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Tastings: July 2013
30 July 2013
89PTS
Bonterra Vineyards Zinfandel 2010
Mendocino County, California, United StatesMcNab Ranch in Mendocino County boasts some 378 acres of organic vineyard and is home to most of the Bonterra zin. There's a bit of petite syrah and cabernet sauvignon in the mix. It's mostly dry farmed vineyards low yielding vines with no artificial irrigation. The wine spends 8 months in previously used oak barrels and is certified organic in the vineyard and in the bottle. Expect a very pure style zinfandel with smoky bramble berry fruit on the nose flecked with white pepper and toasted vanilla notes. The attack is rich round and powerful with sweet black fruit, black pepper, sweet, fine grained tannins and mocha /vanilla highlights. It is ready to drink now but will easily improve with another year or two in bottle.Prices:| QC | $21.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Angove Long Row Riesling 2013
South Australia, AustraliaThis is good example of the kind of wine that could lift Australia out of the doldrums. Fresh delicious well-made and not shiraz. What a start. The fruit comes of the massive Nanya Vineyard in the Riverland from an original heritage clone planted it in the 1970s. The fruit is night picked and the result is a delicious, bright fresh riesling bright floral citrus and tropical flavours mixed with lemon lime and dash of talcum powder. Fabulous with grilled fish or most pan-Asians dishes in Vancouver.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Louis Bernard Chateau Noel Saint Laurent Blanc 2011
Côtes du Rhône Villages, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceClassic white Rhone styling: freshness with richness. The mix is viognier, grenache blanc, bourboulenc and marsanne and the result is a substantial white wine. Look for honeyed stone fruits, peach and floral notes on the nose and palate. The finish is long and warm with more apricot and citrus notes that keep it fresh. A terrific bottle you can serve with roasted chicken all winter or with spicy tuna sushi.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Tenuta di Arceno Chianti Classico 2009
Tuscany, ItalyAmerican winemaker Lawrence Cronin has a warm, soft style that he brings to Arceno from Ed Meads and its particular attractive in such an opulent vintage as 2009. This is a big red with brooding chocolate/floral fruit year, resulting in a Chianti Classico with well-developed flavours. Liquorice, ripe black cherries spice and savoury, dried herb nuances mark the finish. Long and persistent it has flecks orange peel in the finish. Super stylish. The winery suggests pappardelle with wild boar, aged pecorino or steak Fiorentino. I'm in.Prices:| BC | $56.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Villa Antinori Toscana Rosso 2009
Tuscany, ItalyThe '09 Villa Antinori is a 55/25/15/5/% sangiovese/cabernet sauvignon/merlot/syrah. The blend spend 12 months in large Hungarian, French and American oak and another eight months in bottle. The nose is a mix of resiny, leafy savoury floral fruits with minty cherry cocoa flavours. The finish is rustic with peppery rustic tannins. Needs a couple of years in bottle to come together. Served with flank steak and arugula salad.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $24.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $25.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Santa Cristina Sangiovese Toscana 2011
Tuscany, ItalyFresh juicy soft style Tuscan red that is predominately sangiovese with some merlot and cabernet mix in. The attack is sift and peppery with liquorice, savoury, plum floral black olive fruit and a long supple finish. A touch ripe for Tuscany but that will only add to its appeal on this side of the pond. Crazy value in Ontario for a backyard barbecue red. Grilled chicken anyone?Prices:| ON | $12.25 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $16.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.70 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Santa Cristina Chianti Superiore 2011
Tuscany, ItalyNew winery? More care? Better fruit? Take your pick, Antinori continues to up the ante at the entry level. Love the red/darker fruit nose with raspberries and blueberries competing for your attention. Balanced, simple, supple and sophisticated for the price. Just enough savoury, resiny, sangiovese character mixed with merlot (95/5) to keep the tension perfect for food. Supple, satiny finish. Delicious.Prices:| ON | $12.25 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $16.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.70 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Villa Locatelli Friulano 2011
Gorizia, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, ItalySpicy, floral, nectarine, pear, citrus, aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy, creamy palate with a hint of sweetness. Floral, nectarine, honey pear, and green apple flavours with a hint of anise on the finish. Good finesse and acidity if a bit light on extract. Goes well with prawns.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Mazzei Badiola 2010
Tuscany, ItalyEarthy tobacco, black cherry, cassis nose with flecks of pepper, leather and spice aromas. Dry, fresh, round easy palate with cassis, black cherry liquorice, earthy, peppery, tobacco and coffee flavours. Simple, fresh style for current drinking with pizza or the grill meats off the barbecue.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Mazzei Zisola 2009
Sicily, ItalyPrune, chocolate, cherry jam, cedar, balsamic, fig and tobacco aromas. Round, smooth, fresh palate with black cherry, fig, tobacco, rooty, chocolate flavours. Mature style with solid fruit and balance. Drink now with lamb sausage or chicken.Prices:| BC | $33.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $28.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Therapy Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRefreshing grapefruit rind, gooseberry, grassy, nettle aromas. Fresh, juicy, creamy palate with lemon grass, gooseberry, grapefruit rind, grassy, nettle and herb flavours. Well balanced fruit and acidity with a light herbaceous note. Very solid effort. Try this with mussels.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Meia Pipa Private Selection Red 2009
Setúbal Peninsula, Central and Southern Portugal, PortugalFresh open peppery, savoury nose with tobacco, olive, cassis, leather, balsamic and cherry aromas. Fresh, juicy, round palate with light tannins and more peppery, plum, liquorice, savoury floral, cassis and tobacco flavours. Good fruit and intensity and best of all it is ready to drink to drink.Prices:| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
San Fabiano Calcinaia Cellole Chianti Classico Riserva 2008
Tuscany, ItalySuper intense on the nose with a strong floral balsamic almost cinnamon spice character. The attack is fresh with fine acidity and red fruit flavours tobacco and dried herbs. The finish is dry and persistent but this needs time to soften up. Try this with mushroom based dishes.Prices:| ON | $27.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $29.00 | 750ml |
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28 July 2013
88PTS
Poplar Grove Chardonnay 2011
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPaler colour with a fresh mashed apple nose flecked with citrus and tropical fruit aromas. The palate is similar with fresh green apple made in a cooler, leaner style with more citrus and minerality highlights. A welcome changed from previous editions with only 20% new oak this now a food friendly white. A lovely wine for halibut with a fruit salsa.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Perseus Select Lots Invictus 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeppery, coffee, vanilla, cola, black cherry, cassis, tobacco, cedar, savoury, rooty aromas. Dry, round, full, slightly astringent palate with fresh acidity. Cranberry, black cherry, coffee, smoky herb, roasted pepper, tobacco, green olive, stewed cherry, resiny flavours. Good aromatics but still youthful and unbalanced. Needs 2-4 years to round out. Serve with grilled beef for best results.Prices:| BC | $33.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Hillside Syrah 2010
