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Anthony Gismondi on Wine
Tasting Notes

Tastings: September 2013

28 September 2013

Sette Ponti Crognolotext
92PTS

Sette Ponti Crognolo 2010

Tuscany, ItalyClay, sand and stony galestro limestone are the foundation of this 90/5/5/ sangiovese, cabernet sauvignon, merlot that spends 10-14 months in French Allier barriques then 5-6 months in bottle. Another brilliant edition of a mini super-Tuscan blend that offers up an intoxicating scent of tobacco, liquorice and red fruits with a considerable savoury spicy underbelly. Richness and freshness...it would be a fabulous match with pork or lamb.Prices:
BC$33.00750ml
ON$33.00750ml
AB$33.00750ml
QC$29.00750ml
Producer: Tenuta Sette Ponti
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Burrowing Owl Pinot Gristext
89PTS

Burrowing Owl Pinot Gris 2012

Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBack on form the 2012 is delicious. Honey, pear, light lees, citrus, baked apple, orange and vanilla aromas. Round, full, juicy, slightly sweet palate but balanced with good finesse. Grapefruit, honey, quince, red apple, mango, pear and vanilla flavours. Very good fruit intensity and balance, fine effort here.Prices:
BC$20.00750ml
AB$29.00750ml
Producer: Wyse Family Wines
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27 September 2013

Toscolo Chiantitext
89PTS

Toscolo Chianti 2012

Tuscany, ItalyJust knocked out by the quality and breed of this wine for the price. Famed Tuscan oenologist Franco Bernabei works with owner Neil Empson to make a delicious, elegant style sangiovese that sings Chianti. The nose is fresh and inviting and both clean and yet complex with red fruit scents. The attack is dry and round with fine ripeness and acidity underlying its spicy, cherry fruit flavours. Crazy value here and I'm not sure this wine won't improve in bottle for another three years. Pasta and mushrooms is the perfect match.Prices:
BC$20.00750ml
AB$17.00750ml
ON$18.95750ml
NS$17.95750ml
NF$16.00750ml
Producer: Empson and Company
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J Vineyards Pinot Gristext
86PTS

J Vineyards Pinot Gris 2012

California, United StatesFloral, pear, light earthy, melon and baked apple aromas. Ripe, round, fresh, juicy but quite sweet palate. Apple, honey, baked pear and quince flavours. Good fruit but very simple and sweet consumer style.Prices:
AB$20.00750ml
BC$15.00750ml
Producer: J Vineyards and Winery
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Villa Matilde Aglianico Rocca dei Leonitext
88PTS

Villa Matilde Aglianico Rocca dei Leoni 2009

Campania, ItalySteep slopes, volcanic soil rich in phosphorus and potassium, and very old vines of Aglianico are at the heat of this wine. Look for floral, black plum, saddle leather, meaty, peppery nose with bits of black olive and licorice aromas. The palate is dry with light tannins, fresh acidity and more smoky, leather, prune, tobacco, cherry, resin and herb flavours. A country wine with flair.Prices:
BC$25.00750ml
AB$23.00750ml
ON$20.00750ml
NS$22.00750ml
Producer: Villa Matilde
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25 September 2013

Chateau Suduirauttext
94PTS

Chateau Suduiraut 2010

Sauternes, Graves, Bordeaux, FranceFrom a great vintage for Sauternes this Suduiraut is a star. Big nectarine, mandarin orange, vanilla, spicy, floral nose flecked with honey, lanolin, grapefruit and egg yolk aromas. Very rich, fat, unctuous but with a lifted juicy character, excellent acidity and an intense palate with good acidity. Honey, baked nectarine, spicy mandarin orange, mango, vanilla, floral, cooked grapefruit flavours. Long, full, elegant but warm with excellent fruit and length. It may not age gracefully but it will be amongst the best of the vintage and offers fruit intensity without quite as much botrytis as 2009.Prices:
BC$50.00375ml
Producer: Château Suduiraut
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Chateau Lascombestext
91PTS

