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Tastings: April 2013
30 April 2013
86PTS
The Pairing Collection - Lobster and Shrimp Muscadet Sèvre et Maine 2011
Muscadet, Pays Nantais, Loire, FranceLight floral, pear, wool, green apple skin and herb aromas. Fresh, round, dry, delicate and slightly soft palate with smoky herb, slate, green apple skin, wool and green pear flavours. Finish is dry and delicate in a modern Euro style that should go well with oysters, clams and shrimp. Lobster will be too rich. Solid value.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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29 April 2013
89PTS
Telmo Rodriguez Basa Rueda Blanco 2011
Rueda, Castilla-Leon, SpainRueda remains undervalued as a producer of fresh white wine and Rodriguez chose to build Basa or basement/ foundation with this wine. The nose is fresh and bright with gooseberry, passion fruit, melon flecked with light asparagus aromas. The attack is ripe with juicy rich grapefruit, passion fruit, lime, gooseberry, grassy flavours. Good fruit and viscosity with length and complexity. Fine value.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
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28 April 2013
88PTS
Fess Parker Chardonnay 2011
Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesThe regular Fess Parker Chardonnay comes off a mix of vineyards and some 84 percent is aged in oak (30 percent new) the remainder is stainless steel. The style is trimmed down Santa Barbara with a new emphasis on a tropical citrus spice aroma and taste pattern with less oak and sweet fruit heft and more freshness - green apple, melon and honey with creamy textures. Crab cakes, roasted chicken, brie and seafood pasta all work here.Prices:| AB | $28.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $32.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Domaine Carneros Le Reve Carneros Sparkling 2004
Carneros, Napa Valley, California, United StatesI'm a sucker for Blanc de Blancs sparkling wines and when they call Le Rêve, well, it's practically a slam dunk. Winemakers Eileen Crane and Claude Taittinger are the brains behind this chardonnay that has tiny amounts of pinot blanc added to it once and a while. Expect an electric experience with crisp citrus flavours, spiced brioche, baked pear and lightly toasted hazelnuts. Long persistent and stylish thanks to a full 6 years ageing prior to release.Prices:| BC | $75.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $50.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Allegrini Palazzo della Torre 2009
Verona, Veneto, ItalyThis blend is a 70/25/5/ mix of corvina Veronese, rondinella and sangiovese. Post-harvest up to 30 percent of the grapes are dried until December. At this point the fresh wine fermented at harvest is blended into the fermenting juice of the dried grapes. The resulting fermentation adds complexity and depth to the blend. This is a delicious red wine, dark in colour with aromas and flavours of sweet cherries and black fruit, flecked with spice and bits of fig. The tannins are rich and youthful suggesting this will keep a decade or more in bottle. Drink it now with roasted meats, hefty risotto dishes, or your favourite cheese. Palazzo della Torre vineyard was 35 years old in 2009. It is some 66 acres in size and sits over clay and chalk soils. Well done.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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27 April 2013
89PTS
Marotti Campi Orgiolo Lacrima di Morro D'Alba Superiore 2009
Ancona, Marche, ItalyBig black liquorice, smoky, black plum, meaty, saddle leather, sage aromas with a floral note. Round, dry, supple palate with good concentration. Liquorice root, savoury, peppery, meaty, black cherry, leather, floral, poultry spice flavours. Good balance and intensity and will be good with grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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26 April 2013
84PTS
Wyndham Estate Bin 555 Shiraz 2009
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaCedar, resin, smoky, black cherry, rooty, rubber aromas. Soft, round, slightly sweet palate with licorice, peppery, black cherry jam, cedar, resin flavours with a somewhat warm, tart finish. Light and simple.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Hillside Syrah 2009
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaYou will love the attractive open blackberry, meaty, peppery, smoky nose flecked dried herbs and chocolate highlights. The style is fresh and dry with light elegant tannins. On the palate more smoky, dried herbs, licorice and black cherry, floral fruit spiked with poultry spice and sage persists. There are still a few light, youthful tannins to dissipate but it's well balanced and should age well for 2-4 years. Solid value. Fine effort. Well done.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Langmeil Shiraz Valley Floor 2010
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaBig smoky, rubber, wet cigar, blackberry, coffee aromas. Round, smooth palate with elevated acidity. Chocolate, coffee, coconut, vanilla, resin, blackberry, cigar and smoke flavours. It finishes is oaky and tart.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $27.95 | 750ml |
| On | $30.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Rosemount Shiraz 2011
AustraliaSpicy, 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 | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $18.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $19.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $18.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $19.50 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Vasse Felix Shiraz 2009
Margaret River, Western Australia, AustraliaSpicy, compost, cigar, peppery, rubber, cedar, prune, blackberry aromas. Dry, elegant but somewhat lean and tart entry. Cedar, compost, wet cigar, smoky, plum, coffee, vanilla, blueberry flavours. The oak always dominates here and makes us wish for just a little less wood and a bit more fruit.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $38.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $36.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $37.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Painted Rock Syrah 2010
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen chocolate, vanilla, blackberry, white pepper, tobacco nose with meaty, leather and sage aromas. Dry, fresh, somewhat lean entry marked by youthful tannins. The flavours mix coffee, pepper, prune, smoked meat, blackberry, poultry spice and rosemary flavours. Fine concentration but as usual showing a lot of oak. This will needs two to three years of bottle age to round out and integrate.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Stag's Hollow Syrah 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAttractive peppery, curry, poultry spice nose flecked with roasted meat, vanilla, coffee, blackberry aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant attack with lean and light mid-palate followed by smoky coffee, vanilla, chocolate, roast herb, peppery, poultry spice and blackberry flavours. A solid that needs a year or two to dissipate the oak and let a bit more fruit shine through.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Luigi Scavino Azelia Dolcetto d'Alba Bricco dell'Oriolo 2010
Piedmont, ItalyFloral, plum, tobacco leaf, peppery, licorice root, savoury aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant, slightly lean palate with juicy plum, herb, peppery, tobacco, liquorice and mint flavours. Good finesse with light tannins and fresh acidity that will lend this to meat and tomato based dishes.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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25 April 2013
89PTS
Invetro Renieri de Montalcino 2009
Tuscany, ItalyIn Vetro is a delicious 50/25/25 blend of sangiovese, cabernet and merlot. The attack is supple and inviting with a clean fruit mid-weight palate. The dark fruit is well-integrated and harmonious on the palate with spice and red liquorice. Interestingly quaffable now I'm sure it age through 2018 and improve under its glass stopper colours. Veal would be a great match here.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Stag's Hollow Sauvignon Blanc Balwant Vineyard 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaQuiet grassy smoky lemon nose that draws you into the glass. A nice respite from the pungent over aggressive types that dominates the import market at this price range. Easy to sip with light green fruit flavours and moderate acidity and just a whiff of mid-palate weight. Refreshing light style for hot sunny days. I'm thinking a simple tomato goat cheese pizza would be a perfect match. Good value.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Stag's Hollow Renaissance Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAfter just about a year in the bottle the 'Renaissance' sauvignon is coming into its own under screwcap. The attack is fresh and grassy with a nettle, citrus, green fruit undertone. The palate is soft and touch oily (Semillon?) with a mix of fresh pear, lemon peel and a trace of that elusive minerality to complex its finish. The first ever Renaissance sauvignon it contains 9 per cent sémillon and is aged for six months in new French oak to give it a richness and weight more suited to food. An interesting Okanagan take on the Bordelais style.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