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeppery, meaty, earthy, liquorice root, spicy, black cherry, light vanilla and dried herb aromas. Dry, elegant, fresh but somewhat light and lean palate. Black cherry, smoky coffee, peppery, savoury, licorice, resin, vanilla, tobacco flavours. Solid fruit but finish is dry and tart. Best with grilled meat or lamb.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Burrowing Owl Meritage 2009
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA true Meritage (Bordeaux blend). Look for blackberry jam, prune, coffee, tobacco aromas with cedar, vanilla, roasted bell pepper, and tomato paste aromas. Round, full, dry but somewhat tart palate. Coffee, vanilla, chocolate, tobacco, peppery, prune cherries, roasted pepper, resin, clove and cassis flavours. Solid but very oaky and warm on the finish. Best with grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $50.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
LaStella Fortissimo Selezione di Famiglia 2010
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCranberry, black cherry, coffee, vanilla, tobacco leaf, black olive, savoury, celery salt and roast pepper aromas. Dry, round, fresh, slightly tannic palate. Cassis, prune, cranberry, smoky, resin, espresso, tobacco, compost, black olive flavours. The finish is a touch cedar-y and astringent but offers solid finesse for the vintage. Needs 2-4 years in the bottle to reach its peak.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Poplar Grove Viognier 2011
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCall me crazy but I love this style of Viognier. A little watery/juicy, plenty of nectarine skin and citrus , not too much perfume and fat and plenty of exotic spices and citrus peels threading through the wine. Try it with the sushi pizza at the winery for a crazy perfect match but it is a versatile food wine. Fresh zesty and you can temper the style by serving it at different temperatures.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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98PTS
Taylor's Quinta de Vargellas Vinha Velha 2011
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalI thought the Vinha Velha 2009 was off the charts but this wine is better. Chosen from the oldest vines grown on the five plots known to be the 'old vineyard' at Quinta de Vargellas, the 2011 is a sensational bottle. Conditions were so favourable in 2011 David Guimaraens, Taylor's Winemaker remarked that the levels of ripeness were consistent across all varieties, especially important given the varietal diversity of the old vineyard at Vargellas. Just a baby the complexity and immense mouthfeel of this wine is almost overwhelming. Concentrated and full of the pure fruit that is the hallmark of the vintage. Length volume complexity and much more to come over the next fifty years. The terraced plots containing the oldest vines (80-120 years) account for over 15% of the estate's total production although Vargellas Vinha Velha vintage port seldom exceeds 2% of the total production of the property. A worldwide bargain when compared to first growth Bordeaux or Grand Cru Burgundy.Prices:| BC | $247.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Croft Vintage Port 2011
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalThe Taylor Fonseca folks are busy fine tuning the Croft vineyard and grape processing and it's obvious in the wine. In 2011 the tannins are soft and the fruit spicy and tropical fruit all with a dash of mint and dried herbs that jumps out of the glass. There is an exuberance of tropical fruit before the tannin kicks in and bits of sweet caramel. They tannins are vintage port firm but the fruit is sufficient to carry the day with fine underlying acidity and that Croft sweetness/ balance. The 2011 vintage signals the return of Croft back to top form. Drink through 2050.Prices:| AB | $100.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $130.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $109.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $59.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $73.00 | 750ml |
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97PTS
Fonseca Vintage Port 2011
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalAnother heady, exuberantly fruity 2011 with aromatic, blackberry jam, liquorice, black tea and spice on the nose. The attack is full on mixing fruit and soya with big concentration and length. Love the approachability of the wine but clearly it will keep for decades. Fruit stones and assorted mineral notes are all part of what will be a delicious port for decades. Young collectors should be stocking up on this.Prices:| BC | $119.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $126.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $125.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $140.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $75.00 | 375ml |
| AB | $65.00 | 375ml |
| MB | $125.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $73.00 | 375ml |
| SK | $120.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $375.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Poplar Grove Pinot Gris 2012
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaHappy to see two excellent gris in a row at Poplar Grove. Now firmly down the drier path with citrus and nectarine skin aroma, grapefruit/pineapple flavours all with a touch of bitter lime rind for complexity. This is a food style gris that will be a hit on the patio with goat cheese and dried tomato pizza. You rarely see this wine in government store so act fast if you want some.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Poplar Grove Merlot 2009
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMeaty, black olive, prune, coffee, cherry jam node with bits of tobacco, liquorice, cedar and mint aromas. The attack is rich and full the tannins perfectly rounded and light. Prunes cocoa, ash, coffee, vanilla, smoky flavours flecked with kirsch, orange peel and dried herb. Good texture if a bit soupy and overripe. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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27 July 2013
87PTS
Moon Curser Viognier 2012
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis wine has been consistently average although this may be the best yet. Look for honey, ginger, and resin notes mixed with grapefruit. The attack is soft and round with candied apple, honey and citrus rind flavours with some considerable heat in the finish. Best with veal or rabbit top help tame the richness.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Lake Breeze Winemaker Series Viognier 2012
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe latest by winemaker Garron Elmes from the new Winemaker Series. This viognier is off-dry with a peachy/floral nose and juicy, fresh mid-palate. The flavour is a lemon squeezed on a green apple skin covered apricot. Lobster, grilled squid in olive oil or even a spicy Hamachi sushi would be perfect. Available direct from the winery.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Perseus Viognier 2012
Penticton Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAn interesting style her with excellent minerality and that electricity you get from Similkameen fruit. Love the litchi, pink grapefruit citrus notes that carry the wine from front to back. A simple but well-made friendly white that is ready to drink with just a touch of heat in the finish.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Clos du Soleil Grower's Series Baessler Pinot Blanc 2012
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThey added another notch of electricity to this gorgeous pinot blanc with its juicy red apple nose and slate/pear skin aromas. The palate is watery fresh with juicy, delicate pear, citrus, honey, lees, red apple fruit flavours. The finish is long persistent and just a hint off-dry. It would be a shame to serve this without food but you could, it is that entertaining.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Petit Le Vieux Pin Sigma Blanc 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe proverbial aromatic kitchen sink is in this blend and while it has place in BC there are so many examples its difficult to separate one from the other. In this case 'petit' displays the weight, oil and viscosity of the south Okanagan. Rich and verging on the off-dry this would be fun with fresh cheeses or the classic choucroute garnie dish of Alsace.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Oak Bay Vineyard Gebert Family Reserve Schonburger 2012
