quicksearch
Tastings: November 2013
30 November 2013
90PTS
Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir 2011
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesSix vineyards make up this Russian River blend. It spends eleven months in French oak of which 48 percent is new. Typically rich and spicy with sweet black fruit and liquorice nuances. The attack is silky and yea alcoholic but all in balance with bits of cran-cherry, cherry cola and mineral in the finish. Rich round and a bit over the top but but it is a style many will like.Prices:| BC | $67.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $60.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Treana Marsanne Viognier Central Coast 2010
Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, Central Coast, California, United StatesCitrus peel, ginger, honey, apricot, floral, lees and vanilla aromas. Fresh, juicy, rich, round palate with nutty lees, honey, candied ginger, clove, spicy, marmalade and dried apricot flavours. Warm, creamy, toasty finish is a bit heavy but no lack of intensity.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
84PTS
Joseph Faiveley Bourgogne Pinot Noir Paulee 2010
Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceHerbal, cedar bark, tobacco leaf, rhubarb, earthy aromas. Dry, thin, light, elegant palate with cedar, rhubarb, peppery, tobacco leaf and resin flavours. No fruit here and very dry.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
84PTS
Backyard Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2012
British Columbia, CanadaNettle, grapefruit rind, matchstick, grassy aromas. Fresh, round, off dry palate with grapefruit rind, green apple, lees, nettle flavours. Simple, grassy consumer style.Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
82PTS
Backyard Vineyards Blanc de Noir Brut NV
British Columbia, CanadaLight gold colour with light mousse. Buttery, garlic, lemon, nutty aromas. Tight, dry, acidic, lean palate with cedar, tobacco leaf, garlic, nutty, lemon flavours. Very green and tart.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Miguel Torres Las Mulas Organic Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2013
Region del Valle Central, ChileLight artichoke, canned jalapeno, sweaty grapefruit rind and passion fruit aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy palate with a touch of spritz. Canned jalapeno, grapefruit rind, nettle, smoky herb, bitter lime and apple skin flavours. A bit skinny and herbaceous but solid for the price.Prices:| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Barone Ricasoli Chianti Classico Riserva Rocca Guicciarda 2009
Tuscany, ItalyMeaty, smoky saddle leather, light compost, tobacco, black cherry jam, coffee aromas. Round, dry, fresh, somewhat tight palate with prune, meaty, coffee, resin, liquorice, leather, peppery, light Band-Aid flavours. Solid but too rustic.Prices:| AB | $27.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Barone Ricasoli Brolio Chianti Classico Riserva 2010
Siena, Tuscany, ItalyOpen peppery, savoury, black cherry nose with bits of sausage meat, liquorice, slightly smoky plum aromas. Rich, round, dry, suave, warm palate with coffee, vanilla, cedar, tobacco, earthy, licorice, sausage meat and leather flavours. A bit rustic and chunky but has good intensity. Needs a few years to round out or with meats now.Prices:| AB | $33.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $37.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Joseph Drouhin Cote de Beaune Rouge 2010
Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceTobacco leaf, raspberry, spicy, peppery, meaty, light barnyard aromas. Dry, fresh, suave and elegant but a bit lean and juicy, Smoky, meaty, barnyard, tobacco leaf, rhubarb and raspberry flavours with a bit of compost and orange peel. Drink now and over the next 2 years. Okay but where's the joie de vivre.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Torres Coronas Tempranillo 2010
Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainTypically tempranillo with light peppery, tobacco, saddle leather notes and hints of bitter cherries. The attack is soft and round with more spicy cherry, strawberry, tobacco fruit with an earthy meaty undercurrent. Ready to drink. Fair value.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $16.50 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.25 | 750ml |
| NS | $16.50 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Bailly Lapierre Crémant de Bourgogne Reserve Brut NV
Burgundy, FranceFresh toasted nut, baked apple, light honey, butter, lemon aromas. The attack is juicy and a touch sweet with foamy mousse. Nutty, toasty, buttery, baked apple and pear flavours. Juicy, toastier style for current drinking. Best before dinner.Prices:| BC | $31.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Bodega Lurton Pinot Gris 2012
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaFloral, spicy, citrus, earthy, pear aromas. Soft, round, slightly sweet palate with canned pear, grapefruit, honey, chalky apple flavours. A softer more commercial version than we are used to seeing.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $15.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
29 November 2013
87PTS
Zenato Valpolicella Superiore 2010
Verona, Veneto, ItalyChocolate, toasty oak, coffee, tobacco, black cherry, smoky, Oxo aromas. Fresh, round, juicy palate with light tannins. Black cherry, chocolate, cedar, tobacco, leather, prune and tar flavours with a touch of sweetness on the finish.Prices:| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $17.25 | 750ml |
| NB | $17.25 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $22.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Frescobaldi Castello di Pomino Benefizio Chardonnay 2011
Tuscany, ItalyPear, vanilla, orange, spicy lees, light pineapple, honey and toasty, baked apple aromas. Ripe, round, fresh and creamy palate with mango, vanilla, peach, honey, spicy lees, apple skin and quince flavours. Good delicacy and fruit on the finish. Ready now but should improve over the next one to three years.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Frescobaldi Castelgiocondo Lamaione Merlot 2007
Tuscany, ItalyBig black cherry, coffee, vanilla, cigar, floral, meaty, waxy, incense and carrot top aromas. Ripe, round, warm and juicy with a grainy, somewhat tannic palate. Black cherry, orange peel, tobacco, leather, coffee, smoky, black olive, cedar and vanilla flavours. Big warm but very fine fruit and concentration with balanced acidity. Young, still needs 2-5 years. A great wine with roasted meats.Prices:| BC | $66.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $46.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $62.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $55.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
93PTS
Gérard Bertrand Chateau La Sauvageonne Grand Vin Rouge 2011
Terrasses de Larzac, Coteaux du Languedoc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceFrom special lots grown on schist soils, this has a huge floral, toasty, sappy, spicy, orange peel, black pepper, garrigue, tapenade, blackberry and menthol aromas. Rich, suave, full and ripe with some warmth on the palate. Liquorice, menthol, orange peel, black plum, floral, coffee, vanilla, black raspberry, meaty flavours. Long and intense with some warmth but excellent texture. Needs 3-5 years.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $39.75 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Gérard Bertrand Chateau La Sauvageonne Cuvee Pica Broca 2011
Terrasses de Larzac, Coteaux du Languedoc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceBig peppery, sappy, blackberry, meaty, licorice, bay, garrigue, black raspberry, smoky, forest leaf aromas. Rich, full, round, smooth and juicy palate. Lots of white pepper, black raspberry jam, coffee, leather, vanilla, smoky herb and tobacco flavours. Good sexy, fresh suave stony mineral style with intense fruit and aging potential to the upside over two to seven years. The blend is 70/30 grenache/syrah.Prices:| BC | $38.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $31.50 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
94PTS
Gérard Bertrand L'Hospitalitas 2011
Coteaux du Languedoc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceFrom a small plot at Chateau L'Hospital on the hill of La Clape, overlooking the Mediterranean, this has a meaty, savoury, sausage, black olive, blackberry, leather, roasted plum, menthol and gingerbread pudding nose. Rich, round, full and concentrated with suave but rich small-grained tannins. Liquorice, stony, peppery, cigar, meaty, chocolate, leather, blackberry and vanilla flavours. Long and intense, showing good syrah character now but needs 5-10 years to fully mature. the blend is 90/10 syrah, mourvedre.Prices:| BC | $85.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $75.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Gérard Bertrand Chateau Laville Bertrou 2011
Minervois la Liviniere, Minervois, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceEnticing peppery, meaty, savoury nose with smoky, curry, black cherry, and plum fruit flecked with garrigue, tobacco and floral aromas. Ripe, rich, round and suave with a warm edge. Intense blackberry, black cherry, coffee, meaty, smoky, liquorice, vanilla flavours. A delicious red that is long, intense and complex with some warmth but great flavours to age the next 3-5 years. the blend is 65/20/15 syrah, grenache and carignan.Prices:| BC | $34.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $29.75 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Gérard Bertrand Grand Terroir Pic Saint Loup 2011
Pic St Loup, Coteaux du Languedoc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FrancePeppery, prune, meaty, spicy, blackberry, savoury, garrigue, floral, coffee aromas. Ripe, round, fresh, juicy, smooth but intense palate. Savoury, coffee, chocolate, meaty, peppery, licorice, curry, blackberry, black pepper flavours. A bit warm on the finish but also young and intense. This will need three to four years to peak.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.75 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Gérard Bertrand Grand Terroir Montpeyroux Syrah Grenache 2011
Montpeyroux, Terrasses de Larzac, Coteaux du Languedoc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceBig black cherry, sappy, peppery, wild plum, balsamic, leather, garrigue, iron earth, minty aromas. Round, full, juicy, supple but tannic palate. Peppery, savoury, black cherry, plum, mint, minerality and tobacco flavours. Very fine intensity with finesse and complexity. Unique. Drink now or keep for 2-4 years. the blend is 60/40 syrah grenache.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.85 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Gérard Bertrand Terroir Corbières Grenache Syrah Mourvèdre 2011
Corbières, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceMeaty, prune, black cherry, blackberry, spicy, floral, chocolate, savoury, vanilla aromas. Ripe, round, juicy, full and intense palate with good acidity. Black cherry, plum, leather, chocolate, garrigue and violet flavours. Love the length and brightness. Long with good fruit and fine tannins. This should age well for two to five years. The mix is 40/30/30 grenache/syrah/mourvèdre.Prices:| CDN | $19.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Gérard Bertrand Minervois Syrah Carignan 2011
Minervois, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceSpicy, prune, black cherry, coffee, peppery, smoky, meaty, chocolate and black raspberry aromas. Ripe, fresh, juicy, round palate. Coffee, chocolate, black plum peppery, floral meaty, savoury, liquorice flavours. A bit warm and tannic but very good fruit to age 2-4 years. The blend is 70/30 syrah/carignan that are 50-120 years old and the wine gets about 30 percent new oak. Good value.Prices:| BC | $21.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.50 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Gérard Bertrand Fitou Grenache Carignan 2011
Fitou, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceMeaty, black cherry, leather, licorice, white pepper, blackberry, spicy, savoury aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy, full and round palate with black cherry, black raspberry, tobacco, meaty, licorice, smoky leather and herb flavours. Good fruit, complexity and texture, should improve over the next two to five years. A great wine for restaurant wine lists.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.50 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Gérard Bertrand Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Speciale 2011
Sud de France, FranceCassis jam, black cherry, peppery, spicy, vanilla aromas with a touch of violet. Ripe, round, smooth, juicy palate. Fresh cassis, peppery, tobacco, coffee, smoky flavours. Good fruit and concentration, should improve for 1-3 years. Good value.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Gérard Bertrand Naturae Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Sud de France, FranceTraditional vinification methods are in place but the Naturae wines are made without added sulphur or any other additives. Fresh deep, black cherry colour. Cassis, spicy, black cherry, tobacco, herbal, peppery aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy, slightly tannic but elegant palate. Light bell pepper, cassis, tobacco, plum coffee, olive and herb flavours.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.75 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Gérard Bertrand Naturae Merlot 2012
Sud de France, FranceTraditional vinification methods are in place but the Naturae wines are made without added sulphur or any other additives. Look for tobacco, peppery, light herbal, plum, black cherry and game aromas. Ripe, fresh, juicy palate with light tannins and more peppery, tobacco, black cherry, olive and compost flavours. Solid fruit and balance if a bit tannic. Best with grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Gérard Bertrand Grand Terroir Tautavel 2011
Tautavel, Côtes du Roussillon Villages, Roussillon, Sud de France, FranceBlackberry, black raspberry, black olive, vanilla aromas flecked with savoury, meaty, floral, liquorice notes. Ripe, round, full, warm and juicy palate. Licorice, meaty, chocolate, black raspberry jam, black berry, toasty, coffee and vanilla flavours. Big, young and round with lots of concentration although hot on the finish. Needs 2-4 years but pretty impressive old vine grenache here. The mix is 70/20/10 grenache, syrah, and carignan. Perfect for winter stews.Prices:| QC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $18.50 | 750ml |
| AB | $27.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $20.25 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Gérard Bertrand Château de Villemajou Grand Vin Rouge 2011
Corbières, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceMade from a selection of the best parcels and some 80-year old fruit this has fabulous nose of coffee, liquorice, blackberry, black raspberry, savoury, peppery, smoky, menthol aromas. Rich, full, round, warm and juicy palate. Intense blackberry, balsamic, garrigue, chocolate, black plum, licorice, vanilla, curried meat flavours. Long, full, fruity and big with ripe tannins to tame. Needs three to seven years to round into shape.Prices:| BC | $38.99 | 750ml |
| QC | $41.50 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Gérard Bertrand Château de Villemajou Grand Vin Blanc 2012
Corbières, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceSlate, ginger, floral, olive, nectarine, quince and vanilla aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy, creamy palate with honey, waxy lees, citrus, pear, quince, baked apple, vanilla, ginger and grassy herb flavours. Good acidity and concentration, can age one to four years and improve in the bottle. The blend is equal parts marsanne, roussanne, bourboulenc and macabeu.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $31.50 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Gérard Bertrand Grand Terroir La Clape Blanc 2012
Coteaux du Languedoc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceWhite flower, spicy, honey, quince, green olive, thyme and vanilla aromas, very unusual. Dry, fresh, juicy and delicate creamy palate with pear, herbal, lees, honey, vanilla, quince and slate flavours. Needs a year or two in bottle to fully come out. Very elegant. Love the mix of 40/20/40 grenache, marsanne/bourboulenc, the latter grown over limestone. White meats, turkey, seafood are all matches.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.75 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Gérard Bertrand Domaine de l'Aigle Pinot Noir 2011
