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Tastings: February 2013
24 February 2013
89PTS
Blue Mountain Gold Label Brut NV
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaStill the standard among BC bubble producers beginning with its attractive nose of brioche, baked pear, green apple and nutty citrus notes followed by a dry, earthy, peach pit, green apple, pear and lemon/honey flavours. A classy well-crafted bubble with a fresh, delicate cool style made for food. The latest mix is 57% Pinot Noir, 37% Chardonnay and 6% Pinot Gris all made using the traditional méthode champenoise. It is stored 24 months in glass, disgorged and kept another six to nine months before release.Prices:| BC | $31.90 | 750ml |
| AB | $36.85 | 750ml |
| ON | $28.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Schug Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2010
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, United StatesSpicy, carrot top, earthy, tobacco leaf, strawberry, celery salt, coffee aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy, suave palate with celery root, carrot, orange peel, tobacco, earthy, coffee, compost and cherry flavours. A bit young, should improve over the next year or two but good pinot complexity in a slightly cooler style.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $27.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Schug Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2009
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, United StatesLight smoky, celery root, earthy, tobacco, compost, cherry, spicy aromas. Fresh, smooth, suave, ripe palate with cherry, spicy, licorice, coffee, saddle leather, tobacco, compost and herb flavours. A simple easy drinking style but with fine texture and flavours.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $27.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Schug Pinot Noir Carneros 2009
Carneros, Sonoma County, California, United StatesLiquorice, black cherry, plum, compost, earthy, tobacco, spicy aromas. Round, dry, elegant, delicate and velvety palate with soft acidity. Earthy, licorice, black cherry, vanilla, celery root, tobacco and coffee flavours. Not as fruity as expected but warm and luscious for immediate drinking.Prices:| BC | $37.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $36.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Pine Ridge Forefront Pinot Noir 2011
San Luis Obispo County, Central Coast, California, United StatesSavoury, coffee, strawberry jam aromas flecked with menthol, tobacco, carrot, dried raspberry and compost notes. Expect a juicy, round palate with raspberry, orange peel, spicy, vanilla, coffee, carrot, compost flavours. It finishes warm and tart with some jammy notes but a forward, attractive style with some light tannin on the finish. The fruit is a 78/22 of San Luis Obispo and Monterrey Counties.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $34.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Ridge Three Valleys 2010
Sonoma County, California, United StatesBig fruity, jammy nose with black raspberry jam, orange compote, peppery, licorice, spicy, briar, blackberry aromas with some root and twig notes. Dry, fresh, slightly tart palate with light tannins that lead into black raspberry, briar, orange peel, plummy, liquorice flavours. It has fine fruit intensity but finishes with some youthful rusticity. Needs some time in bottle or serve now with lamb stew.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $30.00 | 750ml |
| US | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $28.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $30.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $29.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $31.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Bergevin Lane Syrah Barrel Select 2006
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesIntense blackberry jam, vanilla, meaty, liquorice aromas with savoury, celery salt, rooty, chocolate notes. The attack is fresh, dry and full, the palate elegant with light tannins. Very savoury, celery salt, vanilla, dark chocolate, peppery, tobacco, smoked meat, liquorice root and leather flavours. The finish is warm but with fine extract and overall balance. Drink now or keep for 2-3 years to age the brooding dark tea tannins.Prices:| BC | $85.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Sequel Syrah 2009
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesBig smoked meat, peppery, rooty, liquorice, tobacco, saddle leather, black tea, blackberry, waxy, vanilla aromas. Rich, full, soft, round palate but dry silky tannins. Rich dark chocolate, roast meat, peppery, tobacco, garrigue, blackberry jam, savoury, chocolate flavours. Super concentration and intensity in what is a very youthful bottle of syrah. Try now with lamb, of cellar three to five years.Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
| US | $45.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $78.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $85.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $75.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $62.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Santa Rita Chardonnay 120 2011
Region del Valle Central, ChileReliable if unspectacular I do appreciate the leaner style here. There's only a small amount of barrel fermented juice used in the 120 to add texture but the story is mostly crisp fresh peach and tropical fruit flavours. Still good value in an affordable chardonnay you can serve all week with chicken and fish.Prices:| AB | $11.50 | 750ml |
| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $13.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Concannon Syrah Reserve 2008
Livermore County, Alameda County, California, United StatesCool peppery, tobacco, blackberry, spicy, liquorice nose with briary, inky aromas. Very fresh, slightly sweet entry with light tannins and elevated acidity. More black cherry, coffee, pepper, tobacco, earth and slightly meaty, briary, cocoa flavours. Best with food to show the fruit and cocoa.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Concannon Conservancy Chardonnay 2011
Livermore County, Alameda County, California, United StatesFloral, red apple, peach, honey, orange, butter aromas. Ripe, fresh, juicy, elegant but somewhat sweet palate with buttery, lees, baked apple, honey, nutty, baked peach flavours. Easy drinking, buttery round style. Try this with crab or lobster.Prices:| AB | $15.95 | 750ml |
| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Concannon Chardonnay Reserve 2010
Livermore County, Alameda County, California, United StatesBig leesy, buttery, vanilla, baked apple, cream, honey aromas. Fat, round, oily palate with a bit of sweetness. Very nutty, vanilla, lees, butterscotch, baked apple, honey flavours. Very heavy, old oaky style.Prices:| AB | $15.95 | 750ml |
| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Concannon Captain Joe's Petite Sirah 2008
Livermore County, Alameda County, California, United StatesBlack cherry, plum jam, peppery, floral nose with meaty, peppery, coconut, vanilla and coffee aromas. The attack is fresh the palate smooth with light tannins. Juicy with black cherry jam, smoky oak, vanilla, coconut, liquorice, resin, chocolate and savoury flavours. Very ripe, slightly raisined finish but lots of intensity. Try this with you favourite grilled steak.Prices:| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Concannon Conservancy Petite Sirah 2009
Livermore County, Alameda County, California, United StatesBig peppery, inky, liquorice root, cedar, savoury, tobacco and dried herb aromas. Very fresh, slightly astringent, full palate with blackberry, briar, smoky, peppery, licorice, tobacco, black raspberry and herb flavours. Solid if somewhat tart in the back end. Best with grilled meats.Prices:| QC | $21.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Andretti Selections Chardonnay 2011
California, United StatesFresh citrus, green apple, light butter and honey aromas. Round, full, somewhat sweet and oily palate with solid acidity. Buttery, honey, grapefruit, baked green apple and orange flavours. Simple, attractive consumer style.Prices:| AB | $26.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Ruffino Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale (Tan Label) 2008
