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Tastings: February 2014
23 February 2014
87PTS
Punto Final Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Mendoza, ArgentinaSmoky resiny vanilla, coffee grinds nose with red fruit, spice and a touch of green pepper. A leaner, fresher style cabernet with savoury, minty red fruit flavours and touch of resin in the back end. Fairly warm but with some supporting acidity to keep it balanced. Good for the price and best served with grilled meats or mushroom pasta dishes.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Mitolo Jester Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaJester always contains some twenty per cent air dried grapes al la Amarone, which in our opinion lends it a slightly lifted (volatile) nose of raisin-y black fruit. The technique is intended to plump up the mid-palate of this cool-ish vintage. The nose is savoury/cedar-y mix of smoky mulberry and black liquorice notes flecked with resin and bits of spice. Grilled sausages and cheese pizzas are a match. Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Galil Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Upper Galilee, Galilee, IsraelOpen aromatic cherry cedar nose with tobacco, black olive, pepper and earthy notes. The attack is soft and sweet with a fair bit of alcohol ripe cassis, tobacco, sweet dark plums mint and olives. Serve this with your favourite hamburger or lamb chops but it will improve in bottle over the next two years. Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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19 February 2014
87PTS
Codorníu Pinot Noir Brut NV
Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, Penedès, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainPale copper, raspberry colour with light mousse. Open attractive, nutty, floral, toasty cherry, baked apple aromas. Fresh, crisp, off-dry palate with creamy mousse and more spicy, nutty, toasty, raspberry, butter and baked apple flavours. Good flavours and balance. Solid value here. Serve liberally with bite size appetizers.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $17.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $20.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Champagne H Blin Rosé NV
Champagne, FranceAn delicious newcomer to British Columbia from its light raspberry copper colour to its refined toasty, nutty, floral nose. The palate is tolerably austere but with fine acidity and plenty of spicy, red currant, raspberry, baked apple flavours with a touch of citrus. Good intensity and balance. Perfect for tasty, pre-dinner appetizers.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Champagne Blin's Blanc de Blancs Brut Edition Limitée NV
Champagne, FrancePale yellow with fine, continuous mousse. Citrus, light toast, nutty, green apple, baked pear, light honey and floral aromas. Fresh, juicy, intense mousse with a hint of sweetness. Baked green apple, pear, honey, toasty, nutty, light floral and herb flavours with a citrusy, light buttery finish. Good delicacy and finesse if just a bit short in the finish. Try this with delicate seafood dishes.Prices:| BC | $90.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Lake Sonoma Zinfandel 2010
Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesBright black cherry, blackberry, liquorice peppery aromas with bits of vanilla and briar. The attack is ripe and full with round tannins and brambleberry, black cherry, resin, liquorice, chocolate and pepper flavours. Good fruit intensity with a somewhat oaky finish. Barbecued meats or chicken would be a fine match.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Painted Rock Chardonnay 2012
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaToasted popcorn, butter and nutty, vanilla, baked apple, peach skin aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant, slightly tart palate with more butter, nutty, vanilla, grapefruit rind, apple skin, pear and popcorn flavours. Elegant and fresh but with a touch of bitter rind character. Solid but needs a bit of polish. Give it another six months to fatten up or serve it with fresh halibut.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Undurraga Sibaris Carmenere Reserva Especial 2012
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileClassic carménère showing spicy, cedar, cassis, menthol, tobacco aromas with bits of chocolate. Round, smooth and fresh on the palate with tobacco, cedar, liquorice, plum and eucalyptus flavours with some black tea notes. Solid balance at a fair price. This would be perfect with flank steak. Good value.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Caro 2009
Mendoza, ArgentinaCARO, from CAtena and ROthschild, opens with a vanilla, coffee, cassis, black cherry nosed flecked with leather, meaty, savoury, menthol and tobacco notes. The attack is round with rich, smooth fine-grain tannins and good acidity. There a sense of grace under its chocolate, liquorice, vanilla, cedar, poultry spice, blackberry and cassis flavours. Finish is youthful with some barnyard, menthol, black cherry and tea flavours. Good fruit and intensity but needs another two to four years in bottle. Serve now with T-bone steak. 55-65 per cent cabernet sauvignon 25 to 35 per cent malbec.Prices:| BC | $55.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Quartage 2009
