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Tastings: June 2013
29 June 2013
86PTS
Nk'Mip Cellars Rosé 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis is a pretty little rosé that is finished dry. Both the colour and the style is something we need more of in BC. It's a touch sweaty on the nose with a sour cherry/citrus fruit palate but with food it should be just fine. The grape mix is pinot noir, merlot and cabernet sauvignon. Patio is open.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
CedarCreek Rosé Pinot Noir 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMuch like last year this pinot noir rosé has a candied sweet cherry nose to match its medium pink red colour. The attack is soft and smooth with a sweet cherry palate and finish. Best with spicy charcuterie plates.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Monster Vineyards Rosé 2012
British Columbia, CanadaNew Zealand passion fruit and sweaty armpit meets Okanagan citrus and herbal aromas. The entry is juicy soft off dry and refreshing with cranberry/raspberry fruit flavours. Fun simple and ready-to-drink on the patio.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Angove's Nine Vines Rosé 2012
South Australia, AustraliaGrenache and shiraz (70/30) from an almost perfect vintage have shape this delicious, fresh rosé. The fruit spends some 24hrs on its skins before its pressed off and fermented. The nose is a burst of fresh red fruits, the palate similar with black cherry/raspberry flavours spiked with citrus. The finish is fresh and dry. Perfect for an heirloom tomato sandwich or pasta tossed with olive oil and tomatoes. Good value.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Il Conte Primitivo Negroamaro 2011
Salento, Puglia, ItalyA tasty bag of wine (in a 3-litre box) that works out to about $9.65 a bottle. This blend is a mix of 80/20 primitivo/negroamaro. There is touch of smoky meaty aromas over a fruity, soft easy sipping red that would handle a crowd at a barbecue. The southern Italian blend comes with plenty of sunshine and sweetness with a touch of vanilla to appeal to many. An honest red for weekend crowds, burgers, kebobs and grilled meats. Good value.Prices:| BC | $38.00 | 3000ml |
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93PTS
Domaine Drouhin Laurène 2010
Willamette Valley, Oregon, United StatesNamed after winemaker Véronique Drouhin's daughter, Laurène there is little doubt this is one of the star labels of the property. The estate fruit is handled with utmost care, handpicked and fermented with indigenous yeasts. It's aged in less than 20% new oak and finally only the best barrels are selected to be included in Laurène. In 2010 the wine sings with a sensational nose of dried herbs, strawberries, rhubarb and a hint of pepper. The tannin adds structure before melting in your mouth. Soft round juicy and supple it is the pinnacle of pinot noir with grace and elegance. Is it the best ever?Prices:| BC | $78.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $60.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $55.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $55.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $70.00 | 750ml |
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28 June 2013
87PTS
Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay Vintner's Reserve 2011
California, United StatesKJ's calling card chardonnay has oft been underestimated by the critics but most years it over delivers on the strength of its massive selection of estate fruit. Love the creamy, ripe fruit nose, the balancing off of sugar and acidity and a touch of lees to pulls it all together. Warm generous ripe and ready to drink.Prices:| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $21.00 | 750ml |
| US | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $27.50 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Louis Latour Chardonnay Bourgogne 2011
FranceSimple inexpensive chardonnay from Burgundy. The nose is fresh, the palate skinny with bits of citrus, green apple skin and butter. Best with clams or oysters.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $22.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $21.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Layer Cake Chardonnay One Hundred Percent Pure 2011
Central Coast, California, United StatesFermented in stainless before some lots see some oak exposure in older three year old French wood. The fruit is a sweet mix of Monterey and Santa Barbara fruit. There is plenty of flavours from citrus and orange blossoms to candied lime and pineapple. I suggest you serve it with your favourite curry and the let the freshness and ripe fruit knock down the heat in the dish.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Gilbert Cellars Unoaked Chardonnay 2012
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesThe Unoaked chardonnay comes off five vineyards from within the Columbia Valley. The nose is fresh an expressive with ripe pineapple and fried apricot notes. The palate is equally lively with floral nutty, skinny nectarine fruit with a twist of minerality. Despite a sweet-ish edge the acidity keeps in checking leaving it food-friendly. Try it with halibut and fruit salsa.Prices:| BC | $32.00 | 750ml |
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27 June 2013
86PTS
Quinta Ferreira Merlot 2009
