quicksearch
Tastings: April 2014
25 April 2014
88PTS
Yalumba Old Bush Vine Grenache Barossa 2012
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaBlack cherry jam, orange peel, meaty, peppery, spicy, tobacco aromas. Round, fresh, juicy palate with very light tannins and some mid-plate warmth. Look for black raspberry jam with orange, savoury, peppery, chocolate, liquorice highlights. A fun, juicy style made for food.Prices:| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
24 April 2014
90PTS
Gianni Brunelli Brunello di Montalcino 2009
Montalcino, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyThe consensus on 2009 Brunello is good but not great and perhaps best drunk sooner than later. It's a good example of a wine that would be better off spending less time in wood if it was allowed. Gianni Brunelli's death has brought his wife Laura fully into the business of Brunello and she seems perfectly suited to the elegant style of the Brunelli Brunello. The nose is fresh offering the classic red fruit, dried herbs, liquorice savoury aromas and flavours. Plenty of acidity makers it food friendly and in the case of the '09 it's ready to drink now.Prices:| BC | $83.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
93PTS
Gianni Brunelli Brunello di Montalcino 2008
Montalcino, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyThe 08 Brunelli Brunello is a wonderful bottle of wine. Again the Brunelli pinot/old nebbiolo style is mixed with scents of cherries and earth, spice and oak that open into a supple, well-balanced red with spice, tar red fruits and well managed acidity. Love the push and pull of the weight and complexity that dissolves into strong, long mineral finish. My favourite kind of wine that is balanced from the get go.Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Gianni Brunelli Brunello di Montalcino 2007
Montalcino, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyThe 07 is an inviting liquorice, mineral, menthol treat on the nose with a somewhat sweeter hint of cherries and tobacco leather from a favourable vintage. Known for finesse the 07 Brunelli exhibits power and length from front to back in the glass. The core is supple ripe red fruit with silky tannins and persistent length. Maturation includes thirty months in 20 hectolitre oak casks. Only 6000 bottles released.Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Miopasso Fiano 2012
Sicily, ItalyHoney, ripe pear, nutty, guava, orange and apricot aromas, quite ripe style. Soft, round, creamy palate with juicy mango, pear, ginger, orange, butter and apricot flavours with a fresh, juicy finish. Solid style with some intensity that should be good with halibut and a fruit salsa.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Mastro Greco Campania 2012
Campania, ItalyRipe pear, spicy, lees, nutty, apricot, lemon and quince aromas. Fresh, dry, creamy and juicy palate with honey, red apple, spiced pear, lemon, herbs and quince flavours. Good acidity, expression and concentration to go with most seafood. May improve with 1-2 years in bottle. Solid value here.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Van Westen Vineyards Voluptuous 2010
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVanilla, cedar, liquorice, resin, chocolate, poultry spice, plum pudding, waxy, meaty aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy but slightly lean palate with youthful tannins. Black cherry, peppery, tobacco, rooty, coffee, liquorice, vanilla, olive, balsamic and resin flavours. A bit warm on the finish but youthful and needs another two to four years to round out and integrate the oak. Solid effort in a tough year.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Van Westen Vineyards V 2010
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig spicy, peppery, liquorice, blackberry jam, coffee, saddle leather, sage, tobacco and vanilla. Rich, concentrated, juicy and somewhat tannic structure with chocolate, black pepper, cardamom, vanilla, cassis jam and cedar flavours with a light balsamic and roasted pepper finish. Young and robust with oak and tannins to shed but has good potential here in 3-5 years. Really impressive for the vintage.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Red Rooster Meritage Reserve 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCoffee, chocolate, peppery, leather, meaty, sage, cedar, black cherry and curry spice. Fresh, round, light and juicy palate with smoky espresso, cedar, plum, black cherry, tobacco, vanilla and black olive flavours with a light, weedy, herbal finish. Simple, easy-sipping style red with an oaky streak.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $29.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Thirty Bench Red 2011
Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaCoffee, vanilla, liquorice, black pepper, black olive, cassis, boysenberry, tobacco and cedar aromas. Soft, round, plush palate with light, silky tannins. Blackberry, coffee, cassis, black pepper, roasted bell pepper, vanilla, resin and tobacco flavours with a bit of black olive and smoke. A bit oaky now but should improve with 2-4 years. Good solid effort here with some nice balance and only 13.4% alcohol. Grilled steak are affine match.Prices:| ON | $24.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
94PTS
Gianni Brunelli Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2006
Montalcino, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyAlways an impressive wine, the '06 is beginning to grow into its big shoes mixing spicy, plum, peppery fruit with floral, strawberry, smoky liquorice root aromas. With time the supple, elegant, moderately rich palate has begun to assert itself on the mid-palate. More leather, cherry jam, barnyard, meaty, peppery savoury flavours. Still persistent throughout the finish but maturation is tempering this big red's finish. Steak Florentine is the match. The fruit is a mix of two sites including Le Chiuse di Sotto, a 2 ha vineyard below the hill town of Montalcino and the 4.5 ha Podernovone vineyard south of Montalcino. Prices:| BC | $138.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
23 April 2014
91PTS
Gianni Brunelli Rosso di Montalcino 2010