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLove this style of schönburger and even better it lives up to its family reserve nomenclature. The nose and palate are awash in ripe peachy, litchi fruit with intense rosewater throughout. The style is not heavy o roily but rather elegant and refreshing despite the obvious sugar. Spicy food would be the match - Indian perhaps- the result should be spectacular. Well done.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Yalumba Y Series Viognier 2012
South Australia, AustraliaLove the intensity and finesse here. The nose jumps from the glass with ginger and ginger, crushed nectarine, orange peel and mango that all spills onto the palate. The attack is full flavoured but refreshing intense mango, lime rind marmalade and tropical flavours everywhere. A delicious drop of white wine that would be perfect with a curry dish. Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $19.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $16.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Crios Torrontés by Susana Balbo Dominio de Plata 2012
Calchaqui Valley, Salta, North, ArgentinaAlways consistent this Mendoza version of torrontés relies more on power and depth of flavour than ultimate finesse. That said it its spicy, floral, ginger nectarine skin aromas are sophisticated for the price. The attack is full-flavoured, juicy, and just off-dry with plenty of ginger, honey nectarine spice and citrus rind flavours. Indian/Thai/Chinese would each work well here.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $14.50 | 750ml |
| NF | $15.50 | 750ml |
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26 July 2013
92PTS
Mark Haisma Gevrey Chambertin Croix des Champs 2009
Gevrey-Chambertin, Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceRicher (than the 2010) with cherry jam, meaty, barnyard, compost nose with bits of liquorice, beet and vanilla aromas. The palate is round and elegant with carrot top, celery root, liquorice, vanilla, strawberry jam, pepper, cedar and barnyard flavours. Good finesse with just hint of astringency at the finish. Drinkable now with duck but should improve for 2-5 years with the light tannins. Well done.Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Howling Bluff Pinot Noir 2011
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeppery, cherry jam, coffee, smoky, compost, barnyard, cola, carrot aromas. Fresh, dry, smooth palate with earthy, prune, mushroom, coffee, peppery, tobacco, herbal, vanilla flavours. Solid but pretty warm finish with some oak showing. Needs a bit more fruit and less oak.Prices:| BC | $32.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Josef Chromy Pinot Noir 2011
Tasmania, South Australia, AustraliaCarrot top, celery salt, spicy, strawberry jam, tobacco and herb aromas. Dry, fresh, smooth palate with strawberry, liquorice, savoury, celery salt, tobacco and coffee flavours. Finish is clean and juicy with an herbal note. Food friendly and made with restraint.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $27.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $27.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Esser Pinot Noir 2009
Monterey County, Central Coast, California, United StatesSomewhat stewed, volatile aromas with balsamic, cherry jam, tobacco, coffee and menthol aromas. Round, smooth, easy palate with chocolate, tobacco, dried herbs, cherry jam and balsamic flavours. Simple at best but not a lot of pinot character here.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Therapy Vineyards Pinot Noir 2011
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeppery, smoky, tobacco, compost, coffee oak aromas. Dry, lean, somewhat tart palate with chunky tannins. Coffee, smoky, resin, tobacco, compost, carrot and herb flavours with a sour cherry finish. No real pinot character here.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Howling Bluff Reserve Pinot Noir 2011
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe nose is slightly reduced with strawberry jam, smoky, compost, tobacco, lees, meaty, rooty aromas. The attack is round, smooth, dry and elegant in what is a light-bodied red. Earthy, sour cherry, coffee, compost flavours mark the finish. A solid effort that needs only a bit more fruit to really sing. Give this another year in bottle to settle in. Grilled salmon anyone?Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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25 July 2013
88PTS
Harper's Trail Late Harvest Thadd Springs Vineyard Riesling 2012
Kamloops, British Columbia, CanadaDessert wine under screw cap always excites me. When it is as clean and fresh as this wine is and has plenty of fruit - ripe apples and baked pear, all with a touch of crème brûlée, it may well age effortlessly for a decade. Try this with peach cobbler.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 375ml |
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86PTS
Moon Curser Contraband Syrah 2011
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaContraband is a single vineyard syrah grown on the warm Bartsch Vineyard along the Osoyoos East Bench. It's fermented in 225 litre barriques (30% new French barrels). In 2011 you can see the cool vintage impact, the style is fresh and acidic with peppery black fruit flavours flecked with liquorice and smoked meat notes. Not a lot here and mostly ready to drink. Try this with hamburgers.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Santa Rita Bougainville Petite Sirah 2010
Buin, Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileDeep black cherry colour. Big bay, violet, minty, savoury, black cherry, coffee and vanilla aromas. Rich, full, round, somewhat tannic but good concentration with fresh acidity. Tobacco leaf, coffee, black cherry, cassis, bay, minty, dried thyme, celery, vanilla and olive flavours. Good intensity but youthful, needs 2-3 years to round out. Fine effort. The s a blend of 85% Petite Sirah (Durif) from the Alto Jahuel region of Maipo and 15 percent syrah out of Limari.Prices:| BC | $80.00 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Oak Bay Vineyard Gamay Noir 2011
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVery peppery, meaty, liquorice, black cherry nose flecked with espresso and tobacco leaf aromas. Dry, lean, tart palate with sweet espresso oak, tobacco leaf, stewed tomato, herbal, leafy flavours. Very tart with a touch of sweetness. Back to the drawing board.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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24 July 2013
90PTS
Mark Haisma Gevrey Chambertin Croix des Champs 2010
Gevrey-Chambertin, Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceWinemaker Mark Haisma is making a name for himself in Burgundy. The former Yarra Yering winemaker is making elegant dry style Burgundy with wide appeal. This 2010 Gevrey has a fresh tobacco, celery salt, sour cherry, compost nose with vanilla, cedar and smoky strawberry aromas. The attack is fresh and dry with albeit a tight palate with light tannins. More sour cherries cedar, celery root, pepper, orange peel and vanilla flavours mark the palate. A cooler, more linear version of the 2009. Definitely needs more time to round out with its inherently higher acidity and light tannins. A solid village wine.Prices:| BC | $65.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Osoyoos Larose 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAlways restrained and the 09 OL is a peppery, waxy, roast beef, vanilla, coffee scented red with black cherry, mint, cassis and orange peel aromas. Full, round, dry, concentrated palate with ripe but grainy tannins that need time to disperse. More coffee, tobacco, liquorice, meaty notes mark the palate with vanilla, cassis, cranberry, celery, savoury, olive flavours. A very fine effort but a big structured wine that will need 3-5 years to mature in bottle.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $40.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $40.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Laroche Pinot Noir de la Chevaliere 2011