Tuscany, ItalyThe Riserva Ducale is an 80/20 mix of sangiovese mixed with cabernet sauvignon and merlot grown at the Gretole and Santedame estate. The wine spends 20 days on skins before it is aged for two year in 40/80 hl. oak barrels, stainless-steel and concrete vats. The 08 is an excellent version with fragrant floral nose. The palate is a mix of violets, plums and stony red fruits with spice, dried herbs and tobacco. You could easily cellar this another five years or serve now with lamb dishes.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $27.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $30.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $35.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $39.00 | 750ml |
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20 February 2013
89PTS
Chateau d'Armajan des Ormes Sauternes 2007
Sauternes, Graves, Bordeaux, FranceSpicy, floral, honey, baked peach, light egg yolk, baked grapefruit rind and vanilla aromas. Ripe, round, fresh but soft palate with baked pear, honey, warm peach, vanilla, spicy floral and grapefruit flavours. Finish shows better acidity and balance than the initial entry suggests. Drink now.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 375ml |
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86PTS
Torres De Casta Rosé 2012
Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainFloral, candied apple, tobacco leaf, cherry aromas. Fresh, round, easy palate with grapefruit, cherry, baked apple and tobacco flavours. Solid, juicy style with some fruit. Drink all summer.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $13.50 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Torres Sangre de Toro Rosé 2012
Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainSpicy, floral, grapefruit, cherry, light candied apple aromas. Fresh, juicy, off dry palate with cherry, tobacco leaf, liquorice, grapefruit and baked apple. Fresh and simple.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $13.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $9.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Miguel Torres Santa Digna Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé Reserva 2012
Region del Valle Central, ChileBlack olive, tobacco, earthy, grapefruit, light herbal aromas. Fresh, juicy but sweet entry with tobacco, leafy, olive, dill, sour cherry flavours with a canned, sweet grapefruit finish. A simple commercial pink with a bit too much green for us.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $10.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
M. Chapoutier Beaurevoir Tavel 2011
Tavel, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceCherry, floral, tobacco, spicy, earthy aromas. Dry, round, full palate with good acidity, Coffee, cherry, tobacco, liquorice, spicy, earthy, rhubarb flavours. Good fruit and intensity with some length and balance. A serious style made for food.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $26.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $23.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Rosewood Estates Mima's Block Riesling 2011
Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaLight lemon oil, lime, green apple, floral, guava. Fresh, crisp, dryer palate with grapefruit rind, lime, guava, granny smith apple and light lees flavours. A bit stark and rindy but needs a year or two perhaps.Prices:| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Rosewood Estates Natalie's Sussreserve Riesling 2010
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaFloral, guava, grassy, green apple, honey, baked citrus aromas. Round, soft, off-dry palate but a bit steely. Leesy, spicy, baked apple, honey, nettle and bitter lime flavours. Solid but not electric.Prices:| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Tscharke Barossa Gold Marananga Shiraz 2011
Marananga, Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaReductive nose with earthy, sausage meat, rubber, pepper and savoury aromas. Juicy, slightly tart palate with a hint of sweetness. Blackberry, tobacco leaf, peppery, rubber, savoury, coffee, prune flavours. Finish is very warm and a bit tart. Needs splash decanting to get to the fruit.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Yalumba Organic Shiraz 2011
South Australia, AustraliaAttractive clean peppery, blackberry, black cherry jam, and liquorice scented red with mincemeat aromas and a floral hint. It has a fresh, juicy, elegant palate with orange peel, licorice, peppery, savoury, blackberry, tobacco and meat flavours. A ripe, warm, juicy style for lamb and duck. Suitable for both vegans and vegetarians.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Rolling Shiraz 2010
Central Ranges, New South Wales, AustraliaStrong meaty, sausage, rubbery, reduced nose with some pepper and savoury, poultry spice notes. Fresh, juicy, somewhat sweet and sour palate with light tannins. More peppery, sausage meat, rubber, blackberry, resin and cedar flavours. A screw cap red that needs serious splash decanting.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Groom Shiraz 2008
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaBlueberry, blackberry, coffee, smoky, prune, liquorice, tar aromas. Round, smooth, warm palate with light tannins. Coffee, vanilla, smoky, resin, tobacco, peppery, blackberry jam and prune flavours. Full and very warm with some light tannin to shed on the finish. This should be best over the next five years.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Groom Shiraz 2009
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaBlackberry, spicy, appealing savoury, pepper and liquorice nose with vanilla, meaty, tobacco and balsamic aromas. Ripe, round and fresh without being acidic there are light, supple tannins under the smoky, peppery, savoury, vanilla, chocolate, meaty, blueberry jam and blackberry and liquorice flavours. A fine ripe Barossa style with excellent fruit and concentration. This needs two or more three years to develop in bottle but you can drink it now with a piece of lamb.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Groom Shiraz 2010
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaOpen savoury, peppery, meaty, licorice root, dried herbs, blackberry, tobacco and vanilla aromas. Fresh, juicy, dry, slightly tannic palate but good concentration. Poultry spicy, orange peel, meaty, licorice, dark chocolate, blackberry jam. Very ripe but also a bit more angular and youthful, needs 2-3 years to integrate and soften.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Backyard Vineyards Gewurztraminer 2011
British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, floral, nectarine, green apple, light honey and soap aromas. Fresh, round, off dry style with baked apple, floral, spicy, grapefruit, light lychee flavours. A bit flat but with solid fruit. A good work in progress. Try this with your favourite curry.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Synchromesh Riesling Storm Haven Vineyard 2011
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAttractive floral, slate, green apple aromas with light smoky petrol, lemon highlights. Fresh, delicate, juicy, off dry palate with lemon oil, spicy, Vaseline, green apple, nectarine skin flavours. There is fine acidity-sweetness balance with some delicacy and length to add to the picture. Huge potential here to make a great wine every year.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Synchromesh Pinot Noir Rosé Palo Solara Vineyards 2011
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight tobacco leaf, rhubarb, carrot top, sour cherry aromas. Dry, juicy, slightly austere palate with more sour cherry notes, tobacco leaf, herbal, carrot flavours. A serious style that is just a bit off kilter.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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19 February 2013
91PTS
Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling Spätlese 2011
Mosel, GermanyLime, floral, honey, peach, light guava, green apple, lees and slate aromas. Ripe, round, creamy, juicy palate that is moderately sweet but elegant and vibrant with good acidity. Green apple, slate, lime, honey, nectarine, spicy guava flavours. Good persistence and very good acid-sugar balance with delicacy.Prices:| BC | $39.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Selbach-Oster Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling Kabinett 2011
