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Tastings: November 2012
30 November 2012
83PTS
Mistaken Identity Abbondante Bianco Organic 2013
Salt Spring Island, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaAbundant burnt matchstick. Lees, bread, green apple skin, nutty, nectarine aromas. Fresh, juicy, delicate palate with canned grapefruit, grassy, apple skin, lees and bread flavours. The palate is better than the nose might suggest with some vibrancy.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
8th Generation Vineyard Pinot Gris 2011
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, grapefruit rind, big matchstick burn, green apple aromas. Fresh, crisp, round, off dry palate with melon rind, grapefruit, green apple flavours. Simple, easy, Northern Italian 'grigio' style.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Harper's Trail Field Blend White Thadd Springs Vineyard 2011
Kamloops, British Columbia, CanadaNutty, honey, oatmeal, butter, grapefruit rind and grassy aromas. Crisp, dry, somewhat austere entry with lees, butter, grassy, grapefruit, apple skin, floral and sausage flavours. Lean and leesy (reductive) aftertaste but fresh.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
The Wild Olive Old Vines Chenin Blanc 2011
Western Cape, South AfricaRipe pear, honey, baked apple, lees aromas. Fresh, round, easy palate with grapefruit, baked apple and pear, floral, honey and lees flavours. Finish is clean and fresh. Simple consumer style.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Cono Sur Viognier 2011
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileBig honey, peach, buttery, ginger, matchstick aromas. Ripe, round, fresh but fat and slightly sweet with ginger, honey, butter, baked peach and passion fruit flavours. A bit washed out and over ripe this time around but still fruity and very affordable.Prices:| BC | $11.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $12.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Cline Viognier 2011
North Coast Region, California, United StatesSpicy, ginger, sausage meat, honey, orange, grapefruit aromas. Round, soft, slightly flat palate but full with orange, honey, spicy, ginger, citrus and butter flavours. Easy, ripe, gentle American style.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Joseph Drouhin Macon-Villages 2010
Mâconnais, Burgundy, FranceThis Macon-Village is exactly what it should be. A bright fresh white with a crisp clean attack balancing elegance and austerity. Look for a mix of green apple skin, pear and grassy, honey flavours all with a dash of minerality. Simply prepared seafood is the match here.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Pedestal Merlot 2008
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesThe Michel Rolland label Pedestal is in essence a blend of merlot (81), cabernet sauvignon (12), cabernet franc (4) and petit verdot (3) and production is just over 2,000 cases. Rolland's style is always generous and is perhaps amped up by the warm Washington weather. Look for rich black fruits, plums, with plenty of oak mocha, coffee and bitter chocolate notes. Always textured and layered there is enough balance to let the fruit shine through the finish. A large a part of the fruit is grown on or near Red Mountain. This will be a very fine bottle in six to ten years, if you must serve it now try it with roast beef.Prices:| BC | $56.00 | 750ml |
| US | $55.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $60.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $75.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $75.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Penfolds Thomas Hyland Shiraz 2010
Adelaide, South Australia, AustraliaSimilar to last year the spicy black cherry, blackberry liquorice nose come with a touch of dried herbs that give way to a warm slightly tart mid-plate with resiny, tobacco, black olive, blueberry flavours flecked with vanilla and garrigue notes. Deep warm black fruit marks the finish. Best with grilled lamb chops.Prices:| ON | $19.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $23.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $25.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $24.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Kestrel Lady in Red 8th Holiday Edition NV
Yakima Valley, Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesThis is a Yakima Valley fruit blend that mixes 38/35/20/5/2/ merlot, cabernet sauvignon, syrah, sangiovese and viognier. Jammy, peppery, prune, spicy, tobacco, christmas cake, vanllla and coffee bean aromas. The entry is a bit sweet with over the top chocolate, vanilla, coffee, resin, prune and candied cherry fruit swimming in smoke and vanilla and butter. A very commercial red those who prefer a bit of the sweet, prune and light astringency.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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28 November 2012
84PTS
Gray Monk Odyssey Rose Brut Méthode Classique NV
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPale salmon colour with foamy mousse. Musky, rhubarb, tobacco, earthy, spicy, toasty aromas. Very foamy, sweet entry with earthy, toasty, tobacco, stewed rhubarb flavours. No much mid-palate and or body here.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Bodega Palacio Quemado Señorío de Alange Ensamblaje 2009
Ribera del Guadiana, Extremadura and the Southwest, SpainSmoky, meaty, peppery, plum, fig, tobacco, licorice, vanilla and black cherry aromas. Ripe, round, smooth, warm but elegant palate with good concentration and intensity. Spicy, plum, prune, coffee, vanilla, orange, meaty peppery cigar flavours. Lots of flavours and balance here for the money.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Bodega Palacio Quemado Tempranillo 2011
Ribera del Guadiana, Extremadura and the Southwest, SpainSpicy, black cherry, earthy, tobacco, plum, licorice and pepper aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant and juicy but delicate palate with peppery, sausage meat, black cherry, orange, tea, fig and spicy herb flavours. Good finesse in a forward style for current drinking. Solid value.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Rosé de Haut Bailly 2011
Pessac-Léognan, Graves, Bordeaux, FrancePale orange pink colour. Olive, cherry, herbal, apple, tobacco and vanilla aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant, round palate with olive, sour cherry, herbal, spicy, light vanilla and tobacco flavours. Good finesse and not too green for current drinking. A 50/50 blend of cab sauvignon and merlot.Prices:| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $39.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Alvear Oloroso Asuncion NV
Montilla-Moriles, SpainThis Oloroso was fortified from the beginning and was then aged in solera but without flor. Very spicy, rancio, nutty, tobacco, tea, dried citrus, butter and dried ginger aromas. Rich, full, round and off dry with good acidity and texture. More of those rancio, walnut, buttery, spicy, peppery, orange peel flavours with flecks of ginger, tobacco and a touch of vanilla. Good length, intensity and smoothness. The sweetness is from added pedro ximénez.Prices:| BC | $36.00 | 500ml |
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88PTS
Alvear Fino En Rama 2006
Montilla-Moriles, SpainA first in vintage-dated fino but with a traditional flor solera maturation. Nutty, olive, spicy, earthy aromas. Dry, round, elegant palate with grassy, peppery, herbal, nutty, earthy flavours. There is a touch more alcohol and body than you might find in a normal, non-vintage fino.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Alvear Fino Capataz NV
Montilla-Moriles, SpainA more aged but traditional flor fino of 5 years in a double solera system. Spicy, herbal, nutty, earthy, olive, almond aromas. Dry, fresh, delicate and round with clean, juicy palate. Grassy, olive, tobacco, nutty, rancho and butter flavours. Good finesse and texture in a traditional style with more intensity.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 500ml |
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90PTS
Alvear Carlos VII Amontillado NV
Montilla-Moriles, SpainRich nutty, rancio, earthy, spicy, dried fig, saddle leather aromas. Full, round, dry, elegant palate with good acidity balance. Earthy, nutty, rancio, warm raisin, peppery, tobacco, salty flavours. Good intensity and bigger flavours to match with various foods.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 500ml |
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89PTS
Tyrrell's Vat 47 Chardonnay 2011
Hunter, New South Wales, AustraliaLime, floral, nutty, honey, green peach, vanilla, buttery aromas. Dry, fresh, delicate, round, juicy palate with honey, nutty lees, butter, green apple, spicy, herbal, lemon nettle flavours. Very leesy but fresh and delicate texture with good balance and youthfulness.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $33.75 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Tyrrell's Moon Mountain Chardonnay 2011
Hunter, New South Wales, AustraliaLight butter, honey, baked apple, nutty, pear aromas. Dry, fresh, delicate, leaner style with spicy, smoky, green apple, butter, pear, nutty, grassy flavours. Good finessse in a lighter, Chablis like stylePrices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $33.75 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Rufus Stone Shiraz 2006
Heathcote, Victoria, AustraliaPeppery, blackberry, plum, meaty, smoky, cigar, savoury, liquorice, vanilla and tobacco aromas with a prune note. Dry, fresh, round, full and juicy but very warm palate. Big black berry jam, black raspberry, peppery, smoky, spicy, savoury, vanilla, liquorice, jasmine and black tea flavours. Good fruit and balance if warm and young.Prices:| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $38.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Tyrrell's Vat 1 Hunter Semillon 2004
Hunter, New South Wales, AustraliaNutty cashew, lime, grassy, honey, oatmeal aromas. Fresh, round delicate and juicy palate with nectarine, green apple, floral, lime, quince and nut flavours. Vibrant, delicate and light but still youthful.Prices:| AB | $60.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $97.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $52.25 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Tyrrell's Vat 1 Hunter Semillon 2006
Hunter, New South Wales, AustraliaFloral, cashew, lime, honey, chalky, slate aromas. Fresh, dry, delicate, light palate with cashew, saltine, lime, green apple skin, nectarine and oatmeal flavours. Very delicate, nearly mature but should improve for a few more years.Prices:| AB | $60.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $97.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $52.25 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Tyrrell's Stevens Semillon Single Vineyard 2008
Hunter, New South Wales, AustraliaLight lemon, lime, cashew, floral, green apple, nutty, nectarine skin and slate aromas. Fresh, delicate, light and juicy with green apple, nectarine, and spicy, floral, lime flavours. Fresh, young and a bit austere, could use a bit more bottle time.Prices:| BC | $32.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $40.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Tyrrell's Brokenback Shiraz 2010
Hunter, New South Wales, AustraliaSmoky, tobacco, black cherry, liquorice root, earthy, savoury aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant, juicy palate with raspberry, black cherry, peppery, tobacco, earthy, rooty flavours. Fun, forward, easy sipping style for food.Prices:| QC | $24.20 | 750ml |
| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $33.75 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Tyrrell's Vat 9 Hunter Shiraz 2010
Hunter, New South Wales, AustraliaEarthy, peppery, tobacco, floral, black cherry, plum, savoury, light vanilla and smoke aromas. Dry, round, smooth and supple but fresh palate with peppery, savoury, cardamom, black cherry, meaty, liquorice, and tobacco and smoky herb flavours. Good finesse and balance in a lighter style that could use 2-4 years.Prices:| AB | $61.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $55.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $68.25 | 750ml |
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89PTS
La Parde de Haut Bailly 2009
Pessac-Léognan, Graves, Bordeaux, FranceLike the first wine, a fine and pure effort. Spicy, black olive, cassis, black berry, black pepper, vanilla, leather, iron and earth aromas. Dry, round, smooth, suave and fresh palate. Smoky, earthy, cassis, black berry, vanilla, coffee, leather, prune, olive and light green bean flavours. Very good balance and finesse for drinking now - 7 years. Good value too.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Chateau Haut Bailly 2009
Pessac-Léognan, Graves, Bordeaux, FranceBig cassis, black berry, tobacco, vanilla, earthy, floral, vanilla, pomegranate, waxy, minty, iron, black olive and savoury aromas. Dry, full, round, juicy and fresh yet concentrated with suave but moderately high tannins. Cassis, coffee, earthy, prune, black cherry, tobacco, liquorice, peppery, vanilla, waxy, meaty, iron flavours. Great length, concentration and finesse. Very pure and fine. Needs 5-10 years. A vast improvement over the last few vintages.Prices:| AB | $240.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $259.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Chateau Haut Bailly 2004
Pessac-Léognan, Graves, Bordeaux, FranceMeaty, barnyard, smoky, liquorice, black berry, prune, cigar, leather, vanilla, tobacco and black olive aromas with a waxy, Band-Aid note. Dry, fresh, round, elegant and balanced palate with cassis, smoky, meaty, menthol, earthy, leather, vanilla, barnyard and Band-Aid flavours. Drink now - 5 years. Nice finesse but a bit too Bretty.Prices:| AB | $88.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $146.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Chateau Haut Bailly 2006
Pessac-Léognan, Graves, Bordeaux, FranceSpicy, cassis, tobacco, leather, olive, cedar, cigar, prune, meaty, iron, liquorice and Band-Aid aromas. Dry, round, smooth, elegant and soft with light tannins. Earthy, coffee, peppery, cassis, tobacco, meaty, savoury, smoky herb flavours. A bit cleaner with good finesse but a bit lower in mid-palate. Drink over the next 2-5 years.Prices:| AB | $90.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $95.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Fontanafredda Barolo Serralunga D'Alba 2007
Serralunga, Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalyA blend of various village sites from Serralunga owned by Fontanafredda. Spicy, curry, tar, smoky, liquorice, strawberry jam, black cherry, leather and light barnyard aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy, ripe tannins and full with good concentration and balance. Smoky, tar, floral, strawberry jam, prune, tobacco, vanilla, liquorice, cherry and game flavours with a touch of leather and curry. More modern, feminine style but good intensity and length. Can age 4-10 years but drinkable now. A very good value for Barolo.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $30.00 | 500ml |
