quicksearch
Tastings: January 2013
31 January 2013
88PTS
Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesCedar, chocolate, cassis, blackberry, tobacco leaf, earthy, leather and tapenade aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy but somewhat astringent palate with cassis jam, chocolate, espresso, blackberry, earthy, cedar, tobacco, meaty, smoky vanilla and herb flavours. Fairly oaky and a bit rustic but has good intensity to soften out over the next few years. Solid value.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $28.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
30 January 2013
86PTS
Trim Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
California, United StatesCool tobacco dried herbs, black olive, blackberry fruit aromas flecked with meat and black liquorice. Ripe angular youthful textures with fresh acidity and more dark, rooty, spicy black fruit and tobacco flavours. This needs time to mellow out although at 20 bucks you might expect it to be a bit friendlier.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
29 January 2013
91PTS
Mount Pleasant Lovedale Hunter Valley Semillon 2007
Hunter, New South Wales, AustraliaToasty, nutty, gooseberry, lime, oatmeal, spicy, pear skin aromas. Fresh, dry, juicy, elegant palate with a creamy texture. Lime, gooseberry, grassy, spicy lees, cashew and seashell flavours. A bit lean on the finish but has good intensity and length. Will age further; reminiscent of Chablis made from sémillon.Prices:| ON | $59.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Tyrrell's Vat 1 Hunter Semillon 2005
Pokolbin, Hunter, New South Wales, AustraliaSpicy, lime, gooseberry, cashew, petrol and green apple skin aromas. Fresh, juicy, dry, delicate palate with lemon-lime, green apple, pear skin, floral, grassy, cashew flavours. Finish is very juicy and light but flavourful. Drink now but should improve for 2-5 years.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $65.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Yalumba Viognier The Virgilius 2009
Eden Valley, South Australia, AustraliaSpicy, ginger, nutty lees, matchstick, butter, orange, floral, garlic, lemon and vanilla aromas. Fresh, dry, round, elegant palate with a touch of oiliness. Nutty, ginger, spicy, grassy, vanilla, citrus rind and butter flavours. Nice finesse but lacks mid-palate concentration with a somewhat dirty, reduced, leesy, warm finish.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $53.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $51.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Van Westen Vineyards Viognier 2011
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaHoney, ginger, orange peel, lychee, rosewater, spicy, lees aromas. Fresh, round, juicy, elegant palate with a hint of sweetness and oiliness. Good vibrancy with creamsicle, ginger, lychee, rose petal, green apple, nettle and lemon oil flavours. Perhaps bit too floral but with finesse and balance. Should improve over the next year or so.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
McManis Family Vineyards Viognier 2011
California, United StatesSpicy, honey, ginger, grapefruit rind, lees, orange and baked pear aromas with a hint of sausage. Round, full, fresh, juicy palate with light oiliness and a bit of sweetness. Ginger, canned grapefruit, honey, floral, butter, lychee and pear flavours. Well balanced and fruity with good acidity balance.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.20 | 750ml |
| NS | $18.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Miner Family Viognier Simpson Vineyard 2011
Central Valley, California, United StatesSpicy, honey, floral, ginger, orange, grapefruit, matchstick, butter and melon aromas. Full, round, oily palate but good texture with a hint of sweetness but solid acidity. Ginger, rose petal, honey, chalky, grapefruit, nettle, lemongrass flavours. Finish is a bit light on extract with a bit of warmth but solid balance overall. Try this with your favourite curry dish. Prices:| BC | $38.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $24.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $28.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc Viognier 2011
California, United StatesFloral, ginger, peach, pear, chalky, citrus aromas. Fresh, delicate, juicy, slightly sweet palate. Honey, grapefruit, green apple, spicy, ginger, melon flavours. The finish is clean and fruity with good acidity and sweetness balance. Fun wine for Asian food or summer seafood.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Cline Cashmere 2011
Contra Costa, Central Coast, California, United StatesCashmere is mourvèdre, grenache, syrah blend with cherry, plum, peppery, liquorice aromas flecked with meaty, light tobacco and chocolate aromas. The palate is suave with coffee bean, cedar, black raspberry, liquorice, tobacco, meaty, peppery flavours. A bit light on the extract but good balance and fruit for current drinking with grilled pork, lamb or turkey dishes.Prices:| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $21.50 | 750ml |
| AB | $28.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Concannon Conservancy Crimson & Clover 2010
Livermore, San Francisco Bay, California, United StatesOpen peppery, smoky, black olive, liquorice, spicy, blackberry, vanilla, coffee, garrigue and cherry aromas. Round, smooth, fresh, juicy palate with some sweetness and light tannins. Black cherry jam, licorice root, garrigue, smoky leather, cedar, coffee, herbal, stemmy, cassis flavours. A solid red with a touch of bitterness to be disperse by age or food.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| US | $11.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Château Bovila 2010
Cahors, Sud-Ouest, FranceFresh peppery, liquorice, smoky, black cherry nose with earthy aromas. The attack is smooth and dry with good body. More cedar, tobacco, meaty, black plum, liquorice fruit with earthy/resiny flavours. A well balanced pleasant surprise that is ready to drink now.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Brunel de la Gardine Côtes du Rhône 2010
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceDry, fresh, round, slightly tannic palate with smoky herb, prune, black cherry, peppery, liquorice root, smoky, tobacco, black olive and garrigue flavours. There is fine intensity and acidity here along with youth but it will be best after another year or so in bottle to soften up, Serve now with robust meat dishes such as grilled lamb or duck. Good value.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
26 January 2013
90PTS
Dog Point Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandAmazingly fresh and intense on the nose revealing a super ripe tropical fruit character with bit of nettle and dried herbs. The attack is smooth and round with more intense grapefruit/passion fruit and orange blossoms with a clean fresh citrus finish. Terrific with most seafood especially good with clams oysters mussels and octopus. You a can easily cellar this through 2015.Prices:| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $21.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Famille Perrin Vacqueyras Les Christins 2010
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceA totally different expression of grenache syrah (80/20) than the Rasteau L'Andéol. The eight hectare, old vines (50 years) vineyard is located on the Commune of Sarrians, south of the Dentelles de Montmirail. The fermentation split between wood and tanks for one month. Black colour and black liquorice dominate the senses. The attack is structured with dense plummy fruit flecked with red currants and a dash of minerality. The finish has an earthy, gamey note with bits of coriander. The winery suggests venison, or any big meat dish to match now or cellar for a decade.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $23.15 | 750ml |
| ON | $22.95 | 750ml |
| NF | $19.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $22.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
25 January 2013
90PTS
Brancott Vineyards Pinot Noir Reserve 2006
Central Otago, South Island, New ZealandThis was a great discovery and a super buy on the wine list at the Black Rock Oceanfront Resort in Ucluelet. Six and one half years old, fully mature, under screwcap and affordable it is a wine list winner. Just love the ripe savoury Otago signature nose and spicy cherry, dried herbs fruit with little if any tannin left. Round, fresh smooth textures with a touch of spice round out the finish. Great with mushrooms, rich sushi dishes or a charcuterie plate.Prices:| ON | $30.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
24 January 2013
86PTS
Concannon Selected Vineyards Pinot Noir 2010
California, United StatesPerfumy, dusty, stewed rhubarb, cherry, resin, compost aromas. Round, full, sweet palate with tobacco leaf, peppery, prune, chocolate, cocoa, cherry jam and cedar flavours. Simple, easy consumer style.Prices:| AB | $19.95 | 750ml |
| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Signorello Seta 2010
Napa Valley, California, United StatesClassic fig, wax, nettle, grapefruit, honey aromas mixed with butter, spicy lees, passion fruit and canned gooseberry aroma. The attack is dry and fresh, the palate elegant with juicy, creamy, gooseberry, passion fruit flavours with a spicy, lees, vanilla, lees, canned grapefruit, grassy, nettle and mint finish. Seta (silk) a 60/40 sémillon and sauvignon blend is a signature white at Signorello.Prices:| BC | $43.00 | 750ml |
| US | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Marimar Estate Pinot Noir Doña Margarita Vineyard Mas Cavalls 2008
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, United StatesBarnyard, spicy, floral, tobacco, leather, peppery, raspberry jam and vanilla aromas. Fresh, dry, juicy, slightly leaner entry with light tannins. Raspberry, spicy, peppery, tobacco leaf, vanilla, rooty, herbal, carrot top flavours. A more reserved, structured style that could use another year or two or try with duck. True to its appellation.Prices:| BC | $65.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Marimar Estate Pinot Noir Don Miguel Vineyard La Masia 2009
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesSpicy, compost, barnyard, floral, cherry jam, tobacco, licorice, prune, leather and carrot aromas. Fresh, juicy, dry, elegant but slightly tight palate with suave tannins. Cherry, strawberry, orange peel, tobacco leaf, compost, herbal, vanilla, smoky, light barnyard flavours. Warm finish but good succulent, juicy fruit flavours that will go well with food. Could use a few years in bottle. Excellent value.Prices:| BC | $38.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $38.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $35.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay 2011
Livermore, San Francisco Bay, California, United StatesBright fresh, spicy, honey, floral nose with citrus, butter, nutty lees and baked apple aromas. The attack is fresh and light with a mix of green apple, citrus, butter, guava, butterscotch and pear flavours. A good example of what the new California chardonnay can be. Clams anyone.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $22.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $17.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Isabel Mondavi IM Chardonnay 2010
Carneros, Napa Valley, California, United StatesEnticing honeysuckle, butter, citrus, green apple nose with earthy, honey, slightly nutty aromas. Fresh, juicy, elegant, round palate with citrus, baked apple, butter, vanilla, spiced pear, canned citrus and lees flavours with a nutty, floral finish. Good finesse and flavour balance. An elegant restrained but still California chardonnay.Prices:| BC | $46.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $38.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Starmont Chardonnay 2010
Napa Valley, California, United StatesImpressive modern citrus, baked apple, mango, butter nose with nutty, floral, garlic aromas. Round, fresh, juicy, elegant palate with mango, baked pear, honey, butter, orange, nutty lees and apple flavours. Good fruit and acidity balance with a bit of warmth on the finish. Halibut anyone?Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $36.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $26.50 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Hahn Winery Chardonnay 'Nicky Hahn' 2011
Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, Central Coast, California, United StatesCitrus, green apple skin, pear, light lees, mango and butter aromas. Round, soft, flat entry with baked green apple, grassy, butter, earthy, spicy, mango and pear skin flavours. Finish is warm and somewhat lean with only medium intensity. Serve with simple fish dishes to best effect.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
0PTS
Antica Napa Valley Chardonnay 2010
Napa Valley, California, United StatesCorked, try another.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $36.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
MacRostie Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 2010
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, United StatesHoney, butter, garlic, lees, nutty, mango, baked pear aromas. Round, full, fresh, slightly sweet entry with mango, grapefruit, honey, butter, vanilla, grassy, muscat flavours with a butterscotch and nut finish. A riper, fatter style for Sonoma Coast. Solid value and food friendly.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| on | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Benziger Chardonnay Los Carneros 2010
Carneros, Sonoma County, California, United StatesButterscotch, nutty lees, waxy, lemon, baked apple, light garlic and clove aromas. Round, juicy, slightly fat and sweet entry with honey, butterscotch, lees, baked apple, mango, waxy, garlic, vanilla flavours. Solid if a bit flat on the finish. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Hess Collection Chardonnay 2010
Napa Valley, California, United StatesHoney, vanilla, butter, citrus, nutty lees, garlic, baked apple. Round, slightly oily and flat palate with earthy, nutty, honey, butter, baked pear, citrus and floral muscat flavours. A bit warm and flat but solid.Prices:| NS | $23.30 | 750ml |
| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Wente Chardonnay Riva Ranch Heritage Blend 2011
Arroyo Seco, Monterey County, Central Coast, California, United StatesButter, guava, baked pear, honey, hazelnut, smoky vanilla aromas. Round, full, elegant but slightly fat with very smoky, nutty, buttery, mango, baked pear and honey flavours with a vanilla and citrus note. Has some length and intensity with good acidity. Try with pistachio crusted halibut.Prices:| BC | $27.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.50 | 750ml |
| MB | $24.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Maison Nicolas Perrin Syrah Viognier 2011
Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceFloral, sausage meat, peppery, blackberry, liquorice root, poultry spice and leather aromas. Round, soft, elegant palate with liquorice root, smoky, rosemary, black cherry, plum, tobacco leaf and herb flavours. Warm and drinkable now with grilled lamb. The fruit is not co-fermented but blended. Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Maison Nicolas Perrin Saint-Joseph 2010
Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceThe style is meant to be more Cote Rôtie more elegant. Look for smoky, savoury, cedar, liquorice root, meaty, mineral notes with bits of barnyard, leather, spice and mace aromas. Dry, fresh, round, medium bodied palate with light tannins. Peppery, roast meat, roast pepper, smoky, savoury, prune and cherry flavours. A bit angular but fresh. Just a baby that needs time.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
23 January 2013
91PTS
Etude Deer Camp Pinot Noir Estate Grown 2008
Carneros, Napa Valley, California, United StatesComplex, rich, smoky, black cherry nose with bits of compost, rhubarb, caraway, plum and coffee, vanilla aromas. Fresh, juicy, round, warm palate; classic pinot mouthfeel. More sweet vanilla, strawberry jam, cola, plum, smoky, vanilla, carrot top flavours with a long, warm, vanilla and tobacco leaf finish. Sexy style here.Prices:| ON | $70.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $90.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $90.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Bergevin Lane Pinot Noir 2010
Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon, United StatesRhubarb, smoky, tea leaf, tobacco leaf, smoked leather and resin aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant but tart and light palate with rhubarb, sour cherry, smoky, resin, leather saddle and barnyard flavours. On the greener side this needs to be served with grilled meat or chicken to best effect.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Davis Bynum Pinot Noir Jane's Vineyard 2011
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesAppealing floral, strawberry, raspberry jam aromas spiced with tobacco leaf, carrot top, vanilla, orange peel and forest floor notes. It is round, full, juicy, elegant and smooth on the palate with vanilla, smoky tobacco leaf, pepper, raspberry jam, orange, caraway, liquorice and tea flavours. Fine flavour intensity, texture and length with some elegance. A super effort. The Davis Bynum pinot is a mix of 115, 777, 667, 114, 113, Pommard and 2A grown on the gravelly loams soils of the Santa Rosa Plain in the Russian River Valley. A great pinot value that needs broader distribution in British Columbia.Prices:| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Hahn Winery Pinot Noir 'Nicky Hahn' 2011
California, United StatesOpen simple commercial style nose of orange peel, cedar bark, menthol, stewed cherry and tobacco leaf aromas. Round, smooth, fresh, slightly sweet palate with cedar bark, menthol, herbal, stemmy, cherry jam, coffee bean flavours. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $22.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
J. Lohr Falcon's Perch Pinot Noir 2010
Monterey County, Central Coast, California, United StatesWarm liquorice, chocolate, candied orange peel, cherry jam, cola nose with bits of poultry spice and compost. Round, fresh, slightly sweet but juicy palate with cola, savoury, mushroom, tobacco leaf, cherry, sausage, celery salt flavours. A warm, simple style that is ready to drink.Prices:| AB | $21.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $21.99 | 750ml |
| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Isabel Mondavi IM Pinot Noir 2009
Carneros, Napa Valley, California, United StatesSpicy, smoky, strawberry jam, peppery, floral, vanilla, leather, licorice root and herb aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant, round palate with juicy cherry, strawberry jam, vanilla, coffee, tobacco leaf, savoury, orange and tea leaf flavours. Nice fruit and elegance for current drinking. Good value.Prices:| BC | $46.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $38.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Napa Cellars Pinot Noir 2011
Napa Valley, California, United StatesSouth Napa fruit near San Pablo Bay is behind this smoky, vanilla, rhubarb, floral, cherry-scented red. The attack is juicy with glossy textures awash in strawberry jam, cherry, smoky vanilla, herbal, carrot top, caraway, compost flavours. A bit warm but good varietal intensity and balance for current drinking. Aged in French oak for 12 months.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| US | $17.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
MacRostie Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2009
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, United StatesA mix of purchased fruit from the Sonoma Coast AVA (Alta Vista, Rodger's Creek and Champlin Creek) and winery owned Wildcat Mountain Estate Vineyard that overlooks San Pablo Bay. Look for a smoky, tobacco, cherry jam, spicy nose flecked with celery salt and rooty, herbal, vanilla aromas. The palate is fresh and juicy with elegant smooth tannins and cedar, tobacco, raspberry jam, vanilla, chocolate, compost, tea leaf flavours. Good flavours and balance for current drinking. Solid value in New World pinot.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| on | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Belle Glos Meiomi Pinot Noir 2011
Monterey - Santa Barbara - Sonoma, California, United StatesRich tea, tobacco leaf, cherry jam, plum, cocoa and spicy, vanilla aromas. Round, full, somewhat sweet palate with chocolate, cedar, vanilla, tobacco, black cherry and cologne flavours with a sweet chocolate coffee bean finish. Is there a style change here because it's gone from vibrant and fresh to far too sweet and syrupy. Disappointing.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $31.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $33.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Schug Pinot Noir Carneros 2010
Carneros, Sonoma County, California, United StatesA mix of cool Sonoma Coast vineyards shapes this cool rhubarb, raspberry, carrot top and caraway scented pinot. The attack is dry, fresh and juicy, the textures round and the palate full of strawberry jam, vanilla, smoky, tobacco, barnyard, rhubarb, compost flavours. A cooler, juicy style pinot with excellent fruit and finesse. Good value. Aged in neutral French oak: casks and barrels, and stainless steel.Prices:| BC | $37.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $36.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
22 January 2013
79PTS
Andretti Winery Pinot Noir 2010
Carneros, Napa Valley, California, United StatesSmoked leather, roast meat, coffee, vanilla cream, medicinal, prune, cherry jam aromas. Round, full, smooth palate with medicinal, sweaty saddle leather, smoked meat, prune, menthol, cooked carrot flavours. Too dirty (Brett?) to be of any interest. Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Marimar Estate Pinot Noir Don Miguel Vineyard Cristina 2008
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesOpen leafy, cedar, tea, floral nose spiked with raspberry jam, pepper, carrot top, spicy, smoky vanilla aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant, juicy, elegant palate with light tannins; well crafted. The attack is more raspberry, orange, carrot top, celery, vanilla, coffee and herb flavours. Excellent finesse and delicacy but with a core of tannin structure and acidity to allow bottle ageing. Try this with turkey.Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Cherry Pie Stanly Ranch Pinot Noir 2010
Carneros, Sonoma County, California, United StatesA much better wine than its kitschy name. Smoky, vanilla, liquorice, chocolate, cherry jam nuances mix with orange peel, tobacco leaf, pepper, forest floor and spicy aromas. Rich, full, round, smooth, juicy palate with sweet vanilla, coffee, spicy, tobacco leaf, carrot top, black cherry, licorice and tea flavours. Very ripe, warm rich hedonistic style with lots of oak but very good fruit and finesse. Drink now with pork or turkey.Prices:| BC | $67.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Etude Pinot Noir 2009
Carneros, Napa Valley, California, United StatesOpen warm coffee, spicy, tobacco, cherry jam nose with vanilla, forest floor and floral aromas. The attack is dry and fresh, a leaner style with light tannins with more vanilla, smoky, cedar, carrot top, cherry, strawberry jam flavours. A well-balanced, full style New World pinot that is ready to drink.Prices:| SK | $60.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $60.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $67.00 | 750ml |
| US | $42.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $60.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
21 January 2013
86PTS
Aveleda Casal Garcia Vinho Verde NV
Vinho Verde, Northern Portugal, PortugalLight frizzante in the glass with lemon flower, honey, green apple, lees aromas. Fresh, light, crisp palate with pear skin, lemon, lees, quince and apple skin flavours. Delicate, juicy and fresh for any summer seafood. Continued good value.Prices:| BC | $14.49 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.99 | 750ml |
| YK | $14.25 | 750ml |
| NB | $12.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $12.29 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
84PTS
Benjamin Bridge Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Gaspereau Valley, Nova Scotia, CanadaCooked, canned artichoke, nettle, buttery nose with weedy, bell pepper aromas. Fresh, crisp, elegant palate but austere with buttery, diacetyl, canned artichoke, tobacco leaf, lemon flavours. Despite a tart backend it finishes tired and buttery.Prices:| ON | $26.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Monte del Frà Ca del Magro Custoza Superiore 2011
Verona, Veneto, ItalyHoney, baked pear, floral, peach, butter, quince, citrus and lemon peel aromas. Crisp, fresh, dry, juicy and creamy palate with guava, quince, lemon, green apple, pear, floral and ginger flavours. Young with fine acidity and fruit but it could use a year or two in bottle to fully spread its wings. The last vintage was a touch fatter but this is more elegant and linear. Again, a delicious blend.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Benjamin Bridge Brut Nature 2005
Gaspereau Valley, Nova Scotia, CanadaLots of fine, continuous mousse. Big nutty, toasty, green apple skin, pear, citrus, buttery aromas. Very crisp, dry, austere palate with fine mousse. Granny smith apple, earthy, lime, nutty lees, cranberry, tobacco leaf, green peach flavours. Intense but very tart, austere style with no sugar to hide behind. Oysters would be the ticket here. Prices:| NS | $52.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Benjamin Bridge Grand Cuvée 2004
Gaspereau Valley, Nova Scotia, CanadaFine, creamy white continuous mousse. Toasty, nutty, floral, baked green apple, pear skin, butter, honey aromas. Fresh, crisp, austere, slightly foamy entry with some sweetness. Granny smith apple, nutty, toasty, floral, green peach, pear skin and light honey flavours. A high acid, austere but well balanced style with good finesse and length of flavour. Will continue to age. Impressive.Prices:| NS | $125.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Benjamin Bridge Nova 7 2011
Gaspereau Valley, Nova Scotia, CanadaLight mousse with a very floral, spicy, ginger, slate, earthy, green apple skin aromas with a bit of matchstick. Very fresh, juicy, tart palate with some sweetness and light fizz. Big green apple, spicy, floral, nectarine skin, minty flavours. Delicate, tart and very juicy at only 6.5% alcohol. Well done and good value. Seafood anyone.Prices:| ON | $26.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Groom Bush Block Zinfandel 2010
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaPrune, leather, cedar bark, vanilla, licorice, earthy aromas. Tight, dry, tart, light palate with prune plum, chocolate, cedar, leather, liquorice and coffee flavours. It finishes warm and tart without a lot of extract. A disappointing zinfandel for the price.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $36.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Ravenswood Old Vine Zinfandel Sonoma County 2009
Sonoma County, California, United StatesEnticing savoury, liquorice, blackberry, plum nose with some dried herbs aromas. The attack is dry, the palate full and juicy with some astringent tannins. Plum, black cherry, cedar, peppery, liquorice root, smoky, orange peel flavours. Solid fruit if somewhat lean and firm in the finish. This will be best served with grilled meat entrées or left to age three more years. The blend is 84 zinfandel with petite sirah, carignane and mixed black fruits.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel 2011
Sonoma County, California, United StatesFloral, plum, blackberry, spicy, peppery, liquorice root, leather aromas. Fresh, dry, round, juicy palate with light tannins. Black cherry, floral, spicy, peppery, liquorice, chocolate, savoury, cedar flavours. Very warm but good fruit and intensity. Love the youthful fruit and dryness that gives this wine flexibility with food. A fine blueprint for everyday zinfandel with style.Prices:| BC | $33.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Seghesio Old Vine Zinfandel 2009
Sonoma County, California, United StatesImpressive blackberry jam, plum, floral, liquorice nose with savoury, briar, leather, chocolate aromas. There is more depth and complexity here with coffee, chocolate, blackberry jam, plum, poultry spice and liquorice root flavours. Warm but with fine fruit and acidity with some tannin to allow it to age two to five years. Grilled steak is the ticket here.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Terra d'Oro Zinfandel Deaver Vineyard 2009
Amador County, Sierra Foothills, California, United StatesBig peppery, briary, black cherry, smoky, barnyard, chocolate aromas. The entry is warm and full with juicy fruit and light tannins. More black liquorice, pepper, savoury, floral, briar, salty tobacco and herb flavours that finish dry and warm. Consider serving this slightly chilled to tame the heat in the finish. Spare ribs anyone.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| US | $27.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Clos du Val Zinfandel 2010
Napa Valley, California, United StatesBig black liquorice, blackberry nose with a fresh, juicy lean palate with light astringent tannins. Chocolate, prune, coffee, blackberry, liquorice root, cedar and briar flavours. The finish is warm and fresh and youthful but on the austere side. This will improve with hearty fare like lamb stew or another five years in bottle. A much preferred drier style for this taster.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $23.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Ravenswood Vintners Blend Old Vine Zinfandel 2010