The Ned Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandThe Ned always seems to over deliver and punch well above its price point... hint this is a great buy. Crunchy acidity is the key to its success along with bits of citrus, passion fruit, dried herbs and even a hint of minerality. You can serve this will a variety of shellfish, sushi and really any dish that would benefit from a squeeze of lemon.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $21.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandThe latest from Oyster Bay is no surprise although I would say it is a little less pungent than previous editions which is a good thing. Expect a mix of passion fruit, grapefruit, lime rind and nettle all served up in a crisp, clean, fresh package. Nothing complex but rather a mid-week sipper for steamed mussels and assorted seafood appetizers.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $22.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $21.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $21.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $22.00 | 750ml |
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24 April 2013
92PTS
Maison Nicolas Perrin Ermitage Rouge 2010
Hermitage, Northern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceOnly nine or ten barriques are made each year. The style is crafted to use three main terroir: 'Grandes Vignes' where granite soils give minerality and fine tannins; the rolled pebbles 'Greffieux' for aromatics and small amount from the calcareous soil of 'Muret' for elegance and finesse. Its 100 percent syrah where 30 goes into new oak and the rest stainless steel. The attack is sensational with juicy stony mineral/violent aroma flecked with black fruit. Similar flavours mark the palate with impressive peppery highlights. Needs a decade to really show its stuff. Prices:| QC | $76.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Maison Nicolas Perrin Hermitage Blanc 2010
Crozes Hermitage, Northern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceThis white Hermitage is a 70/30 blend of marsanne and roussanne and is fermented in one to three year old used barriques for nine months. It gets classic battonage treatment to promote texture and richness. Expect yellow fruit aromas and five spice on the nose and creamy apple, floral, almond flavours in the mouth. The marsanne brings heft to the blend while the roussanne is the tension. A fine effort with ageing potential. Greta with veal and richer fish dishes.Prices:| QC | $58.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Sandhill Sauvignon Blanc Sandhill Estate Vineyard 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSome fine tuning in the vineyard is bringing this wine along. It's likely to warm to every produce an electric version but the 2012 will get the job done. Cleaner and fresher under screw cap you detect hint of floral, gooseberry aromas with bits of grass and lime. The attack is fresh with more juicy, tropical fruit and hint of lime rind. A perfect style for BC spot prawns or steamed clams. Good value.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Maison Nicolas Perrin Crozes-Hermitage 2010
Crozes Hermitage, Northern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceThis is an important wine for the foundation of Maison Nicolas Perrin. It is pure syrah from the heart of the appellation. Bright peppery, kirsch, blackberry, smoky, garrigue aromas flecked with leather and smoked meat. The palate is full, round and smooth with light tannins. The flavours are a mix of bacon, sausage meat, jasmine, ginger, dried herbs, tobacco, blackberry and roast pepper flavours. A solid syrah with a forward style that should improve over the next few years. Good value.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Maison Nicolas Perrin Crozes-Hermitage Blanc 2011
Crozes Hermitage, Northern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceApricot skin, ginger, floral, garlic, butter, orange rind aromas. Dry, round, elegant but slightly lean and fresh. Butter, quince, floral, honey, orange, lees, nutty, ginger flavours. A bit oily and austere, perhaps needs a year or so to open. Vines are on average 20 years old.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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23 April 2013
91PTS
Max Ferdinand Richter Wehlener Sonnenhur Riesling Kabinett 2010
Mosel, GermanyLet's begin with 100-year old ungrafted vines on blue and grey slate facing south. Look for an intense white with apricots and tangerines, slate, floral mineral notes from front to back. Intense long persistent and elegant/delicate. This is textbook Mosel riesling. It has fine mid-term aging potential or you can drink it now.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Max Ferdinand Richter Richter Estate Riesling 2011
Mosel, GermanyA mix of middle Mosel vineyards makes up the Richter 'estate' - a blend of kabinett, spätlese and auslese fruit. The goal is consistent clean fruit flavours each year. Look for a quiet nose with yellow fruits, hints of slate, limes and peachy citrus flavours - yin and yang. It works with food just like a sorbet. This wine makes any patio event worth attending.Prices:| BC | $18.95 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Max Ferdinand Richter Wehlener Sonnenhur Riesling Spätlese 2009
Mosel, GermanyThe '09 is leaner and tighter versus the 2010. A more elegant expression of the Mosel with a slightly drier bent but all with lovely elegance and restraint. Less power more delicate apricot and peach fruit with wet stone minerality yet still persistent into the finish. A wonderful food wine for lightly spiced Asian dishes. Drink through 2019.Prices:| BC | $39.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Max Ferdinand Richter Wehlener Sonnenhur Riesling Spätlese 2010
Mosel, GermanyFrom a sensational vintage comes an equally stunning wine. So ripe and round so sweet and sensuous so Richter with its mineral, yeasty, underbelly and creamy honeyed nectarine flavours. Long and persistent this is one for the decades to come. Ripeness of fruit with balanced acidity. Not to be missed.Prices:| BC | $39.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Ringbolt Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Margaret River, Western Australia, AustraliaNo mistaking the cool cabernet character here with plenty of menthol, resin, tobacco and savoury notes. It's mostly cool red, briary fruit you smell and taste with a pronounced leafy mid-palate that finishes skinny and a touch acidic. More of a hamburger red this year than a steak wine. Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.50 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Wirra Wirra Scrubby Rise Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon Petit Verdot 2010
Adelaide, South Australia, AustraliaWarm fresh black fruit nose with spicy blueberry, blackberry notes with a whiff of menthol. The attack is warm and leaner than previous editions with drier tannins. The palate is a mix of boysenberry and black cherries with some acidity poking through from underneath. Solid if not great. Best with grilled meats to settle all the edges down.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $18.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
La Casona de Castaño Old Vines Monastrell 2011
Yecla, Valencia and Murcia, SpainThis wine has a tendency to fluctuate from solid to good. This year it is solid with floral, peppery, black cherry, cedar aromas. Dry, round and slightly hard on the attack it recovers with black cherry, earthy, peppery, cedar, smoky herb flavours. Simple, varietal and well-made for pizza and barbecue. Hard to beat for the price.Prices:| BC | $10.00 | 750ml |
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22 April 2013
89PTS
Dare Part of Viader Cabernet Franc 2010