| QC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Fontanafredda Gavi di Gavi 2011
Piedmont, ItalyQuince, honey, nutty, floral, pear and citrus aromas. Fresh, juicy, dry, round and balanced palate. Pear, grapefruit, honey, quince and green apple flavours. Good fruit and juicy style for most foods.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Borgogno No Name 2008
Barolo, Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalyA protest label that is essentially Langhe nebbiolo. Spicy, peppery, meaty, smoky, tar, prune, floral, strawberry jam, celery, earthy aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant but somewhat tannic but lighter and juicy than normal. Spicy, tar, tobacco, peppery, balsamic, strawberry, savoury, herbal flavours with a cocoa oak note. Youthful but solid balance and concentration. Needs 2-5 years.Prices:| BC | $43.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Borgogno Barolo Riserva 1996
Barolo, Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalyVery peppery, carrot, leather, prune, tar, strawberry, tobacco, savoury herb, mint and barnyard aromas. Dry, leaner, tannic palate but juicy if lean. Strawberry, carrot top, tar, floral, herbal, tobacco flavours. A leaner, classis style but has good balance for food and additional aging.Prices:| BC | $120.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Borgogno Barolo Riserva 1998
Barolo, Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalyTobacco, earthy, smoky tar, prune, strawberry jam, menthol, leather, gamey, liquorice and barnyard aromas. Dry, fresh, slightly lean but elegant with some tannins to shed. Peppery, menthol, barnyard, tobacco, tar, earthy, prune, carrot top flavours. Somewhat mature but still tannic, can age additional 5-12 years.Prices:| BC | $110.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Borgogno Barolo 2007
Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalySpicy, smoky, floral, resin, tar, strawberry jam, plum, blood orange, tobacco, game and herb aromas. Ripe, round, elegant, juicy and supple but good concentration with ripe tannins. Tar, spicy, floral, strawberry jam, thyme, pepper, liquorice, earth, tobacco and resin flavours. Good finesse and length with ripeness and fruit. Mid-term aging potential 5-10 years. Can't wait to see the riserva and single vineyards from this vintage. Fine potential.Prices:| BC | $75.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Borgogno Barbera D'Alba Superiore 2010
Alba, Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalySpicy, peppery, waxy, black cherry, liquorice, smoky, resin aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant palate with light tannins. Earthy, smoky, peppery, tobacco, rooty, liquorice, plum, sour cherry and spice flavours. Supple with good finesse and freshness to serve with food.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Borgogno Barolo Vigna Liste 2006
Barolo, Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalyBig smoky, tar, peppery, earthy, tobacco, strawberry jam, black cherry, resin, savoury, gamey aromas. Dry, elegant but slightly lean and tannic with structure to age. Lots of earthy, tobacco, mint, liquorice, root, cherry, tar, resin, meat and strawberry flavours. Young and still a bit chewy, needs 5-7 years to integrate the tannins and acidity.Prices:| BC | $90.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Borgogno Barolo Riserva 2004
Barolo, Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalyA blend of three top vineyard sites: Liste, Cannubi and Fossati. Look for an earthy, black liquorice, tobacco, black cherry, strawberry jam nose with waxy, balsamic, dark chocolate, tar, pepper and eucalyptus. The attack is fresh, dry round and full with good finesse and plenty of peppery, balsamic, black liquorice, tar, plum, strawberry, spicy, tobacco, resin and savoury flavours. Still young but ripe and round, needs 3-7 years. More fruit than the 2006.Prices:| BC | $95.00 | 750ml |
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27 November 2012
90PTS
Cuvaison Pinot Noir Carneros Napa Valley 2010
Carneros, Napa Valley, California, United StatesBlack plum, cherry, coffee, spicy, caraway, vanilla, light barnyard, tobacco, meaty, carrot top aromas. Ripe, round, smooth, suave and juicy palate with orange peel, carrot top, celery salt, cherry jam, herbal, plum, coffee, vanilla and tobacco flavours with a touch of compost. A bit warm on the finish but has excellent fruit and texture. Drink now- 2 years. Well done.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Goedhart Family Red Mountain Bel Villa Vineyard Syrah 2009
Red Mountain, Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesSpicy, savoury, peppery, gamey, black cherry, licorice root, briar, tobacco aromas with a bit of garrigue and tapenade. Dry, fresh, elegant, slightly leaner style with light tannins. Black cherry, smoky, herbal, tobacco, coffee, earthy, gamey, briar, vanilla and garrigue flavours with a touch of prune, black raspberry and cedar on the finish. There are some tannins to dissipate yet in this more austere, fresh style so give it 1-3 years in bottle or try with roast pork or lamb.Prices:| BC | $48.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Moselland Ars Vitis Riesling Qualitätswein 2011
Mosel, GermanyFloral, green apple, nectarine, honey and citrus aromas. Fresh, juicy, moderately sweet palate but elegant with honey, orange, guava, green apple and spice flavours. Good fun, fruity sipper but overly sweet. Best with spicy food or serve well chilled.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $9.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Undurraga Sibaris Carmenere Reserva Especial 2010
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileBig spicy, cassis, sappy, menthol, briar, coffee, cedar and olive aromas. Dry, round, smooth, fresh palate with light tannins. Cedar bark, cocoa, coffee, peppery, herbal, menthol, cassis, riparian, tobacco flavours. A bit fresh and herbal but solidly balanced.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Tommasi Valpolicella Ripasso 2010
Veneto, ItalyCherry, floral, balsamic, meaty, barnyard, tobacco, chocolate, menthol aromas. Dry, fresh, smooth, elegant palate with very light tannins. Spicy, cherry, balsamic, tobacco, earthy, barnyard, Band-Aid, medicinal liquorice flavours. A bit rustic even old fashioned. Try this with grilled meats to best effect.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $26.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $27.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $26.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Tommasi Merlot Le Prunée 2010
Garda, Verona, Veneto, ItalyPeppery, earthy, tobacco, black olive, cherry, rooty, cedar and coffee aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant but slightly lean entry with cherry, cedar, tobacco, coffee, resin and herb flavours with a cocoa note. Simple, clean style made for food.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
JoieFarm Reserve Chardonnay 2010
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaHoney, buttery, grassy, canned peach nose with vanilla, popcorn, lees and baked apple skin aromas. The entry is fresh and juicy, the palate somewhat skinny with some oily notes and a bit of sweetness. Buttered popcorn, lees, baked peach, canned grapefruit, vanilla and lime flavours. Overall a slightly oily buttery style that lacks a bit of mid-palate extract. Try this with your favourite chicken dish.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Villa Teresa Merlot (Organic) 2011
Veneto, ItalySpicy, floral, candied cherry, tobacco, light cedar and olive aromas. Dry, fresh, smooth, easy palate with tobacco, olive, spicy, cherry, raspberry and cedar flavours. Simple, light style for pasta salad or the picnic.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Castaño C Macabeo Chardonnay 2011
Yecla, Valencia and Murcia, SpainPear, citrus, green apple and nectarine aromas. Fresh, juicy, delicate and off-dry palate with green apple, floral, lime, honey and peach flavours. Simple, elegant and fruity, a great summer and seafood offering that offers continued great value.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Spierhead Riesling 2011
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSimilar to last year's edition with earthy, green apple, lime peach pit, lees and lemon oil aromas. Fresh, crisp, near dry palate with lime rind, grapefruit, granny smith, floral, slate and green peach falvours. A bit austere and tart on the end, will benefit from a few years in bottle.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Upper Bench Chardonnay 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaHoney, peach, matchstick, buttered popcorn, vanilla oatmeal, baked apple, fennel, spicy aromas with a floral note. Full, round, dry, juicy creamy palate with baked apple, butter, pear, honey, lees, and nutty garlic flavours. Youthful with some finesse, needs 6-12 months in bottle to develop. Impressive beginning for this label.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Upper Bench Riesling 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight petrol, lemon oil, green apple skin, earthy, floral, spicy almond aromas. Fresh, crisp, round, off dry palate with green apple, honey, grapefruit rind, lime rind, nettle and peach pit flavours. Good intensity but the alcohol shows on the finish with a rind-y note. Best with food.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Casillero del Diablo Chardonnay 2011
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileA blend of Casablanca and Limari fruit, this has honey, green apple, lees, light garlic, nutty, citrus, passion fruit aromas. Fresh, juicy, round, off dry palate with creamy, grapefruit, nectarine, green apple, vanilla, guava with light garlic lees flavours. Good juicy style with some complexity. A continued fine value and effort. Great party wine.Prices:| SK | $13.10 | 750ml |
| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $12.95 | 750ml |
| NF | $13.00 | 750ml |
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26 November 2012
91PTS
Tyrrell's 4 Acres Shiraz 2011
Pokolbin, Hunter, New South Wales, AustraliaMade primarily from vines from 1879 on their own roots and self-propagated to replace plants. Tobacco, plum, black cherry, earthy, prune, floral, savoury, peppery, meaty nose, good aromatics. Ripe, fresh, supple and juicy palate. Jasmine, black cherry, plum, savoury, tobacco, earthy, meaty, peppery, vanilla flavours. A tad bit of green but good finesse, should improve over the next 3-5 years.Prices:| BC | $78.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $97.25 | 750ml |
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24 November 2012
89PTS
Domaine du Pegau Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Réservée 2008
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceBig meaty, prune, black berry, smoky, menthol, tobacco, five spice, licorice and sweaty saddle with a medicinal streak. Dry, fresh, smooth, and rich, round palate with good acidity balance. Peppery, meaty, black cherry, medicinal, licorice, fig, smoky garrigue and barnyard flavours. Good fruit and balance. Drink now while the fruit is strong and the barnyard subdued.Prices:| BC | $85.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $97.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Villa Teresa Prosecco Vino Frizzante Organic NV
Veneto, ItalyA consistent, clean style now especially with the ceramic beer closure. Medium fine mousse with green apple, pear, peach skin, light honey and floral aromas with an earthy note and a bit of toasted almond. Similar flavours with a citrus, earthy, apple skin note and a bit of sweetness on the finish. A consistent, simple sipper done organically with less fizz. Good value.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Stoneboat Vineyards Verglas 2010
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAnother impressive edition of this wine. Lime, floral, apricot, honey, marmalade, light plasticene and egg yolk aromas. Ripe, fresh, juicy, sweet but elegant palate with good intensity. Lime, baked green apple, honey, dried apricot, marmalade and egg yolk flavours. Lots of acidity here to keep things fresh but with super flavour intensity too. Well worth the considerable investment.Prices:| BC | $33.00 | 200ml |
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88PTS
M. Chapoutier Belleruche Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2010
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceThis white Rhone is 100 percent grenache blanc from its super fresh, mineral citrus scented nose to its rich, fat peachy fruit flecked with orange. Just exotic and weighty enough to support its crisp acidity. Try this with any fresh, west coast seafood dishes.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Intrigue Eleven (11) 2011
Lake Country, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, sausage, honey, apricot, grapefruit, matchstick aromas. Ripe, round, juicy, slightly sweet palate with lychee, sausage, pear skin, citrus, honey and green apple flavours. Good intensity and balance in fun and food friendly style.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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23 November 2012
90PTS
Aalto Ribera del Duero DO 2009
Ribera del Duero, Castilla-Leon, SpainBig vanilla, coffee, waxy, black cherry, prune, floral, leather, light barnyard nose with a bit of menthol, sage, tar and gamey meat notes. Rich, round, full, juicy, suave palate with some light tannin structure. Coffee, vanilla, peppery, tobacco, liquorice, chocolate, black berry, orange peel, clove, cedar and menthol flavours. A very well balanced, if warm, modern, somewhat oaky style that should improve in bottle over the next 2-4 years.Prices:| BC | $69.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Artadi Viñas de Gain Rioja 2009
Rioja Alavesa, Rioja, SpainLiquorice, peppery, leather, spicy, clove, floral, orange peel, gamey, black cherry, plum jam, tobacco leaf and vanilla aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy, somewhat tannic palate but has elegance. Blood orange, plum, strawberry jam, liquorice, vanilla, chocolate, tobacco, gamey flavours. Young with good intensity and some tannin with fresh acidity that should mellow out over the next 2-3 years.Prices:| BC | $39.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $27.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Antiyal Antiyal 2009
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileBig minty, sappy, cassis, spicy, peppery, coffee, vanilla, barnyard, saddle leather, black cherry and olive aromas. Dry, fresh, supple, juicy, suave palate with peppery, minty, cassis, black cherry, eucalyptus, curry, blood orange, coffee and leather flavours. A bit warm but good finesse and balance. Needs one or two years more ageing in bottle to settle in and mature.Prices:| BC | $59.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
J. L. Chave Saint-Joseph Offerus 2009