California, United StatesPeppery, cedar, resin, coffee, black cherry aromas with bits of tobacco. Round, tight, fresh, slightly sweet palate with kirsch, cedar bark, licorice root, pepper, resin and chocolate flavours with a tart warm finish.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Alexander Valley Vineyards Sin Zin Zinfandel 2009
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesOpen rich peppery, black cherry, chocolate nose with spicy, cocoa and kirsch aromas. Round, elegant, fresh, slightly lean palate with good black cherry, plum, cedar, peppery, liquorice root and savoury oak flavours. A warm rich style zinfandel for mid-winter lamb dishes.Prices:| AB | $33.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Cameron Hughes Lot 313 California Field Blend 2010
California, United StatesRemarks Cameron Hughes buys surplus grapes in this case a field blend of zinfandel, petite sirah, syrah and carignane has made a delicious peppery, savoury, floral red. The attack is smooth with coffee bean, cedar, tobacco, chocolate, cherry kirsch, briar and pepper flavours. A bit warm and candied but solid fruit and balance. Try this with barbecue fare for best results.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Alexander Valley Vineyards Temptation Zinfandel 2009
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesOpen spicy, briary nose with chocolate, blackberry, tobacco and barnyard aromas. The attack is soft, fresh and juicy with black cherry, cedar, chocolate, peppery, leafy, rooty liquorice flavours. A solid, ready to drink style that finishes long and warm.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Mer Soleil Silver Unoaked Chardonnay 2011
Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, Central Coast, California, United StatesEarthy cement, honey, old canned pineapple and peach aromas. Fresh, round, oily but warm and tart palate with light sweetness. Grapefruit rind, canned pineapple, honey and butter with some hard acidity in the back end leaving an unbalanced and tart aftertaste. Not our favourite.Prices:| BC | $31.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $30.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Zagreus Vinica 2009
Thracian Valley, BulgariaZagreus winery is located in the Thracian valley (South Bulgaria) near Plovdiv and Assenovgrad. This wine is made with indigenous mavrud grapes that are dried on straw mats for three months. The nose is meaty with peppery, leather, light barnyard, olive and cherry aromas. The attack is full but elegant palate with a dusting of dry, astringent tannins and vanilla, dark chocolate, tobacco leaf, peppery, olive, meaty, black cherry and cedar flavours. Youthful and rustic but that should fade with time or a grilled beef entre. As of 2010, Zagreus is using organic grapes.Prices:| BC | $23.49 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Casta Rubra Pendar Red 2009
Thracian Valley, BulgariaCastra Rubra" (Red Fortress) takes its name from an early Byzantine castle, found in the region of Harmanli on the Via Diagonalis, which connected Rome with Constantinople (present Istanbul). We like the earthy aromas of this peppery, black cherry, tobacco, meaty red blend orchestrated by Michel Rolland. The attack is dry, round and rich but with somewhat chunky tannins and more black cherry, meaty, peppery, licorice, dark chocolate flavours. A very solid red if a bit rustic. Best to serve this with grilled meats or meat and tomato-based pasta dishes. Good value in something completely different from North American varietal wine. Prices:| BC | $18.49 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Dow Vale do Bomfin 2009
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalFloral, black cherry, liquorice, spicy, black tea, dried fig and smoke aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy but tight palate with light tannins. Plum, black cherry, black licorice, peppery, dark chocolate, resin and cedar flavours. A bit rustic but with good fruit. Best served with lamb or beef.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.15 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Miss Molly by Môreson Hoity Toity Chenin Blanc 2011
South AfricaChenin blanc or Steen at the South Africans have called fits nicely into the off-dry aromatic segment of the market which on the West Coast usually involves Pan Asian food. The Môreson Hoity Toity delivers a gamut of tropical fruit flavours led by pineapple with some underlying fresh peach and dried apricot notes. There is a dash of viognier for further aromatics and mouthfeel. Pick you favourite curry or spicy hot pot dishes and this wine will freshen either and cool the heat. Good value.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
20 January 2013
94PTS
Domaine de Beaurenard Boisrenard Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2005
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceMade from 60-80 year old vines it is unfiltered and aged in wood about 18 months. The mix is 70% grenache, rest equal syrah, mourvèdre less 10 per cent cinsault and the rest of the 13 grapes grown in the appellation. At just over seven years old this Boisrenard is displaying an inviting tea and five-spice nose mixed with smoky floral game aromas. The attack is full bodied and rich but slightly unyielding at this point as if it has gone into a bit of a dumb stage. Best to let this one sleep in the cellar for another three years at least.Prices:| BC | $94.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $89.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
93PTS
Domaine de Beaurenard Boisrenard Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2009
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceLike their grandfathers the Coulon brothers work with field blends harvesting all the grapes and fermented together in barrel at the same time. Roussanne and clairette are at the centre of this white Châteauneuf-du-Pape with lesser amounts of picpoul, bourboulenc picardin and grenache blanc. Yields are low (17hl/ha) and production is even less with only a few barrels are made each year. Look for a floral fresh nose with bits of apricot, vanilla, lemon, and honey all with mineral, ginger undertones. You can sense the warmth of region and the richness in the mouth but there is still enough freshness to keep it fresh and bright on the palate. Love the finesse and length. This will best over the next three years or drink now with turkey or Peking duck.Prices:| BC | $87.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $88.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
93PTS
Domaine de Beaurenard Boisrenard Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2004
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceMade from 60-80 year old vines it is unfiltered and aged in wood about 18 months. The mix is 70% grenache, rest equal syrah, mourvèdre less 10 per cent cinsault and the rest of the 13 grapes grown in the appellation. The 2004 is surprisingly clean on the nose with the typical spicy red fruit notes with some tertiary five-spice, earth and mineral notes creeping in. The mid-palate is dry and firm with smoky red liquorice fruit flavours that preview a long finesse filled finish. Nearing its zenith this one will peak over the next five years.Prices:| BC | $94.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
95PTS
Domaine de Beaurenard Boisrenard Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2010
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceThere's only about 9000 bottles of the Boisrenard made each year but in 2010 your mission should be to get one. Power and complexity sits in the background of this delicious red blend of old vines. Blueberries, black berries, cassis, red liquorice, oranges, it is all here. Pure and almost elemental but with a signature finesse and length. The best I've tasted yet from Beaurenard and clearly big jump up from the regular label.Prices:| BC | $94.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $89.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Domaine de Beaurenard Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2009
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceIntense spicy/jasmine aromas jump from this fragrant red that smells like mid-summer in the vineyard. On the palate there's a whack of ground white pepper, and delicious, very mature black raspberry fruit laced with smoky liquorice and more jasmine/five-spice finish. There is no rush to drink this 70% grenache blend. Drink through 2020 easily with most grilled or roasted meat dishes.Prices:| BC | $58.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $50.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $40.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Domaine de Beaurenard Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2010
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceThe 2010 is refreshingly clean and fruity with a grape mix of about 70 percent grenache the remainder a 20 per cent mix of syrah and mourvèdre with 10 per cent cinsault and the rest of the 13 approved varieties. The wine spends 12-15 months in wood before heading to bottle. This is an exceptional release from Beaurenard a beautifully crafted red with a floral, fruity notes on the nose and generous proportions of spicy fruit and weight on the palate. Slippery soft and delicious the grapes in Beaurenard are certified organic and biodynamic by authorities. Stupid value here. Terrific with lamb.Prices:| BC | $58.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $50.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $40.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Penfolds Koonunga Hill Chardonnay 2011
South Australia, AustraliaThis is a classic example of the trickle-down effect at Penfolds where chardonnay has been on 15 year long journey. KH is fresh, light, bright and clean and while it can please with its green apple skin, pear, honey and butter aromas and flavours it is the light lees, brioche and complexity that is most welcomed here. Koonunga Hill is still sourced from multiple districts with significant contributions from South Australia GIs Clare and Padthaway. Some 46 per cent is matured in stainless steel the rest in new and seasoned oaked barrels. Impressive for the price.Prices:| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $18.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $15.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $16.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
A Mano Primitivo 2009
Castellaneta, Taranto, Puglia, ItalyAmerican winemaker Mark Shannon and his Italian wife Elvezia continue their noble quest to make the best inexpensive red wine in the world. The latest A Mano, (by hand) has a lovely floral raspberry character that helps dissipate some of the dry, rustic tannins and warmth in the back end. A solid mid-week red that would work with a variety of grilled meats and chicken or with your favourite pizza. Prices:| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $17.50 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Toscolo Chianti 2011
Tuscany, ItalyA Neil Empson selection Toscolo is a Renaissance word for 'Tuscan boy'. The nose is slightly dirty with earthy, black fruit but it blows off with a bit of time. The attack is dry and round with good ripeness and spicy, gamy cherry fruit flavours. This is a very solid spaghetti red for the price. Be sure to splash decant the bottle or give it some time in the glass.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.95 | 750ml |
| NS | $17.95 | 750ml |
| NF | $16.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Township 7 Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThere is nothing easy about growing cabernet sauvignon in the Okanagan but in this case this 2009 Oliver-based vineyard delivered. Savoury black fruit with hints of sagebrush, coffee and ripe black olives bits of chocolate preview some youthful, blocky tannin that will need a couple more years in bottle to dissipate. Warm and rich you can decant and serve this now with big meat dishes to best effect or cellar through 2018.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Pascual Toso Malbec 2011
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaLook for a savoury, black cherry jam, tobacco aromas that preview a supple, but sweet, black fruit palate. This is a ready-to-drink, warm (alcoholic) red with an easy-sipping style that would be best with grilled meats. Toso uses 20-year old, massal selection malbec fruit in this label and some 40 percent of that is aged in two three and four year old oak to help create a soft, supple textures throughout.Prices:| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
3 Mile Estate Winery Trio 2010
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 3-Mile premium mix is a red wine made from cabernet franc, merlot and syrah. It's a pick of select blocks blended and aged in French oak for 21 months. The colour is light; the nose a mix of leafy dark fruit aromas with cool floral undertones and tobacco notes. The attack is soft and round with earthy, spicy coffee mocha flavours with a large rush of acidity throughout. The finish is warm and fairly acidic. This red will need three to five years in bottle to best express itself and will be even better with a grilled steak or aged cheese. More fruit would be appreciated going forward.Prices:| BC | $32.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
19 January 2013
94PTS
Domaine Faiveley Corton Clos des Cortons Grand Cru (Monopole) 2011
Aloxe-Corton, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceFaiveley is extremely proud of this wine in 2011 and they should be. The nose is pure magic with an aromatic fruit and spice combination that draws you into the glass. The attack is similarly enchanting with smooth, round, dense textures of black fruit and spice that spill across your palate form front to back and side to side. There are some youthful tannin to shed but its fine grained and simply supporting the rich delicious flavours packed in this wine. Well done and certainly a wine for the next decade or two. Prices:| BC | $189.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $199.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $132.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Domaine Faiveley Gevrey-Chambertin Les Cazetiers 1er Cru 2011
Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceA slightly more herbal effort here, not a great nose but perhaps not a great sample in this case. Much better in the mouth offering a warm, rich cherry/raspberry flavoured red with plenty of structure and style. Finesse and power and length from a sample that is likely just off should bode well for the real thing when it arrives later this year. No need to worry it will be fine. Prices:| BC | $106.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $95.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $86.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Domaine Faiveley Nuits-St-Georges Les Damodes 1er Cru 2010