Montalcino, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyThe 2010 is a good as it gets for Rosso and now with a bit of bottle age it really makes a statement. Look for an intense nose of black cherries and with a white pepper spice and mushroom. The palate is similar in flavours with terrific intensity and refined silky tannins. It's drinking perfectly now. The Rosso is always made from a mix of vineyards and aged six months in oak casks allowing one to approach the essence of the property at a much earlier drinking window.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Gianni Brunelli Rosso di Montalcino 2011
Montalcino, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyOff a mix of vineyards and aged six months in oak casks the Brunelli Rosso offers a chance to approach the essence of the property at a much earlier drinking window thanks to a style made to be consumed much sooner than the full-blown Brunello di Montalcino. At a winery whose Brunello is more pinot or nebbiolo in style than sangiovese, the Rosso is predictably fruity offering supple, ripe red fruit with a dash of mushroom and earth. Cedar tobacco and cherries are the perfect tonic for a simple mushroom pasta dish.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
21 April 2014
89PTS
Chateau de Sancerre 2012
Sancerre, Upper Loire, Loire, FranceOpen fresh bright nose of citrus nose with flecks of bell peppers and grassy grapefruit aromas. The attack is fresh with a strong herbaceous, lime rind, mineral, citrus fruit flavour. Fish cakes, goat cheese or sashimi will all work here. Solid effort but it could do without the cork that clearly shaves off the most delicate edges of this wine.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $28.50 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
19 April 2014
83PTS
Castoro de Oro Estate Grand Reserve Merlot 2006
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCooked jammy aromas with oxidative notes. Smooth soft merlot like textures with some spicy, dark fruit flavours but a bit too old at this point to enjoy. Drink now and support with cheese.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
LaStella Maestoso Solo Merlot 2011
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMaestoso is shaped by the great Super Tuscan that celebrate merlot and grapes on clay based soils and high density plantings. The colour is black and the attack is rich and warm. Long and cool was the seasonal recipe for ripe but not too alcoholic, well only 14.4. Black and blue fruit flavours with a smoky savoury, spicy mid-palate prepare you for the long warm persistent finish with a whack of tannin. A no holds barred red stretching it legs. A leg of lamb is the current match for this ginormous Osoyoos Lake District merlot. Only 21 percent oak was a wise choice.Prices:| BC | $100.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Painted Rock Merlot 2011
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeppery, clove, smoky, vanilla, plum, black olive, tobacco and herb aromas with a hint of chocolate. Dry, fresh, slightly lean and tart with light tannins. Chocolate, coffee, sour cherry, vanilla, tobacco, poultry spice, herb and cedar flavours. Solid finesse but the finish is lean and showing some acidity. Needs a few years to flesh out and it will but like 2010, a challenging vintage.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Stag's Hollow Renaissance Merlot 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA heavily smoked nose, a la first growth Bordeaux, but in this case the wood is American. The smoke and oak gives way to black cherry/plum and liquorice aromas all in a cleaner style than last year. The attack is smooth, the palate round and the tannins chalky and well managed. A bit blousy and older style with the vanilla cherry/chocolate flavours and savoury undercurrent. Needs another one to three years to fully develop but it remains a solid bottle of merlot. There is three percent cabernet sauvignon in the mix.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
StoneCap Merlot 2012
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesWarm meaty smoky black fruit nose. The attack is thin with some prominent acidity mixing with a sweetish, cran-cherry peppery fruit. Best with grilled hamburgers or a meaty pizza.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Merlot 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCool reserved nose with cedar, tobacco, resin and black cherry aromas. The attack is peppery and dry with more resiny, cedar, coffee balsamic flavours with a cool splash of red fruits. Plenty of acidity and moderate tannins call for food. Not really showing much at this point other than it is from an ordinary, cool vintage. Best with grilled meats at this point.Prices:| ON | $23.15 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
83PTS
Inniskillin Okanagan Estate Series Merlot 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAnother cool year has spawned a resiny, peppery, savoury nose with just a hint of red fruit. The attack is warm and peppery with an astringent mid-palate of smoky, resiny, tomato leaf and black cherry flavours. Lean herbaceous finish. Must be served with meat.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
18 April 2014
86PTS
StoneCap Syrah 2012
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesStoneCap wines are all estate-grown on the Goose Ridge Vineyard in the Columbia Valley in view of Red Mountain. The nose is meaty, to the point of gamey perhaps reflecting the dash of mourvèdre in the blend, the attack is round and supple reflecting its other blender merlot. Look for fruity mid-palate with a blueberry and plum flavours with flecked with a smoky, tobacco coffee and some acidity pushing through the back end. Again grilled meats are the best match or serve with mature, hard cheeses. Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Three Winds Syrah 2012
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceA Euro- version of this popular price bracket. The nose is spicy and smoky with hints of tar, violets and black pepper. The attack is lean, a little more tightly-wound that its New World competitors. Expect as peppery, meaty, juicy black cherry, liquorice flavoured red at a great price. Lamb chops or grilled beef would be a fine match.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Qui Ocho Syrah 2012
Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileYou don't get much for $13.75 so I take my hat off to this, slightly sweet (but tolerable) syrah with a savoury smoked meat nose and palate. The attack is soft and supple, the mid plate sweet with a hint of acidity before ending dry and short. That said dollar for dollar this is a solid barbecue red that is cheap enough to pour for the hordes but still appeal to a wine crowd. Chicken, pork and beef will all work when grilled.Prices:| BC | $13.75 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Township 7 Merlot 2010
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSavoury, herbaceous, leathery nose with coffee, spicy, and menthol notes. The attack is rustic with big wood tannins sitting on the fruit. Dry, astringent palate with coffee, chocolate, spicy, cherry vanilla flavours. This will need some bottle time but with so little fruit it may be pointless. Serve with grilled meat. Tough vintage.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Elias Mora Toro 2010
Toro, Castilla-Leon, SpainToro tempranillo is always a touch more rustic that it Rioja kin. In this case the nose is earthy, with hints of barnyard and black cherry/raspberry fruit. The attack is soft with chalky dusty tannins and more red fruit and gentle tempranillo tannins. Is Toro starting to shed its rusticity? Full malolactic and 100 percent new American oak have help to tame the rough edges. Try this with grilled lamb or whole roasted chicken.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
17 April 2014
90PTS
Culmina Family Estate Hypothesis 2011
Golden Mile Bench, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe best first release I can remember from a local winery and six months down the road at a second tasting it has put on some flesh and weight to add to its appeal. A plethora of pepper, liquorice, tobacco, cedar and violets notes mark its complex Bordelais nose (40/26/34 cabernet franc/merlot/cabernet sauvignon) with cranberry, meaty, black olive aromas. The attack is dry, and elegant, the palate fresh with the fine grain tannins giving way to smoky pepper, vanilla, cassis, black cherry flavours flecked with tobacco, orange peel and olive. Youthful but getting richer and adding mid-palate texture and weight. Still need another two to four years to fully mature but tracking nicely. An impressive first edition with a Right Bank Bordeaux styling.Prices:| BC | $38.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
16 April 2014
86PTS
Le Jaja de Jau Syrah 2012
Cotes de Gascogne, Sud-Ouest, FranceSimple, straightforward syrah with a lifted floral, resiny, blueberry aromas and flavours. The textures are soft and round with a warm spicy finish. A mid-week red for hamburgers or other grilled meat dishes.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
M. Chapoutier Marius Grenache Syrah 2011
Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceMarius is a blend of grenache and syrah fruit from the Languedoc-Roussillon. Michel Chapoutier names the wine after his grandfather, Marius and then went about making a delicious drinking red. An intriguing mix of juicy crushed red and black berries, a sprinkle of garrigue dark and soft easy sipping tannins. A reasonably complex, food-friendly red perfect for grilled chicken kabobs or lamb chops. Back up the truck.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
92PTS
Willi Schaefer Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spatlese 2012
Mosel, GermanyClassic Mosel so intense and pure on the nose and palate and all at a mere 7.5 percent alcohol. Look for delicate floral aromas with spicy red apple fruit all with just a hint of sweetness and a long, balanced, mineral, stony finish. Wonderful acidity and freshness makes this very food friendly. This will live forever.Prices:| BC | $49.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Falernia Carmenère Syrah Reserva 2011
Valle del Elqui, ChileBig spicy, black cherry, plum jam, savoury, black pepper, mint, dried eucalyptus aromas with light smoked meat notes. Fresh, round, juicy and dry palate with light tannins. Blackberry, savoury, liquorice meaty, chocolate, vanilla and five spice flavours with a bit of marmalade and cedar on the finish. Despite a warm finish, this has plenty of fruit and intensity without being too big offering the best of both varieties. Excellent value here.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
14 April 2014
88PTS
Haywire Gamay Noir Rosé 2011
Summerland Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAnother evolution in the right direction for this drink-it-with-food rosé. Its pink/orange colour, a la Provence, remains enticing as is the bright, red fruit nose. The attack is crisp and awash in citrus/raspberry/watermelon fruit flavours that will grab your attention from all sides. Crisp and juicy it calls out for crab or my favourite summer dish: a watermelon salad.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Clos du Soleil Rosé 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaI'm always suspect of cabernet sauvignon rosé. Was it made to improve the original cabernet or was it grown to be a rosé. Much like last year the latest Clos du Soleil is a pleasant mix of orange tinted cranberry/strawberry scented fruit, the attack is round and soft and, yes a bit sweet, but not too sweet. Try this with grilled pork or a plate of charcuterie.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Baillie-Grohman Blanc de Noirs 2013
Creston, British Columbia, CanadaThe second edition of this rosé is another step up the quality ladder. Medium red/pink; the nose is a mix of sweet strawberries guava and rhubarb with a twist of citrus. The attack is smooth and sweet with hint of spice and an herbaceous undercurrent that buffers the sugar. Try this with spicy pork ribs or grilled fish. 18 grams of residual sugar.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Bartier-Scholefield B-S Rosé Table Wine 2011