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceRooty, peppery, tobacco, sour cherry, resin, cola, cedar aromas. Dry, elegant, somewhat lean and tart palate with sour cherry, cooked rhubarb, smoky, tobacco, licorice, coffee flavours. A perfect choice for barbecue chicken.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $15.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Grooner Gruner Veltliner 2011
Niederösterreich, Weinland Österreich, AustriaFresh juicy open nose with light grassy lime aromas with a hint of citrus. The attack is similar to the nose. Very clean and fresh with grassy, green apple, nectarine fruit and a dry tight finish. A delicious food style white for wine drinkers. Think shellfish. Creamy pastas and or chicken and vegetable kebobs.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $16.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Chartron La Fleur Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Bordeaux, FranceAn introductory style Bordeaux sauvignon blanc that is what it should be. Affordable tasty well-made and fun to drink especially with shellfish or even chicken salad. The nose is bright with fresh grassy, mineral, floral, undertones a touch of ripe apple fruit. Well balanced but with enough acidity to make it food friendly. Simple correct tasty and affordable. Stock up.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Umbala Chenin Blanc Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Western Cape, South AfricaThis wine has been getting favourable reviews and I can see why. Mixing chenin blanc and sauvignon reduces the grassy factor and ups the tropical fruit. The result is gooseberry and freshness over peach and pineapple with a twist of guava. Thai Indian Japanese they will all work here. Good value.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Quinta Ferreira Alagria 2009
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOriginally tasted 7 months ago but similar if not more oxidized than prior note. Peppery, pruny, leather, barnyard, Oxo, coffee, blackberry, chocolate, raisin, licorice, vanilla, compost aromas. Dry, full, fresh palate with some tannin. Prune raisin, coffee, clove, licorice, peppery, vanilla pudding, tobacco, cedar and Oxo flavours. Big and oaky and astringent but appears too oxidized.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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23 July 2013
86PTS
Volcanic Hills Gamay Noir 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeppery, liquorice, black cherry, floral, meaty, tobacco aromas. Round, fresh, juicy, somewhat tight palate but smooth. Smoky, meaty, peppery, tobacco, sour cherry, rhubarb, liquorice, cedar and oak flavours. Simple, fresh style.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Trivento Pinot Noir Reserva 2012
Mendoza, ArgentinaMeaty, smoky, cola, black cherry, roasted coffee, lees aromas. Round, smooth, soft palate with smoky herb, coffee, plum, cherry jam, tobacco flavours. Finish is warm with light herb notes. Easy, attractive style.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Le Vieux Pin Syrah Cuvée Violette 2011
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig peppery, celery salt, savoury, sausage meat, black cherry, liquorice, earthy, tobacco aromas. Round, dry, elegant, attractive lean palate with some young tannins. Coffee, peppery, sausage meat, resin, tobacco, sage, poultry spice, liquorice and black cherry flavours. Good complexity and fruit, just needs bit more mid-palate and finish to reach the next level. Try this with grill lamb chops on the barbecue.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Laughing Stock Vineyards Syrah+28/10 2011
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig spicy, floral, coffee, chocolate, liquorice, poultry spice nose flecked with gingerbread and meaty, blackberry jam, soy and roasted tomato aromas. Round, smooth, suave, fresh style with light tannins and some warmth. Coffee, vanilla, tobacco, celery salt, poultry spice, gingerbread, sausage meat, tomato paste and liquorice flavours. Solid fruit and intensity but with a fair amount of youthful oak. Best t cellar for three to five years or serve now with grilled lamb.Prices:| BC | $34.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Santa Rita Sauvignon Blanc 120 2012
Valle del Lontué, Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileI've been following this brand and wine since 1999 and it is always a go-to value white. It has a s pleasant mix lemon lime, guava and citrus aromas. The attack is similar with grapefruit, nettle and minimum acid that will likely make it even more attractive to patio sippers. Super value in a modern, everyday sauvignon blanc. Serve well chilled on warm nights. Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $11.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $12.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Intrigue Focus Riesling 2012
Lake Country, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, marzipan, granny smith, honey, lees aromas. Fresh, crisp and dry in a leaner style. Granny Smith skin, slate, lime, grassy, gooseberry flavours. Pretty tart style, needs food. We suggest ham.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Intrigue Riesling 2012
Lake Country, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaNice floral, granny smith nose with a bit of lime and lees. Fresh, crisp, off dry style with grapefruit rind, granny smith, green peach and almond flavours. A bit bitter and tart on the finish, needs some time to integrate. Try it with a salmon pasta dish.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Antica Pinot Noir 2010
Napa Valley, California, United StatesBig cola, stewed rhubarb, orange peel, tobacco, peppery, vanilla, strawberry jam aromas. Full, dry, round, warm palate with light tannins. Coffee, balsamic, compost, tobacco, peppery, savoury, cherry flavours. Finish is very warm and chunky.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Martin's Lane Pinot Noir 2011
West Kelowna, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMartin's Lane pinot is a mix of four Dijon clones grown at vineyards in Kelowna and Naramata. The nose is spicy with rhubarb, compost, floral, Worcestershire and strawberry aromas. The attack is dry, full, round, slightly tannic, the palate fresh and rich with peppery, tobacco, compost, strawberry, sour cherry, cola flavours — solid fruit in a very youthful style. This bottle will need another three years to unleash its true potential.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Upper Bench Riesling 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSweaty grapefruit rind, light garlic lees, green apple skin, peach aromas. Fresh, juicy, crisp and creamy palate with gooseberry, grapefruit, green apple and quinine flavours with a slightly bitter rind finish. More sauvignon-like than riesling but still easy to drink.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Spierhead Riesling 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPear, nectarine, slate, citrus, light floral and green apple aromas. Crisp, juicy, somewhat lean style but elegant with green apple skin, lime rind, slate, salty biscuit flavours. Tantalus influenced perhaps but the finish may be too severe (acid) for most drinkers. That said this wine has potential especially with food. We suggest your favourite curry. Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Chateau Ste. Michelle & Dr. Loosen Riesling Eroica 2011
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesWaxy, floral, petrol, citrus, baked apple and peach aromas. Fresh, juicy, delicate style with some sweetness. Fine intensity with baked green apple, green mango, peach, honey, lime flavours. It finishes a bit bitter and rindy.Prices:| BC | $33.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $38.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $24.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Howling Bluff Sin Cera 2010
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen coffee, chocolate, vanilla nose with black cherry, black olive, tobacco and dried herb aromas. Dry, round, tart, somewhat lean palate tempered by chalky tannins. Smoky, tomato concassé, tobacco, cherry, black olive, savoury, espresso, meaty, resin flavours. Solid fruit but the finish is lean and a bit on the tart side. Best with grilled meats now or another year in the bottle.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Fort Berens Riesling 2012