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceDamodes is less broad in the mouth but more refined according to Erwan Faiveley. The '10 has an earthy forest floor nose with dark fruit nuances. The fruit is sweet on the mid-palate with good length and a hint of salty/minerality. A finish is prolonged with some power. Should be an excellent bottle by 2018.Prices:| BC | $100.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
94PTS
Domaine Faiveley Nuits-St-Georges Les Damodes 1er Cru 2011
Nuits-Saint-Georges, Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceThe 2011 Damodes opens with an enticing earthy, compost black cherry nose. There is plenty of power here in what is a serious red for Burgundy lovers not label readers. Les Damodes sits just across from Vosne-Romanée and is a fleshier richer style Nuits-St-Georges. Look for beautiful cherry fruit and spice in a well-made Cru with power and finesse. Very good.Prices:| BC | $100.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Domaine Faiveley Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru Aux Chaignots 2008
Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceFaiveley suggest that Aux Chaignots is more Romanée than Nuits in style. It is fleshier than Damodes but not as long - more shoulder less length. The nose is an alluring mix of smoke, red fruits and some youthful oak. The attack is weighty but balanced with good power and length and more red fruits with spice and dried herb highlights. Showing a bit of very attractive bottle age, Ready to drink but will remain within itself through 2018.Prices:| BC | $100.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $86.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
94PTS
Domaine Faiveley Nuits-St-Georges Les Porêts Saint-Georges 1er Cru 2010
Gevrey-Chambertin, Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceThe 2010 Les Porêts is a larger than life version of Nuits-St-Georges. Lots of black fruits aromas permeate its earthy forest floor nose that can entertain for minutes. This is a much more modern style Burgundy from Faiveley with clean fresh fruit, fleshy rich, silky tannins and length. A perfect foil to duck, pheasant or roasted chicken you can drink this now or let it soar in the bottle through 2018. Prices:| BC | $97.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $93.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $65.25 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Domaine Faiveley Nuits-St-Georges Les Porêts Saint-Georges 1er Cru 2011
Gevrey-Chambertin, Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceCool ripe floral nose with mineral, cherry and cassis notes. The palate is juicy and packed with seriously slick plummy/cherry fruit. Love the elegance here and the aromatics that keep this wine fresh and lively despite a fullness and density of texture. Erwan Faiveley credits the use of stems, about 25 percent, for producing softer tannins and more mouthfeel. Impressive.Prices:| BC | $97.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $93.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Domaine Faiveley Mercurey La Framboisiere 2009
Mercurey, Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy, FranceErwan Faiveley cites poor limestone soils as the secret to La Framboisière elegance. In 2009 the wine is fleshier with a more defined length. It opens with inviting smoky spicy raspberry, floral notes while the palate is a sweeter deeper darker fruit flavoured affair reflecting this fine vintage. There just enough flesh to make this a special bottle of Mercurey. Should be perfect with a grilled chicken dinner.Prices:| BC | $38.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $26.60 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Domaine Faiveley Mercurey La Framboisiere 2010
Mercurey, Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy, FranceErwan Faiveley describes the 2010 vintage as one of "classic, concentration with restraint and depth. A serious vintage in Burgundy." The La Framboisière site has a lot of limestone and you feel the elegance in the structure. Look for smoky spicy raspberry, floral aromas while the palate is sweeter rounder a mix of sweet and sour cherries, tea and a hint of vanilla. Delicate, round, elegant and light in the finish.Prices:| BC | $38.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Domaine Faiveley Mercurey 2010
Mercurey, Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy, FranceFaiveley has a vineyard owner in Mercurey since the late 1960s but changed the entire management of the appellation in 2007 resulting in clearly better wines. Not quite as fruity or exuberant as 2009 this is more rustic but with solid pinot fruit over compost and floral tobacco tones. There is excellent tension between the sweet and slightly sour fruit flavours mixing raspberries and strawberries. The straight Mercurey is a blend of sites. Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Joseph Faiveley Bourgogne Chardonnay 2009
Burgundy, FranceBourgogne blanc is often underrated because in many years the majority of labels can be fairly bland. While not inexpensive this Faiveley edition hits all the right notes from its pale yellow colour to its fresh floral nose. The attack is fresh and clean with fine fruit intensity, some delicacy, and bright palate cleansing acidity in the finish. A portion of the wine sees some oak ageing for six to eight months. The perfect seafood luncheon white. Attention restaurants.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Domaine Faiveley Moulin-à-Vent 2010
Moulin-à-Vent, Beaujolais Villages, Beaujolais, Burgundy, FranceNot as exuberant as the 2009. More cedar, open chest of drawers aromas with light spicy, red liquorice flavours. The palate is sweet and sour with light tannins and mid-palate weight. The 2010 presents is a drier firmer style that is ready to drink. Try this with grilled chicken.Prices:| BC | $32.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Rodney Strong Chardonnay Chalk Hill 2010
Sonoma County, California, United StatesThe light, white ash soils of the Chalk Hills appellation are home to this top end Rodney Strong chardonnay. The palate is fresh by California standards with an attractive creamy honeyed, butterscotch character but not over the top. The fruit is a mix of sweet Golden Delicious apple with a touch of citrus soaked ground hazelnuts. Lobster would be the perfect match but crab or halibut would be equally fine.Prices:| ON | $27.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $27.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| US | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $27.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Domaine Faiveley Corton Clos des Cortons Grand Cru (Monopole) 2010
Aloxe-Corton, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceMade from 50-year old vines the Clos des Corton has an earthy, spicy light barnyard nose flecked with strawberry, vanilla and smoky cherry aromas. The attack is fresh and dry with some light tannins showing through in the finish. The flavours mix pomegranate and strawberry jam with smoky, gamey, dried herbs and five spice flavours. The finish is long and sweet building intensity from front to back. It should only get better in the bottle. Prices:| BC | $180.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $199.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $132.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Domaine Faiveley Mercurey 2009
Mercurey, Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy, FranceAmazing quality in 2009. The nose is mix of light compost, raspberry, cedar, barnyard and red liquorice aromas that meld into a dry, fresh, round, elegant palate. The palate has a deep, denser sweet fruit character flecked with raspberry, strawberry jam, pepper flavours with some compost on the finish. You can drink this now and over the next 2 years.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Domaine Faiveley Moulin-à-Vent 2009
Moulin-à-Vent, Beaujolais Villages, Beaujolais, Burgundy, FranceAn amazing vintage in Beaujolais is seen in this spicy, red liquorice scented gamay with black cherry, smoky, savoury, floral aromas. The palate is supple but dry with light tannins and juicy sweet red fruit with fine acidity. More pepper and gamey, liquorice root with savoury, black cherry flavours. Good intensity and balance but will improve in the bottle.Prices:| BC | $32.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
18 January 2013
91PTS
Ogier Clos de L'Oratoire des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2011
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceThis wine surprised me with its super bright fruit component. The colour is deep straw, the nose a mix of pear, hazelnuts, minerals and white aromatic flowers. The fruit just jumps from the glass to counterbalance the richness of the 30/30/30/10 blend of white grenache, clairette, roussanne and bourboulenc. The roussanne spends four months on its lees to add textures the rest of the grapes are stored in stainless steel to keep the blend fresh. The 2011 vintage turned out to be a normal year in Châteauneuf-du-Pape although this wine is anything but normal. Try it with turkey or halibut and a fruit salsa. The Eclats Calcaires (limestone rocks) in the west part of Châteauneuf-du-Pape is home to most of the blanc with the exception of the roussanne grape that is grows on "Pradel" area. The blanc gets about six hours of maceration in new 300 litre oak barrels before fermenting in stainless steel. The roussanne spends four months on the fine lees. Prices:| BC | $36.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Ogier Côtes du Rhône Heritages Rouge 2011
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceIt would appear 2011 has given Ogier another winner at this affordable price point. All the viticulture changes at Ogier are reaping rewards especially in tannin management. The nose and palate yield an attractive spicy edge with dried herbs/ garrigue, red fruits, dusty tannins with hint of milk chocolate. All the fruit is grown using the organic method but it is not certified and comes off four separate areas in the southern Rhone. A solid Rhone red that will improve in bottle over the next three to five years.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.25 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $17.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Ogier Expression de Terroir Galets Roulés Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2010
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceThe AdVini group is behind a family of French wine brands including among others Ogier in the Rhône Valley. Ogier is based in the heart of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and recently launched 'Expression de Terroir' a quartet of labels that speak to the four distinct terroirs of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Each is made using identical winemaking techniques and very similar grape blends mostly grenache with bit of mourvèdre and cinsault. The only difference is the soil. Hence the Expression de Terroir moniker. The Galets Roulés, the silica rolled pebbles that came to the Rhone via Alpine glaciers. These stones let the water in absorb a lot of heat and release it through night moderating vineyard temperatures and contributing to the terroir - cold feet and a warm canopy. Expect the most white pepper here to moderate the raspberry strawberry grenache fruit. A pure style with round supple ripe fruit throughout. Fun to drink and obviously the viticulture regime is really helping to smooth out the textures. Cassoulet anyone?Prices:| BC | $55.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Ogier Expression de Terroir Grès Rouges Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2010
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceThe AdVini group is behind a family of French wine brands including among others Ogier in the Rhône Valley. Ogier is based in the heart of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and recently launched 'Expression de Terroir' a quartet of labels that speak to the four distinct terroirs of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Each is made using identical winemaking techniques and very similar grape blends mostly grenache with bit of mourvèdre and cinsault. The only difference is the soil. Hence the Expression de Terroir moniker. Grès Rouges is a mix of red clay with the historic chalky seabed in particular the mussels. This red sandstone appears to lift the aromatics of the wine while regulating the water the vine needs. This Châteauneuf-du-Pape has an angular character reflecting its terroir but clearly it is better as a blending agent in the normal Ogier L'Oratoire Châteauneuf-du-Pape blend. It still has all the black fruit and spice with a modicum of leather and garrigue but the style is firm and edgy. Best with a leg of lamb. Prices:| BC | $55.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Ogier Expression de Terroir Des Eclats Calcaires Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2010
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceThe AdVini group is a family of French brands including among others Ogier in the Rhône Valley. Ogier is based in the heart of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and recently launched a quartet of labels that speak to the four distinct terroirs of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The 'Expression de Terroir' series is a collection of four cuvées. Each is made using identical winemaking techniques and very similar grape blends mostly grenache with bit of mourvèdre and cinsault. The only difference is the soil hence the Expression de Terroir. This wine is limestone based and you get quite a stony/mineral/wet cement character on the nose and palate. The attack is fresh and round the fruit bright and delicious with bits of earth, forest floor, blueberries and a mix of black fruits. The finish is fresh with perfect acidity and soft silky tannins. Love the complexity and terroir reveal.Prices:| BC | $55.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Ogier Expression de Terroir Les Safres Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2010
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceThe AdVini group is behind a family of French wine brands including among others Ogier in the Rhône Valley. Ogier is based in the heart of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and recently launched 'Expression de Terroir' a quartet of labels that speak to the four distinct terroirs of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Each is made using identical winemaking techniques and very similar grape blends mostly grenache with bit of mourvèdre and cinsault. The only difference is the soil. Hence the Expression de Terroir moniker. The Safres, meaning compacted sand, has a much broader richer structure that spills across the palate. The fruit is a bit rawer along the raspberry spectrum with dense chalky tannins. The style is soft and elegant with a fine fruit factor. Ogier thinks the sand has the least amount of impact on the varietal character of the grapes. Prices:| BC | $55.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Ogier Crozes-Hermitage Les Brunnelles Rouge 2009