Mosel, GermanyEnticing smoky slate, green apple, nectarine, floral, orange, lime and matchstick aromas. Ripe, fresh, juicy, creamy, concentrated palate with good acidity and Mosel light and sweetness balance. Nectarine, orange, red apple, slate, creamy, spicy, honey flavours. Lots of fruit and juiciness here with a bit more sweetness from the excellent ripe vintage. Super bottle.Prices:| BC | $33.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Selbach-Oster Pinot Blanc (Weissburgunder) 2010
Mosel, GermanyFresh pear, butter and baked apple aromas with a whiff of earth. The attack is crisp and juicy palate with spicy, earthy, fresh green apple, baked pear and butter flavours. Good juicy, drier food style that opens up myriad food possibilities. Love the price.Prices:| BC | $17.50 | 750ml |
| SK | $16.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Perseus Invictus 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaClassic cabernet-dominated BC blend with tobacco leaf, briar, cassis, cranberry, smoky, resin, black olive aromas. The palate is fresh, dry and elegant with light tannins and a roasted bell pepper, smoky coffee, resin, cranberry/cassis flavours with bits of menthol, tobacco leaf, canned olive and tomato puree. More oak and dried herbs round out the finish. Cellar for five years or drink now with grilled meat dishes.Prices:| BC | $33.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
If You See Kay Red Wine 2010
Lazio, ItalyInteresting black cherry, cassis jam, cocoa, liquorice, balsamic nose with coffee, menthol aroma but not remotely Italian. Round, smooth, soft, slightly sweet and flat palate with tobacco leaf, cassis, cocoa, coffee, menthol, resin and balsamic, vanilla flavours. A concocted/confected New World style that will appeal to that segment who like weight, power, ripeness and alcohol. We see Kay but we don't get her.Prices:| BC | $34.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Backyard Vineyards Meritage 2010
British Columbia, CanadaAnother cool peppery, cranberry, cassis, herbal, tobacco leaf nose. Round, dry, smooth palate with light tannins. Smoky, herbal, peppery, vanilla, cedar, coffee, cranberry and meat flavours. A solid effort but too oaky with toasted caramel notes showing through the fruit and generally lean finish.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Backyard Vineyards Nosey Neighbour Red 2011
British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, peppery, briar, tobacco leaf, cassis, rooty, carrot and olive aromas. Fresh, somewhat sweet and sour palate with some light, gritty tannins. Carrot, sour cherry, cranberry, tobacco leaf and green herb flavours. To cool for us.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Mezzomondo Negroamaro Puglia 2011
Puglia, ItalyPeppery, tobacco leaf, cherry, meaty, liquorice, herbal aromas. Round, dry, somewhat lean palate with black olive, tobacco leaf, carrot top, spicy, herbal, plum flavours. Simple barbecue red. Somewhat disappointing after previous editions.Prices:| BC | $10.00 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Synchromesh Tertre Rouge 2010
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCorked, try another.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Synchromesh Pinot Noir Palo Solara Vineyards 2011
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCarrot top, spicy, rooty, light raspberry, light barnyard, incense aromas. Dry, light, tart palate with carrot top, rooty, celery, herbal, tobacco leaf and pepper flavours with light, green tea tannins. Somewhat green and light, yes its pinot but there is work to be done here.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Lucky Penny Shiraz Cabernet Merlot 2010
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaSmoky, menthol, cedar, resin, blueberry, tea, and liquorice aromas. Fresh, somewhat tart and sweet entry with cedar, resin, tobacco leaf, coffee bean, blueberry and resin flavours with a smoky, bitter note. Your basic Oz red that speaks to why this category is going south fast.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Lucky Penny Chardonnay Viognier Pinot Grigio 2011
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaLight melon, baked apple, honey, butter, pear skin and grapefruit aromas. Fresh, juicy, slightly oily palate with a bit of sweetness. Grapefruit rind, melon, baked apple, butter with a flat, somewhat hollow finish. Simple basic, commercial white wine.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Periquita Reserva 2009
Vinho Regional Terras do Sado, Setúbal Peninsula, Central and Southern Portugal, PortugalRooty, resin, liquorice, coffee bean, dried herb aromas. Dry, somewhat lean and fresh with light body. Herbal, floral, plum, spicy, coffee cream flavours. Finish is somewhat flat and bitter. Very non-descript which surprise us given how appealing the regular label can be most years.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
MezzaCorona Pinot Grigio Vigneti delle Dolomiti 2011
Trentino- Alto-Adige, ItalyPear, quince, grapefruit, matchstick, light lees and lemon aromas. Fresh, dry, juicy, somewhat leaner style with lemon, lees, almond, earthy, pear skin flavours. Simple, fresh style ready to drink. Serve with assorted light seafood/pasta dishes. Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $15.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $15.00 | 750ml |
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18 February 2013
88PTS
Domaine Pierre Fil Cuvee Heledus Minervois 2010
Minervois, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceBlack liquorice, black cherry, smoky, floral, meaty, garrigue aromas with a hint of dark chocolate. Rich, round, smooth, fresh palate. Smoky, black cherry, plum jam, peppery, savoury, meaty, chocolate flavours with a dried herb and licorice finish. A bit alcoholic but with fine fruit and expression. Drink now and over the next two years. Solid value.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
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16 February 2013
89PTS
Schug Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Sonoma County, California, United StatesCalifornia sauvignon is often uninspiring but not this bottle. Walter Schug seems to understand the essence of freshness, minerality and electricity and he has all three running through this bottle. It's a blend of three sites: 56% Leveroni Vineyard; 33% Hi-Vista Vineyard; 11% Grossi Vineyard pick from September 26 through October 17. A mix of mostly sur-lie neutral wood fermented juice (84%) with a small stainless steel portion. Look for bright flavours of grapefruit, nectarine and lime with fresh acidity. Mussels, clams and summer salads would all be great pairings.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Fouassier Père et Fils Sancerre Les Romains 2011
Sancerre, Upper Loire, Loire, FranceThe 3.5ha Les Romains vineyard is over 25 year old and its clay over chalk subsoil known locally as "terres blanches" is the perfect base sauvignon grapes. Uncertified but essentially organic we like the pure floral notes on the nose mix with wet rock, chalk, minerality, bits of guava and grapefruit. The palate is similar with tastes of lemongrass, pear, green apple and honey. A wine made for West Coast seafood or with a simple piece of fresh chèvre.Prices:| BC | $32.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $24.00 | 750ml |
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15 February 2013
88PTS
Attems Pinot Grigio 2010
Friuli-Venezia Giulia, ItalyMost years this wine acquits itself well. The nose is always enticing mixing minerality, pears and spice with citrus and almonds. The fruit comes from an area between Collio and Isonzo in what was a good year for white wine. It is fermented and matured in stainless steel and barriques and exhibits ripe tropical fruit flavours that finish soft and round. Salads, seafood and rabbit are good choices.Prices:| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $28.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $25.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Tenuta Luce della Vite 2009