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California, United StatesThe first Dare was released in 2003 by owner Delia Viader to celebrate her love of the varietal. Franc is widely planted today in Napa but few have dared to released a 100 percent version. Dare by Viader 2010 is classically aromatic with bits of sweet liquorice, dried herbs and savoury threads. The palate is not quite as succulent as it can be, likely vintage related with red fruits, cocoa and a glossy underbelly that finishes with another dusting of dried herbs and tobacco. A good effort in a tough year for franc.Prices:| MB | $43.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $88.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Viader Vineyards Proprietary Red Wine 2009
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California, United StatesYouthful floral, mineral wet stone aromas with bits of graphite, red fruits dried herbs and espresso. Again that red fruit dried herb savoury flavour comes to the forefront but in a slightly more generous package than we have seen over the years. That said 2009 was a cool year in Napa and long hang-time has intensified flavours without boosting the alcohol through the roof. A sleeper that will take time but with fine potential. Now aged 80 percent in new French Oak for 24 months. Served with whole roasted Canadian prime rib-eye, Taleggio polenta, preserved cherry tomato, grilled rapini crispy elephant garlic roasted garlic jus. In '07 the blend was 70 cabernet sauvignon and 30 cabernet franc.Prices:| US | $94.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Viader Vineyards Proprietary Red Wine 2006
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California, United StatesStrong mineral pencil lead/graphite earthy and dark fruit scents on the nose. The attack is similar with plummy earthy chocolate flavours flecked with coffee, dried herbs and pepper. The textures are glossy and supple with sweet tannins in the back end. Still youthful at seven years and just starting to shed some of those Howell Mountain tannins. Served with whole roasted Canadian prime rib-eye, Taleggio polenta, preserved cherry tomato, grilled rapini crispy elephant garlic roasted garlic jus. In '06 the blend was 66 cabernet sauvignon and 34 cabernet franc.Prices:| US | $83.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Viader Vineyards Proprietary Red Wine 2004
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California, United StatesThe '04 was the first wine in the vertical 1990-2009 that resembles what many would consider the modern Napa-style. The nose is slightly sweet with oak and vanilla notes flecked with a bit of lead pencil and liquorice. The palate is soft round warm and glossy with generous ripe smoky, spicy fruit with that telltale Viader restraint. A little more obvious and perhaps ready to drink than previous editions. The mix is to that 60/40 cabernet sauvignon /cabernet franc. Served with pine smoke roasted squab, bastille of confit leg, sultana toasted almond date purée, natural jus.Prices:| US | $94.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Viader Vineyards Proprietary Red Wine 2007
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California, United StatesOpen bright blueberry and menthol aromas with flecks of violet and red liquorice. The attack is firm but lush with dusty dried herbs, Howell Mountain power and chalky tannins mixing with black cherries, black raspberries and dark chocolate. A rich almost uncharacteristic jammy style with sweet fruit that will need time in the bottle to settle into the classic Viader mold. Impressive. Served with whole roasted Canadian prime rib-eye, Taleggio polenta, preserved cherry tomato, grilled rapini crispy elephant garlic roasted garlic jus. In '07 the blend was 71 cabernet sauvignon and 29 cabernet franc.Prices:| ON | $110.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $140.00 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Viader Vineyards Proprietary Red Wine 1996
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California, United StatesA controversial bottle at this point. The bottle we tasted was stuffed, and a second bottle wasn't much better. Prices:| US | $87.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Viader Vineyards Proprietary Red Wine 1997
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California, United StatesThe 1997 is showing well, perhaps reaching its zenith now or over the next two years. Love the mature nose offering complex notes of spice and fruit flecked with liquorice and tobacco and cedar. The texture and weight are gorgeous but again in that graceful, elegant Viader style. Who knew Howell Mountain could be so refined. You will love the plummy dark fruit characters with some fresh acidity still holding on to the underside. A large wine with a big future. Served with house made cotechino ravioli, puree of green lentils, crispy pig ears, shaved cauliflower and herb salad Reggiano.Prices:| US | $87.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Viader Vineyards Proprietary Red Wine 1995
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California, United StatesViader takes its inspiration from the right bank of Bordeaux. Look for a medium dark colour, a round soft elegant mid-palate with polished, sweet tannin notes and earthy, dusty, mineral red fruited cabernet with flecks of shoe polish and chocolate. The finish is long and mellow with a smoky, elegant, old cassis fruit finish that is never heavy or harsh. This one is fully ready to drink. Served with house made cotechino ravioli, puree of green lentils, crispy pig ears, shaved cauliflower and herb salad Reggiano.Prices:| US | $90.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Viader Vineyards Proprietary Red Wine 1994
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California, United StatesLovely, old, rich friendly red with power and weight. Love the elegance and mix of power on the mid-palate with dark and red fruits, and threads of spice, rosemary, old cork and eucalyptus. Still elegant and complex with that old minty sweet, warm red fruit finish. Served with country style duck terrine pickled Pemberton beets, house moustarda and Mizuna. In '94 the blend was 55 cabernet sauvignon and 45 cabernet franc.Prices:| US | $122.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Viader Vineyards Proprietary Red Wine 1993
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California, United StatesExcellent dark colour old cork musty cassis fruit nose with black cherries and dried herbs underneath. The entry is a mix of sweet fruit to that could flecked with that old Napa eucalyptus. Soft, red, delicious elegant mid-palate in fine shape for an old wine. A rare Napa red with some 40 percent franc in the blend. Served with country style duck terrine pickled Pemberton beets, house moustarda and Mizuna.Prices:| US | $140.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Viader Vineyards Proprietary Red Wine 1990
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California, United StatesOld mature dried herbs and black fruit nose with a touch of Brett. Lovely old matronly mid palate whose best component is the acidity. More twiggy, forest floor notes and some volatility. All in all still hanging in at 23 years of age. You can taste the vestiges of an old cork; drinking history. Served with country style duck terrine pickled Pemberton beets, house moustarda and Mizuna. 68/32 cabernet sauvignon/cabernet franc.Prices:| US | $145.00 | 750ml |
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21 April 2013
91PTS
Viader Vineyards Proprietary Red Wine 1999
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California, United StatesA cooler year has really emphasized the Euro style at Viader where elegance and structure take precedence of weight and power. Love the black plums and red raspberries on the nose and the wet stone mineral, floral flecks throughout the front end and mid-palate. Still intense and fruity after all these years but that exuberance is balanced by a spicy dried herb eucalyptus flavored finish. The blend is 61/39 cabernet sauvignon/cabernet franc. Served with pine smoke roasted squab, bastille of confit leg, sultana toasted almond date purée, natural jus.Prices:| US | $95.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Miguel Torres Las Mulas Organic Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé Reserva 2012
Region del Valle Central, ChileOrganically grown cabernet sauvignon grapes are the fruit source behind this reddish orange rosé with a ripe cherry strawberry nose. The palate is a mix of sweet red fruit flavours and citrus with just enough acidity to keep the sugar in check. Serve all summer on the patio solo or try it with spicy sausages or sushi.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Viader Vineyards Proprietary Red Wine 1998