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaAnother fine effort. Look for a light coffee, meaty, peppery, cassis/blackberry nose with bits of tobacco, resin and tea. Round, full, juicy, slightly chunky palate with peppery, rooty, blackberry, licorice, coffee, cassis, licorice, prune and herb flavours with some black olive and tar on the finish. Good solid fruit and concentration for current drinking. Lamb chops are the ticket here.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Argento Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Mendoza, ArgentinaTobacco, earthy, cassis, olive, savoury, resin aromas. Fresh, juicy, slightly astringent palate with cassis, savoury, black olive, tobacco, peppery, resin and liquorice flavours with a bit of sweet chocolate. Solid value.Prices:| ON | $12.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $18.29 | 750ml |
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18 February 2014
89PTS
Pierre Sparr Extrem Riesling 2011
Alsace, FranceThe old saying you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink it seems a fitting description of the Sparr Extrem Riesling. The 2010 seemed to be in stores forever and as good as it was it has finally been exchanged for another delicious version of the cutting edge Alsace riesling. We love the fresh, dry attack, the honey, pear and citrus nose that previews similar cool steely, guava lemon flavours. Food friendly and under screwcap. Excellent value.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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16 February 2014
90PTS
Greppicante 2008
Bolgheri, Tuscany, ItalyA cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc blend with fragrant floral, plum, cassis, red fruit and cedar nose. Dry resiny, black and red fruits flavours with some savoury toasted oak and fresh acidity. The wines are aged for 10 months in barriques and then 3 months in bottle. More of a firm, dry and lean red. Try this with a T-bone steak or continue to age it for another three to five years. Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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15 February 2014
84PTS
Casa Silva Doña Dominga El Jardin Carmenère 2011
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileMedium dark with a peppery, leafy, tobacco, red fruit nose with a touch of reduction. The palate mixes toasted oak with sweet, juicy, peppery, coffee, leafy red fruits. The tannins are light. Ready to drink classic hamburger red but will work with simple chicken or beef dishes.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Casa Silva Doña Dominga Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon Carmenère 2012
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileThe carménère cabernet mix is slightly richer than the solo carménère and the tannins are a bit chewier. The nose is a peppery, bay leaf, cassis notes the attack sweet-ish with round red fruits and leafy, coffee peppery under tones. A winter stew or grilled lamb chops would work fine with this red.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $11.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Casa Silva Doña Dominga Shiraz Single Vineyard El Rebaño 2010
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileFresh open savoury herbaceous nose with bits of blueberries, cedar and cracked black pepper. The attack is similar with smooth round menthol red fruit flavours flecked with cedar and light tannins. Easy to drink but expect a lot of that Chilean bay leaf mint character throughout but with more shiraz character than previous versions. Best with simply prepared grilled meat dishes.Prices:| BC | $13.25 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.00 | 750ml |
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14 February 2014
85PTS
Angove's Long Row Shiraz 2010
South Australia, AustraliaRubbery, smoky, herbal, black cherry, savoury aromas. Fresh, smooth, round, somewhat tart palate with smoky, tobacco, black fruit and resin flavours. Straight-up easy sipping red for you can serve with grilled chicken or beef.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $15.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Yalumba Barossa Patchwork Shiraz 2011
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaPeppery, meaty, liquorice, rubber, chocolate, resin, earthy, floral aromas. Fresh, light, round palate but low concentration. Chocolate, black cherry, smoky, cedar, coffee, resin flavours with a bit of barnyard. A fairly fresh lean version that will need time in the bottle or a grilled piece of beef to smooth out the edges.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $22.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $21.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $25.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Luccarelli Negroamaro 2012
Puglia, ItalyThis negroamaro opens with a warm, meaty plummy southern Italian nose. The attack is sweet and round with coffee, chocolate balsamic notes with a smooth sweet barnyard plummy finish. Simple, easy-sipping red with a warm spicy commercial finish. A pizza red.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Mollydooker Blue Eyed Boy 2011