Chateau Lascombes 2010

Margaux, Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceLascombes is one of the largest estates in the Médoc with some 40 separate site in Margaux appellation. The current blend is 55 percent cabernet sauvignon, 40 percent merlot and 5 percent petit verdot. Typically the wine spends about 18 months in 60 percent new oak barriques. In 2010 look for a big coffee, smoky espresso oak nose with vanilla, blackberry, cassis jam, floral aromas. The attack is full with chewy, tannic smoky coffee, liquorice flavours spiked with pepper, blackberry jam and earthy cherry flavours. Good fullness and concentration but with a dominance of oak and dry tannins at this. Give this five to eight years to integrate.Prices:
BC$200.00750ml
Producer: Chateau Lascombes
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Chateau Haut Baillytext
91PTS

Chateau Haut Bailly 2010

Pessac-Léognan, Graves, Bordeaux, FranceThe nose is tight showing black olive, tobacco, herbal, coffee, graphite aromas flecked with earthy, five-spice, leather, curry, anise and green tea aromas. The attack is dry if tight for a modern Bordeaux with a slightly austere and astringent palate. Peppery, earthy, coffee, cedar, tobacco, iron, resin, curry, smoky pepper and vanilla flavours. Quite closed and warm but full and austere with some green notes. The blend is 62/36/2 cabernet sauvignon/merlot/cabernet franc but this need another five to ten years to settle in to itself. An excellent effort but not quite as good as the super fine 2009.Prices:
BC$268.00750ml
Producer: Château Haut-Bailly
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Lake Breeze Semillontext
89PTS

Lake Breeze Semillon 2012

Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaI'm guessing this wine isn't for everyone which is fine by me because I would like to buy more of it. Love the nettle, weedy, grassy undertones that support the zesty mix of grapefruit, white flowers and jalapeno notes. The attack is dry but juicy with pink grapefruit and gooseberry flavours that persist throughout its long finish. Delicious acidity and sugar balance in the finish. Bravo.Prices:
BC$19.00750ml
Producer: Lake Breeze Vineyards
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Gehringer Brothers Auxerrois text
86PTS

Gehringer Brothers Auxerrois 2012

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFrom year to year this wine is never too high and never too low. Typically it has the fresh and clean Gehringer styling in this case mixing with bits of green and red apple with peaches with a softer mid-palate and finish. Notes of peaches and butter with a hint of minerality keep this taut enough for food. Seafood pasta with a cream sauce would be a fine match. Good value.Prices:
BC$15.00750ml
Producer: Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery
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Peter Lehmann Portrait Series Shiraztext
87PTS

Peter Lehmann Portrait Series Shiraz 2010

Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaPortrait is designed to provide a picture of the heart of Barossa by blending fruit from more than 60 growers from across the region. Several vineyards are more than 100 years old. Look for a rich shiraz style with an earthy chocolate, mushroom black fruit flavours. The textures are soft with a resiny black liquorice warm finish. Grilled lamb chops would be a fine match.Prices:
BC$23.00750ml
Producer: Peter Lehmann Wines Limited
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Blasted Church Mixed Blessingstext
87PTS

Blasted Church Mixed Blessings 2012

Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMixed Blessings is just that: an aromatic mix of four grapes - viognier, chardonnay musqué, chardonnay and ehrenfelser. The nose is a fresh scented green peach affair with baked apple, honey canned grapefruit flavours on the palate that finish just off-dry. Should be perfect with spicy Indian or Thai dishes.Prices:
BC$18.50750ml
Producer: Blasted Church Vineyards
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Blasted Church Hatfield's Fusetext
87PTS

Blasted Church Hatfield's Fuse 2012

Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAlways fresh and aromatic this another solid Hatfield's Fuse. There are nine varieties in the 2012 including Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Optima, Riesling and Chardonnay Musqué. Fresh tropical, and in 2012, with a nice twist of ripeness it is easy to like. The palate is zesty with herbaceous, lemon lime note. Try this with curries or a selection of sushi for best results.Prices:
BC$18.50750ml
AB$26.00750ml
Producer: Blasted Church Vineyards
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Terra Australis Chardonnay Semillontext
85PTS

Terra Australis Chardonnay Semillon 2012

South Eastern Australia, AustraliaThere is something about chardonnay and sémillon that just tastes right. Especially when the price is $11. Look for a fresh nose with floral and melon aromas. The palate has a touch of weight and melon from the chardonnay and it all finishes fresh and clean, like a squeeze of lemon. Margherita pizza would be my choice here. Good value.Prices:
BC$11.00750ml
Producer: Terra Australis
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Trivento Amado Sur Torrontes Viogniertext
88PTS