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSlightly reduced on the nose but it mostly cleans up in the glass. This rosé vineyard built using the gamay grapes. The style is light and refreshing if not stark with bracing acidity and earthy, red fruit flavours. I'm a big fan of this style (although this could be cleaner) and you will be to when you have it with food. Chicken, mussels, charcuterie it will all work here.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGrapefruit, gooseberry, light grassy, butter and green apple aromas with a hint of nettle. Fresh, juicy, creamy palate with a hint of sweetness. Pink grapefruit, grassy, lemon, butter, light lees and granny smith apple flavours with a bit of smoky spice on the finish. Good finesse and balance for any seafood.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
84PTS
Finca Los Primos Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon Rose Frizzante 2013
San Rafael, General Alvear, Southern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaPale raspberry colour with a sweet, floral, cherry/earthy floral as if they splashed some torrontés in the mix. Fresh, sweet juicy, frizzante palate with cherry, liquorice, lemon, flavours. More muscat than malbec but would be fin to sip well chilled on a super-hot day.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Batasiolo Nebbiolo Langhe Rosso 2011
Piedmont, ItalySpicy, plum, black cherry, liquorice, light leather, herb and floral aromas. Ripe, round, fresh and juicy palate with black cherry, pepper and savoury, meaty, smoky flavours. Good fruit and balance for current drinking with some light tannins on the finish to go with beef, lamb or fowl. Good value here.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $19.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Falernia Syrah Reserva 2010
Valle del Elqui, ChileBig black liquorice, black pepper, poultry spice, smoky resin, tobacco and meat aromas with bits of black cherry and leather. Full, smooth, rich and round palate with juicy acidity and light, fine tannins. Chocolate, tobacco, black pepper, meaty, black cherry, blackberry, resin, licorice, coffee grind and herb flavours. Good intensity and length despite some warmth but continued fine value here. Well done.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
13 April 2014
88PTS
Famille Perrin Rasteau L'Andéol 2011
Rasteau, Côtes du Rhône Villages, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceHello roast chicken. That's what I thought as soon as I stuck my nose in this grenache/syrah blend from Rasteau, in the Southern Rhone. This vineyard is cradled in a south facing site, protected from the cooling Mistral wind. The grenache, dominant in this wine, is apparent on a nose of wild strawberries, garrigue and white pepper. The trio continues on the juicy palate, joined by fig, black cherry, cinnamon bark and bittersweet cocoa. Tannins are low, showing slightly sticky clay, and the palate is ripe and juicy, finishing with streaks of white pepper and a touch of heat. First sniff was right - roast chicken dinner is the match here. Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $26.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Quails' Gate Chardonnay 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA fantastic, fresh, dry direction for Quails' Gate under winemaker Nikki Callaway. Bright white florals, lemon blossom, melon and light clove aromas. The juicy palate is more of the same, with abundant ripe musk melon, vanilla peach jam and lime pith spice. A touch of cream on the palate plumps up gently and subtly, carrying all this ripe Okanagan fruit. Well done. Pour with poultry.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $22.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $21.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $23.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $23.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
08 April 2014
87PTS
Mer Soleil Silver Unoaked Chardonnay 2012
Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, Central Coast, California, United StatesPeach, honey, floral, tropical fruit nose with a bit of baked apple and lees. Rich, full, round, juicy and off dry palate with canned grapefruit, pineapple, honey, baked peach and guava flavours with a bit of butter. Better balance than last vintage and ready to drink. Chicken salad would be a fine match.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $30.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Cono Sur Single Vineyard Block 25 Syrah 2012
Valle de San Antonio, Region de Aconcagua, ChileMade in open top fermenters and aged in 20% new oak, this deeply coloured wine offers big spicy, black cherry, black olive, floral, smoky, savoury, meaty, plum aromas. Rich, full, dry, juicy palate with some youthful, grainy tannins. White pepper, plum, rooty, floral, vanilla, tobacco, tapenade and roast pepper flavours with a meaty note on the finish. Young with good concentration, should improve with 2-4 years aging. Like all the single vineyard series, this offers excellent value.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Paul & Phillipe Zinck Pinot Blanc 2012
Alsace, FranceGreen apple, ripe pear, waxy, fig, earthy, citrus aromas. Round, juicy, off dry but fresh palate with ripe apple, lees, light butter, honey and baked pear flavours. Good intensity with some texture on the finish. Good value here. Drink all spring and summer.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $17.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Clos du Soleil Grower's Series Baessler Pinot Blanc 2013
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, candied apple, pear, light honey and citrus aromas. Fresh, juicy, round palate with green apple, pear, light honey and lees flavours with a citrusy finish. Nice juicy, elegant style for seafood. Consistently well done. Try it with you favourite sashimi.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Pinot Blanc 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaNow single-vineyard, the reserve Pinot Blanc is grown over gravel and sandy loam soils in east Kelowna at the Lakeshore Vineyard Estate. The wine has undergone an impressive mineral, tangerine, guava transfusion. Floral and fresh with a waft of almonds this is a delicate white for simply prepared seafood dishes. There is plenty of citrus and cool pear/yellow fruit flavours to entertain. Perfect oak treatment because you hardly notice it.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Domaine Drouhin Arthur Chardonnay 2012
