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Tastings: October 2012
31 October 2012
86PTS
Veramonte Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva El Caballero 2010
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileSpicy, cassis, bay, eucalyptus, chocolate, coffee, leather, tobacco leaf and pepper aromas. Fresh, juicy, dry, smooth palate with medium body. Earthy, leather, tobacco, black olive, cassis, minty, bay, cedar and plum flavours. Simple, forward, pure cab for current drinking.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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29 October 2012
86PTS
Blasted Church Mixed Blessings 2011
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAn 80/20 viognier chardonnay blend that opens with a floral, spicy, ginger, honey nose flecked with melon, pear and red apple notes. The attack is fresh, delicate and juicy with a slightly sweet palate of honey, pear, canned grapefruit, lees, butter, baked apple flavours. A bit sweet and oily on the finish but has good fruit and balance. Best served as an apéritif or with Asian cuisine.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
LangeTwins Moscato 2010
Lodi, Central Valley, California, United StatesFrom the Clarksburg area, this offers a floral, lychee, nectarine, honey, spicy pear nose with a hint of melon. Fresh, somewhat spritzy palate in a sweeter but juicy style. Honey, floral, spicy, melon, ginger, baked pear and peach flavours with a bit of canned grapefruit. Good fruity, picnic or afternoon sipper but on the sweet side.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Road 13 Home Vineyard Old Vines Chenin Blanc 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGinger, soapy floral, butter, green apple, honey, matchstick and lees aromas. Fresh, juicy, somewhat sweet and oily entry with minty, grassy, ginger, herbal, green apple, honey, butter and leafy flavours. Finish is juicy and a bit sweet with an herb, butter note. Unique and well worth checking out. Try this with pan-Asian dishes for best effect.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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22 October 2012
88PTS
Paul Mas Estate Single Vineyard Collection GSM Grenache Syrah Mourvedre 2011
Coteaux du Languedoc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceSmells like a roast beef dip with earthy, black cherry, peppery, savoury, garrigue notes. Rich, round, full, smooth, suave palate with juicy acidity. Black cherry kirsch, plum, smoky herb, meaty, peppery, savoury, tobacco, liquorice root, carrot top, blood orange flavours. A bit warm on the finish but with fine good fruit. Cassoulet, stews and or root vegetable pie would be a fine match. Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
St. Hallett Poacher's Semillon Sauvignon 2010
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaLove the new edition of this classic sémillon sauvignon blanc blend. Love the nettle guava green lime tropical fruit nose with bits of asparagus that spill onto the palate. The attack is dry and elegant with more fresh grassy, floral, nutty honey fruit. Perfect for West Coast shellfish or oysters. Great value all under screwcap.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.15 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $16.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.10 | 750ml |
| NF | $16.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Graffigna Centenario Pinot Grigio Reserve 2011
San Juan, ArgentinaVery floral, spicy, ginger, peach, grapefruit, matchstick and green guava aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant, slightly lean but juicy palate with guava, grapefruit, nectarine, grassy, floral, spicy flavours. A bit light on the finish but juicy with the intensity to go with spice Asian cuisine.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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89PTS
Di Lenardo Vineyards Pinot Grigio dal Vigneto Vigne dai Vieris 2010
Friuli-Venezia Giulia, ItalyHoney, floral, quince, baked pear, almond aromas. Dry, fresh, round, soft but juicy palate with ripe pear, apple, honey, quince, floral, spicy, buttery nut flavours. Good ripe style with texture and acid structure balance. Drink now with seafood pasta or sushi.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Laughing Stock Vineyards Pinot Gris +20/10 2011
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA 53/39/8 percent mix of French oak, stainless steel and concrete eggs fermented wine aged sur lie for five months. The wine is super fresh and bright with a strong citrus core mixed with tangerine and lime zest. Just a bit too skinny and cool in 2011 to be recognisable as pinot gris but we like the style nevertheless and suggest with oysters it would be perfect.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Laughing Stock Vineyards Blind Trust Red +15/10 2010
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSavoury, vanilla, gingerbread, coffee, smoky, cassis, tobacco, peppery, rooty, licorice aromas. Round, smooth palate but tart with some edgy tannins. Big coffee, smoky vanilla, leafy, cassis, olive, riparian, roasted tomato puree, tobacco, resin flavours. Finish is dry, skinny and somewhat tart. Needs food to balance the acidity.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Gérard Bertrand Cigalus Rouge 2010
Tautavel, Côtes du Roussillon Villages, Roussillon, Sud de France, FranceA massive red with spicy, coffee, cocoa, cassis jam aromas flecked with savoury, tobacco, cedar and vanilla aromas. Rich, concentrated, suave, ripe palate with fine grip and good acidity. The attack is full of smoky, peppery, chocolate, coffee, peppery, black olive, cedar, blackberry and kirsch flavoured fruit over vanilla. Great flavour intensity with a slightly rustic country finish. Needs a few years to round out but a fine effort.Prices:| BC | $59.00 | 750ml |
| US | $41.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Gérard Bertrand Terroir Saint Chinian Syrah Mourvèdre 2009
St Chinian, Coteaux du Languedoc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceBig peppery, spicy, savoury, gamey, roast meat, liquorice, tobacco, chocolate, prune plum, blackberry aromas, good complexity. Rich, ripe, round, full, suave and juicy palate with black cherry, plum, orange, peppery, liquorice, chocolate, smoky, savoury, spicy, vanilla flavours. Very fresh and fruity on the long finish. Great effort and value, super wine.Prices:| BC | $21.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Gérard Bertrand Minervois Syrah Carignan 2008
Minervois, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceRich, spicy, meaty, floral nose with chocolate, tobacco, leather and black pepper spiked with coffee and black cherry aromas. The attack is round, juicy and slightly tannic with more chocolate, coffee, roasted meat, pepper, liquorice, garrigue and blackberry. A bit warm but with fine fruit and balance with good complexity. Super value in Ontario and perfect for grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Bartier-Scholefield B-S Red Table Wine 2008
Summerland Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoky, leafy, peppery, floral tobacco, coffee grind nose with cedar, kirsch, light cassis and cool olive aromas. Round, smooth, dry, somewhat austere palate with cedar, sage, earthy, smoky, licorice root and tobacco leaf flavours. Finish is somewhat leathery and resiny with some light tannins and acidity to balance. Needs a grilled piece of meat for best results.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Rocca delle Macie Riserva di Fizzano Chianti Classico Riserva 2007
Florence, Tuscany, ItalySpicy, meaty, peppery, smoky, black cherry, cassis, savoury, black olive and leather aromas. Dry, full, round, slightly tannic palate with smoky, leather, balsamic, black cherry, meaty, sausage, peppery, rooty, tobacco and olive flavours. Lots of structure still to allow aging. Needs a few more years to round out.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $27.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
de Venoge Brut Millésimé 2000
Champagne, FranceFine, continuous mousse. Toasty, brioche, creamy, strawberry, citrus, biscuit, honey, pear aromas. Round, full, elegant, fresh, crisp palate with fine mousse. Nutty, biscuit, citrus, honey, strawberry, tobacco, baked green apple flavours. A slightly more austere style but with a long finish and plenty more baked green apple and biscuit flavours. Nice finesse.Prices:| BC | $80.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
de Venoge Cordon Bleu Brut Sélect NV
Champagne, FranceVery fine persistent mousse. Green apple, honey, toasty, citrus, baked pear, mineral, buttery aromas. Medium brut sweetness style and crisp palate with creamy mousse and persistence. Toasty, citrus, cherry, baked granny smith, honey, spicy anise flavours with a touch of seashore. Good finesse and flavour concentration with structure and length. Prices:| BC | $65.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
de Venoge Brut Rosé NV
Champagne, FrancePale raspberry orange colour with fine mousse. Look for a fresh attractive strawberry, earthy, red cassis, toasty, pear aromas with some baked apple. Quite crisp, round and elegant with lots of mineral, cherry, red currant, toasty brioche, baked pear and anise flavours. Firm, fruity, fresh, dry finish with good finesse. An excellent rosé for sipping or with food. This is made with 8% red wine added and a dryer dosage of 6 g/L.Prices:| BC | $75.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $53.30 | 750ml |
| BC | $36.99 | 375ml |
| BC | $160.00 | 1500ml |
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90PTS
de Venoge Vin du Paradis Dry NV
Champagne, FranceWith the reproduction of the original label dating back to 1864 (the first colour label in champagne and, probably in all of France), the Dry de Venoge has rejuvenated a blend of pinot noir, balanced by a touch of chardonnay and pinot meunier to which a 20 gram/L dosage of sugar is added. There is plenty of fine continuous mousse and a bright pear, honey, citrus, leesy, green apple nose. The entry is fresh and lively with some sweetness but nice acidity. Ripe apple, honey, citrus, toasty flavours with a somewhat sweet, honeyed finish. Elegant, balanced, sweeter style that will appeal to many new to champagne.Prices:| BC | $69.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
de Venoge Blanc de Noirs Brut NV
Champagne, FranceThis wine is 80 percent pinot noir, 20 percent pinot meunier and spends four years en tirage. good solid fine mousse with toasty, nutty, baked apple, light raspberry and citrus aromas. On the palate there is citrus, nutty, baked apple, earthy spice flavours. Very crisp but elegant and well balanced with good body.Prices:| BC | $75.00 | 750ml |
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21 October 2012
89PTS
Quails' Gate Chardonnay 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA solid, well-made chardonnay that mixes bits of bread dough and tropical fruit aromas with flecks of orange and butter. The attack is fresh and juicy if a touch sweet with fine weight and green apple, honey, mineral and hazelnut notes throughout. An excellent cool style that offers good value at $19. A solid pick for restaurants and salmon. The mix is 50/50 tank and wood fermented with only 20 percent new French and American oak.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $24.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Lake Breeze Seven Poplars Chardonnay 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIt's been a while since we've seen the top chardonnay from Lake Breeze but it seems as good as ever. Seven Poplars gets barrel fermented in new French oak and then 70 per cent of that juice is aged six months in barrel; the remainder goes to stainless steel. Look for an attractive ripe buttery nose with fresh peach and floral notes over a rich, nutty, peach fruit mid-palate with a wisp of butterscotch in the back end. Love the balance here and given how young this wine is we expect it will really blossom in another two years as the lees works its magic and the tropical notes subside. Serve now with lobster or crab.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
de Venoge Grand Vin des Princes 1993
Champagne, FranceMade from 100% chardonnay, all grand cru vineyards. Almost 15 years en tirage, this new edition has very fine, continuous mousse. Big toasty, nutty, brioche, baked pear, orange peel, floral, spicy, waxy, apple dumpling aromas. Dry, tight, elegant and crisp palate with creamy mousse. Very nutty, hazelnut, creamy, baked pear, baked apple, quince, honey, citrus and honey flavours. Very crisp, dryer, austere style but big with lots of finesse. Drink with food as this is almost like drinking white Burgundy. Fully mature now but will probably hold for a few years.Prices:| BC | $180.00 | 750ml |
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20 October 2012
89PTS
Laughing Stock Vineyards Chardonnay +20/10 2011