Trivento Amado Sur Torrontes Viognier 2012

Mendoza, ArgentinaA 25 percent mix of viognier and chardonnay joins 75 percent torrontés to shape a refreshing blend form Mendoza. The nose and palate is a mix of citrus sorbet and fresh grapefruit. The mid-palate is airy and light but with some complexity you don't see at this price point and it finishes clean. You could serve this with a wide variety of chicken and seafood dishes and throw in some sushi too.Prices:
BC$15.00750ml
MB$16.00750ml
Producer: Trivento Bodegas y Vinedos S.A
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Nk'Mip Cellars Pinot Blanctext
86PTS

Nk'Mip Cellars Pinot Blanc 2011

Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaClassic fruit salad nose with a green herbal undercurrent. Look for grapefruit, peach skin and buttery aromas that mix with a fresh red apple, pear, and mineral palate. A simple easy sipping style for light seafood dishes.Prices:
BC$16.00750ml
AB$16.00750ml
Producer: Nk'Mip Cellars
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24 September 2013

Chateau Chasse Spleentext
89PTS

Chateau Chasse Spleen NV

Moulis, Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceOne of the better Chasse Spleen vintages blending 55 per cent cabernet sauvignon and 45 per cent merlot. Look for a spicy, black olive, cassis, barnyard nose flecked with vanilla and tobacco aromas. Dry, full, round attack with good concentration. On the palate the coffee, smoky oak notes mix with cassis, olive, tobacco, vanilla, earthy flavours. A good effort that at moment finishes a bit dry and short versus the big boys but there is enough balance and structure her to invest in laying some bottles away for five to eight years.Prices:
BC$50.00750ml
Producer: Château Chasse Spleen
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Punto Final Malbectext
87PTS

Punto Final Malbec 2012

ArgentinaEarthy, savoury, peppery, bacon, smoky, black cherry, liquorice and sage aromas. Soft, round, fresh, slightly sweet palate with warm plum, coffee, savoury, cola, tobacco and liquorice flavours. Well balanced, entry-level style.Prices:
AB$16.00750ml
BC$16.00750ml
QC$17.00750ml
Producer: Bodega Renacer
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Zuccardi Serie A Cabernet Malbectext
88PTS

Zuccardi Serie A Cabernet Malbec 2011

Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaThe best thing you can ask for in any red under twenty dollars is honesty and in you get in spades here. Soft and warm the attack is warm and juicy with big jammy malbec and earthy savoury cabernet combining to heat up on the finish. A perfect red for grilled meats including hamburgers.Prices:
BC$18.00750ml
Producer: Familia Zuccardi
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Zuccardi Q Tempranillotext
88PTS

Zuccardi Q Tempranillo 2009

Mendoza, ArgentinaLiquorice, pepper, black cherry, tar, gamey nose with bits of savoury, chocolate vanilla and dried orange aromas. Rich, ripe, round, juicy palate with classic Argentine sage, black cherry, tobacco, gamey, peppery, orange peel and green tea flavours. A bit warm but with fine concentration and fruit intensity with balance and grip. A lot going on here for the money. Q Tempranillo is made from 100 percent tempranillo grown at the Santa Rosa Vineyard in Mendoza.Prices:
BC$20.00750ml
AB$20.00750ml
Producer: Familia Zuccardi
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23 September 2013

Maggio Vineyards Petite Sirahtext
83PTS

Maggio Vineyards Petite Sirah 2011

Lodi, Central Valley, California, United StatesBramble berry, smoky, savoury, black olive, peppery, liquorice and roast game with some cola and chocolate notes. Fresh, round, fairly sweet palate with menthol, prune, chocolate, cedar incense, resin, dried herbs and tomato paste flavours. A basic, sweet, entry-level red that is pandering to a growing group of consumers who prefer sweet tasting wine, but not us.Prices:
BC$19.00750ml
MB$19.00750ml
Producer: Maggio Vineyards
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22 September 2013