Saint Joseph, Northern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceBig spicy, meaty, peppery, black berry, rooty, liquorice nose with some floral, earthy, plum and barnyard notes. Dry, fresh, juicy, elegant palate with some light tannin. Cherry jam, plum, smoky, liquorice, gamey, thyme and tobacco flavours. Good finesse and fruit with fresh acidity. Drink now - 3 years.Prices:| BC | $39.00 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Villa Teresa Pinot Grigio (Organic) 2011
Veneto, ItalyCooked apple and pear aromas with a touch of sulphur lingering on the nose. Fresh, soft, slightly sweet palate with almond, spice and cooked apple flavours. Not a lot of attractive flavours here.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Moillard Clos des Miran Visan Côtes du Rhône Villages 2010
Côtes du Rhône Villages, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceCurry leaf, meaty, black cherry, cedar bar, licorice, savoury, tobacco aromas. Dry, slightly lean and tart with light extract. Smoky, herbal, cedar, tobacco, black cherry, rooty, savoury flavours. Finish is a bit bitter with some astringency. Needs food. The blend is 63/26/11 grenache, syrah and carignan.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Marqués de Riscal Rioja Reserva 2006
Rioja Alavesa, Rioja, SpainHuge barnyard, medicinal, soy, prune, meaty, stewed carrot and tobacco compost aromas. Soft, round, smooth entry with soy, tobacco, vanilla, chocolate, prune, meaty, saddle leather and cooked root flavours. Finish is very dry and hollow. A very old style wine whose time has come.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $28.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $21.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $29.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $27.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Wonderwall Wine Shiraz 2010
Margaret River, Western Australia, AustraliaBlack pepper, tobacco leaf, black olive, resin, rubber boot and blueberry aromas. Tart, lean, slightly tannic palate with tobacco leaf, blueberry, rubber, liquorice and candied cherry flavours. Fruity finish but poorly balanced with excessive acidity and tannins.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Wonderwall Wine Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2011
Margaret River, Western Australia, AustraliaGrapefruit, canned asparagus, strong matchstick, nettle and hay aromas. Fresh, slightly sweet, oily palate with light grapefruit juice, jalapeno, nettle and canned asparagus flavours. A simple, more herbaceous style.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Remy Pannier Sauvignon Blanc di Touraine 2010
Loire, FranceGooseberry, grapefruit, light passion fruit and bell pepper aromas. Fresh, juicy, slightly austere palate with passion fruit, floral, grassy, gooseberry flavours with a bit of a bitter grapefruit rind finish. Best with chicken or seafood dishes.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
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79PTS
Baron Philippe de Rothschild Merlot 2010
FranceSomewhat volatile nose with compost, earthy, leafy, barnyard, stewed vegetable aromas. Sweet, round palate with light tannins and the same vegetative, compost flavours with a bit of tomato puree. Poor attention to detail from such an important company. Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $13.40 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 1500ml |
| ON | $11.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $13.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Baron Philippe de Rothschild Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceGrassy, lemon nettle, gooseberry, canned artichoke aromas. Dry, lean palate with fresh acidity. Artichoke, grassy, gooseberry, smoky herb flavours. Tart and green and disappointing.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Upper Bench Rosé 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoky tobacco, grilled toast, butter, candied apple aromas. Fresh, juicy, somewhat sweet entry with tobacco leaf, herbal, olive, candied apple and butter flavours. Simple bitter, buttery finish.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Upper Bench Pinot Blanc 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeach skin, pear, honey, light butter, earthy, matchstick aromas. Round, soft, easy palate with earthy, butter, grapefruit rind, and baked pear flavours. Full bodied but a bit warm and bitter on the finish.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Upper Bench Pinot Gris 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaEarthy, buttery, matchstick, light honey, slate, pear skin aromas. Full, round, dry, juicy palate with almond, citrus, butter, earthy, slate flavours with a light, bitter pine sol finish. A good start but there's work to be done. Try this with sushi. Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Stoneboat Vineyards Pinotage 2010
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSavoury, tobacco leaf, vanilla, poultry spice, barnyard, smoky, sausage meat aromas. Dry, soft but tart palate with cedar-y tannins. Peppery, poultry spice, earthy, olive, rooty, resin, cedar bark and sour cherry flavours with a coffee oak finish. Too much oak and green on the finish to be much fun to drink. Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Intrigue Pinot Gris 2011
Lake Country, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaExotic honey, quince, earthy, light butter nose with a pinch of sulfur. The attack is sweet, soft and round with baked pear, honey, citrus and butter flavours. A simple summer sipper that is bit top sweet for the job. Serve well chilled.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Boutari Moschofilero 2011
Mantinía, Peloponnese, GreeceMuch like the last edition this moschofilero is elegant and aromatic. Floral, pear, honey, spicy, anise aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy, elegant palate with quince, lemon, floral, spicy, nectarine skin flavours. Good solid balance and intensity to drink with seafood.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $19.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NL | $19.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Cecchi La Mora Morellino di Scansano 2010
Morellino di Scansano, Maremma, Tuscany, ItalyOpen spicy prune, smoky, blackberry, tobacco, liquorice aromas. Fresh, dry, smooth, easy palate with black cherry, plum, earth, liquorice, tobacco flavours with a touch of cedar. Solid value and style for immediate consumption. Try it with meaty pizza.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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22 November 2012
84PTS
Henkell Trocken Dry Sekt NV
GermanyA good example of modern winemaking. A pleasant fresh floral nose with peach and green apple flavours and a slightly, sweet, foamy palate with just enough acidity for balance. A sweet, appetizer style bubble that would be best with spicy one-bites.Prices:| BC | $14.49 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.39 | 750ml |
| SK | $15.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.95 | 750ml |
| NB | $16.99 | 750ml |
| NFL | $16.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Champagne Lanson Black Label Brut NV
Champagne, FranceLanson has been making Champagne since 1760 and over those years its reputation has been both up and down. Lanson is currently in an up period as suggested by this Brut's impressive aromas. Look for fresh floral toasty brioche notes on the nose. The palate is crisp with juicy granny smith, citrus, pear, anise and nutty butter flavours. An elegant style with good finesse and balance. The Brut is 35/50/15 chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier.Prices:| BC | $78.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $66.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $63.95 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Fanti Brunello di Montalcino 2007
Tuscany, ItalySpicy, peppery, cigar, tobacco, floral, black cherry, plum, vanilla, game and barnyard aromas with an earthy streak. Ripe, round, dry, supple and elegant but juicy and suave. Cherry jam, gamey, peppery, tobacco, vanilla, licorice, blood orange, ash, waxy, gamey flavours. Not big but very good finesse and fruit in a Brunello at a fair price. Drink now - 5 years.Prices:| BC | $67.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Artazuri Garnacha 2010
Navarra and Basque Country, SpainPeppery, spicy, liquorice root, smoky, gamey, black cherry aromas. Ripe, round, fresh, juicy palate with blood orange, black cherry, strawberry, liquorice and tobacco flavours. Good fresh juicy style that is always fun to drink. Try this with chicken or veal.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Domaine Marc Morey Puligny Montrachet Les Referts 1er Cru 2009
Puligny Montrachet, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceBig waxy, vanilla, buttery, spicy, baked apple, pear, honey, floral nose with a touch of peach. Dry, fresh, juicy, full but elegant with good concentration and acidity. Slightly oily texture with nutty lees, honey, butter, green apple, pear, citrus, lemon custard and vanilla flavours. Good intensity and length, should improve over the next 2-5 years. Fine effort.Prices:| BC | $100.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Gewurztraminer 2011
Alsace, FranceFloral, spicy, lychee, nectarine, honey and light sausage aromas. Round, full, elegant, slightly sweet entry with a light spritz. Sausage, dried lychee, honey, peach and ginger flavours. Good ripe fruit and balance here and a delight to drink now.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Stephen Pannell Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Adelaide Hills, Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide, South Australia, AustraliaFloral, passion fruit, gooseberry, grassy, light matchstick aromas. Fresh, round, delicate and juicy palate with a touch of sweetness. Grapefruit juice, passion fruit, grassy, gooseberry flavours. A fresh, elegant style.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Champagne Diebolt-Vallois Brut Rose NV
Champagne, FranceLots of fine mousse with a pale orange colour. Cherry, floral, honey, toasty, green apple and citrus aromas. Round, full, slightly soft but good mousse with very toasty, nutty, butter, cherry, spicy, baked pear and citrus flavours. A bit fatter than the chardonnay versions but good intensity.Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $57.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Dr. Pauly - Bergweiler Riesling 2011
Mosel, GermanyLove the floral fruity notes that entice right of the get go; mango, lemons and peach grab you r attention but all with hint of wet stone and minerality that keeps it dry-ish and fresh. The attack is round and juicy with creamy acidity mixing with fresh cut granny smith apple, pineapple flavours. Ready to drink but enjoy the finesse and delicacy with simply prepared foods.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
8th Generation Vineyard Riesling Classic 2011
British Columbia, CanadaMade from 25 year old vines and only in stainless steel tanks this is full on riesling. Expect a big lemon citrus aroma and a warm-ish salty mid-palate awash in fresh cut apple fruit and lime rind. Not quite as much finesse as last year but nothing that wouldn't pair well with an Asian spiced pork or chicken dish.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
8th Generation Vineyard Riesling Selection 2011
British Columbia, CanadaLove the effort here and the super fresh, zesty style, full of citrus and red apple fruit. There is more intensity here than the norm and a strong mineral note. Indigenous yeast contributes to its unique intensity and textures. Well done and with 8 grams of juicy fresh fruit it would pair well with your favourite curry. Prices:| BC | $28.50 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Max Mann Riesling Spatlese 2009
Mosel, GermanySpatlese or late-harvest is your clue to the residual sugar in this well-made German riesling. The nose has all the hallmarks of the region with red apples and lemons mixed with chalk, wet stone and a bit of lime rind. The attack is fresh and while you can sip this well chilled it I sleekly best served with a curry dish or spicy ribs or for a full on stuffed holiday turkey.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Harper's Trail Thadd Springs Vineyard Pioneer Block Riesling 2011
Kamloops, British Columbia, CanadaWow just love the style here from such a young winery. Harper's Trail may be new to Kamloops/Thompson River Valley but they wisely had the wine made at Okanagan Crush Pad by winemaker Michael Bartier. The single vineyard Thadd Springs, packs a lot of flavour and fruit and freshness for a $20 wine. If there is one drawback to this peachy, red apple citrus fruit flavoured white it is the finish which is just tad short. Try this with your favourite Thai dishes and you will be rewarded.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Intrigue Focus Riesling 2011
Lake Country, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRiesling has really grown up in British Columbia as evidenced by the Focus label. Intrigue makes its best bottles under the Focus label and this super crisp lean fresh style riesling is a good attempt. The wine is fermented slowly and subjected to a lot of lees stirring. Its 14.5 grams of residual sugar are easily balanced by its 10.5 grams per litre of acidity with just a bit of dryness in the finish to detract. Think spicy Pan Asian food here and enjoy the match.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve (Degorgment 2009) NV
Champagne, FranceFresh delicate nutty, brioche nose with baked apple, waxy, light honey and cream aromas. Equally fresh, crisp, elegant palate with fine mousse and spicy, nutty, toasty, citrus, baked apple, juicy pear, cherry and tropical flavours. Fine balance and finish with lots of bottle development. Impressive fresh mouth-filling bubble that over-delivers for the price.Prices:| QC | $61.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $55.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $61.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $55.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $72.00 | 750ml |
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21 November 2012
90PTS
Domenico Clerico Barbara d'Alba Trevigne 2009
Montforte d'Alba, Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalyBlack cherry jam, liquorice, coffee, vanilla, prune, floral, barnyard, tobacco and light tar aromas. Rich, ripe, round, full but somewhat tannic palate with black cherry, plum, vanilla, tarry, coffee, gamey, cigar flavours. Very good concentration, a big wine but balanced with ripe tannins. Drink now but should improve over the next few years. Great with game birds.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Domaine Latour-Giraud Pommard Cuvee Carmen 2009