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaButtery, vanilla, light lees, matchstick, pear, canned peach, honey, slightly nutty aromas. Round, juicy, fresh, slightly sweet entry with red apple, honey, butter, cinnamon, light lees, citrus flavours. Elegant, juicy, somewhat buttery style. Needs another year in bottle to reach maturity.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Vistalba Corte C 2010
Vistalba District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSpicy, savoury, peppery, poultry spice, vanilla, black cherry, chocolate, licorice aromas. Dry, round, smooth, fresh, elegant palate with cassis, black cherry, prune, savoury, peppery, smoky, prune, coffee, tobacco flavours. Somewhat warm on the finish but good fruit and finesse.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Tinhorn Creek Chardonnay 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis wine opens with a ripe red apple, pear, honey, floral nose with buttery undertones. The attack is soft but fresh with more butter, red apple, pear, honey and light lees flavours. A delicious, fresh, lighter style chardonnay for current drinking. Try this with a simply prepared and sauced seafood dishes or creamy cheese.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Laughing Stock Vineyards Viognier +28/10 2011
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, honey, light ginger, melon, red apple, butter, citrus aromas. Fresh, juicy, dry, elegant palate with light lees, butter, honeysuckle, nutty, ginger, red apple, guava and baked pear flavours. Solid, fresher style.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Laughing Stock Vineyards Blind Trust White +20/10 2011
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGrapefruit, floral, honey, spicy, pear, butter, matchstick aromas. Fresh, juicy, elegant palate with grapefruit, lemon, honey, green apple, baked pear, light butter and spice flavours. A bit muddled and tight right now. Give it six months in bottle to settle out. The mix is 43/29/28 pinot gris, pinot blanc and viognier.Prices:| BC | $25.10 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Boutinot La Côte Sauvage Cairanne Côtes du Rhône Villages 2009
Côtes du Rhône Villages, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceVery gamey, meaty, smoky, blackberry, black cherry jam, resin, licorice, dried thyme, vanilla, chocolate aromas. Dry, fresh, smooth, round, juicy palate with blackberry, black cherry, fig, peppery, garrigue, coffee, tobacco, gamey, cardamom, smoky, liquorice, savoury flavours. Good intensity and concentration, will improve over the next 1-3 years.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $34.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Boutinot Seguret Les Coteaux Schisteux Côtes du Rhône Villages 2009
Côtes du Rhône Villages, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceRipe blackberry, black cherry jam, smoky, spicy, licorice, smoky, slightly meaty, peppery, garrigue aromas. Ripe, round, smooth, rich palate but elegant with peppery, smoked meat, liquorice, black cherry jam, vanilla, chocolate, tobacco flavours. A tad warm but excellent fruit and length with a bit of ripe tannin to help aging. Well done.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $34.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Boutinot Les Coteaux Côtes du Rhone Villages 2009
Côtes du Rhône Villages, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceBlack raspberry, peppery, floral, spicy, meaty, tobacco, garrigue and light oak aromas. Fresh, elegant, juicy palate with light tannins. Black raspberry, licorice, meaty, peppery, smoky, dried herb, savoury, tobacco flavours. A bit tart on the finish but good fruit and elegance.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $13.50 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Boom Boom Syrah 2010
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesBig peppery, savoury, chocolate, vanilla, blackberry jam, gamey, smoky, sweaty leather, gingerbread with a pruny note. Ripe, round, smooth, fresh palate with meaty, peppery, blackberry, balsamic, prune plum, smoky, garrigue, poultry spice, chocolate, licorice flavours. Good flavours and aromas with a slightly tart, warm finish.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Chateau Smith Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesCocoa, chocolate, leafy, tobacco, dried blackberry, dill, cedar, light compost aromas. Dry, somewhat lean, astringent entry and very warm with coffee, vanilla, smoky cocoa, peppery, rooty, cassis jam, dried herb flavours. Very warm, tart, gritty finish with a hollow mid-palate.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Hollick Shiraz 2008
Wrattonbully, Limestone Coast, South Australia, AustraliaOpen peppery, vanilla, licorice, poultry spice, black cherry jam, meaty, coffee, leather, cedar, chocolate aromas. Ripe, round, smooth, fresh, suave palate with light tannins. Peppery, gamey, chocolate, vanilla, gingerbread, floral, coffee, blackberry jam flavours. Good fruit intensity and balance with a warm, somewhat tart finish.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $29.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Hollick Pinot Noir 2008
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaRaspberry, rhubarb, spicy, carrot top, celery, cocoa, vanilla, tobacco aromas. Dry, smooth, round, slightly tart and lean palate with cedar, tobacco, cherry, rhubarb, resin, rooty, orange and cocoa flavours. A bit too sour and acidic to be considered delicious pinot but there's enough fruit to entertain.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $22.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Hollick Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Tannery Block 2008
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaBig cassis jam, blackberry, coffee, minty, vanilla, cedar, black olive, smoky vanilla, licorice aromas. Ripe, round, smooth, fresh palate with light tannins. Coffee, vanilla, savoury, peppery, cassis, black cherry, resin, tobacco, mint chocolate flavours. Good fruit and concentration but the acidity and warmth dry out the finish. Best with grilled beef.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Mitolo Jester Shiraz 2010
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaOpen cola, prune plum nose with peppery, floral aromas flecked with a savoury, black liquorice, tobacco leaf notes. Round, smooth, suave palate with fresh acidity. Blackberry, licorice, spicy, savoury, peppery, black raspberry, coffee, resin flavours. Very warm finish with a tart edge but good fruit.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $25.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Gehringer Brothers Dry Rock Vineyards Cabernet Merlot 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeppery, roast bell pepper, olive, cool cassis aromas with tobacco, dried herbs, pepper, and tomato purée notes. The attack is dry, tart, elegant, somewhat thin palate with smoky, tobacco, herbal, olive, smoked pepper, roast tomato, riparian, cassis flavours. On the soupy, green side.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Gehringer Brothers Dry Rock Vineyards Merlot 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRooty, floral, licorice, resin, black olive, milk chocolate, cocoa, tobacco leaf and cherry aromas. Round, smooth, fresh, light style with cocoa, licorice root, cocoa, peppery, resin, cherry, herbal, olive flavours. Simple, easy, consumer style.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Gehringer Brothers Pinot Noir Optimum 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSomewhat reduced nose with black cherry, rubber, earthy, liquorice root aromas flecked with floral, plum and tobacco notes. Dry, fresh, smooth palate with earthy, rubbery, liquorice, resin, rooty, pepper, tobacco and cooked rhubarb flavours. Well balanced but lacks fruitiness with a sour edge.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Gehringer Brothers Optimum Pinot Gris 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, ripe pear, baked apple, matchstick, honey aromas. Fresh, round, juicy, slightly soft palate with baked pear, grapefruit, apple, chalky, honey flavours. Juicy and fruity with some good length. Very good value when compared to the category.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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19 October 2012
86PTS
Black Hills Nota Bene 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoky, dill, herbal, leafy, resin, smoky, compost, riparian, coffee oak aromas. Round, smooth, fresh, elegant palate with light tannins. Coffee, vanilla, tobacco leaf, compost, olive, resin, roasted bell pepper, tomato purée, cranberry flavours. Good texture but finishes green and short. Back to the drawing board.Prices:| BC | $53.00 | 750ml |
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18 October 2012
91PTS
Kendall-Jackson Merlot Grand Reserve 2010
Sonoma County, California, United StatesThe GR merlot is totally dialled in at KJ and the2010 is one big wine. Look for a rich, spicy, black liquorice nose flecked with black cherry, plum, tapenade, cedar, menthol, saddle leather, barnyard and vanilla aromas. Rich, ripe, round, full but fresh palate with supple tannins and big extract. Black cherry jam, plum, cedar, black licorice, peppery, spicy, orange, espresso, sage and herb flavours. A bit warm on the finish but has great fruit and complexity. Should improve over the next 3-5 years.Prices:| QC | $37.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $51.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $40.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $37.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Santa Julia Reserva Malbec 2010
Mendoza, ArgentinaThere is a purity of flavour with the Santa Julia syrah. The dark fruit aromas waft form the glass with a touch of pepper and meat. The tannin is light and slippery the fruit black and flecked with tobacco, pepper and a touch of curry. Solid everyday malbec that is ready to drink. Perfect with hamburgers.Prices:| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Zonin Ripasso Valpolicella Superiore 2010
Pedemonte Valpolicella, Verona, Veneto, ItalyThe Zonin 'ripasso' opens with a full, soft, rich palate thanks to its secondary ferment on dry Amarone skins. The nose is expressive offering liquorice, cocoa and coffee notes with black fruits. The attack is similar with more cherries and chocolate fairly pliable, soft tannins. Try this with fresh pasta and your favourite meat sauce. The bend is 70/20/10 corvina (including corvinone), rondinella and molinara.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.60 | 750ml |
| NB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $19.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Don Melchor 2008
Puente Alto, Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileSpicy, resin, liquorice root, cassis, savoury, eucalyptus, bay leaf, peppery, blackberry, coffee, vanilla, leather and roast meat aromas. Ripe, round, full, suave and smooth palate with juicy acidity. Cassis jam, blackberry, liquorice, resin, earthy, peppery, floral, spicy, vanilla, kirsch, bay and mint flavours with a touch of leather and chocolate. A touch warm on the finish but expresses excellent fruit in a suave, juicy style with some length. A fine cabernet sauvignon.Prices:| BC | $80.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $80.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $73.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Vistalba Corte B 2008
Vistalba District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSavoury, cedar, tobacco, peppery, black liquorice, vanilla, smoky, black cherry aromas with a floral streak. Ripe, round, smooth, suave and warm palate with fresh acidity. Coffee, roast mushroom, poultry spice, black cherry, black plum, vanilla, smoky herb and tobacco flavours. Good flavour intensity and balance if pretty warm on the finish. Has some finesse to go with beef, lamb, turkey and even pork.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Dow's Late Bottled Vintage Port 2006
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalAnother year in bottle has only helped this LBV shine with its peppery, minty, black tea, prune, blackberry, chocolate, rancio, nutty aromas. There is a full, ripe, round, sweet but juicy palate with light tannins and plenty of black liquorice, orange peel, dried fig, dried cherry, pepper, walnut, smoky, tobacco flavours. Excellent intensity for LBV.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
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17 October 2012
91PTS
Château de la Gardine Châteauneuf du Pape 2009