Howell Mountain, Napa Valley, California, United StatesDeep dark colour. Open spicy dried herb nose with a very cabernet sauvignon-like structure. Black and red fruits, spice, minerals tobacco flavours run through its warm mid palate and long warm spicy finish. Still showing a touch of youth. The blend is 63/37 cabernet sauvignon/cabernet franc. Served with pine smoke roasted squab, bastille of confit leg, sultana toasted almond date purée, natural jus.Prices:| US | $87.00 | 750ml |
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80PTS
Zorzal Malbec Rosé 2010
Gualtallary, Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaUnattractive reductive nose with rubbery/garlic hints. The attack begins dry and dull with a slightly sweet and sour palate and an acidic finish. You would expect something a bit more serious with Tupungato fruit but in this case it's missing on all cylinders. Back to the drawing board.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Quails' Gate Chasselas - Pinot Blanc - Pinot Gris 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen fresh aromatic nose grassy floral, green apple green peas and pink grapefruit aromas. The blend is 45 percent chasselas, 30 pinot blanc and 25 pinot gris. The attack is sweet and soft with obvious sugar mixed with fruit salad, mineral, passion fruit grassy flavours. A slightly sweeter version that will be best well chilled with or served with spicy dishes.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Ribeo Morellino di Scansano 2009
Morellino di Scansano, Maremma, Tuscany, ItalyPlum, black cherry, gamey, tobacco, smoky, resin nose with bits of black liquorice and saddle leather aromas. Round, smooth, suave and ripe palate with meaty, chocolate, black cherry jam, liquorice and earthy, savoury herb flavours. Forward, fruity style but lots of good intensity and length. Try with duck, turkey or lamb. Solid value here.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Purato Nero d'Avola Organic 2011
Sicily, ItalyA solid organic offering with an aromatic menthol, strawberry jam, peppery, savoury, red liquorice nose. The attack is fresh and lean with more strawberry, orange peel, savoury, minty, liquorice flavours. A forward, fresh style that is ready to drink. Serve with fowl and meat dishes. Solid value.Prices:| BC | $17.49 | 750ml |
| NS | $16.42 | 750ml |
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20 April 2013
88PTS
Dr. L Riesling 2011
Mosel, GermanyVery ripe floral, petrol, honey, peach, guava, lime rind aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy, delicate palate with medium sweetness and a light spritz. Petrol, red apple, lime, guava, orange flavours. Good fruit and acidity for fun drinking and Asian food.Prices:| AB | $17.50 | 750ml |
| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Aveleda Vinho Verde 2012
Vinho Verde, Northern Portugal, PortugalVinho Verde is the antidote to the moscato and sweet rosé craze. Fresh and alive with a hint of spritz you can revel in it ethereal floral, citrus, green apple and green peach nose. On the palate it's delicate, watery, juicy style sports apple, nectarine, grassy, floral, lime flavours. A respite from all things heavy this juicy, stylish white is tailor made for summer seafood and salads. Solid value here.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $10.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $12.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $14.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
JoieFarm Riesling iv 2012
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, matchstick, green guava, red apple, lees and grapefruit aromas. Round, fresh, juicy, somewhat sweet style with soapy, floral, spicy, grapefruit, honey, lees and nettle flavours. An easy sipping sweet and sour style of riesling. Think sushi.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Quails' Gate Pinot Noir Clone 828 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA single clone bottling experiment with a unique celery, barnyard, compost, meaty nose mixed with smoke and rhubarb aromas. Dry, thin, leaner, elegant styling with bright acidity. The attack is on the earthy side with barnyard, carrot, celery, tart cassis and raspberry flavours. Seems more like a blending clone to add some structure in a warm year. Best with duck.Prices:| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $25.00 | 750ml |
| MN | $23.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $28.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Stoneboat Vineyards Piano Brut NV
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCharmat style with lots of medium fine white mousse. Perfumed, nectarine, matchstick, red apple nose with orange, lime rind and strawberry/bubble gum aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy, if a touch foamy on the palate with green apple, soapy floral, ginger, grapefruit, lime rind and herb flavours. Good solid effort for first release. Finishes just off-dry. Would be perfect with pakoras.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Quails' Gate Pinot Noir 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaHerby, carrot top, earthy, rhubarb, celery salt and light raspberry aromas. Dry, fresh, smooth pinot palate but with bright acidity. Cool herbal, compost, orange peel, rhubarb, carrot and raspberry leaf flavours. Simple and juicy with excellent pinot texture but could use more fruit in the finish.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $25.00 | 750ml |
| MN | $23.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $28.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $30.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Quails' Gate Gewürztraminer 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGrapefruit, spicy, light litchi fruit and floral with red apple and peach skin aromas. Round, fresh, juicy, sweeter style with soapy floral, honey, sweaty grapefruit, peach flavours. Juicy but on the sweet track. Best with spicy Asian dishes or as an apéritif with spicy appetizers.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Quails' Gate Dry Riesling 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight floral, light guava, red apple, lime aromas with a touch struck matchstick. Fresh, juicy, creamy palate with a bit of sweetness. Lime, nectarine, grapefruit, granny smith flavours. Solid but has a sour, bitter finish.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| MN | $17.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Quails' Gate Chenin Blanc 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIntense floral, sweaty grapefruit, spicy, red apple and light lees and garlic aromas. Fresh, juicy, and somewhat sweet on entry it is still well-balanced on the palate with Granny smith, grapefruit and lees flavours. Best with food to stand up to some prominent acidity throughout.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $19.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $23.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $23.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $23.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Painted Wolf The Den Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Coastal Region, South AfricaInteresting old style cabernet that still has an audience in BC. Look for spicy, savoury, cassis, tobacco leaf, herbal, smoked meat aromas to preview a dry, somewhat tart palate with light tannins. The flavours mix coffee, cherry, stewed rhubarb, smoked meat, menthol and tobacco with a slightly herbal finish. Fire up the barbecue and serve with hamburgers.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Painted Wolf The Den Pinotage 2011
Coastal Region, South AfricaSpicy, cola, smoked meat, peppery, plum, riparian, earthy, and leather and prune aromas. Round, smooth, warm, somewhat tart palate. Earthy, smoked meat, gamey, resin, coffee, chocolate, stewed prune flavours. It finishes warm and tart with some fruit poking through the leafy tannins. Best with grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Blufeld Riesling Medium Sweet 2010
Mosel, GermanyLight petrol, lemon oil, peach, matchstick, floral aromas. Round, soft, juicy, somewhat sweet palate. Baked apple, pear, citrus, honey, petrol flavours. Easy style but somewhat flat in the finish.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Nik Weis St. Urbans-Hof Riesling Estate Bottled From Old Vines 2010
Mosel, GermanyFresh intense ripe apple, honey, peach scented nose with bits of lees and citrus. Big juicy, rich attack with some sweetness but still in an elegant style. Peach, honey, guava, red apple, orange and lees flavours with a juicy, fresh finish. Fuller-style that will make it very food friendly. Indian curry would be a fine match.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Stellenbosch Hills 1707 Reserve 2008