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen smoky peppery, tobacco nose with bits of espresso and dried tomato. The attack is dry with substantial power and weight and with tannin to beat the band and cherry earthy, vanilla, black olive, savoury flavours. Somewhat rustic at this stage and will need some time in the bottle to settle down. Serve this one with a roast of beef to best effect.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Road 13 Merlot Low Yield Wines 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThere's only 175 cases but merlot remains a tough sell even if it is better suited to BC than say cabernet sauvignon. This wine is just a pup and if you can get by the cedar-y brambly nose it has plenty to offer in texture weight and body. Look for a cedar chocolate pencil lead nose with bright red fruits and dash of dark plums. Firm and dry with well managed fine tannin it needs three more years in bottle to come around. If you have to crack it open now try it with grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Stoneleigh Pinot Grigio 2011
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandVaguely gris-like, the fruit is intense but more tropical and ripe than earthy and dry. The palate is a mix of nectarines, pineapple and very ripe pears. Classic Marlborough style with enough sweetness to work with spicy south-Asian dishes.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.20 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.35 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Township 7 Chardonnay 2011
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canadayellow colour, oxidised nose...faulty cork? Try another.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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26 June 2013
89PTS
Mazzei Belguardo Rosé 2011
Maremma, Tuscany, ItalySyrah and sangiovese seem strange bedfellows but they work in this tasty Tuscan rosé that like very few of its contemporaries is grown in the vineyard to be a rosé. The mix is 50/50 and somehow the grapes work together along with a touch of wood to lend some body to the mid-palate and to balance the fruit and acidity. Most summer dishes work here as does grilled chicken and mild curries. Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $39.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Tyrrell's Brookdale Semillon 2012
Pokolbin, Hunter, New South Wales, AustraliaI'm a big fan of young sémillon with its fresh nettle/grass grapefruit green fruit aromas and flavours. In this case the attack is electric with tastes of lime, green fig, grapefruit, mint and quince. The acidity is upper bright and carries the finish begging for food. This will fatten up and turn the corner in two or three years in bottle to become a whole other wine but for the moment it is vibrant and deliciously electric. Super value.Prices:| Australia | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Sibling Rivalry White 2011
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaBack on track the latest SR is bright, juicy and fresh on the nose with feint notes of citrus and minerality. The attack is juicy watery easy sipping with light fruit flavours. The blend is a mix of riesling, chardonnay and gewürztraminer and it is as aromatic and tasty as you would expect. Super value in a fine summer sipper. Stock up for hot days.Prices:| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $17.50 | 750ml |
| SK | $16.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $17.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Fort Berens 23 Camels White 2012
British Columbia, CanadaThe latest 23 Camels is a60/20/20 blend of pinot gris, chardonnay and riesling. The nose is predictably fresh and aromatic with a persistent orange peel/mandarin aromas. The attack is similar but while it smells ripe and sweet the wine is dry and crisp with juicy, peppery kiwi fruit and pear flavours with flecks of orange. Well-made and ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
JoieFarm A Noble Blend 2012
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAnother repeat performance from Michael and Heidi that has to be rewarding for them. The 2012 puts gewürztraminer back in the lead at 35 percent followed by 29/17/12/4/3/ riesling/pinot blanc/pinot auxerrois/schönburger and now muscat. It's the juicy aromatic style that is so attractive, spice guava, ginger and tangerine set the tone for unlimited food matching. Don't change anything.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $34.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
JoieFarm Muscat The Pure Grape (v) 2012
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAnother intense aromatic muscat with bits of soap mixed though its floral, ginger, peppery nose. The attack is nervy with citrus, lime rind, lemon peel, nectarine skin notes and a long persistent finish. There's touch of residual sugar suggesting spicy food could be an excellent match. Kudos to the moderate 11.5 percent alcohol.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Mt. Boucherie Estate Collection Semillon 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaShowing some age and power this sémillon opens with a muted grapefruit fig and jalapeno nose. The attack is warm, round and creamy with jalapeno, sweet tangerine and grapefruit flavours with decent acidity. Ready to drink but should hold for three to five years. Still hoping to see this under screwcap next time out.Prices:| BC | $15.50 | 750ml |