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceCertainly one of the best Gardine's we have tasted since 2001. It has all the spicy earthy, black cherry, and licorice root you can handle along with a whack of black currants and chocolate. It goes on forever with plenty more black cherry, pepper, clove and mineral notes. Intense and packed full of life this one needs another decade to reach peak form. Chateau de la Gardine is a 60/20 15/ 5 mix of grenache, mourvèdre, syrah and Muscardin aged in large vats and barrels for about 12 months.Prices:| AB | $45.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $55.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $38.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $44.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $36.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $37.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Black Hills Viognier 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSimilar to last year this viognier is heading down the cool elegant path. Expect a fresh citrus, tree fruits nose and flavours flecked with camomile tea, gingerbread, green apple skin, honey and a touch of lees. Food-friendly style you can serve with your favourite curry or creamy cheese.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Black Hills Carmenère 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFinally this wine has found its roots on the Black Sage Bench. And if an equal mix of new oak, one year old and two year old doesn't impress you fruit fans then maybe its 12.2 alcohol will grab your attention. Expect a typically peppery/leafy nose followed by a juicy fresh red fruit palate with supple tannins. A cool style, no chocolate version of carmenère that is carving out a home in BC. Best yet.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Oteros Ramos Suipacha Reserva Malbec 2007
Mendoza, ArgentinaGamey, savoury, tobacco, meaty, peppery, liquorice nose with flecks of coffee, black cherry, rooty aromas. Dry, round, smooth, elegant palate with tobacco, peppery, roasted mushroom and savoury liquorice smoky cherry flavours with an animal and chocolate note. A balanced, old style malbec for current consumption.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Marani Mtsvane Dry White NV
Kakheti, GeorgiaExpect a clean fresh aromatic Georgian white with baked pear, light marzipan, honey, apple skin aromas. The attack is elegant, soft and slightly oily with more baked pear, honey, spicy, light lees, quince, orange and guava flavours. Good flavours and balance and a steal at this price. Try with your favourite Pan Asian dishes.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
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16 October 2012
89PTS
Church & State Wines Trebella 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaTrebella is a delicious mix of marsanne, roussanne and viognier and its one of those wines that can change the way you think about the Okanagan. The nose is exotic with notes of lemon and lime rind and fresh, racy minerality. The attack is similarly crisp but with some round peachy apricot flavours with just a hint of sweetness in the finish. It spends four months on its lees in neutral barrels and is stirred intermittently. Food-friendly and ready party.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Nk'Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Pinot Noir 2009
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA very cold winter led into a dry warm almost normal 09 vintage before it all stop on October 15 with a devastating frost that froze the leaves effectively terminating the vintage. In the case of pinot the grapes were in good shape and yield an attractive mix of strawberry and rhubarb on the nose and palate all underpinned by fine acidity and an earthy, spicy, light tannin structure that carries thorough the finish. Despite its Q2 status this red is ready to drink. We suggest whole-roasted chicken would be a fine match.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Black Hills Syrah 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA nice follow-up to last year's premiere release. The nose is multi-dimensional with notes of pepper, smoke summer sausage and black cherry. The attack is similar with more smooth elegant restrained fruit sporting cola, cocoa, black cherry fruit. Think pork tenderloin or lamb chops and you can drink now otherwise hold five years for best results.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Edna Valley Paragon Chardonnay 2010
Edna Valley, San Luis Obispo County, Central Coast, California, United StatesOnly five miles from the Pacific Ocean the Paragon is an historically important chardonnay San Luis Obispo. In 2010 a cool year the freshness of the wine grabs you. The bright acidity and attractive weight previews modest tropical fruit notes with a twist of minerality, spice and vanilla. Ready to drink but should hold another two years.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Rocky Creek Wild Blackberry 2011
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaBig riparian, blackberry jam, tobacco, liquorice nose with spicy, clove, earthy/balsamic aromas. Sweet, full, juicy, warm palate with similar flavours and a big, jammy, spicy finish. A bit cooked but with plenty of wild blackberry intensity.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Township 7 7 Blanc 2011
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 2011 version of 7-Blanc remains an aromatic expression this year a 60/40 split of co-fermented Naramata gewürztraminer and pinot gris. Just off-dry at 8.3 g/l it has a very floral nose with lemon and grapefruit aromas that preview a fresh tasty peachy red apple flavoured white with a touch of dusty minerality in the finish. This would be a solid match with spicy Asian fare or with most poultry dishes. Good value.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
8th Generation Vineyard Confidence Frizzante Style 2011
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIt's easy to see why this wine sells out so fast. Its 50/40/10 mix of dunkelfelder, pinot gris and syrah spawns a delicious, fresh, berry nose with a hint of taffy apple. The attack is soft and sweet with fresh creamy strawberry and pink grapefruit flavours. You could easily serve this solo before the party or pair it up with spicy appetizers. Serve well chilled for best results.Prices:| BC | $22.50 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Villa Teresa Rosé Veneto Vino Frizzante Organic NV
Veneto, ItalyAn all organic rose with a salmon skin colour and a fresh, red fruits nose is a good start. The attack is soft with a hint of sweetness and candied cherry/citrus fruit flavours with affine but not overpowering fizz underneath. Simple, light fresh playful party pink that works well with a tapas style appetizers.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Marani Saperavi-Cabernet Sauvignon NV
Kakheti, GeorgiaEarthy, tobacco, peppery, floral, cassis, green bean, olive, herbal aromas. Fresh, dry, smooth, vibrant palate with cassis, mulberry, earthy, tobacco, chocolate, peppery, leafy, herb flavours. Clean and balanced on the herbal side for current drinking.Prices:| BC | $14.75 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Gehringer Brothers Desert Sun 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGreen apple, gooseberry, grapefruit, matchstick, green pear aromas. Fresh, juicy, off dry, easy palate with canned grapefruit, gooseberry, green apple, lees, grassy flavours with a bit of spritz.. SimplePrices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Marani Mukuzani Dry Red 2008
Mukuzani, Kakheti, GeorgiaGamey, peppery, savoury, black cherry, sausage, black olive, leather and tobacco aromas. Dry, full, elegant but somewhat austere with light tannins. Tobacco leaf, peppery, bell pepper, rooty, smoky, gamey, cassis, minty, savoury flavours. Solid concentration and balance if a bit tart on the finish.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Santeli Pirosmani Semi Dry Red 2007
Kakheti, GeorgiaDark colour but lots of foamy mousse on opening. Prune, black cherry, herbal, tobacco, spicy, slightly reduced nose. Off dry, fresh, somewhat foamy palate with some tannin. Prune dried cherry, tobacco, herbal, olive, rooty flavours with a touch of bitterness. A bit like a tannic Lambrusco.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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79PTS
Santeli Alazani Valley Semi Sweet Red 2008
Kakheti, GeorgiaSomewhat volatile, prune, balsamic, dried cherry, crushed herb aromas. Round, fresh, slightly sweet and tannic palate with similar flavours. A bit too rustic and dirty. Back to the drawing board.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Wine Man Tsinandali Dry White 2007
GeorgiaFresh green apple, floral, nectarine skin aromas with honey, lemon, pear aromas. Fresh, dry, full, slightly spritz-y palate with apple skin, honey, floral, nutty, quince and raisin flavours. A bit soft on the finish but has good fruit intensity with an austerity and length that is intriguing. Still in fine shape but ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Wine Man Kindzmarauli Semi Sweet Red Wine 2009
Kindzmarauli, Kakheti, GeorgiaLook for a big resin, black pepper, and black liquorice, smoky nose with gamey, prune and savoury undertones. The attack is fresh, juicy, somewhat sweet but still with some youthful tannin. Blackberry jam, spicy, peppery, resin, liquorice, balsamic, tobacco and herb flavours. Unique fruit flavours but with the tannins and acidity. This still needs some bottle age.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Wine Man Khvanchkara Semi-Sweet Red 2009
Racha, Ambrolauri, GeorgiaBig black peppery, liquorice, smoky, savoury, curry spice, tobacco, cedar aromas. Fresh, somewhat sweet, fresh, tannic palate with peppery, balsamic, plum, blackberry, savoury, tobacco leaf, cedar, licorice and a gamey, tannic finish. Good flavour but not sweet enough to balance the tannins and acidity. Will require three to five years more bottle age to mellow out and reach its peak.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Wine Man Saperavi Cabernet Dry Red 2010
Kakheti, GeorgiaSpicy, peppery, cassis, black cherry, earthy, floral, prune, resin aromas. Dry, round, smooth, elegant and ripe with cassis, blackberry, prune, leather, peppery, savoury, olive, gamey flavours. Good finesse and length with good acidity and light tannins. Well done.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Santeli Alazani Valley Semi Sweet White 2010
Kakheti, GeorgiaNutty, matchstick, flor, light honey, baked pear aromas. Flat, soft, round palate with burnt caramel, baked pear, lemon oil, nutty, buttery flavours. A bit of an oxidized style and flat. Would be better in a fresher style.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Marani Tbilisuri Medium Dry White NV
Kakheti, GeorgiaPear, quince, lemon rind, matchstick, lees, spicy, buttery aromas. Round, soft, slightly sweet palate with baked pear, honey, citrus, quince, grassy, light marzipan and raisin flavours. A bit warm and flat on the finish but some decent fruit.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Wild Goose Riesling 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAlways fresh and clean the nose is a mix of mineral, clover floral honey notes with bits of spice and pear. The attack is fresh and Germanic with green apple and citrus lime flavours with a touch of honey in the finish. Solid value and as usual very food friendly. Think chicken or sushi.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Sandhill Pinot Gris Hidden Terrace 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaTasted several times the Hidden Terrace is a new single vineyard gris, north of Oliver tucked up behind McIntyre Bluff some 110 meters above the Okanagan River. Super young vines have yielded a taut citrus juicy white that has a bright fresh demeanour. Love the fruit persistence throughout this pinot gris that is more along the juicy, mineral, chalky route than the heavier honey earthy style. Well done bring on the halibut. Fine value.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $18.00 | 750ml |
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15 October 2012
87PTS
Tantalus Pinot Noir 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAn oddly astringent, dry version of pinot that is hard to love at this stage. The attack is dry with bitter root notes flecked with dried cherries and floral notes. The palate is short-ish and again dry with some substantial tannins and peppery, smoky meat flavours. It tastes as if the yields might be too low. Give this some more time in bottle to see if the fruit can blossom. Try it with duck or mushroom based dishes.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $30.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Jackson-Triggs Shiraz Gold Series Sunrock Vineyard 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis wine/vineyard continues to impress each year. The grapes come off a single vineyard site tucked up against a massive rock face on the east side of the south Okanagan that heats up all day and acts like a furnace throughout the night. Expect a dark colour and a fresh, peppery nose with bits of smoked meat and black fruit. The attack is dense and glossy with more peppery, meaty flavours tailor-made for grilled meats and aged cheeses.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Le Vieux Pin Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBright, fresh, grassy, grapefruit nettle aromas with a smooth supple attack on the palate. A portion of the wine was fermented in oak to add some texture along with extended lees contact but the wine still remains fresh. Look for bright passion fruit/grapefruit flavours with a touch of stony/minerality. Oysters anyone. Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