Willamette Valley, Oregon, United StatesCitrus, floral attractive nutty lees nose with light vanilla aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy but creamy palate with green apple, waxy, nutty, butterscotch, spicy, nectarine skin and pea shoot flavours with a citrusy finish. Good intensity but still youthful and will continue to improve in bottle. Perfect with fresh halibut. Arthur is made from 100% Dijon clones that were first planted in Oregon in 1992. Prices:| BC | $32.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $28.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Douglas Green Chardonnay 2012
Western Cape, South AfricaGreen apple, peach, light lees, grassy, earthy aromas. Fresh, juicy, round palate with green apple skin, canned grapefruit, butter and lees flavours. Simple, fresh style suited to luncheons and patio.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
84PTS
Inniskillin Okanagan Estate Series Pinot Blanc 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFresh pleasant light lees nose with tropical fruit notes. The attack is dry and fairly tart with resiny green apple skin notes throughout the finish. The finish is dry and acidic. A bit austere but should be better with pork, chicken or even turkey.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Batasiolo Barolo 2009
Piedmont, ItalyBig earthy, cherry, prune, barnyard nose with bits of sweaty saddle leather, smoked meat and strong tarry notes. Fresh, dry, juicy, elegant but slightly tannic palate with tarry, smoky, cherry, liquorice root, leather, coffee and tobacco flavours. Good fruit and intensity on the palate but a bit rustic in the aromatics. Best with mushroom dishes.Prices:| BC | $36.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $34.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $30.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $38.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $30.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Peller Estates Family Series Pinot Blanc 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFresh, peachy, grassy green apple skin nose. The attack is crisp, with lean, grapefruit rind, green apple flavours with butter and chalk. Fresh enough and clean upfront but with some underlying bitterness. Try it with crab cakes.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.50 | 750ml |
| SK | $13.50 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Lake Sonoma Chardonnay 2012
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesSpicy, nutty lees, butterscotch, toasty, waxy, honey aromas. Fat, round, full palate with a touch of sweetness. Butterscotch, popcorn, honey, baked peach, canned grapefruit, lees and tropical flavours. Ripe, blousy, soft style that will appeal to those who prefer an older style California chardonnay.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Bonterra Vineyards Chardonnay 2012
Mendocino County, California, United StatesFresh, honey, lees, baked apple and butterscotch aromas. Fresh, juicy, slightly sweet entry with nutty lees, canned peach, grapefruit rind, waxy, passion fruit and apple flavours. Not quite as good as previous editions. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $20.50 | 750ml |
| NS | $19.00 | 750ml |
| NF-LAB | $19.50 | 750ml |
| SK | $22.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Mer Soleil Reserve Chardonnay 2011
Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, Central Coast, California, United StatesVanilla, toasted oak, nutty lees and pineapple, guava aromas flecked with honey, peach, baked apple aromas. The attack is soft and juicy with vanilla, butterscotch, baked peach, canned grapefruit and honey flavours with spicy lees, cinnamon and candied orange. Finish is ripe and creamy with some bitter lime rind. Drink up with fresh cracked crab or lobster.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $30.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
07 April 2014
90PTS
Cono Sur 20 Barrels Limited Edition Pinot Noir 2011
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileOne of the better Chilean pinots we have tasted this year and still affordable. Look for a big cherry strawberry plum nose and palate with fruit sweetness and acidity pulling at each other causing pleasing tension. Elegant but with a certain richness and volume you might not expect. Tannins are silky and the finish smoky, spicy and lengthy. Try this with your favourite mushroom-inspired dish.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Hess Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
North Coast Region, California, United StatesSavoury, chocolate, menthol, cassis, peppery, green bean, leather aromas. Fresh, juicy, slightly tannic palate with earthy, coffee, leather, prune, cassis, menthol, tobacco and carrot top flavours with a riparian note. Solid, chunky style for current drinking with grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
La Jara Prosecco Frizzante Organic 2013
Treviso, Verona, Veneto, ItalyFresh fine mousse with bright green apple, pear, citrus and slightly nutty, floral aromas. Very creamy, and fresh palate but on the dry side with pear, light honey, anise, green apple, herb and nut flavours. Good intensity and balance in a non-sweet, more food-friendly style. Well made. Closed under cork but with a nifty ceramic closer attached for use after opening.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Pirramimma Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaPeppery, cedar, celery salt, licorice root, resin, coffee, cassis, blackberry and prune aromas. Rich, full, round, slightly tart palate with light, gritty tannins. Warm coffee, peppery, cassis, green bean, black pepper, resin, blueberry and tobacco flavours with a slightly acidic finish. Try this with grilled lamb chops or flank steak.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $27.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