Limoux, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceStrawberry, spicy, liquorice, light balsamic, tobacco and herb aromas. Dry, juicy, slightly austere palate with coffee, pepper, tobacco leaf, herbal, vanilla, resin and strawberry flavours. Solid but a bit oaky and leafy. Needs one to two years to fully come around. Simple stuff.Prices:| BC | $36.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $26.50 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Gérard Bertrand Aigle Royal Pinot Noir 2011
Limoux, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceSurprise surprise. Spicy, strawberry, light barnyard, tobacco, peppery, plum, vanilla, gamey sauvage aromas. Ripe, fresh, juicy and concentrated palate with good finesse. Wild plum, cherry, spicy, peppery, coffee, tobacco and game flavours. There is fine length and fruit here and it should age well for 3-7 years. Pinot noir reminiscent of a solid Pommard and or Volnay 1er Cru.Prices:| BC | $77.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $70.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Gérard Bertrand Aigle Royal Chardonnay 2011
Limoux, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceMade from a small block at the top of the slope with a steep inclination. Look for nectarines, red apple, honey, anise, citrus, vanilla, muscat and dried herb aromas. Rich, ripe, juicy and creamy palate with citrus, green apple, pineapple, grassy, floral, honey, toasty lees and vanilla flavours. Fine effort that should improve for 2-5 years. Balance weight and power.Prices:| BC | $77.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $70.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Gérard Bertrand Domaine de l’Aigle Chardonnay 2012
Limoux, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceLight apricot, red apple, vanilla, creamy lees, mango and acacia flower aromas. Ripe, fresh, juicy, creamy palate with good concentration. Mango, floral, honey, slate, spicy, nutty lees, vanilla and citrus flavours. Good length. Fine effort.Prices:| BC | $36.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $26.50 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Gérard Bertrand Chardonnay Reserve Speciale 2012
Limoux, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceCitrus, floral, green apple, slate, green mango aromas with a hint of lees and vanilla. Fresh, round, juicy palate with a creamy texture. Vanilla, spicy, citrus, honey, lees, mango, nectarine flavours. Good balance and finesse here. Well-made and designed to make you palate salivate.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Gérard Bertrand Naturae Chardonnay 2012
Sud de France, FranceTraditional vinification methods are in place but the Naturae wines are made without added sulphur or any other additives. Floral, peach, mango, pear, baked apple aromas. Ripe, fresh, round and elegant palate with juicy pear, citrus, light hone, apple and ginger flavours. A lighter style but good fruit and finesse. A real achievement for a purely natural, non-SO2 added wine.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.75 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Gérard Bertrand Code Rouge Brut Eternel NV
Limoux, Languedoc, Sud de France, FrancePeach, cherry, slightly nutty, pear aromas. Fresh, dry, slightly foamy but creamy and juicy palate. Pear, citrus, honey, nutty, licorice flavours. Good freshness and balance with vibrancy for a nice, simple sparkler. The blend is 70/20/10 chardonnay/chenin blanc/mauzac. Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $24.50 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
0PTS
Gérard Bertrand Grand Terroir Les Aspres 2011
Côtes du Roussillon, Roussillon, Sud de France, FranceCorked, try another.Prices:| ON | $19.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Gérard Bertrand La Forge 2009
Corbières, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceLiquorice, beef Oxo-cube, blackberry, prune plum, chocolate, violet, candied orange, cedar and tobacco aromas. Rich, round, warm, suave and juicy palate with very fine tannins. The flavours mix chocolate, cedar and cigar with meaty, savoury, black raspberry, blackberry jam and orange peel flavours. Very warm and unctuous but balanced in the finish. Drinkable now but should improve over the next 2-4 years.Prices:| BC | $90.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $75.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
93PTS
Gérard Bertrand La Forge 2011
Corbières, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceRich spicy, savoury, peppery, tobacco, chocolate, vanilla, blackberry, meaty, licorice aromas. Full, round, elegant, juicy palate with very fine tannins. Roast meat, licorice, chocolate, prune plum, black pepper, vanilla, gingerbread, blood orange and cedar flavours. Very well balanced with good finesse. Drinkable now but should improve with another three to five years in bottle. La Forge is a four hectare site in the heart of the Boutenac a new sub-appellation of Corbières where the vines are long-lived.Prices:| 80.00 | $0.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
94PTS
Gérard Bertrand Le Viala 2011
Minervois la Liviniere, Minervois, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceMade from a single 3 hectare parcel at La Livinière inside the Chateau Laville Bertrou property. The nose is meaty with coffee, leather, toasted vanilla and blackberry with curry, cigar, garrigue and liquorice aromas. The palate is full dry and juicy with a ripe tannic structure. Liquorice, blackberry, black raspberry jam, coffee, five spice and garrigue flavours. Long and complex with very good concentration and intensity. Despite a bit of warmth, this is an exceptional offering that will benefit from 3-5 years in bottle. The blend is 65/20/15 syrah grenache and carignan.Prices:| QC | $76.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $80.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Gérard Bertrand Grand Terroir Tautavel 2010
Tautavel, Côtes du Roussillon Villages, Roussillon, Sud de France, FranceBlack liquorice, black pepper, black raspberry, tobacco, meaty, floral, savoury aromas. Ripe, round, rich, suave and juicy palate with good acidity balance. Black raspberry jam, blackberry, licorice, peppery, meaty, chocolate and savoury. Very fine grenache fruit with structure. Delicious now but should improve with one to three more years in bottle. Stupid value.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Gérard Bertrand Cigalus Rouge 2011
Sud de France, FranceBertrand works without a formula here and has 15-20 possibilities to come up with the final blend. Wild plum, smoky, liquorice, cigar, black cherry, cassis, floral, savoury, menthol and curry aromas. Rich, full, round, suave and warm palate but in with an intense, juicy style. Savoury, menthol, black cherry, black raspberry, cassis, chocolate, leather, vanilla, five spice and liquorice flavours dominate. Long, rich and concentrated with very good acidity, this is big and needs 2-5 years despite the suave tannin structure. You could cellar this wine for decade with ease.Prices:| BC | $59.00 | 750ml |
| US | $41.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $41.50 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
94PTS
Frescobaldi Castelgiocondo Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2006
Tuscany, ItalyEnjoy the nose it is a big part of the price. Riserva Castelgiocondo is super fragrant playing on violets and red fruits with a stony minerality underneath. Restraint, style, breed are all part of the wine at seven years of age. Look for ripe cherry, blackberry, coffee notes with a touch of earth and mushrooms and more mineral notes. Just coming into its own but will live for years. Mushroom risotto would be a perfect match.Prices:| BC | $119.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Frescobaldi Mormoreto Castello di Nipozzano 2009
Tuscany, ItalyMostly second year oak is used to preserve the fruit for up to 24 months. Look for great colour. Mormoreto has style with finesse, the nose is fragrant with spice, liquorice, cinnamon and dried herbs. The tannins are rich but fine-grained and they support quite a bit of black fruit. Try this with osso buco style dishes or old cheeses. The 25 ha Mormoreto was planted in 1976; the first vintage was 1983 and only the best years are made. There were no wines from 1986, 1987, 1989, 1992, 1998 or 2002. The site is planted cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc and petit verdot all of which have over 150 years of history in Tuscany. The altitude is an impressive 250m to 300m above sea level.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $65.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $62.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $63.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Frescobaldi Montesodi Riserva Castello di Nipozzano Chianti Rufina 2009
Tuscany, ItalyMontesodi is sangiovese with a capital 'S,' and since 1974 it is only made in exceptional years. The fruit comes off a small part of the Castello di Nipozzano estate at 400 metres. Fresh red fruit nose with flecks of blackberry and blueberry. More violets and spice preview a classy mix of cool fruits and minerality. Liquorice, black pepper, smoky, mushroom black cherry flavours abound and as supple as the tannins are, the wine is only just beginning to wake up. This needs five to ten years to fully mature in bottle. Turkey, pheasant, quail or grilled beef all work here. Prices:| QC | $50.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $50.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $55.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $53.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $60.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Frescobaldi Castello di Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Riserva 2009
Tuscany, ItalyHistorically this wine ages gracefully and the '09 mix of Nipozzano at 90 percent sangiovese and ten percent malvasia nera, colorino, merlot and cabernet sauvignon is another fine candidate. Look for a spicy, wild berry nose with floral red fruit, smoke and complexing touch of mushroom and earth. After the tasting this was served to perfection with wild boar pasta and it was a perfect match. Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $22.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $22.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Frescobaldi di Castiglioni 2010
Tuscany, ItalyTenuta di Castiglioni is the oldest Frescobaldi Estate, with roots that date back to 1032. The altitude of the 115-hectare vineyard is 200 meters and the mix in 2010 is 50/30/10/10 mix of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc and sangiovese. On the nose red fruits dominate with cherries, strawberries and plums. The palate is warm and round with more plummy fruit, spice and cocoa. Wild boar/pork would be a fine match.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $22.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $24.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Frescobaldi Castiglioni Chianti 2011
Tuscany, ItalySince the mid-2000s Castiglione has become a sound, well-made, modern Chianti that relies on florals and red fruit. The mid-palate is soft and juicy and the floral, black cherry fruit needs only a simple plate of Bolognese-style pasta to shine.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $16.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Domaine des Lises by Equis Crozes-Hermitage 2011
Crozes Hermitage, Northern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FrancePeppery, earthy, black liquorice, black plum, roast meat, smoky, leather, sausage and garrigue aromas. Fresh, round, elegant and juicy palate with light tannins. Smoky herb, clove, black berry, black plum, licorice, tobacco, meaty, roast pepper flavours. Good finesse and exhibits its terroir in a more forward, lighter style but should improve over the next two to four years in bottle.Prices:| BC | $38.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $29.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Canella Prosecco Superiore NV
Veneto, ItalyConegliano is said to be the cultural hub of the variety, and its historical nucleus. Canella's hillside vineyards around Conegliano are the source of the fruit. Fresh, round bubbly entry with green apple fruit with just enough acidity to keep it all fresh. The finish is soft and just a hint off-dry. Try this with a crab salad or a sushi cone.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
40 Knots Spindrift Brut 2010
Comox Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaGood medium fine continuous mousse. Baked green apple, light butter, pear skin, toasty, grassy aromas. Full, juicy, slightly sweet palate with somewhat foamy mousse. Buttery, baked apple, honey, baked pear, grapefruit flavours. Solid flavours and intensity for a first release.Prices:| BC | $36.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Zenato Ripassa Valpolicella Superiore 2009
Verona, Veneto, ItalyPeppery, tobacco, tar, black cherry, chocolate, cedar, balsamic and leather aromas. Rich, full, round, juicy, slightly tannic palate with black cherry, coffee, prune plum, resin, meaty, cigar and pepper flavours. Good richness and length with some aging potential to improve.Prices:| AB | $29.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $27.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $30.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $32.45 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Zenato Cormi Corvina Merlot 2008
Verona, Veneto, ItalyPeppery, roast meat, leather, tar, black cherry, medicinal and tobacco aromas. Fresh, juicy, round palate with chocolate, saddle leather, meaty, Band-Aid/brettanomyces, toffee and black cherry flavours. Rustic style.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $29.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $22.35 | 750ml |
| MB | $30.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Lugana Riserva Sergio Zenato 2010
Verona, Veneto, ItalyThe di Lugana is made with the oldest trebbiano vines in the Podere Massoni vineyard. The flagship white is aged on French oak but not in an overt way. The nose is ripe mixing honey, peach, dried fruit nutty aromas with tropical fruit flecks and ginger. In some ways it is reminiscent of viognier. The palate is rich and creamy with peachy floral spicy fruit with a squeeze of citrus. Now it reminds us of a riche buttery chardonnay. Best with roast chicken or veal. The wine is fermented in barriques for 3 weeks and matured in small new oak for 4 months. it then spends 6 months in stainless steel and 6 months in bottle.Prices:| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $27.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $37.25 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
96PTS
Champagne Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2004
Champagne, FranceThe 2004 Comtes de Champagne follows the outstanding 2002 and it too is a good one. Creamy, mineral chalky, precise, elegant, forceful and still taut and high strung. The style is bright the fruit comfortably nuanced under floral, mineral notes with a twist of oyster liqueur. This is a brilliant bottle of bubble with the structure and breed to age gracefully for a decade and more. Über cool, über elegant and simply delicious.Prices:| AB | $245.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $153.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $160.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $167.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
JoieFarm En Famille Reserve Gewurztraminer 2011
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight honey, peach, spicy, citrus, ginger and light lychee aromas. Full, round, elegant, soft palate with some creaminess. Baked apple, citrus, lees, honey, rose water flavours. A bit soft and warm on the finish but has good intensity and persistence.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Ganton & Larson Prospect Winery Lions White 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight floral, honey, pear, and green apple and grapefruit aromas. Fresh, round, juicy, somewhat sweet and oily palate with grapefruit rind, green apple, butter and lemon flavours. Simple, easy style.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Echeverria Limited Edition Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Region del Valle Central, ChileSappy, menthol, cassis, saddle leather, peppery, tobacco, black olive and coffee aromas. Full, round, juicy palate with fine tannins. Chocolate, meaty, peppery, cassis, cedar, minty, bay, tobacco and earth flavours. A bit rustic and warm but solid.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Viña Chocalán Grand Reserva Malbec 2011
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChilePeppery, clove, vanilla, black cherry, tobacco, riparian, minty cassis aromas. Dry, fresh, somewhat austere palate with light tannins. Cedar, resin, licorice, black cherry, coffee, tobacco leaf, savoury, minty, celery salt and vanilla flavours. A bit young and astringent with drying tannins. Needs beef or a few years to round out.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $28.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $25.50 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
