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Tastings: January 2014
29 January 2014
89PTS
Chalk Hill Estate Chardonnay 2010
Sonoma County, California, United StatesChalk Hill is naturally fermented with native yeast and goes through 100% malolactic fermentation and weekly battonage for eleven months in French oak where some 40 per cent is new. A cool, wet spring and rain at flowering reduced the crop load that turned out to be useful in what was overall a cool year. The style is very California, but in a delicious manner with creamy rich honeyed, tropical, pear fruit flavours with a thread of minerality and coolness on the back end. If this wine ever gets leaned (beginning with less malo) there is no telling where it could go. Best with crab or buttery fish dishes.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $77.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
LinCourt Vineyards Lindsey's Pinot Noir 2011
Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesOnce a second label in the Foley Family hierarchy Lincourt is all grown as evidenced by Lindsay's Pinot Noir, a 100% Sta. Rita Hills based wine. The property is planted to individual micro-blocks set out by soils, exposure and elevation and in 2011, another cool vintage with no late summer heat spikes the result are terrific. After a cold soak and primary ferment the wine is aged for 19 months in 100% French oak barrels, 40% of which were new. This nose is particularly aromatic mixing cedar and strawberries with red cherries and dried herbs. The palate is smooth and succulent with juicy cherry fruit flavours with a pinch of barnyard and dried herbs. Pork or salmon would be a fine accompaniment. Super value.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $44.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Sebastiani Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley 2010
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesThe Alexander cab is an 88/6.5/5/5 mix of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and petit verdot and looks to be an upgrade over previous releases. Most of the fruit comes of old vines using clones 337 and 7 from winemaker Mark Lyon's vineyard. This is a much richer more blockbuster style than the Sonoma County cab with plenty of black fruit aromas and flavours with the telltale chocolate notes of the Alexander Valley. The finish is long and balance with just a hint of stony minerality. Steak anyone?Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Sebastiani Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Sonoma County, California, United StatesThe base vines date back to 1961 although today the mix includes fruit from Sonoma Valley, Chalk Hill and the Alexander Valley. The 2010 mix is 82 cabernet sauvignon with 9 percent merlot and small amounts of petit verdot and other mixed reds. A cool year extended harvest into November but with no rain as in 2009. Love the bright, rich aromatic fruit notes of black cherry, tea and cassis. Some 15 months in American oak adds toasted, dried herbs spice and vanilla notes to a delicious drinking round soft, juicy cabernet you can drink now.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.50 | 750ml |
| QC | $21.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Sebastiani Sonoma Chardonnay 2011
Sonoma County, California, United StatesAfter a cool 2011 vintage winemaker Mark Lyon has turned out an attractive style chardonnay mixing honey and lees on the nose with fresh pear and citrus flavours with a dash of toast and vanilla. Quintessential Sonoma with just a touch of sweetness spice and butter on the finish. Perfect for crab or lobster dishes.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Jackson-Triggs Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFresh open, grapefruit nuances on the nose with flecks of passion fruit. The attack is soft with more floral, grassy grapefruit flavours with bits of nettle and asparagus. Soft, simple, easy-sipping white you can pour liberally around the barbecue.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Terra Andina Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Region del Valle Central, ChileIt's never good when the packaging is fresher than the wine so the good news is the TA sauvignon tries to keep up. Plenty of citrus, with some underlying grassy notes and somewhat bitter guava in the back end. The finish is grassy dry calling for food to temper the dryness. Try this with a chicken hot pot.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Los Vascos Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileFresh zippy gooseberry nose with flecks of asparagus and guava. The palate is limey with grassy undertones and a dry finish. Simple stuff for clams or mussels or dare I say cooking. Lacks the electric factor.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Township 7 Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe austerity in the 2011 is not in this tasty 2012 but we still hate the synthetic closure. Nevertheless, look for bright passion fruit, floral, fresh pear aromas that pull you into the glass. On the palate the flavours are lean-ish but tropical with notes of lemon and passion fruit. Simply prepared fresh mussels or clams would be a great match. Well done, good value.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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26 January 2014