StoneCap Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesPeppery, smoky, cassis, tobacco leaf, rooty, somewhat rubbery aromas. Round, smooth, fresh but slightly lean palate with black olive, cassis, tobacco, black tea, resin, herbal and coffee flavours. Simple, easy-sipping pizza red.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Irony Small Lot Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Napa Valley, California, United StatesSpicy, cassis, peppery, tobacco nose with cedar, chocolate and prune aromas. Soft, round, easy palate with herbal, black olive, chocolate, peppery fruit and minty, tobacco, cedar finish. Warm and tart this needs some meat to temper the acidity.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Vina Robles Karma Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, Central Coast, California, United StatesStewed prune, tobacco, black olive, blackberry, peppery, resin and menthol aromas. Full, fresh, somewhat astringent palate with dry tannins. Tart cherry, coffee, blackberry, prune, tobacco, mint and leather flavours. Has lots of flavour but the finish is too acidic for the fruit.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Six Hats Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Western Cape, South AfricaClean fruity cherry, blackberry nose with earthy, tobacco, chocolate aromas. Smooth, round and fresh with some mid-palate sweetness. Cassis, sour cherry, chocolate, and compost flavours mark the palate with some acidity pushing through the rear end. Easy-sipping barbecue red.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
83PTS
No. 99 Wayne Gretzky Okanagan Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBlack olive, resin, tobacco, meaty, leesy, peppery aromas. Round, slightly sweet and sour palate with light astringent tannins. Peppery, prune, cassis, compost, tobacco, black olive, coffee flavours. Finish is lean and tart. Underripe.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Lake Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesCool peppery, cedar, cassis nose with green olive and tobacco leaf notes. The palate is round the texture juicy with grainy tannins and more smoky, peppery, cedar, menthol, herbal, savoury fruit flecked with coffee and prunes. Lots of stuffing but on the warm and rustic side and low in ripe fruit. Serve with roasted meats.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
84PTS
Trius Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Ontario, CanadaMinty, peppery, cassis, riparian, tobacco leaf nose with cedar, resin and medicine chest aromas. Dry, slightly tart, grainy palate with light astringency. Coffee grind, cedar, rooty, tobacco leaf, black olive, cassis and thyme flavours. On the mean and lean and skinny side. Serve with a juicy hamburger for best results.Prices:| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Haarth Organico Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Mendoza, ArgentinaLeather, cassis, prune, chocolate, meaty, peppery nose with lifted minty, balsamic aromas. Round, dry, chunky palate with smoky, meaty, peppery, resin, chocolate, tobacco, prune and earth flavours. Warm, full bodied rustic style for any meat and bbq dish. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
06 April 2014
87PTS
Black Sage Vineyard Pipe 2008
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPipe a fortified wine made in the south Okanagan is a blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc. Grain spirit is used to stop the fermentation and turn this into a 19 percent LBV style port. It's been aged in neutral oak for more than three years. All in all a solid effort if a little bit too oxidised. The fruit is figgy and sweet and would be fine with chocolate or nutty cakes but a pinch cleaner fruit would really take this to a higher level.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 500ml |
Read Full Note
91PTS
Yangarra GSM 2011
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaGrenache planted in 1946 is at the base of this amazingly balanced and fresh GSM that sings from a different page of the Australian red wine songbook. The 41/31/28 blend of grenache/shiraz/mourvèdre is simply a delight to nose and drink. Cherries and pepper, strawberries and chocolate all conspire in a gentle way to turn your head and draw you into this cool-climate, fragrant red that doesn't give up on the back palate. Crazy good in a difficult year and are you ready, it's certified biodynamic.Prices:| BC | $27.69 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Marimar Estate Chardonnay Don Miguel Vineyard La Masia 2010
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesThree different chardonnay clones: 61% See, 21% Rued and 18.0% Spring Mountain are behind this blend. Barrel fermented in French oak; 20% is new; it goes through 100% malolactic fermentation and is aged on its lees for ten months. Expect an open, inviting nose of citrus and hazelnuts with a fresh, stony minerality underneath. Suitably generous it has classic rich, Russian River styling but with Torres elegance and restraint. Tropical fruit notes mix with exotic flecks of orange and spice. Not for skinny chardonnay fans but excellent nonetheless. Try this with lobster or crab dishes.Prices:| BC | $38.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $54.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Peller Estates Private Reserve Cabernet Franc 2011
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaThe Reserve franc is a mix of estate and purchased fruit from the Four Mile Creek appellation. It spends about a year in American and French oak adding smoke and spice to its cedar-y, red fruit nose. The palate is a peppery mix of currants, tobacco and black tea. The finish is long, warm, spicy and persistent if a little bit skinny. Solid and would be a fine match with steak frites.Prices:| ON | $22.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
85PTS
Oops Carmenere 2012
Region del Valle Central, ChileClassic peppery, leafy nose with bits of leather and red fruit. Soft, silky resiny fruit flavours that finish short and dry and a touch sweet. A friendly hamburger/pizza red that improves with food. Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Falernia Carmenère Reserva 2011
Valle del Limari, ChileAromatic ripe scented red with cassis, tobacco, pepper and plum jam notes. The attack is fresh and lively with sweet candied plums and green, leafy, peppery liquorice notes with a long sweet finish. An easy-sipping style of red wine with a fair bit of alcohol and sweetness (passito-style) but oddly with a herbaceous undercurrent. Not for everyone but then carmenère rarely is.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Philippe Gimel Saint Jean Du Barroux La Source 2010