De Bortoli DB Traminer Riesling Family Selection 2012
AustraliaBig spicy, floral, lemon oil, ginger, light lychee and apple skin aromas. Fresh, juicy, elegant but somewhat sweet style with lychee, rose, baked apple, honey, citrus flavours. A simple, fresh, juicy summer wine that offers great value.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Zenato Cresasso Corvina Veronese 2006
Verona, Veneto, ItalyChocolate, earthy, raisin-y, prune plum, tobacco, orange peel, meaty, floral aromas. Ripe, rich, full, juicy palate with some grainy tannins still. Peppery, tobacco, resin, black cherry jam, prune, chocolate, cedar, earth with a light balsamic finish. Well-made and still youthful.Prices:| BC | $54.00 | 750ml |
| US | $65.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Gérard Bertrand Grand Terroir La Clape Syrah-Carignan-Mourvèdre 2011
Coteaux du Languedoc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceThe Grand Terroir of la Clape is limestone and you can feel it in the wine. The nose is a complex mix of garrigue, intense dark fruit aromas with stony floral notes. The style is tight but with plenty of juicy black fruit flavours and power. A highly collectible red that is very food-friendly and would be perfect with lamb, whole roasted chicken or rich cheeses. Impressive red wine for the money with its complexity and intensity.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Gérard Bertrand Réserve Spéciale Viognier 2012
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceHoney, floral, candied ginger, spicy, apricot skin, nectarine and matchstick aromas. Fresh, rich, round, dry palate with soft acidity. Very floral, spicy, honey, lees, slate, apricot, ginger and anise flavours. A bit flat but good intensity and length, should improve over the next year.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
28 November 2013
90PTS
Champagne Louis de Sacy Brut Grand Cru Kasher NV
Champagne, FranceA rarity in champagne, this is truly a kosher offering which is essentially the same as the normal Grand Cru bottling. Fine white mousse with citrus, toasty, baked apple, pear, waxy, almond and sour cherry aromas. Fresh, crisp, drier, brut style with juicy acidity and creamy mousse. Lemon, baked green apple, pear, light raspberry, toasty almond flavours. A fresh, elegant, juicy style with a bit of sweetness on the finish. A very attractive style for current drinking. Good value here.Prices:| BC | $75.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
27 November 2013
88PTS
Cono Sur Single Vineyard Block 21 Pinot Noir Viento Mar 2011
Valle de San Antonio, Region de Aconcagua, ChileStrawberry jam, cherry, celery, carrot top, light smoke, vanilla and barnyard aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy, slightly austere but full body with light tannins. Cola, spicy, savoury, celery, cherry, coffee and rhubarb flavours with a hint of tea and smoke on the finish. Good elegance and fruit intensity and it should improve in the bottle over the next year or two. Tough to beat this value pinot noir.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Cono Sur Cabernet Sauvignon - Carmenère 2012
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileSpicy, roasted pepper, cassis, cigar, leather, somewhat herbal aromas. Round, full, juicy, somewhat tannic palate with cassis, coffee, peppery, orange, sappy, leather flavours. Chunky tannins on the finish but with fine overall fruit and concentration. A solid value hamburger/pizza red.Prices:| BC | $15.50 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.45 | 750ml |
| SK | $14.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $16.75 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Montes Twins 2011
Apalta Valley, Santa Cruz, Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChilePeppery, spicy, savoury, black cherry, cassis, cocoa, tobacco, light barnyard aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy, slightly lean palate but good finesse with light tannins. Coffee, cassis, black cherry, tobacco, mushroom earth and liquorice flavours. Solid fruit with a savoury streak. Try with grilled lamb chops.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $0.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $0.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $0.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $0.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $0.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $0.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Stoneboat Vineyards Faux Pas Rosé 2012
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe pale pink Faux Pas mixes the unlikely bedfellows of pinot noir and pinotage into a candied strawberry affair with bits of citrus and dried herbs. The style is fresh with watermelon, berries and rhubarb. A perfect pink for pre-dinner entertaining. Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Entourage Grand Reserve Sparkling Wine 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSomewhat foamy mousse with baked apple, nutty, pear, honey, buttery aromas. Full, foamy palate but hollow with buttery, nutty, salty, citrus, cooked apple, pear flavours. Simple style sparkler at a hefty price.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Oxford Landing Estates Chardonnay 2012
South Australia, AustraliaLight lees, apple, pear, matchstick, citrus aromas. Fresh, elegant, slightly sweet palate with baked pear, honey, citrus, apple skin and lees flavours. Solid style here for the money. Fish cakes anyone?.Prices:| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $15.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
84PTS
Barone Ricasoli Campo Ceni 2011
Tuscany, ItalyDry meaty, resin, peppery, savoury, barnyard, black cherry aromas. Round, soft, slightly sweet palate with tart acid. Beef drippings, smoky, earthy, peppery, cherry jam and resin flavours. Commercial style.Prices:| BC | $18.50 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
JoieFarm En Famille Reserve Pinot Noir 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, worsteshire, tobacco, rhubarb, coffee, smoky, herb aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy but lean palate with cedar, black tea, rhubarb, resin, tobacco leaf, raspberry leaf, worsteshire flavours. Elegant but cooler, leaner style with some leafy tannins yet to lose.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
JoieFarm Pinot Noir 2011
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaTobacco leaf, tomato paste, resin, licorice, rhubarb, cedar aromas. Fresh, elegant, juicy palate with light tannins. Coffee, tobacco, worsteshire, meaty, rhubarb, resin flavours with a tea leaf and celery salt finish. Solid, needs a year or two in bottle to round out.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
JoieFarm Gamay 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeppery, earthy, black cherry, liquorice nose with hints of sausage meat. The attack is dry and fresh the palate juicy lean but elegant with smoky, peppery, rhubarb, licorice, rooty, lees flavours. Solid but tart edge, needs food and 10 percent more fruit.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
JoieFarm PTG 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAnother cool year another smoky, peppery, earthy spicy, cherry-scented red. Dry, light, elegant attack but lean and tart palate with earthy, liquorice, rhubarb, sausage meat, resin and coffee flavours. Lacks generosity but will be fine with food.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $38.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Zenato Cresasso Corvina Veronese 2007
Verona, Veneto, ItalyFloral, spicy, black cherry, pruny, tobacco, roast meat, balsamic aromas. Fresh, juicy, slightly tart and tannic palate with some sweetness. Tobacco, roast beef, black cherry, resin, spicy, liquorice flavours. Very weird style with some tannins to lose.Prices:| BC | $54.00 | 750ml |
| US | $65.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
84PTS
Ganton & Larson Prospect Winery Lions Red 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVery leaf, tobacco, cassis, peppery, olive, cedar aromas. Fresh, dry, juicy, somewhat lean palate with sour cherry, earthy, peppery, leafy, tomato paste flavours. Basic barbecue red.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Cedro do Noval 2008
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalTobacco, resin, pepper, barnyard, meaty, cedar nose with notes of blackberry and liquorice. Dry, fresh, round, elegant palate with light tannins. Smoky, meaty, peppery, tobacco, resin, blackberry, balsamic, earthy, licorice, and prune flavours. Nice intensity but somewhat rustic, needs a few more years to round out.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $21.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $24.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
83PTS
Chateau Roc de Segur 2010
Pauillac, Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceEarthy, cedar bark, tobacco leaf, meaty, forest floor aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant but light palate with cedar bark, resin, smoky, earthy, tomato paste and tobacco flavours. Hard to think this is Bordeaux.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Hollick Bond Road Chardonnay 2011
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaFloral, citrus, baked green apple, nutty lees, light vanilla and matchstick aromas. Fresh, juicy, leaner palate with nutty lees, garlic, grapefruit, green apple, waxy, butterscotch flavours with a bit of bitterness on the finish. Nice balance but a fairly worked style. Try this with chicken.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Mitolo Serpico Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaTobacco, peppery, prune, cooked cassis nose with black olive tapenade, leafy, chocolate aromas. Full, round, fresh, sweet and tart palate with coffee, tobacco, meaty, resin, cassis jam, liquorice, tarry, vanilla flavours. The finish is warm and tart and the sweetness keeps coming. Serpico is made in the Amarone style with 30 percent of dried grapes (7 weeks and 3 days) to fill out the mid-palate. It's a style agreed but not one we love.Prices:| BC | $59.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $59.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $59.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $59.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $64.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
26 November 2013
90PTS
Gomba Boschetti Moscato 2011
Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalyFloral, spicy, peach, litchi nose with honey and apple skin aromas. Fresh, juicy, frizzante palate with good acidity and sweetness. More litchi, nectarine, red apple, citrus, rose petal flavours. Great balance at 5.5% alcohol. A super wine for a late night dessert.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Shingleback Shiraz D Block Reserve 2009
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaSmoky, peppery, meaty, earthy, liquorice nose with bits of blackberry, resin and coffee. Dry, fresh, juicy, slightly lean palate but warm with chocolate, blackberry jam, prune plum, espresso, liquorice and smoky flavours. A bit lean and warm but with solid fruit.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Shingleback Shiraz (White Label) 2009
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaBlack pepper, coffee, blackberry, liquorice, smoky, leather, prune aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant, round palate with coffee, vanilla, black pepper, blueberry, blackberry, tobacco, dried sage flavours. Solid fruit and intensity with some warmth for that lamb roast.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Arc Du Rhone Côtes du Rhône Villages 2011
Côtes du Rhône Villages, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceBlack cherry, meaty, liquorice, peppery, savoury aromas. Fresh, juicy, light bodied but round palate with licorice, black cherry, resin, spicy, peppery, rosemary flavours. Good fruit and balance at a great price. Consistent label.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $13.50 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Mitchell of Clare Peppertree Vineyard Shiraz 2009
Clare Valley, South Australia, AustraliaBlack cherry, blueberry, meaty, spicy, licorice, light coffee and roast pepper aromas. Fresh, round, elegant, slightly tart palate with plum, blueberry, tobacco, smoky herb, liquorice, meaty, espresso, vanilla and leather flavours. Solid fruit if a bit warm and lean on the finish.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $30.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Bava Moscato d'Asti 2012
Piedmont, ItalyFragrant, spicy, ginger, floral, orange peel aromas with bits of litchi, lees and peach skin aromas. Full, round, softer palate with sweetness but juicy with honey, orange, rose petal, lychee, red apple, yeasty flavours. Delicate and soft with light fizz and a touch of almond.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
84PTS
Calina Carmenère Reserva 2011
Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileFresh cedar, tobacco leaf, pepper, cedar, sappy cassis, riparian aromas. Fresh, slightly tannic palate with more cassis, sappy, minty, resin, smoky, herbal flavours all a warm, tart finish. Ordinary.Prices:| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Gold Hill Pinot Gris II 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLeesy, pear skin, green apple and garlic aromas. Full, round, somewhat sweet and oily palate with baked apple, nectarine, and garlic lees flavours. Rich and ripe but too much lees character. Needs to be cleaner and fresher. Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Gold Hill Syrah II 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeppery, tobacco, meaty, resin, compost, gingerbread and cocoa aromas. Round, dry, somewhat thin palate with vanilla, cocoa, coffee, mace, and poultry spice flavours. Simple style that is oaky and lean without much stuffing.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Gold Hill Cabernet Franc II 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCranberry, cedar, tobacco leaf, smoky herb, resin aromas. Dry, lean, elegant palate with smoky, resin, herbal, tobacco, tomato paste, coffee and vanilla flavours. Oaky and light, a forward style but too herbaceous.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
84PTS
Gold Hill Pinot Noir I 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLeafy, cedar, resin, rhubarb aromas. Dry, light, thin, simple palate with some coffee, rhubarb, cedar and tobacco flavours with a tart finish. Back the drawing board.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Painted Wolf Guillermo Pinotage 2009
Coastal Region, South AfricaSmoky, black cherry, light sausage, peppery, earthy, cocoa aromas. Dry, light, somewhat tart palate with earthy, sausage meat, peppery, black cherry, smoked leather, resin flavours. Solid if a bit resiny and smoky in the backend.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
83PTS
Geoff Hardy Handcrafted Limestone Coast Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Limestone Coast, South Australia, AustraliaBlackberry, prune, cassis, coffee, chocolate, incense aromas. Round, full, somewhat sweet entry with leafy, tobacco, peppery, cassis, prune and cola flavours. Sweet and sour finish with coffee liqueur.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Harper's Trail Thadd Springs Vineyard Pinot Gris 2012
Kamloops, British Columbia, CanadaPale pink tinge with pear, green apple skin, earthy, citrus and lees aromas. Full, juicy, elegant palate with a touch of sweetness. Canned pear, nectarine, earthy, lees and buttery, honey flavours. A bit leesy and sweet but solid concentration and balance. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Maverick Estate Winery Origin 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFresh floral, lemon thyme, spicy, green apple skin with gooseberry aromas. Rich, juicy palate with a touch of oiliness. Grassy, canned grapefruit, jalapeno, spicy, nectarine, gooseberry flavours. The sauvignon is somewhat dominant but this offers nice elegance and ripeness with a boost of spice. Good effort.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Lindemans Bin 65 Chardonnay 2012
South Eastern Australia, AustraliaYou can't really expect more than you get here for $13. The style is fresh and perfectly leaned out for food with light aromatic peach and citrus notes. There's a touch of butter to smooth out the fresh peach and light lemon and lees flavours that coat the palate. A touch watery (juicy) in a good way in the finish. Simple, well-made, fresh atypical cheap chardonnay that's perfect with chicken or seafood. Good value. Has Yattarna reshaped every chardonnay at Treasury?Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $12.50 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $10.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $13.25 | 750ml |
