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Tastings: July 2014
31 July 2014
87PTS
Township 7 Rosé 2013
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPale pink almost onion skin colour. Soft round earthy, raspberry rhubarb and citrus aromas and flavours with flecks of sweet grapefruit and spice. The mix of fruit is 60/20/14.5/5.5 chardonnay, gewürztraminer, pinot gris and merlot for a hint of colour. Fresh and dry with hint of sagebrush. Food friendly and would be fun to serve with a charcuterie palate. Good value.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Tantalus Rosé 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSimilar to last year this opens with a squeeze of lemon, hard red candies and just hints of stony minerality. The palate is similar mix of floral, raspberry lemon flavours. The fruit comes a single vineyard block of pinot meunier vines planted in 1985 with a smidgeon of pinot noir. Fun fruity playful but with serious undertones.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Calliope Sauvignon Blanc 2013
British Columbia, CanadaCalliope is a Wyse family project (Burrowing Owl) bearing Keremeos, Similkameen Valley fruit. The style is fresh and easy drinking if a bit warm and fuzzy in the back end. Expect tropical fruit notes with flecks of candied grapefruit and orange. Solid if a touch dry and grassy in the finish. Commercial styling at a fair price.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $34.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Gehringer Brothers Sauvignon Blanc Dry Rock Vineyards 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaQuiet muted grassy fruit and melon nose. The attack is soft, the style is easy sipping with musk melons, grapefruit and light gooseberry fruit flavours. Clean simple fresh food friendly.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Kendall-Jackson Avant Sauvignon Blanc 2013
California, United StatesThe Avant fruit comes off of relatively cool Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino County sites but still maintains its ripe California KJ styling. Look for a tropical lime cordial nose with floral (rose) notes. The attack is similar with more tropical fruit, lime rind and just enough acidity to keep it interesting. The wines sees no oak. Try this with a charcuterie palate out-of-doors.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Ferrari-Carano Fume Blanc 2013
Sonoma County, California, United StatesEvery year I write a similar note for this consistent sauvignon as it continues its quiet evolution to be a leaner, fresher, more electric style sauvignon. No heat spikes in 2013 led to longer hang times and fully ripe flavours. The fruit is a mix of 100 percent sauvignon from several Sonoma County AVAs. After a cold settling the juice spends time in 65 percent stainless steel tanks or 35 percent French oak barrels for fermentation. Look for a creamy fresh texture with flavours of honeydew melon and lemongrass. Very food friendly, try with simple seafood and poultry dishes or surprise your guests and serve it with south Asian specialties.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $23.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Errazuriz Max Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2013
Aconcagua Costa, Valle de Aconcagua, Region de Aconcagua, ChileWe love the Max Reserva Sauvignon Blanc sourced mainly from the Manzanar Vineyard on the cool Aconcagua Costa some 12 km from the Pacific Ocean and 25 percent from Casablanca Valley. Just a hint of wine is fermented in barrel to retain the freshness but all of it is aged on its lees for complexity. We love the mix of citrus and dried herbs with just enough passion fruit to give it a fruity underbelly. The finish is long and creamy. First rate stuff in a boring second rate package. Isn't sauvignon supposed to be fun?Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Chateau Sainte Roseline Prestige Rose 2013
Côtes de Provence, Provence, Sud de France, FrancePleasant red berry nose reminiscent of strawberries and watermelon. The attack is soft and dry with firm acidity, the taste of citrus drizzled strawberries and a touch of underlying pink grapefruit rind. A fun midday sipper you can bring to the table and serve with grilled vegetables or chicken.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Chateau Sainte Roseline Cuvee Prieure Rose 2013
Côtes de Provence, Provence, Sud de France, FranceSerious pink. Love the red fruit and minerality here but with substantive mid-palate weight and even with some light tannins. You could age this but why bother just amp up the food and let the red cherry berry fruits cut into your dish. The finish is equally substantial. Try it with a great piece of cheese before or after dinner.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Jose Maria da Fonseca Moscatel Roxo Rose 2013