La Casona de Castaño Old Vines G-S-M 2010
Yecla, Valencia and Murcia, SpainFun fresh, spicy, floral, cherry, savoury, aromas. The attack is fresh and lean savoury earthy raspberry white pepper, mineral flavours. Overall a pretty solid effort for the price and is likely best with hamburgers. Great value.Prices:| BC | $9.50 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Burrowing Owl Pinot Noir 2010
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeppery, plum, strawberry, earthy, tobacco, resin, vanilla and coffee aromas with a bit of celery salt. Dry, fresh, juicy, slightly lean entry with light tannins. Tobacco, cedar, peppery, licorice root, cherry jam, celery, earthy, barnyard flavours with a vanilla, coffee, tart berry finish. A bit warm but solid, needs a year or so in bottle to develop.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
McWilliam's Red Blend Hanwood Estate 2010
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaPeppery, rooty, rubber, blackberry, plum jam, smoky, black olive, tobacco and spicy herb aromas. Soft, fresh, round, juicy palate with cedar, black cherry, licorice, resin, tobacco, plum, smoky tobacco and meaty flavours. A bit thin and warm on the finish but offers solid fruit and balance.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Van Westen Vineyards Vivacious 2011
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, green apple, pear skin, light lees, grassy, grapefruit aromas. Dry, fresh, crisp and juicy palate with honey, green apple, spicy, floral, pear and green peach flavours. Very fresh style that should be good for another one or two years. Vivacious is mostly pinot blanc with a dash of pinot gris all home grown on the Home Lot Vineyard on the Naramata Bench.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Alpha Estate Syrah Turtles Vineyard 2008
Amyndaio, Makedonia, GreeceCorked, try anotherPrices:| BC | $28.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $39.50 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Van Westen Vineyards Vulture 2009
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA re-taste of this wine a year on shows improvement in a minimally-sulphited pure cabernet franc that has really expanded in bottle. Look for a sage, curry spicy, smoky, and cranberry, tobacco nose flecked with pepper, vanilla, cedar, floral, chocolate aromas. It has a dry, full, fresh, juicy palate with some young tannins and cranberry, plum, vanilla, cedar, tobacco, floral, vanilla, chocolate, poultry spice and liquorice flavours. Good finesse and concentration but still needs 2-3 years to fully mature and be the red wine it can.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Yakut Öküzgözü - Boğazkere 2011
South-East Anatolia Region, TurkeyA blend of two indigenous grapes yields a peppery, savoury, herbal, meaty nose flecked with curry spice and plum aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant, slightly tannic palate with plum, black cherry, peppery, floral, spicy, olive, tobacco and dried herb flavours. A simple, fresh, clean style with a leaner edge.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Stoneboat Vineyards Chorus 2011
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis label speaks to the diverse fruit selection they have at Stoneboat. It's the refreshing acidity that makes the 27/22/20/20/7/2 mix of pinot blanc, müller-thurgau, schönburger, kerner, pinot gris and viognier work. Expect a fresh aromatic nose with an easy-sipping blend of tropical fruit flavours with some residual sugar in the mix. It appears to be a little sweeter than previous editions masking some of that electric minerality character.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Stoneboat Vineyards Pinot Noir 2010
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe latest Stoneboat pinot lacks a bit of vivacity and mouthfeel. Look for a pale colour that previews a candied-strawberry nose with bits of barnyard and rhubarb. The attack is light and dry with simple sweet, easy sipping fruit. Ready to drink. Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Lake Breeze Pinot Blanc 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPinot Blanc has always been a winner at Lake Breeze and the latest under screwcap is impressive. The latest is a bright fresh, fruit-driven white with excellent fruit and acidity balance. The fruit is 100 per cent estate grown on the Naramata Bench and a delicious mix of apple, and lemon flavours flecked with mineral, nectarine skin and bits of peach. Super value. Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Black Hills Alibi 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen clean fresh nose with pink grapefruit, citrus and floral aromas. Crisp and inviting. The attack is juicy, cool and elegant with sweet, smoky herbal notes. Look for more pink grapefruit, lemon thyme, mineral and ginger flavours with a trace of chalk underneath. Steamed buttered clams with a squeeze of Alibi in the pot works for me. Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Tantalus Riesling 2011
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaTypically at the extreme end of freshness and acidity. Pure, electric mineral floral citrus green apple fruit without any overpowering sulphur yeah. The attack is textbook crisp and clean with vibrant delicious flavours that combine lemon, honey, lime and green apple and tangerine notes. A juicy mouth-watering style made for food. Super effort. Hard to believe it has 19g/l residual sugar.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $23.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Dominique Piron Domaine de la Chanaise Beaujolais-Villages 2010
Beaujolais Villages, Beaujolais, Burgundy, FranceSpicy, prune plum, black cherry, barnyard, licorice, floral, peppery, meaty aromas. Dry, fresh, lighter bodied style with licorice root, meaty, black cherry, tobacco, peppery, earthy flavours. A bit light but has good fruit and balance for current drinking. Solid value.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Mission Hill S.L.C. Syrah 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFormidable nose of black cherry, meaty, spicy, saddle leather, vanilla with light garrigue aromas. Ripe and full the fruit is juicy and warm on the palate with glossy tannins. Expect youthful savoury flavours of blueberries, black cherries, spice, meat and coffee flavours. Plenty of fruit will carry this forward over the next two to four years. The Syrah has been aged in French oak barrels for 16.5 months. Cellar two to five years.Prices:| BC | $37.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $40.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $37.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Haywire Pinot Gris Switchback Vineyard Raised in Concrete 2011
Summerland Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 'silver' label is a select portion of the Haywire Vineyard that is fermented in concrete eggs. The nose is a delicate mix of slate, pear, floral, waxy, grassy, light mango aromas. The attack is fresh and juicy, if a touch austere, but with a fine creamy, chalky palate flecked with more green apple skin, grapefruit rind, pear, pea shoot, grass and honey flavours. Good finesse and fruit in a feed-me, less pinot gris and more Okanagan, food style white.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Clos du Soleil Célestiale 2010
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeppery, rooty, liquorice, smoky, leather, cranberry, cassis, tobacco, olive aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant but a bit austere with some light astringency. Earthy, tobacco, olive, meaty, cassis, leather, coffee, and resin flavours. Beef will match the slightly tart and tannic finish. The blend is 52/39/9 cabernet sauvignon, merlot and petit verdot.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $26.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Gehringer Brothers Dry Rock Vineyards Unoaked Chardonnay 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGreen apple, grapefruit rind, matchstick, pear, light honey and lees aromas. Fresh, juicy, off dry palate with pear skin, green apple, and grapefruit flavours. Clean, juicy, easy drinking style.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Gehringer Brothers Pinot Blanc Private Reserve 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight lees, pear skin, apple, honey and matchstick aromas. Round, full, juicy, slightly oily palate with baked apple, lees, grapefruit skin and pear flavours. Solid if a bit bitter on the finish.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Wine Man Saperavi Dry Red 2010
Kakheti, GeorgiaGamey, peppery, tobacco leaf, cherry, cranberry, smoky, barnyard, leather and prune aromas. Juicy, fresh, slightly tannic palate with meaty, smoky, leather, prune, dried cherry, tobacco and ash flavours, a bit like sangiovese. A bit rustic and tart on the finish but fine for the barbecue meats or pasta Bolognese. It will improve with another year in bottle.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Wine Man Mukuzani Dry Red 2007
Mukuzani, Kakheti, GeorgiaEarthy, cherry jam, meaty, smoky, leather, rooty, bacon aromas. Fresh, dry, juicy palate with light tannins. Cranberry, black cherry, smoky, earthy, gamey, savoury flavours with a bit of cigar and cedar on the finish. Clean solid fruit for grilled meat dishes.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Pierre Ponnelle Passe-Tous-Grains 2009
Burgundy, FranceSpicy, cedar, tobacco leaf, raspberry, earthy, purne aromas. Dry, fresh, light but slightly lean palate. Pomegranate, tobacco leaf, herbal, earthy, raspberry flavours. A simple wine for current drinking.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Caymus Zinfandel 2009
Napa Valley, California, United StatesSpicy, liquorice, blackberry jam, black pepper, smoky, light barnyard, savoury aromas. Rich, full, round, warm and juicy palate. Black cherry jam, blackberry, peppery, liquorice, spicy, chocolate, vanilla, smoky herb flavours. Good fruit and concentration, very suave and warm on the finish. Big boy zinfandel.Prices:| BC | $46.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Township 7 Reserve Chardonnay 2008
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVanilla, butterscotch, garlic, lees, honey, nutty, baked apple aromas. Round, slightly oily, fresh but soft palate with a touch of sweetness. Spicy lees, garlic, toasty nut, baked peach, buttery, pear and honey flavours. A more traditional style with a strong lees character. Now mature and ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Gabriel Meffre Gigondas Sainte Catherine 2010
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FrancePeppery, black cherry, liquorice, smoky garrigue, graphite and black plum aromas. Dry, fresh, smooth, juicy palate with light tannins. Smoky, garrigue, peppery, black cherry, fig, meaty, graphite, and tobacco flavours. Good finesse and fruit with some structure to age but fully drinkable now. Solid value here.Prices:| BC | $33.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Tinhorn Creek 2Bench Oldfield Series White 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Tinhorn Creek 2Bench White 2011 mixes 51 percent chardonnay with 31 per cent sauvignon blanc, viognier sémillon and muscat (some of which are co-fermented) to better mix all the fruit flavours. One thing about cool years, if you can get the crop load right the fruit is stunning and in this case the mix of aromatic and tropical fruit aromas in 2011 are stunning and well supported by a firm acidic underbelly. A friendly screwcap white that is both fresh and rich enough to maeks its way with winter fare.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Tinhorn Creek Gewürztraminer 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaEnticing sausage meat, lychee, honey, lees, floral, ginger aromas. Fresh, dry, juicy, slightly austere palate with green apple, peach pit, dry lychee, grapefruit, ginger and rose water flavours. Good intensity in a drier style for food. Well done.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Tinhorn Creek 2Bench Oldfield Series Rosé 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe third release of the 2bench rosé actually comes off one bench; it is 100 per cent cabernet franc from Diamondback Vineyard, Black Sage Bench on the east side of the valley. The winery only release has a very pleasing pale orange/pink colour and a fresh fruity nose. A cooler than normal 2011 resulted in some early planning to make more cabernet franc. Look for a fun mix of cherry fruit, dried herbs and a kiss of sweet fruit. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Quails' Gate Chasselas - Pinot Blanc - Pinot Gris 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaExpect a bracingly fresh aromatic almost equal blend of chasselas, pinot blanc and pinot gris. The attack is crisp green apple, green peas and mineral, floral aromas with a touch of passion fruit. Sleek lean fresh and clean the mid-palate is similar with grapefruit, citrus and honey flavours. A refreshing picnic style made for summer.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Painted Rock Syrah 2009