| PEI | $14.50 | 750ml |
| NB | $13.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Wynns Coonawarra Estate Chardonnay 2012
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaWynns has done a fine job of finessing this wine, tucking the oak underneath and playing the light fresh delicate, modern chardonnay card. At only 13.5 percent alcohol and one third barrel fermented you can really enjoy the fruit and the nutty, spicy, baked pear, green apple, melon notes and citrus finish. Fresh leesy, nutty chardonnay that would be perfect with most shellfish here on the West Coast.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $22.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
93PTS
Wynns Coonawarra Estate John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon Limited Release 2008
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaThe first John Riddoch was released in 1982. Always made in limited quantities and only in the best years it is the flagship cabernet made at Wynns. The 08 is 100 percent cabernet that is matured some 15 months in new & used French oak barriques. Typically floral on the nose with savoury cherry chocolate notes mixed with cedar blueberries and cassis. The attack is rich and smooth with dense fine-grained tannins that lead into a mix of vanilla, violets and smoky, coffee, blueberry cassis. A powerful but elegant example of Coonawarra cabernet that is less foursquare and frankly more delicious. This should age effortlessly for more than a decade. Serve this alongside your favourite cut of steak.Prices:| BC | $85.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $75.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $75.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
25 November 2013
91PTS
M. Chapoutier Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Bernardine 2011
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceChapoutier describes his wine in terms of ripe red cherries. You can add the liquorice/garrigue tag here and like most Chapoutier wines there is the terroir lurking everywhere. La Bernadine is mostly grenache with small amounts of syrah and mourvèdre. The 2011 remains a classic red fruit style with coffee and cinnamon spice. It is a touch on the light side and more early term drinking (five to seven years) than a candidate for the cellar. Chapoutier remains indifferent about vintages because each year tells its own story and under his biodynamic farming regime it is usually a story worth tasting.Prices:| BC | $52.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $53.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $49.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $54.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Mount Mary Quintet 2009
Yarra Valley, Victoria, AustraliaFresh light, lively smoky nose with a light colour. More red fruit than black and floral with fairly persistent acidity that dominates the mid-palate. Lean and slightly sour in the finish. Not in the class of the tasting. Did it suffer from fire and smoke? The blend is 47/31/15/4/3 cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, malbec and petit verdot. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Montreal.Prices:| AUS | $130.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Chateau Lynch Bages 2009
Pauillac, Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceDark dense colour with classic dill menthol Lynch Bages aromas. The palate is mix of stony, mineral smoky, black fruits that seems a little out of sorts. Definitely a wine this is shutting down in bottle. The '09 is blend of 76% cabernet sauvignon, 18 merlot, 4 cabernet franc and 2 petit verdot. Not up to the best in this lineup. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Montreal.Prices:| BC | $280.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Chateau Leoville Las Cases 2009
St. Julien, Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceAnother smoky toasted plenty of oak nose with floral liquorice earthy notes. The attack is dry, tight and somewhat bitter at this stage with good acidity and finesse but big tannins. More earthy coffee, tobacco leaf flavours dominate. Where is the fruit? The finish is dry and hard and slightly sour. Obviously it has potential but on this day it is disappointing. The blend is 76/15/9 cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Montreal.Prices:| BC | $588.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $280.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $255.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Birks Wendouree Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Clare Valley, South Australia, AustraliaOne of the lightest in colour. The nose is fresh and youthful showing simple but intense primary fruit. The palate is similar with leafy, cassis, red fruit and spice notes with a sprinkling of chocolate. It has bit of that sweet and sour aspect and it finishes fairly dry. Solid but not in the same league as the upper half of wines in the tasting. The blend is an unusual 60/40 mix of cabernet sauvignon and malbec. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Montreal.Prices:Read Full Note
89PTS
Henschke Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Eden Valley, South Australia, AustraliaOne of the better Oz reds in the tasting but not quite up to the challenge. The nose is fresh and ripe with pure cassis and black fruit. The texture is a bit awkward, the tannins angular and the palate acidic and cedar-y with a touch of sour cherry fruit at this point and a long dry finish. Like many it needs time but where is the balance. The blend is 81/13/6 cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and merlot. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Montreal.Prices:| BC | $120.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
93PTS
Almaviva 2009
Puente Alto, Valle del Maipo, ChileOne of the better wines that revel's in its elegance and styling. Love the mix of liqorice, earth, tar and black fruit and minerals with refined chalky tannins, firm acidity. Frankly the wood is much better handled here than in most of the Bordeaux at the Montreal tasting. The blend is 73% cabernet sauvignon, 22% carmenère, 4% cabernet franc and 1% merlot. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Montreal.Prices:| BC | $160.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
96PTS
Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2009
Pauillac, Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceSuper smoke and toasted oak, as is the pattern of first growths only this time there is plenty beneath the façade including tobacco, blackberry jam, cassis, curry and cedar aromas. The palate is awash in brooding fruit that is rich long and luxurious with acidity, finesse and persistence. A fabulous bottle of wine and it is only beginning its life. The blend in '09 is 88 cabernet sauvignon 12 percent merlot. A great bottle at a crazy price. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Montreal.Prices:| BC | $1800.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $1400.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Chateau Cos d'Estournel 2009
St. Estèphe, Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceHeavily concentrated fruit on the nose almost Amarone-like in style. Baked nose stewed sweet and sour flavours with peppery, black olive, floral, herbal notes. Ripe and warm with a jammy palate and big, plentiful dusty tannins. Good but just a bit too flat for this class of wine. The blend is 65/33/2 cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Montreal.Prices:| BC | $688.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
98PTS
Opus One 2009
Napa Valley, California, United StatesThis wine just wowed me in the tasting so elegantly straddling the New and Old World. Length, complexity, finesse all permeate its floral stony, mineral, liquorice red fruit flavours. Persistent fine grained tannins mark a refined, balanced finish. Try this again in 2019. Super effort. The fruit mix is 81/9/6/3/1 cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot, petit verdot and malbec. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Montreal.Prices:| ON | $385.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $400.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Chateau Latour 2009
Pauillac, Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceThe 09 Latour blends 91.3% cabernet sauvignon with 8.7% merlot. Again big smoky toasted oak sits over some powerful black fruit, lead pencil and mineral notes. Cedar, boysenberries chalk, pepper and dense sweet tannins that are going to require two decades of patience for it to reach perfection. Very promising. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Montreal.Prices:| MB | $1700.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Harlan Estate Red 2009
Napa Valley, California, United StatesLove the freshness here and stony mineral bits that seem to keep this big rich red in check. Look for bright, soft, silky round, black fruit with spice and leather. Very glossy new World style but with a linear elegant style that again tempers the rich, pure black fruit flavours and substantial tannins. A rich hedonistic red working hard to reign in nay extravagance. The wine has a very high percentage cabernet sauvignon in it but the vineyard is planted to 70% cabernet sauvignon, 20% merlot, 8% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Montreal.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Chateau Beychevelle 2009
Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceA fine Beychevelle with an enticing sweet nose of dark fruits, chocolate and spice. The mix is 46/44/6/4/ cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc and petit verdot. The attack is dense the fruit round and firm with plenty of soft tannin and savoury spice tones. Lacks a bit of electricity but has the roundness and ripeness to appeal to a wide audience. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Montreal.Prices:| BC | $215.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Sassicaia 2009
Bolgheri, Tuscany, ItalyStrong mineral red fruit nose with cassis, black olive and savoury, cranberry, vanilla and menthol aromas. The attack is fresh with bright juicy firm sweet cassis fruit with that warm savoury Bolgheri dried herb undercurrent. Pure and stylish this is a terrific bottle of wine that will only improve over the next 15 years. Love the balance and finesse. The blend is 85 cabernet sauvignon and 15 cabernet franc. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Montreal.Prices:| QC | $175.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $200.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $185.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $195.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $185.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2009
Pauillac, Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceCool menthol, spice and smoky, liquorice notes. Possible TCA issue. The palate is dense with glossy, cassis and tobacco, black olive and cedar flavours. Dry, firm elegant, if like most first growths far too much oak with low fruit. Again the sample may have been suffering from a small amount of TCA. The price is crazy taking this wine out of the hands of aficionados and leaving it to the rich and famous. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Montreal.Prices:| BC | $2600.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Chateau Pichon Comtesse de Lalande 2009
Pauillac, Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceAnother smoky leather Brettanomyces spicy cool cedar, tobacco, floral nose from Bordeaux. Quite a meaty/animal mid-palate with earthy, peppery, spicy, black olive, liquorice flavours. Dry leafy firm tannic finish that will require a decade to come around if the Brett remains under control. Not a favourite. Disappointing in this class of wine. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Montreal.Prices:| BC | $380.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $350.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $360.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Wolf Blass Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Malbec 34th Vintage 2009
South Australia, AustraliaOpen ripe lifted nose with sweet vanilla, oak and cherries. Similar attack with a bit of that sweet and sour element with youthful tannins and more smoky, coffee, blueberry jam, licorice, tobacco resin flavours. It finishes warm and tart without a lot of finesse. Best with grilled piece of lamb. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Montreal.Prices:| BC | $100.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $100.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $100.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $95.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $100.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $87.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $91.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $100.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Kanonkop Paul Sauer 2009
Simonsberg - Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South AfricaThe Paul Sauer mix is 69% cabernet sauvignon, 19 merlot, and 12 cabernet franc matured in all new 225 litre French Nevers barrels for 22-26 months. I like this wine in the glass with its smoky, stony mineral elegant red fruit aromas and earthy, cedar, cassis flavours flecked dried herbs tea leaves and plenty of fine grained tannins. Elegant stylish and one of the few in the tasting you could probably drink now with roast beef. Impressive. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Montreal.Prices:| US | $50.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Chateau Ducru Beaucaillou 2009
St. Julien, Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceDucru mixes 75% cabernet sauvignon and 25% merlot. The nose was cool and fresh showing green olives a bit of Brettanomyces and meaty notes with more of that French oak smoke and toast. The palate is lean and sleek with fresh black fruits and some healthy tannins. The finish is firm and dry not showing much. Perhaps all these Bordeaux are in shut down mode for the next three years. The group scored this wine 1st overall with 92 points. Parker gave it 100 points. Clearly some controversy here. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Montreal.Prices:| BC | $89.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Antinori Solaia 2009
Tuscany, ItalyIn 2009 Solaia finally got its own cellar and the results are encouraging. The mix is 7520/5 cabernet sauvignon, sangiovese and cabernet franc. The nose is cool and fresh with red fruit and minerality spilling from the glass. The Solaia vineyard or the "sunny one," is divided into several blocks which are now all vinified separately. The textures are smooth, the fruit dense and tannins long soft and fine grained. Love the floral, black and red fruit dried herbs and exotic spice. Still youthful this will easily age another 20 years and beyond. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Montreal.Prices:| BC | $250.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $250.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $250.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $242.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $561.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $209.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $483.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $887.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $1873.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $3776.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Château Margaux 2009
Margaux, Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceMost like this wine and in retrospect it has fabulous balance in the mouth but my first impression is this is the greatest French oak barrel in the world but it is all I can taste at this point. The nose is all smoke and oak with spice, vanilla, coffee, compost and black fruit, resin flavours that disappear into the smoke and tobacco an oak that makes it unapproachable at this point. There is a sense of balance and intensity and the tannins are supple but I'll reserve judgement for now. If this was a new world wine there would be hell to pay for all the oak. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Montreal.Prices:| BC | $1800.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $2000.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
93PTS
Dominus 2009