Zenato Lugana San Benedettotext
89PTS

Zenato Lugana San Benedetto 2011

Verona, Veneto, ItalyIt is hard to believe the trebbiano grape could be so delicious which likely explains why this wine isn't listed in BC government wine stores. The 100 percent trebbiano di Lugana is made form from the oldest vines of in the Podere Massoni vineyard and it's delicious. This is Zenato's flagship white and you should rush out and buy some. Expect a ripe, complex floral white wine with fresh juicy, apricot and pear flavours. Long persistent and tasty. It over delivers for its price. Grilled fish would be a fine match.Prices:
AB$19.00750ml
QC$18.00750ml
BC$20.00750ml
MB$19.00750ml
NS$17.00750ml
Producer: Zenato, Az. Agr.
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20 September 2013

Stag's Hollow Grenachetext
90PTS

Stag's Hollow Grenache 2012

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIn a region that at times can be scorching hot and sometimes miserably cool comes a rare grenache. The style reminds me more of the Spanish garnacha interpretation than its cross border French cousin. The colour is pleasingly red but not near dark. The attack is both sweet and fresh blending ripe fruit with bright acidity. The textures and tannins are temperate and gentle, a la tempranillo, but flavourful and persistent with a touch of heat in the finish. More red fruit than dark but with a very consistent south Okanagan savoury, sagebrush, spice underbelly. Impressive. You can drink it now but I would wait six to twelve months to let it all settle into place. Classic roast chicken with garlic and lemons would be affine match.Prices:
BC$30.00750ml
Producer: Stag's Hollow Winery and Vineyard
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19 September 2013

Finca Decero Amano Remolinos Vineyardtext
92PTS

Finca Decero Amano Remolinos Vineyard 2009

Agrelo District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaFrom a fabulous vintage in Agrelo look for a floral, plum jam, barnyard, spicy, black berry, vanilla nose with savoury liquorice tobacco notes. The palate is rich and dry with fine acidity and some grainy young tannin. More liquorice, black plum, pepper, blueberry, spicy, vanilla, coffee flavours flecked with poultry spice. A bit rustic but with fine concentration and intensity with youthful tannins to shed over the next 2-4 years. Roast beef anyone.Prices:
BC$70.00750ml
AB$65.00750ml
ON$75.00750ml
Producer: Finca Decero
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Finca Decero Malbec Remolinos Vineyardtext
89PTS

Finca Decero Malbec Remolinos Vineyard 2010

Agrelo District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaRe-tasted a year later, still with very spicy, peppery, plum jam black cherry, orange peel, vanilla, liquorice and savoury aromas with a floral hint, somewhat fresher nose. Dry, round, full, slightly tight and tannic palate. Vanilla, peppery, savoury, spicy, black liquorice, sage, cedar, tobacco, black cherry and curry flavours. A pretty style here that will improve over the next 1-2 years.Prices:
BC$23.99750ml
AB$22.00750ml
ON$22.00750ml
Producer: Finca Decero
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Finca Decero Syrah Remolinos Vineyardtext
89PTS

Finca Decero Syrah Remolinos Vineyard 2010

Agrelo District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaBig peppery, liquorice, savoury, black cherry, meaty, garrigue aromas with a bit of tobacco and vanilla. Round, dry, smooth, supple and juicy palate but very warm. Black cherry, peppery, liquorice, vanilla, meaty, roasted, smoky herb flavours. Good concentration and intensity but a warm finish. Re-tasted and showing some further aging potential after one year.Prices:
BC$22.00750ml
AB$35.00750ml
Producer: Finca Decero
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18 September 2013

Porcupine Ridge Sauvignon Blanctext
86PTS

Porcupine Ridge Sauvignon Blanc 2012

Western Cape, South AfricaNettle, artichoke, grassy, gooseberry, grapefruit rind aromas. Round, fresh, moderately dry palate with grapefruit, canned jalapeno, artichoke, nettle and green apple flavours. Well balanced but on the herbaceous side. Try this with steamed mussels.Prices:
BC$15.00750ml
AB$14.00750ml
Producer: Boekenhoutskloof
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Truchard Cabernet Sauvignon Carnerostext
86PTS

Truchard Cabernet Sauvignon Carneros 2010

Carneros, Napa Valley, California, United StatesVery peppery, smoky, black olive, cabernet nose with cassis, tobacco, leather and coffee bean aromas. Dry, fresh, slightly astringent palate with cassis, cedar, savoury, tobacco, olive, herbal, peppery flavours. Somewhat lean and herbal on the finish, needs a bit more ripeness and roundness at this price. Simple.Prices:
BC$28.00750ml
AB$30.00750ml
ON$27.00750ml
Producer: Truchard
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Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon Medalla Realtext
87PTS

Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon Medalla Real 2009

Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileOpen peppery, sappy, cassis nose flecked with chocolate, tobacco, vanilla and classic savoury, eucalyptus aromas. Round, dry, fresh and slightly tannic on the palate with more cassis, bay, sage, pepper and chocolate, olive, orange peel flavours. Solid concentration with lots of Maipo bay leaf, character throughout. Try this with grille meats.Prices:
BC$20.00750ml
AB$16.99750ml
MB$19.29750ml
QC$18.60750ml
NS$22.60750ml
ON$20.00750ml
Producer: Viña Santa Rita
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16 September 2013

False Bay Sauvignon Blanc text
87PTS

False Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2012

Western Cape, South AfricaGooseberry, jalapeno, grapefruit, grassy, floral aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy palate with grapefruit, passion fruit, grassy, granny smith apple and nettle flavours. A bit simple but good intensity and texture and solid value.Prices:
BC$15.00750ml
AB$14.00750ml
Producer: False Bay Vineyards
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15 September 2013

Ben Marco Torrontestext
89PTS

Ben Marco Torrontes 2012

Paraje Altamira, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaA new style in Torrontés from a cooler Altamira site (not Salta) that is partially barrel fermented in several types of French oak, then battonage-d, for four months. Big honey, vanilla, lees, nutty, peach, mango, floral, ginger aromas. Round, dry, elegant, juicy but slightly soft palate. Vanilla, creamy lees, apricot, ginger, spice, lemon and mango flavours. Offers a bit more complexity and length but will need a year to integrate.Prices:
ON$18.00750ml
NS$23.00750ml
BC$22.00750ml
QC$20.25750ml
AB$25.00750ml
NS$23.25750ml
Producer: Dominio del Plata
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Crios Red Blend Limited Edition by Susana Balbo Dominio de Platatext
88PTS

Crios Red Blend Limited Edition by Susana Balbo Dominio de Plata 2012

ArgentinaFresh peppery, leather, smoky, black liquorice nose flecked with vanilla, black cherry, meaty, menthol, coffee aromas. Round, smooth, fresh, slightly tart palate with more licorice, floral, meaty notes with bits of leather, coffee, blackberry, plum, tobacco and resin flavours. Good concentration if a bit warm and tart on the finish. It is a blend of blend of Cafayate tannat and malbec and Mendoza syrah, malbec and bonarda.Prices:
US$15.00750ml
Producer: Dominio del Plata
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Zenato Pinot Grigio delle Venezietext
87PTS

Zenato Pinot Grigio delle Venezie 2012

Verona, Veneto, ItalyClean fresh pear, honey, light floral and citrus aromas with a hint of butter and lees. Round, fresh, juicy, creamy palate with a touch of sweetness. Honey, grapefruit, nettle, Bosc pear, and spice flavours. Well balanced and succulent style with fruit.Prices:
ON$14.00750ml
AB$16.00750ml
BC$18.00750ml
Producer: Zenato, Az. Agr.
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La Chablisienne Chablis La Pierreleetext
88PTS

La Chablisienne Chablis La Pierrelee 2010

Chablis, Burgundy, FranceGreen apple, lemon, seashell, light lees, nettle, orange and herb aromas. Round, dry, creamy, elegant palate with good acidity and texture. Lemon, lees, green apple, lime, grassy, herb and spice flavours. Good food style and balance to drink now. Solid value.Prices:
BC$28.00750ml
AB$28.00750ml
Producer: La Chablisienne
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La Chablisienne Saint Bris Sauvignontext
87PTS

La Chablisienne Saint Bris Sauvignon 2012

Burgundy, FranceGrassy, nettle, gooseberry, light artichoke and herb aromas with a bit of grapefruit. Dry, fresh, juicy and creamy but slightly austere palate. Nettle, lemon grass, grapefruit, gooseberry, grassy flavours. Cooler, Euro style with some texture and length for seafood.Prices:
BC$19.00750ml
ON$14.95750ml
Producer: La Chablisienne
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Travaglini Gattinara Riservatext
90PTS