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis big spicy, brooding black fruit scented syrah with a dollop of Okanagan sage has really come together in the bottle over the last six months and will likely improve through 2015. Both ripe and rich it exudes a New World syrah stance mixing liquorice, smoky, black tea and roasted meat characters flecked with plums and spicy oak. Tasted several times now and it gets better each time out. You can drink it now with a big piece of grilled lamb or put in the cellar for another five years.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Moon Curser Dead of the Night 2009
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRecently retasted (one year later) and still round and full with an intense plum/cherry nose and underlying savoury, vanilla, tobacco, coffee notes. The attack is dry, the textures supple with fresh acidity and a rich peppery, tobacco, meaty, smoky, cherry jam and savoury flavours. It finishes warm with solid fruit and some young acidity. Good effort that is big warm and rich. Not cheap.Prices:| BC | $38.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Quinta Ferreira Merlot 2008
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeppery, smoky, prune and black cherry, tobacco aromas flecked with black olive, leather, dried tomato and espresso aromas. Dry, round, elegant, slightly tannic palate with good extract. Smoky oak, espresso, vanilla, black olive, peppery, earthy, tobacco, black cherry, prune and herb flavours with a light barnyard and cedar note. Needs 1-2 years. Impressive effort to be served with roast beef or T-bone steaks.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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11 October 2012
84PTS
Santa Carolina Reserva Pinot Noir Casablanca Estate 2011
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileFresh, dry, earthy, herbal pinot fruit with raspberry/red fruit aromas. The attack is dry, earthy with stemmy black cherry flavours. A very simple version of pinot noir that is a bit lacking in fruit. Serve with simply prepared pizza.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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10 October 2012
87PTS
Pérez Cruz Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2011
Alto Maipo, Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileBig bay leaf (Maipo), cassis, black cherry nose with bits of tobacco, eucalyptus, chocolate, black olive, and liquorice root aromas. The attack is smooth and ripe with cedar, tobacco, cassis, chocolate, coffee and black olive flavours with smooth, chalky textures in the finish. Very Maipo but well balanced and intense. Ready to drink with most any grilled meats. Good value under $20 cabernet.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.45 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Clos du Soleil Grower's Series Baessler Pinot Blanc 2011
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFresh light lees, red apple, pear skin nose with slate and floral aromas. Fresh, juicy, delicate, dry palate with pear, honey, floral, lees, red apple and citrus peel flavours. Good juicy, elegant style with fruit length and some yeasty, mineral notes. All Similkameen. Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
La Miranda de Secastilla Garnache 2008
Somontano, Aragon, SpainThe name 'Secastilla' derives from the Latin for the seven castles land in the first Century. The blend is a mix of grenache, syrah and parraleta grapes. Look for an intense peppery, earthy, liquorice, black cherry nose that previews a smooth, fresh, easy sipping red flavoured with spicy, soya, balsamic notes with smoked meat, black cherry and liquorice and a touch of oak. Try this with roast pork or a Cornish game hen.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Arido 2011
Mendoza, ArgentinaNice rose water, floral, spicy, ginger, peach and honey aromas. Full, round, juicy, somewhat sweet style with a bit of spritz. Honey, ripe peach, baked apple, floral, ginger, earthy spice flavours. Good fruit but a bit heavy and sweet and soft.Prices:| US | $9.50 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Tio Pepe Extra Dry Palomino NV
Sherry Jerez - Manzanilla, SpainBig nutty, spicy, rancio, peppery, buttery aromas. Dry, fresh, light bodied style with very nutty, spicy, grassy, dried herb flavours. Simple style to drink with salty appetizers before the main event. Treat as a normal white and chill before serving.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
HMC McWatters Collection Meritage 2009
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen balsamic, volatile, pruny nose with peppery, tobacco, herbal, vanilla, soy aromas. Dry, round, full, juicy palate with light tannins and more prune, coffee, chocolate, cedar, tobacco leaf, tapenade, balsamic flavours. Finish is warm and prickly. Just a bit too volatile for us.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Frescobaldi Remole Chianti 2010
Tuscany, ItalyDry peppery, liquorice root and black cherry aromas with a whiff of balsamic and tobacco. The attack is fresh and round with elegant motes of cherry jam, prune, liquorice, black olive, dried herb flavours. Finish is a bit tart and warm has solid fruit. Best with lamb or turkey.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.45 | 750ml |
| NS | $17.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Aya Charming 2010
Vinho Regional Terras do Sado, Setúbal Peninsula, Central and Southern Portugal, PortugalCedar bark, earthy, chocolate, cherry jam, meaty, smoky, licorice root aromas. Round, smooth, fresh palate in a leaner style. More coffee, cedar/tobacco leaf, resin, smoky herb, black cherry flavours. The finish is Euro-lean and food friendly. Try this with Korean barbecue ribs.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $16.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Cono Sur Cabernet Sauvignon - Carmenère 2011
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileLook for peppery, black olive, sappy, cassis nose with earthy, tobacco and milk chocolate aromas. The attack is round and soft with tobacco leaf, black olive, peppery, savoury, cassis, minty, herbal flavours. Solid effort for the price. All fruit is organically grown.Prices:| BC | $15.50 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.45 | 750ml |
| SK | $14.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $16.75 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Vitticio Bere 2009
Tuscany, ItalyTight spicy, peppery, black cherry, tobacco, rooty nose with smoky, savoury aromas. Fresh, elegant, dry palate with very light, lean tannins. Prune, peppery, black cherry, smoky, olive, gamey, meaty flavours. Solid if rustic style with fresh acidity on the finish. Try this with mushrooms and meat.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Ruby Blues Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFragrant, spicy, black olive, cigar, leather aromas with a touch of smoked meat and cassis. The attack is dry and fresh with good acidity and elegance. The palate is a mix of cassis, savoury, herbal, cassis and prune flavours with an earthy, leather undercurrent. Good finesse if a bit herbaceous and lean on the finish. Needs a year or so to settle down. Best now with a fine piece of cheese.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Perseus Tempus 2009
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen spicy, peppery, gingerbread nose with meaty, liquorice root, black cherry, plum, savoury, vanilla aromas. A smooth syrah with a supple palate and plenty of black liquorice, curry spice, sage, black cherry, peppery, floral, meaty flavours with some chocolate and vanilla on the finish. A bit warm (alcoholic) but with solid fruit and balance. Drink now or hold for a year two. Try this with grilled lamb chops.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Cellar Hand Free Run White 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPear, apple skin, citrus rind, lees, matchstick, grassy aromas. Soft, fresh, round, somewhat sweet style with matchstick, baked red apple, honey, pear, grassy, grapefruit rind flavours with a rind-y, sweet and sour finish. Simple, easy, consumer style.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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09 October 2012
91PTS
Laughing Stock Vineyards Syrah+7/10 2010
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe fruit is grown in Osoyoos and the wine is made by co-fermenting a small amount of viognier with the syrah in large casks and tanks. The viognier adds some floral mineral notes and tends to open up the syrah allowing it to fully express its potential in the bottle. Look for a rich, smooth, fresh palate with blackberry jam, menthol, ginger, pepper, sausage meat, vanilla, coffee, clove, curry flavours. The style is big and bold and will need a piece of lamb or two to five more years in bottle.Prices:| BC | $34.00 | 750ml |
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08 October 2012
90PTS
CedarCreek Platinum Meritage 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe '09 Meritage is a 46/41/13/mix of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and malbec all of which is essentially the best fruit aged in French oak for 20 months. The fruit is ripe and sweet on the attack with bits of coffee, tea, oak and spice throughout. Still very young but with plenty of potential to expand its persona over the next five years. If you decide to drink it now choose a grilled piece of meat to temper the fruit and tannins.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Poplar Grove Cabernet Franc 2009
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIf syrah is nudging its way on to the main stage cabernet franc is far behind and one of the valley leaders is the Poplar Grove Cabernet Franc 2009 $35. Cabernet franc thrives in cooler climates in part because the vine gets underway early in the spring but it comes with a different style red, floral fruit with a dusting of dried herbs and spice. The tannins are supple, the texture amazingly round for such a young wine that has a full life ahead of it.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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07 October 2012
89PTS
Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Napa Valley, California, United StatesThe Martini Napa version of cabernet comes with a higher price tag than its Sonoma cousin and a fuller richer style. Classically smooth and dark fruited it has a pinch of petit verdot to further enhance its rich dark chocolate, coffee and black fruit characters throughout. Steak and salad would be an effortless match.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $35.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Sonoma County, California, United StatesIt's been sometime since we have seen a Martini cabernet and this Sonoma County edition speaks to its new ownership under at Gallo. The fruit is a mix of Alexander Valley and Dry Creek Valley fruit and the result is a cool, red fruit style when compared to Napa with fresh plums and black fruits on the nose and palate mixed with dried herbs and cocoa all with a dollop of oak and vanilla. Friendly easy-sipping style that is ready to drink. Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $22.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
McWilliam's Hanwood Shiraz 2010
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaThis is simple stuff offering cedar and black cherry notes on the nose and palate and soft spicy quaffable red fruit with light tannins and moderate oak. Think burgers or pizza and splash some this in a glass.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $14.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.95 | 750ml |
| NS | $14.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Dancing Bull Zinfandel Winemaker's Reserve 2010
Central Valley, California, United StatesMade for immediate consumption the Dancing Bull zin complies offering a soft, fruity, spicy cola, blueberry cedar flavoured red. The attack is warm and friendly, like an old pair of shoes. Pizza, hamburgers grilled beef it will all work here.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Mirassou California Pinot Noir 2011