89PTS
Vins de Pedra La Musa 2011
Conca de Barbera, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainVins de Pedra is the family winery winemaker Marta Pedra, oenologist at La Vinyeta (Empordà). La Musa is a red blend of merlot, cabernet sauvignon and syrah but the underlying force in these wines is a stony minerality. Red fruits with balsamic notes mark its smooth palate with substantial tannins yet all in balance. Elegant, stylish red this equally age worthy. Try this with turkey, mushroom dishes or grilled meats.Prices:| Spain | $10.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
La Vinyeta Puntiapart 2011
Alt Emporda, Empordà, Ampurdain-Costa Brava, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainPuntiapart 11 is the big boy red at La Vinyeta led by its 85/15 of powerful cabernet sauvignon and samsó that spends 13 months in in new French, Hungarian and Romanian oak casks. This wine takes its name from Punt i Apart (a new paragraph), it is the end of a cycle. It contains fruit from some of the oldest vines at Mollet de Peralada in Empordà. The cabernet is 30-years old the samsó has been in the ground 100 years. There is terrific elegance here despite the 14.5 per cent alcohol. Rich warm mouth-filling but the fruit is both balanced and nuance, Coffee and chocolate spike the flavours of this medium to dark red fruit flavoured wine with fine-grained, well managed tannins. Puntiapart spends 13 months in new French, Hungarian and Romanian oak. Lamb and beef would work well now but you should probably lay this away for another five years.Prices:| Spain | $12.00 | 750ml |
| US | $35.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
La Vinyeta Llavors 2012
Alt Emporda, Empordà, Ampurdain-Costa Brava, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainLlavors, no not flavors, is the continuation of the story at La Vinyeta and in this case meaning ... and then. The blend is a mix of mostly samsó and merlot with a bit of fortification from cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc. Following the theme it is all handpicked from 50-year old vineyards but this time with five months ageing in new French, Hungarian and Romanian oak. Love the nose again a mix of red and dark fruits with plenty of floral/violet notes bits of coffee and liquorice. An aromatic expression of a Bordelais style with a smoky spicy back end. It was a perfect match with a substantial local cheese and charcuterie plate served after the tasting.Prices:| Spain | $8.00 | 750ml |
| US | $21.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
La Vinyeta Heus Negre 2012
Alt Emporda, Empordà, Ampurdain-Costa Brava, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainThe Heus Negre mixes syrah, garnatxa negre, merlot and samsó, the first two variety averaging nearly 60 years of age. The local and international grapes are all handpicked and fermented in tank. Look for a Juicy, fresh, aromatic, modern red with black cherry and floral notes on the nose. The attack is round with meaty, spicy black fruit notes and a warm soft finish. Certainly good value for middleweight, mid-week dishes. The Empordà-based bodega's name is a play on the Catalan words for vineyard and comic strip. The wines are the chapters, and in this case the Heus series, come from the expression Heus aquí una vegada or once upon a time.Prices:| Spain | $6.00 | 750ml |
| US | $17.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
La Vinyeta Heus Rosat 2012
Alt Emporda, Empordà, Ampurdain-Costa Brava, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainThe Empordà-based bodega's name is a play on the Catalan words for vineyard and comic strip. The wines are the chapters, and in this case the Heus series, come from the expression Heus aquí una vegada or once upon a time. The rosé or rosat is a 46/21/17/16 mix of garnatxa, samsó, merlot and syrah. The old vines are the samsó or carignan planted on the schist and quartz. The attack is soft and sweetish with notes of caramel and fresh red fruits. It's a gulp-able style pink that is food friendly with a persistent finish. Try this with tuna sushi cones.Prices:| Spain | $6.00 | 750ml |
| US | $17.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
La Vinyeta Heus Blanc 2012
Alt Emporda, Empordà, Ampurdain-Costa Brava, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainTo clever by a half is how I would describe the wines of La Vinyeta. The Empordà-based bodega's name is a play on the Catalan words for vineyard and comic strip. The wines are the chapters, and in this case the Heus series, come from the expression Heus aquí una vegada meaning once upon a time. The blend alone excites me: a 47/31/12/6/4/ mix of macabeu, xarel.lo, garnatxa blanca, moscat and malvasia. The macabeu is some sixty years old and the terraced soils are awash in schist and quartz. Can you spell m-i-n-e-r-a-l. Love the fresh attack of this wine, its electricity and floral components and the citrus undercurrents. Very food friendly. Modern, sleek, delicious and barely 12.5 alcohol.Prices:| Spain | $6.00 | 750ml |
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25 January 2014
91PTS
Vins de Pedra L'Orni 2012