Montalcino, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyAt 350 to 420 metres the Luce estate is among Montalcino 's highest. The sangiovese likes the heights while the merlot is better placed in the clays at the lowest elevations. The 09 blend is 45/55 mix of sangiovese and merlot producing a low 32 hl/ha all age in new French oak. The nose is a classy aromatic mix of cedar, black berry, black cherry, savoury blueberry and pepper notes. The attack is rich, soft and generous with chocolate, tobacco, black berry, savoury, black plum flavours. A bit like the '09 Lucente this is more New World this year. Drink from 2015 through 2025.Prices:| BC | $99.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $94.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $100.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $99.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $500.00 | 1500ml |
| MB | $99.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $50.00 | 375ml |
| NS | $90.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Tenuta Luce La Vite Lucente 2010
Tuscany, ItalyThe 2010 Lucente is back to the more classic style. Make no mistake this is an excellent wine but you will have to cellar this for three to seven years before it hits its stride. Look for a tighter, spicier edition with smoky, meaty red fruit and leather aromas. The attack is linear with cassis, cranberry, plummy, peppery vanilla flavours. Once a second wine the latest Lucentes stand on their own as super wines. The current mix is 75/25 merlot/sangiovese aged in 55% new French oak and 5% new American oak, 40 % French oak used once.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $38.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $30.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $37.50 | 750ml |
| QC | $90.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $41.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $40.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $85.00 | 1500ml |
| NF | $42.00 | 750ml |
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14 February 2013
88PTS
Argiano Rosso di Montalcino 2009
Montalcino, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyA very traditional release, this Rosso which is made to drink on release, is an enticing mix of cedar, spice and red fruits all from young vines. The style is soft and supple but with enough cherry, meaty gamey fruit to work well with a variety of grilled meats and heavier pasta dishes and aged cheeses. Well managed.Prices:| MB | $27.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $32.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $27.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Argiano Solengo 2010
Montalcino, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyI really like the way this wine jumps out of the glass. There's a new style here a bit more modern, a touch riper - California meets Tuscany. Expect an open black currant' cassis scented nose with similar fruit on the palate. The blend is 60/15/15/10 cabernet sauvignon, syrah, petit verdot and merlot. Younger, rounder, more hip but with an enticing savoury finish; Expect to see this on discriminating wine lists.Prices:| BC | $91.13 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Argiano Brunello di Montalcino 2008
Montalcino, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyIt was a difficult year in Brunello so the concentration comes from small barrels rather than the vineyard. Expect mix of cedar, liquorice root and earth with more red fruit aromas and flavours this year than the black fruits of 2007. The 08 marks a change from the Tachis 'winemaking' years to a renew emphasis on site and terroir. Elegant cool restrained and it is fun to drink now. Should be best through 2018. The Argiano flagship is a selection of the estate best plots aged in French oak for one year before it spends another 18 months in large Slovenian botti.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $60.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $44.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Tenuta Luce La Vite Lucente 2009
Tuscany, ItalyThe 2009 Lucente is delicious. The nose is inviting and open with a mix of red fruits, wild strawberries, pepper and milk chocolate. The style has evolved since access to the 55-hectare estate fruit was established in 2005. The latest 09 is soft, rich and powerful with warm, spicy, flavourful nuances. A much more friendly style here you can serve now with spaghetti Bolognese, grilled meats and cheese. The current mix is 75/25 merlot/sangiovese aged in 55% new French oak and 5% new American oak, 40 % French oak used once.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $38.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $30.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $37.50 | 750ml |
| QC | $90.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $41.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $40.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $85.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $42.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Argiano Brunello di Montalcino 2007
Montalcino, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyThe Argiano flagship is a selection of the estate best plots aged in French oak for one year before it spends another 18 months in large Slovenian botti. The nose is a mix of cedar, liquorice root, black cherry jam and mineral aromas. The attack is multi-layered with fairly supple, dry, fine grained tannins over black cherries, liquorice, vanilla, tobacco flavours flecked with savoury/meaty orange notes. Not near ready to drink. Cellar through 2015 then drink with hearty dishes.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $60.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $125.00 | 1500ml |
| QC | $43.00 | 750ml |
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13 February 2013
89PTS
Domaine Drouhin Arthur Chardonnay 2011
Willamette Valley, Oregon, United StatesArthur is made from 100% Dijon clones that were first planted in Oregon in 1992. Reputed to be among the oldest of their kind in the New World, they were chosen for their low yields and early ripening ability to match the region's climate and soils. The 2011 was picked very late in the season and has a cool mineral tone with fresh lemon, spicy nutty notes on the nose. The attack is spare with juicy, floral, pear honey, butter and lime flavours. An elegant lean style with finesse. Needs a year or two to round out. Perfect for wine lists. Arthur was first made in 1996 and renamed in honor of Véronique Drouhin-Boss' son with the 2002 release.Prices:| BC | $32.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $28.00 | 750ml |
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11 February 2013
90PTS
Bramito del Cervo Chardonnay 2011
Umbria, ItalyInviting nutty, butter, leesy, lemon, honey, light garlic, baked green apple and citrus aromas. Fresh, dry, juicy palate with green apple, toasty garlic, nutty lees, spicy, guava, vanilla and honey flavours with light butterscotch. A delicious style with just a hint of austerity but this is young and succulent. Will improve over the next few years. Good effort here. Great with crab cakes.Prices:| BC | $34.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $29.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $22.55 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Hestan Vineyards Chardonnay Unfiltered 2009
San Francisco Bay, California, United StatesLight toasty, nutty lees, garlic, butter, vanilla, apple skin aromas but subdued. Dry, round, soft, elegant palate with floral, green apple, citrus, butterscotch flavours but pretty light weight and flat. Seems to lack flavour and concentration. Good but not great. Could it suffer from being cork scalped? Will try to track down another bottle.Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Signorello Hope's Cuvée Chardonnay 2010
Napa Valley, California, United StatesHoney, orange, spicy, nutty, cream, mango, butter, vanilla aromas. Rich, fat, round, warm, juicy palate. Vanilla, baked apple, nutty lees, mango, peach, honey, butterscotch flavours. Big ripe concentration but pretty warm and fat on the finish. Drink now. Hope's Cuvée is dedicated to Signorello's mom and is made from the wineries best two barrels of chardonnay of which 60 percent is aged in new wood.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $90.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Matchbook Dunnigan Hills Syrah 2010