Crozes Hermitage, Northern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceLes Brunelles is made with purchased fruit and is 100 per cent syrah aged in 600 litre barrels. The entry is smooth and rich with a spicy, meaty, liquorice root nose. The style is quit elegant with light tannins; more finesse less rusticity if you like. The plate is a mix of black fruit, orange peel, compost and earthy notes. A solid effort from an excellent vintage for mid-term drinking. Ogier suggest a magical match involving scallops and chanterelles.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Ogier Clos de L'Oratoire des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2009
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceOgier makes more of restrained style of Châteauneuf-du Pape with fresh clean fruit as the hallmark. In the case of the 09 you can smell the strawberry/raspberry fruit with a touch of confiture flecked with liquorice, pepper and those pesky garrigue notes. The attack is supple with well-managed, soft tannins and plenty of ripe orange, raspberry, black cherry fruit with a stony mineral undercurrent that balances off the fruity notes. You can drink this now with lamb chops or cellar a decade. Well done.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $44.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $44.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $40.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $45.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $52.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $40.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $44.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $48.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Ogier Côtes du Rhône Heritages Blanc 2011
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceSimilar to the 2010 this classic white Rhone offers up a floral, aromatic mix of peachy lemon ginger aromas flecked with almonds and chalk. The attack is fresh and juicy with more lime rind, honey, ginger, apple skin and lemon flavours. A fine, inexpensive Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Perfect with seafood.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
17 January 2013
90PTS
Ramos Pinto Porto RP10 Quinta de Ervamoira 10 Year Old Tawny NV
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalBrick colour. Big walnut, peppery, black tea, tobacco, smoky, spicy, raisin, rancio aromas. Full, round, juicy and creamy palate with light tannins and good sweetness. Molasses, walnut, spicy, black liquorice, raisin, caramel, creamy, spicy herb and cedar flavours. Finish is a bit fiery with good acidity and intensity with some light tannin. A fine 10 year old you can drink or hold.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 375ml |
Read Full Note
84PTS
Ricossa Barbaresco 2007
Piedmont, ItalyCedar, earthy, barnyard, medicinal, pruny, leather, oxidative aromas. Dry, smooth, somewhat lean and juicy palate with prune, leather, coffee, resin, earthy, cigar and tar flavours. Very earthy, balsamic, somewhat volatile finish. Not up to past efforts.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $23.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Mount Langi Ghiran Billi Billi Shiraz 2008
Victoria, AustraliaCoffee, blackberry jam, blueberry, prune, minty, peppery, tobacco aromas. Soft, round, sweet and fresh with light tannins. Chocolate, coffee, blueberry jam, minty, spicy, prune and licorice flavours. Finish is warm and tart but fruity. best with food.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
84PTS
Villa Teresa Chardonnay (Organic) 2011
Veneto, ItalyButtery, earthy, diacetyl, cooked apple, lemon aromas. Round, soft, slightly sweet and flabby with hone, buttery, diacetyl, warm apple sauce and baked pear flavours. Not much varietal character.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandPassion fruit, canned pink grapefruit, jalapeno, sweaty, floral, nettle aromas. Fresh, round, slightly sweet and light palate with canned jalapeno, bell pepper, grassy, sweaty grapefruit rind and nettle flavours with a bit of tart passion fruit on the sweet and sour finish. A fresh, simple, slightly herbaceous style.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $19.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $23.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $19.99 | 750ml |
| NB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $24.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Navarro López Rojo Granrojo Tempranillo 2011
SpainOpen coffee, cocoa, earthy, peppery nose with cologne and cherry aromas. Fresh, round, easy palate with tobacco leaf, peppery, cherry jam, prune, earthy, leather flavours. A bit tart and sweet on the finish but otherwise a friendly, easy-sipping barbecue red.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
83PTS
De Angelis Rosso Piceno 2010
Marche, ItalyVery meaty, barnyard, rubbery, sausage nose with black cherry aromas and bits of tobacco leaf. Round, smooth, easy palate with black cherry, resin, rooty, rubbery, meaty, barnyard, balsamic flavours. Decent texture but rustic and somewhat reductive. Needs aeration. Serve with pasta and a meat sauce.Prices:| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Spierhead Vanguard 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig minty, leafy, black olive, coffee, vanilla, chocolate, tobacco leaf aromas. Dry, fresh, round palate with light tannins. Very oaky, smoky coffee, vanilla, tobacco leaf, olive, green bean, peppery, menthol flavours. Finish is dry with some tea tannins and oak to shed. The textures are well done and with time the oak should dissipate to reveal more fruit and terroir.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
ReVersanti Barolo 2007
La Morra, Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalyTea leaf, tobacco, earthy, tar and prune aromas mixed with black cherry and smoky, cedar, and floral notes. The attack is fresh and dry with a somewhat tannic palate but full with strawberry jam, tarry, cedar, tobacco, rooty, black tea and dried herb flavours. Youthful, dry tannins to dissipate over the next 4-7 years but solid fruit. Needs time. Good value.Prices:| BC | $37.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $78.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $79.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Luigi Bosca Malbec 2010
Mendoza, ArgentinaOpen meaty, smoky prune, leather, sausage, savoury black cherry nose with flecks of tobacco leaf. The attack is dry with light tannins and more savoury, earthy, leather, prune, cherry jam flavours with bits of curry spice and tea leaf. A bit more rustic and lean than we are used to. Serve this with a big juicy grilled hamburger to best effect.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Croft Pink Port NV
PortugalFloral, ginger, candied citrus peel, tobacco, peppery, earthy aromas. Round, smooth, somewhat sweet style with ginger, spicy, soapy floral, raisin, tobacco, nutty, herbal flavours. A style more designed for cool drinks. Add some lemon and ice for best effect.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $20.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
16 January 2013
85PTS
Fabulous Ant Pinot Noir 2011
Tolna, HungaryLight rhubarb, cedar, tobacco leaf, barnyard aromas. Light, soft, fresh, round and dry palate with smoky, tobacco, raspberry, rhubarb and cedar flavours. A bit more like gamay but solid, light style to drink slightly chilled. Good value in a light mid-week red.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Boekenhoutskloof The Wolftrap 2011
Western Cape, South AfricaBig smoked meat, leather, savoury, chocolate, saddle leather, baked earth and coffee aromas. Soft, round, warm, off dry and fresh palate with cigar, chocolate, smoked meat, raisin, leather, black berry jam, prune, medicinal flavours. It has a rich, warm, meaty finish. Try this with grilled meat entrees or a sausage pizza.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $14.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Navarro López Pergolas Old Vines Tempranillo 2009
Valdepeñas, Castilla-La Mancha, SpainTempranillo can surprise when well-made as this spicy, peppery, tobacco, black cherry, smoky red with caraway and leather aromas is. The palate is fresh and elegant with light astringency and more smoky, tobacco, meaty, cedar, peppery, cherry, orange and herb flavours. A touch astringent and young but with fine balance and intensity to go with meat dishes. Solid value and effort here.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Spierhead Pursuit 2010
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSavoury, leafy, sage, tobacco, black olive, sappy cassis aromas that lead to a tart, slightly tannic, dry palate with cassis juice, smoky coffee, savoury, tobacco leaf, olive, green bean and pepper flavours. An oaky style red with green tannins that toughen up the finish. Time may help the tannin but it needs more fruit. The blend is merlot dominated at 57 per cent but the cabernet sauvignon and the cabernet franc appear to be just too tough for the merlot.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Monte Antico Toscano 2008
Santa Lucia, Pisa, Tuscany, ItalyPrune, tobacco, sweaty saddle leather, barnyard, smoky, resin and olive aromas. Dry, elegant, somewhat lean palate with smoky, meaty, barnyard, saddle leather, Band-Aid, carrot top, savoury flavours. A simple barbecue red.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.90 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $19.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $19.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Outer Limits CGM Apalta Vineyards 2010
Apalta Valley, Santa Cruz, Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileOpen spicy, caraway, plum, cedar, tobacco nose with meaty, cardamom and leather aromas. Round, fresh, smooth, elegant palate with peppery, meaty, chocolate, blackberry, bay leaf, mint, vanilla, smoky herb with a cedar, coffee, curry leaf finish. A bit short and light on the finish but should improve over the next few years. An interesting blend of carignan, grenache and mourvèdre.Prices:| AB | $50.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $55.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
84PTS
Trius Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Ontario, CanadaSimple stuff showing classic red fruits and leafy notes that denote the difficulty in ripening this variety. Even a warm year in Southern Ontario could not assure total ripeness. The attack is bright and fresh with plenty of acidity but the wine is too skinny and tart to highly recommend. Try this with hamburgers or with beef pasta sauces to help temper the acidity.Prices:| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Napa Valley, California, United StatesBig minty, leafy, cassis, tobacco, black olive, herbal, coffee, cedar, menthol aromas. Dry, fresh, round, slightly tart and tannic palate. Coffee, cedar, vanilla, black olive, cassis, sappy, minty, leafy flavours. Warm and tart finish with grippy tannins. Needs 2-4 years to round out.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $30.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $38.50 | 750ml |
| NB | $37.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $56.95 | 750ml |
| SK | $36.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $44.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $40.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Westside Red Troublemaker Blend 2 NV
Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, Central Coast, California, United StatesRoast game, peppery, tobacco, chocolate, floral, cedar, bay, curry, saddle leather, earthy aromas. Round, full, soft, fresh palate with a hint of sweetness. Cedar, earth, smoked meat, peppery, curry, eucalyptus, blackberry, coffee and chocolate flavours. Warm, round, full style for current drinking. The blend is a 73/12/8/7 mix of syrah/grenache/petite sirah/mourvèdre.Prices:| AB | $26.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $25.45 | 750ml |
| NF | $26.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Pirramimma Shiraz 2009
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaIntense black cherry, blackberry jam nose laced with pepper, liquorice, vanilla, meaty, savoury aromas. The attack is fresh, the palate suave with light tannins and a hint of sweetness/ripeness of fruit. Very ripe blackberry, prunes and peppery, vanilla with bits of liquorice and chocolate. Lots of ripe, sweet fruit with a very warm alcoholic finish. A monster style best served with a grilled leg of lamb.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $26.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Evans and Tate Metricup Road Shiraz 2010
Margaret River, Western Australia, AustraliaPeppery, black liquorice, blackberry, smoky, resin, briary, riparian aromas. Round, smooth, elegant but tart palate with blackberry, savoury, tobacco, smoky, peppery, dried herb and resin flavours. Finish is short, warm and tart.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Road 13 Road 9 Farm Syrah Mourvedre 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoky tobacco, peppery, sage, poultry spice, floral, black olive, meaty, ginger aromas. Round, suave, slightly tannic palate with tobacco leaf, peppery, savoury, coffee, roast bell pepper, caraway, floral, chocolate, meaty, smoky flavours. Fresh and short but with good complexity for near term consumption. The syrah and mourvèdre are co-fermented on viognier skins and aged in older oak barrels.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Finca Los Primos Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
San Rafael, General Alvear, Southern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaOne of the better editions of this wine where ripe fruit meets savoury black berry, smoky tobacco aromas. The attack is round with soft textures and slid ripe fruit reminiscent of peppery, black olives, cassis and black cherry flavours. Still some youthful tannin to shed but this can easily be knocked down by a piece of grilled meat. Good value for inexpensive cabernet sauvignon.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
15 January 2013
88PTS
Cameron Hughes Lot 400 2010
Napa Valley, California, United StatesTobacco leaf, peppery, cedar, leather, cassis, blackberry, rooty, light barnyard aromas. Round, fresh, slightly chunky palate with black cherry, cassis, coffee, licorice, peppery, cedar bark, black olive and tobacco leaf flavours. A bit young but solid effort here.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Clos du Bois North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