Pommard, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceSpicy, meaty, strawberry jam, cherry, earthy, floral, barnyard, liquorice, vanilla and spice aromas. Dry, round, full, supple, elegant palate and forward. Peppery, gamey, cherry, spicy, dried plum, tobacco leaf, orange spice flavours. Well balanced with soft tannins. Drink now - 5 years.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Marcel Lapierre Morgon 2011
Morgon, Beaujolais Villages, Beaujolais, Burgundy, FranceFresh black cherry, licorice, rooty, spicy, earthy, meaty, bacon aromas with a touch of carbonic fruit. Dry, fresh, elegant style with light tannins. Tobacco, peppery, gamey, licorice, black cherry, smoky flavours. Good elegance and fresh drink now - 2 years.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $37.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $31.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $34.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $40.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Patricia Green Cellar Pinot Noir Estate Ribbon Ridge 2009
Willamette Valley, Oregon, United StatesStrawberry, tobacco leaf, earthy, rhubarb, smoky vanilla, floral aroma with a touch of barnyard and leather. Dry, fresh, soft, delicate palate with juicy acid. Tobacco leaf, carrot top, meaty, barnyard, strawberry jam, peppery, compost flavours with some smoky vanilla. A bit sour on the finish but good finesse and balance in a more traditional style.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Domaine de la Mordoree Lirac Blanc Cuvee de la Reine des Bois 2011
Lirac, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceVery floral, honey, apricot, ginger, spicy, quince aromas. Ripe, round, full, slightly oily and sweet palate but good concentration and acidity. Honey, ginger, quince, lemon, floral, guava and apricot flavours with a touch of slate and orange on the finish. Drink now - 2 years. Good fruit here!Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Dedicato a Marianna Greco di Tufo DOCG 2010
Campania, ItalyNutty, spicy, lemon, quince, nettle and floral aromas. Round, soft, somewhat oily palate with citrus rind, honey, buttery, nutty flavours. Solid but a bit bitter and flabby on the finish.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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20 November 2012
89PTS
Marimar Estate Pinot Noir Don Miguel Vineyard La Masia 2007
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesCherry jam, barnyard, coffee, compost, spicy, peppery, carrot, bacon and herb aromas. Smooth, soft, fresh, suave palate with black cherry, vanilla, coffee, smoky, herbal, leather, game and tobacco flavours. Well balanced with nice intensity and elegance and now mature. Drink now through 2013Prices:| BC | $38.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $54.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Joseph Faiveley Bourgogne Paulee 2009
Burgundy, FranceSpicy, carrot top, celery, orange, strawberry and cedar aromas. Dry, fresh, round, juicy palate with earthy, tobacco, orange, rhubarb, sour cherry, smoky leather and herb flavours. Well-made, simple Bourgogne.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
La Crema Pinot Noir 2009
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, United StatesSpicy, compost, barnyard, cherry jam, tobacco nose streaked with vanilla, smoke and a touch of celery and carrot. Ripe, round, smooth, juicy palate with smoky vanilla, tobacco, celery salt, coffee, strawberry jam, barnyard and compost flavours with a chocolate-y finish. Good juicy, fruity style that helps to combat the sweet oak in the finish.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $33.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $31.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Olivier Leflaive Bourgogne Cuvee Margot 2010
Burgundy, FranceDry tight tobacco, cherry, earthy, spicy nose flecked with orange peel and light compost aromas. Dry, fresh, slightly tart and lean attack but balanced with rhubarb, sour cherry, herbal, tobacco leaf, rooty flavours. Ready to drink and best with rich dishes.Prices:| BC | $33.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Santa Rita Reserva Pinot Noir 2009
Valle de Leyda, Valle de San Antonio, Region de Aconcagua, ChileOpen spicy, minty, black cherry, and strawberry jam, carrot top and sappy aromas. Round, juicy, soft, fresh palate with menthol, carrot, black cherry, smoky, herb, compost and tobacco flavours with a light coffee, vanilla finish. Juicy but a bit herbaceous and soupy. Try this with richer bird dishes.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Jaffelin Côteaux Borguignons Pinot Noir 2011
Burgundy, FranceLight barnyard, cedar, coffee, cocoa, menthol, leather aromas. Tight, dry, fresh, elegant palate with meaty, menthol, band aid, leather, rhubarb, tobacco flavours. A very old style that really needs food to sing.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $19.75 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.10 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.60 | 750ml |
| NB | $16.10 | 750ml |
| NF | $17.60 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Nicolas Potel Monthelie 1er Cru Les Champs Fulliot 2009
Monthélie, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceTight firm compos/tobacco, sour cherry, herbal aromas. The attack is dry and fresh if somewhat austere with light tannins. Look for more carrot top, tobacco leaf, smoky, earthy, sour cherry, meaty flavours. A rustic style that needs food now and/or a few years in bottle.Prices:| BC | $41.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Little Yering Pinot Noir 2010
Yarra Valley, Victoria, AustraliaConsistently spicy with a mix of celery salt, carrot, earth, strawberry and rooty aromas. Soft, round and fresh the palate is accessible with ripe strawberry jam, candied orange, spicy, carrot, rooty flavours and a warm, slightly tart finish. Solid entry level pinot.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Champ de Reves Pinot Noir 2010
Anderson Valley, Mendocino County, California, United StatesIntense spice and celery salt, thyme, raspberry jam aromas with flecks of cherry and smoky vanilla. The palate is juicy and dry with elegant styling and more cool carrot top, orange peel, raspberry jam, plum, vanilla, coffee, savoury, compost and Christmas cake flavours. A bit oaky but given its youth a very fine first effort and well worth looking for in America.Prices:| US | $37.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
The People's Wine Pinot Noir 2010
Central Otago, South Island, New ZealandSpicy, thyme, celery salt, carrot top, cherry, earthy tobacco aromas. Fresh, smooth, easy palate with strawberry, prune, cocoa, celery salt, rooty, tobacco, barnyard flavours with a bit of tomato puree and soy on the finish. Easy going style.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Baron Philippe de Rothschild Pinot Noir 2010
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceCedar bark, compost, light cherry and herb aromas. Dry, lean but smooth palate with stewed rhubarb, compost, tobacco, earthy flavours with a fresh finish. Lacks texture and fruit.Prices:| BC | $11.50 | 750ml |
| QC | $13.60 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $14.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $13.75 | 750ml |
| NB | $14.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Joseph Drouhin Pommard 2009
Pommard, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceBig meaty, spicy, peppery, tobacco, floral, strawberry aromas with a touch of barnyard and dried herb. Ripe, round, dry, fresh palate with light tannins. Cherry, strawberry jam, spicy, peppery, meaty, coffee, vanilla, tobacco and licorice flavours. Good intensity and fruit but needs 2-3 years to fully show.Prices:| BC | $63.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Joseph Drouhin Volnay 2009
Volnay, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FrancePeppery, spicy, light coffee, vanilla, strawberry jam nose with bits of tobacco, liquorice and orange peel. The attack is juicy, the palate supple with light tannins with more smoky, coffee, vanilla, cherry, strawberry jam, pepper, savoury flavours. Good fruit and intensity but oak is somewhat intrusive at this point. This needs another two to three years to stretch its wings. Best now with a whole-roasted chicken.Prices:| BC | $63.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Joseph Drouhin Beaune Grèves Premier Cru 2009
Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceRich earthy, smoky, vanilla, tobacco, earthy aromas with light strawberry notes. Dry, round, full, juicy palate with light tannins and peppery, smoky herb, coffee, vanilla, sour cherry flavours with a bit of carrot and celery on the finish. This will need another two to four years to develop into the real deal.Prices:| BC | $65.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $70.00 | 750ml |
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19 November 2012
88PTS
Marrenon Classique Rose Syrah Grenache 2011
Luberon, Provence, Sud de France, FranceFloral, black cherry, spicy, peppery, citrus aromas. Fresh, juicy, off dry palate with cherry, apple, plum, earthy, peppery, liquorice flavours. Very well crafted and fun to drink. Excellent value for the price and very food-friendly too.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Marrenon Classique Rouge Syrah Grenache 2010
Luberon, Provence, Sud de France, FranceOpen peppery, meaty, spicy, black cherry nose with liquorice root and savoury garrigue notes. The attack is full and smooth with light tannins and balanced acidity. Black cherry jam, plum, liquorice, pepper, tobacco, gamey flavours. Good fruit and intensity and excellent value. Try with any game or fowl dish. Super value.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Red Rooster Merlot 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCoffee, sausage meat, peppery, tomato puree, black olive and tobacco aromas. Dry, fresh, somewhat lean with smoky, coffee, resin, prune, meaty, cigar flavours. Not ripe enough to really shine.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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79PTS
Intrigue Merlot 2011
Summerland Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPruny, volatile, cooked jam, tomato puree aromas. Tart, dry, austere palate with floral, jammy, tobacco, herbal, stemmy, volatile tomato puree flavours. Back to the drawing board.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Palo Alto Reserva 2010
Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileMinty, bay, earthy, tobacco, liquorice root and resin mark the nose with a whiff of cassis. Round, smooth, somewhat tart palate with earthy, resin, coffee, tobacco, eucalyptus, barnyard and leafy flavours. A bit dirty and quite tart on the finish. No thrill even for the price.Prices:| NS | $13.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Concha y Toro Trio Reserva Merlot Carmenere Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileEarthy, cassis, minty, smoky, resin, briar, tobacco aromas with a volatile note. Round, full but very tart palate with minty, rooty, peppery, stemmy, olive, briar and cassis flavours. Very unbalanced with an acidic yet slightly sweet finish and some green tannins. Disappointing this year. The blend is 70/15/15merlot carmenere and cabernet sauvignon.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $14.80 | 750ml |
| NS | $16.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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80PTS
Casillero del Diablo Malbec Reserva 2011
Region del Valle Central, ChilePeppery, tobacco leaf, pruny, Christmas cake nose that appears somewhat oxidized. Soft, tart, round palate with bitter herb, coffee, resin, prune, compost and cologne flavours. A poor effort with acidic finish. Wow, what's up at Conch y Toro?Prices:| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $13.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Casillero del Diablo Merlot Reserva 2011
Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileBig minty, tobacco, bell pepper, smoky, herbal nose. Soft, round, dry but tight palate with cedar bark, coffee, earthy, minty, roast bell pepper and tobacco leaf. Simple herby red. Not up to previous versions.Prices:| AB | $11.95 | 750ml |
| SK | $14.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NF-LAB | $13.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Cavalo Bravo 2010
Tejo, Central and Southern Portugal, PortugalBig black peppery nose with earthy, tobacco leaf, black cherry, resin and roast tomato aromas. Round, tart, smooth palate with earthy, compost, cassis, tomato puree, beefy, tobacco flavours. Needs food.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Timbuktu Offshore Shiraz Grenache 2010
South Australia, AustraliaCandied raspberry, orange peel, chocolate, licorice, peppery, jammy nose. Sweet, fresh, round, flat palate with earthy, black raspberry jam, floral, chocolate, licorice flavours. Very warm, slightly tart finish for sweeter foods.Prices:| BC | $14.50 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Finca Los Primos Malbec 2011
San Rafael, General Alvear, Southern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBlack cherry, tobacco, rooty, liquorice, bramble, chocolate and plum aromas. Soft, round, fresh and slightly sweet entry with black cherry jam, lifted plum, tobacco, licorice, prune flavours. A bit warm and tart in the finish but solid for the price.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.95 | 750ml |
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81PTS
Vino Cacao-Paris Ivoire Chocoalate Infused White Bordeaux NV
FranceThe colour of mature Sauternes but the aromas of earth, prune, cocoa powder, raisin and butter with a hint of vanilla. Sweet, soft, light body with similar flavours. Short and very cocoa powder-like but without the flavour. Maybe use it in mulled wine.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Stellenbosch Hills Chenin Blanc Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Polkadraai Hills, Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South AfricaFloral, passion fruit, grapefruit, almond and wool aromas. Round, fresh, juicy but somewhat bitter entry with passion fruit, gooseberry, honey, floral, smoky grass flavours with a bit of a sweet, bitter lime rind finish.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Domaine de Cause Malbec Cahors 2009
Cahors, Sud-Ouest, FranceDark sloe, peppery, tobacco, roasted meat, compost, raisin and liquorice aromas. Dry, full, round but somewhat tannic with fresh acidity. Meaty, peppery, prune, smoky herb, tobacco, black cherry, compost flavours with some tannin to shed. The high acidity needs some food to tame the structure.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Heitlinger Pinot Blanc (Weissburgunder) Trocken Smooth Leaf 2011
Baden, GermanyEarthy, buttery, apple skin, floral aromas with a touch of honey. Round, full, fresh, slightly sweet palate with a waxy, lemon, earthy, apple skin flavours with a touch of butter. Good balance and fruit if simple.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Pentâge Winery Fizz 2010