Polkadraai Hills, Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South AfricaSmoky, meaty, prune, coffee, saddle leather, vanilla, black berry, liquorice, dried fig, savoury, barnyard aromas. Dry, full, round but acidic palate with espresso, vanilla, peppery, tobacco, cedar, prune flavours flecked with roast meat, smoky dried herbs, cassis, barnyard and bretty Band-Aid flavours. Has fruit but too tart and rustic.Prices:| BC | $38.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Heggies Vineyard Chardonnay 2011
Eden Valley, South Australia, AustraliaHeggies fruit is at the 550 metre mark above sea level the style is cool. The nose is nutty, with flecks of garlic, baked green apple and waxy, floral notes. The attack is fresh and elegant, the palate is juicy with green apple, lime rind, nutty lees, garlic, vanilla, grassy, green guava flavours. Good finesse in 2011 just lacking a bit of concentration in the finish. Drink now with grilled halibut.Prices:| QC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $24.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Schug Chardonnay Carneros 2011
Carneros, Sonoma County, California, United StatesEnticing earthy, nutty lees, honey, light butterscotch nose with baked apple, guava aromas. Round, fresh, elegant, juicy palate with a touch of sweetness. More honey, light garlic, nutty lees and vanilla spill across the palate flecked with vanilla, baked apple, earthy, citrus flavours. Good fruit and juicy finish. A big jump in quality over the 2010.Prices:| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $36.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Schug Chardonnay Carneros 2010
Carneros, Sonoma County, California, United StatesRipe apple, baked pear, nutty lees, butter, vanilla, citrus and honey aromas. Round, warm, somewhat soft palate with nutty lees, vanilla, honey, baked apple, earthy, butterscotch flavours. Solid but not much length or persistence for the money.Prices:| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $36.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Schug Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 2010
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, United StatesQuiet pear, honey, baked apple nose with notes of light lees, vanilla, oatmeal and struck matchstick. Round, dry, fresh, somewhat oily, warm palate with citrus, lees, vanilla, butterscotch, baked pear, honey flavours. The finish is round and warm but lacks a little electricity and life.Prices:| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Oyster Bay Chardonnay 2011
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandLight lees, honey, matchstick, apple skin, orange peel aromas. Round, fresh, juicy, off dry style with grapefruit, green apple, lees, honey, nettle flavours. Finish is a bit bitter and lime rind-y but with some intensity. Best with mussels.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $22.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $21.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $19.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $20.00 | 750ml |
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19 April 2013
86PTS
Sperling Vineyards Sparkling Brut 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight gold color with lots of medium mousse. Very nutty, grassy, diacetyl, baked apple skin, pear aromas. Very foamy, fresh palate with tart acidity and quite dry. Baked green apple skin, buttery, nutty, green pear, citrus rind flavours. Very bracing, acidic style that is not for the timid. Food is essential.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Oyster Bay Pinot Noir 2011
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandSomewhat pale colour with a lees, rubbery, reductive nose with some strawberry jam and green herbs. Dry, round, smooth palate with celery salt, rhubarb, sage, tobacco and rhubarb flavours. Tart, smoky finish. Tastes cleaner than it smells. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $26.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $25.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $24.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| QB | $22.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Beyerskloof Faith 2008
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South AfricaBig liquorice, espresso, smoked sausage, barnyard, sweaty saddle leather, cedar, tobacco, vanilla, black berry, and poultry spice aromas. Full, round, rich, slightly tart palate with light tannins. Lots of stewed prune, cassis, smoked meat, saddle leather, barnyard, resin, espresso, vanilla, roast bell pepper flavours. The wine finishes warm (alcoholic) with some acidity and volatility poking through some green tea tannins. Needs more time in bottle. A wine that is more interesting than its price.Prices:| BC | $118.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $90.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $102.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $61.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Beyerskloof Diesel Pinotage 2009
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South AfricaSmoky game, earthy, prune, coffee, vanilla, licorice root, poultry spice, barnyard, sausage, smoky leather and black cherry aromas. Full, round, rich, smooth palate with fresh acidity. Prune, vanilla, smoked sausage, poultry spice, tobacco, tomato puree, cherry jam flavours with a big espresso, smoked ham finish. Actually a bit reminiscent of Vin Diesel in its strength and attitude for you pinotage fans.Prices:| BC | $84.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $81.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $69.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $66.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Saxenburg Guinea Fowl Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2010
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South AfricaTypical smoked meat, barnyard, saddle leather aromas mixed with herbal, menthol, riparian, bell pepper notes. Somewhat astringent, tart palate with leafy, herbal, cassis, riparian, nettle, bell pepper, smoky, meaty, medicinal leather flavours. A style we have seen for years but not one we like.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $21.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Schloss Reinhartshausen Pinot Noir Dry 2008
Rheingau, GermanyOld saddle leather, strawberry, earthy, barnyard nose with notes of tomato puree. The attack is smooth but super dry and tart on palate with more earthy, leather, tobacco, sour cherry flavours. Tired and lacking in fruit. Not a lot to recommend here.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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17 April 2013
86PTS
Blue Mountain Pinot Noir 2011
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig roast meat, barnyard, strawberry jam, leesy, tobacco, herbal aromas. Round, dry, elegant palate with slightly sour acidity. Smoky oak, roast meat, barnyard, saddle leather, vanilla, cooked rhubarb, sour cherry flavours. A bit of departure for Blue Mountain, or just the 20111 vintage, showing more oak and rusticity than we have seen in the past. Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $30.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Van Westen Vineyards VD Pinot Noir 2011
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, raspberry jam, black cherry, smoky, coffee, vanilla, savoury aromas. Full, round, dry, somewhat tart palate with rhubarb, smoky oak, espresso, clove, tobacco leaf, resin, black cherry flavours. Big and oaky, sweet vanilla style with a warm finish. More winemaking less terroir here.Prices:| BC | $38.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Beyerskloof Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2011
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South AfricaBig bell pepper, tobacco leaf, smoky, herbal, riparian aromas. Round, smooth, tart palate with light tannins. Smoky herb, tobacco leaf, bell pepper, nettle, resin and coffee flavours. Very tart and herbaceous with a smoked meat finish. Old school cabernet sauvignon.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Stag's Hollow Renaissance Pinot Noir 2010
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSavoury, cherry jam, cola, vanilla, coffee aromas. Round, smooth, rich palate with fresh acidity. Menthol, vanilla, smoky coffee, tobacco, black plum, rhubarb flavours. Finish is warm and tart. It has density and pinot mouth-weight but the flavours are not very reminiscent of pinot. Next step more varietal authenticity.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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16 April 2013