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaVanilla, milk chocolate, cedar, pencil lead, blackberry, peppery, savoury aromas. Fat, round, warm, fresh palate with blackberry jam, peppery, ginger, floral, spicy, poultry spice, milk chocolate flavours. Sweet finish with lots of chocolate but good fruit. Sold exclusively through Cactus Club. Prices:| BC | $49.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Rosemount Shiraz 2012
South Australia, AustraliaSomewhat reduced nose with rubber, earth, resin, coffee, peppery, blackberry aromas. Fresh, round, easy palate with light sweetness and blackberry, peppery, liquorice and smoky, rooty, sausage flavours. Simple inexpensive sweet and sour and sour style.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $18.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $19.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $18.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $19.50 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Milton Park Shiraz 2011
South Australia, AustraliaWhite pepper, floral, blackberry, spicy and black liquorice aromas. Soft, round, easy entry with a sweet and sour palate. Black cherry, resin, liquorice, spicy, peppery flavours. Simple, easy-sipping style for hamburgers and or pizza. Fair value.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Graham Beck The Game Reserve Shiraz Viognier 2011
Coastal Region, South AfricaSmoky, gamey, leather, tobacco nose with blackberry and herb aromas. The attack is dry and thin the palate light with gamey, blueberry, meaty, leather, tobacco, smoky resin flavours. Quite dry and lean and tart on the finish. This will need a grilled meat dish to help out in the glass.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $17.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Giorgio & Gianni Negroamaro 2010
Salento, Puglia, ItalyBalsamic, black cherry jam, leather, liquorice, light barnyard and herb aromas with a meaty note. Round, fresh, easy palate with light tannins and edgy acidity. Meaty, leather, barnyard, peppery, smoky, and balsamic black cherry flavours. A bit pruny and leafy but solid for the price.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Van Westen Vineyards Vivre la Vie 2010
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, compost, barnyard, saddle leather, cherry jam, mint, black olive and herb aromas. Dry, fresh, tight, somewhat tannic palate. Coffee, balsamic, peppery, black plum, vanilla, savoury, tobacco, leather and prune flavours with a balsamic note. A bit chunky and rustic but solid effort in a cool year. Give it two to four years to come around in the bottle or serve now with lamb.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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13 February 2014
88PTS
Chateau de Nages ButiNages Rouge 2011
Rhone Valley, FranceMedium colour, wet stone mineral red fruit nose with bits of cassis and raspberry. Dry stony briary mid-palate with meaty, earthy, spicy liquorice notes. Definitely food-friendly if a little on the wine geek side. Try it with grilled lamb chops.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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12 February 2014
87PTS
Three Winds Viognier 2012
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceSuper fresh nutty honey, floral nose with apricot and orange aromas. The attack is soft, the palate with an off-dry baked apple flavours with flecks of ginger. Fresh, food-friendly style. Excellent value.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Torre del Falasco Valpolicella Ripasso 2011
Pedemonte Valpolicella, Verona, Veneto, ItalyClean peppery, chocolate/cherry aromas. On the palate the attack is soft and smooth with more ripe/sweet peppery, black cherry fruit with a touch of cedar and black liquorice in the finish. Excellent balance and length makes this food friendly. Serve with mushroom or meaty pasta dishes. Good value.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Harper's Trail Cabernet Franc 2012
Kamloops, British Columbia, CanadaThe first Kamloops cabernet franc grapes came into the winery on October 22 and other than a touch of reduction under screwcap it's a fine start. Savoury, primary red fruit aromas and flavours mark the nose. Delicate floral raspberry and almost sweet cherries mark dance on the palate with silky tannins. Less is more here and it is the road to success. Veal might be the perfect match. Well done.Prices:| BC | $29.90 | 750ml |
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10 February 2014
89PTS
Gérard Bertrand Château L'Hospitalet La Reserve La Clape 2011
La Clape, Coteaux du Languedoc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceContinued success here with smoky, meaty, chocolate, peppery, black cherry, floral, licorice, herb and orange aromas. Rich, ripe, suave, juicy palate with big plum, black cherry, chocolate, licorice, peppery, savoury, meaty, garrigues flavours. Nice length and texture that should improve over the next 2-3 years.Prices:| BC | $26.50 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
8th Generation Vineyard Confidence 2012