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaContinuous fine bubbles. Green apple, citrus, matchstick and floral aromas. Crisp, fresh, dry palate with elevated acidity. Green apple skin, pear, grapefruit rind and floral flavours. Light intensity in an austere, skinny bubble.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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18 November 2012
92PTS
Champagne Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut NV
Champagne, FranceSpecial Cuvée is no ordinary multi-vintage champagne containing a high percentage of reserve wines some of which are aged in magnum. The wine is barrel and stainless steel fermented and aged from 5 to 15 years. The base blend is 50/50 mix of two vintages. The result is a complex, rich sparkler with fine bubbles and plenty of pear, grilled toast and nutty notes. Dries fruits and peach notes mark the refined spicy, brioche and nutty finish. A spectacular food wine from charcuterie to chicken or sashimi. The blend is 60/25/15 pinot noir, chardonnay and meunier. The denomination Special Cuvée was created in 1911 as a way to avoid calling what is an amazing champagne: "non-vintage". They were right.Prices:| BC | $94.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $90.25 | 750ml |
| ON | $78.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $76.25 | 750ml |
| PEI | $74.95 | 750ml |
| NB | $79.95 | 750ml |
| NS | $79.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Blasted Church Amen Limited Edition Port de Merlot NV
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAmen is hand-harvested estate fruit (merlot) picked at 24 brix that contains two barrels of Port de Merlot 2006, in fact it is a blend of wine from the '06, '07, '08 and '09 vintages. The colour is medium-dark the nose a mix of prunes and plums with a dash of meat and leather. The entry is sweet and warm with creamy caramel, cocoa and prune flavours. All in all a fair attempt at a fortified wine to warm up0 those damp cold winter nights.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 375ml |
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86PTS
Blasted Church Merlot 2009
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeppery, leather, buttery, olive, cherry, prune aromas. Dry, lean, somewhat hollow and astringent palate. Coffee, vanilla, olive, compost, peppery, rooty, cherry jam flavours. Some fruit and concentration but very oaky, tart and astringent on the finish.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Lake Breeze Seven Poplars Pinotage 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSimilar to last year's excellent effort the '09 has a peppery, floral, black raspberry nose flecked with spice, tobacco leaf and meaty/Oxo aromas. The attack is fresh and dry with youthful tannins on the palate with smoky, coffee, black raspberry jam, liquorice, vanilla, peppery, roasted meat and pepper flavours. Good intensity and fruit but needs another year more in bottle to excel. Try now with roast lamb.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Henri Bourgeois Sancerre Les Baronnes 2011
Loire, FranceMuch like the previous edition the Henri Bourgeois nails sauvignon blanc in his native Sancerre. Grown over stony/clay slopes there is richness on the palate but with a mineral, grassy, pepper, citrus undercurrent. The attack is crisp and mouthwatering with more juicy citrus fruit mixed with hay and a dusting of asparagus. Try this with pork tenderloins, goat cheese or over the holidays you could serve it with turkey.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $29.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Van Westen Vineyards Voluptuous 2009
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA very inviting open peppery, smoky, coffee nose with vanilla, waxy, cherry jam, light barnyard and tobacco aromas. Dry and full with youthful tannins but with fine concentration. Delicious, smoky, peppery, earthy, vanilla, dried cranberry, curry and cherry jam flavours that do not quit. Fine fruit and intensity but with a tannin structure that should allow this to age for 3-5 years and soften. A super effort.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Quinta do Crasto Crasto Douro Vinho Tinto 2010
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalAlways impressive the latest red from the Roquette family. The nose is a peppery, tobacco, black berry, black plum affair with savoury, meaty, dried fig, chocolate and liquorice aromas. The palate is fresh and dry if a little bit lean and light. Smoky, savoury, chocolate, peppery, liquorice root, black berry, chalky, plum and garrigue flavours fill out the finish. There is fine fruit and flavour intensity but in 2010 it finishes a bit lean. Will be good with lamb stew.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Poplar Grove Syrah 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, savoury, tobacco, liquorice root, poultry spice, cherry jam, plum and barnyard aromas with a touch of ginger. Rich, ripe, concentrated and a bit tannic with peppery, liquorice, black cherry jam, plum, savoury meat, tobacco, sage, floral flavours. Good fruit and intensity but with some heat. Needs a few years to fully round out. An excellent effort. Bring on the lamb.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Burrowing Owl Chardonnay 2010
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaNutty, spicy, smoky, vanilla, pear, mealy, baked apple and butter aromas. Dry, slightly lean but full and almost mature palate. Big nutty, spicy lees, baked apple, buttery flavours with a trace of sulphur. A solid effort that may be just a bit too worked to allow it to really soar out of the glass. Less is always more.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $34.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Quinta Ferreira Porta D'ouro 2009
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaI'm told the name has to change if they want to keep their VQA designation but this is a very good rendition of port, made by a Portuguese family, not in Portugal. The fruit is merlot and the fortification came late in the game to keep the sugar in check. At 18.2 percent alcohol it has a bit of fire and price on the nose and during the attack but there is a richness of black fruit with hints of dried fruits and sage in the finish. Try this with older hard cheeses, chocolate or a bowl of slated nuts. Well made.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 500ml |
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87PTS
Ruffino Orvieto Classico 2010
Umbria, ItalyUmbrian white wine can punch above its weight as this Orvieto Classico does with its distinctively fresh style. A mix of grechetto, procanico and verdello that is long on freshness with buttery, nutty, pear and mineral aromas and flavours. Perfect for crab cakes.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Intrigue Gewurztraminer 2011
Lake Country, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMuch like last year the nose is a heady mix of green apple and floral notes with a pinch of spice. The attack is rich and warm with pronounced litchi fruit and more green apple skin and citrus notes all with a hint of sweetness and oiliness in the finish. A solid white you can serve with turkey or ham. Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Invivio Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandGrapefruit rind, passion fruit, light jalapeno, lemon grass aromas. Round, fresh, slightly sweet and viscous entry with grapefruit rind, grassy, canned jalapeno, and light artichoke flavours. Simple, easy-drinking style.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
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81PTS
Vino Cacao-Paris Noir Chocoalte Infused Red Bordeaux NV
FranceThis chocolate infused red Bordeaux is certainly potent with its cocoa, burnt chocolate, earthy, cigar and Oxo aromas. Sweet, light round palate with cold cocoa powder paste, herb, cigar and milk chocolate flavours. Unique but not something we are attracted to.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
La Ginestra Chianti 2009
Greve, Florence, Tuscany, ItalyEarthy, resin, sausage meat, black cherry, smoky, tobacco aromas. Dry, fresh, smooth palate with tobacco, earthy, peppery, black cherry, meaty, leather and dried herb flavours. A somewhat juicy but traditional style ready for grilled beef.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Cortello Toriga Nacional 2008
Lisboa, Central and Southern Portugal, PortugalPeppery, resin, licorice root, meaty, black cherry, wet tobacco aromas. Dry, round, smooth palate with earthy, tobacco, smoky, resin, peppery, black cherry and tea flavours. A simple, ready to drink rustic barbecue red.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Pierre Henri Morel Signargues Côtes du Rhône Villages 2010
Côtes du Rhône Villages, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceThis wine is a winner from the get go if you like grenache. The nose is an intense white pepper and raspberry nose with bits of plum and liquorice. The palate is similar with soft fruity notes carrying the mid-palate and more earth, black tea and incense marking the finish. Greta with mushroom pasta dishes or Osso buco style meat dishes. Ready to drink now but will hold easily through 2015. Terrific value and heading for organic/biodynamic certification too.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Lake Breeze Gewurztraminer 2011
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBright and balanced the LB goo always delivers in the glass. The 2011 is a touch less intense than previous editions but still offers up a fresh creamy palate and that shows more peachy, pink grapefruit minerality and citrus than florals and soap. We especially like the lack of bitter notes. Very food friendly and would be excellent with a variety of sushi.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Lake Breeze Seven Poplars Merlot 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCoffee, smoky, black olive, tobacco, resin, savoury herb aromas with a meaty note. Dry, smooth, elegant but tart palate with smoky, coffee, resin, oaky, peppery, meaty, black cherry, tobacco, cedar, cranberry flavours. A year that could use a little less oak and little more fruit.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Lake Breeze Meritage 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoky, bacon, leather, olive, coffee, dark cherry, tobacco leaf aromas with a meaty note. Dry, round, smooth, slightly lean palate with peppery, rooty, resin, smoky, coffee, vanilla, licorice, black cherry, olive and cedar flavours. Finish is a bit stemmy and hollow.Prices:| BC | $24.90 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Lake Breeze Semillon 2011
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaZesty grapefruit, floral, hay, light jalapeno and butter aromas. Fresh, juicy, round, slightly sweet palate with grapefruit, gooseberry, hay and bell pepper flavours. Good acidity to balance the sugar with fruit.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Pentâge Winery Our Port in a Storm Dirty Dozen Vineyard 2010
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPort in a Storm '10 is the first fortified zinfandel released at Pentâge. The winery fortifies this wine with its neutral grape spirit and it's barreled for a year. The wine has a huge fruity primary fruit nose suggesting its zinfandel origins. The palate is warm but balanced with spicy white pepper and raspberry fruit flavours. We suggest while this wine is still quite youthful you serve it with chocolate to best effect.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Pentâge Winery Hiatus 2009
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCassis, menthol, black cherry, coffee, vanilla, cedar, tobacco leaf, herbal aromas. Dry, fresh, round, slightly astringent palate with coffee, menthol, resin, licorice root, vanilla, chocolate, cedar, tobacco leaf, olive and herb flavours. Very oaky finish with a bit of hardness.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Pentâge Winery Pentâge 2007
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAsh, earthy, tobacco leaf, menthol, black cherry, saddle leather, peppery, cassis aromas with a bit of meat and prune. Dry, full, somewhat tannic palate with tobacco, compost, earthy, prune, black berry, cedar, rooty, licorice, peppery flavours with some coffee oak on the finish. Good concentration with some young tannins and oak to diminish the note of rusticity. Try this with your favourite meat dish.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Saint Saturnin Le Clocher 2010
Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceNot quite the same richness as in 2009 here. Peppery, rooty, spicy, savoury, black cherry, meaty aromas. Dry, fresh, light bodied palate with cherry, raspberry, tobacco, meaty, licorice and chocolate flavours. Warm, dry finish with good acidity and fruit but a bit lean in the back end. Needs food.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $17.20 | 750ml |
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89PTS
M. Chapoutier Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Rouge 2010
Côtes du Roussillon Villages, Roussillon, Sud de France, FranceAnother great version of this wine made from bio-dynamically grown fruit in Roussillon. Love the peppery, liquorice, black raspberry jam and chocolate, gamey aromas. The attack is so smooth and polished but in a fresh, elegant style with more chocolate, tobacco, pepper, black cherry, liquorice root and smoky, meaty flavours and all with plenty of acidity and length. Love the value in this electric red.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.35 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Yalumba Eden Valley Shiraz Viognier 2009
Eden Valley, South Australia, AustraliaPeppery, smoky, bacon, blackberry, blueberry, spicy, peppery aromas. Dry, fresh, smooth, elegant palate with a warm edge. Coffee, vanilla, meaty, spicy, smoky, chocolate, blackberry, resin and ginger flavours with menthol, tobacco finish. Good fruit and balance for current drinking.Prices:| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Yalumba Y Series Shiraz Viognier 2009
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaBlueberry, raspberry jam, peppery, spicy, floral, slightly smoky aromas. Fresh, smooth, juicy finish with black raspberry, liquorice root, chocolate, resin, peppery, kirsch flavours. A simple, forward style for early consumption. Try this with Asian pork dishes.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $18.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Oteros Ramos 30 Yardas Malbec 2010
Mendoza, ArgentinaBlack olive, black cherry, tobacco, savoury, mushroom, resin, rooty aromas. Round, off dry, slightly tart palate with an earthy, resin, rubbery, meaty, black cherry, smoky, bitter herb flavours. A very basic style.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Oteros Ramos Classic Gritos Malbec 2008
Mendoza, ArgentinaBlack cherry, plum, spicy, savoury, meaty, light barnyard, tobacco, licorice aromas. Round, dry, smooth, fresh palate with earthy, inky, resin, peppery, tobacco, meaty, black cherry, slightly stemmy palate. Solid if somewhat short and simple.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Oteros Ramos Estate Gritos Malbec 2008