Setúbal Peninsula, Central and Southern Portugal, PortugalLove the pale onion skin colour here that matches up with the candied roses and orange blossom notes. The attack is drier than you expect but juicy and easy to sip. The finish is equally balanced. Really a fun summer pink you can serve with grilled fish, Portabello hamburgers or with a piece of fresh, goat cheese.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Sea Star Stella Blanc de Noir 2013
Pender Island, Southern Gulf Islands, British Columbia, CanadaThe Sea Star Blanc De Noir is an enticing onion skin/eye of the partridge tone made from island fruit grown at Clam Bay Farm. Gentle whole-cluster pressed fruit yields miniscule colour and a round almost sweet and sour fruit entry. Rhubarb and candied notes of watermelon spilled from the glass with light citrus and lemon peel notes mark the palate. Simple effective style for a warm summer day. Try this with a grilled prawn salad. Prices impossible to ascertain for some unknown reason apparently they are less than $20.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Porcupine Ridge Sauvignon Blanc 2013
Western Cape, South AfricaLight grassy nettle, artichoke nose with bits of citrus and grapefruit rind aromas. Fresh and just off-dry with grapefruit, jalapeno and green apple flavours. Good balance of sugar and acid in a simple style sauvignon. Try this with steamed shellfish.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Galil Mountain Rosé 2012
Upper Galilee, Galilee, IsraelFresh dry resiny rhubarb nose with flecks of red cherry. The attack is dry but resiny with herbal, floral leafy red fruit flavours. Not really a sipper but it would be fine with grilled vegetables or a goat cheese salad.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Chateau Routas 2013
Coteaux Varois, Provence, Sud de France, FranceThis will grab you right from its alluring onion-skin color and equally beguiling fruity nose. Fresh and fruity mixing strawberry plums and dried herbs with a dash of minerality and the candied fruit in the finish. Bright refreshing style that you can serve solo or with a variety of local summer dishes.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Hole in the Water Sauvignon Blanc 2013
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandNo mistaking this Kiwi sauvignon with its pungent green gooseberry nose and fresh citrus highlights. The weight and texture is front to back bright and refreshing with notes of mango, guava, lemon, asparagus and nettle. A fun wine to sip on a hot day or pair it with endless shellfish dishes.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Bench 1775 Sauvignon Blanc 2013
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWinemaker Val Tait made multiple passes through her vineyard to pick the freshest and the ripest fruit possible before putting it through gentle whole-cluster ferment. The wine is fresh with pink grapefruit notes and quite a ripe mid-palate thanks to the addition of some late harvest fruit. A fun style sauvignon you can serve with spicy Asian foods.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Layer Cake Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
California, United StatesThis wine sets up the same most years with savoury, lifted cassis and herbaceous chocolate aromas. The attack is sweet and sour with more chocolate, cola, tobacco olive flavours. Almost Australian in the confected acidic finish. The price is out of line for the quality.Prices:| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $26.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Twin Islands Sauvignon Blanc 2013
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandNo big changes here from year to year. The Twin Islands style is all Marlborough from its pungent herbaceous passion fruit and nettle nose to its lively, citrus grassy mid-palate. It is a style best suited to shellfish dishes or vegetarian sushi rolls. Good value.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Nobilo Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Regional Collection 2013
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandClassic fresh inviting passion fruit, smoked jalapeno nose with a lively tropical fruit nuances. The attack is fresh with no shortage of passion fruit, melon and bell pepper notes. Consistently, well-made and good value sauvignon that is perfect for party appetizers.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.40 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $16.95 | 750ml |
| NF | $18.26 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Castoro de Oro Estate Pinot Blanc 2011
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSomewhat oxidative nose with elements of cooked pear and apple. The attack is similar with some acidity and vanilla poking through a warm finish but it needs to be livelier and fresher on the nose. Drink now with pork or clams in a butter sauce.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Le Vieux Pin Syrah 2011