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIt would appear consumers have confidence in this fast selling, soft, easy-sipping rose. It is a mix of merlot, pinot noir, dunkelfelder, pinot gris and viognier in 2012 and it smells of candied/taffy red apples. The attack is round and off dry with more taffy, caramel notes with just a pinch of grapefruit underneath to keep it fresh. Try this with spicy sushi or serve it chilled and solo before the party gets rolling.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Haywire Pink Bub Traditional Method 2012
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaNewly released the '12 pink Bub is classically cool and restrained on the nose with just the right tint of orange/pale pink colour thanks to a dash of low tannin syrah at bottling. Light, floral, red fruits with nectarines and spice mark the palate with just a tiny hint of ripeness/sweetness. Try this with lightly spiced appetizers. Finished under crown cap.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Domaine de Nalys Chateauneuf-du-Pape Classique Red 2009
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceNot your average big, super ripe Châteauneuf-du-Pape. The attack is drier and more aromatic with less sweet red fruit and more balsamic, earthy, black liquorice notes. The blend is just over one half grenache and about a quarter syrah followed by mourvèdre, cinsault and the rest all 13 varieties permitted in Châteauneuf-du-Pape all in in large vats and concrete. Quiet studious and perfect for roast chicken.Prices:| AB | $39.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $45.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Pellegrino Marsala Fine I.P. NV
A blend of grillo, catarratto and inzolia offers up a mix of maderised nutty, toffee flavours. The entry is dry and fresh with a warm spicy finish. Perfectly suited to recipes such a veal scaloppini Marsala or serve it chill with toasted almonds, Sherry-like, by the fireplace. It spends one-year in oak barrels.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.50 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Chateau D'Angles Classique Red La Clape 2009
La Clape, Coteaux du Languedoc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceMeaty, smoky, chocolate, garrigue, blackberry jam, black plum and floral aromas. Ripe, round, rich, juicy palate with light, dry tannins. Black berry, plum, licorice, chocolate, meat, peppery, savoury flavours. Very good fruit and depth but has a slightly dry, tannic finish that is balanced out with food. Good effort and value.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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09 February 2014
82PTS
Velletri Centurio 2008
Lazio, ItalyTypically dry, this addition is untypically reduced with some obvious Brettanomyces. It's smooth and soft but a bit to earthy/leathery for us. You might want to try this with a hearty stew if you try it at all.Prices:| BC | $11.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $7.20 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Velletri Terre dei Volsci Riserva 2007
Lazio, ItalySeven years of age gives this Riserva all the weight and texture it needs to carry its considerably smoky peppery, black cherry fruit flavours and aromas. The attack is slightly astringent or Italian 'dry' but then the jammy fruit flecked with black cherry, olives and liquorice root flavours balance off the finish. Try this with a meaty lasagna dish or grilled meats and roasted vegetables. Rustic in a good way.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.50 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Voga Quattro 2010
Veneto, ItalyFresh, soft, bright grapey nose with bits of earth, raisins and tobacco. The attack is fresh with fairly prominent acidity, light tannins and black cherry/cassis flavours. A pizza/hamburger red.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
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08 February 2014
86PTS
Valle Las Acequias Malbec Oak 2010
Medrano, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaMedicinal, menthol, saddle leather, meaty, celery salt, chocolate, vanilla, cherry aromas. Dry, round, slightly lean palate but elegant and juicy. Peppery, celery salt, coffee, cherry, earthy, Band-Aid, resin, prune and leather flavours. Very rustic style with a leafy finish.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $24.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Haarth Organico Malbec 2011
Mendoza, ArgentinaEarthy, black cherry, barnyard, tobacco, rooty aromas. Dry, tart, lean palate with cherry, poultry spice, rooty, liquorice, resin flavours. Has fruit but pretty lean and tart on the finish. Certified organic.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Circus Malbec 2013
ArgentinaSavoury, earthy, liquorice, light cherry and chocolate aromas. Light, round, soft, somewhat sweet palate with orange, black cherry, rooty, resin flavours. A touch hollow but otherwise an easy-sipping malbec style. Good value.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Norton Malbec Barrel Select 2010
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaSavoury, meaty, peppery, black cherry, liquorice, light smoky tobacco aromas. Round, full, smooth, fresh palate with earthy, peppery, smoky, celery salt, chocolate, meaty, black cherry flavours. A bit short and chunky but solid intensity.Prices:| QC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $16.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $15.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Terra Andina Malbec 2012