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25 June 2013
88PTS
James Oatley Tic Tok Pinot Grigio 2012
Adelaide Hills, Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide, South Australia, AustraliaVery consistent form year to year this is a cool-climate style gris made from Central Ranges fruit. Honey earth and wet stone nose all in an appealing lean style mark the nose and palate. Juicy dry and fresh you can pair this with a variety of seafood and sushi and even curry dishes. Good value.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Hillside Pinot Gris Reserve 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBright floral, ginger, orange rind notes mark the nose. The palate has a touch of lees for texture with nectarine, ginger, guava, butter and spicy, pear flavours. More on the tighter, austere style but with fine intensity and length. Try this with a variety of seafood.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Hillside Un-Oaked Pinot Gris 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis wine will have appeal to those who prefer their white wine with no makeup. This gris is 100 percent stainless fermented. The nose is a fragrant mix of peach and citrus the palate is similar with more juicy, melon and pear notes in the background. A bit stark for solo sipping but would be perfect for chicken or pasta or bean salads.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2010
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileOpen rich sappy, cassis/menthol/bay leaf with earthy, chocolate aromas. The attack is dry and fresh the tannins light with blackcurrant, tobacco, dill, cedar, coffee smoky notes. A solid weekend red for a variety of grilled items on the barbecue.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.90 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
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24 June 2013
88PTS
Boekenhoutskloof The Wolftrap 2012
Western Cape, South AfricaAlways solid the 2012 is as rich as we can remember but still with a wild, smoky, meaty side. The blend is syrah, mourvèdre and viognier and it offers up spicy, blueberry liquorice flavours. Soft and ready to drink. Good value here in a versatile red for grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $14.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Tinhorn Creek 2Bench Oldfield Series White 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Tinhorn Creek 2Bench White 2011 mixes 53 percent chardonnay with 21 sauvignon blanc, 17 sémillon, 6 viognier and 3 muscat. Some are co-fermented to better integrate the fruit. Look for a balanced mix of aromatic (tropical) aromas with fresh acidity. Decidedly dry on attack with citrus rind, melon and green apple notes. Try this with a stir-fry or pot stickers.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Road 13 Stemwinder 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA great name but alas just an ordinary wine for Road 13 standards. The blend is 75 chardonnay 2 chardonnay musqué, 20 viognier and 2 roussanne. The nose is slightly muddled with baked apple and guava and lime rind notes. The palate is similar with nutty, butter, honey, grass and some bitter grapefruit notes in the back end.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Jacob's Creek Moscato 2012
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaA lot like last year it has an attractive floral, nectarine, lime, minty, peach nose. The attack is fresh and juicy with a dash of spritz. The palate is sweet with honey, green apple, nectarine, ginger and liquorice notes. At 8% alcohol you can sip this all night on the patio. Serve well chilled. good value.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $13.50 | 750ml |
| NS | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $14.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.50 | 750ml |
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80PTS
Trapiche Extravaganza 2012
Mendoza, ArgentinaSweet milk chocolate and maraschino cherry flavoured red wines are sweeping the North America wine market demanded by agents and distributors who dream of striking Yellow tail gold and consumers who simply can't disconnect from sugar in anything they ingest. Big bold, red, sweet, syrupy milk chocolate flavours dominate Extravaganza, a blend of malbec, bonarda and syrah. Rich, fat and cloying it has little redeeming value other than its softness and sweetness.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Mt. Boucherie Estate Collection Ehrenfelser 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen floral, peachy nose with bits of orange peel. Soft round, dry, grassy attack with sweet palate cooked peach, citrus green apple skin flavours. Solid but lacks lift and vibrancy.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Stag's Hollow Tragically Vidal 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig fragrant open floral nose flecked with orange blossoms and rosé petals. The attack is slightly off-dry with more tropical fruit notes fresh pineapple, orange peel and ginger highlights. A delicious wine made for your favourite curry dish. A winner under screwcap. An 88/12 mix of vidal/orange muscat.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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23 June 2013
88PTS
Unsworth Vineyards Pinot Gris 2011