Ventoux, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FrancePhilippe Gimel is situated in the northern Vaucluse, Saint Jean du Barroux owns 37 acres of vines in the appellation Ventoux. Gimel comes by way of Châteauneuf du Pape where he worked at Domaine de La Janasse and Château de Beaucastel. The label, like the wine is minimalist. He has eschewed the Ventoux appellation because he aspires to a higher level of wine. The Source is a blend of grenache, carignan, and cinsault. It is an entry level wine that packs a punch. The nose is aromatic and lifted showing some alcohol with dried herbs/garrigue and liquorice notes. The attack is more full than medium bodied with stony, black cherry fruit, dried herbs and tobacco. There enough tannin for another half decade in the bottle. A bit rustic for the moment but it should settle down with time.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Veramonte Red Blend 2012
Region del Valle Central, ChileThe blend is 45/25/20/7/3/ cabernet sauvignon, merlot, carmenère syrah and cabernet franc. The styling is warm, soft and sweet. The attack round with spicy oak, sweet cherries and a leafy, minty, resiny undercurrent. Simple, easy-sipping, sweet-ish red that can be tamed with spicy entrees or chocolate.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
05 April 2014
86PTS
Haarth Organico Bonarda 2011
Mendoza, ArgentinaCertified organic, this bonarda opens with a somewhat reduced nose. Smoky, garlic lees notes mix with spice and sweet plums and vanilla. The attack is warm (alcoholic) and soft and with time in the glass it cleans up a bit with chewy, black liquorice and fruit flavours. Big enough for flank steak but likely more at home with hamburgers or meaty pizzas.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Monte del Frà Bardolino 2012
Verona, Veneto, ItalyLight open airy fresh with savoury, cedar, strawberry aromas and flavours. This is a summer style, picnic wine when compare to most modern reds. I would try it with spaghetti olio or even something like tuna based sushi rolls. It has just enough ripeness to carry even spicy rolls. Serve whenever you need something light and refreshing.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
04 April 2014
86PTS
Moselland Piesporter Michelsberg Riesling Kabinett 2012
Mosel, GermanyFresh green apple skin, slate with candied apple highlights. The attack is round and off-dry but with fine acidity and fresh, mineral, lime, orange and apple flavours. Certainly solid for the price and versatile with food.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
02 April 2014
86PTS
Saxon Estate Gewurztraminer 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFresh peachy, floral, lees with green apple skin and struck match aromas. Fresh, off dry, juicy palate with green peach, grapefruit, buttery lees, light litchi, leesy, grassy flavours. A bit tight and reductive but with air and time in the glass it comes around. An easy-sipping white that would work with a selection of sushi.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
84PTS
Anciano Gran Reserva Tempranillo Aged 7 Years 2005
Valdepeñas, Castilla-La Mancha, SpainSavoury, black olive, leather, black cherry/prune nose with bits of cigar smokes. The attack is round but with some prominent mid-palate acidity and more liquorice root, tobacco, cedar, black cherry resin flavours. Simple old classic style that would be best with grilled meats to counter the acidity.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Baillie-Grohman Gewurztraminer 2013
Creston, British Columbia, CanadaFresh floral, grapefruit rind, sausage, light litchi nose with a whiff of red apple. Fresh, round, juicy but somewhat sweet palate with grapefruit, ginger, litchi, pear and red apple flavours. A juicy picnic-style white.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Michel Torino Don David Finca Maravilla # 6 Malbec 2011
Cafayate, Calchaqui Valley, Salta, North, ArgentinaIntense rich tobacco, black pepper, plum fruit nose with earthy, blackberry and spice aromas. Ripe, round, dry, smooth palate with light tannin and stony, black cherry, smoky, savoury fruit flecked with balsamic, tobacco, peppery, vanilla notes. Love the density and purity in this wine for $20. Expect fine concentration with complexity too. Try this with a grilled meats or let it age another two to three years.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Argiolas Costamolino Vermentino di Sardegna 2012
Sardinia, ItalyAnother winner in 2012. Big ginger, floral, spicy, melon aromas mix with notes of quince, apple and citrus. Fresh, creamy, juicy, off-dry palate with honey, orange, baked pear, ginger and butter flavours. Lots of flavour here to easily match most summer seafood dishes or white meats including turkey.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.40 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Domaine Bousquet Malbec 2013
Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaCherry, cedar, tobacco, savoury, black olive and pepper aromas. Soft, round, fresh entry with a slightly sweet palate and light, chalky tannins. Cherry jam, poultry spice, earthy, liquorice, coffee grinds and dried herbs. Simple red wine for a mid-week barbecue.Prices:| MB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Michel Torino Cuma Organic Malbec 2012
Cafayate, Calchaqui Valley, Salta, North, ArgentinaBright open floral nose with savoury, liquorice and cool celery salt. The attack is fresh with leafy, cherry, red fruit flavours streaked with poultry spice, mushroom, and dried herbs. A cool style that does best with food. Beef tacos, or spaghetti Bolognese would be food choices.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Graffigna Centenario Malbec Reserve 2011
San Juan, ArgentinaOpen floral spicy, black cherry nose with leather and liquorice. The attack is fresh with a drier, savoury earthy, black cherry fruit flavours. Straight up simple style barbecue red for flank steak and or hamburgers. Prices:| MB | $14.25 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.50 | 750ml |