Mendoza, ArgentinaPeppery, savoury, chocolate, tobacco, black cherry, earthy aromas. Round, soft, fresh palate with juicy texture. Earthy, poultry spice, tobacco leaf, rooty, liquorice, resin flavours. Solid but somewhat thin and simple thin.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Manos Negras Stone Soils Select Malbec 2010
Mendoza, ArgentinaSavoury, earthy, black cherry jam, spicy, liquorice root aromas. Ripe, round, rich, smooth palate with light tannins. Coffee, chocolate, resin, savoury, celery salt, black cherry, earthy, tobacco flavours. Good concentration and balance for current drinking.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Aruma Malbec 2011
Mendoza, ArgentinaEarthy, liquorice root, resin, black cherry, barnyard, leesy aromas. Fresh, juicy, soft, round palate with black cherry, celery salt, savoury, poultry spice, chocolate, vanilla, earthy, saddle leather flavours. Good texture and balance but a bit short and rustic.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Argento Classic Pinot Grigio 2012
Mendoza, ArgentinaA softer, sweeter version of cheap Italian pinot grigio with baked pear and apple skin aromas. Round and easy-sipping its mixes honey with pear and citrus with a slightly bitter finish. No joy in Mudville.Prices:| ON | $10.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $12.50 | 750ml |
| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $13.50 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Voga Pinot Grigio 2011
Veneto, ItalyThe Madonna water bottle is looking a bit dated. The wine is classic grigio: thin, lean and grassy with lemon oil, pear and green apple aromas. The attack is skinny and fresh with more citrus and pear and red apple fruit. Simple stuff for mid-week luncheon duty.Prices:| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $18.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $18.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Giorgio & Gianni Pinot Grigio 2011
Salento, Puglia, ItalyClean fresh nose with grassy, marzipan and almond notes. The attack is fresh but almost flavourless with a crisp dry finish but the label is stylish.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Tapiz Malbec 2012
Mendoza, ArgentinaSmoky, chocolate, black cherry, rooty, liquorice, savoury aromas. Ripe, round, soft, plush palate with milk chocolate, black cherry, resin, liquorice, rooty and vanilla, cedar flavours. A bit short but attractive consumer style with the chocolate and a hint of sweetness.Prices:| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $19.50 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Pascual Toso Malbec 2012
Mendoza, ArgentinaLight earthy, black raspberry, peppery, liquorice, tobacco leaf, chocolate aromas. Soft, supple, easy palate with a touch of sweetness. Black cherry, liquorice, earthy, savoury, chocolate, tobacco flavours. Solid and clean for the money. Looks like they have finally figured out the screwcap effect leading to a much cleaner edition.Prices:| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $13.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
TintoNegro Malbec 2011
Mendoza, ArgentinaOpen rooty, earthy, reductive, smoky, tobacco, resin aromas. Dry, elegant, slightly lean palate with savoury, peppery, earthy, tobacco, rooty, resin, and liquorice flavours. Cool, leaner style with a short finish. Try this with hamburgers and other grilled meat dishes.Prices:| BC | $13.79 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Paul Hobbs Chardonnay 2011
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesLight floral, peach, green apple, pear, honey, butter, vanilla and nutty lees with a bit of mango. Full, round, slightly oily texture with ripe mango, peach, honey, butterscotch, nutty lees, vanilla, cinnamon and baked apple flavours. Good acidity but rich and if not fat on the finish but all with a touch of austerity. Perfect with Dungeness crab.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $55.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Spierhead Chardonnay Gentleman Farmer Vineyard 2012
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight floral, apple, pear, butter and earth aromas. Dry, tart, fresh, somewhat lean palate with light oiliness. Buttery, lees, green apple, lime, slightly nutty flavours. Elegant but needs food like sole or scallops to tame the acidity.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Cloudy Bay Chardonnay 2010
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandGreen apple, butter, grapefruit, nutty, light hazelnut aromas. Round, dry, fresh, somewhat oily texture. Light grapefruit, lemon, baked green apple, nutty, lees, butterscotch and pear flavours. A bit of a smoky, buttery finish but good texture and intensity. Very leesy style but should improve. Seafood friendly.Prices:| BC | $32.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $37.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $38.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $43.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Perseus Chardonnay Select Lots 2011