North Coast Region, California, United StatesPeppery, cedar, tobacco leaf, roast bell pepper, cassis and chocolate aromas. Fresh, dry, slightly astringent palate with cassis, tobacco leaf, peppery, rooty, black olive and cedar flavours with a touch of leather. Simple, solid varietal style for grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Kunde Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesEarthy, cassis, blackberry, tobacco, floral, olive and vanilla aromas. Round, full, slightly chewy palate with blackberry, black olive, prune, coffee, cassis, roast bell pepper and cedar flavours. Fresh but with fine concentration and varietal character.Prices:| BC | $23.40 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $26.50 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Kendall-Jackson Cabernet Sauvignon Vintner's Reserve 2010
Sonoma County, California, United StatesRetasted 10 months later, showing peppery, earthy, cedar, spicy, olive, menthol, cassis and herb aromas. Round, dry, smooth, slightly tart but light palate. Cassis, coffee, black olive, tobacco, earthy, cedar, herbal flavours with a touch of leather. Solid, balanced but easy drinking offering.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| US | $18.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $23.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $23.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $21.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
De Angelis Anghelos Marche Rosso 2008
Marche, ItalyOpen black cherry jam, balsamic, prune, peppery nose with meaty, smoky, liquorice root and dark chocolate notes. Round, fresh and elegant but with a slightly lean palate and more liquorice root, peppery, resin, cedar/balsamic, black cherry kirsch, savoury, meaty, coffee flavours. A bit alcoholic and tart on the finish but has some freshness and fruit intensity to go with meat dishes.Prices:| BC | $35.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Torres Verdeo Verdejo Rueda Blanco 2011
Rueda, Castilla-Leon, SpainLime, grapefruit rind, passion fruit, gooseberry, floral aromas with some matchstick notes. Fresh, juicy, dry, round palate with grapefruit, passion fruit, gooseberry, light bell pepper and candied lime flavours. Very persistent juicy, citrus finish. Well made, slightly austere wine for the summer seafood season. Worth trying.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Outer Limits Sauvignon Blanc Zapallar Vineyard 2010
Valle de Aconcagua, Region de Aconcagua, ChileAn intensive, more herbaceous style grown close to the Pacific in a very cool spot. Asparagus, artichoke, jalapeno, grapefruit, lime zest and gooseberry aromas. Round, full, dry, juicy palate with grassy, lemon, nettle, and artichoke, grapefruit, chalk and melon rind flavours. A bit more extreme in style but well balanced with good intensity if you like the more herbaceous styling.Prices:| AB | $28.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
84PTS
Trius Merlot 2011
Ontario, CanadaClean simple cool climate style red with no shortage of spicy leafy notes on the nose mixed with red fruits. The palate is similar with resiny, cigarette ash red fruits all with a dash of oak. The finish is dry and somewhat short. Ready top drink to grilled meat entrees.Prices:| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Trius Chardonnay 2011
Ontario, CanadaLight yellow with some co2 bubbles. Light butter, lemon, floral, peach pit and green apple aromas. Dry, fresh, light bodied palate with buttery, baked apple skin, pear, floral and lemon oil flavours. A simple, fresh, elegant style.Prices:| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
83PTS
Fetzer Cabernet Sauvignon Valley Oaks 2009
California, United StatesChocolate, cherry jam, cedar, tobacco leaf and resin aromas. Soft, round, flat palate with cedar bark, chocolate, resin, leafy, herb flavours with a tart, sawdust finish. Disappointing style.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Fetzer Gewürztraminer Shaly Loam 2010
California, United StatesLight orange, ginger, floral, spicy aromas with a bit of cooked apple. Fat, round, soft and fairly sweet with orange, spicy, ginger, dried lychee and grapefruit flavours. Finish is fairly juicy and fruity. A simpler, sweeter style. Note to Concha Y Toro: this has potential if dried out and finished under screwcap. Prices:| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, Central Coast, California, United StatesPeppery, smoky, barnyard, saddle leather, meaty, black olive nose flecked with cassis, prune, cedar and earthy aromas. The attack is round, the palate tart with a hint of sweetness and prune, chocolate, tobacco, saddle leather, meaty, cassis, leafy, pepper flavours. Somewhat edgy finish. Try this with grilled meats to best effect.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $22.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $26.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $22.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Cono Sur Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Valle de San Antonio, Region de Aconcagua, ChilePassion fruit, lime, light jalapeno, gooseberry, grassy, chalky aromas. Fresh, juicy, elegant palate with a bit of sweetness. Ripe passion fruit, guava, gooseberry, grapefruit and jalapeno flavours. Lots of fruit and intensity in this fine valued offering.Prices:| BC | $14.50 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Torres Sangre de Toro 2009
Penedès, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainA steady red if ever there was one at this price point. A touch reduced on opening so be sure to splash decant and get some air on the wine. The attack is pretty with smoky, black cherry jam and savoury aromas with dried herbs, black cherry, liquorice, caraway flavours. A well-made red that will excel with most simply preferred foods.Prices:| QC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $15.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $16.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Cono Sur Bicicleta Gewurztraminer 2012
Region del Valle Central, ChileSimilar to the previous edition with spicy, dried litchi, floral, orange, ginger aromas. The attack is fresh, the palate drier with honey, dried litchi, light sausage, ginger, rose petal and apple skin flavours with only minimal oiliness. Good viscosity and fruit intensity. Great effort and a steal at the price. Greta with Indian or Thai dishes.Prices:| BC | $11.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $12.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
13 January 2013
87PTS
Liberty School Chardonnay 2009
Central Coast, California, United StatesLight gold colour... is this getting tired? Honey, lees, creamy vanilla, garlic, coconut, baked peach and butter aromas. Ripe, round, soft, slightly oily and sweet palate with honey, grapefruit rind, butter, vanilla cream, garlic and nut flavours. Warm finish with lots of fruit if and as is the USA style too sweet to be a go-to food wine.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $26.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Kendall-Jackson Avant Chardonnay 2011
California, United StatesLight lees, green apple, butter, spicy, oatmeal, lemon and pear aromas. Fresh, juicy, round, somewhat sweet entry with butter, honey, and baked apple with lees, pear and grapefruit rind flavours. Good texture and intensity but a bit too sweet and sour on the finish to be considered serious.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Lagaria Pinot Grigio 2011
Veneto, ItalyRipe pear, apple skin, lemon, matchstick, floral aromas. Round, dry, elegant but slightly lean with almond, honey, red apple, citrus and lees flavours and a juicy finish. Solid effort here.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| US | $7.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Fetzer Chardonnay Sundial 2011
California, United StatesBaked peach, citrus, apple, light butter and guava aromas. Round, soft, off dry palate with grapefruit rind, apple skin, lemon and butter flavours. A bit oily and sweet but solid balance for the money. Note to Concha Y Toro: this has potential if dried out and finished under screwcap. Go after a different market. Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Liberty School Chardonnay 2011
Central Coast, California, United StatesBig buttery, vanilla, coconut, baked peach, pineapple and honey aromas. Ripe, round, full, slightly sweet note with an oily note. Honey, pineapple, butter, grapefruit and butter flavours. Solid offering in a slightly older style chardonnay. Needs to be fresher and drier to really make a statement, and screwcap would likely help trade sales.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $26.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Road 13 Chardonnay 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVery leesy, vanilla, honey, baked apple, butterscotch, diacetyl, canned grapefruit aromas. Round, fresh, juicy, slightly sweet and oily palate with garlic lees, vanilla cream, cedar, canned citrus, baked apple and smoky butter flavours with a bitter finish. A bit overworked.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Angove's Organic Chardonnay 2011
South Australia, AustraliaExpect a fresh leesy, bread dough baked green apple nose flecked with grapefruit, nutty oatmeal aromas. The palate is round, oily and just off-dry with more nutty lees, butter, apple skin, grapefruit, oatmeal flavours with a warm, bitter butter finish. A fine, certified organic, luncheon wine for chicken salad.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Finca Los Primos Chardonnay 2011
San Rafael, General Alvear, Southern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaAnother ridiculous chardonnay value. The nose is a mix of citrus, peach skin, light lees and butter aromas. The attack is fresh and juicy with off-dry flavours of grapefruit, green apple, earthy, honey and nectarine with a buttery but fresh finish. Good value here for in a versatile everyday white.Prices:| BC | $10.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
84PTS
Fort Berens Chardonnay 2011
British Columbia, CanadaButter, baked bruised apple, lees, nutty, resin, and light honey nose. Dry, lean, buttery palate with lees, diacetyl, vanilla cream, smoke and resin flavours. Pretty heavy handed with the malolactic and oak in a cool climate white.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
HMC McWatters Collection Chardonnay 2011
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaHoney, baked apple, nutty lees, diacetyl, butterscotch and oatmeal aromas. Round, soft, easy palate with light sweetness. Vanilla, honey, butterscotch, baked apple, lees aromas with a smoky, butter finish. A somewhat sweet, buttery, oily style that is now mature.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Fetzer Quartz Winemaker's Favourite White Blend 2011
California, United StatesOpen warm floral, peach, litchi, orange, grapefruit and green apple aromas. Fresh, round, sweet attack on the palate with honey, litchi, baked apple, orange and spice flavours. An easy sipping commercial style for sipping with spicy food: ribs or curries.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
12 January 2013
89PTS
Tinhorn Creek Oldfield Series Cabernet Franc 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen leafy, barnyard and red fruit aromas greet you on the nose. This is a fairly intense style with a slightly reduced nose upon opening (we recommend splash decanting and getting some air on the wine for 15 to 30 minutes) The palate is quite rich and soft with good franc density and weight and more typically earthy, cedar, smoky, black fruit flavours that finish long and smooth. This wine is just a baby and will continue to improve in bottle over the next two years. Pair with rich, grilled meats dishes.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Fish Hoek Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Western Cape, South AfricaIntense gooseberry/grapefruit aromas with a touch of canned asparagus. The attack is bracingly fresh with lime rind, citrus and nettle notes. This is sauvignon with personality which isn't all so bad given its reasonable price. Well balanced.Prices:| BC | $14.90 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon Monte Rosso Vineyard 2008
Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesMonte Rosso vineyard or Red Mountain has been a Louis Marini family jewel since the late 1930s set some 330 metres above Sonoma Valley in the Mayacamas Mountain range. The soils are volcanic red and rich that best describes this highly desirable red wine. Using the best blocks the folks at Gallo have really emphasized the red fruits and chocolate and the surprisingly soft and dusty mountain tannins. This is a perfect match for lamb or beef and or you can drink it now or over the next five years.Prices:| BC | $105.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Woop Woop Shiraz 2010
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaWhen you crack the screwcap the wine is initially reduced and really needs a splash decant and some air time. Otherwise it is more or less true to form with earthy spicy, black berry, peppery, menthol aromas. The attack is sweet and soft with ripe, sweetish blueberry fruit and pepper flavours flecked with spice and menthol and liquorice. Try it with beef kabobs. Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Fort Berens Cabernet Franc 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFort Berens is making its mark in Lillooet but this wine is definitely south Okanagan in origin as evidence by its savoury bent. The fruit is slightly lifted on the nose and mixes spice and volatility with leafy notes red fruits and cassis. The palate is fresh and the flavours similar with more menthol, mineral and spice dominating a sour red fruit finish. Chalky tannins suggest it needs another year in bottle or a big piece of meat.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Fetzer Crimson Winemaker's Favourite Red Blend 2010
California, United StatesThe new Crimson Red is a blend of syrah, zinfandel, cabernet sauvignon and petite sirah that on the surface is fresh and well balanced. It appears more zin-like than anything without the alcohol. I'm not going to say its super sweet but it is hardly dry. Any numbers of fruits are up for grab here including raspberries and blueberries with that spicy brambly, sweet thing going on in the finish along with a poke of acidity. It should be fine with your favourite barbecue ribs or even a cassoulet.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
11 January 2013
88PTS
Le Vieux Pin Syrah 2010