Conca de Barbera, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainVins de Pedra is the family winery winemaker Marta Pedra, oenologist at La Vinyeta (Empordà). L'Orni is a remarkable chardonnay made with 15-year old vines, planted at 350 metres above sea level. The calcareous soils are the perfect foil for this sophisticated white with its stony, peachy aromas flavours with bits of honey and brioche. Six month of battonage add a texture and depth to the wine that surprises. The finish is persistent with exotic flecks of orange peel. A well-made chardonnay that would disappear in nay global tasting of fine bottles. The winery suggest beans and pulses, grilled white fish or spicy fish stews. We couldn't agree more.Prices:| Spain | $10.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Painted Rock Syrah 2011
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPainted Rock has excited us with its Skaha bench syrah that reflects more of the meaty, peppery cooler aspects of the northern Rhone with the understanding it comes from the Okanagan Valley. Smoky meaty leather black cherry aromas mark the nose along with a dollop of wilderness. On the palate, it begins with a juicy note inviting you into the glass to discover its complex core of black and blueberry fruits, liquorice and tea, underscored by sage, vanilla and more smoky, meaty notes. Just a baby this will need five years in bottle to express its full spectrum of flavours and length. The oak is better managed and its makes a difference in what is an average vintage at best. Impressive but give it time.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Belle Glos Pinot Noir Clark and Telephone Vineyard 2012
Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesThe crossroads of Clark Avenue and Telephone Road in the Santa Maria Valley are home to this inviting warm, sweet fruited pinot with spicy, liquorice, smoky, black cherry savoury, meaty/leather aromas. The attack is similar with juicy, supple, black cherry, chocolate, liquorice, cinnamon, spicy, savoury flavours. Somewhat spicy and overblown this New World pinot is much like its 2010 predecessor if not cooler in style. In fact in a blind tasting it is a bit reminiscent of a cool-climate syrah.Prices:| BC | $44.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $50.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $50.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Spierhead Pursuit 2011
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAnother cool year yet there is less merlot than in 2010 42 versus 57 the rest is cabernet sauvignon and franc. The nose is leafy mixing black olive, sagebrush, vanilla and red fruit aromas. The attack is firm and dry with minimal cassis fruit mixed with liquorice and somewhat astringent tannins. Fairly oaky this need time to settle in but without a big beef dish it will be tough to conquer. A tough year on cabernet and it shoes.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Perseus Select Lots Syrah Malbec 2011
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe blend is a mix of Similkameen Valley and Osoyoos fruit: 68/23/3/6 syrah, malbec, merlot and petit verdot. The nose is opened with a candied blueberry aroma flecked with a bit of leather and meat. The attack is linear with ripe cherry/blueberry fruit sitting over some lean tannins and smoky toasted oak notes in the finish. We like the acidity although it borders on the edge of stark. Try this with a mushroom risotto or lamb dish for best results.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Burrowing Owl Meritage 2010
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaTasted this last June at the WineAlign Nationals Wine Awards and it continues to evolve. The mix is 55/25/15/2/2/ of cabernet franc, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, malbec and petit verdot. Ripe, thanks to that low CS number, and invitingly aromatic it reminds us of the successful 2002 with its brooding spicy, tobacco, smoky black olive, black currant flavours. Much more Right Bank in style with that savoury BC undercurrent. Well done; needs another five years to fully integrate.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $50.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Burrowing Owl Syrah 2010
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBOV uses a mix of oak (40 percent new) to tame its estate grown syrah, the barrels hail from France, the USA and Russia. The first of two cool years the wine has more of northern Rhone bent with slightly less filing mid-palate. There is still that smoky, savoury liquorice with bits of roasted coffee bean and leather. The attack is dry, lean and spicy with black olive, tobacco and blackberry fruit flavours with a lean, youthful hard finish. The blance if fine and it will improve in bottle over the next five years. Try this with roast lamb or grilled lamb chops for best effect. Prices:| BC | $38.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $41.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Raza Malbec Reserva 2011
La Rioja, ArgentinaSlightly meaty, reductive nose with notes of rubber and black fruit - needs ten minutes of air before serving. Soft, simple round fleshy palate with similar flavours of black fruit and earth with a warm soft dry finish. A commercial style modern red that at $13 will have some followers.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
The Black Chook Shiraz Viognier 2012