Dunnigan Hills, Yolo County, California, United StatesFragrant blueberry and spice nose with bits of mace, meat, smoke and cocoa. The palate is fresh with pronounced acidity and more red fruit flavours. This wine needs the taste of grilled meat to tame the acidity and over all wild notes. The syrah is mixed with 10 per cent cabernet sauvignon and aged 26 months in an assortment of European and American oak (22 percent new). A solid mid-week red.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $14.60 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Shatter Grenache 2010
Roussillon, Sud de France, FranceBig raisin, prune, spicy, peppery, licorice, black raspberry jam aromas with a touch of cedar and tobacco. Ripe, rich, round, smooth palate with some grainy tannins. Licorice, smoky, kirsch, peppery, savoury, vanilla, coffee, cigar and raisin with some dried fig flavours. Lots of intensity here including a warm finish. Definitely a wine for a cold winter meal.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
The Show Garnacha 2010
Calatayud, Aragon, SpainExpect a typically spicy nose with liquorice root and sausage meat flecked with black raspberry jam and tobacco. The attack is fresh, the palate is warm and juicy with some grainy tannin and more rich black raspberry jam, liquorice and smoky savoury, vanilla, tobacco flavours. A generous, rustic red with fine fruit and concentration and plenty of alcohol. Try it with stews, osso buco, grilled meats and cheesePrices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Yalumba Barossa Patchwork Shiraz 2010
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaVery peppery, Oxo, chocolate, blackberry jam, tobacco, prune aromas. Round, fresh, somewhat tart and warm palate with light tannins. Chocolate, meaty, peppery, spicy, licorice, cedar and coffee flavours with a warm blackberry finish. Tannins are a bit austere but lots here for the shiraz drinker. Lamb chops would be a fine equalizer.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $22.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $21.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $25.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Barone Ricasoli Colledila Chianti Classico 2008
Tuscany, ItalyImpressive dark chocolate, tobacco, leather, plum nose with black cherry, peppery, savoury aromas with that floral sangiovese undercurrent. The attack is ripe and round but elegant with light grainy tannins and more smoky, peppery, savoury, black cherry, meaty, liquorice, floral, tobacco flavours. Expect a long, savoury finish with light tannins to age.Prices:| BC | $75.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $48.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Torres Salmos Priorat 2010
Priorato, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainBig poultry spice, peppery, smoky, leather, meaty, prune plum nose with fresh black cherry, liquorice, walnut and balsamic aromas. Ripe, round, fresh, smooth palate with black cherry, black raspberry, peppery, savoury, tobacco leaf, liquorice, dark chocolate and tobacco flavours. This red is suave in texture and warm with fine fruit intensity. A delicious Spanish red mixing grenache syrah and cabernet sauvignon.Prices:| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $32.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $31.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $33.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $36.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $42.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Torres Mas La Plana 2008
Penedès, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainMeaty, coffee, chocolate, tobacco, cassis jam, peppery, cedar, cranberry, earthy, olive aromas. Dry, full, fresh, elegant but austere palate with some grainy tannin. Coffee, cassis, dark chocolate, cigar, peppery, black olive, liquorice root, balsamic, saddle leather flavours. Long but warm and four square with tannins to shed over the next 4-7 years. Prices:| BC | $55.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $47.00 | 750ml |
| US | $50.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $52.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $50.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $52.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $56.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $57.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Peter Lehmann Layers Red 2010
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaA blend of tempranillo, mourvèdre and grenache with no oak. Tobacco, black olive, spicy, savoury, meaty, chocolate, black raspberry aromas. Round, fresh, somewhat sweet palate with black raspberry jam, liquorice, tobacco, peppery, milk chocolate flavours with a very warm, tart finish. Fun and affordable.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Vina Mayor Ribera del Duero Reserva 2006
Ribera del Duero, Castilla-Leon, SpainSpicy, cocoa, chocolate, leather, black cherry, tobacco, cinnamon, light barnyard aromas, fairly modern. Dry, fresh, round palate with some light tannin. Coffee, chocolate, tobacco, peppery, meaty, black cherry, liquorice, savoury, cedar flavours. Finish is a bit warm, oaky and rustic but solid concentration. Can age further 2-3 years.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $26.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $34.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Glen Carlou Grand Classique 2009
Paarl, Coastal Region, South AfricaTobacco leaf, olive brine, hot earth, meaty, cassis, cedar, saddle leather aromas. Round, full, warm but somewhat tart with some light tannin. Smoky, meaty, earthy, balsamic, liquorice, medicinal, soy, shoe leather and cassis flavours. Very warm, somewhat rubbery and tart finish. Grand Classique is Bordeaux blend of mostly cabernet sauvignon (41) and merlot (40) with smaller amounts petit verdot, malbec and cabernet franc.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $21.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Santa Ana La Mascota Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaA somewhat confected lean style red with tobacco leaf, meaty, peppery, cassis, black olive, compost, balsamic, coffee aromas. The attack is dry and fresh with sage, black olive, coffee cedar, cherry/ confected cocoa flavours. Best with barbecued meats.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $26.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Michael David Petite Petit 2010
Lodi, Central Valley, California, United StatesExpect an intense black raspberry jam, blackberry, savoury nose with notes of pepper, dark chocolate, leather and smoky liquorice. Rich, round, full if somewhat astringent on the palate with cedar bark, pepper, coffee, prune, balsamic, black raspberry flavours. The finish is warm with confected coffee bean flavours. A good wine for barbecue ribs or hamburgers. The blend is 85/15 petite sirah/petit verdot.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $28.00 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Penfolds Shiraz Kalimna Bin 28 2009
South Australia, AustraliaCorked, try another.Prices:| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $41.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $37.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $40.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $38.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $40.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $35.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Penfolds Shiraz Bin 128 2010
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaLove the fresh peppery, spicy, savoury nose with bits of meat, blackberry, roast pepper, leather and balsamic aromas. The attack is ripe, round, dry and elegant, the palate juicy with light tannins. You will love the attractive blueberry, blackberry, liquorice, meaty, floral, vanilla flavours with a dash of poultry spice. Excellent finesse and balance and surely one of the best Bin 128s we have tasted. 2010 was a fine year in Coonawarra.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $35.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $32.50 | 750ml |
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05 February 2013
84PTS