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLe Vieux Pin winemaker Severine Pinte is putting her stamp on the south Okanagan winery's and ironically means she is doing as little as possible. The LVP syrah is a good example of a wine that reflects its site. Cool brooding, peppery, smoky this is classic south Okanagan syrah. The attack full and meaty with black fruit, licorice and smoky bacon. Very northern Rhone you can drink this now but I would give it another two to three years in bottle. A terrific effort tin a challenging year in the vineyard. Steak anyone?Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
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28 July 2014
87PTS
Great Northern Vineyards Viognier 2013
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGreat Northern Vineyards sits on a bench above the Similkameen River in Cawston. The soils are little more than an ancient river bed chock full of river rock. The grapes were handpicked in late October at 24+ brix. A portion of the fruit was barrel fermented in older French oak going through malolactic fermentation adding a creamy richness to the remaining tank fermented fruit that did not go through a malolactic fermentation to preserve its crisp mineral fresh fruit flavours. An impressive first release mixes lean-ish yellow fruit flavours with crisp acidity and a stony mineral undercurrent.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Upper Bench Pinot Noir 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCool pinot nose with spicy, red fruits and tomato leaf notes in the back end. The attack is soft the texture relatively silky but with resiny, earthy cherry/ blueberry fruit. The finish is dry with some leathery resin sage and vanilla notes. A solid start but lacks the finesse and electricity of big time pinot. A work in progress.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Nk'Mip Cellars Pinot Noir 2012
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFresh rhubarb and compost nose mix with celery spice and carrot top notes. The attack is round and elegant with a strong red fruit and rhubarb flavours. We like the silky textures and smoky, savoury cranberry/cherry fruit. Ready to drink. Serve this with grilled chicken or salmon for to effect. Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
La Bargemone Cuvée Marina Rosé 2013
Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence, Provence, Sud de France, FranceThe Coteaux d'Aix is a smaller wine district within the larger appellation of Provence and home to Bargemone and its upscale Cuvée Marina Rosé. The latest pink, actually more onion skin in colour, comes with rich, strawberry fruits and floral watermelon. It's delicious stuff for the price. The mix is 30/30/40 syrah/cabernet/grenache. Try this with your favourite summer chicken salad.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Le Vieux Pin Petit Rouge 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe mantra of Petit Rouge or 'little red' is drinkability no easy task when the fruit is made from rambunctious young vines. The merlot and syrah spill onto the palate with a touch of lifted cassis fruit, firm acidity and fairly dry mouth puckering tannins and a slightly resiny finish. It spends a total of 14 months in stainless steel tanks and neutral oak barrels before it is blended. Best with hamburgers or grilled sausages to tame the edges.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
50th Parallel Estate Pinot Noir 2012
Lake Country, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaExpect a cool but ripe strawberry, youthful pinot nose with soft textures and fine tannins. The palate is similar to the nose with a strawberry, rhubarb, spicy, red fruit character with a touch of toast and chocolate. A solid, if cool style. Oven baked sockeye salmon is the match. The wine spends eleven month in oak and then more time in bottle before release.Prices:| BC | $32.00 | 750ml |
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27 July 2014
90PTS
Bartier Bros. Semillon 2012
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Cerqueira Vineyard is a special site of gently western sloping vineyard land on the lower side of Black Sage Road, nestled between Oliver and Osoyoos. The soils are laced with granite cobbles coated with calcium carbonate. I'm not admitting to any rock-licking rumours, but let's just say all the wines made from grapes searching for nutrients off this site have shown to be special in taste. This sémillon confirms my Cerqueira crush; herbal spice, thorny white wildflower bushes, apricot fuzz and crisp citrus over a textured, focused palate. Chalky, shimmery acidity closes out the finish. This wine continues to grow in depth each time I taste it.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Tyler Harlton Rosé 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThere's something about Tyler Harlton's rosé and its pale peach orange hue, orange blossom, kiwi/pear skin aromas and fresh, textured wild strawberries, juicy raspberries, citrus and sage scented finish that I gravitate (and salivate!) towards. Not shy, but not an assertive pink, Tyler fills his basket press with buckets of merlot skins and juice before pressing to yield this characterful rose. Only 118 cases of this rosé (merlot with a splash of chardonnay and malbec) were made, so if you're lucky to find one, drink it.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