Napa Valley, California, United StatesThe 09 Dominus is all class reaching past the big Napa style for something more reserved. The blend is 86/10/4/ cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and petit verdot. The nose is a mix of earth and minerals with pepper, cassis iodine and spicy cardamom flecks. The palate is awash in smooth fine-grained tannin, liquorice, black cherry, cedar, olive notes. Love the refinement and richness and balance. A touch low in fruit for California but that won't bother collectors. An exceptional effort that will age effortlessly. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Montreal. Prices:| BC | $151.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $155.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $200.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Vasse Felix Heytesbury 2009
Margaret River, Western Australia, AustraliaMedium top light red colour. Quiet red fruit nose with spicy, cedar, juniper berry notes and savoury leafy, undercurrents. The palate is lean and herbaceous with some acidity poking through the back end but with enough fruit to stay balanced. Dry, cranberry/cherry fruit flavours and spicy finish. A bit out of its class. Good value. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Montreal. 75/15/10/ cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot and malbec. Prices:| BC | $100.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Seña 2009
Valle de Aconcagua, Region de Aconcagua, ChileDistinctively Aconcagua with its green olive, minty, cassis nose. The attack is dry and round with smoky, spicy, orange peel, lifted cassis fruit with balsamic, dill, vanilla, leather and tobacco flavours. Long finish with good finesse but a touch herbaceous and cool for this class of wine. Needs 2-4 years best with grilled meats. The blend is 54% cabernet sauvignon, 21% carmenère, 16% merlot, 6% petit verdot, 3% cabernet franc. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Montreal.Prices:| BC | $125.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $112.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Chateau Leoville Barton 2009
St. Julien, Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceBig smoky toasted oak nose (must be Bordeaux ) with pencil lead savoury red fruits and a touch of black cherry. The palate is more mineral more earthy but with excellent finesse and style but with no shortage of fine grained tannins. Again this need a decade if not two to blossom into a true St Julien. Excellent potential but in tough competing with the top wines at this stage. 77/22.5/0.5 CS/M/CF. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Montreal.Prices:| BC | $255.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $165.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Chateau Haut Brion 2009
Pessac-Léognan, Graves, Bordeaux, FranceAnother meaty leather nose with smoke and toasted oak everywhere. The nose is refined but with bits of barnyard, leather, iron and cedar aromas. The attack is a bit with cedar, cassis, liquorice, cherry, herbal, notes. More class than fruit that is currently buried under a whack of new oak. The blend is 46% merlot, 40% cabernet sauvignon and 14% cabernet franc the alcohol an elevated 14.3 percent for haut Brion. This need a decade minimum to shed the oak but the price is crazy. Some will love this style but it is not my favourite. Another 100 point Parker wine. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Montreal.Prices:| ON | $1500.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $1500.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $1500.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Cullen Diana Madeline 2009
Margaret River, Western Australia, AustraliaA respected vintage for its harmony and elegance the Diana Madeline opened with a fresh red fruit nose. The mix 88 cabernet sauvignon 6 cabernet franc 4 merlot and 2 malbec is dominated by old cabernet fruit planted in 1971. The palate is similarly red fruit focused with currants cedar and some skinny, sour herbal notes in the back end. One-dimensional red with lean bent. Some finesse but a bit too old-fashion in style, best with food.Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Montreal.Prices:| NF | $76.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Chateau Montrose 2009
St. Estèphe, Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceI wasn't huge fan of the Montrose in the Master Classification tasting with its leather, bretty nose and austere earthy elements all sitting under some heavyweight smoky toasted oak. The blend is 65% cabernet sauvignon, 29% merlot, 5% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot. Inky dark with some black fruits deeply buried under the oak. This will need a decade or more of bottle age but I'm wondering if it will survive the leather and game notes that are only likely to get stronger. Hard to believe Parker scored this 100 points. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Montreal.Prices:| BC | $500.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Mitchell of Clare GSM Grenache Sangiovese Mourvedre 2009
Clare Valley, South Australia, AustraliaPeppery, savoury, tobacco, plum, candied cherry, menthol aromas. Round, full, slightly tannic palate with cherry jam, peppery, tobacco, earthy, resin, meaty, chocolate flavours. Solid fruit but very alcoholic on the finish with a skinny center.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $22.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $25.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $22.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Mitchell of Clare Sevenhill Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Clare Valley, South Australia, AustraliaDry tobacco leaf, peppery, prune, herbal aromas. Dry, lean, tight, fresh palate with cassis, leafy, herbal, vanilla, cedar and coffee flavours. Elegant if on the dry and lean side. Try this with grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $32.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Zenato Soave Classico 2012
Verona, Veneto, ItalySoave is a long lost wine name but efforts like should change that. Look for baked apple, honey, spicy lees, butter and lemon aromas. Dry, fresh, round, juicy palate but slightly austere with lemon, orange, quince, grassy, green apple skin flavours. Good fruit, intensity and balance for current drinking. Delicious example and solid value here.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $15.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.75 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
93PTS
Ridge Montebello 2009
Santa Cruz Mountains, San Francisco Bay, California, United StatesThe'09 Monte Bello a 72/22/6 is a mix of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and petit verdot. So big yet so restrained and focused and packed full of fruit. This wine is built for the long haul and will be drinking well into 2030. Montebello seemed a bit dumb and backward compared to an earlier tasting this year. We know it's built for another time. Re-taste in ten years. The blend is 72/22/6 cabernet sauvignon, merlot and petit verdot. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Montreal.Prices:| BC | $170.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $168.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $175.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
95PTS
Joseph Phelps Insignia 2009
Napa Valley, California, United StatesThe 09 Insignia was great in 2012 and even better in late 2013. Blending several sites and grapes the varietal mix is 83/13/4 cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot and malbec from several Napa Valley sites: Stags Leap District, St. Helena, Napa Valley and Oak Knoll District. The ferment takes place over 40 days before the wine spends two years in new French oak. The colour is almost opaque with a rich sweet spice nose of blueberries and black fruits. The attack is surprisingly supple for its youth, the tannins slippery and long, the flavours of berry fruits flecked with cool floral mineral menthol aspects that add complexity and length. Hedonistic rich and powerful it's everything the Montrose and Cullen were not. This requires another decade to fully reach its considerable peak. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Montreal.Prices:| ON | $240.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $255.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $243.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
95PTS
Ornellaia 2009
Bolgheri, Tuscany, ItalyBeautiful fragrant floral nose with minty, savoury, black cherry, cassis jam, liquorice and smoky olive aromas. The attack is elegant and smooth palate with fine tannins and more black olive, thyme, chocolate, coffee, vanilla, licorice root, black berry and cassis flavours. Persistent flavours with fine concentration with some youthful tannin to dissipate over the next 2-7 years. Impressive as ever. The blend is 52% cabernet sauvignon, 22% merlot, 21% cabernet franc and 5% petit verdot. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Montreal.Prices:| AB | $185.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $180.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $450.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $450.00 | 1500ml |
| BC | $190.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
24 November 2013
89PTS
Blue Mountain Gold Label Brut NV
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGold Label Brut is a 57/38/5/ mix of pinot noir/chardonnay/pinot gris all estate grown and sur lie aged for 24 months. Expect a pure style where citrus, toast and nuance rule. Love the minerality and green fruits that disappear into its fresh lip-smacking stony finish. Oyster would be a great match or even oven warmed cheese sticks. Delicious sophisticated BC sparkler.Prices:| BC | $31.90 | 750ml |
| AB | $36.85 | 750ml |
| ON | $28.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Segura Viudas Metodo Tradicional Reserva Cava NV
Penedès, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainTasted from a 200 ml bottle ($5) but still the same reliable bubble that over delivers for its price. Open fresh floral nutty nose with bits of peach lime and baked green apple aromas. The palate is soft and creamy with a medium sweet mid-palate. The flavours are similar with toasty, nutty, quince, citrus and sea salt. Always best with a bite of food, try it with ham or prawns.Prices:| BC | $20.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.95 | 750ml |
| SK | $20.49 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.95 | 750ml |
| NB | $19.79 | 750ml |
| PEI | $18.39 | 750ml |
| NFL | $18.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Segura Viudas Cava Brut Rosé NV
Penedès, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainSegura Viudas gets it right most times and this Brut Rosé is another example. The colour is as bright as its cherry berry nose. The attack has a wisp of creaminess in it to help soften the delivery of classic dry, nutty, cherry, baked pear and citrus flavours. The perfect tapas wine you can pour freely before dinner with apéritif-style bites. The blend is a mix of trepat, garnacha and monastrell.Prices:| BC | $22.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Valdo Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore Marca Oro Extra Dry NV
Treviso, Verona, Veneto, ItalyValdo has been making Prosecco for eighty years and this Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG ranks among the better labels coming out of the heart Prosecco region. Expect a fresh aromatic nose of citrus, green apples, pears and minerals. The style is off-dry with a creamy smooth palate and more apple and stone fruit flavours. A softer easy sipping sparkling wine experience that works with seafood appetizers.Prices:| BC | $25.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Champagne Moët & Chandon Rosé Imperial NV
Champagne, FrancePale pink/orange colour invites. The nose is fresh with floral strawberry hints with bits of grass and chalk. The palate is soft with no aggressive acidity and fresh, spicy red fruit. Ripe strawberry, spicy, citrus/peach stone fruit flavours throughout and more creamy notes. An elegant style you can serve with grilled shellfish, carpaccio and or salmon. The mix is 40 to 50% pinot noir with 30 to 40% pinot meunier and 10 to 20% with about 10 percent red wine.Prices:| BC | $93.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $99.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $104.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $99.65 | 750ml |
| QC | $95.50 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Blue Mountain Brut Rosé R.D. Méthode Traditionelle 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 09 Brut Rosé RD 84/16 mix of pinot noir and chardonnay. The colour is pale orange perfection, the nose subtle hints of red fruits and citrus. The palate is lively with fresh yeasty, red fruit flavours and a creamy persistent mousse. Wonderfully complex and as austere as it needs to be. It is a style that will be much hailed by food lovers. Turkey comes to mind but then so does caviar. Terrific bottle, good value.Prices:| BC | $33.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Freixenet Carta Nevada Brut Semi Seco NV
Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, Penedès, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainSemi Seco is Freixenet's off-dry sparkler meant to be served with spicy appetizers or solo as a semi sweet sparkler. Look for a creamy, mineral, yellow fruit scented sparkler with just a hint of sweetness in the finish. A fun party wine that will entertain your guests whether they are noshing or just talking.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Black Hills Alibi 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAlibi is one of my favourite BC white wines. What it may lack in sophistication it makes up for in enthusiasm. The 2102 is fresh and juicy and year later under screwcap it is youthful. Lovey the smoky, stony, citrus, ripe pink grapefruit flavours flecked with dried lemon thyme and a squeeze of ginger. Clams mussels prawns and more all work here. Impressive and all Okanagan.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Domaine Joseph Burrier Grand Cras Morgon 2010
Morgon, Beaujolais Villages, Beaujolais, Burgundy, FranceGood dark colour previews a fresh, mineral, stony, red fruit nose. The attack is bright with spicy, black cherry fruit with dry, stony, earthy, peppery finish. Food friendly and was a perfect foil to a simply prepared piece of grilled wild Pacific salmon.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Mapema Malbec Tempranillo 2010
Mendoza, ArgentinaSlightly skinnier version than the '09 with more red fruit cedar bark and sour fruit notes. You feel the tempranillo here and it may be too much this year. A simple red for the price that will be best with grilled meats. Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Paz de Finca Las Moras Malbec 2010
Pedernal Valley, San Juan, ArgentinaDeep dark black colour signals a big rich red. The attack is sweet and round with plummy blueberry fruit and dense sweet tannins with more sweet vanillins from the oak. Simple, hedonistic New World style. Best to tackle this with a piece of grilled lamb or steak.Prices:| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Castello di Querceto Cignale 2007
Tuscany, ItalyA massive IGT from central Tuscany that blends cabernet sauvignon and merlot in a 90/10 ratio. The Ponticini-Sorgente vineyard faces south-east at roughly 500 metres the vines are 39 years old. The nose is big and explosive with fresh hints of red and black fruits with big stony whiffs of minerality. Surprisingly elegant despite a savoury wild side that suggest you could age this for a decade more. Complicated. Wild boar stew, roast game or anything equally big.Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
93PTS
Quinta do Vale Meão Douro Red 2010
Douro Superior, Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalThis wine constantly over delivers in the glass although I wouldn't say its undervalued any more at $100 but for Portugal, it clearly astounds. The nose is fragrant with enticing vanilla, black liquorice, pepper, savoury bay leaf and black plum aromas. The attack is rich but elegant and fresh with perfectly managed, fine-grained tannins. Smoke, black licorice, black berry jam, black tea and figs all figure in the flavours. There is fine fruit intensity and concentration that will help this bottle easily age seven to ten years. Outstanding.Prices:| AB | $85.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $99.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
23 November 2013
93PTS
John Duval Entity Shiraz 2010
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaEntity is Duval's shot at an elegant Barossa shiraz. He uses some cooler Eden Valley fruit to help maintain the freshness. The ferment is done with the cap submerged in small open stainless steel fermenters. The wine is age for 18 month in oak barrel of which 36 percent are new French oak hogsheads. Blueberries dominate the nose with a savoury peppery undercurrent. Amazingly smooth and glossy on the palate seems to linger forever throwing spice, chocolate and more juicy black fruit flavours into the finish. Buy and cellar for five years.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $50.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $37.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $48.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