Rascal Next Door Red 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSoft open aromatic cedar/menthol nose with bits of meaty, barnyard, tobacco, cherry, tobacco leaf. The attack is fresh and somewhat sweet on entry with light tannins and tart finish. Look for more tobacco leaf, sour cherry, cranberry, dill, earthy, smoky herb flavours. Fairly tart but juicy. Best with savoury food.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Rascal Next Door White 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFresh spicy, pear, green apple skin nose with soapy floral, ginger, grapefruit aromas. Fresh, juicy, somewhat sweet and oily attack with grapefruit, ginger, spicy, honey, guava, nectarine and green apple flavours. A fun, fruity sipper for spicy food.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Pine Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Napa Valley, California, United StatesBig cassis, blackberry, tobacco leaf, spicy, peppery, vanilla, floral, olive and chocolate aromas. Rich, round, suave, juicy palate with smooth tannins. Coffee, tobacco, peppery, prune chocolate, cassis, blackberry, dried herb, olive and mint flavours. Good fruit and vibrancy with a cool note but tannins to age.Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Feather Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesTobacco, cassis, earthy, leather, peppery nose with black cherry, meaty, coffee, vanilla aromas. Rich, full, round, somewhat astringent palate with coffee, peppery, resin, cassis, blackberry, cedar, meaty, licorice and cedar flavours. Lots of concentration and tannins here but needs 3-5 years to soften out. Fine potential. The fruit is a blend of Columbia Valley sites. Good potential here. A Long Shadows wines made in Washington by California mountain cabernet man Randy Dunn.Prices:| BC | $56.00 | 750ml |
| US | $65.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $77.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $85.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $67.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Etude Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Napa Valley, California, United StatesRich meaty, saddle leather, tobacco, barnyard nose with flecks of resin, coffee, prune, cooked blackberry and red liquorice aromas. Round, fresh, juicy palate with light tannins and strong red liquorice, cassis resin, meaty, leather, blackberry, molasses and tobacco flavours. Solid finesse but a strange representation of the cabernet variety that finishes rustic. Best with roasted meat entrees. Prices:| AB | $100.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $109.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $100.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Stags' Leap Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Napa Valley, California, United StatesEnticing white pepper, leather, prune, blackberry, liquorice nose with coffee, vanilla, roast meat and tobacco nuances. Dry, fresh, somewhat lean but elegant palate with still some gritty tannins to shed. Coffee, vanilla, smoky, licorice root, cassis, prune, peppery, tobacco and cedar flavours. Finish is a bit tart, cool and rustic but with concentration. Needs two to four years to soften but should be fine by then. Steaks anyone.Prices:| NB | $56.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $50.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $50.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $54.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $49.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Andretti Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Napa Valley, California, United StatesCedar, menthol, tobacco, earthy, cassis, riparian, peppery, black olive aromas. Dry, tart, thin palate with light tannins. Riparian, coffee, smoky, herbal, cedar bark, menthol, saddle leather, resiny, cassis flavours. Somewhat unripe and very tart. Not up to Napa standards.Prices:| QC | $39.50 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Signorello Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Napa Valley, California, United StatesPeppery, cedar, roast meat, coffee, tobacco, cassis, blackberry, floral, olive and dried herb aromas. Rich, full, round, dry, slightly tannic palate with medium concentration. Meaty, coffee, peppery, cedar, tobacco, chocolate, cassis, herbal, earthy, black cherry and orange peel flavours. Good effort for the vintage and beautifully exhibits the addition of cabernet franc. Needs 2-4 years as it's still a bit chunky and warm on the finish. The mix is 88/12 cabernet sauvignon/cabernet franc.Prices:| BC | $98.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $62.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $65.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $56.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Girard Cabernet Sauvignon Napa County 2009
Napa County, California, United StatesSmoky, resin, tobacco leaf, black olive, rooty, cool menthol aromas. Round, dry, tart, slightly tannic palate with cassis, herbal, olive, tobacco, resin, coffee and cedar flavours. Very tart and hot finish. Lacks fruit and balance. Not much to enjoy here.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Merryvale Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Napa Valley, California, United StatesAttractive blackberry, cassis, tobacco, peppery, coffee nose flecked with vanilla, prune, leather, slightly meaty, barnyard aromas. Round, fresh, smooth palate with light, chalky tannins. Tobacco, peppery, coffee, blackberry, spicy, liquorice, leather, prune flavours. A bit warm and fresh but solid fruit and balance to go with steak. Good value.Prices:| BC | $33.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Napa Valley, California, United StatesPrune, meaty, barnyard, tobacco leaf, peppery, saddle leather, resin, licorice, black olive aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant, slightly tannic palate. Coffee, minty, peppery, tobacco, blackberry, cranberry, herbal, meaty, saddle leather flavours with a resiny, chocolate, olive finish. On the cooler side with some tannins to shed but has good finesse on the palate.Prices:| US | $50.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $71.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $61.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Antica Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Napa Valley, California, United StatesAttractive peppery, black olive, tobacco leaf, cassis nose flecked with coffee, light earthy barnyard and leather aromas. The attack is smooth, the palate elegant with light, grainy tannins. More smoky, savoury, cassis, black cherry fruit mixed with liquorice, tobacco, pepper, black olive and dried herbs with a bit of coffee on the finish. A cooler style but well balanced to drink now and over the next 4 years.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $50.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $51.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Sterling Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2005
Napa Valley, California, United StatesPeppery, tobacco, meaty, leather, blackberry, vanilla, liquorice root aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant, round palate with light tannins and medium body. Tobacco, cedar, rooty, earthy, peppery, savoury flavours that finish lean and a touch bitter. Perhaps with time in the bottle it could further to soften but at this age it is a bit disappointing.Prices:| BC | $79.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Francis Ford Coppola Presents Diamond Collection Black Label Claret 1910 Type Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
California, United StatesPeppery, black olive, leather, smoky, prune, savoury, candied cherry, coffee bean aromas. Soft, round, tart palate with some sweetness. Blackberry jam, coffee, cedar, tobacco, black olive, spicy, rooty, menthol flavours. A basic almost hamburger style red with some leafy tannins on the finish. Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $32.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $31.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Frescobaldi Castello di Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Riserva 2008
Tuscany, ItalyThis wine has proven it can age effortlessly so enjoy its spicy, black liquorice, meaty, peppery, black cherry nose but give some time to really impress. On the palate you will note a sense of freshness and elegance along with smoky, meaty, tobacco, prune, peppery, black cherry, orange peel and dried fig flavours. Fine intensity you can enjoy now with beef dishes or mushroom risotto or wait five to seven years for it to mellow out.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $59.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $134.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $269.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $53.00 | 750ml |