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaTight lean, Euro-style gris with intense nose of stone fruits and citrus with a touch of nettle. On the palate the fruit is spare in a good way with a slightly bitter, citrus rind finish. Dry, firm and food-friendly it is all Vancouver Island. Try this with mussels.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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22 June 2013
88PTS
Intrigue Pinot Gris 2012
Lake Country, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRestrained cool citrus, guava with a touch of quince. The attack is dry and food friendly firm with earthy citrus, honey notes and a medium length, and now a bit drier and crisper in the finish. Made for clams or crab or serve well-chilled on the patio with appetizers.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Fort Berens Pinot Gris 2012
British Columbia, CanadaYear two has this Lillooet fruit holding its own. The wine is fresher less cooked but carrying more bitter citrus rind notes. The finish is friendly if a bit soft with some red apple and honey notes and more lime rind. Try this with grilled chicken.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Inniskillin Okanagan Pinot Grigio 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaClassic ripe friendly style of pinot gris with honey and orange blossom notes. The entry is clean if slightly sweet with more honey, citrus and sour apple flavours in the back end. Simple and ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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16 June 2013
89PTS
Laurenz V. Und Sophie Singing Grüner Veltliner 2011
Niederösterreich, Weinland Österreich, AustriaYou can set your watch by the year to year consistency of this wine. So fresh, so bright, so full of electricity. The attack is mouth-watering with fresh acidity, creamy flavours and crunchy green fruit. Mix in a touch of honey and pepper and you have winner of classic proportions. Now add oysters, clams, chicken salad you name it, this is one happy whitePrices:| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
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13 June 2013
85PTS
Masi Modello Rosso delle Venezie 2010
Verona, Veneto, ItalyYou don't get much for $13 in BC so it is fun to be able to recommend Masi Modello as a classic mid-week pizza red. The style is light and dry with earthy, peppery notes and just a hint of bitterness in the finish. Four cheese pizza anyone.Prices:| QC | $40.25 | 1500ml |
| NS | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $15.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.50 | 750ml |
| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $13.50 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $14.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Spinelli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2011
Abruzzo, ItalyAttractive medium red colour but the nose is bit reduced and rubbery so give it some air. The palate is soft and round the fruit muted with earthy bitter notes in the dry finish. Not too happy under screwcap. Try this with grilled meats and be sure to decant.Prices:| BC | $10.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Howling Bluff Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe success of the HB sauvignon sémillon has kept the straight sauvignon blanc on the back burner due to lack of fruit but all that changed in 2012. A new source, Three Sisters Vineyard, from across the street and up the hill has produced 260 cases of very fresh white wine. The nose is a mix of citrus and nettle notes with similar flavours streaked with grapefruit and pineapple. Much better than last year and more along the road of the New Okanagan style. Try this with mussels, clams or oysters to best effect.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Quinta Ferreira Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaStark nutty, nectarine skin nose that follows onto the palate. The attack is round and soft with quinine grapefruit, green apple skin flavours with a dry finish. A little bit on the stark and bitter grapefruit that could be tempered by some fresh chèvre or oysters.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2010
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaTasted in New York as part of a 35-year retrospective and twice now in Vancouver this is a delicious 2010 stood out with a wealth of primary fruit and spice on the nose. The attack is slightly lifted with gobs of soft sweet fruit on the mid-palate and finish. A delicious early-drinking style that will be a favourite of many now.Prices:| BC | $15.50 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $17.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $18.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $18.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $17.50 | 750ml |
| NB | $18.50 | 750ml |
| PEI | $12.50 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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12 June 2013
88PTS
Tormaresca Neprica 2010