89PTS
Van Westen Vineyards Viognier 2012
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe latest Van Westen viognier over delivers on the nose with rich tropical tones mixing honey ginger and litchi fruit aromas flecked with orange and rosewater. The attack is juicy and fresh but with creamy lees more ginger, litchi, lemon oil and white flowers. The Van Westen wines always have a sense of finesse and balance that shows itself in the glass. All the fruit comes of two north Naramata sites: Orlando Vineyard and Granite Ridge Vineyard.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Tantalus Riesling 2012
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaNever for the faint of heart the Tantalus riesling is at the extreme end of freshness and acidity most years all in a good way. Expect a pureness of fruit with electric mineral floral citrus and tropical fruit notes perhaps slightly tempered in 2012. The attack is crisp the flavours exact and vibrant offering a mix of lemon, honey, lime and tangerine notes. Always a juicy mouth-watering style that excels with food. Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $23.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Tinhorn Creek Pinot Gris 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaTinhorn has hit the target two years running now with this Gris. Freshness and lively acidity makes all the difference when it comes to pinot gris. A razor edge mix of ripe fruit and bright acidity makes each sip fun and refreshing. Look for more citrus, green apple and dried herbs (sagebrush) with some stony minerality in the finish. The fruit is a mix of Black Sage Bench and Golden Mile Bench. Food-friendly and ready to drink all summer.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Clos du Soleil Rosé 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaI'm not a huge fan of cabernet sauvignon rosé but if it's ripe and fresh it can be fun. Clos du Soleil is a medium red coloured rosé, it is cabernet after all, and it is a mix of red cranberry-style fruit with a twist of strawberry. The palate is similar with more of a raspberry fruit character flecked with menthol and vanilla. This is a rosé built for food - veal or pork and red pepper brochettes would be a fine choice. Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
M. Chapoutier Belleruche Côtes du Rhône Rosé 2012
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceLove the pale salmon colour, love the nose, the love the taste and love the price. So fresh and juicy with bright citrus, strawberry fruit flecked with watermelon and spice. This slides down so easily I can only imagine how it would be received on a hot patio. This wine is all it can be for the price and it is delicious too.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
M. Chapoutier Beaurevoir Tavel 2012
Tavel, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceChapoutier's Tavel is grenache grown over chalky gravels and red clays. It's a bleed after 24-36 hours of maceration. The wine is briefly aged in vats and bottled in spring. Look for an exuberant cherry berry nose, a smooth, soft-ish attack with spicy, rhubarb, dried herbs and strawberry flavours. Fine intensity and length with just enough weight to make it very food versatile.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $26.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $23.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Quails' Gate Stewart Family Reserve Pinot Noir 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaTypically dry and aromatic with celery salt, spice, barnyard, rhubarb, vanilla, cherry, saddle leather, florals and plum aromas. The attack is fresh, the palate silky and smooth with juicy acidity and vanilla, spicy, smoky, herbal red fruit and earthy/rooty flavours. Good finesse in a cool, herbal, style. Should improve over the next three years in bottle. Serve now with duck or squab.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $33.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $45.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $46.00 | 750ml |
| MN | $41.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $46.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Quails' Gate Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaJust released the Family Reserve has risen into the top ranks of BC chardonnay. Look for green apple, sage, guava, spicy garlic lees aromas flecked with vanilla, butter and orange/floral aromas. The attack is dry and fresh with vanilla, honey, garlic, smoky, baked pear flavours. It has excellent fruit and concentration with prominent creamy lees/croissant notes throughout. The majority of this blend is a French clone 95. Drink now or hold for minimum five years.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $33.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $35.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Oyster Bay Sparkling Cuvée Rosé NV
Hawkes Bay, North Island, New ZealandOyster Bay mixes chardonnay (Hawkes Bay) and pinot noir (Marlborough) before a second fermentation in the bottle to produce a dry, tart-style sparkler that begs for food. The attack is dry and grassy with feint hints of red fruit and almonds. The finish is dry and severe. Tapas please.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $22.00 | 750ml |
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14 April 2013
90PTS
Yabby Lake Vineyard Chardonnay 2010
Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, AustraliaExpect a bigger chardonnay imprint here that is ripe but at the same time dialled back in style with light butter, green apple, nutty, citrus with creamy lees, vanilla aromas. The attack is similar with a leaner more elegant palate style and some nuttier, baked pear, mineral, green apple and lees flavours. Complexity and length in a fresher leaned down style. Impressive for the price.Prices:| BC | $54.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $44.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $40.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Domaine Marc Morey Chassagne Montrachet Les Virondots 1er Cru 2010
Puligny Montrachet, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceDomaine Marc Morey is located in Chassagne and is run by Bernard Mollard and Marie-Jo Mollard-Morey along with daughter Sabine who has assumed much of the winemaking responsibility. The style remains Morey - elegant, perfumed wines that have the ability to improve with age. The nose is intense with inviting citrus, nutty/hazelnut aromas and flavours with plenty of minerality across the palate. Dry and elegant it cries for seafood now and another three to five years in bottle. Vinification is traditional, with minimal battonage and 11 months in 30% new oak barrels.Prices:| BC | $90.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Jean-Marc Brocard Chablis Montmains 1er Cru 2010
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceThis Montmains practices restraint, relying on elegance and terroir. Look for that telltale seashore, chalk and mineral wet stone nose with bits of green apple and quince. This wine is just hitting its stride now showing richness and length in a firmly wound mix of oyster shell, lemon, pear and green apple flavours. Drink now through 2016 with oysters and or crab to best results.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $37.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $34.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Shaw and Smith Chardonnay M3 Vineyard 2012
Adelaide Hills, Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide, South Australia, AustraliaA pre-release look at the latest vintage, this offers green apple, floral, lemon, vanilla, buttery, garlic, pear, grassy, honey aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy, and creamy with good body but somewhat young and austere. Lemon, garlic lees, nutty, grassy, green apple, vanilla, waxy, smoky flavours. Perhaps a bit richer and more textured than the 2010 but still in a cooler, fresher style. Needs 2-3 years.Prices:| BC | $44.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $36.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $36.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $55.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $49.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Shaw and Smith Chardonnay M3 Vineyard 2010