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig white pepper, poultry spice, ginger, sausage meat, tobacco, cherry, vanilla, chocolate, savoury, black olive and menthol aromas. Dry, fresh, slightly lean palate with light tannins. Gingerbread, poultry spice, sausage meat, peppery, coffee, licorice root, tobacco leaf, vanilla and tea flavours. Elegant with solid complexity if a bit tart and short on the finish. Should improve with 1-2 years aging.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Le Vieux Pin Ava 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, apricot skin, ginger, honey, grassy, vanilla and cooked quince aromas. Full, round, dry, somewhat juicy and elegant palate with a light oiliness. Pear skin, quince, soapy floral, honey, ginger, lees, nutty, light vanilla and apple skin flavours. A bit lean and warm on the finish but has good intensity and solid balance. Will be best with seafood.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Tahbilk Marsanne 2005
Lower Goulburn Valley, Goulburn Valley, Victoria, AustraliaBig roasted hazelnut, lemon, lees, spicy, citrus peel and petrol aromas. Fresh, delicate, light, juicy palate with a hint of sweetness. Very nutty, candied lemon, custard, guava, petrol and quince flavours. Still fresh yet mature bottle characters. Unusual style but attractive for drinking with fowl or spicy squid.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Road 13 Castle Vineyard Pinot Noir 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCool peppery, chocolate, tobacco, dried cherry, floral, worsteshire, liquorice rhubarb aromas. Very dry and elegant but lean and somewhat tart palate with some light, astringent tannins. Rhubarb, sour cherry, chocolate, cedar, tobacco, leafy flavours. Needs some time to soften and more fruit.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Gérard Bertrand Terroir Saint Chinian Syrah Mourvèdre 2010
St Chinian, Coteaux du Languedoc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceJuicy black cherry, black plum, smoky, peppery, savoury aromas with liquorice and roasted meat aromas. Rich, full, round, fresh palate with some light tannins. The entry is round and warm with black cherry jam, plum, sausage meat, peppery, savoury, tobacco, tea leaf, chocolate, vanilla and sage flavours. A rich red with big, juicy fruit and light tannins. Drink now and over the next few years. Continued fine quality and value.Prices:| BC | $21.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Castaño Monastrell 2011
Yecla, Valencia and Murcia, SpainFloral, cedar, perfumed plum nose with chocolate, pepper and liquorice root aromas. Fresh, juicy, slightly lean palate with light astringency and more plum, black cherry, chocolate, peppery, resin, cedar flavours all with some astringency and tartness on the finish. Best with hamburgers and other grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $12.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Castaño Hécula 2009
Yecla, Valencia and Murcia, SpainSmoky, meaty, black cherry, liquorice root, cedar, leather aromas. Dry, fresh, somewhat lean and astringent palate with peppery, rooty, chocolate, cedar, resin, dried plum and menthol flavours with a slightly bitter note. Best with food.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $17.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $17.50 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
84PTS
Lujuria 2011
Yecla, Valencia and Murcia, SpainEarthy, black cherry, peppery, rubbery, smoky, meaty, floral. Dry, lean, somewhat tart palate with plum, red cherry, tobacco, cedar, peppery, rooty flavours. Your basic barbecue red.Prices:| BC | $10.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Beringer Knights Valley Meritage 2009
Knights Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesSpicy, chocolate, cedar, resin, earthy, sausage aromas. Round, soft, somewhat sweet palate with blackberry, peppery, spicy, chocolate flavours and a fresh finish. A bit sweet and sour on the finish but good juicy fruit.Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Tinhorn Creek 2Bench Oldfield Collection Red 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoky, peppery, leather, barnyard, black cherry, cedar, coffee, balsamic, cigar aromas. Round, smooth, fresh palate with light tannins. Balsamic, leather, meaty, peppery, licorice root, cedar, tobacco, coffee, rosemary and cranberry flavours. Finish has some vanilla, menthol and chocolate with some gripp-y tannins to shed. Could use 2-3 years to round out.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Fort Berens 23 Camels White 2011
British Columbia, CanadaFresh green apple, pear, floral nose with stony, light butter and nutty lees aromas. Fresh, round, juicy, off-dry palate with more honey, pear, red apple, lees, butter and quince flavours. There is solid fruit here and balance for the money. It is a bit austere but should be find with most Asian fare.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
82PTS
Fort Berens 23 Camels Red 2011
British Columbia, CanadaCrushed leaf, green olive, tobacco leaf and cool cranberry aromas. Dry, lean, tart entry with similar flavours and a bit of rhubarb and chocolate. A simple, skinny red that is just a bit too unripe for our liking.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Fort Berens Meritage 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe latest FB Meritage is another step up the notch for winemaker Rolf de Bruin and puts a spotlight on the Lillooet meso-climate. There is a freshness and blance to this wine that I like and with 65 percent merlot some built in drinkability and softness that has appeal. The nose and palate mix black fruits, with a savoury edge but all in all a ripeness plus acidity and smoothness that makes it food friendly. Well done and fair value. Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Ruffino Il Ducale 2009
Tuscany, ItalyMeaty, peppery, leather, prune, black cherry, menthol, dried rosemary aromas. Round, dry, somewhat tart entry with light tannins. Smoky, roast meat, peppery, cedar, coffee, black cherry, medicinal flavours. Very warm, somewhat rustic finish.Prices:| ON | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $23.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $23.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Laughing Stock Vineyards Portfolio +15/10 2010
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe flagship Laughing Stock red opens with chocolate, vanilla, menthol, and savoury, sage notes flecked with cool-climate peppery, cassis, tobacco leaf and cranberry aromas. The attack is dry, fresh and round with a slightly tart palate and light tannins. It was a cool year. More cool coffee, coconut, chocolate, cranberry, cassis, orange peel, herbal, and cedar, vanilla flavours mark the palate. The finish is warm with some astringency to shed. The oak is dominant rat the moment and that and a cool year suggests that you will need to be patient before it settles down.Prices:| BC | $42.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
05 January 2013
88PTS
M. Chapoutier Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Rouge 2011
Côtes du Roussillon Villages, Roussillon, Sud de France, FranceIt opens with floral, liquorice root, savoury, black cherry aromas with bits of smoky herb and spice. The attack is smooth, the palate juicy with plum, black cherry, liquorice, gamey, smoky, peppery, savoury flavours. A warm finish but with excellent fruit and texture with some finesse. You can drink this now or over the next two to three years. Continued fine value from this Roussillon red made with bio-dynamically grown fruit.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.35 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
80PTS
Jam Jar Sweet Shiraz 2011
Western Cape, South AfricaA strange red that opens with a strongly reductive, baked earth and rubber nose and follows that up with an off the charts sweet, sugary, palate of raspberries and pine needles. The finish and this is a red wine folks, is cloying. Lord help the wine industry if this is our future. Try this with screamingly spicy food.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
83PTS
Layer Cake Malbec 2008
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaIntense rubbery reductive nose sits over the black fruit and tobacco leaf aromas. The entry is soft and sweet but with more rubbery, black cherry notes all with soft tannins and a warm finish. This wine will need plenty of aeration to be of much use and even then it may be futile.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $23.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Finca Los Primos Syrah 2011
San Rafael, General Alvear, Southern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBright clean nose, Flichman seems to have effectively dealt any reductive notes from the screwcap or syrah. The attack is floral and with sweet black plummy fruit with spicy meaty highlights. The flavours are a bit sweet and sour but at this price the wine over delivers. Pair it with hamburgers or other simply prepared barbecued meats. Fine value.Prices:| BC | $11.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
03 January 2013
88PTS
Argiolas Costamolino Vermentino di Sardegna 2011
Sardinia, ItalyIt's hard not to like a white with a fragrant guava, floral, ginger nose spiked with quince, pear and chalk. The attack is ripe, round and fat but the palate is juicy with chalky, lemon, quince, honey, pear, ginger and butter flavours. Each year this wine delivers a consistently ripe fruit style. Try this with pan seared, lightly-spiced calamari. Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.40 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Villa Matilde Falanghina 2011
Campania, ItalyFloral, honey, guava, pear, citrus, creamy, peach aromas. Fresh, juicy, full, slightly austere palate with pear, quince, lemon, almond, honey and apricot flavours with a touch of butter and grapefruit on the finish. Good intensity if a bit short.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Fazi Battaglia Titulus Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico 2011
Marche, ItalyButter, nutty, baked pear, earthy, lemon, floral aromas. Round, dry, full but soft palate with lemon, earthy, nutty, spicy, baked pear and quince flavours. Solid concentration but seems to lack fruit freshness with the cork closure.Prices:| NB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $13.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Marotti Campi Luzano Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico 2011
Ancona, Marche, ItalyVerdicchio originated in the Marche and the Marotti Campi folks have been growing it since the 19th century. Expect a ripe buttery, cashew, pear/guava nose that previews a round, creamy, soft palate with a touch of sweetness. More ripe guava, honey, baked pear, cashew, spicy, quince and butter flavours mark the palate. The finish is typically austere or sparse but it has enough ripe fruit and concentration to easily work with scallops or grilled halibut.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Fabiano Le Coste Soave 2010
Soave, Verona, Veneto, ItalyRipe pear, honey, bruised apple, butter and nutty lees aromas. Fresh, juicy, dry palate but creamy with very nutty, leesy, buttery, pear flavours. Finish is a bit tired and unclean. The winery is still using an old style artificial cork which only appears to be adding to the wine's distress.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.25 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Township 7 Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPassion fruit, grapefruit, gooseberry, floral, matchstick, cooked pear aromas with a bit of lemon nettle. Fresh, juicy, slightly austere palate with lemon, canned grapefruit, grassy, nettle, and canned asparagus flavours. The finish is a touch bitter and warm but with plenty of flavour intensity. Try this with fresh steamed mussels.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
ViVi Falanghina 2011
Campania, ItalyPear, honey, floral, matchstick, spicy, lemon, minty, almond aromas. Very fresh, dry, slightly austere palate with lemon oil, floral, pear, spicy lees, grassy, citrus rind flavours. Has intensity and the will to vivi (to live) but it's a bit to tart and chalky on the finish to sip solo. Try this with linguine vongole.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Tenuta Sant'Antonio Scaia Garganega Chardonnay 2011
Veneto, ItalyBig sweaty grapefruit rind, spicy, waxy, lemon, peach skin, nettle and butter aromas with a bit of matchstick. Fresh, juicy, crisp but full palate with grapefruit rind, quince, lemon, canned pineapple, lees and ginger flavours. A lot of intensity here but pretty unusual with the grapefruit character.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
83PTS
Mapu Reserva Sauvignon Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Region del Valle Central, ChileGrassy, weedy, nettle, grapefruit, tobacco aromas. Full, round, soft palate with nettle, cooked grapefruit, weedy, canned bell pepper flavours with a bitter herb finish. Vegetative without much appeal.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Blue Mountain Pinot Gris 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVery floral, baked pear, apple skin, butter, flinty, matchstick, spicy, ginger aromas. Fresh, dry, juicy, slightly austere palate with nettle, honey, grapefruit, spicy, herbal, lemon and lees flavours with a touch of butter. Very pure and tight style that should improve in bottle.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $27.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Blue Mountain Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLove the open bright grassy, nettle, grapefruit nose here flecked with lemon and light passion fruit aromas. The palate is dry, fresh and juicy with more lemon, grassy, nettle, bell pepper and grapefruit flavours. A sauvignon with elegance, excellent vibrancy and balance to pair with lighter fish dishes. One of the best sauvignon styles we have tasted in the valley is a mix of 70 percent fermented in stainless steel and 30 per cent barrel fermented.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Rocky Creek Pinot Gris 2011
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaThe 2011 boasts a light gold colour that previews a ripe nose laced with honey, pear, baked apple, litchi and butter aromas. The attack is dry and fresh but the palate is rich with pear skin, ripe apple, quince, litchi, chalky/lemon flavours. Attractive ripe fruit and a very solid effort with intensity. Well done and all with a distinctly Vancouver Island bent.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
83PTS
Farnese Trebbiano d'Abruzzo 2011
Abruzzo, ItalySkinny spicy, lemon, ginger, nutty nose with chalky, baked pear and grapefruit aromas. The attack is dry, fresh and juicy but the palate is lean with grapefruit, lees, grassy, nettle, resin flavours with a tart, green finish. Needs food to sing.Prices:| BC | $10.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $10.60 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