River Stone Stones Throw 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRiver Stone is tiny estate winery sited just south of McIntyre Bluff in the Okanagan Valley. Merlot malbec and cabernet sauvignon make up the blend from sites that within a stone's throw of each other. There is plenty of spicy ripe fruit here with a wallop of French oak for good measure. The palate is warm, long and smooth with fairly intense savoury notes in the finish. Solid if formulaic red. Best with grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
LaStella Moscato D'Osoyoos 2013
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLa Stella takes its moscato cues from Piedmont's famed d'Asti region and in the case of the 2013 you would have to blink twice to be sure this Moscato d'Osoyoos isn't in fact Moscato d'Asti. Light and airy, floral and riddle with orange and apricot fruit it is an impressive bottle of frizzante moscato. Light and expressive despite its eight percent alcohol it is a perfect pre-dinner pour or serve it with cakes and fresh fruit.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 375ml |
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26 July 2014
88PTS
Gunderloch Fritz's Riesling 2012
Rheinhessen, GermanyFritz Hasselbach's riesling originates from the Rheinhessen. The site near Nackenheim is known as the 'Roter Hang,' or red hill. The 2012 is a nice step up from the previous release with its bright citrus and tropical fruit aromas. White peach and minerals carry its juicy palate that finishes off-dry with bits of baked apple and honey. A fun sipping style for all occasions and most foods. Good value.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Deinhard Green Label Riesling 2012
Mosel, GermanyAlways a consistent bottle of wine for not a lot of money. Look for a fresh style with floral, tropical/peach fruit aromas. The attack is juicy, with some sweet honey and peach flavours dominating flecked with grapefruit and mineral notes. Drink all summer on the patio or serve with spicy appetizers.Prices:| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Santa Rita Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2012
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileThis wine always reminds me of a half pungent Marlborough sauvignon blanc mixed with one half Casablanca Valley cool resulting in its lime rind and gooseberry nuances. The palate is a mirror image of the nose with grassy, musky, citrus grapefruit flavours. Goat cheese is the classic match but grilled seafood and or spaghetti vongole work here too. Super value.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $16.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Giesen Sauvignon Blanc 2013
Canterbury, South Island, New ZealandA fresh go-to sauvignon blanc blended from some 30-plus parcels of fruit spread across 13 vineyards in the Wairau Valley. Tropical notes mix with of lemongrass, lime and passion fruit and finish with a pepper/mineral undertone. Dry crisp, clean, and food-friendly it calls politely for steamed mussels or grilled prawns. Good value.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
CedarCreek Platinum Block 3 Riesling 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWe applaud winemaker Darryl Brooker's research into low-alcohol riesling. Finding the BC sweet spot where fruit and alcohol excel is nothing short of noble and necessary. The 2013 single block of riesling that caught Brooker's eye was "Block Three" and it went Platinum. The vines are 22-year-old vines and because they ripened earlier Brooker picked at lower sugars and made an 8.8 percent wine. The floral nose and the citrus, limey flavours remind me of Clare riesling. Light and bright it has a delicate purity that is fun to drink. Try this with a summer chicken salad.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Summerhill Pyramid Winery Riesling Organic 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAfter a pretty terrific 2012 Summerhill seems to have really dialled in the vineyard in 2103. What a delicious 'organic' riesling at a very fair price. Juicy lively and a packed full of energy this is the way riesling should be on the palate. Not as severe as some of it equally fine BC competitors this will have large appeal at the restaurant level. Love the yellow fruits just a hint of guava/nettle on the mid-palate with lemons, limes and white peaches all with the perfect tension. Seriously good. Pair this with your best friends.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Intrigue Riesling 2013