| BC | $14.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $16.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Oak Bay Vineyard Gewürztraminer 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGreen apple, apricot, spicy, floral, light litchi and ginger aromas. Full, soft, round, sweet entry with floral, soapy, ginger, honey flavours mixed with bits of litchi and baked pear flavours. Good intensity and concentration but it's on the sweet and soft side.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
90PTS
Achaval-Ferrer Malbec 2012
Mendoza, ArgentinaRichly aromatic with big peppery, cola, black liquorice, black cherry, plum, smoky notes mixed with flecks of cedar, paprika and vanilla aromas. Rich, full, round, juicy, stony palate with tobacco, meaty, peppery, cedar, savoury, black cherry, liquorice, coffee and mushroom flavours. Full flavoured edition with very good intensity for the money. A wine you can cellar for five years at a minimum or serve now with game or big meat dishes.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $28.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $25.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Sumac Ridge Gewürztraminer Private Reserve 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaNice red apple, peach, floral, spicy, apricot nose. Fresh, crisp, juicy palate with a touch of sweetness. Ginger, honey, canned grapefruit, green apple and butter flavours. Fine value in a light and juicy style white wine you can serve with light curries.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $10.45 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Luigi Bosca Malbec 2011
Mendoza, ArgentinaSlightly smoky, sausage meat, peppery, black cherry, resin, floral, vanilla aromas. Dry, full, round, slightly rustic palate with liquorice, coffee bean, peppery, smoky, black cherry, tobacco and herb flavours. Solid effort but lacks spark and life for $20.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Vistalba Corte C 2012
Vistalba District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaFriendly, spicy, tobacco, meaty, light barnyard, leather, black cherry, liquorice aromas flecked with floral, black cherry aromas. Rich, ripe, round, full and juicy palate with grainy tannins. Coffee, vanilla, peppery, cedar, tobacco, meaty, black cherry and plum flavours with a bit of poultry spice and smoke. A solid red made for steak or grilled lamb.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
88PTS
Chateau Labrande Cahors 2010
Cahors, Sud-Ouest, FranceFresh floral peppery, meaty nose with smoky resin and black cherry aromas all with a touch of barnyard. Dry, fresh, somewhat lean entry with light, astringent tannins. Oxo, peppery, smoky, prune, resin, leather, earthy, black cherry jam and balsamic flavours. Good intensity and length but rustic and young. Needs a few years to settle down or decant and serve it now with rare to medium-rare steak.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
Punta Final Reserva Malbec 2011
Mendoza, ArgentinaOnce you get buy the old chest of drawer notes upon opening you discover plenty to like about this spicy, cherry jam, floral incense scented red with liquorice root and tobacco aromas. The palate is round, dry and full with light, chalky tannins and smoky, chocolate, cedar, resiny cherry jam and vanilla flavours. Smooth, easy-sipping and ready to go. Where's the meat?Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
87PTS
TNT Chardonnay 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight floral, baked green apple, pea shoot and citrus aromas with a streak of lees. Dry, fresh, juicy palate with a creamy light buttered texture with lemon, baked pear, lees, dried herbs with a touch of bruised apple in the finish. Solid fun food style you can serve with local seafood and drink all summer.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
01 April 2014
87PTS
Kono Sauvignon Blanc 2013
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandFresh, crisp, light, friendly nose with citrus, guava, a whiff of asparagus and a hint of candied lemon. The attack is smooth and ripe with more lemon, passion fruit a pinch of co2 and a sweet softness in the finish. Best with mussels, young goat cheese or summer salads. Good value.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
83PTS
Jackson-Triggs Merlot Proprietors' Reserve 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaTart cool, spicy, cedar-y nose. The attack is dry and tart with a cool, thin structure with a fair bit of acidity, dry tannins and resiny, smoky toasted oak. Lean and mean with a fair bit of dry tannins. Try it with flank steak.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.95 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Herdade da Comporta 2008
Setúbal Peninsula, Central and Southern Portugal, PortugalAt four plus years in barrel and bottle this red has softer edges right out of the bottle. The fruit is mostly red and spicy with resiny, dry cherry fruit flavours with a touch of rustic tannins. A solid wine but expensive for what you get. Try this with a roasted bird or grilled lamb to subdue the tannins and dryness.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
89PTS
Quinta do Crasto Douro Vinho Tinto 2011
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalCrasto Douro red just goes from strength to strength. The blend is classic: tinta roriz, tinta barroca, touriga franca and touriga nacional, all co-fermented. The nose is fragrant with freshness and minerality throughout. The palate is super ripe with peppery, black plum/raisiny fruit with a refreshing floral undercurrent. Big rich and fruity it has a bright future. Good value.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
86PTS
Château Canada 2010
Bordeaux, FranceChateau Canada has been making wine for 114 years. The fruit comes off about 6 hectares of gently rolling vineyard in Cubzac-les-Ponts made up of clay, chalk and gravel soils. The blend is 70/30 merlot cabernet sauvignon, the vines are on average 25 years old. The 2010 is big on structure and design with a little less flesh but in this case more merlot helps to soften the edge of this drought vintage. Full bodied and dry it has a mix of earthy red, cedar, tobacco leaf and leathery notes. Try this with a grilled steak frites for best results.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
Read Full Note
May 2014