California, United StatesThere is nothing tougher to produce than inexpensive pinot noir but Mirassou appears to hit the mark. Look for a bright spicy, cherry jam, cola, and orange peel nose with just a whiff of vanilla. The attack is round, soft and fat palate with cola, vanilla, black cherry chocolate flavours. A fun introductory style you could serve with turkey or even better turkey leftovers.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $16.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Mirassou California Riesling 2010
California, United StatesI'm not afraid of sugar when it is properly balanced in wine and the Mirassou riesling is good example. You can pair its crisp, ripe fruit-forward style with variety of spicy Asian dishes and let the slate, pear-skin aromas and slightly sweet, baked apple, pear, lime flavours work the food. One hundred percent better under screwcap.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Domaine Vincent Deleporte Sancerre Chavignol 2011
Sancerre, Upper Loire, Loire, FranceDelaporte wines date back to the 1600s but there is nothing old fashioned about the 2011 with its enticing, crisp mineral, citrus, apple nose. The palate responds with a freshness of fruit and cutting gooseberry, dried herbs lemon -lime notes throughout. This will take chicken to another level or easily support a delicate piece of sablefish.Prices:| BC | $34.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
MacMurray Ranch Pinot Noir 2009
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, United StatesA cool maritime site in the morning the warms up in the afternoon MacMurray Ranch is a perfect home for pinot noir as exhibited by this 2010. The nose and flavours are mix of spice, red fruits, black cherries and red currants and raspberries that mix with a slightly earthy, (mushroom) character that balance of the sweet fruit and oak. The style is light to medium-bodied but the flavours are intense enough to pair well with seared tuna and or pork tenderloin. A delicious drinking pinot that will improve in bottle over the next two years.Prices:| SK | $20.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Whitehaven Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandLike most well-made Marlborough 'savvies' the Whitehaven is consistent from year to year playing on its fresh, grassy, jalapeno nose flecked with passion fruit and light asparagus notes. The attack is round and crisp aromas more smoky grapefruit, gooseberry, grassy flavours. West Coast shellfish is the match for this zippy white.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $20.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Mirassou California Pinot Grigio 2011
California, United StatesHoney, baked apple, pear, canned citrus aromas. Round, juicy but sweeter style with buttery, honey, spicy, citrus rind flavours. More of a sipper style.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $15.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $15.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Kingston Estate Shiraz 2008
Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide, South Australia, AustraliaClassic Oz shiraz from a relative cool site with its spicy, clove, blueberry fruit nose with hints of cedar. The palate is smooth with more sleek fresh, cedar, blueberry black liquorice fruit and a long and cedar/plum/dried herb finish. Solid if predictable style for grilled meats and hamburgers.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Kingston Estate Petit Verdot 2010
Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide, South Australia, AustraliaAn interesting single varietal petit verdot but it's not ripe enough o impress. The nose is an intense mix of cedar, dried herbs and floral aromas that spill onto the palate. Fresh with some acidity punching through all over cool red/floral fruit flavours. Not a favourite but could be fine with a cheese pizza.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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79PTS
Leyda Pinot Noir Reserva 2011
Valle de Leyda, Valle de San Antonio, Region de Aconcagua, ChileHeavily reduced nose offering generous amounts of rubber/sulphur and compost/barnyard aromas. Not enough appeal on the nose to even sip this one. Very strange development for this respected winery.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Wakefield Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Clare Valley, South Australia, AustraliaTypically appealing with its smoky, cassis and black olive nose over a cooler cedar, clove undercurrent. The attack is soft with fresh blueberry/ black fruit flavours and a dollop of smoky oak and vanilla. Dried herbs and some astringency mark the cool slightly green finish. Best with lamb chops. Prices:| ON | $17.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Famila Gascon Malbec 2010
Mendoza, ArgentinaOpen fruity blueberry scented red with plenty of curb appeal. Expect a soft, sweet smoky nose with ripe meaty savoury black fruit and chocolate and supple tannins. Simple red wine for hamburgers. Good value.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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06 October 2012
87PTS
Cono Sur Organic Pinot Noir 2011
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileNot as bright and fruity as the non-organic edition but this wine has a bit more character from its cherry mushroom caraway seed aromas to its earthy, red fruits and dried herb flavours. Pair this with salmon or pork tenderloin or duck pizza.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Finca La Linda Torrontes 2010
Calchaqui Valley, Salta, North, ArgentinaGrapes at 5,600' feet or 1700 plus metres is the story of Cafayate in the province of Salta. Faintly colored this torrontés is all about style and elegance with delicate floral aromas and citrusy, peachy, floral fruit flavours on the palate. The wine making is basic to keep the wine pure and fresh with no heavy oily characters. Delicious, mouth-watering white wine. Great value.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $13.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Lake Breeze Seven Poplars Pinot Noir 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLake Breeze Vineyards seemed to go quietly about their business on the bench always making technically sound wines but in the last few years winemaker Garron Elmes has really begun to spread his wings making far more interesting versions of classic BC Varieties. Case in point is the crazy delicious 2010 Seven Poplars pinot. Its alluring nose reminiscent of mid-valley fruit draws you into the glass. Spice black raspberry sweet and sour cherry fruit abounds with rooty, earthy mushroom notes underneath to keep it all on track. Round and ripe but pleasingly dry this wine was built for food and contemplation. Turkey would be a fine match or any earthy fall dish.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Pinot Noir 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmells like pinot... yeah! Mission Hill has done a fine job evolving its pinot noir and the 2011 is a case in point. Fresh, spicy and rich with a dusting of dried herbs and earth it has both a fine silky texture and length with lively acidity to boot. The palate is a mix of black cherry fruit with just a hint of spice and tannin. Duck confit, salmon fishcakes and turkey will all work as a match. Good value.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Mission Hill Limited Edition Cabernet Shiraz 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaUncannily Australian-like on the nose right down to the freshness/lifted fruit. Expect a much drier attack on the palate with big, youthful, chewy tannins that will need time to dissipate. Look for some pretty cherry fruit upfront and again more dried herbs and a dry, cedar-y finish. This wine requires grilled meats now or some aging in the bottle.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Merlot 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMission Hill family estate reserve Merlot 2009 Beautiful dark sweet fruit vanilla nose, flecked with anise and wallop of plums. The attack is bright and packed with warm, spicy, chocolate fruit and fine length. The tannins are slippery and sleek. The finish is warm and glossy with blueberry and mocha undertones and toasted oak overtones. Impressive youthful style. Drink now with grilled meats or hold for the next five years. Reminds us a bit of Walla Walla. Well done.Prices:| ON | $26.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $25.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Mission Hill Perpetua Chardonnay Osoyoos Vineyard Estate 2010
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPerpetua opens with an appealing honey and oats nose flecked with red apple, light lees and spice. The attack is creamy and smooth with some primary apple notes mixed with spice and caramel/baked apple. The finish is long, persistent and warm. Three clones make up the mix of fruit in Perpetua a single vineyard, one hundred percent chardonnay farmed on the Osoyoos Lake Bench. Delicate and creamy the 2011 is showing early promise with better concentration and length. About a quarter is barrel fermented in new French oak for 10 months and stirred by hand every two weeks. Halibut is a fine match.Prices:| SK | $40.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $40.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $35.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Mission Hill Five Vineyards Chardonnay 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBright, fresh, correct, juicy youthful chardonnay. Look for a fruit salad of pineapple honey and peach aromas and flavors spiced with floral/mineral/butter notes. A versatile dinner wine for turkey, chicken, pork or fish. Solid.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $16.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $17.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $18.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Mission Hill Limited Edition Viognier 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWonderfully aromatic with green apple, orange blossoms, tangerines wafting from the glass. Expect soft, supple inviting textures, yet fresh and juicy. Love the lemon/peach notes and its long, fresh creamy just off-dry finish. It is a perfect match for spicy, fall and winter Indian dishes. A fine edition to the lineup in 2011. Good value.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLove the aromatics here. Passion fruit and gooseberry dominate but with some ripe, juicy grapefruit notes and a squeeze of lime rind. A small amount of wood fermented juice adds weight and mid-palate texture to this delicious white. The sweetness in the finish suggests spicy dishes would be complementary be they Western or Occidental.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Pinot Gris 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaClassic pinot gris with intense honey/earthy, ginger notes and a touch of fruit cocktail. Fresh salty mineral mid-palate with pear and peach flavours all over a citrus undercurrent that is structurally built for food. We suggest linguine and clams as the perfect match.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $22.30 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Riesling 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaImpressively dry going for the stark, electric juicy style with lime, talcum powder, nectarine, and tropical fruit notes throughout. Somewhat reminiscent of the Eden Valley style. Taut and vary clean with just a hint of dryness in the finish. A super food-friendly riesling made for West Coast Asian cuisine.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Undurraga Sibaris Pinot Noir Reserva Especial 2011
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileA mystifying mix of fruit and earthy rooty notes with cool spicy nutmeg aromas. The attack is smooth and warm with slippery sour raspberry, rhubarb and black liquorice fruit flavours. It remains balanced with light tannins flecked with spice and tea notes. Best with fall birds, turkey, Cornish game hens, pheasant and or duck.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
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05 October 2012
95PTS
Orma 2008
Bolgheri, Maremma, Tuscany, ItalyPodere Orma sits over stony clay soils in one of the revered sections of Bolgheri alongside Ornellaia and not far from Sassicaia yet it is sold only as an IGT Toscana red. The blend is an oh so appealing 40/40/20 cabernet franc, merlot and cabernet sauvignon all grown in a 5.5 hectare vineyard. Orma means footprint or mark and you sense the Bolgheri footprint throughout. The wine is fresh and alive but with substantial texture and size. Expect a mix of red liquorice, spice, mocha and cedar flavours but all with stunning elegance and style. Drink now with steak Florentine or hold through 2020.Prices:| BC | $80.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $72.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $66.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Sette Ponti Oreno 2007