Mendoza, ArgentinaMeaty, lees, light barnyard, peppery, rooty, licorice, tobacco, saddle leather, black cherry and rubber aromas. Round, fresh, smooth but edgy palate with meaty, coffee, vanilla, resin, barnyard, rubbery, tobacco flavours. A bit too oaky and rustic with some dirty notes.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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17 November 2012
89PTS
Ferrari-Carano Fume Blanc 2011
Sonoma County, California, United StatesNothing much changes here and that is a good thing. Over the years this wine has been leaned out and freshened up all with an eye on retaining its fruit. We love its lean fruity citrus nose and flavours that sit over and under a creamy attack on the palate and a lemon grass/melon fruit finish. As good as it gets for sauvignon in the US.Prices:| AB | $27.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $23.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $26.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Spierhead Pinot Noir 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIt's pretty easy to like this soft, slippery pinot long on juicy fruit. It's not complex but it's fun to sip. Kelowna is beginning to flex its pinot muscles all we need are more examples and less showy oak to join the fold. Buy this soft, cherry scented and flavoured red and try with a piece of grilled or roasted chicken and enjoy all winter. Teriffic value.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Pentâge Winery Pinot Gris 2011
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaI've been a fan of this exotic gris for some time. The nose is quite fresh and floral with citrus orange blossom and pink grapefruit notes. The palate is fresh and ripe more mineral, lime, green apple flecked with orange rind. Clean fresh and food-friendly think pan Asian dishes here. Certainly represents fine value.Prices:| BC | $17.50 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc Reserva La Gloria 2011
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileThe Veramonte style is fresh and crisp mixing gooseberry, dried herbs and lemongrass with tropical fruit nuances, minerality and along fresh finish. Clean and pure you get a lot of wine here for a little money. A perfect wine for West Coast shellfish.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.25 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.95 | 750ml |
| NB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $15.00 | 750ml |
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16 November 2012
88PTS
Barone Ricasoli Brolio Chianti Classico 2010
Tuscany, ItalySimilar to last year the 2010 offer plenty of spice and floral, plummy cherry fruit nuances on the nose and palate. The texture is equally ripe and smooth with fine acidity and elegance but still offering a bit of heft. Gamey, smoky black liquorice mixes with cedar, black cherries and plums to fill out the palate. This should have wide appeal with consumers.Prices:| AB | $26.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $26.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Fonseca Vintage Port 2007
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalVery spicy, liquorice, peppery, floral nose with lovely freshness mixed with black cherry, tea and chocolate aromas. The palate is four-square both rich and concentrated with some round tannins and big spicy, chocolate, liquorice, black cherry, black tea, floral flavours. Excellent depth, fruit, structure and acidity with a chewy texture. A very big and bold Fonseca that will age well and maintain its fruit. No sign of grape spirit. A dense succulent port for the ages.Prices:| BC | $132.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $126.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $125.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $140.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $69.00 | 375ml |
| AB | $65.00 | 375ml |
| MB | $125.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $73.00 | 375ml |
| SK | $120.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $65.00 | 375ml |
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88PTS
Segura Viudas Cava Brut Rosé NV
Penedès, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainThe label should command your respect and attention for its consistent ability to over-deliver for the price. Look for a lively, raspberry-coloured sparkling rosé with an attractive creamy mousse. The palate is dry and fresh with nutty, cherry, baked pear and citrus flavours. The perfect tapas wine you can pour freely before dinner with apéritif-style bites. The blend is a mix of trepat, garnacha and monastrell.Prices:| BC | $22.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.95 | 750ml |
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13 November 2012
89PTS
Josef Chromy Pinot Noir 2010
Tasmania, South Australia, AustraliaA consistent performer with strawberry jam, spicy, tobacco, celery, carrot top, rhubarb, cedar and smoky herb aromas with a bit of smoke and vanilla. Dry, fresh, juicy, elegant palate with rhubarb, strawberry, smoky, savoury, tobacco, raspberry leaf and carrot top flavours. Good elegance and fruit with a touch of austerity with a hint of tannins on the finish. Fine drinking now but should improve with 1-2 years in bottle.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $27.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Veramonte Ritual Pinot Noir 2010
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileDark cherry colour with plum, liquorice, savoury, smoky, strawberry jam, vanilla, peppery aromas. Fresh, juicy, round and smooth palate with black cherry fruit, strawberry jam, liquorice, orange peel, tobacco, coffee and vanilla flavours that finish with a hint of raspberry and tea leaf. Good fruity style with some elegance. Fine drinking now with its attractive styling.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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12 November 2012
90PTS
Yalumba The Scribbler Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz 2009
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaYalumba is a fan of the cab shiraz blend first made there in 1962 and The Scribbler, now in its fourth year of production is coming into its own especially helped by the fine 2009 Barossa vintage. The nose is aromatic and fresh with floral highlights flecked with liquorice. Earlier versions were fairly acidic but the09 is rounder and fuller and much more enjoyable on the mid-palate with minty, cherry, smoky fruit all with a smooth, glossy texture. The finish is long and smooth. Serve now with your favourite cut of meat or cellar another five years.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $22.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $28.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Nuevo Mundo Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec 2010
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileThis is a 75/25 mix of organically grown cabernet sauvignon and malbec that comes off De Martino's Isla de Maipo vineyards. The nose is fresh and clean with pleasing red fruit and spice notes. The attack is soft and balanced with fairly meaty, leafy black-fruit flavours and some rustic but not overpowering tannins. Try this with hearty fall vegetable dishes and or grilled meats. Good value.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Rosemount Shiraz 2010
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaGood news the Rosemount shiraz is more like it was a decade ago with a softer less acidic bite in the back end that makes it a lot friendlier. It still has acidity and balance but the sweet fruit is more prominent as it should be at this price point. Look for a mix of blueberry and cocoa aromas followed by fairly supple black cherry jam, plummy cardamom and coffee flavours. An easy-drinking red that delivers for the price.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $18.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $19.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $18.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $19.50 | 750ml |
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87PTS
LangeTwins Zinfandel 2010
Lodi, Central Valley, California, United StatesClassic Lodi here and similar to last year's edition. Look for plenty of pepper, ripe black cherry jam with some gripping chunky tannins. The attack is fresh but only medium weight more cherry, liquorice, menthol, blackberry jam. Flank or skirt steak would be a fine choice as would hamburgers. Not cheap.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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11 November 2012
0PTS
Wynns Coonawarra Estate Michael Shiraz 2008
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaThe Michael shiraz was always the best-of-vintage two barrels bottled separately at Wynns and named after proprietor David Wynn's son in the early 1950s. It was revived in 1990 vintage under Peter Douglas and continues today under Sue Hodder and her team. The 2008 was aged for 14 months in French oak of which 60 per cent is new. It was the biggest darkest wine of my on-site tasting. The nose is a mix of cedar and red fruits flecked with blueberry and red liquorice. A pre-clones massal selection helps to build complexity and length without alcohol leaving this shiraz to express its Coonawarra terroir without getting bigger and hotter. Love the density and succulent fruit here. Rich, smooth and seamless this will keep for decades.Prices:| Australia | $87.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Wynns Coonawarra Estate Black Label Shiraz 2010
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaWe like the innate style of Coonawarra shiraz with its red fruits, medium weight and moderate alcohol. Wynns chose a fabulous vintage to launch its first 'Black Label' shiraz that while cool has terrific ripe fruit nuances, dense sweet tannins and mixed into its glossy, rich impressive mulberry fruit flavours. Love the restraint and complexity here. A real winner. Younger vines, gaining age on prime terra rossa spells success. The first 'Black Label shiraz was aged 13 months in new (20 percent ) and used French oak barriques and hogsheads. We can only ask what took so long to make this wine?Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Wynns Coonawarra Estate Shiraz 2011
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaSince 1952 this wine has long upheld Wynns Coonawarra Estate's reputation as a producer of premium Coonawarra Shiraz. Typically, the Wynns Coonawarra Estate Shiraz has aromas reminiscent of ground black pepper, mulberry and raspberry but in 2011 relies more on spice, pepper and aromatics than fruit. Oak is used to mature and increase the wine's complexity, without dominating its distinctive cool-climate character. A medium bodied wine with a lengthy finish that will age gracefully in the tradition of the original Wynns Hermitage.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $21.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Wynns Coonawarra Estate Riesling 2012
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaOpen fresh slate and lime rind nose with bits of green apple skin and mineral aromas. The attack is fresh and fruity with more juicy green apple, citrus spicy, nectarine flavours. A clean, fresh style of riesling tailor-made for Pan Asian foods or serve liberally as an apéritif.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $17.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $19.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Black Label 2010
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaBlack Label has been made since 1954 and is considered the classic Coonawarra red. Chief winemaker Sue Hodder only uses the top 20 - 25% of cabernet fruit off the Wynns estate. Built to age the 'Black Label' fruit averages about 33 years in age and the delicious 2010 is the 55th year it has been made. Expect a highly expressive cool red fruit style that spends about 16 months in a mixture of new and older French barriques & hogsheads. The attack is classic Coonawarra albeit with excellent ripeness. The nose is a mix of black cherry, earth and brambles with a strong core of dark blackberry fruit with floral undertones. The differences in previous decades are the glossy, rich soft tannins. You can drink this now with powerful meat dishes or cellar for a decade. Excellent value.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Wynns Coonawarra Estate Glengyle Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaEach year Wynns selects a premium parcel or block from a single vineyard to bottle separately. The Glengyle Vineyard was first bottled from the 2007 vintage and more recently from 2009. This is a lovely round, highly-tuned, cool-fruit cabernet with red and black fruits mixed with cedar and liquorice notes. The attack is suave and silky mix with layers of raspberries, cedar and bitter chocolate. An elegant, balanced and precise expression of Coonawarra cabernet.Prices:| BC | $85.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $75.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $75.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Bonterra The McNab 2006
Mendocino County, California, United StatesWe were knocked out by this wine that is a pseudo-right bank Bordeaux blend mixing 43/40/9/8/ merlot/cabernet sauvignon/malbec and petite sirah. Aged for 24 months in new French oak barrels. The nose is fresh and enticing with black fruit, tobacco and cocoa powder notes. The attack is rich and smooth with delicious black cherry/plum, coffee, vanilla tobacco flavours. This is one impressive bottle of Biodynamic wine. Perfect with fettuccine fungi or classic roast beef.Prices:| SK | $60.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Musella Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso 2008
Verona, Veneto, ItalyMusella is a 70/20/10 blend of corvina e corvinone, rondinella and barbera that is ten to thirty years old. In 2008 the vintage was near perfect all summer and fall and the wine doesn't disappoint. It has all the earthy floral minerality you expect and even a pinch of prune but there is a freshness of ripe cherry fruit and glossy tannin that slips down effortlessly inviting you to finish the bottle. The balance is perfect and the wine is clean. Think lamb shanks, or a favourite pork dish for the perfect match.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Les Halos de Jupiter Côtes du Rhône 2009
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceIn 2009 the weather was hot in the Rhone and the tendency was to make sweet fruit bombs. Jupiter is a Philippe Cambie MIchel Gassier collaboration. Expect a dark almost opaque colour with an expressive nose of raspberry (grenache) with a whack of spice. The attack is warm and rich with spicy sweet dark cherry fruit dominating all flecked by spicy meaty undercurrents. Easy to like especially if hedonistic reds are your favourite. Ready to drink for the holidays. Excellent value especially in Ontario.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Castiglion del Bosco Rosso di Montalcino 2008