Lake Country, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe regular offering opens with an authentic, pleasant riesling nose. Love the juicy fresh peach fruit mixed with sweet limes and honey. This can stand up to any number of spicy Asian or Indian dishes, roast turkey or it will work as a standalone sipper on the patio. Well done.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Quails' Gate Dry Riesling 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAlways a good value the 2013 arrives with a little more fruit and a little less sulphur this year and a bitingly fresh, demeanour. Lean, tight fresh and packed full of tension and citrus this will be a favourite with city sommeliers and those who like their riesling extreme. It will age for a half a decade and beyond but can be poured now without hesitation when served with a variety of creamy seafood, pasta or cheese dishes.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $20.50 | 750ml |
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25 July 2014
85PTS
Fort Berens Meritage 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 2011 Meritage is a bit too cool and green for this taster. The mix is 47 merlot, 34 cabernet sauvignon and 19 cabernet franc but the result while fresh and restrained in the Fort Berens style is a bit too dry and resiny with tomato leaf and cool underripe flavours. Best served with grill meats to tame the rough edges. Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Fort Berens Cabernet Franc 2012
Lillooet, British Columbia, CanadaThe 2012 cabernet franc is the pinnacle of the FB reds to come out of Lillooet. A gold medal winner at the Wine Align National Wine Awards of Canada it sets the tone for the future of the region in effect proving it's ability to produce fine wine. The grapes for the franc are still a mix of estate fruit and fruit sourced from the Black Sage Vineyard in Oliver. The nose is a subtle mix of spice, red fruits, bramble berries and licorice with balance and elegance. Well done.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Fort Berens Merlot 2012
Lillooet, British Columbia, CanadaLove the savoury dried herbs characters here in what is a measured balanced merlot of medium proportions. Look for fresh black and red cherry fruit on the nose and palate. The palate is medium weight the tannins subdued but there is just enough toast and caramel in the back end to add some richness from the wood. They make a mean smoked tomato apricot barbecue sauce at the winery and it's recommended with beef and this merlot.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Fort Berens Pinot Noir 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe pinot noir benefits from the winery's light hands throughout production. Look for juicy red fruit style with a touch of tannin as Fort Berens seeks out the Lillooet style. The 2012 is already in bottle but not yet released and is resting at the winery where it will no doubt fatten up a bit over the summer. The attack is juicy if lean with cherry, coffee, vanilla, celery flavours that finish dry and clean. Perfect for grilled salmon steak.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Fort Berens White Gold 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen fresh nose of citrus, sweaty grapefruit/passion fruit with an enticing lees/brioche character and some toasted oak. The attack is rich and round a creamy in that old-fashioned California style. I expect this wine will improve exponentially as the vines age and the new winery comes into play in the fall of 2014. The grapes for our reserve chardonnay came from the Sundial Vineyard on the Black Sage Bench in the south Okanagan. The wine is aged for twelve months in French oak of which a quarter is new.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Fort Berens Chardonnay 2013
Lillooet, British Columbia, CanadaOpen fresh nose of citrus, sweaty grapefruit nose with hints of minerality. The palate is similar with slightly bitter wet stone, guava, gooseberry flavours. A bit too sauvignon blanc like for us but a crisp white wine nonetheless. Try this with shellfish. Winery suggestions for food pairings include grilled scallops, grilled chicken kale salad, or a late day sunset. Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Fort Berens 23 Camels Red 2012
British Columbia, CanadaA nice jump up in ripeness versus last year makes the latest 23 Camels a 50/30/20 mix of cabernet franc, merlot and cabernet sauvignon a juicy, easy-sipping red you can pair with grilled hamburgers, chicken or pizzas. Most of the fruit comes from the warm southern end of the Okanagan Valley.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Fort Berens Late Harvest Riesling 2013