John Duval Plexus 2010
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaAt $55 Plexus Red is one of the great red blend buys in the market. The latest mix is 52/29/19 shiraz. Grenache and mourvèdre is awash in soft bright fruit. Own rooted, 80-100 year old vines make up some of the fruit and you can taste the elegance and age in the mix. Floral, lavender peppery, black cherry, liquorice aromas morph into similar flavours that texturally are supple and velvety with freshness and length. Juicy and fun yet with finesse. It's a wonderful combination. Try this with a grilled T-bone steak.Prices:| BC | $55.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
John Duval Plexus Marsanne Rousanne Viognier 2012
Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia2012 is year three for Plexus White. The latest mix is 55 marsanne, 35 roussanne and 10 viognier. Free run pressed and cold settled juice give some early complexity while some of the marsanne and viognier is barrel fermented for texture and weight. The wine is surprisingly fresh with exotic stone fruit aromas in the lead supported by citrus/acidity. On the palate there is intensity and richness with plenty of citrus and honeysuckle flecked with mandarin orange peel. Duval picks early to keep the alcohol a moderate 13.5 which adds to the freshness without being acidic.Prices:| BC | $43.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
95PTS
John Duval Eligo 2009
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaEligo is a vineyard selection, one in Eden Valley and two from Barossa Valley made by winemaker John Duval. Duval once made Grange but finds solace in his own wine now. Eligo Duval's flagship and it gets 75 percent new French oak to ensure it goes the distance. Elegance and power is the goal. Expect a dense deep red wine awash in black fruit/mulberries with cedar spice and chocolate but with enough freshness to hold your interest. A glossy red with time on its side. If you must attempt to drink it now the match is grilled or roasted lamb. A blockbuster Oz shiraz.Prices:| BC | $110.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $105.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Moon Curser Pinot Noir 2011
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPinot noir is not a variety that does well in the south and this is a good example of average. Not sure what the thinking is here. Soft, very dry and sour it has minimal pinot character and brings very little to the party. Try it with barbecue salmon for best effect.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Moon Curser Petit Verdot 2011
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThere is nothing not intense about his rich red that straddle the fully ripe to cooked fruit line from front to back. Cherries and raisins mark the nose with a hint of prunes. The palate boasts rustic tannins and more raisin-y black fruit with a bit of acidity poking through the back end. Time is required here or serve it now with a rich game bird dish.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Moon Curser Touriga Nacional 2011
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaYou have to give the Moon Cursor folks an A for curiosity... in this case growing Portugal's revered touriga nacional grape. The star of port seems to like the similar warm climes of the south Okanagan where daytime temperatures can approach 40C in the summer a la the Douro Valley. Rich fat sweet smoky fruit dominates the nose and palate but with just the right amount of acidity and freshness. This wine is going places in five years but if you must drink it now our suggestion is a thick marbled piece of meat on the grill.Prices:| BC | $39.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Bartier-Scholefield B-S Chardonnay 2012
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaI'm not a big fan of Black Sage Road chardonnay despite its aromatic nature. Its the tropical fruit salad flavours while impressive finish a bit bitter and sour. On the palate the fruit is sweet with intense bitter lime rind notes in the back end. Not really a style we like in our chardonnay.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
22 November 2013
90PTS
Meyer Family Vineyards Pinot Noir Reimer Vineyard Kelowna 2011
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaReimer Estate Vineyard in Kelowna is owned by a BC trucking magnate and his personal vineyard is planted to 100 percent pinot noir, Pommard and Dijon clones. It's a young site, that is cropped low and the results are impressive. The site is moderately steep, faces northwest and is silt and loam overlaying gravel and loam. One third new oak fills out the middle and there is a youthful jammy fruit supporting excellent freshness and a much spicier, earthy style pinot with both richness and complexity. Salmon anyone?Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Meyer Family Vineyards Chardonnay Micro Cuvée Old Main Road Vineyard 2011
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOld Main Road Vineyard is the source of the Micro Cuvee in 2011 a wine made only in vintages deemed worthy and only from the very best barrels in this case two puncheons. A clear jump up in intensity, the style is firm with vibrant acidity and a stony, mineral lean-ess that suggests it could age handsomely for years. The palate is a mix of hazelnuts, pears and leesy notes with bits of honey, citrus rind and a hint of tropical fruit. This wine needs time and food but will repay patience and bottle ageing. You can serve it now with halibut.Prices:| BC | $65.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Meyer Family Vineyards Chardonnay Tribute Series - Winifred Mary Stewart Old Main Road Vineyard 2011
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 2011 Tribute Series is dedicated to different Canadian each year who is or has been outstanding in their field. In 2011 Winnifred Mary Stewart is the honoree but as always the wine comes off the family's 'Old Main Road Vineyard' on Naramata Bench. The cool climate site is now 15 years old. It's all free run juice and the ferment is finished off in 100 percent new French oak of which about one third is new. It then spends about 10 months sur lees without Battonage. In a challenging late year it's turned out to be a solid wine. Light notes of orchard fruit with light minerality. The palate has texture and creaminess with citrus, peach skin and vanilla notes with a stony finish. The Tribute Series is a dedication to a Canadian for an outstanding achievement in their field. Each year, the Meyer Family will donate $5,000 toward a non-for profit foundation, endowment or scholarship as a way of encouraging or honoring the legacies of these Canadians.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Meyer Chardonnay 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Meyers OK chardonnay is a mix of the two family-owned vineyards, McLean Creek Road in OK Falls and Old Main Rd in Naramata. The wine goes through a natural, partial, malolactic fermentation in this case 25 percent and it spends four months on its fine lees. Older wood and minimum intervention winemaking yield a lively, fresh, green apple, citrus, skinny chardonnay whose strength is nuance and simplicity. Creaky enough to entice bright enough to enthrall. The style is Euro or what I'm calling the New Okanagan. Good value 555 cases produced. Perfect with most simply prepared fish dishes.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Meyer Pinot Noir 2011
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOlder barrels are the secret to BC's delicate pinot noir that simply can't take a lot of new oak. In this case the fruit is a mix of Kelowna, Oliver and Okanagan Falls fruit; some owned some purchased. Expect an overt earthy nose with bits of strawberry and racy acidity and what we can now term the Meyer elegance. The palate is soft but not flabby with wild raspberry fruit, spice, worsteshire, dried-herbs and some stony minerality. Made to drink young but it will improve in bottle over the next year or two. Simple winemaking, half wild yeast, various size open top fermenters. Gentle gentle gentle. A good value wine for chicken, pork or mushroom dishes.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Meyer Family Vineyards Pinot Noir McLean Creek Road Vineyard 2011
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA mix of young fruit and 75 percent older pinot vines. There is 75 percent new oak (an oddity because the winery purchased new puncheons to lessen the influence of oak over time. Fresh sour cherry mineral notes and a long, lean finish. Not a great year but winemaker Chris Carson has done a fine job of selecting fruit and getting the most out of his fruit. Look for light red fruit flavours, raspberries and a dusting of compost. This wine is best with simply grilled bird dishes.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Meyer Family Vineyards Chardonnay McLean Creek Vineyard - OK Falls 2011
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis wine struck platinum and was the highest rank chardonnay at the 2013 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada. With only 20 to 25 percent new French oak and half of that in large puncheons this difficult vintage for most danced around trouble in Ok Falls, with a perfect flowering, a fine September and a break to harvest after early October rains. More mineral and electric with bits of spice and sage there is enough creamy textures, peach and hazelnut to pull it all together in the finish. A less is more wine that will get better in bottle over the next three years.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
21 November 2013
89PTS
Attems Pinot Grigio 2012
Friuli-Venezia Giulia, ItalyThree terroirs, sand, clay and compressed sand allows the fruit from an area between Collio and Isonzo to express itself in different ways. First and foremost the wine is refreshing. The nose mixes melons and pears, the palate more juicy pear, honey and grapefruit with a dusting of almonds in the finish. Beautiful fish wine or try it with seafood pasta dishes.Prices:| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $28.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
20 November 2013
85PTS
Chamdeville Blancs de Blancs - Brut NV
FranceThe nose is quiet with hints of green apple and resin. The attack is bone dry and crisp with just a smidgeon of honey, dried herbs and green apple skin. Simple straight-up sparkling wine best suited to mixed drinks or orange juice.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $16.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Gold Hill Merlot II 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAnother Okanagan red slathered in oak. The attack is firm with black cherry and blackberry fruit all sitting under a sheet of oak. Dried herbs, tobacco and rustic tannins mark the finish. Best with grilled meat at this point to smooth out the edges. Cool style merlot that is not for everyone.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
84PTS
Moon Curser Merlot 2011
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaNot quite up to the previous edition the 2011 is awash in oak and smoke making it hard to see the fruit in this wine. It feels if the body and fruit is too lean for the oak that dominates through the finish with bits of cedar, olives and dried herbs. We recommend another year in the bottle or two but there isn't likely enough fruit to support it.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
80PTS
Moon Curser Tempranillo 2011
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaTasted a few times now and what was poor at first seems to be declining in the bottle. Skinny acidic entry with cooked tomato flavours. Back to the drawing board.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Lujuria 2012
Yecla, Valencia and Murcia, SpainLujuria is a merlot/monastrell mix that is built for grilled meats and mid-week. The palate mixes black cherry, pepper, floral smoky notes with raspberries and spice. A firm and dry red on the rustic side. Best with a freshly grilled hamburger or sausages.Prices:| BC | $10.50 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Speri Valpolicella Classico Superiore La Roverina 2011
Pedemonte Valpolicella, Verona, Veneto, ItalyLa Roverina vineyard is the source of this 70% corvina, 20% rondinella, 5% molinara and 5% oseleta blend. The attack is soft and fruity with peppery smoky red fruit and almond notes. The palate is classic Valpolicella, red fruits with a trace of bitterness for complexity along with pepper tobacco and a squeeze of black cherries. Dry round and elegant it's all you could want for $17. Try this with grilled pork chops or chicken.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Pétales d'Osoyoos 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaDespite the so-so vintage this is a big Pétales. The nose is classic south Okanagan savoury with cedar, dried herbs and cool red fruits. The palate is similar with resiny, cran-cherry fruit, spice and subtle vanilla and coffee notes from second and third use barrels. The 2010 is a 58/16/17/5/4/ of merlot, cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot and malbec. It is aged 20 months in 60/40 split of one- and two-year-old French oak barrels.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $27.65 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Lake Breeze Seven Poplars Merlot 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen, aromatic, fragrant herbal, spicy, medicine chest-scented nose with subtle oak and black cherry notes. The palate is fresh with bright acidity, pepper, liquorice, black fruits and cedar with a dollop of oak and heat. Try this with grilled steaks for the moment or wait two years for it to round into shape in the bottle.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
19 November 2013
89PTS
Van Westen Vineyards Vicicle 2012
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIntense sweetness, flavour intensity and aromatics have been captured with honey, baked apple, baking spices, dried apricot, pineapple, sultana and peach notes. Balancing acidity allows the complex flavours to hang on through a long finish.Prices:| BC | $21.65 | 200ml |
Read Full Note
93PTS
Nk'Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Riesling Icewine 2012
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis is pretty delicious stuff. It was picked January 12 and the sugars were a little off the standard so the ferment was arrested early and I'm really enjoying the elegance and the sugar. The acidity is fresh, the nose bright and fruity and the palate is sweet and rich with apricot and black fruit flavours. Serve this with chocolate to best effect.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 375ml |
Read Full Note
93PTS
Stoneboat Vineyards Verglas 2011
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaStoneboat has something going on with Verglas and its unusual mix of oranienstenier and pinot blanc. Look for fresh, limey intense apricot marmalade and honey aromas that draw you into the glass. The palate is fresh and juicy with green apple, honey, marmalade and egg yolk flavours. Clean and fresh this is a delicious bottle of icewine.Prices:| BC | $33.00 | 375ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Tinhorn Creek Kerner Icewine 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSuper rich style with big orange baked apple, dried apricot and butter aromas with a touch of volatility. The attack is similar with ultra-ripe, unctuous, creamy baked oranges and butter fruit with a splash of honey and lime. Big full blown and under screwcap this 375ml should last a decade or two with ease. Try this with dark chocolate.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 375ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Inniskillin Okanagan Riesling Icewine 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSuper intense style with apricot, lime, floral honey aromas. On the palate it is rich and unctuous with solid underlying acidity to keep it fresh. The fruit is a mix of apricots, baked red apple and spiced honey. Rich stylish and extremely and yet with finesse and length. This is riesling icewine at its best. You can drink this now chocolate molten lava cake our cellar it for five years and allow for it to develop some complexity.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 200ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Maverick Estate Winery Pinot Gris 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOak and pinot gris are not my favourite combination yet despite the butter and soft texture there is plenty to like about this wine. The depth of flavour, the pear fruit, the lees and a touch of minerality make it very food friendly. A solid effort in the heavier, richer style. Try this with white meats.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Shardana 2007