Montalcino, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyIts medium red colour signals sangiovese as does the fragrant, spicy, floral red fruit nose. The attack is dry and tart with tight cranberry/cherry fruit and some prominent wood tannin. The entry is dry and round with more spicy, black olive and floral red fruit flavours. A simple, well-made red that would be perfect with spaghetti Bolognese, or flank steak.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Punto Final Malbec 2011
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaYou feel the elegance of winemaker Alberto Antonini in this malbec that has just a kiss of French oak to counterbalance this youthful malbec's ripe, plummy fruit. Juicy brambleberry and plum fruit with a soft, warm, spicy demeanour coats the palate but all with style and finesse. Good value here and made for beef, lamb or hard cheeses.Prices:| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Torres Celeste Crianza 2009
Ribera del Duero, Castilla-Leon, SpainBack in form in 2009 offering an attractive nose of smoky black cherry aromas with bits of cocoa. The attack is glossy and smooth with juicy, black fruit flavours over some sophisticated French oak just lingering in the background. The tannins are well managed and soft permitting early drinking possibilities. A very modern take on tempranillo and worth cellaring another three years.Prices:| ON | $22.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.85 | 750ml |
| MB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $28.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $28.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $27.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Torres Gran Coronas Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Penedès, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainClassic cabernet nose with bits of black fruit, green pepper, leaf and cassis aromas. The attack is fresh and clean with medium weight tannins and spicy floral fruit and more spicy red liquorice notes in the finish. The blend is traditionally an 85/15 cabernet sauvignon and tempranillo mix that is all estate grown. This needs another three to five years in bottle or serves now with your favourite cut of steak. Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $24.50 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $21.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $23.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $21.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Rio Juanes Tempranillo Syrah NV
Vinos de la Tierra de Castilla, SpainAustralia meets Spain with this slightly sweet soft, round, easy-sipping, friendly red. The attack is juicy with simple, sweet spicy with a warm finish. A classic barbecue red.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Castello del Poggio Monferrato Dolcetto 2010
Piedmont, ItalyA surprisingly friendly ripe red from the northern reaches of Piedmont. Living up to its dolcetto moniker this juicy, ripe red with bits of minerality and pepper inthe finish is very easy to sip. The tannins are light and soft. Try it with your favourite pasta dish dressed up with tomatoes, mushrooms and or beef.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Masseria Altemura Negroamaro 2010
Puglia, ItalyFrom the heart of Apulia you can almost smell the sea. Made form 100 percent negroamaro that spends a year in wood for softening. Look for an aromatic spicy lifted red fruit nose with a dry cherry almond mid-palate followed by along sweet ripe fruit finish fleck with cocoa and coffee notes and just a hint of alcohol. Best with rustic heart meaty dishes or stews.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Kendall-Jackson Avant Chardonnay 2009
Monterey - Santa Barbara, California, United StatesFloral, green apple, citrus, buttery, creamy, grapefruit and mango aromas with a touch of honey. Fresh, crisp, juicy palate with a bit of sweetness. Lots of lime, lemon, mango, butter, baked green apple and honey flavours with a touch of creamy lees. A very solid, fruity, juicy style with little oak influence for modern consumers.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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10 November 2012
88PTS
Yalumba Y Series Viognier 2011
South Australia, AustraliaA cool season after years of drought yielded some fresher versions if SA whites if you managed the humidity. Limey lifted aromatics with bits of nectarine skin and ginger mark the nose. The plate is skinny and fresh with spicy mango honey notes. Fermented with indigenous yeast, in stainless steel its creamy textures yield flavours of citrus, apricot, honey and baked quince. A lovely cool sweet version. Try this with a spicy pork tenderloin dish.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $19.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $16.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Blasted Church Unorthodox Chardonnay 2011
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe secret here is the ripe, aromatic musqué chardonnay clone that adds body and flavour to what is essentially an almost off-dry chardonnay. The late harvest hang-time contributes to the richness of the wine and its bright tropical fruit orange flavours. A perfect wine with enough residual sugar to really be effective with spicy Indian or pan Asian dishes. Well done.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Blasted Church Gewurztraminer 2011
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen, fresh, floral, litchi fruit nose with bits of canned fruit salad. The attack is crisp with touch of oily rind-y citrus rind with more grapefruit, green apple skin and mineral notes. Good but light. Try this with pork or chicken dishes.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Blasted Church Hatfield's Fuse 2011
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAn always reliably fresh and aromatic the Hatfield's Fuse hits the mark again in 2008. There are nine varieties in the mix and almost as many flavours. Look for a mix of tropical fruit including some pineapple notes with peachy, red apple, and grapefruit flavours mid-palate. It finishes a bit dry and bitter. The winery suggests fish and chips but it could easily work with a variety of sushi too.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $26.00 | 750ml |
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09 November 2012
91PTS
Joseph Phelps Pinot Noir Freestone Vineyards 2009
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, United StatesClassic Sonoma Coast style. Spicy dried herbs earthy aromas jump from the glass. The fruit is dark and meaty with a strawberry, rhubarb, mushroom theme at a very agreeable 13.5 per cent alcohol. A fresh focused, tightly-wound, pinot with a floral, seaside, low tide minerality that pervades the finish. Great with West Coast salmon. Prices:| ON | $69.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Errazuriz Max Reserva Syrah 2010
Valle de Aconcagua, Region de Aconcagua, ChileThe grapes that go into the 2010 Max Reserva Syrah came off both the Max and Ocoa vineyards in Aconcagua. The wine is aged for 12 months in 25% American oak and 75% French oak but only 15 percent is new. The nose is fragrant with a savoury peppery aspect over black and red fruit aromas. The attack is smooth and generous with more black cherry, blackberry fruit flecked with cocoa spice and just a hint of freshness in the finish. Surprisingly authentic this would be perfect with lamb shanks. A winner for the price.Prices:| AB | $23.95 | 750ml |
| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.50 | 750ml |
| NS | $17.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Errazuriz Max Reserva Single Vineyard Carmenére 2010
Valle de Aconcagua, Region de Aconcagua, ChileThe grapes that go into the Single Vineyard Carmenère come off the Max V vineyard at some 560 m (1,837 ft.) above sea level. The vines are now 20 years old and completely settled into the sites sandy loam soils that is 50 percent stones. A cooler vintage has supercharged this carmenère with bright black fruit and pepper. It spends about a year in a mix of French and American oak of which one third is new. The attack is intense with roasted red peppers, tobacco and blackberries conspiring to produce a glossy red with smooth light tannins. Try this with your favourite pork dish.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $30.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Errazuriz Max Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Valle de Aconcagua, Region de Aconcagua, ChileThe Max Reserva cab is a mix of several sites at Max I, Max II, Max III and Max V vineyards aged a year in mostly French. Only 20% of the wood is new. Typically fresh, cassis and mint mark the nose of this cabernet with flecks of spice and dried herbs. The attack is round with aromatic red and black fruits with balsamic notes and firm tannin. This wine needs another three to five years to mature in bottle or serve now with grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $22.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $19.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $21.00 | 750ml |
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08 November 2012
87PTS
Alvear Fino NV
Montilla-Moriles, SpainThe warm Montilla district contributes to the stronger richer flavours of this fino. The nose is a complex mix of spices with a citrus but and pear flavour combination. Intense warm spicy bitter notes mark the finish. The ultimate drink to stimulate the appetite.Prices:| BC | $23.49 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Alvear Medium Dry NV
Montilla-Moriles, SpainVery nutty, rancio, dried herb aromas with cedar, spicy and buttery notes. Full, round, slightly sweet and warm palate with juicy acidity and full texture. Walnut, cedar, spicy, orange peel, butter, rancio, soy and tobacco flavours. Good flavour intensity and balanced to have with seafood soup or sheep cheeses. A richer style using Pedro Ximénez as a base. Fantastic value.Prices:| BC | $23.49 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.95 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Alvear Solera 1927 Pedro Ximenez NV
Montilla-Moriles, SpainThe grapes for this specialty have been dried for 1 week before fermentation. Big raisin, dried apricot, spicy, walnut, prune, coffee aromas. Rich, round, full, sweet palate with good acidity and an unctuous texture. Dried apricot, honey, prune, coffee, walnut, orange, toffee, buttery flavours. Long with good fruit and concentration. Try with dried fruit, nuts and cheeses or a pecan tart.Prices:| BC | $33.99 | 375ml |
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06 November 2012
91PTS
Errazuriz Don Maximiano Founder's Reserve 2009
Valle de Aconcagua, Region de Aconcagua, ChileThe cabernet sauvignon, syrah and carmenère grapes are sourced from Max II and Max V vineyards, planted in 1992 and 1993 while the petit verdot comes from the Don Maximiano vineyard, planted between 1978 and 1999. Aerial photographs permit block by block harvesting. The lots are fermented and aged some 22 months in new French oak barrels. In 2009 there are small percentages of cabernet franc, carmenère, and petit verdot were added to the 80 percent cabernet sauvignon to enhance the wine's complexity. Expect a fresh fragrant nose awash in red and black fruits and resiny liquorice with bits of cedar. The style is voluptuous thanks to some heat spikes with a warm expansive palate and a long finish. Less herbaceous but more alcoholic this needs a steak to tame its masculine edges.Prices:| BC | $90.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $80.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Ernie Els Proprietor's Blend 2007
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South AfricaThe blend is reminiscent of a cross between old Coonawarra and Niagara with its cedar-y leafy cran-cherry nose. The entry is supple, the tannins well-managed with plenty of cedar, juicy red fruits and leafy, floral smoky notes. The blend is a big mix of grapes: 55 cabernet sauvignon, 22 shiraz, 8 merlot, 5 cabernet franc, 5 malbec and 5 petit verdot. A bit old style and leafy but clean and when served with a big steak would be perfect.Prices:| AB | $41.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $40.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Ernie Els Limited Release 2005
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South AfricaImpressive black colour at seven years and a wildly fruity, spicy Christmas cake nose. The attack is soft and round, ready, if you like to drink, but it will hold on for another decade easily. Look for a mix of red fruits with earthy, resiny, spicy, vanilla notes and just a dusting of dry tannins in the back end. An elegant red style reminiscent of a decade or two ago despite its 15-plus degrees of alcohol that is just beginning to come into its own. The perfect match would be a classic roast beef dish.Prices:| BC | $75.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $85.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $85.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Errazuriz Don Maximiano Founder's Reserve 2008
Valle de Aconcagua, Region de Aconcagua, ChileThe blend is 84 percent cabernet sauvignon 10 percent carmenère with bits of petit verdot and syrah although winemaker Francisco Baettig is eliminating the syrah moving forward. This wine is delicious with round soft tannins and a smooth sleek undercarriage with no herbaceous notes. It's typically Don Maximiano with its mix of red and black fruits and cedar but this edition is slightly more feminine and will be ready to drink over the next three to five years. This style will work well with a variety of meats and or mushroom dishes. Prices:| BC | $90.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $80.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec 2009
Mendoza, ArgentinaThis wine has always been accommodating in the glass and perhaps underrated given its Concha Y Toro, Chilean roots. Round soft, dense and savoury sweet its spicy, black fruit and blueberry flavours pack a punch through the finish. It is all 100% estate owned vineyards and you can feel it. Fine quality for the price. Best with steak or old hard cheeses.Prices:| NF | $215.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $25.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $28.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Felino by Viña Cobos Malbec 2011
Mendoza, ArgentinaAmerican winemaker/partner Paul Hobbs is the force behind this Vina Cobos brand. Over the years the wine has leaned out a touch offering less overt oak in favour of more minerality and terroir but it remain ripe. Look for super ripe, almost sweet, black cherry fruit flecked with poultry spice, liquorice and roasted mushroom flavours with just a hint of acidity poking through the fine. Try this with grilled meats.Prices:| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