Travaglini Gattinara Riserva 2006

Gattinara, Piedmont, ItalySpicy, peppery, black cherry, prune, meaty, leather, cigar, smoky tar aromas with a floral note. Dry, full, rich, fresh palate with some gritty tannins. Tar, smoky herb, meaty, liquorice, strawberry jam, dried cherry, tobacco, spicy, peppery flavours. Good concentration and length but a bit dry and rustic on the finish. Needs 2-5 years to fully develop or try with rarer beef or veal.Prices:
BC$60.00750ml
AB$48.00750ml
QC$41.50750ml
Producer: Giancarlo Travaglini
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Bava Cor de Chasse Gavitext
88PTS

Bava Cor de Chasse Gavi 2011

Piedmont, ItalyPear, quince, nutty, lemon, baked apple and tropical fruit aromas. Round, dry, full, slightly soft but creamy palate with baked pear, honey, floral, lees and quince flavours. Good finesse with a light buttery note on the finishPrices:
BC$20.29750ml
Producer: Cantine Bava
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Contempo Nero d'Avolatext
86PTS

Contempo Nero d'Avola 2011

Sicily, ItalySpicy, floral, black cherry, strawberry licorice, tobacco and balsamic aromas with a meaty note. Round, fresh, slightly tart palate with plum, blackberry, briary, tobacco, liquorice, earthy, savoury flavours. A bit tart at the end but has solid fruit and concentration for grilled meats. The Contempo series is focused on the traditional Sicilian varieties.Prices:
BC$16.00750ml
AB$20.00750ml
Producer: Abbazia Santa Anastasia
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Farnese Fantini Sangiovese Dauniatext
85PTS

Farnese Fantini Sangiovese Daunia 2012

Puglia, ItalyBlack olive, peppery, leather, sausage meat, earthy, balsamic and plum aromas preview a round, fresh, slightly sweet palate with plum, coffee, peppery, sausage meat, poultry spice and liquorice flavours. A simple, easy sipping barbecue red that offers solid value.Prices:
BC$10.50750ml
NF$12.50750ml
Producer: Farnese
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Montalto Pinot Grigiotext
85PTS

Montalto Pinot Grigio 2012

Sicily, ItalyPear, grassy, matchstick, baked green apple and citrus aromas. Fresh, juicy, drier style with nettle, grapefruit, pear, apple and earth flavours. Clean and food friendly. A perfect mid-week white wine value.Prices:
BC$11.00750ml
Producer: Barone Montalto
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Van Westen Vineyards Vino Grigiotext
87PTS

Van Westen Vineyards Vino Grigio 2012

Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, honey, melon, grapefruit rind and apple skin aromas. Round, full, creamy, juicy palate with grapefruit, nettle, honey, green melon, pear and green apple flavours. Creamy, fresh finish for seafood.Prices:
BC$19.00750ml
Producer: Van Westen Vineyards
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Burrowing Owl Merlottext
88PTS

Burrowing Owl Merlot 2010

Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen peppery, black cherry, vanilla, smoky, saddle leather nose with bits of black olive, aromas with a minty, prune plum note. Dry, fresh, juicy palate with light, grainy tannins and black cherry, cedar, tobacco and liquorice flavours all with a light herbal, savoury note. Finish is still somewhat tart and oaky. It needs two to three years to fully integrate.Prices:
BC$30.00750ml
AB$31.00750ml
Producer: Wyse Family Wines
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Burrowing Owl Syrahtext
89PTS

Burrowing Owl Syrah 2009

Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaClassic southern Okanagan liquorice blackberry, smoky leather with coffee, vanilla and savoury herb aromas. Dry, fresh, round, elegant palate with light tannins. Smoky herb, vanilla, licorice, chocolate, poultry spice, black olive flavours with some blackberry and tobacco leaf. Another solid effort that will benefit from 1-2 years further in bottle.Prices:
BC$38.00750ml
AB$41.00750ml
Producer: Wyse Family Wines
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13 September 2013

Nk'Mip Cellars Talontext
86PTS

Nk'Mip Cellars Talon 2010

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeppery, smoky, tobacco, saddle leather, coffee, black olive, resin, cassis and roasted pepper aromas. Round, smooth, fresh palate with coffee, vanilla, cassis, tobacco leaf, tomato paste, black olive, cedar and mint flavours. Easy-drinking style.Prices:
BC$23.00750ml
Producer: Nk'Mip Cellars
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Laughing Stock Vineyards Pinot Gris +09/10text
87PTS