Adelaide Hills, Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide, South Australia, AustraliaContinuing on a cooler style, this offers grassy, lime, green apple, seaweed, matchstick, butter and light vanilla and lees aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy and creamy palate with higher acidity. Vanilla, lemon custard, green apple, butter, nutty lees and nectarine skin flavours. A bit buttery on the finish but good texture and complexity to improve over the next 2-5 years. "M3" is named after brothers Michael and Matthew Hill Smith and cousin Martin Shaw.Prices:| BC | $44.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $36.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $36.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $55.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Schug Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesThe 2009 is a 76/16/4/4 mix of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc and malbec fruit from Sonoma Valley aged 24 months in a mix of 20% new, French, Hungarian and American oak. The attack is dry with firm prevalent acidity and warm, rich black berry and rich cassis. You can drink this now with stews and or grilled meats or continue to cellar it for another three to five years.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Schug Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesThe 2008 is an 81/8/6/4/1 mix of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, syrah and malbec from Sonoma Valley aged in a mix of French, Hungarian and American oak for 24 months. Expect a minty menthol black fruit nose. On the palate the entry is tart and somewhat dry with warm spicy black fruit notes. The tannins are firm and the dryness accentuated by the acidity. Youthful and frankly a bit harsh at this point. Best with a big old grilled steak to tame the acidity and tannins.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Haywire The Bub Traditional Method Rosé 2011
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Bub is a mix of cool mountain fruit from the south Okanagan tinted to the perfect colour with a small lot of low tannin syrah. The nose is floral with bits of red fruits and hay/grass. Classic Haywire understatement with subtle yeasty notes, nectarine skin with bits of green apples. Best with lightly spiced appetizers. Good effort and reminiscent of Cava style. Finished under crown cap.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Francis Ford Coppola Presents Diamond Collection Black Label Claret 1910 Type Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
California, United StatesOpen peppery, soupy cedar black olive, savoury, candied cherry. The attack is soft with plenty of mid-palate sweetness with blackberry jam, cedar, tobacco, black olive, spicy menthol flavours. Soft round easy-sipping, California cabernet for mid-week drinking.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $32.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $31.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Perseus Select Lots Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
British Columbia, CanadaThe Select Lots cab has a ripe raisiny, touch of prune nose suggesting a warm site. That is supported by its 15.1 percent alcohol level. The entry is an odd mix of red and black fruit with a sweet chocolate mid-palate with some supporting acidity and plenty of sweet vanilla and savoury black cherry notes on the finish. There's some dry tannins yet to shed. A big friendly, rustic cab that needs a barbecued meat to shine.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
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13 April 2013
89PTS
Unsworth Vineyards Pinot Noir 2012
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaThe inaugural pinot noir release from this highly promising Vancouver Island winery - and worth waiting for. This is what the cool climate, maritime influenced wine islands should gravitate towards - bright, elegant and finessed light reds. Youthful vines yield sweet perfumed roses, bright cherry blossoms and wild strawberry Presents young and fresh and lively makes it ideal with poultry.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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08 April 2013
90PTS
Insoglio del Cinghiale 2011
Bolgheri, Tuscany, ItalyInsoglio del Cinghiale is the little brother of the famed Tenuta di Biserno from Maremma. The blend is a mix of syrah, cabernet franc and merlot and like its big brother it is remarkably consistent from year to year. The '11 is a supple red, attractively styled with fabulous texture and weight to support a rich palate of liquorice, spicy black fruit and grilled meat flavours. Some 40 percent of the wine is spends four months in new and second year French oak barrels. The rest remains in stainless steel tanks. A country red with a lot of style.Prices:| BC | $38.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $36.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $30.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Miopasso Nero d'Avola 2010
Sicily, ItalyBlack cherry, liquorice root and resiny pepper, floral, gamey aromas. Fresh, round, juicy but sweet palate with red liquorice, cherry jam, spicy, earthy flavours. A very commercial, entry level style hamburger red style that could use a price adjustment.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Scurati Nero d'Avola 2010
Sicily, ItalyCola, black cherry, red liquorice, spicy, tobacco nose. The palate is ripe, rich, supple and elegant with more earthy, tobacco, black cherry jam flavours flecked with liquorice, five-spice and dried herbs. Well balanced with fine fruit and texture for current drinking. Try with duck or pork Chinese style.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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07 April 2013
87PTS
M. Chapoutier Belleruche Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2011
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceFloral, peach skin, spicy, pear, light lees and quince aromas. Fresh, juicy, delicate palate with citrus, honey, butter, nectarine, ginger, floral flavours with a guava note. Dry and elegant versatile luncheon white. Try with spicy seafood.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Sula Dindori Reserve Viognier 2012
Maharashra, IndiaSeaweed, lees, spicy, baked nectarine, metallic, quince aromas. Round, soft, sweet entry with apple skin, baked pear, honey, candied ginger flavours. A simple, easy-sipping style with a slightly salty finish.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Stag's Hollow Viognier 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaResin, lees, matchstick, cedar, honey, apricot, vanilla, orange peel, floral nose. Dry, fresh, elegant, slightly lean palate with vanilla, nutty lees, anise, ginger, orange peel, floral, apple skin flavours. A bit oaky which tends to sit on the fruit but otherwise solid.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Stag's Hollow GVM 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, honey, vanilla, creamy, baked peach, anise, mandarin, matchstick, baked apple aromas. Round, dry, fresh, slightly soft palate with vanilla, earthy, cedar, bitter citrus, soapy floral, lees, apple skin, orange peel flavours. A bit disjointed with a bitter note in the finish. This needs another year in bottle to integrate.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Three Winds Viognier 2011
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceA refreshing ginger, nutty lees, spicy, honey, floral nose with apricot and orange aromas. Round, soft, fresh, off-dry palate with more ginger, quince, honey, slate and baked apple flavours. An easy-sipping, forward style that can be served with a variety of foods from sushi to chicken and crab.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Perseus Cabernet Shiraz 2011
British Columbia, CanadaTwo cabs: sauvignon (44) and franc (13) are mixed with 43 percent shiraz. The fruit comes off vineyards in the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys. Look for a candied, peppery, raspberry/blueberry nose with bits of smoke, cedar and toasts. The attack is sweetish with liquorice flavours and some fresh acidity poking through the mid-palate, more cedar, smoke and rustic tannins in the back end. A hamburger red or consider serving it with an aged cheddar.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Saxenburg Private Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South AfricaThere is something to be said for consistency and year after year this wine delivers just that. The issue is the smoky, meaty, burnt rubber, smoked leather (Brett?) notes that permeate this wine along with a fair amount of dried herbs and resiny black fruit flavours.Prices:| BC | $33.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Yalumba Viognier Eden Valley 2011