South Australia, AustraliaA Ben Riggs production that opens under screwcap with a reductive, rubbery nose. After ten minutes the rubber blows off revealing a soft, sweet juicy wine mixing red and black fruit flavours. A small amount of viognier helps the aromatics and lifts the fruit of this work-horse mid-week red. Try it with hamburgers or other grilled meats.Prices:| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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22 January 2014
86PTS
Matanè Primitivo Puglia 2011
Salento, Puglia, ItalyStandard edition 100 percent primitivo. The colour is deep and dark the attack sweet and round with soft, smoky, fruity, plummy fruit that finishes warm sweet and spicy. Should be able to stand up to meaty dishes including hamburgers and or pizzas with no problem.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Sella & Mosca Cannonau di Sardegna Riserva 2009
Sardinia, ItalyCannonau is the Sardinian grape said to be the forerunner of grenache; in this case grown on clay and sandy soils. The grapes are aged for two years in large Slavonian oak barrels before spending several more months in bottle. The nose is warm Mediterranean with spicy plum and raspberry fruit aromas. The palate is firm, dry and rich with savoury, earthy, tobacco/cherry flavours. An Impressive red for the price you can serve with roast chicken or mushroom dishes.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
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20 January 2014
89PTS
Cambria Pinot Noir Julia's Vineyard 2011
Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesThis is a nice notch up on the 2010 with its smoky fresh red fruit nose flecked with savoury celery salt black cherry and carrot top. The attack is round and fresh with red fruit flavours, cran-cherry and a dusting of vanilla/oak. This is a much more food-friendly style of California pinot that will have many friends.Prices:| BC | $43.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $36.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $33.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $38.00 | 750ml |
| US | $18.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Napa Valley, California, United StatesThe 2011 is an 84/8/5/3 mix of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot, petit verdot complied in a very cool year. A smaller crop and longer hang-time has allowed this cabernet to deliver classic Napa fruit in a slightly leaner jacket. Blackberry, black currant with a savoury mocha undercurrent sets the tone for a long persistent finish. Some 35 percent of the grapes come off To Kalon vineyard, 13 percent come off Wappo Hill Vineyard in the Stag's Leap AVA while the remainder from selected Napa sites. The wine spends 16 months in oak. A solid effort in a challenging year. Best served double decanted for the first few years to let it expand a bit before serving.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $30.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $38.50 | 750ml |
| NB | $37.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $56.95 | 750ml |
| SK | $36.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $44.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $40.00 | 750ml |
| US | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
St. Supery Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Napa Valley, California, United StatesSt. Supéry has always done an excellent job with sauvignon blanc curbing any tendencies to be sweet and opting for a fresher style. The nose and palate are awash in zesty green lime aromas and flavours with bits of grapefruit and gooseberry. Well-structured it should pair well with a variety of seafood dishes, sushi and or Thai food.Prices:| AB | $26.00 | 750ml |
| US | $14.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Haywire Switchback Vineyard Wild Ferment 2012
Summerland Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA new release from the center part of the vineyard with 100% wild yeast ferment and done in concrete. Earthy, lime, lemon custard, floral, green peach, grassy, waxy, herbal and thyme aromas. Ripe, round, fresh, creamy and slightly oily palate but austere. More butter, lemon oil, grassy, herbal, green apple skin and slate flavours. Good texture and length with a light bitterness. Will improve over the next few years as it integrates and fleshes out. A new style for the Okanagan that should be welcomed.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
La Poderosa Syrah Reserva 2012
Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileSmoky, meaty, liquorice, peppery, floral, savoury, barnyard aromas with some blackberry and rosemary. Fresh, round, smooth palate with black berry, peppery, meaty, smoky leather, resin and meat flavours. A touch warm but solid syrah expression for the money.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
La Poderosa Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2012
Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChilePeppery, smoky, leather, meaty, olive, menthol aromas. Round, smooth, soft palate with chocolate, earthy, prune, black berry, resin and pepper flavours. Simple, easy-sipping red. Try this with hamburgers.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Renwood Zinfandel 2011
California, United StatesSpicy, floral, bramble, peppery, black cherry jam with a bit of barnyard and liquorice. Round, soft, slightly sweet palate but fresh with chocolate, black cherry jam, liquorice, prune and leather flavours. A bit too sweet for us but if you like that cherry berry forward fruit style this is it.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Casa Lapostolle Merlot Cuvée Alexandre 2012