Santadi, Cagliari, Sardinia, ItalyThis is one powerful black wine. The attack is fierce with spicy, warm, raisin-y fruit dominating. The style is wild if not rustic with meaty, leathery undertones. The blend is 85/15 carignano/syrah although it appears as if the warm vintage is the dominate force here along with liquorice and pruny fruit. Try this with roasted meats. Neil Empson and Santadi along with winemaker Piero Cella found vineyards of carignano still growing on their own roots - some over 100 years old at the southern tip of Sardegna.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $36.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
17 November 2013
87PTS
Moillard Viognier Hugues le Juste 2012
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceTypical Moillard. Light lean, floral fresh with litchi, pear and citrus notes. The attack is dry and fresh with a juicy, citrus, green apple flavour. Love the value especially when compared to most New World examples.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $17.10 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Gold Hill Viognier I 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPleasant pineapple honey nose invites. On the palate the fruit gives way to fruit and resin and a fair bit of alcohol. Fat, sweet, simple and lacking balance this viognier needs to go back to the drawing board. The vines are only two years old so we will check back as they age.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Harper's Trail Field Blend White Thadd Springs Vineyard 2012
Kamloops, British Columbia, CanadaAn interesting mix of riesling and chardonnay with an expressive nose of orchard fruits and green apples. The attack is crisp and fresh with similar juicy light pear/melon flavours with a squeeze of citrus. Light refreshing style that is a fine pairing for vegetarian dishes. Fine improvement over last year.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Lariana Cellars Viognier 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSurprisingly good for an upstart this viognier. Love the creamy textures and bright melon peach fruit aromas and flavours. The balance is impressive including enough acidity and freshness to keep it lively. Try this with crab cakes or a lobster bisque. Fermented in concrete and all the better for it.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
0PTS
Serendipity White Lie 2010
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOxidised. Try another.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Finca Villacreces Pruno 2011
Ribera del Duero, Castilla-Leon, SpainThe problem with this wine is the crazy Parker score it has to lug around. The 2010 scored 94 points but this 2011 is aways away from that even if the vineyard is next door to Vega Sicilia, but at 88 its terrific red wine. Black fruit with floral, stony, mineral notes entice. The palate is smooth with some rustic tannins poking through the backend. It's nothing a piece of grilled meat wouldn't subdue easily. It will likely improve in bottle with 12 to 18 months of time.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Telmo Rodriguez Viña Ciento Cinco 105 2012
Cigales, Castilla-Leon, SpainIntense black cherry nose with a strong meaty, rooty, liquorice undercurrent. The attack is supple the flavours a touch sweet and sour with plum, tobacco and liquorice notes. Try this with turkey, meat-based pizza and mushroom pasta dishes.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Summerhill Pyramid Winery Ehrenfelser 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAt 32 grams of residual sugar this white is surprisingly fresh and aromatic with orange/apricot overtones and mix tropical fruits. Use the sweetness to tone down a spicy curry or any dish with a bit of heat in it. It's also a perfect pre-dinner sipper with spicy appetizers. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
16 November 2013
87PTS
Goats do Roam (Red) 2012
South AfricaGoats do Roam the clever play on southern French region open with a smoky, meaty, leather nose with bits of red fruits, compost and crushed coffee bean. The attack is lighter than you might expect almost elegant. The blend is a 63 percent shiraz mix with cinsault, mourvèdre, grenache, durif and carignan all grown over decomposed granite soils. Again light to medium body making it more palatable with soft juicy berry flavours. Best with grilled meats off the barbecue. Somewhat reduced under screwcap but this will blow off with ten minutes of air.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $13.30 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $14.30 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Taylor Fladgate Fine White Port NV
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalWhite Port is sorely undervalued in North America but not because it doesn't taste delicious. Taylor's 'Fine White' is a mix of varieties including arinto, boal, codega, esgana cão, folgasão, gouveio, viosinho and rabigato that are all aged separately for some 36 months in oak vats. Taylor's pioneered dry white aperitif port more than 60 years ago under the Chip Dry label, first blended in 1934 but the 'The Special White Port' is a much sweeter version. Expect a very fresh attack with floral, anise, caramel and vanilla flecks. You can enjoy this neat in a tumbler or a wine glass or served over ice with a slice of lemon. The latter is a welcomed pre-dinner treat.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $23.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.75 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
94PTS
Taylor Fladgate 20 Year Old Tawny NV
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalTaylor's blends its old tawny Ports from extensive reserves of old cask aged Ports matured in the firm's cool and tranquil cellars at Oporto. At 20 you begin to really encounter the spicy, nutty aromas as the power of ageing are more powerful and intense. Still it remains fresh mixing smooth toffee/vanilla, nutty tea flavours flecks of orange rind and spice. Full rich and sumptuous it over delivers on the palate spilling twenty years of ageing out of the glass and into your senses. Try this with a touch of crème brûlée.Prices:| BC | $72.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $69.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $69.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $69.75 | 750ml |
| NF | $78.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $90.75 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
The Ned Pinot Noir 2012
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandMarlborough's deep clay loams are home to the Ned Pinot vines. The wine is made in small open top fermentors and aged in 500L French oak puncheons for 8 to 10 months. The nose is bright and aromatic with raspberry, spice and dried herbs predominating. The palate is similar with soft, juicy, fruit cherry berry flavours with a dusting of celery salt. Ready to drink with turkey or a simply prepared roast chicken.Prices:| NS | $21.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
False Bay Shiraz 2011
Western Cape, South AfricaI don't mind a bit of sweetness if the wine is balanced and fresh. This is a fine mix of spicy, berry/cherry fruit with easy-sipping, soft tannins throughout. There's a bit of smoke and earth but otherwise this is a tasty, good value red for the casual sipper. Hamburgers, pizza and meaty appetizers all work here. Good value. The grapes are sourced in the Swartland and Stellenbosch regions and are aged in large wooden vats for a minimum six months.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Waterkloof Circle of Life White 2010
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South AfricaWaterkloof was replanted by Frenchman Paul Boutinot in 2005. The wines are made with little intervention as the estate moves form organic to biodynamic. Circle of Life is a blend of sauvignon blanc, sémillon and chenin blanc. Fresh cut grass and dried herbs rule the nose along with figs and nuts. The palate is equally rich and full with more nutty figgy buttery fruit. Lovely weight and balance.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Waterkloof Circle of Life Red 2009
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South AfricaThe Circle of Life labels are all about blends, but at Waterkloof there are site-driven so don't expect any traditional Bordeaux or Rhone red blends. The good news regarding 2009 is the cool season produced he best ever fruit at Waterkloof. The attack is soft and ripe with big, cedar notes on entry mixed with cassis and spice and what is a Waterkloof trademark: elegance. The grapes are mystery mix of mourvèdre, syrah, merlot, grenache, petit verdot and cabernet franc. You feel the balance first and it's enough to keep you interested. Drink or hold because this will improve with time in the bottle.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Hillside K White 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWinemaker Kathy Malone is behind K White an easy-sipping, aromatic, off-dry white wine that slides down effortlessly. Its primary peach and citrus notes are best suited to a warm, summer patio or spicy Asian dishes that need some cooling down. Fun, fresh and good value.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Peter Lehmann Weighbridge Unoaked Chardonnay 2011
South Australia, AustraliaUnder screwcap and made without any oak Weighbridge attacks right of the top. Look for bright, lively green fruit nuance with a touch of grass and figs. Skinny, tight and linear with a wealth of citrus this wine is perfect for most shellfish dishes. Good value. Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
15 November 2013
89PTS
Lake Breeze Pinot Blanc 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPinot Blanc is in good hand at Lake Breeze. Super fresh and clean under screwcap winemaker Garron Elmes simply captures the essence of this variety and gets it into the bottle. The 2012 has wonderful ripe red apple aromas and flavours with fresh flecks of pear, citrus and honey and just a hint of minerality in the finish. Perfect for halibut or even crab cakes. Good value.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Lake Breeze Pinot Gris 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen floral perfumed nose with citrus, baked apple and just a whiff of honey in the back end. The attack is similar with citrus, honey, mineral peachy flavours. Not quite as expressive as the pinot blanc and a leesy, citrus, perfumed finish. Try this one with simply prepared clams.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Volcanic Hills Pinot Gris 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis gris is un-oaked opting for super fresh aromas of pear and lime on the nose. The attack is skinny mixing grassy, gooseberry, citrus flavours with a lean steely finish. Made in the Italian style and perhaps best consumed with crab cakes or creamy pasta dishes. Good if a bit stark.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
14 November 2013
88PTS
Synchromesh Riesling Kabinett Halbtrocken Storm Haven Vineyard 2010
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen attractive, floral, buttery, nutty nose with apple skin, petrol, lemon and citrus aromas. The palate is fresh and juicy if somewhat austere with some sweetness. Lemon oil, petrol, slate, baked apple skin, lees, nettle and nectarine flavours. Good intensity and length all in a leaner style. Made for food. Impressive.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
12 November 2013
92PTS
Wolf Blass White Label Chardonnay 2012
Piccadilly Valley, Adelaide Hills, Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide, South Australia, AustraliaThe Blass White Label chardonnay fruit search has settled on the Piccadilly area of Adelaide Hills for fruit chief winemaker Chris Hatcher calls super cool. The style is ultra-cool and reserved with tightly wound citrus fruit and acidity giving it a sleek profile in the mouth. The hand-picked fruit sees only 30 percent new oak the secret to allowing the rest of the wines delicate features to show through. This is all New Australia that looks more like the Burgundian white wines Aussie wine folk drink with abandon. First class wine and superb value. Limited availability worldwide.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Wolf Blass Gold Label Barossa Shiraz 2010
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaAlways ripe this Barossa based shiraz comes with better structure and weight in 2010 mixing peppery, black olive and smoky blackberry jam aromas with supple, dry fruit packed full of mineral, blueberry, black cherry fruit flavours. Love the balance here, no sweet and sour just intense, concentrated fruit flavours that seem to melt into the French oak. Pair this with lamb or grilled meats or even older hard cheeses.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $30.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $29.95 | 750ml |
| NS | $33.65 | 750ml |
| QC | $29.80 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Wolf Blass Gold Label Riesling 2011
South Australia, AustraliaThe 2011 GL Riesling breakdown is 65 Clare Valley fruit versus 35 Eden Valley mixing lime and minerals respectively. A cooler year delayed maturation allowing the fruit to evolve slowly the way it would in Germany. Finished under screwcap its fresh lemon lime, slate-y mineral fruit jumps from the glass competing with some brisk acidity and exotic orange flecks in the finish. A wonderful food wine you can serve with sushi, pork or Thai food.Prices:| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $22.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $24.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
11 November 2013
91PTS
Peter Lehmann Mentor 2009
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaIt is said that Peter Lehmann mentored countless people over his life so The Mentor, a cabernet shiraz malbec blend is a fitting accolade to the man. The wine is built upon some special Barossa cabernet fruit supplemented by small amounts of shiraz and malbec. The cabernet is steeped in French oak and you feel the opulence. Look for vibrant cassis aromas and flavours with floral underpinnings. The texture is glossy thanks some old vines and the finish is rich and minty. You can drink it now but I would wait a year or five. If you must open a bottle grilled lamb is the ticket.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $40.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $44.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $41.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Mission Hill Compendium 2010
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMission Hill battened down the hatches with its 2010 reds pruning to the minimum trying to get the fruit ripe in a cool year. 'Hand' everything was the rule before the wine spent 13 months in French oak barrels. It's big and tight with a wallop of dry fruit. The textures are soft but the fruit is subdued. More coffee than blackcurrants and more tannins than finesse at this point but the wine is young. The mix is predominated by Cabernet Sauvignon at 41% with 38% Merlot and 21% Cabernet Franc but the latter two seem overwhelmed at this point. You can feel all the work in the wine and I'm willing to wait but I'm not sure it's going to overcome the vintage in any big way. Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $45.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $107.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $45.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $100.00 | 1500ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Nk'Mip Cellars Mer'r'iym Meritage 2010