British Columbia, CanadaThe FB estate grown Late Harvest Riesling comes with an impressive 55.6g/l of residual sugar. The nose is all sweet pears with bits of ripe red berries and caramel. The riesling was picked a month after the regular harvest yielding an unctuous late-harvest style best suited to pies covered in fresh fruit or before dinner with savoury patés. Impressive style here and it will improve in bottle over time.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 375ml |
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87PTS
Fort Berens Pinot Noir Rose 2013
British Columbia, CanadaFort Berens always brings a light hand to their wines but we wish they could lighten up on the pink red colour to really let this wine shine. The colour method is saignée, a bleed that delivers fresh, citrus, raspberry pinot noir fruit to the palate. The wine is dry, fresh and mouth-watering calling for food. The duty of every rosé as far as I'm concerned. Grilled chicken, goat cheese and pork belly would all be fine matches. All estate fruit.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Fort Berens Riesling 2013
British Columbia, CanadaOne of the grapes they are betting on at For Berens is riesling and at the 2014 Lieutenant Governor's Award for Excellence in British Columbia Wines the 2012 vintage was tagged one of the best in the competition. The latest version 2013 is 100 percent estate grown. Love the fresh, orchard peach pear apple nose with just a hint of stony minerality on the palate. Clean fresh and ripe; if there is any criticism ait finishes a bit short. Try this with spicy Thai or Indian dishes to best effect.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Fort Berens Pinot Gris 2013
British Columbia, CanadaYear three of all estate pinot gris fruit offers up an intense citrus/grassy honey nose with ripe melon and honey flavours flecked with a savoury dried herbs character. The finish is simple, lean and crisp. Try this one with grilled chicken off the barbecue.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Fort Berens 23 Camels White 2013
British Columbia, CanadaThe 2013 23 Camels white is a 46/42/12/ mix of riesling, chardonnay and pinot gris and is primarily sold at the winery. The nose is highly aromatic with intense from the mix of floral press wines fractions. Fresh fruity, clean simple quaffing style fruity white with pineapple, bits of orange peel /mandarin, spiced pear flavours. Try this with your favourite curry or serve well chilled on the patio.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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24 July 2014
91PTS
Nautilus Estate Pinot Noir 2013
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandIt's very easy to like this pinot noir made by the master of Marlborough Clive Jones. It is of course 100 pinot noir that mixes a clones 114, 115, 5, 667, 777 and Abel. The fruit comes off four vineyard sites in the Southern Valleys sub region. It's all hand harvested, there is no crushing to promote a portion of whole berries in the ferment and the wine is fermented wild after a week-long cold soak. The wine is aged in a mix of new and older French oak Barriques, where it sits undisturbed for about a year. The colour is light the nose amazingly fragrant with a richness of red fruit aromas spice and twiggy forest floor notes. The attack is sweet and silky with lovely depth of flavours and mouth-filling fruit. The finish is long and a touch warm with cardamom spice. Delicious to say the least and very food friendly, think British Columbia grilled salmon.Prices:| BC | $38.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $38.00 | 750ml |
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23 July 2014
89PTS
Frescobaldi Nipozzano Vecchie Viti Chianti Rufina Riserva 2011
Tuscany, ItalyThe Nipozzano Vecchie Viti Riserva is a 90/10 blend of sangiovese mixed with colorino, malvasia nera and canaiolo. The style is meant to be slightly more feminine with more red fruit character than the Nipozzano Riserva made with merlot. The winemaking is a nod to the past with a fermentation in cement vats and ageing in 3,000L French oak casks. It's a new wine for the Nipozzano estate, made from some of the oldest fruit in the vineyard. Look for a peppery, floral, licorice root, vanilla, black cherry nose with flecks of balsamic, tobacco, and earthy, gamey aromas. Fresh, round, juicy and dry palate with light but smooth tannins. Black cherry, plum, licorice, earthy, tobacco, black olive, smoky, savoury herb flavours. Good finesse and concentration and should improve over the next 3-7 years developing additional complexity. Serve with roasted game birds.Prices:| BC | $33.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Frescobaldi Montesodi Riserva Castello di Nipozzano Chianti Rufina 2011