Apalta Valley, Santa Cruz, Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileCherry, earthy, spicy, cedar, mint, bay, chocolate, floral and savoury herb aromas. Fresh, dry, juicy palate with vanilla, cedar, cherry, plum, tobacco, peppery, menthol flavours. A touch dry and warm on the finish but should improve with 1-3 years. Well-made stylish merlot perfect with rib-eye steaks.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $27.50 | 750ml |
| NF | $28.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $28.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Fetzer Valley Oaks Zinfandel 2010
California, United StatesPeppery, coffee, prune, black berry, liquorice aromas. Fresh, juicy, easy palate with chocolate, liquorice, cedar, bark, peppery, black cherry flavours with a bit of juicy sweetness on the finish. Clean, easy consumer style.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Hess Collection Artezin Zinfandel 2011
Mendocino County, California, United StatesPeppery, blackberry, liquorice, rooty, spicy, savoury, cedar and bramble aromas with a touch of saddle leather. Fresh, delicate, easy palate with black plum, black berry, peppery, cedar bark, smoky, chocolate and liquorice flavours. A touch tart but with overall fine fruit intensity. The perfect mid-week chicken wine.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Wente Vineyards Southern Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Livermore, San Francisco Bay, California, United StatesBlack olive, peppery, smoky, prune, cassis, tobacco leaf and cedar aromas. Round, soft, fresh, slightly sweet palate with black cherry, herbal, cedar, cassis, tobacco and carrot top flavours. Light easy-sipping red for the barbecue.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Los Vascos Grande Reserve 2010
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileSpicy, savoury, cassis, cedar, tobacco leaf nose with earthy, black olive, meaty, leather, sappy, bramble aromas. The attack is fresh and smooth the palate dry with light tannins. Peppery, black olive, earthy, cedar, coffee, cassis, black berry, tobacco and leather flavours. Good finesse if a bit short in the back end. Try this with grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileCassis, sappy, spicy, cedar, black olive, floral, earthy, saddle leather aromas. Round, fresh, smooth palate with peppery, black berry, cassis, mint, smoky, chocolate and herb flavours. Classic cabernet sauvignon flavours and ready to drink. Ry this with grilled flank steak.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Casa Silva Doña Dominga Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileSlightly reductive nose (from the screwcap so aerate well before serving) with peppery, earthy, smoky, bay, menthol, cassis, chocolate and tobacco leaf aromas. Soft, round, fresh, easy palate with cassis, peppery, olive, plum, mint and savoury herb flavours. Simple but fruity, forward style. Solid value.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Nik Weis St. Urbans-Hof Ockfener Bockstein Spatlese Riesling 2011
Mosel, GermanyWaxy, floral, spicy, green apple, slate, lime, nectarine aromas with a touch of matchstick and tropical notes. Fresh, creamy, juicy acidity with green apple honey, peach, orange, waxy, slate and light petrol flavours. Very delicate but flavourful and balanced.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Nik Weis St. Urbans-Hof Ockfener Bockstein Spatlese Riesling 2009
Mosel, GermanyHoney, floral, pear, red apple, slate, light petrol, spicy, lime aromas with a touch of cashew. Fresh, delicate, crisp and juicy with balanced sweetness. Green apple, nectarine, honey, light apricot, lime, slate and petrol flavours. Very delicate but juicy and flavourful. Showing some bottle aging but should be good for five to ten years.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
NIk Weis St. Urbans-Hof Piesporter Goldtropfchen Auslese Riesling 2011
Mosel, GermanyEarthy, floral, peach, mango, slate, light petrol and spice aromas. Full, rich, elegant and slightly soft acidity but good sugar balance. Red apple, honey, apricot, slate, spicy, orange flavours. Good finesse and fruit intensity with length but more forward. Drink now or over the next decade.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Nik Weis St. Urbans-Hof Riesling Estate Bottled From Old Vines 2011
Mosel, GermanyHoney, peach, guava, matchstick, spicy, lime, red apple aromas. Fresh, juicy, creamy, slightly sweeter style with light lees, honey, peach, guava and lime flavours with a touch of petrol.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Nik Weis St. Urbans-Hof Riesling Ockfener Bockstein Kabinett 2011
Mosel, GermanyLight petrol, floral, spicy, slate, green apple skin and nectarine aromas. Fresh, round, juicy, delicate and ripe palate with creamy acidity. Ripe apple, orange, honey, slate, guava and lees flavours. Good intensity and delicacy but reflecting the riper style of the vintage. Drink now and over the next five years.Prices:| BC | $33.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $27.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Nik Weis Selection Urban Riesling 2011