02 January 2013
90PTS
Chateau de la Gardine Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc Cuvée des Générations Marie-Léoncie Vieilles Vignes 2009
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceThe white la Gardine is an 80/15/5 mix of roussanne, clairette and bourboulenc aged 10 months in new barriques. The colour is light gold the nose an advanced mix of guava, orange peel, honey and ginger with floral, nutty, vanilla butter, honeysuckle notes. The attack is round and oily with candied ginger, butter, guava, baked pear flavours with bits of quince and cinnamon. A big, ripe, warmer style that is drinking well now.Prices:| BC | $85.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Edna Valley Paragon Chardonnay 2009
Edna Valley, San Luis Obispo County, Central Coast, California, United StatesBig buttery, vanilla, lees, baked pear and apple aromas with some peach and guava notes. Fresh, juicy, round palate with vanilla, spicy lees, peach, honey, butter and guava flavours. A solid, riper style with good fruit balance for immediate drinking.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Château Gaudrelle Vouvray 2011
Vouvray, Touraine, Loire, FranceA first for this in screwcap. Honey, lees, apple skin, baked pear, grassy, oatmeal aromas with a bit of matchstick. Fresh, crisp, juicy but slightly sweet entry with citrus, baked green apple, honey, guava, grapefruit and nettle flavours. Crisp and juicy with the sweetness to balance sushi or spicy Asian food.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $23.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
83PTS
Beringer Founders' Estate Merlot 2010
California, United StatesPrune, cedar, tobacco, earthy, mint, leafy compost aromas. Round, tart, edgy palate with cedar, chocolate, prune, resin, licorice, balsamic flavours with some light, chalky tannins on the tart, hot finish.Prices:| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Tinhorn Creek Merlot 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBarnyard, leather, prune, dill, tobacco, cherry and herb aromas with a bit of chocolate. Dry, fresh, smooth palate with light tannins. Cedar, chocolate, prune, meaty, leather, tobacco and herb flavours. A bit tart and pruny but should be just fine with food some grilled chicken or duck. Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Tinhorn Creek Oldfield Series Merlot 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBalsamic, prune, leather, black cherry, barnyard, coffee, menthol, olive aromas. Dry, round, full, balanced palate with some tannin. Savoury, poultry spice, licorice, black cherry, balsamic, meaty, barnyard, leather, prune and coffee flavours. Has complexity but it is prickly and warm on the finish. Best with grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
83PTS
Cono Sur Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Region del Valle Central, ChileCompost, caraway, carrot top, coffee grind, barnyard, savoury herbal aromas. Light, tart, somewhat chalky palate with olive, dill, cassis, riparian, caraway, meaty, tobacco leaf, coffee grind and cedar flavours. Warm, somewhat tart finish.Prices:| BC | $9.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
84PTS
Cono Sur Merlot 2011
Region del Valle Central, ChileMenthol, olive brine, dill, spicy, leather, cedar, resin aromas. Somewhat tart, chalky palate with chocolate, tobacco leaf, herbal, stemmy, resin, rooty, prune flavours. Finish is quite tart and stewed but green.Prices:| BC | $11.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $10.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $13.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Blasted Church Holy Moly 2008
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPrune, raisin, barnyard, animal, balsamic, dried cherry, Christmas cake aromas. Dry, lean, somewhat hard palate with chalky tannins. Balsamic, coffee, peppery, savory, tobacco, dried cherry, dark chocolate, inky flavours. Very dry, lean and austere finish. The fruit is a bit too overripe.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
83PTS
Marcus James Malbec 2011
Mendoza, ArgentinaSavoury, peppery, rooty, tobacco leaf, coffee cube, balsamic aromas. Dry, tart, thin, warm palate with liquorice, peppery, rooty, tobacco, smoky, prune, cherry and cedar flavours. Tart and lacking overall fruit not to mention charm.Prices:| BC | $10.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
80PTS
Woodbridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
California, United StatesResin, prune, dried cedar bark, rooty, compost and barnyard aromas. Round, soft, slightly sweet palate with cedar, resin, hemp, coffee, prune, compost and stewed herbs. There is no joy here.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $25.00 | 1500ml |
Read Full Note
82PTS
Mapu Reserva Merlot 2011
ChilePeppery, stemmy, menthol, riparian, earthy aromas. Soft, dry but tart and skinny with cedar, resin, prune, earthy, tobacco leaf, chocolate bar flavours. Not much to enjoy here.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
83PTS
Farnese Sangiovese Daunia 2011
Puglia, ItalyBarnyard, earthy, rubber, peppery, meaty, balsamic, black cherry aromas. Smooth, round, acidic palate with earthy, meaty, balsamic, tobacco, olive and herb flavours with a bitter, animal, leather finish. Off the mark this year.Prices:| BC | $10.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $12.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Kanazawa Nomu 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen floral, spicy, ginger, honey nose with grassy, green apple, nectarine skin aromas. Round, fresh, soft palate with honey, floral, green apple, pear and quince flavours. Nice fruit and balance just need a touch more acidity and juiciness. It is ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Terravista Figaro Roussanne Viognier Marsanne 2011
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaInviting fresh honey, floral, ginger aromas with bits of nectarine, guava and citrus/grassy notes. The attack is crisp, dry and elegant on the palate with apple skin, pear, ginger, spicy, butter, quince and grapefruit flavours. This vintage is a bit more austere at the moment but would be fine with any number of seafood dishes.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Chateau Grand Renom Blanc 2011
Bordeaux, FranceGrassy grapefruit rind, passion fruit, nettle and canned jalapeno aromas mark the nose. The entry is dry and tight, the palate fresh with more nettle, grassy, lime rind, grapefruit rind, seashell and butter flavours with a pinch of asparagus in the finish. Definitely on the austere side. Serve with fresh seafood to best effect.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
01 January 2013
88PTS
Burrowing Owl Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBarrel-aged sauvignon from the Similkameen is a welcomed new label at Burrowing Owl. Cool and crisp the fresh, tropical fruit notes mixed with passion fruit seems a bit stunned by the oaked but otherwise the first edition is up to scratch. The palate is dry and textured with zingy zesty lemony fruit with a dusting of minerality and more toasted oak notes. Another year in bottle will likely help this white pull it all together. Drink in the summer of 2014 with creamy seafood dishes.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $29.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Henry's Drive Vignerons 'M' Reserve Shiraz 2008
Padthaway, South Australia, AustraliaThe Reserve Shiraz 'M" is dedicated to Kim Longbottom's husband and partner Mark who dies in 2008. The new wines are made by Rene Hirsch and seemingly a great deal of discussion and work with Kim. "M" is one hundred per cent shiraz grown on a single vineyard site owned by the family and spends 18 to 20 months in 75 per cent French oak that is 55 per cent new. The nose is a powerful expression of shiraz, the flavours big and bright with white pepper, blueberry fruit, bits of chocolate all wrapped up in a savoury Limestone Coast jacket. The textures are opulent, the fruit sweet and hedonistic. This was made for a leg of lamb swathed in rosemary and garlic.Prices:| US | $50.00 | 750ml |
| Australia | $55.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Henry's Drive Vignerons Parson's Flat Shiraz Cabernet 2008
Padthaway, South Australia, AustraliaThe 68/32 shiraz/cabernet sauvignon blend is a nod to tradition. Parson's Flat is crafted along the fragrant, ripe fruit, cedar/cigar box red that need not dominate the palate but rather play the role of the seamless, well blended red you can drink with dinner. The blend is that is aged in a 60/40 mix of American/French oak and is ready to drink.Prices:| ON | $30.00 | 750ml |
| Australia | $30.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Henry's Drive Vignerons The Trial of John Monford Cabernet Shiraz 2007
Padthaway, South Australia, AustraliaFifteen year old vines are the backbone of this fragrant, floral lifted red fruit nose flecked with oregano. The wine gets a lengthy maceration of up to 5 weeks and then spends another 14 months wood most of which (80%) is French and forty percent of that is new. The attack is ripe and sweet with intense, savoury, cedar-y, blueberry fruit and along well-blanced finish. A cool-styled red for grilled meats.Prices:| Australia | $30.00 | 750ml |
| US | $35.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Henry's Drive Vignerons Dead Letter Office Shiraz 2008
Padthaway, South Australia, AustraliaThis is cool climate red with bitter chocolate undertones. A blend of Padthaway and McLaren Vale fruit you can expect a soft ripe attack, with showy American oak and vanilla. This is a somewhat rambunctious, juicy, hedonistic shiraz that is ripe and easy sipping with well managed tannins that present a firm dry finish. Try this with beef ribs or grilled lamb chops.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $24.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Henry's Drive Vignerons The Scarlett Letter N/V Sparkling Shiraz 2009
Padthaway, South Australia, AustraliaA light bright floral style sparkling red with plenty of aromatic lift on the nose and palate. Simple style that is fresh and easy drinking. Downunder it's a hit with turkey but you might considered it for most meat pizzas here in the northern hemisphere.Prices:| Australia | $18.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Henry's Drive Vignerons Pillar Box Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Padthaway, South Australia, AustraliaBig leafy smoky almost Coonawarra-like nose although they say Padthaway ripens two weeks earlier. The attack is quite acidic with more leafy spicy, brambly red fruit flavours. Just a bit too cool and skinny for us with some tannin to dissipate yet. Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Henry's Drive Vignerons Pillar Box Rosé 2012
Padthaway, South Australia, AustraliaDelicious lively, fresh, red-fruited rosé with hints of liquorice, pomegranate and candied dried herbs. Love the crisp clean textures and the sheer pleasure this delivers in the mouth all with a miniscule 1.8 percent residual sugar. Drink all summer on the patio with lighter summer fare. The blend is 72/28 sangiovese and cabernet franc. The franc was fermented in older barrels to add a whisper of complexity. Well done.Prices:| Australia | $18.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Henry's Drive Vignerons Pillar Box Reserve Shiraz 2009
Padthaway, South Australia, AustraliaThe Reserve Shiraz is big and blousy with a cool savoury attack of red fruits, plums and floral notes that carry onto the palate. There is some acidity pushing through but the textures are dense with bits of cedar, rhubarb and plums in the finish. The wine is aged in mostly French oak for 12 months after which the best lots are pulled together to make the reserve. It is more on the elegant style with a minty, floral, finish. Drink through 2015.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $26.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Henry's Drive Vignerons Pillar Box Red 2010
Padthaway, South Australia, AustraliaThe Pillar Box Red, named after the postal boxes in Oz, is a 68/27/5 mix of shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and merlot from 40 separate blocks of Padthaway vineyards. The wine is aged for a year in Mostly French oak. Look for a juicy style with dried herbs and mint mixed with liquorice, pepper cedar and blueberry fruit flavours. It is a very friendly, soft, dense, fruity style that should have wide appeal. Try this with beef or lamb kabobs.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $19.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Henry's Drive Vignerons The Morse Code Shiraz 2010
Padthaway, South Australia, AustraliaThe style is fruit driven hence the minimal use of oak. Expect a ripe savoury nose with bits of mint and plummy fruit all with some acidity and freshness pushing through the finish. The palate is mid weight and soft with more eucalyptus and thin red fruits. Ready to drink and best with grilled chicken or a pre-dinner charcuterie plate.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $15.50 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Henry's Drive Vignerons The Morse Code Chardonnay 2011
Padthaway, South Australia, AustraliaThis is simple stuff. Well made fresh and clean with pure chardonnay fruit flecked with citrus and pear fruit and a hint of nuts and vanilla in the finish. Try this with fish tacos or a chicken salad. The fruit is sourced from the Longbottom family Padthaway vineyards that boast red, loamy soil over limestone. A part of the wine is naturally fermented in new French oak and some 30 percent is matured on lees with battonage for four months for texture and mouthfeel. It's a serous amount of work for such an inexpensive wine. Good value.Prices:| Australia | $12.00 | 750ml |
| US | $11.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.50 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Henry's Drive Vignerons The Postmistress Blanc de Blanc 2010
Padthaway, South Australia, AustraliaA fun style bubble that is long on 100 per cent chardonnay fruit and freshness and closed with a crown cap. The fruit comes of a single site in Padthaway. Look for a refreshing style bubble with fresh Granny Smith apple fruit with a touch of brioche. Love the purity and precision here of this unpretentious but well-crafted sparkling wine. OZ 18 winery direct, US 21Prices:| Australia | $18.00 | 750ml |
| US | $21.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Farnese Primitivo 2010
Puglia, ItalyIntense in a rustic manner with floral, black plum jam and liquorice aromas. The attack is supple, with more sweet black fruit with light tannins and earthy, floral rooty liquorice, black cherry fruit. A solid if simple spaghetti red for mid-week. Good value.Prices:| BC | $11.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
February 2013