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03 February 2013
90PTS
M. Chapoutier Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Bernardine 2010
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceLa Bernadine is mostly grenache with small amounts of syrah and mourvèdre. In 2010 the red fruit character is much more prominent on the nose mixing pepper and raspberry pastille aromas with typical garrigue notes. The attack is round and generous, tannins already tracking toward supple. The palate is a mix of juicy raspberry/black plum fruit with flecks of orange, wet stone minerality, liquorice, more garrigue and coffee chocolate flavours. Love the balance and fruit intensity. Drink now or keep for five to ten years. The vinification is traditional at high temperature in concrete tanks and it is mature in concrete tanks from a year to fifteen months.Prices:| BC | $52.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $53.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $49.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $54.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Poet's Leap Riesling 2011
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesIt appears that Poet's Leap is now firmly on track in regard to style and flavour. It's a blend of Columbia Valley fruit from several regions each designed by managing partner Armin Diel to bring different flavours and textures to the mix. Sonnet Vineyard at The Benches is the base blend now nine years old and planted to German clones known for their minerality and a flint. Phil Church Vineyard (Yakima) adds citrus and electricity while Weinbau Vineyard and old-vine Dionysus Vineyard add the peach notes. The 2011 starts with freshness and fine aromatics flecked with mineral, citrus aromas followed by peach orange, candied grapefruit and lime flavours. Juicy food friendly yet restrained.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| US | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $31.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $31.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $30.00 | 750ml |
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02 February 2013
90PTS
Pine Ridge Dijon Clones Chardonnay 2011
Carneros, Napa Valley, California, United StatesSpicy, pear, honey, cinnamon, nutty lees, baked apple skin and butter aromas with a touch of matchstick and mango. Fresh, round, juicy, dry palate with good finesse. Baked apple skin, pear, hazelnut, light garlic, spicy, vanilla, hone and citrus flavours with a buttery, waxy finish. Finish is somewhat short but offers good flavour/aroma balance.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Chester-Kidder Red Blend 2008
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesMinty, savoury, peppery, chocolate, vanilla, blackberry, cassis, leather, sage and tobacco aromas. Rich, full, round, dry palate with smooth but noticeable tannins. Coffee, chocolate, vanilla, liquorice, blackberry, poultry spice and tobacco flavours. Very youthful with a warm, very dry, tea tannin finish. Needs two to four years to round out.Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $70.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $69.00 | 750ml |
| US | $42.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $54.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Pirouette Red Blend 2009
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesNice cassis, blackberry, spicy, earthy, savoury, black olive, orange peel, dark chocolate, green bean, tea and vanilla aromas. Full, round, ripe, supple but dry palate with some good tannins. Chocolate, vanilla, peppery, tobacco, liquorice, blackberry, cassis jam, black olive, smoky, dried herb and leather flavours. Warm, oaky finish with youthful, gritty tannins to dissipate. Needs 3-5 years.Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $85.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $77.00 | 750ml |
| US | $55.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $62.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Stags' Leap Chardonnay 2009
Napa Valley, California, United StatesHoney, butter, vanilla, pineapple, red apple, green pea, lees, waxy, baked apple skin aromas. Round, juicy, elegant, dry palate with nettle, baked green apple, mango, nectarine, spicy, floral, nutty, garlic flavours. Good finesse and vibrancy but a very leesy finish. Solid value for Napa.Prices:| ON | $35.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $38.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Andretti Winery Chardonnay 2011
Carneros, Napa Valley, California, United StatesFloral, spicy, grapefruit, nettle, waxy, green apple aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant but lean palate with low concentration. Green apple skin, lemon, grassy, butter, nettle, spicy, pear skin flavours. A lean, restrained style that lacks some fruit and balance.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Stephanie Proprietary Red Wine 2007
Napa Valley, California, United StatesOpen spicy, savoury, dark chocolate, vanilla, liquorice aromas with bits of blackberry jam, cassis, bay leaf, tobacco and cedar aromas. Rich, full, round but dry with tannins to spare. Prune, blackberry jam, resin, liquorice, chocolate, coffee, peppery, cedar, olive flavours. A very savoury, warm style that still needs two to five years to soften.Prices:| BC | $80.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Signorello Padrone 2009
Napa Valley, California, United StatesBig black pepper, meaty, earthy saddle leather nose with tobacco, chocolate, black olive, cassis, blackberry and five spice aromas. The attack is full and smooth the palate elegant yet with plenty of tannin. Smoky herb, peppery, chocolate, vanilla, cassis jam flavours with Napa highlights of black cherry, cranberry, tobacco leaf, celery root flavours with a meaty, leather note. Good concentration and intensity but youthful tannins on the finish need 3-5 years to soften.Prices:| AB | $150.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $190.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $113.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $153.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Sebastiani Sonoma Chardonnay 2010
Sonoma County, California, United StatesVery spicy, honey, ripe peach, floral, muscat, mango, vanilla, baked apple aromas. Fresh, round, slightly sweet and oily texture with smoky oak, vanilla, butter, honey, spiced peach and baked cinnamon apple flavours. A bit on the oaky and fat side but solid effort. Good value.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Marimar Estate Chardonnay Don Miguel Vineyard Acero Unoaked 2010
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesGrapefruit rind, butter, peach, orange peel, floral, honey, spicy nose. Ripe, round, soft, juicy, slightly sweet entry with honey, floral, spicy, baked peach, grapefruit, butter and orange muscat flavours. A bit warm and fat but good fruit and an attractive muscat note. Will appeal to many especially with Asian seafood dishes.Prices:| BC | $38.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $54.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Blackbird Vineyards Arise 2010
Napa Valley, California, United StatesFour vineyards (Blackbird Vineyard - Oak Knoll District, Hudson Vineyard - Carneros, Stagecoach Vineyard - Atop the Vaca Mountains south of Pritchard Hill, Crocker & Starr Vineyard - St. Helena) are behind this black cherry, savoury, earthy, smoky, cedar- scented red with flecks of cranberry, vanilla and celery salt aromas. The attack is full, round and smooth on the palate but still with some youthful tannins to shed. Its juicy acidity and cedar, earthy, espresso, chocolate, vanilla, herbal, tobacco leaf, resin and saddle leather flavours all finish dry and tannic with some dried herb and tea tannin notes. Needs a rare steak now or another two to four years to soften.Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $66.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $55.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $50.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Miner The Oracle 2008