Puglia, ItalyThe cleverly named Neprica, a blends of NE-groamaro, PR-imitivo and CA-bernet sauvignon and in 2011 it has the classic warm, Mediterranean nose of southern Italy. The attack is soft and round a riper less rustic version no doubt reflecting the fancy new winery. Black fruits with chocolate, liquorice and anise disappear into a smooth earthy finish. Spaghetti Bolognese anyone? Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Gray Monk Pinot Gris 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLittle changes here with the 2012 looking a lot like the ripe, sweet fat 2011 gris. The winery's signature label is a mix of sweet red apple fruit flecked with aromatic honey notes and sweet melon notes in the finish. At 12 grams per litre of residual sugar this is best served well chilled on the patio or alongside your favourite spicy Indian or Thai dish.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Pezoules Sauvignon Blanc Assyrtiko 2011
Makedonia, GreeceThis is a fresh little number with a bony, citrus core and a hit of C02 to further enliven the mid-palate and finish. Simple crisp bright with a touch of dried herbs and more citrus in the finish. Ready to take on a sushi roll or even some sashimi. Super value.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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10 June 2013
89PTS
Moon Curser Afraid of the Dark 2012
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOne of my favourite Okanagan whites does not disappoint in 2012. Year eight of this all Osoyoos East Bench fruit is delicious; the mix is 47/31/22 roussanne / viognier / marsanne. The nose is aromatic and bright with ripe, peachy, nectarine aromas and fruit with a spicy ginger flecked mid-palate and a fresh citrus finish. Very food friendly. The New Okanagan.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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09 June 2013
88PTS
Bella Sparkling Gamay Rosé Oliver 2012
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOliver's Secrest Mountain Vineyards is home to this gamay sparkler grown over sand, silt and gravel. The fruit is given some four hours skin contact before it is de-stemmed and pressed off. There is no malolactic fermentation to preserve acidity and freshness and the wine is hand-riddled. Tasted from a half-bottle the nose is fresh and packed full of delicate strawberry notes. The attack is bit a rustic with yeasty, earthy red fruit notes but with a softer, gentler more appealing finish. Try this with grilled prawns or fresh chèvre.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Bella Sparkling Blanc de Blancs Oliver West Side 2012
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOliver's Secrest Mountain Vineyards is home to this sparkling chardonnay. Sand over silt and a gravel seam is the terroir. This is a low fruit, somewhat intellectual bubble with yeasty red fruit flavours, medium intensity and a medium/short finish. Tasted from a half-bottle it has all the elements and it's delicate but it needs a bit more complexity and length and a little less bitterness in the finish. Excellent with local smoked salmon.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $15.00 | 375ml |
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89PTS
Argiolas Costera Cannonau di Sardegna Red 2010
Sardinia, ItalySimilar to previous editions the nose is peppery with raspberry jam and spicy, floral notes. The attack is warm and spicy with supple smoky, black raspberry jam, dried cherry and more floral, orange and mineral notes. The finish is long and warm with bits of earth and tobacco. Drink now with meat/pasta dishes or cellar 24 months.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $27.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $21.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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06 June 2013
88PTS
Poggiotondo Toscana Bianco 2012
Florence, Tuscany, ItalyWinemaker Alberto Antonini loves the lean, fruity, leesy, chalky style in this case spiced with lemon zest, floral and almond aromas. The attack is dry and tight with a fresh, juicy palate and grapefruit rind, quince, pear, floral, ginger and lemon oil flavours all with a touch of freshening squirt of CO2. A crisp almost austere style with plenty of flavour and length for seafood pasta dishes and grilled calamari. Good value.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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04 June 2013
89PTS
Lindes de Remelluri 2009
Rioja, SpainIn the past Remelluri reached beyond its estate-grown grapes from the neighbouring villages of Labastida and San Vicente de La Sonsierra. Now that Telmo Rodríguez has restore the estate to its original size these grapes have been transitioned into 'Lindes' or the borders of Remelluri. The first release in 2009 is a blend of the two villages that is simply remarkable. You will love its juicy, black cherry, plum, liquorice and orange peel aromas and flavours. There is fine fruit and concentration in what is a youthful red that will improve over the five years in bottle. The Lindes is a classic mix of tempranillo garnacha, graciano and viura made from 40 year old vines.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
La Vieille Ferme Côtes du Luberon Blanc 2011
Côtes du Lubéron, Provence, Sud de France, FranceFloral, quince, pear, lemon oil, baked green apple, ginger and slate aromas. Fresh, round, juicy off-dry palate with a creamy texture and similar flavours. Well balanced, easy drinking style with some complexity. Solid value here.Prices:| QC | $13.30 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.30 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $11.66 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.00 | 750ml |
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July 2013