Tuscany, ItalyThe 2007 Oreno is somewhat surprisingly drying out; perhaps it was too warm in 2007 to provide the necessary balance in the vineyard. The mix is 40/40/20 sangiovese/merlot/cabernet sauvignon. It's a big red for sure but it appears to be drying out showing more cedar and leather at five years and less cassis and blackcurrant fruit. This is a solid wine that is likely best drunk now through 2015 with hearty dishes or older hard cheeses.Prices:| BC | $85.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $66.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $88.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Sette Ponti Oreno 2009
Tuscany, ItalyOreno 2009 is a new wine with the sangiovese scrubbed in favour of a 50/40/10 blend of merlot, cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot. The nose is über impressive so rich and expressive with sweet aromas of black fruit and an intriguing under current of savoury black liquorice. The attack is firm and dry but with superb elegance and length. The palate is awash in bright blue fruit flavours and supple round textures with hints of chocolate and cedar in the finish. Seriously delicious red wine with a big future, and when compare to Bordeaux prices, it is a bargain.Prices:| BC | $85.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $170.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $88.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Sette Ponti Crognolo 2009
Tuscany, ItalyAs good as the 2008 is the 2009 is even better. The mini super-Tuscan blend is 85 percent sangiovese and 15 percent merlot and cabernet sauvignon all grown over clay over galestro limestone. Crognolo takes its name from the Cornus bush that grows on the property, is aged for 12 to 18 months in French Allier barriques and 6 months in bottle before release. The '09 is a much richer version than its predecessor '08. It still has the freshness and the acidity but the body is warmer, richer and deeper in flavour and complexity with soft polished tannins in the finish. You can easily cellar this for five years or serve it now with rich, warm, fall and winter stews and roasts.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $33.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $33.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Sette Ponti Crognolo 2008
Tuscany, ItalyA delicious and affordable super-Tuscan blend of 80/10/10 sangiovese, merlot and cabernet sauvignon grown on clay over galestro limestone. Crognolo takes its name from the Cornus bush, that grows on the property, is aged for 12 to 18 months in French Allier barriques and 6 months in bottle before release. A cool year has produced an aromatic thread in this mineral, cool, red fruit-flavoured wine with earthy undertones and fine-grained tannins. You can cellar this for five years or serve it now with rich, warm, fall and winter stews and roasts.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $33.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $33.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Mission Hill Five Vineyards Cabernet Merlot 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSolid, easy drinking, commercial red blend with a ripe fruit forward style. Look for spicy cran/cherry blueberry fruit dried herbs and soft tannins. Served liberally around the barbecue.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $18.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $17.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $19.29 | 750ml |
| NS | $19.00 | 750ml |
| NF-LAB | $19.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Monster Vineyards Rosé 2011
British Columbia, CanadaA super cool year and a dry fall was heaven for rosé. This 100 percent merlot was made using the French technique saignée. It was then settled and left with 10 percent residual to add body and depth. The palate is fresh with red fruit and citrus flavours that help balance the sugar. It can stand up to spicy foods but is likely best with a pre-dinner charcuterie plate.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Mistaken Identity Pinot Rosé 2011
Salt Spring Island, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaA touch reduced upon opening so make sure you give it some air. The attack is similar to last year: tart and dry. Definitely a lively version of pinot noir with those strawberry/cranberry and a citrus flavours with some earthy undertones in the back end. Not quite as clean as last year but the style is totally worth pursuing. Try with charcuterie, pasta and holiday turkey.Prices:| BC | $19.90 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Harper's Trail Thadd Springs Vineyard Rosé 2011
Kamloops, British Columbia, CanadaThis is a fresh, simple, dry, tasty, food-friendly blend of gamay, pinot noir and merlot. Look for notes of citrus dipped dark (wild) strawberries with a savoury, dried herb undercurrent. Would be great with meatball sandwiches or a slice of country pâté. Drink now.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Stoneboat Vineyards Faux Pas Rosé 2011
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPinot noir and pinotage combine to make this rosé perhaps stretching the production but not necessarily the quality. The citrus and passion fruit come with some earthy leafy notes that add some bitterness to the finish. It's clean and dry just not quite as electric as the last version.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Tantalus Rosé 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThere a reason why this wine sells out so quickly. The recipe is fresh fruit and electricity with a squeeze of lemon and hard red candies. The magic ingredient is a whiff of the same minerality you get in the hone vineyard riesling. Amazingly this is a single vineyard rosé made from a block of pinot meunier vines planted in 1985 with just a pinch of pinot noir equally as old. BravoPrices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Laughing Stock Vineyards In The Pink +20/10 2011
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRosé from malbec and syrah suggest something north of light and that describes this heavy almost syrupy style pink with a leafy, dried herbs undercurrent. The palate is smoky and dry with bits of orange and caramel. More Tavel-like than anything but it lacks the freshness. Try it with pork tenderloin.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Belle Glos Pinot Noir Blanc Brugioni Vineyard 2011
Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, Central Coast, California, United StatesBelle Glos has made some noise with its regular point noir so no doubt this rosé will be quickly sought out by Belle Glos fans. Oeil de Perdrix or 'eye of the partridge' aptly describes its colour single vineyard name Brugioni. Expect an off-dry version with raspberry citrus flavours and a fresh orange creamsicle finish. A patio pink you could match it up with spicy sushi or summer appetizers plates. In the fall this would be fun with turkey and or chicken.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Sperling Vineyards Market White 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOntario-based but BC born winemaker Ann Sperling makes the family wine in the old Mission District of Kelowna. Pinot blanc and bacchus may seem strange bedfellows but the result is quite pleasing. Expect a very sweet edition but with pure melon and pink grapefruit characters that will cool down a spicy curry or black bean sauce. Serve well chilled.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
CedarCreek Rosé Pinot Noir 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 2011 blend of pinot touches all nine blocks at CedarCreek. The nose is typically a bit bubble gum/strawberry with a sweetish, smooth attack. More texture than you might expect so cool it down well or serve it with a selection of richer menu items such a turkey or thick slices of firm pâtés.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Hester Creek Pinot Blanc 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThere has been a fine turnaround at Hester Creek beginning with clean fresh wines and now heading into something a bit more electric and interesting. The latest pinot blanc jumps from the glass with fresh ripe apple fruit mixed with melon and nectarine notes. Love the touch of touch of lees coming through to complex the palate a bit and make it more food friendly. Linguine and clams is a perfect match.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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04 October 2012
90PTS
Feudo Maccari Saia 2009
Sicily, ItalySette Ponte owner Antonio Moretti and his daughter Monika pieced together 30 small properties in the Noto area of Sicily and now have 120 ha of land and some 50 ha of vineyard planted at Feudo Maccari is just outside the village of Paccino. Saia, named after the irrigation channels the Moors built in the 9th and 10th Century is a selection of the best fruit and barrels and is a stylish Sicilian red. Look for fragrant dry black fruit and spice with a mix of red cherry fruit, dried herbs bitter chocolate and well-managed oak. The fruit is ripe but there is excellent acid balance. The vines are currently 20 to 30 years old sitting over a volcanic mix of white sand, stones and chalk. Impressive. Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $33.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $27.00 | 750ml |
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95PTS
Yalumba The R Reserve 2004
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaThe Yalumba R Reserve is only made in exceptional years and even then it is a selection of less than two dozen barrels ( the eyes of Signature) that represent the best cabernet sauvignon and shiraz in the company. The mix honours the classic Australian blend and in the case of 2004 it is 69/31 mix of cabernet /shiraz. The fruit comes off selected Barossa blocks and lesser parts from Langhorne Creek and Coonawarra. The Reserve is all about texture. The palate is rich and dense but with creamy, supple and almost silky texture. There is plenty of dark fruit and chocolate with spicy liquorice undertones and creamy that seemingly lingers for minutes after each sip. Perfectly balanced. Ready to drink now but will be fine through 2020.Prices:| Australia | $120.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Sebastiani Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Sonoma County, California, United StatesIt's difficult to ignore the sheer hedonistic character of this wine that mixes fruit from Sonoma Valley and the Alexander Valley. It's not all cabernet either with 12 percent merlot and small amounts of syrah, petit verdot and petite sirah for color and spice. The '08 is extremely rich and soft on entry, with pronounced blueberry and cassis fruit aromas. The flavours are similar with dried herbs spice and vanilla notes in a warm sweet finish.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.50 | 750ml |
| QC | $21.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Pascual Toso Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaFresh aromatic ripe, sweet gooseberry and kiwi aromas preview a warm, grassy, mineral pink grapefruit flavoured white with hints of lime rind in the finish. A simple sweet style sauvignon best served with spicy sushi.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Lake Breeze Seven Poplars Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLake Breeze almost always hits the mark as exemplified by its fresh, grassy, gooseberry style sauvignon with plenty of crisp, citrus flavours with a twist of tropical fruit. ten percent is barrel fermented and a small percentage of semillon adds complexity and depth to the flavours. The winery offers it on the patio with a Dungeness crab, arugula, shitake mushroom in a smoked tomato bacon vinaigrette.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Feudo Maccari Nero d'Avola 2010
Sicily, ItalyThe Maccari néro is made with 10 to 50 year old bush vines grown at about 80 meters above the visible coast. The all stainless steel production yields a juicy floral earthy, tobacco nose flecked with strawberry, black cherry and liquorice. The attack is dry and fresh with very light, smooth tannins that lead to its smoky, black olive, cherry, cedar, liquorice, savoury flavours. A drier, rustic food style red for current drinking. Good value.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
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02 October 2012
90PTS
CedarCreek Platinum Viognier 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe goal here is a rich style and the fruit comes off a warm site in Osoyoos. It was fermented for 47 days in stainless steel for fruit, a third in older barrels for texture and a third in concrete eggs which both retained the fruit and added texture. This is a gorgeous rendition of the variety and possibly the best I have tasted in Canada. I love the freshness and the minerality and the rich dollop of apricot/orange fruit throughout. Both fresh and exotic, it is home run. Most anything Asian would be an excellent match or turkey. Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