Mosel, GermanyFloral, light petrol, red apple, matchstick, citrus and honey aromas. Fresh, round, soft, delicate palate with red apple, slate, guava and citrus flavours. Ready to drink light and elegant style. A good sushi white.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Parker Station Pinot Noir 2012
Central Coast, California, United StatesSpicy, strawberry, rhubarb, floral, tobacco and light barnyard aromas. Fresh, round, ripe and supple palate with cocoa, tea, strawberry jam, licorice, cedar and tobacco flavours. The style is easy-sipping; the value is solid.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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15 January 2014
90PTS
Mount Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandMount Nelson is a refreshingly different expression of Marlborough sauvignon. Its Italian ownership Lodovico and Piero Antinori (Campo Sassi) is at the heart of this wine's restrained "Sancerre" style. The attack is fresh and with bright tropical fruit, citrus, mineral, jalapeno grapefruit notes. The palate very similar with added gooseberry and honey flavours. Impressive intensity and length no doubt as a result of four months of lees ageing after the fermentation. Surprisingly good for 33,000 cases.Prices:| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| US | $12.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Schieferkopf Gewurztraminer 2011
Alsace, FranceLime, rose petal, light litchi, smoky, peach and light lees aromas with a touch of matchstick. Round, full, elegant and juicy but sweeter on the palate with more litchi, peach, honey, waxy, guava and apple skin flavours. Fine fruit and acidity but with a sweet-ish demeanour. Try with spicy foods.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Schieferkopf Riesling Lieu dit Fels 2010
Alsace, FranceFabulous floral, spicy, lees, guava nose with bits of honey, red apple and lemon aromas. Ripe, round, fresh, creamy and slightly sweet palate with apricot, guava, lime, waxy, lees, spicy, green apple flavours. Long with fine aromatics and plenty of refreshing acidity on the finish.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Schieferkopf Riesling 2011
Alsace, FranceOpen spicy, apricot, matchstick, slate, light petrol nose with green apple skin and citrus highlights. Fresh, juicy, round, dryer style with citrus, lemon, granny smith, apricot skin, slate and waxy lees flavours. Lots of acidity on the finish keeps it fresh and ready for the next bite of food.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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07 January 2014
88PTS
Di Lenardo Pinot Grigio Unoaked 2010
Friuli-Venezia Giulia, ItalyNot your average Italian grigio, this has an attractive, floral, butter, honeyed nose with a wisp of minerality. The palate mixes cool, pear notes with quince and nutty lees flavours. It finishes dry, fresh and food-friendly. Now under screwcap.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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06 January 2014
87PTS
Trius Brut NV
Ontario, CanadaMedium fine mousse with floral, green apple, citrus aromas and a hint of toast. Fresh, crisp, somewhat pinprick mousse with brut + sweetness. Baked green apple, floral, citrus rind, lemon and toast flavours. An elegant, easy style with a touch of bitterness on the finish.Prices:| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Blue Mountain Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGooseberry, grapefruit, light floral and passion fruit aromas. Fresh, juicy, delicate palate with grassy, grapefruit, gooseberry flavours with a rindy-finish. Decent finesse but pretty tart finish. Needs a dish of mussels to relax.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Blue Mountain Gamay Noir 2012
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBlack cherry, spicy, floral, strawberry, liquorice, gamey aromas. Fresh, juicy, soft and round palate with plum, strawberry, liquorice, peppery, gamey, earthy flavours. Good fruit and finesse in a delicate style for current drinking. Nicely done.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Blue Mountain Pinot Gris 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPear, grapefruit, floral, green apple aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy, round palate with pink grapefruit, pear, green apple skin and lemon flavours. Citrusy style with a bit of bitterness on the finish. More grigio this time.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $27.00 | 750ml |
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05 January 2014
88PTS
Falernia Pedro Ximenez 2010
Valle del Elqui, ChileFresh aromatic, mineral, spice, and pepper on the nose with just a hint of tropical fruit. The attack is equally inviting and dry with aromatic fruit and fine mid-palate weight and balance. Very food friendly and pure and inviting on the nose. Well done.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
The Bend in the River 2011
Pfalz, GermanyThe last time we saw this wine it was fairly sweet and soft. The 2011 is dry and much fresher. The flavours are more grapefruit and green apple skin with excellent acidity to clean up the end of what is a dry finish. Good value sushi wine.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.35 | 750ml |
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88PTS