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05 November 2012
79PTS
Hardys Stamp Series Shiraz - Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaThe nose is slightly reduced before earthy, cool cedar-y, liquorice aromas take over. On the palate the flavours are a mix of sweet blueberries and cocoa with fairly sharp acidity. The finish is thin, dry and acidic. A very poor commercial bottling.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $10.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $13.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $13.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $11.50 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Wolf Blass Red Label Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaClassic spicy, peppery, black cherry nose with a cedar/liquorice, undercurrent. The attack is round and very ripe with spicy sweet blueberry fruit, cedar, candied-plum flavours and a short, sweet and sour finish. A simple style red blend best served with hamburgers or other grilled meats.Prices:| QC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.50 | 750ml |
| SK | $16.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $17.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $17.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $16.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Jacob's Creek Cool Harvest Pinot Grigio 2011
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaA touch of gold permeates the colour but the style is super fresh. Red apples and fresh pears flavours mark a lively palate awash in a watery/citrus aftertaste that refreshes and refreshes. The perfect summer cooler for salads and pastas. Use as you would a squeeze of lemon to match with a favourite dish. Fine value.Prices:| BC | $11.75 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $13.50 | 750ml |
| NF | $15.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Oxford Landing Pinot Grigio 2011
South Australia, AustraliaSimilar to the last edition the nose is a mixed of bruised pear, earth and citrus aromas. The attack is soft with touch of sugar and leesy, honey, cheesy, pear flavours. Ordinary.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Blasted Church Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAnother fine effort here that begins with bright tropical, grapefruit aromas with a pinch of asparagus. The attack is ripe with grassy, red apple fruit with a touch of citrus in the finish. A flexible style that will suits a variety of seafoods and or sushi.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Rosemount Shiraz Cabernet 2010
AustraliaOpen warm spicy, blueberry, cocoa powder nose with flecks of liquorice. The attack is supple with dark fruits, spice chocolate and black liquorice flavours with a light vanilla/cedar finish. Solid if simple commercial blend you can serve with any number of grilled meat entrees.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $14.98 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $16.00 | 750ml |
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04 November 2012
88PTS
Crios Torrontés by Susana Balbo Dominio de Plata 2011
Calchaqui Valley, Salta, North, ArgentinaSpicy, floral, nectarine skin, lees, lemon oil, matchstick and ginger aromas. Fresh, juicy, round, slightly off dry palate with honey, ginger, floral, spicy, gooseberry, nectarine and lemon rind flavours. Good intensity and freshness for current drinking.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Hellbent Shiraz Cabernet 2010
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaBlackberry, dill, cassis, black olive, peppery, smoky, licorice aromas. Round, smooth, somewhat tart with some sweetness showing through. Very warm with blackberry, cassis jam, peppery, tobacco, balsamic, meaty, licorice, stewed plum flavours. A commercial style that will work best with barbecue foods.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
A to Z Pinot Noir 2010
Oregon, United StatesSpicy, barnyard, tobacco, compost, rhubarb, raspberry, dill, earthy, herb aromas. Fresh, delicate, supple, juicy palate with strawberry jam, rhubarb, cedar, tobacco, rooty, spicy herb flavours with clean, elegant, fruity finish. A solid pinot from Oregon at a great price.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir 2010
Willamette Valley, Oregon, United StatesFloral, strawberry jam, briary, tobacco, light leaf compost, vanilla and smoke aromas with a touch of barnyard. Delicate, fresh, juicy, supple palate with rhubarb, savoury, peppery, tobacco, raspberry, orange peel, cedar, herb and oak flavours. A fresher, juicy style with good finesse. Drink now - 3 years. Good effort for Oregon pinot.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 375ml |
| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $40.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $37.50 | 750ml |
| AB | $40.00 | 750ml |
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03 November 2012
87PTS
Alain Brumont Merlot-Tannat 2010
Cotes de Gascogne, Sud-Ouest, FranceCherry jam, prune, peppery, barnyard, leather, meaty, spicy, resin aromas. Fresh, smooth, juicy palate with savoury, meaty, cherry, plum, tobacco, barnyard, earthy, leather, peppery, spice flavours. Very warm, gamey finish but solid fruit here.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Primus The Blend 2010
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChilePeppery, sappy, cassis, minty, floral, plum, smoky herb, liquorice, black olive and cedar aromas. Dry, fresh, smooth, juicy palate with light tannins and more black cherry, smoky, cassis, peppery, savoury fruit. There is excellent finesse here with some balanced herbal notes from the carmenère. Try this with the American classic: roast beef.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $25.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Chateau Bouscasse 2007
Madiran, Sud-Ouest, FrancePeppery, leather, prune, meaty, chocolate cassis, tobacco, barnyard, floral and cedar aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant, smooth palate with smoky leather, meaty, spicy, cassis, cherry jam, prune, barnyard, tobacco, cedar and cigar flavours with a bit of game and cranberry on the finish. Some rusticity in flavours but has good finesse and balance for drinking now- 3 years.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Chateau Montus 2006
Madiran, Sud-Ouest, FrancePeppery, floral, cassis, black cherry nose flecked with gamey, chocolate, liquorice, orange peel and barnyard aromas but quite pure. Ripe, round, smooth, dry, suave palate but fresh with chocolate, roast meat, peppery, prune, black cherry, leather, liquorice root and smoky, cassis flavours. A touch rustic but with fine intensity and balance with some purity. Ready now. A style that will appeal to those seeking something a bit off the beaten track but enjoyable.Prices:| QC | $28.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $35.00 | 750ml |
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02 November 2012
91PTS
Henri Bourgeois La Cote des Monts Damnés Sancerre 2010
Loire, FranceOpen spicy, passion fruit, gooseberry, melon, green apple, smoky, wet wool and slate aromas. Ripe, round, juicy, creamy but slightly austere palate with good concentration and acidity balance. Green herb, passion fruit, lemon, grassy, gooseberry, nettle, granny smith apple and spice flavours. This can be drunk with sole or halibut but is equally excellent with sushi and sahsimi. It should also benefit from a few years in bottle with its acidity structure. Good finesse here.Prices:| BC | $37.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Marrenon Classique Blanc Grenache Vermentino 2011
Provence, Sud de France, FranceFloral, honey, quince, ripe pear and baked apple aromas. Fresh, juicy, round, full palate with honey, lemon, baked pear, melon rind, apple skin and slate flavours. Good fruit, intensity and balance at a great price. Good value.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Henri Bourgeois Terre de Fumée 2011
Loire, FranceLemon, grapefruit, matchstick, asparagus, herbal, gooseberry aromas. Fresh, dry, juicy, elegant and creamy palate with gooseberry, nettle, lemon, canned grapefruit, grassy, artichoke flavours. Very vibrant finish with good intensity if a bit on the herbaceous side. Will be good with clams and sole.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Alain Brumont Torus Madiran 2008
Madiran, Sud-Ouest, FrancePeppery, savoury, black plum, cherry, earthy, licorice, leather, coffee and resin aromas, very clean. Dry, fresh, juicy, lighter bodied style with light tannins. Cherry, earthy, leather, meaty, peppery, plum, resin and pepper flavours. A fresher, fruitier, more tamed and modern version of tannat. An excellent food wine. made from 15-year old vines plus from the terroirs de Montus et Bouscassé.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
De Martino Legado Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileSpicy, bay, eucalyptus, blackberry, cassis, peppery, tobacco, earthy, smoky resin aromas. Ripe, round, fresh palate with light tannins. Earthy, black olive, peppery, chocolate, prune, cassis, blackberry, vanilla, tobacco and mint flavours. Good intensity with a fresh finish. A polished, fruitier style that is made for food.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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01 November 2012
87PTS
Finca La Linda Torrontes 2010
Calchaqui Valley, Salta, North, ArgentinaFloral, honey, lemon, nectarine, spices and ginger aromas. Fresh, juicy, elegant, off dry, creamy palate with rose, nectarine, spicy, ginger, slate and lemon flavours. Good finesse in an easy drinking consumer style. Good value.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $13.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Luigi Bosca Gala 1 2009
Mendoza, ArgentinaA majority of malbec blended with tannat and petit verdot like last vintage. Plum, black cherry, licorice, floral, spicy, vanilla, tobacco, resin, leather, chocolate and a hint of barnyard. Dry, fresh, round, supple palate with a warm, juicy finish. Black cherry, plum, vanilla, liquorice savoury, tobacco and orange flavours. Good effort offering concentration and fruit with freshness and balance. Drink now - 3 years.Prices:| BC | $34.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $34.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Luigi Bosca Finca Los Nobles Cabernet Bouchet Field Blend 2008
Las Compuertas, Vistalba District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaA field blend of cabernet sauvignon and a local clone of cabernet franc. Spicy, cassis, tobacco, floral, peppery, plum, cedar, vanilla, savoury, leather aromas. Round, full, elegant, supple and warm with freshness and light tannins. Prune, cassis, blackberry, peppery, spicy, smoky, meaty, leather, vanilla and coffee flavours. Good length and finesse, can age 2-5 years for improvement. Well done.Prices:| BC | $78.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Luigi Bosca de Sangre 2010
Mendoza, ArgentinaCassis, peppery, savoury, tobacco, meaty, black cherry, olive, floral, vanilla, rooty aromas. Dry, round, full, juicy but warm palate. Peppery, smoky, spicy, cassis, chocolate, vanilla, tobacco flavours. Good balance and intensity with a savoury, earthy finish.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Finca La Linda Tempranillo by Luigi Bosca 2010
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaMuch akin to the last vintage but under screw cap now and with a drop in price. Smoky, tobacco, black cherry, earthy, spicy, prune aromas with a fresh, smooth, easy palate and similar flavours with a savoury streak on the finish. Solid consumer food wine here for all meats.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $13.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Saurus Patagonia Select Malbec 2009
San Patricio del Chanar, Neuquén, Patagonia, ArgentinaSpicy, black cherry, earthy, savoury, tobacco, earthy, coffee, resin, olive and dried rosemary aromas. Dry, fresh, smooth palate with cherry, plum, vanilla, coffee, chocolate, tobacco, resin, earthy, herb flavours. Good finesse and fruit with a somewhat warm and tart finish. Best with rich meat dishes.Prices:| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $25.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.55 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Tinhorn Creek Cabernet Franc 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, floral, cranberry, milk chocolate, cedar, barnyard, sweaty saddle leather and game aromas. Dry, fresh, slightly lean palate with light tannins. Soapy cranberry, herbal, resin, tobacco leaf, cedar, prune, saddle leather and roast meat flavours. Solid cab franc character but somewhat rustic and lean.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Tinhorn Creek Pinot Noir 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe best pinot yet we have tasted by Tinhorn. The nose is mix of tobacco leaf, cherry, earthy, resin and light, smoky vanilla aromas. The attack is fresh, round and pinot delicate with strawberry jam, smoky, resin, orange peel, vanilla, cedar and tobacco flavours. The finish is warm but with a fine fruit base and balance. Drink now- 2 years.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Tinhorn Creek Oldfield Series Pinot Noir 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, peppery, savoury, strawberry, cherry, tobacco, rooty, light barnyard aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant, slightly austere palate with smoky, dried herb, raspberry, orange peel, coffee, vanilla and licorice flavours. Finish has a bit of compost and carrot in a balanced edition with some finesse. Drink now - 3 years. Very solid effort.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Backyard Vineyards Syrah 2010
British Columbia, CanadaPeppery, black berry, smoky, resin, meaty, dried herb, vanilla, leather and cedar aromas. Dry, tart, somewhat lean and astringent entry with resin, black berry, smoky, prune, chocolate, peppery, savoury flavours. Hot and unbalanced with a hollow mid-palate.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Backyard Vineyards Merlot 2010
British Columbia, CanadaFresh peppery, smoky, black cherry noise with savoury, tobacco aromas. Round, smooth, warm, fresh palate with light tannins. The attack is a mix of smoky, coffee, black cherry jam, cedar, tobacco, plum, olive, rooty, dried herb flavours. The finish is warm but with solid fruit. Needs another year to settle down in bottle but well done.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Backyard Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
British Columbia, CanadaPeppery, tobacco leaf, leather, smoky, green bean, olive, light cassis and green herb aromas. Dry, light, elegant, slightly tannic palate. Smoky, peppery, leafy, cassis, bell pepper, resin, cedar and tobacco leaf flavours. On the light and green side.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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December 2012