CedarCreek Platinum Chardonnay 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCedarCreek best is labelled 'Platinum'. In this case Block Five clone 76 is the ingredient and it's all hand harvested and whole berry pressed before it is barrel fermented and aged for 10 months in a mix of older French coopered oak puncheons. Winemaker Darryl Brooker is playing with wild ferments and 25 percent of this juice was fermented with wild vineyard yeast selected and started in the vineyard. The result is a stunning departure from the ordinary. Look for lean tropical fruit aromas with an intense acidity (mineral) grapefruit flavour with a nutty spicy finish. An exciting edition to the local chardonnay scene and it really just beginning to get its feet under it. Dungeness crab anyone?Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Les deux Anges Sablet Côtes de Rhône Villages 2009
Sablet, Côtes du Rhône Villages, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceThe light red colour of this wine belies its rich, warm, spicy character. A grenache blend with bits of syrah and carignan the mid-palate is fresh and bright with plenty of black and red fruits, pepper and soft tannin. Still just a baby this wine will easily age through 2019 and will continue to improve for at least half that time. Fine complexity and style. Serve with hearty fall and winter dishes.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
JoieFarm Reserve Gewurztraminer 2010
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis is the first standalone gewürztraminer bottled at Joie that is made in the Alsace style and off-dry. You can expect that oily Alsace palate with sweet orange and litchi fruit, bits of rosé petals and some strong underlying spice. The mid-palate is a touch hollow and the finish a bit warm, sweet and short. A good start but there is work to be done here. Use the sugar to cool down spicy Indian or Thai dishes.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
CedarCreek Merlot 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaClassic BC merlot complete with savoury dried herb aromas and fresh red and black fruit flavours. The texture is soft and supple with a smooth fruity chocolate vanilla finish. The wine was aged 50 percent in oak to fully integrate all its parts. The mix is 92 percent merlot with 3 percent pinot noir and a dash of malbec and petit verdot. Try this with pork tenderloin or spaghetti Bolognese.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
CedarCreek Gewürztraminer 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPleasant rosewater, light sausage, grapefruit, spicy, ginger, baked pear aromas with a touch of honey. Soft, sweet, round, juicy palate with rose water, lychee, sausage, grapefruit rind, ginger and honey flavours. A solid effort that's perfect for Indian food or a warm summer afternoon. Winemaker Darryl Brooker adds about 10 per cent of barrel fermented and 'battonaged' juice to improve the weight and viscosity. Well done.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
CedarCreek Pinot Gris 2011
British Columbia, CanadaFresh red apple, honey, floral, pear, guava, grapefruit aromas. Fresh, juicy, round, elegant palate with honey, baked apple, grapefruit, spicy, floral, lime rind and pear flavours. Good intensity and balance. Delicious and ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
CedarCreek Riesling 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWinemaker Darryl Brooker continues his quest to lower the alcohol at CedarCreek, especially among the aromatic varieties such as this delicious, electric, riesling at 10.5 percent alcohol. The fruit is a blend of two sites: the home block in Kelowna and Greata Ranch across the lake. The nose is expressive and fresh with tightly wound citrus and lime scented fruit that is the theme on the nose and palate. Light juicy fun yet serious it will pair with variety of West Coast foods. Delicious.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Yalumba Viognier Eden Valley 2010
Eden Valley, South Australia, AustraliaTypically perfumed on the nose with a pronounced scent of apricots mixed with delicate floral notes. The attack is rich and intense with more apricot, mango, ginger wet stone and citrus notes. Perfect for a variety of Indian dishes. Slippery, subtle stylish viognier that will turn your head. Good value.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $28.00 | 750ml |
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01 October 2012
89PTS
The Holy Trinity Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre 2009
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaThe Holy Trinity 46/31/23 blend of grenache, shiraz and mourvèdre is reminiscent of the great reds of the southern Rhone. Another drought year reduced yield although the 50 to 120-year old vines seem to manage the stress well. Raspberries and black cherries mark the nose of this rich red with cedar, pepper, liquorice and black raspberry fruit. It is a 'B' for Barossa red made for rich meat and bird dishes.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $41.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $34.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $35.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $37.50 | 750ml |
| NS | $44.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Champagne Gosset Grande Reserve Brut NV
Champagne, FranceIt was fun to rediscover this sparkler after several years. The blend, including a portion of old-oak aged wine is roughly one half chardonnay, one third pinot noir and the remainder pinot meunier and a dash of pinot gris including 10-12 percent reserve wine from two vintages. Rich and round on entry with brioche, pear, floral, baked apple, cherry aromas that set the stage for an elegant, crisp mid-palate and more citrus, honey, baked granny smith and more toasted brioche flavours.Prices:| BC | $90.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $85.80 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Kaiken Reserve Malbec 2010
Agrelo District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaKaiken malbec is actually a 94/6 blend of malbec and cabernet sauvignon grown at a generous 9 tons to the hectare. Black fruits and blackberries mix with cigar/tobacco and vanilla on the nose. The attack is rich and smooth with smoky, peppery, savoury black cherry jam fruit with bits of floral/mineral notes and red liquorice underneath. A full-bodied red made for meat.Prices:| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Catena Chardonnay 2010
Mendoza, ArgentinaThe amount of oak in this wine continues to decline as the flavour and vitality continues to soar. Only 30 per cent new French oak is used and the time in wood is down to 9 months. The fruit is a mix of Adrianna Vineyard (floral/mineral), Domingo Vineyard (dried fruits and acidity) and La Piramide ( honey, tropical fruits and a touch of oil)/ The palate is super fresh with crisp acidity and lean pear, citrus fruit flavours - a very new style of high-altitude, cool climate chardonnay. Food friendly.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.50 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Parés Baltà Cava Brut B Organic NV
Penedès, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainAn annual tasting of 'b" never disappoints. So fresh, clean and dry and all with creamy textures make this the perfect wedding sparkler for the relatives, but interesting enough for the aficionado. The fruit is a mix of parellada, macabeo and xarello and it's 100 percent organically grown. Look for nutty, creamy, green apple flavours with a mineral/floral undercurrent. Good value and food friendly.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $22.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Catena Alta Malbec 2009
Mendoza, ArgentinaThe Alta malbec is a mix of fruit grown at four separate high altitude vineyards that in 2009 because of ideal weather conditions in February, March, April and May were each harvested four different times. It's a method used to pluck "aromatics (early harvest), fine tannins and mid palate (mid harvest), concentration of ripe tannins (late harvest)." Look for an intense colour that previews the classic, brooding malbec nose and flavours stuffed with savoury, black fruit and minerals mixed with liquorice and vanilla. The textures are round and soft but with fine underlying power that suggests a decade of ageing would be well rewarded. If you must try it now a T-Bone steak would be the required dish to tame the wild, youthful bits of this blockbuster red.Prices:| ON | $50.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $54.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $55.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $53.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $48.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Mirassou California Pinot Noir 2011
California, United StatesMirassou pinot is a mix of fruit from across the state. The style is commercial, as in soft and forward but with some pleasant spice and acidity and a mix of strawberry, cola and cherry fruit with just a whiff of tobacco and oak. Simple pleasant introductory style red.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $16.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Caliterra Tributo Sauvignon Blanc Single Vineyard Block Vignoble Algarrobo 2011
Valle de Leyda, Valle de San Antonio, Region de Aconcagua, ChileSingle vineyard Leyda sauvignon could make you think you were in Marlborough for a moment with its pungent gooseberry/peppery nose. Proximity to the cool Pacific Ocean shapes this wine's cool demeanour while three pickings ten days apart build a complex flavour spectrum of grapefruit, lime rind and stony minerality. No oak is used here. Try this with classic Alsace-style onion pie, or halibut with a fruit salsa.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Matchbook Dunnigan Hills Syrah 2009
Dunnigan Hills, Yolo County, California, United StatesJohn Giguiere once lit a wheat field on fire, long story short the Matchbook name. The syrah is aged in an assorted mix of oak from France, Hungary and America for 26 months but only 22 percent is new. There is nine percent Sonoma cabernet sauvignon in the mix to add some structure to the rich blustery syrah fruit with its mocha, blueberry, and spiced fruit flavours. Soft and ready to drink with grilled lamb chops or perhaps venison.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $14.60 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, Central Coast, California, United StatesWarm earthy, black olive nose with smoky, tobacco/cedar, cassis, dried herbs and resin aromas. The attack is fresh if slightly sweet with a touch of acidity showing but all with very soft tannins. Cassis, coffee, cedar bark, tobacco, olive, smoky herb and resin mark the flavours. A forward, easy-drinking mid-week cabernet for grilled meat entrees.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $22.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $26.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $22.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Catena Alta Malbec 2007
Mendoza, ArgentinaThe Alta malbec is a blend of fruit from four, separate, high altitude vineyards. What you notice right off is the dense, brooding, black colour and open aromatic black currant and pepper notes overlaying its liquorice and sweet black fruit flavours. Power with finesse. Drink now with a rib eye steak or cellar through 2018. Great value.Prices:| ON | $50.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $54.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $55.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $53.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $48.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Montes Limited Selection Cabernet Sauvignon Carmenère Apalta Vineyard 2010
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileOpen peppery, meaty, smoky nose with cassis, tobacco and savoury dill aromas. The attack is dry, with spicy coffee, cedar, menthol, bay leaf notes flecked with chocolate, vanilla and dried herb. The finish is generous and showy with soft, supple, persistent chocolate/fruit flavours. Made for any grilled meat entrée.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.61 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Grgich Hills Chardonnay 2008
Napa Valley, California, United StatesTasted 15 months ago and now again it is only getting better. We love the style of this wine that follows the Mike Grgich guidelines of no malolactic fermentation now added to fruit that is certified biodynamic. The nose is bright and alive with a sophisticated nutty lees entry and hints of orange and tropical fruit poking through its tight interior. Expect elegance and styling and think roast chicken, halibut and or creamy cheeses. Just about perfect now but this will hold through 2015.Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
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November 2012