The Doctor's Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandIn 2012, Kiwi Dr. John Forrest who nailed the concept of a low alcohol with this tasty little sauvignon bottled at 9.5 percent has dried the wine out completely, pushing it pack into Kiwi gooseberry/passion fruit mode. Fairly stark and youthful at this point but would be fine with most of your lunchtime menu. A touch of residual sugar wouldn't hurt this style.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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04 January 2014
87PTS
Belle Glos Pinot Noir Blanc Brugioni Vineyard Oeil de Perdrix 2012
Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, Central Coast, California, United StatesOeil de Perdrix comes with a colour that is more red than pink. The nose is fresh and aromatic with cherry/strawberry aromas and flavours flecked with earthy note. The soft, fruity finish will attract many palates. A patio pink that works with spicy appetizers.Prices:| US | $18.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Chateau D'Angles Classique Rosé La Clape 2011
La Clape, Coteaux du Languedoc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceMourvèdre, syrah and grenache, 80/10/10 at low yields reveal a surprisingly soft and plush style rosé. The mourvèdre is directly pressed the syrah and grenache are bled out and it is all stirred on the fine lees in concrete vats for three months. Love the pink flamingo colour but like the flavours even more. A complex mix of exotic fruit and fresh cherries on the nose and palate. Dry with just a hint of sweetness. A warm night and a beautiful meal would complete this effort perfectly.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Brotte Les Eglantiers Tavel Rosé 2012
Tavel, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceBright pinkish red colour. Lovely open fresh fruit nose with hints of cherries and other lighter stone fruits. The palate is just rich enough to work with most menus items but there is a sweetness and roundness that will appeal to anyone sipping it solo. Seriously fun.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $20.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Pentâge Winery Rosé 2012
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCandy red colour. Bright soft strawberry aromas with bits of banana and citrus. The attack is dry and crisp with plenty of acidity flecked with dried herbs and cran-cherry fruit. Sour finish. Best with food that will temper the prominent acidity.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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02 January 2014
86PTS
Sandhill Small Lots Program Viognier Osprey Vineyard 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaDry, nectarine skin, honey, ginger nose with flecks of tropical fruit. The attack is lean and dry, the mid-palate thin and warm with green apple skin, butter and spicy ginger flavours. Not a lot of body or length. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Sélection Delas Viognier 2010
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceTight, lemon, spicy, mineral nose with a hint of honey. Dry, citrus austere attack with nutty, lemon, mineral, low fruit and dry bitter flavours. A bit top severe for our palate buy stylistically similar to last year.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Laughing Stock Vineyards Viognier +09/10 2012
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIt's year four for this viognier made with Osoyoos fruit grown at Perfect Hedge Vineyard. The grapes were whole cluster pressed and fermented in 60 per cent stainless steel, 25 percent French oak and 15 percent concrete eggs. Then further aged in a combination of stainless steel, oak and concrete. Expect a soft round delicate entry with citrus green apple and melon aromas. The mid-palate is fairly fat with green apple and honeyed peach notes with just a hint of bitterness. The acidity is fine. Try this with halibut and a fresh fruit salsa.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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01 January 2014
86PTS
Escorihuela 1884 Reservado Viognier 2012
Mendoza, ArgentinaOpen fresh floral apricot peach aromas on the nose. The attack is rich with honeyed, spicy, tropical fruit flecked with apricots peaches and a slightly oily texture. The finish is long and warm but with enough acidity to keep it interesting. Fine value here.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Jackson-Triggs Reserve Series Viognier 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPleasant nose aromatic, honey, resin/ginger with some flecks of tropical fruit. The attack is skinny with yellow fruits, mineral, resin and lemon notes. Fresh enough and lean but with some lime rind bitterness in the finish. Easy-sipping style for lighter foods.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
C.C. Jentsch Viognier 2012
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaI love it when a new producer releases a fresh, clean solid version of a varietal wine that reflects the grape and the climate in this case a viognier made by C.C. Jentsch that's pronounced Yen-tsch not Jentsch. Suitably round and rich with freshness aromatics, acidity, minerality and tropical fruit flavours. It's a touch warm but that won't bother most drinkers. Try it with pork or chicken with a fruity sauce. Pricey but well done.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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February 2014