British Columbia, CanadaFresh grassy, matchstick, lemon, green apple skin, nectarine aromas. Light, juicy, somewhat sweet palate with citrus rind, granny smith, honey, green peach flavours. A fresh, easy sipping, elegant riesling style for summer and food.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Inniskillin Okanagan Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig bell pepper, smoky oak, tobacco leaf, green olive, resin and herb aromas. Dry, light, lean, somewhat tart palate but smooth with herbal, smoked tomato, tobacco leaf, roasted bell pepper, coffee and resin flavours. An oaky, green style that reflects a cool year in BC.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
JoieFarm Pinot Blanc 2012
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFresh pear, green apple, grapefruit, light lees aromas with a floral note. Fresh, crisp, juicy, creamy, slightly sweet palate with canned pear, grapefruit, granny smith, honey and green mango flavours. Zippy, floral but balanced style that is fun to sip. Try it with halibut and fruit salsa.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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22 July 2013
89PTS
Chateau Miraval Cote de Provence Rosé 2012
Côtes de Provence, Provence, Sud de France, FranceIt's true Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are behind this rosé but unlike most celebrity wines they have a reputable piece of dirt and even better a terrific winemaking partner in the Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape-famed family Perrin. The colour is Provencal perfection, the nose lightly floral mixed with bits of red fruits and strawberries. The flavours are similar with savoury garrigue hints of dried herbs and stony citrus notes. It finishes dry with a twist of earthy bitterness. Impressively food friendly and let's face it for $29 it should all of this and more. Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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21 July 2013
83PTS
Gehringer Brothers Dry Rock Vineyards Unoaked Chardonnay 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGrapefruit, bubble gum, grassy, honey aromas. Fresh, round, oily texture with grapefruit, green apple, and honey flavours with a sweet finish. A basic white but not much varietal character.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Hillside Merlot Hidden Valley Vineyard 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWinemaker Kathy Malone has been quietly working to refocus the Hillside portfolio to Naramata Bench fruit and to my mind the not too hot and not too cool vineyards seem perfectly suited to merlot. The Hidden Valley Vineyard merlot is a much different animal then the Gjoas. The fruit here is earthy in style with that dusty, savoury character, almost a bit Rutherford-like. The tannins slightly rounder and longer with bits of black fruit, toast and coffee on the palate. Firm but with some generosity of fruit and tannins in the finish. The wood is very much now in the background for support only. T-bone steaks would be a lovely match here.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Hillside Merlot Gjoa's Vineyard 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWinemaker Kathy Malone has been quietly working to refocus the Hillside portfolio to Naramata Bench fruit and to my mind the not too hot and not too cool vineyards seem perfectly suited to merlot. The Gjoa Vineyard merlot is an excellent example of what can be done in Naramata when you let the fruit and the site show through the wine. The structure is tighter and leaner with active acidity, hints of minerality and juicy, stony, red fruit flavours of spiked with plums, smoke and espresso highlights. The tannins are firm and will need three years settle in. Try it now with grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
MacRostie Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 2011
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, United StatesSubtle garlic lees notes with baked apple, honey, butter, cooked pear and melon aromas. Ripe, round, rich palate attack with buttery, vanilla, creamy lees, red apple, pineapple, garlic and honey flavours. Good solid fruit and intensity if a bit too buttery and warm.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| on | $25.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Gassier Rosé Sables d'Azur 2012
Côtes de Provence, Provence, Sud de France, FranceTobacco leaf, earthy, cherry, spicy, licorice and floral aromas. Round, drier style with tobacco, cherry, grapefruit, herbal and cooked apple flavours. Easy-sipping style with some length. Solid value.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
J Vineyards Pinot Meunier 2010
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesNicole's Vineyard is separated into three blocks including the warmest in the portfolio and three acres of Pinot Meunier. Normally it goes into the Cuvée 20 but in 2010 it was bottled as a single variety. Basically handmade it went through malolactic fermentation in 100 percent French oak. After 15 months the best lots were selected and returned to barrel for another three months. The wine is juicy and ripe with black cherry and mocha highlights with a savoury dash throughout. Rich round and mouth-filling it has both structure and power beyond pinot noir. A perfect match for wild northwest salmon. The winery suggest Middle Eastern or Indian dishes as well. Delicious.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Eugenio Collavini Merlot dal Pic 2006
Gorizia, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, ItalyDeep black cherry colour. Waxy, spicy, leather, prune cedar, black olive, coffee, black cherry, dried herbs and balsamic aromas. Round, juicy, rich palate with light grainy tannins and fresh acidity. Cedar, black cherry, black plum, coffee, vanilla, savoury, olive, earthy, tobacco flavours. Good concentration and balance with good acidity that should enable this to age well for the next 3-7 years. Young with a slight herbal note but very fine effort.Prices:| United Kingdom | $36.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Poplar Grove CSM 2009
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe CSM is a mix of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot and syrah. Each is kept separate and fermented on its indigenous yeasts. The styling and the tannins are soft and round. The fruit rich and dark with a strong spicy undercurrent. Black fruits with sagebrush black cherry, espresso/mocha and pepper fruit. Finesse with richness. Well done.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Santa Rita Chardonnay 120 2012
Region del Valle Central, ChileButter, honey, nutty lees, baked pear aromas. Fresh, round, easy palate with lees, baked pear, apple, grapefruit, butter and honey. Solid effort at the price.Prices:| AB | $11.50 | 750ml |
| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $13.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
La Crema Monterey Chardonnay 2010
Monterey County, Central Coast, California, United StatesPale yellow. Waxy, baked apple, honey, guava nose flecked with peach, vanilla and floral buttery aromas. Ripe, round, elegant, slightly soft palate with honey, floral, baked apple, pear, nutty lees, vanilla and cream flavours. Good finesse and intensity if a bit soft and buttery. Best with lobster and rich creamy seafood dishes.Prices:| BC | $34.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $36.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $24.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Domaine du Gros Noré Rosé 2012
Bandol, Provence, Sud de France, FranceSpicy, peppery, cherry, liquorice, tobacco, floral, apple aromas. Ripe, round, full, slightly soft palate with cherry, liquorice, tobacco, spicy, apple, honey and dried herb flavours. Good intensity and finesse. A richer food style pink.Prices:| BC | $33.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Mazzei Serrata di Belguardo 2007