Laughing Stock Vineyards Pinot Gris +09/10 2012

Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight almond, vanilla, spicy, pear and butter aromas with a bit of grapefruit and green apple. Round, full, juicy, creamy palate with a touch of sweetness. The attack is round with creamy lees, nutty, lime, grapefruit, pear and vanilla flavours. A lightly oaked style that will improve in bottle over the next year.Prices:
BC$20.00750ml
Producer: Laughing Stock Vineyards
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Laughing Stock Vineyards Blind Trust White +09/10text
88PTS

Laughing Stock Vineyards Blind Trust White +09/10 2012

Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaDelicate light vanilla, spicy lees, butter, grapefruit, grassy, pear, quince aromas. Fresh, juicy, elegant palate with grapefruit, grassy, pear, honey, light butter flavours with a vanilla, green apple finish. A bit austere but like the gris will benefit from another year in bottle to fully develop.Prices:
BC$25.10750ml
Producer: Laughing Stock Vineyards
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01 September 2013

Torresella Pinot Grigiotext
88PTS

Torresella Pinot Grigio 2012

Veneto, ItalyA wonderful expression of the best of eastern Veneto. Expect a delicate nose of floral, nutty, mineral, earthy aromas with just the faintest hint of honey. The attack is dry with excellent acidity a touch of grass and more minerals. Delicate seafood dishes, seafood pasta, and sashimi would all be excellent pairings.Prices:
BC$15.00750ml
AB$14.00750ml
ON$16.00750ml
Producer: Torresella S.R.L.
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MezzaCorona Pinot Grigiotext
87PTS

MezzaCorona Pinot Grigio 2012

Trentino- Alto-Adige, ItalyFresh aromatic floral nose with flecks of citrus, slate and baked pear. Very clean an attractive on entry with more earthy, pear, mineral, honey, lees flavours. Love the northern style light and fresh and food friendly. Try this with buttered clams or simply prepared and grilled fish dishes. Ready to drink.Prices:
BC$16.00750ml
ON$12.00750ml
MB$14.00750ml
PEI$15.00750ml
NS$15.00750ml
NF$15.00750ml
Producer: Gruppo MezzaCorona
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Tommasi Pinot Grigio Le Rossetext
85PTS

Tommasi Pinot Grigio Le Rosse 2012

Verona, Veneto, ItalyAnother commercial offering for this label that is frankly too soft and slightly sweet to be considered interesting. The palate is sweet and sour with honey, butter and almonds over citrus and canned grapefruit. Soft and simple you should serve this cool on the patio.Prices:
BC$20.00750ml
ON$18.00750ml
QC$17.00750ml
AB$18.00750ml
MB$17.00750ml
NB$16.00750ml
Producer: Tommasi Family Estates
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Flat Roof Manor Pinot Grigiotext
85PTS

Flat Roof Manor Pinot Grigio 2012

Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South AfricaA consistent performer that offers a round soft sweetish version of pinot gris with grassy, honey herbal undertones. Like last year it has a bit of a sauvignon blanc-like character. Try this with a spicy curry dish or even barbecue ribs for a surprise pairing. Prices:
BC$13.00750ml
ON$11.00750ml
NB$12.00750ml
MB$14.00750ml
NF$14.00750ml
YK$15.50750ml
Producer: Flat Roof Manor
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Summerhill Pyramid Winery Alive Organic Whitetext
88PTS

Summerhill Pyramid Winery Alive Organic White 2012

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaI've been impressed by the turn around in quality at Summerhill Pyramid Winery and as the property transitions from, organic to biodynamic the wines just get better. There a fresh fruity nose here with notes pear, white peach and citrus peel that reflects the 70/15/5/5/3/2 blend of pinot gris/pinot blanc/gewürztraminer/viognier/chardonnay and muscat. Interestingly the wines bright acidity is matched by some residual sugar that results from halting the ferment thus producing a refreshing white with only 10 per alcohol. Think mussels, grilled fish or chicken.Prices:
BC$20.00750ml
Producer: Summerhill Pyramid Winery
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