Napa Valley, California, United StatesImpressive showy peppery, chocolate, vanilla nose with black olive, cassis jam, prune plum, floral, game aromas. The attack is big and rich but with suave tannins. Black cherry, cassis jam, chocolate, tobacco, cedar, liquorice, coffee, resin, smoky, savoury, dried herb flavours. The finish still has some dry tannins to shed but there is fine balance and flavour intensity. Oracle fruit is grown at Stagecoach Vineyard in the eastern hills of Napa Valley it spends some 22 months in 55 percent French oak before release.Prices:| BC | $125.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $95.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $95.00 | 750ml |
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01 February 2013
87PTS
Beato Bartolomeo Breganze Rosa di Sera Vino Spumante Extra Dry NV
Veneto, ItalyLight pink colour previews a nutty, toasty, honeyed, floral, strawberry, maraschino cherry nose with flecks of baked pear. The attack is juicy, somewhat sweet palate with light mousse and creamy texture. Honey, biscuity, nutty, maraschino cherry, baked pear, floral, earthy flavours. A bit on the sweet side but with plenty of fruit and mature toasty characters. Fun with food.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Concannon Conservancy Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Livermore, San Francisco Bay, California, United StatesChocolate, tobacco leaf, menthol, cedar, spicy, peppery, cassis and resin aromas. Round, off dry palate with some green tannins. Coffee, chocolate, cedar bark, menthol, resin and herb flavours. Simple commercial style hamburger red.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Andretti Selections Sauvignon Blanc 2011
California, United StatesCanned jalapeno, cooked asparagus, gooseberry, nettle, bell pepper aromas. Round, flat, slightly sweet entry with smoky, herbal, canned asparagus, artichoke, gooseberry flavours. Try this with a cooked veggie burger.Prices:| US | $15.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Andretti Selections Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
California, United StatesAnother cool rooty spicy nose with green pepper highlights throughout. The attack is soft the textures round but the style is herbaceous. The fruit is plummy with a dried herb, leafy tobacco undercurrent. A simple, ready-to-drink red that will be best with stews and other rustic dishes.Prices:| US | $14.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Rosewood Estates Mead Royal Select Barrel Aged Honey Wine 2008
Niagara Escarpment, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaAttractive floral, spicy, honeyed, waxy nose with butter, vanilla, acacia and olive aromas. Light, delicate, soft, slightly sweet palate with wild yeast, citrus, spice, rose petal, butter, vanilla and lanolin flavours. Quite intense but delicate style mead. Well made.Prices:| ON | $15.00 | 500ml |
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88PTS
Edge Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Napa Valley, California, United StatesEdge is marketed as a North Coast cab but it also contains a 9 percent syrah and 5 merlot to fill in the leaner, leafy cabernet bits. At first brush its offers up a sweet, grapey nose and flavours remind one more of zinfandel than cabernet but there is better mid-palate structure and backbone with black fruit and soft ish tannins in the finish. Expect this to improve in bottle over the next year or two.Prices:| BC | $34.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $27.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Fuse Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Napa Valley, California, United StatesThere is nothing shy about this rich peppery blackberry, cassis, floral scented red flecked with vanilla, smoky savoury aromas. The attack is warm and spicy with just enough acidity to hold it is own. There a dash of syrah and merlot here to both spice and soften the cabernet awash in coffee, dark chocolate, blackberry/tobacco and liquorice flavours. This will appeal to many who want their red big flush and ready to drink. Good value.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $33.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Bonterra Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
North Coast Region, California, United StatesCassis, peppery, barnyard, saddle leather, earthy, light Bandaid aromas. Round, dry, slightly tannic palate with earthy, peppery, prune, coffee and more light brett or Bandaid, medicinal flavours. Solid if rustic in style this year.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $21.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Plume Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Napa Valley, California, United StatesPlume is a joint venture between the Stewart family (Quails' Gate Winery) and Dan Zepponi, who grew up at ZD Winery in Napa Valley. Plume tastes like it sounds a bit soft and airy but with plenty of rich berry fruit and spice with just a hint of that Napa plushness. A crowd pleasing style that sacrifices complexity for amore hedonistic style. Fun to drink and would be perfect with a slice of roast beef.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Robert Mondavi Private Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Central Coast, California, United StatesA cooler, cedar, red fruit character on the nose with similar red fruit flavours - raspberries, cherries, cedar and chocolate spread across the palate. It's mostly Monterey fruit and just over 80 per cent cabernet with a mix of merlot, syrah, cabernet franc petit verdot and more. The finish is a bit dry, the tannins youthful and rustic. Think hamburgers or flank steak.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $18.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $20.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $20.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $21.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Decoy Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County 2010
Sonoma County, California, United StatesOpen cassis, bay leaf, sappy, menthol, peppery, cool black olive nose with leather, tobacco, cranberry aromas. Round, fresh, slightly astringent entry with a hint of sweetness. Blueberry, cassis, chocolate, cedar, pepper, leather, herbal, olive and coffee bean flavours. A solid Sonoma red wine.Prices:| US | $23.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Kenwood Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Sonoma County, California, United StatesGrassy, nettle, baked apple, fig, canned asparagus aromas with bits of canned pink grapefruit. Round, fresh, juicy, somewhat sweet entry with canned grapefruit, nettle, lemon rind, bell pepper and fig with a grassy finish. A simple, easy-drinking style.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.20 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Benziger Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Sonoma County, California, United StatesOdd pruny/blackberry jam nose with saddle leather, barnyard, vanilla, black olive, Band-Aid and cassis aromas. The attack is dry, silky smooth and rich with coffee, chocolate, blackberry jam, prune, leather, meaty, cassis, vanilla, coffee and herb flavours. It finishes warm but with plenty of concentration and barely noticeable tannins. All good but for the pruny nose.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Folie a Deux Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesMinty, cassis, blackberry, chocolate, vanilla nose flecked with pepper, leather, warm earth and coffee bean aromas. Round, smooth but slightly astringent with a bit of sweet and sour milk chocolate, cedar bark, coffee bean, resin, olive and dried herb flavours. Somewhat green and pruny finish. Disappointing.Prices:| QC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $32.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Sterling Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Napa County 2011
California, United StatesFloral, passion fruit, pink grapefruit, gooseberry aromas. Round, fresh, juicy, slightly sweet palate with grapefruit rind, melon, spicy, nettle, passion fruit and cooked apple. Solid but rind-y and a bit too sweet.Prices:| MB | $29.99 | 750ml |
| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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March 2013