Maremma, Tuscany, ItalySmoky, black cherry jam, black berry, resin, chocolate, vanilla, liquorice, cedar and leather aromas with a light barnyard and game note. Ripe, round, juicy, fresh palate with light tannins. Big black cherry, cassis, peppery, spicy, cedar, olive, meaty, vanilla flavours. Still youthful with lots of fruit and acidity, try with lamb, pork or turkey.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $29.70 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.95 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Therapy Vineyards Fizziotherapy 2012
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight fine mousse. Spicy, floral, nectarine skin, lees, green apple, garlic and grapefruit rind aromas. Very frizzante, foamy palate with grapefruit, honey, spicy, floral, minty, green apple skin flavours. Just off dry with crisp acidity. Simple.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Bella Sparkling Blanc de Blancs Oliver East Side 2012
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMedium fine white mousse with pear, baked green apple, light citrus, earthy, grassy aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy palate with a touch of sweetness and creamy, somewhat foamy mousse. Round with baked apple, pear, honey, and grapefruit flavours. Clean, solid, simple style that will work with a variety of seafood appetizers.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $15.00 | 375ml |
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88PTS
Mazzei Fonterutoli Chianti Classico 2008
Tuscany, ItalySpicy, meaty, prune, black cherry floral notes flecked with chocolate, resin, leather and bay aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant styling with coffee, black cherry, plum, olive, dried herbs leather and resin flavours. More structured and backward than 2010 so give this a few years to round out or try with a steak. Or keep while you drink the 2010Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Tranchero Casot Moscato d'Asti 2012
Piedmont, ItalyConsistent here with its frizzante style and big rose petal, nectarine, spicy, honey, baked pear and lychee aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy, frizzante palate with medium sweetness. Lots of nectarine, rose petal, spicy, honey, ginger and green apple flavours. A sweeter style but very good fruit and intensity with nice acidity. Fun for all, especially at 5.5% alcohol. Party on.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Terlato & Chapoutier Shiraz - Viognier 2011
Victoria, AustraliaImpressive spicy, peppery, sausage meat aromas mixed with sage, liquorice, floral, black plums and savoury/tobacco aromas. There is fine intensity in what is a dry, fresh, elegant, slightly leaner, Euro style palate with light tannins. Savoury, coffee, bay, orange peel, black cherry, sausage, tobacco and herb flavours. Good flavour intensity and aromas with balance but finished just a bit short. It should improve over the next one to three years. Try it now with lamb chops.Prices:Read Full Note
90PTS
Hillside Merlot Hidden Valley Vineyard 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Hidden Valley vineyard is just that, hidden from view not far from Hillside Winery. We love the way this wine has evolved over the past four years. It is warm, rich and plummy now with glossy satin tannins and long rich textures throughout the finish. Sweet plums, figs, black cherries and a whiff of mint nad sagebrush combine to make this a formidable red that would happy with a hamburger but equally up to the task of accompanying a roast of beef. The fruit is all hand harvested and fermented in two separate lots priot to ageing about a year in French and American oak.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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20 July 2013
88PTS
Paul Buisse Cremant de Loire NV
Loire, FranceMedium mousse with honey, peach, green apple, toasty nut, floral and citrus aromas. Creamy, somewhat foamy palate with green apple, toasty biscuit, baked pear, honey, grassy, grapefruit flavours. Finish is a bit sweet but has good acidity balance and intensity with a hint of bitterness.Prices:| BC | $23.49 | 750ml |
| QC | $23.20 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Summerhill Pyramid Winery Alive Organic Red 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis is the first vintage of this wine that has delivered and it will be welcomed by organic fans. Summerhill is now deep in bio-dynamic viticulture and as harmony and peace comes to the vineyard it has begun to invade the wines. This blend of 50.5 percent marechal foch, 34 percent merlot and 5.5% syrah undoubtedly warm and rich but the fruit is clean and the flavours a pleasant mix of savoury/wild black fruits, spice, chocolate, leather and sweet plums. Some 24 months in French and American oak has completely smooth out an rough edges. It's should be excellent with most grilled meats and or grilled vegetables. Certified organic.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Monster Vineyards Cabs 2011
British Columbia, CanadaMonster Vineyards is the second label of a very picky Poplar Grove wine team. Monster Cabs is a blend of mostly cabernet franc with some cabernet sauvignon for structure. The nose is an attractive savoury black fruit scented affair with a whiff of caraway and mint. The attack is warm and soft with more black cherries, mocha pepper and just enough acidity to keep it fresh. Flank steak anyone?Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Oak Bay Vineyard Northern Light 2008
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAn unusual sparkling style with a raspberry colour and light, foamy mousse. Strawberry, rhubarb, tobacco, green apple, nutty, citrus aromas. Foamy palate but rich if slightly flat. Earthy, cooked rhubarb, sour cherry, nutty, toasty, baked apple flavours. A bit flabby but with some solid fruit notes. Serve on the patio.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Barone Ricasoli Albia Rosé 2011
Tuscany, ItalyVery pale Provencal-like pink. Fresh floral, apple, strawberry nose sprinkled with earthy, minty aromas. Full, juicy, round, slightly sweet entry with plum, grapefruit, green apple, light lees, tobacco flavours. Impressive bottle of rosé if a bit pricey.Prices:| AB | $26.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $26.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Mazzei Castello Fonterutoli Chianti Classico 2008
Tuscany, ItalyBig ripe black cherry jam, plum, balsamic, chocolate, peppery, gamy, tobacco, earthy, savoury, vanilla aromas. Full, ripe, round, rich but elegant palate with some light tannins to shed and good acidity. Very peppery, licorice, resin, black cherry jam, balsamic, meaty, tobacco, leather, orange peel and coffee flavours. Still quite young but with 3-5 years, should improve and flesh out while the light but grainy tannins dissipate.Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Benjamin Bridge Brut Reserve Methode Classique 2005
Gaspereau Valley, Nova Scotia, CanadaFine white mousse. Nutty, toasty, baked apple, citrus, floral, spicy aromas. Dry, fresh, crisp and elegant with juicy acidity and slight sweetness to balance. Love the finesse supporting the green apple, grapefruit, baked pear, quince, toasty nut flavours. Good length and ready to drink. A very fine effort and would be a head turner for sure in Europe.Prices:| NS | $65.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $78.00 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Sibling Rivalry Red 2010
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaOh my, the nose is heavily reduced with a nasty garlic scent. The attack is soft round and very sweet, no doubt catering to a sector of wine drinkers who prefer their red wine with some residual sugar. The soft textures are the best part of this wine but it needs severe aeration before drinking.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $17.50 | 750ml |
| SK | $16.00 | 750ml |
| 17 | $0.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Dibon Brut Reserve Cava NV
Penedès, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainLight, fine mousse with subtle earthy, pear, green apple, nutty, lemon aromas. Fresh, juicy, crisp, moderately dry style with a touch of sweetness and creamy textures. Lemon, baked green apple, biscuit, nutty, pear and peach skin flavours. Elegant, simple style but balanced for all drinking occasions and a variety of foods.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
