | 750ml |
| NF | $24.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Deinhard Riesling Piesporter 2010
Mosel, GermanyWe like the consistency here year after year, not to mention the value. Look for a bright nose of green apples flecked with light smoky slate-y notes. The attack is juicy and fresh with floral, green apple flavours with bits of orange in the finish. Fine intensity for the price. Serve with spicy crab cakes.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $15.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $14.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Cono Sur Organic Pinot Noir 2010
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileGood medium dark colour but suitably pinot. On the nose look for sweet cherry fruit with a touch of mushroom. The palate is soft round and easy drinking with strawberries plums and dried cherries. Just about all you could ask for given its modest price. Great with cheese pizzas.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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02 March 2012
88PTS
Arboleda Chardonnay 2010
Aconcagua Costa, Valle de Aconcagua, Region de Aconcagua, ChileA nice fresh version of this label with a cashew roasted hazelnut nose with butter and honey. The fruit is grown in Chilhué about 12 kilometers from the cold Pacific contributing seashore salty oyster liqueur notes mixed with light vanilla, buttery lees and citrus and spice. A very modern stylish version of this wine that would look good on most wine lists in town.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $17.00 | 750ml |
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April 2012