Penticton Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight green apple, butter, matchstick, floral, pear aromas. Dry, fresh, somewhat skinny style with an oily texture and popcorn, butter, baked apple skin, citrus, grassy flavours. A bit thin on the finish but otherwise solid cool climate style. Food friendly. Try this with a Margherita pizza.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Burrowing Owl Chardonnay 2011
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFresh leesy, buttery, green apple, popcorn, light citrus and peach aromas. Round, elegant, slightly oily but dry palate with butterscotch, popcorn, nutty lees, citrus rind and baked green apple skin flavours. A bit bitter on the finish but good texture and balance. Try this with fresh halibut.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $34.00 | 750ml |
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06 February 2014
90PTS
Graham's 10 Year Old Tawny Port NV
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalLight amber, terra rossa, tea colour with a spicy, toffee, rancio nose mixed with nutty, tea, nectarine and liquorice root aromas. Warm, round and slightly fat with touch of sweetness. Smoky, spicy, cedar, rancio, walnut, dried liquorice flavours dominate the palate. Warm long figgy/fruitcake finish that shouts bring on the walnuts. A delicious fireside sipper.Prices:| BC | $38.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $41.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $39.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $31.99 | 750ml |
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05 February 2014
89PTS
Vina Bujanda Rioja Reserva 2006
Rioja, SpainClassic Old World tempranillo from the acclaimed Martinez-Bujanda family. They fruit comes off more than a dozen sites in the Rioja Alavesa and Alta from 20-60-year old vines. It's aged in French and American oak for 20 months giving it a distinctive Rioja demeanour along with a dash of brettanomyces. The attack is silky smooth and rich with dark red fruits and notes of wild strawberry, dried herbs over savoury smoky undertones. Round and smooth but with a pronounced meaty finish. Best with grilled lamb.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Vina Bujanda Rioja Crianza 2009
Rioja Alavesa, Rioja, SpainThe crianza is 100 per cent tempranillo aged in a mix of French and American oak. The entry is soft and juicy with prevalent acidity. The fruit is red, think spicy strawberries with a lashing of tobacco and some minerality in the finish that emphasises the freshness and life here. Perfect for most chicken or cheese dishes.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
M. Chapoutier Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Rouge 2012
Côtes du Roussillon Villages, Roussillon, Sud de France, FranceI could tell you this wine is awash in floral, savoury, black fruit aromas or that the attack is round and juicy with plummy, wild smoky, peppery, fruit flavours but it's easier to say the wine is delicious from front to back. Drink now or over the next three to five years. A fabulous example of bio-dynamically grown fruit a giveaway price. Back up the truck.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.35 | 750ml |
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89PTS
M. Chapoutier Belleruche Côtes du Rhône Rouge 2012
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceStill a classy little Rhone red with a savoury, black cherry nose. The fruit is a mix of grenache and syrah, the attack is juicy, smooth and fresh with peppery, black fruit flavours with a splash of meaty barnyard notes in the finish. This is a great weekend red and a label that should be on a lot of restaurant lists. Grilled lamb and beef are the ticket here.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Ruffino Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale (Tan Label) 2010
Tuscany, ItalyThe 2010 is somewhat quiet on the nose if anything more earth and mushroom less fragrant red fruits. The palate is a mix of dried cherry and dried herbs with flecks of tobacco. A good but not great year for this label. Serve with grilled meats. The Riserva Ducale mixes 80 per cent sangiovese with 20 per cent cabernet sauvignon and merlot. Total skin contact last about 20 days before it is aged for twenty four months in 40/80 hl. oak barrels, stainless-steel and concrete vats.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $27.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $30.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $35.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $39.00 | 750ml |
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04 February 2014
88PTS
Mazzei Badiola 2011
Tuscany, ItalyBadiola is born after Castello Fonterutoli and Fonterutoli. The plate is fresh and leans toward the red fruit, fragrant sangiovese style flecked with tobacco, leather and spice aromas. The attack is Italian dry, but round and soft on entry with black cherry, cassis, liquorice and coffee flavours. It is aged in American oak barrels that gives it an open friendly style for early drinking. Pizza, sushi, grilled meats all work here. The 2011 mix is 70/30 sangiovese/merlot selected from five different sites of mixed sandstone and limestone ranging from 220 - 510 metres above sea level.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $20.00 | 750ml |
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03 February 2014
86PTS