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMer'r'iym is a 48/35/7/5/5 mix of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, malbec, petit verdot and it's a blockbuster red. Warm rich and inviting it pulls you into the glass; it's warm, rich and mouth filling but with that stylish Randy Picton touch. Balance and finesse battle the heat and power mid-palate along with blueberries and black currants that disappears into the mocha toasted flavours of French and American oak barrels. Youthful and just beginning to come together this will need another three years to reach maturity in bottle. Serve now venison or beef.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Hester Creek Limited Edition The Judge 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Judge gets all the top fruit grown in Hester Creek's Golden Mile Vineyard. A mix of cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon and merlot it opens with an aromatic peppery clove nose mix with black cherry and vanilla. The palate is rich and smooth with more vanilla and spicy oak dominating the fruit. Coffee, mocha and cinnamon flavours mix with spicy sweet black cherry fruit but never quite mesh. It's youthful and needs time but it remains a bit too awkward and warm to develop any real finesse. If you like big New World reds load up.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Black Hills Nota Bene 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaNota Bene is anachronism of sorts. It sells out in moments and the price is hefty but I have never really fell in love with this herbaceous red that never quite offers up the stuff of cult wines despite it the lofty status among sommeliers and wine club fans alike. In 2011, it offers all the coolest of the vintage can offer with no shortage of dill, cassis, roasted tomatoes and resiny flavours throughout. The tannins management is under control and the textures are soft and slippery but this flavours are too cool for this cat.Prices:| BC | $53.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
La Posta Malbec Cocina Tinto 2011
Perdriel District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaNice to see this label do so well in a blind tasting. It's been over-delivering for years and did so at World Wine Awards. The blend is a fresh mix of 60/20/20 malbec/syrah/bonarda. Look for juicy, floral black fruit with a savoury edge with some complexity and lean stylish finish. Good value here.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Finca Los Primos Malbec Bianchi 2012
San Rafael, General Alvear, Southern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSlightly reduced upon opening but once in the glass for a minute or two expect it to open up offering fresh, juicy, raspberry/black cherry fruit with flecks of chocolate and dried herbs. The textures are soft, the tannins light and the fruit flavours persist through the finish. A perfect red for pizza or pasta dishes.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Serendipity Cab Franc Private Reserve 2009
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Private Reserve Estate Franc is a surprising discovery for me. So soft and fleshy in a manner most BC reds never achieve. There are still some tannins to shed but the ripe black fruits and tobacco flavours with flecks of chocolate and sagebrush will easily carry the day by 2015. A solid offering and one of the best young cabernet franc we have tasted. Try it now with at-bone steak or cellar it for another two or three years.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Serendipity Syrah Private Reserve 2009
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaExpect a huge red wine here. Big sweet powerful fruit with a fair dollop of alcohol that tends to override most of the wine. Big warm and round on entry it has a wild, peppery black cherry, meaty mid-palate and a sweet spicy persistent fruity finish. It's softer than you might think but it may be due to the alcohol. It's a less fleshy than the showy cab franc but would be fun to have with lamb. Promising but needs some better oak integration to shine.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Serendipity Serenata Private Reserve 2009
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWhen I taste the Private Reserve Serenata I wonder why or if, it's necessary to make any other wines at Serendipity. The flagship blend has it all with bright plummy fruit, good acidity and just the right mix of tannins. The oak is still a bit raw but it should come around in another year or two in bottle. The perfect bottle of red for roast beef.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
10 November 2013
89PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLove the aromatics here. Passion fruit and gooseberry dominate but with some ripe, juicy grapefruit notes and a squeeze of lime rind. A small amount of wood fermented juice adds weight and mid-palate texture to this delicious white. The sweetness in the finish suggests spicy dishes would be complementary be they Western or Occidental.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Five Vineyards by Mission Hill Pinot Noir 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAs the pinot noir program blossoms at Mission Hill, thanks to some maturing sites in cool Naramata and even cooler Kelowna, the ladder of pinot noir fruit continues to strengthen. The FV series is now making very solid pinot with only 34 percent of the fruit coming out of the south. Look for round mouth-filling red fruit flavours that express what is the true varietal nature of pinot noir. Savoury notes of black teas, cherries, plums and celery salt mark its soft, round palate. Impressive for $20. Think about serving this with fresh wild salmon, roasted duck, creamy cheeses and or grilled pork.Prices:| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $18.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.45 | 750ml |
| NB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Mission Hill Five Vineyards Cabernet Merlot 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe latest FV cabernet merlot blend is a 34/45/16/4/ mix of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc and petit verdot. The style is soft and fruit forward to be drunk now. Look for spicy cran/cherry blueberry fruit spiked with sage and vanilla. Try this with home-style grilled burgers or a fall past mushroom dish. Prices:| SK | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.50 | 750ml |
| NB | $20.50 | 750ml |
| NS | $19.00 | 750ml |
| NF-LAB | $20.50 | 750ml |
| YK | $25.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Mission Hill Five Vineyards Chardonnay 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaJohn Simes knows chardonnay and in this case the 5V is showing some of the creamy, complex notes found in its SLC and Perpetua bigger brothers. Love the fresh bright style the pear and green apple fruit with floral mineral support. The winery suggest risotto and spring vegetables but at this time of the year I'm thinking whole roasted chicken or grilled halibut. Good value.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $16.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $17.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $18.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Riesling 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 2012 is better than the very good 2011 although the style is mostly similar beginning with its beguiling juicy, dry, electric opening mix with lime, talcum powder and tropical fruit aromas. The attack is fresh and intense with bright red apple and Meyer lemon fruit flavours. The trick here is the minerality and freshness that supports from back to front. Pick a food this wine is up to the task. Good value.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
83PTS
Perseus Select Lots Malbec 2011
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe malbec is Osoyoos-based but there isn't much warmth here. Skinny and herbaceous at best it has some pepper and spice but no real body or flesh something malbec is famous for in Argentina. Too green to herbaceous.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Perseus Select Lots Merlot 2011
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBlind Creek Vineyards in the Similkameen Valley is home to this merlot fruit. The dark fruit flavours are stony, mineral and persistent but the wood takes over and dries out the finish. It's young and will need sometime but the winemaking is heavy handed. Eat this with grilled or braised beef dishes for best results.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Serendipity Estate Merlot Private Reserve 2009
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig bold spicy fruit nose with slightly lifted notes of black cherries and cassis. The attack is fresh, the mid=-palate skinny and with some fairly astringent wood tannins that dry out the finish. The flavours are good and mix cherries and chocolate with dried herbs but the wood is far too dominant for young vines.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Summerhill Pyramid Winery Cabernets 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Cabernets are sauvignon and franc in a 70/30 mix. Not all the fruit is organic but it what isn't is in transition. The wine is surprisingly fresh given its 24+ months on oak. Look for bright cherry/blackcurrant fruits with a smooth, spicy mid-palate and a dressing of toasted oak. Still youthful but showing promise that it will blossom after another year or two in bottle. Try this with your favourite steak if you are going to drink it now.Prices:| BC | $18.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Peter Lehmann Clancy's Legendary Red 2010
South Australia, AustraliaAromatic coffee bean, tobacco, green olive, peppery nose with a menthol undercurrent. The entry is round, smooth and the style is easy-sipping. Look for a spicy, herbal, coffee, candied cherry, peppery, olive flavoured red you can serve with burgers or pizza to best effect.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $22.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $22.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
09 November 2013
88PTS
Bollini Pinot Grigio Trentino 2012
Volano, Trento, Trentino- Alto-Adige, ItalyThis Neil and Maria Empson brand has always offered solid value and now under screwcap it is even more reliable. Look for an attractive nose of pear and honey with just a hint of quince. The palate is a mix of ripe pear, red apple and mineral/butter flavours. A great food wine for pastas or chicken dishes or light appetizers.Good value.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $17.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Wolf Blass Yellow Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
South Australia, AustraliaAs it does in most years this wine hits the simple red commercial mark. Soft tannins, mint, cedar, pepper and cassis scented fruit mark its palate along with an obligatory poke of resin and acidity in the finish. Grilled hamburgers would be the match. Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $18.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.45 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $19.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $18.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Wolf Blass Yellow Label Shiraz Grenache Mourvedre 2012
Barossa Valley / McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaLove the fruity lift of this blend put together to mark 30 years of selling wine in Canada by Wolf Blass. Bright fragrant fresh and aromatic this is an easy to sip red blend featuring shiraz, grenache, and mourvèdre that mixes black fruit with red fruit and touch of umami. Medium weight at best you can drink this juicy red now especially with grilled lamb chops.Prices:| BC | $20.29 | 750ml |
| NF | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Perseus Select Lots Cabernet Franc 2011
British Columbia, CanadaBlind Creek in the Similkameen Valley is home to this cabernet franc that comes with intense colour and quite an aromatic nose. Look for a lifted red fruit notes with rocky mineral undercurrents. The palate is deeper in tone with black cherry fruit, spice and some heat in the back end. Rich and dry this needs a year or two to settle down but it will improve in bottle. Well done. Serve this with roast beef or winter stews.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Tinhorn Creek Cabernet Franc 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaTinhorn's entry level cabernet franc is beginning to take shape as the vines come of age. Bright juicy and soft the fruits are red with floral, cranberry, tobacco notes flecked with spice and smoke. Similar flavours with notes of dried herbs, cranberry and chocolate. Ready to drink but serve this with a grilled flank steak.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
08 November 2013
86PTS
Ironstone Vineyards Obsession Symphony 2011
California, United StatesBig floral, ginger, lemon oil, honey, spicy, melon and nectarine nose, much akin to Torrontés from Salta. Fresh, juicy, creamy, somewhat sweet palate with honey, baked apple, pineapple, lemon oil, ginger and melon flavours. Good fun, fruity summer sipper or try with spicy Indian or other South East Asian cuisine.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Gehringer Brothers Ehrenfelser Classic 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, honey, mango, orange peel, floral, grapefruit aromas. Round, fresh, juicy, somewhat sweet palate but elegant with ginger, spicy, floral, orange, green apple skin and lemon oil flavours. Fun, fruity style that finishes a bit sweet. Serve this with spicy food for best effect.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Gehringer Brothers Pinot Blanc Private Reserve 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight floral, citrus, green apple, light lees, and nettle aromas with a touch of matchstick. Full, round, juicy, creamy palate with earthy, pear skin, green apple, green nectarine and nettle flavours. Good juicy style with some finesse. Ready to drink. Serve with white meats and fish.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Kangarilla Road Glimmer of Hope Shiraz 2012
AustraliaMeaty, peppery, lees, smoky, resin, black cherry and tobacco aromas. Fresh, juicy, round, easy palate with noticeable sweetness. Black cherry jam, coffee, liquorice, meaty, spicy, tobacco flavours. Fruity and simple but as is the norm at this price level a bit too sweet for our palate.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
30 Mile Shiraz 2010
AustraliaSmoky, peppery, black berry, licorice, tobacco and light coffee aromas. Round, smooth, easy palate with a touch of sweetness. Smoky, earthy, leather, gamey, prune, coffee and blueberry flavours. Simple commercial style but well balanced without being too sweet or tart. Try with burgers.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Kangarilla Road 2Up Shiraz 2011
South Australia, AustraliaPeppery, savoury, celery salt, tobacco, blackberry, slightly meaty aromas. Round, smooth, fresh, sweet palate with blackberry, coffee, cola, celery salt, resin and liquorice flavours. Warm, somewhat sweet and pruny finish. Simple everyday red.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Tinhorn Creek Oldfield Series Pinot Noir 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, carrot top, dill, strawberry jam, light coffee, prune, barnyard aromas. Round, smooth, dry, elegant palate with light tannins and balanced acidity. Orange peel, cherry jam, vanilla, chocolate, tobacco, resin, spicy liquorice flavours. Riper style with good intensity and finish for current drinking but may improve with a few more years.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Tinhorn Creek Merlot 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCranberry, floral, black olive, savoury, peppery, cherry and saddle leather aromas. Dry, fresh, round, elegant style with light body. Cool cherry, cranberry, herbal, coffee, tobacco leaf, dried dill, barnyard and celery root flavours. Simple, easy-sipping style you can sip with grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Tinhorn Creek Pinot Noir 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaEarthy, savoury, tobacco, strawberry jam, cola, and celery salt nose flecked with liquorice root aromas. The palate is fresh, dry and elegant with herbal, spicy, coffee, tobacco, carrot top, strawberry and rhubarb flavours. Solid if a bit austere at the moment, at least in the finish. This should benefit from another year or two in bottle. Try now with duck.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Volcanic Hills Eruption 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoky, earthy, prune, leather, cherry, resin, light barnyard aromas. Round, smooth, fresh palate with a touch of sweetness. Coffee, smoky, resin, black cherry, liquorice, leather and prune flavours with a bit of roasted tomato. Best served with grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Volcanic Hills Pinot Noir 2010
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPale raspberry colour with carrot top, celery, rhubarb, earthy, strawberry, cola aromas. Light, round, soft palate with tobacco, rhubarb, sour cherry, cocoa, orange peel and herb flavours. Not much extract but has finesse and balance for current drinking and true to varietal.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Spier Chenin Blanc 2012
Western Cape, South AfricaThis Stellenbosch-based chenin comes with spicy pear, green apple skin, grapefruit and light honey aromas. Fresh, delicate, juicy, creamy, off dry palate with grapefruit, gooseberry, green apple, spiced pear flavours. Good balance and finesse at this value and a versatile food wine.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
December 2013