Eden Valley, South Australia, AustraliaCitrus, matchstick, green apple, grassy, floral, ginger and apricot skin aromas. Round, fresh, dry, juicy palate with grapefruit, green apple, nettle, honey, floral, orange peel and ginger flavours. Well balanced and as always reflecting a more restrained, cooler style.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $28.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Gérard Bertrand Terroir Corbières Grenache Syrah Mourvèdre 2010
Corbières, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceCorbières is the largest appellation in the South of France at 32,400 acres planted. With sites that begin at the sea and stretch into hillsides Bertrand selects only the finest grapes for his 40/40/20 mix of syrah/grenache/mourvèdre. Expect a big meaty, blackberry jam, spicy, smoky nose with bits of orange peel, black raspberry, licorice and dried herb notes. The palate is fresh, slightly tannic and loaded with black raspberry jam, licorice root, pepper, resin, orange peel, chocolate and garrigue flavours. Good intensity and still immensely youthful. Serve this with roast lamb.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Gérard Bertrand La Forge 2010
Corbières, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceLa Forge is a four hectare site in the heart of the Boutenac a new sub-appellation of Corbières where the vines are long-lived. The wine spends 15 months in new French oak barriques. Look for a rich black olive, meaty, black cherry jam, garrigue nose flecked with coffee, tobacco, vanilla, cedar and five-spice aromas. Rich, full, round, smooth palate but balanced if somewhat warm. More vanilla, chocolate, coffee, roast meat, black raspberry jam, blackberry, liquorice flavours sill across your palate spiked with poultry spice, orange peel and black tea flavours. Long, suave and ripe this needs time in bottle (3-5 years) but it will be excellent.Prices:| BC | $90.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Finca Las Moras Reserve Tannat 2011
San Juan, ArgentinaYou do not see a lot of tannat and when you do it is often quite tannic but it doesn't have to be. In this case the Las Moras is peppery, meaty, dark fruit scented red. The plate is a rustic mix of cassis fruit and tobacco with a savoury, liquorice finish. Best with lamb or meat stews.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Bridlewood Blend 175 2010
Central Coast, California, United StatesPeppery, spicy, chocolate, cedar, resin, blackberry and prune aromas. Round, fresh, smooth but sweet entry with chocolate, tobacco, earthy, cassis, herbal, olive, cedar bark and coffee bean flavours. Sweet, tart and herbaceous finish.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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06 April 2013
88PTS
Gérard Bertrand Gris Blanc 2012
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceThe arrival of the Bertrand Gris Blanc ups the summer rosé ante. Dry rosé is where it is at today if you want to been seen as serious producer of a not so serious wine. The colour is pale pink perfection, the nose delightfully fruity strawberry/cranberry with wet stone minerality throughout. You can sip this solo now or you could keep it another year but 12 months in contact with a cork won't help anything here. Try this with your favourite summer foods on the patio and watch your guests swoon. All its needs is a price that makes sense.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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05 April 2013
89PTS
Clos Pons Alges 2009
Costers del Segre, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainLow rainfall poor soils with high mineral content spawn this earthy, smokey, resiny, garrigue-scented nose. Fresh and juicy with light tannins and delicious black cherry, plum, savoury, peppery, fig, smoky, liquorice flavours. You will love the fruit concentration and balance that lets you approach this wine now although it will improve with one to two years more in bottle. Try this lamb chops. Fine value.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Gérard Bertrand Moscato 2012
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceBig floral, spicy, nectarine, green apple, pear and mint aromas. Ripe, round, fat, sweeter style with soapy floral, nectarine, honey, red apple and mint flavours. Good fruit and great nose but too sweet.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Mitolo Jester Vermentino 2011
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaGrassy, citrus, apple skin and pear aromas with some matchstick. Fresh, light, dry, lean palate with apple skin, lemon, nettle, grassy, flavours. Simple, light, lower alcohol style at 10% reminiscent of vinho verde but lacking the same verve for this price. Back to the drawing board.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $25.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Sandhill Small Lots Program Sangiovese Sandhill Estate Vineyard 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe colour is about right but not much else. The nose is lifted with volatile notes of black cherry and coffee, mocha, cedar notes. Again showing too much wood for the level of fruit here. The palate is a mix or sweet and sour flavours with a streak of savoury, black sage through its toffee, oaky finish. Overworked.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $33.00 | 750ml |
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04 April 2013
86PTS
Torres Vina Sol 2012
Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainThis wine is always a pleasing, summer sipper, seafood ready white made from parellada, a traditional Spanish variety with a fresh character. Finished under cork (for some unknown reason) this bottle offers a fresh lime/lemon, yellow plum fruit nose and palate with bright acidity/minerality and a pinch of lime rind. Simple, clean and fresh it would be fine with most simply prepared west coast seafood dishes.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $12.25 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Torres Sangre de Toro White Wine 2010
Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainSkinny, fresh, grassy/fruity aromas mark the nose and palate. The attack is fresh with bright acidity and fresh green fruits with a hint of fennel and other dried herbs. Fairly lean and short in the finish. Best with creamy pastas or simply prepared fish dishes with butter sauces.Prices:| QC | $13.25 | 750ml |
| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.25 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Gray Monk Latitude 50 - White 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGray Monk isn't revealing what is in this aromatic blend but gewürztraminer, Alsatian pinot gris and some sort of riesling cross would be a good bet. Expect lifted, fruity notes of apples and citrus but with a fair whack of yeasty/bread dough flavours in the taste. Chill this bottle down and serve it on the patio with finger food for best results.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $18.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $16.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Cupcake Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandIt's hard to take a wine named Cupcake too serious and when you add purchased New Zealand sauvignon juice well you can only hope for the best. The nose and flavours are a classic mix of lime rind, grapefruit and tinned asparagus juice with flecks of gooseberry and citrus. Dry and a touch severe. Try this with a bowl of mussels. At least it's cheap.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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03 April 2013
89PTS
Bret Brothers La Soufrandiere Macon-Vinzelles Clos de Grand-Pere 2010
Pouilly-Vinzelles, Mâconnais, Burgundy, FranceIn the southern edge of Burgundy this Macon-Vinzelles this offers up a baked apple/pear, citrus nose with spice, buttery, floral lees aromas. The attack is ripe if a touch rustic in style with juicy, creamy textures and more baked apple, apricot honey, spicy lees butter and mineral slate flavours. Good juicy finish with some length and elegance. Well done and could be fun with fresh cracked crab.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Perseus Pinot Gris 2011
Penticton Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaExpect a bright crisp entry and an equally fresh attack with salty, mineral, white fruit flavours and a mix of earth and honey throughout. A perfect wine for pasta and clams or salmon or tuna sashimi or serve solo on the patio.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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May 2013