Argento Classic Malbec 2012
Mendoza, ArgentinaFresh floral savoury nose with bits of black and red fruits. The attack is firm and peppery with cherry jam, savoury, roasted mushroom and licorice flavours dusted with milk chocolate. Well made for the price and would be at home with most grilled meat dishes.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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01 February 2014
86PTS
Haarth Orgánico Semillon-Chenin 2011
Mendoza, ArgentinaThe blend is an unusual organic mix of sémillon and chenin blanc. Look for an aromatic, floral/almond nose with bits of grapefruit, lemon, honey and green apple skin. Decent minerality but some lingering bitterness in the back end. Try this with grilled chicken dishes.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Casa Silva Doña Dominga Sauvignon Blanc Semillon Single Vineyard La Hijuela 2011
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileNot sure how a vineyard in planted in 1912 can be involved in a $13 wine but these all-original, pre-phylloxera plants, by way of Bordeaux, more than over deliver. The blend is not only balanced but bright with melon, mango and guava flavours with flecks of grass. The blend is 50/50 sauvignon sémillon from the La Hijuela Vineyard in Colchagua. Yields are an amazingly low 30 hectolitres per hectare and its all stainless steel ferment. Back up the truck.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Colomé Malbec Estate 2011
Calchaqui Valley, Salta, North, ArgentinaThe blend is 85 malbec and 15 per cent tannat, cabernet sauvignon and petite verdot all grown in the upper Calchaqui Valley between 2300 and 3111 metres above sea level. It's all aged in French oak but only 20 per cent is new. Blackberries and blackcurrants mix with cherries and raspberries flecked by floral (violet) and mineral/iron notes. The attack is soft and round with fresh acidity and tasty black cherry, black olive, plum, liquorice and chocolate notes. Love the long warm savoury beef friendly finish. Delicious. A favourite on the Earls Restaurant reserve list. Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Michel Gassier Syrah Les Piliers 2011
Costières de Nîmes, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceI love the power and presence of this huge, peppery, mineral, meaty garrigue-scented red. The attack is similarly rich and mouth filling with rich but fine-grained tannins and fresh savoury liquorice minty cherry, chocolate flavours. The finish is persistent, fresh and youthful. Age three years or serve now with grilled meats or hard mature cheese.Prices:| BC | $22.50 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Clos du Soleil Capella 2011
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe latest in the super restrained, Similkameen style of sauvignon blanc with a five percent sémillon added for complexity. A cool year has dampened the fruit flavours so you have to dig deep to pick up the grapefruit, guava notes but there is plenty of wet stone minerality that screams for clams or mussels or oysters. Austere, mysterious and a touch bitter this is made for aficionados of the essence of wine.Prices:| BC | $24.90 | 750ml |
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86PTS
C.C. Jentsch The Chase 2012
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThere's lots to like here including the balance, the texture, the softness, the tannin management and freshness. The mix is 35/34/12.5/11/ 7 merlot, cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot, cabernet franc and malbec. What it needs is to 'chase' more physiological ripeness and shed some of the tomato flavours. Less cabernet sauvignon and impossible to ripen petit verdot would likely help too. Yet all in all I like the wine and the styling and give it high marks for persistence and freshness. Perfect for a southern France cassoulet or a hardy winter stew. Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Maison Blanche Medoc 2009
Bordeaux, FranceThis is one of the best value cru Bourgeois we have seen in years in B.C. The 80/20 merlot/ cabernet sauvignon mix is put together by highly regarded winemaker Stéphane Derenoncourt who works with 90 some wineries around the world. The soils are a diverse mix of gravel and clayey limestone. The fruit is ripe but with a juicy red fruit tinge underneath. The palate is dense and weighty with smoky, spicy, dark fruit flavours with a black liquorice finish. Impress weight and structure if a touch alcoholic. Good value and a wonderful bottle for BC wineries to contemplate regarding price and quality. Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Napa Valley, California, United StatesThere is never anything shy about a Paul Hobbs cabernet be it from California or Argentina and while a cooler 2010 growing season may have muted some if its biggest notes this is still a power red from Napa. Dense and spicy, there are notes of cherry/chocolate mix with curry, cassis, black olive, liquorice and coffee aromas. The textures are supple with more muscular blackberry, black olive, savoury, cedar, and floral fruit. Warm rich polished and ready for any steak you can think of serving.Prices:| BC | $110.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $82.00 | 750ml |
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March 2014