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18 July 2013
85PTS
La Marca Prosecco Extra Dry NV
Treviso, Verona, Veneto, ItalyFloral, pear, apple skin and peach aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy, somewhat sweet style with foamy mousse. Canned pear, baked apple, peach and lees flavours. Simple easy-sipping summer-style fizz.Prices:| BC | $17.39 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Time Chardonnay 2012
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, floral, baked apple, vanilla, nutty lees, buttery aromas. Soft, round, creamy but lean palate with nutty, baked citrus, honey, butter, lees, grapefruit and lemon rind flavours. A touch heavy with some bitterness on the finish but would be fine with a roast chicken.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Mazzei Fonterutoli Chianti Classico 2010
Tuscany, ItalyFresh peppery, meaty, smoky nose laced with liquorice, black cherry aromas and a savoury, coffee note. Ripe, round, suave and juicy with light, fine tannins. Black cherry, plum, licorice, meat, black pepper, herb and tobacco flavours. Fine fruit and balance in a friendly style for near term drinking.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Spierhead Chardonnay Gentleman Farmer Vineyard 2011
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGreen apple, canned grapefruit, sweaty herb, grassy aromas. Dry, round, lean palate with sweaty guava, grapefruit rind, grassy, nettle and honey flavours. An odd combination of aromas and flavours for chardonnay.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Eugenio Collavini Prosecco NV
Veneto, ItalyMedium mousse with bright fresh floral, nectarine, honey and ripe pear aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy, off dry palate with somewhat foamy but creamy mousse. Peach, baked pear, apple and spice flavours. A fun easy sipping style with some intensity and a twist of sweetness.Prices:| NF | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.20 | 750ml |
| NB | $16.80 | 750ml |
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88PTS
CedarCreek Platinum Block 5 Chardonnay 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLees, vanilla, spicy, floral, maraschino, honey, baked apple, oatmeal and baked peach aromas. Fresh, dry, lean entry with green apple skin, leafy, minty, leesy, bitter grapefruit and toasted nut flavours. It seems a bit lean and reserved for the moment but will almost surely improve in the bottle over the next year.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Fort Berens White Gold 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFrom Sundial vineyard fruit in the south Okanagan. Very honeyed, buttery, lees, baked apple, nutty, lemon and oatmeal aromas. Round, elegant, somewhat flat palate with a big buttery, leesy, nutty, vanilla cream, baked citrus and apple flavours. Solid but old stye and quite buttery.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
JoieFarm Chardonnay Un-Oaked (ii) 2012
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, honeyed, grapefruit rind, granny smith aromas. Round, fresh, somewhat lean entry with grapefruit rind, green apple, canned jalapeno, buttery flavours. Finish is very bitter and rindy. While we applaud the category most un-oaked wines need an injection of complexity to rise above the simple fruit flavours.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Tinhorn Creek Chardonnay 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRefreshing nose of peach, honey, grapefruit rind with subtle notes of vanilla and butter. The palate is fresh and round with spicy, floral, fruit cocktail/grapefruit rind and leesy, buttery apple skin flavours. The finish is well balanced. A good lobster or prawn wine.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Anarchist Mountain Vineyards Elevation Chardonnay 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLeesy, buttery, diacetyl, apple skin nose with odd leafy, grapefruit aromas. Dry, somewhat lean entry with floral, grapefruit skin, nutty, grassy, minty, bruised apple skin flavours with a light, bitter vanilla finish. Seems unbalanced and muddled on the palate, Back to the drawing board.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Quinta Ferreira Unoaked Chardonnay 2011
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen fresh floral, honeyed, buttery nose with mealy, baked melon and almost mead like aromas. Round, fresh, somewhat skinny palate with apple skin, citrus rind, baked melon and herb flavours with a bitter finish. A skinny white wine but not really reminiscent of chardonnay.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Quinta Ferreira Chardonnay Estate 2011
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLeesy, buttery, honeyed, baked apple, nutty, light muscat and vanilla aromas. Fat, round, leesy, cooked grapefruit, melon, honey, diacetyl and oatmeal flavours. An older style chardonnay and showing equally mature style in the bottle. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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16 July 2013
89PTS
CedarCreek Pinot Gris 2012
British Columbia, CanadaThe Upper CedarCreek Vineyard is home to this delicious fruit picked about the same time the black bears arrive in the vineyard. Timing is everything. It's partially fermented with the wild yeast native which seems to allow the juicy peachy/orange and honey scented fruit to mesh perfectly with a dash of earth. Fine elegance in what is a delicious balanced gris for spicy foods.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
La Crema Chardonnay 2011
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, United StatesThe Sonoma Coast La Crema is a study in ripeness and balance. The style is attractive mixing bits of citrus, tropical fruits and orange rind with honey and butterscotch and some supporting toasted oak and nutty notes. Several sites and a mix of clones make up the mix including Clone 4, Dijon, Robert Young, 809, Rued and Wente. All are aged in some 22 percent new French oak. Solid.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $33.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $30.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Bellbird Spring Block Eight Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Waipara Valley, South Island, New ZealandA riper style sauvignon barrel fermented in older oak. Smoky, melon, passion fruit, honey, mandarin, nettle aromas with a hint of jalapeno. Ripe, round, rich, juicy and creamy palate with good acidity. Grapefruit, honey, mango, melon, grassy, orange, jalapeno and vanilla flavours. Good length and finesse with a creamy, fruity finish. Drink now-2 years.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Chateau Ste. Michelle Merlot 2010
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesBlack olive, peppery, liquorice, black cherry, cedar, smoky herb and chocolate aromas. Soft, round, smooth palate with smoky, leather, licorice, black cherry, prune, cedar and coffee flavours. Elegant, balanced style for current drinking. Solid effort, classic northwest merlot.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Quinta Ferreira Viognier 2011
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGinger, honey, floral, lemon, mango aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy palate with a slightly oily, soapy texture. Green apple, ginger, nectarine kin, citrus and lemon rind flavours. A bit light on concentration and palate intensity but solid finesse.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Road 13 Old Vines Chenin Blanc 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaHoney, pear, baked apple, spicy, vanilla aromas. Dry, round, full, somewhat soft texture with ripe pear, honey, and quince and baked apple flavours. Good fruit if a tad soft with a hint of bitterness on the finish. Needs a few months in bottle to improve.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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15 July 2013
87PTS
Layer Cake Malbec 2011
Mendoza, ArgentinaChocolate, black cherry jam, licorice, earthy, leather, savoury, vanilla aromas. Dry, full, round, elegant palate with black cherry, plum, savoury, licorice, poultry spice and tobacco leaf flavours. Solid, forward, balanced style for current drinking.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $23.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $26.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Diego Murillo Malbec 2012
Alto Valle del Río Negro, Rio Negro, Patagonia, ArgentinaBlack cherry, tobacco, spicy, resin, leather and meat aromas. Dry, fresh, round, elegant palate with black cherry, liquorice, savoury, herbal flavours. A simple, easy going bbq red. Good value.Prices:| BC | $10.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $12.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Benjamin Bridge Nova 7 2012
Gaspereau Valley, Nova Scotia, CanadaPale pink tinge colour. This light frizzante style offers rose petal, green apple, spicy, nectarine aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy palate with green apple, pear skin, and green mango flavours. Fun, light and fresh with a bit of sweetness on the finish. Easy to drink with its 6.5% alcohol.Prices:| ON | $26.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $25.00 | 750ml |
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11 July 2013
88PTS
Hillside Merlot Reserve 2009
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWinemaker Kathy Malone has been quietly working to refocus the Hillside portfolio on the Naramata Bench where to my mind the not too hot and not too cool vineyards seem perfectly suited to merlot. The 09 reserve is quite evolved showing a rich, fruit forward style. Plenty of spice and chocolate mixed with bits of toasted oak and rich, savoury, black cherry fruit flavours and smooth textures. Dense, weighty and drinkable now it should easily improve in the bottle over the next four years. Perfect now with grilled meats, spaghetti Bolognese or chorizo pizza.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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07 July 2013
89PTS
M. Chapoutier Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Blanc 2012
Côtes du Roussillon, Roussillon, Sud de France, FranceSeemingly consistent each year the latest Bila Haut has the customary citrus aromas of grapefruit and lemons flecked with honey, baked pear and quince. The attack is round with juicy, fruity citrus, ginger, spicy and orange peel notes. It finishes with a hint wet stone and saltiness. Grilled squid would be a great match with this grenache blanc, grenache gris and macabeu blend.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Arrogant Frog Ribet White Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceA surprisingly fresh edition of sauvignon that opens with light, aromatic grassy notes with a hint of citrus and grapefruit. The attack is smooth with more grassy, nettle citrus fruit touched with lime rind. Mussels would be a perfect match or even a summer chicken salad. Good value.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Cuvée du Haut-Censy Muscadet Sevre et Main Sur Lie 2012
Muscadet, Pays Nantais, Loire, FranceSuper fresh floral, white flowers pear skin, granny smith, citrus aromas. The attack is equally fresh and bright with a delicate, juicy mix of lemon, granny smith and mineral finish. Finesse and delicacy with razor freshness. Oysters anyone?Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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06 July 2013
86PTS
El Petit Bonhomme Blanco 2012
Rueda, Castilla-Leon, SpainCanadian Nathalie Bonhomme continues to impress from Spain this time with a summer sipper made from verdejo. The Blanco is a mix of grassy, nutty, nectarine skin aromas with a slightly softer rounder mix of melon and bruised apple flavours. A simple ready to drink patio white for the summer. Perfect for a wide assortment of appetizers/tapas.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
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02 July 2013
86PTS
Dominio de Punctum Lobetia Tempranillo 2011
La Mancha, Castilla-La Mancha, SpainTempranillo from La Mancha, labelled organic, going bio-dynamic and selling in BC for $13. Look for an intense earthy, brambleberry, cherry/raspberry fruit nose that spills onto the palate. The mid-palate is fresh with acidity setting up this little red to easily balance off a piece of grilled chicken or beef. Definitely Euro-style but should be perfect around the barbecue or with a mid-summer charcuterie plate. Good value.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Dominio de Punctum Tempranillo - Petit Verdot 2011
La Mancha, Castilla-La Mancha, SpainInteresting 70/30 mix of tempranillo/petit verdot that is now bio-dynamically grown on sandy loam over limestone that spends about six months in older American oak barrels after ferment. The pv appears to smooth out the mid-palate with obvious dark cherry fruit and just a hint of milk chocolate. Round soft supple tasty and certainly impressive for the price.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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01 July 2013
87PTS
Alvear Señorío de Alange Ensamblaje 2009
Ribera del Guadiana, Extremadura and the Southwest, SpainIt's the first time I've seen this blend of tempranillo, grenache and syrah. The nose is meaty and slightly reduced (syrah) with cedar bark and black cherry notes. The attack is soft with supple tannins and ripe, warm sweet black fruit flavours and a dollop of vanilla with just enough acidity to keep it all together. Good value. Try this with roasted chicken.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Gilbert Cellars Left Bank 2010
Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesLeft Bank (of the Columbia River) is a 53/20/14/8/5 blend of cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot, cabernet franc, merlot and malbec. The nose is classic new Bordelais toast and smoked oak overlaying savoury red fruit aromas. Despite some 20 months in 53% new oak barrels (80 percent French) the wine shows fine elegance and restraint among its classic northwest red fruits and black olive flavours. This will improve over the next five years in bottle.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Duck Pond Pinot Noir 2010
Willamette Valley, Oregon, United StatesThe Duck Pond workhorse at just over 15,500 cases is a pleasant drinking pinot that spends some eight months in French and neutral American oak. The style is light and earthy with just a touch of cherry rhubarb. The finish is light but well balanced with just a hint of sweetness. Pair this with lightly spiced foods for best effect. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $27.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Marqués de Riscal Rioja Reserva 2007
Rioja Alavesa, Rioja, SpainNo shortage of old wood and damp cellar notes mark the the nose of this tempranillo that spends a lot of time in wood and bottle underground. The nose is decidedly mature and advanced but the attack is more normal Rioja Reserva. Look for soft tempranillo tannins with an earthy red fruit mid-palate and along vanilla cran/cherry finish. Lamb would the equalizer there. Definitely old school Euro style but that's fine with us.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $28.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $21.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $29.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $27.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Castoro de Oro Estate Pinot Noir 2010
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOne of the best we have seen from Castoro d'Oro albeit funky as ever. There is good spice and roasted tomato notes on the nose with bits of black cherry, resin and earth. The attack is sweet and round with herbaceous cool climate pinot styling. Try it with duck or pheasant.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Squeezed Red 2010
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA surprisingly fun, forward blend of merlot, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc from Quinta Ferreira. The style is very New World with plenty of ripe black cherry, vanilla, raspberry/blackberry jam with an emphasis on fruit and a ready to drink style. Grilled meat including pork sausage would be the ticket here.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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August 2013