Tuscany, ItalyEarthy, sausage, tobacco, white pepper, waxy, black cherry jam, floral, spicy, cassis aromas. Rich, full, round, suave and juicy palate with perfectly ripe tannins. Savoury, black plum, black cherry, peppery, tobacco, smoky, meaty, licorice and vanilla flavours. Long, full, juicy finish with fine balance. Needs 3-5 years but fine drinking now, one of the best we have tasted and showing extreme elegance for sangiovese. One for the cellar and good value.Prices:| NS | $60.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $50.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $50.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $55.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $53.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Frescobaldi Mormoreto Castello di Nipozzano 2011
Tuscany, ItalyA wonderful Mormoreto so floral and smoky with black olive, waxy, gamey aromas. The attack is ripe and juicy with firm youthful tannins. Cassis, black olive, peppery, blackberry, vanilla, licorice, dried herbs, coffee, tobacco and smoke flavours. Fine concentration and length with fresh acidity and a very aromatic nose. This is very youthful and quite an intense version that will need 5-7 years to come out. Fine potential here.Prices:| BC | $64.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $65.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $62.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $63.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Frescobaldi Castello di Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Riserva 2010
Tuscany, ItalyNipozzano has always been a wine that rewarded patience. Peppery, black olive, tobacco, earthy, slightly meaty nose with some floral, black cherry and light herbal notes. The attack is fresh and juicy showing the elegant side of sangiovese with perfectly structured tannins. Black cherry, tobacco, spicy, black olive, earthy, licorice savoury gamey flavours. Fine intensity and length in a tighter style. Best now with food or cellar for five years.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $22.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
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22 July 2014
91PTS
Laughing Stock Vineyards Syrah+09/10 2012
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis wine continues to impress and surprise as the vineyard and the winemaker age. In this case the 2012 is a product of a long, warm growing season so much more amenable to ther Rhone style. Expect a fresh, floral, licorice, poultry spice and meaty nose flecked with blackberry and gingerbread. Year five is 100 percent estate grown at Perfect Hedge Vineyard in Osoyoos. Classic Northern Rhone style syrah rich in black fruits with more poultry spice, sausage meat and liquorice notes. Balanced with just the right amount of oak. Roast lamb is the ticket here. LS co-ferments its syrah with four percent viognier in stainless steel fermenters and mixes that with about 30 percent fruit fermented in French oak, 20% of which was on the stems. The wine was barrel aged for 14 months in 40% new French oak.Prices:| BC | $36.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Domaine Delaporte a Chavignol Sancerre Blanc 2012
Sancerre, Upper Loire, Loire, FranceGrown on silex (silica) soils this sauvignon is a studied in fruit, balance and minerality. The fruit comes off more than two dozen vineyards blocks all of which makes for a crisp (aged in stainless steel) fruity, melon flavoured palate with flecks of tropical fruit and orange rind. A delicious if expensive Loire-style sauvignon blanc. Shellfish anyone?Prices:| BC | $39.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $32.00 | 750ml |
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21 July 2014
85PTS
Ganton & Larson Prospect Winery Larch Tree Hill Riesling 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBright fresh floral nose with grapefruit and candied apple aromas. The entry is both sweet and sour with more candied peach, lime rind and grapefruit flavours that dissipate quickly. Simple, easy sipping riesling you can serve with spicy tuna sushi, or crab and black bean sauce.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
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20 July 2014
87PTS
Hess Select Chardonnay 2012
Monterey County, Central Coast, California, United StatesNice shift of style here as they edge albeit slowly to a cooler leaner California chardonnay. It's still on the ripe creamy side with more tropical, pineapple fruit than citrus but it will appeal to a wide audience. Look for a warm mid-palate and a soft finish showing a modicum of alcohol and oak. Not cutting edge but pleasant. Best with lobster or richer pasta dishes.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
CedarCreek Platinum Block 5 Chardonnay 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight nutty lees, green apple, butter, honey, waxy, gooseberry, pineapple and grass aromas. Dry, fresh, somewhat lean palate with green apple, lime, grassy, nutty lees, vanilla, and grapefruit flavours with a bit of buttered popcorn and lanolin with a slightly metallic finish. Understated style with some elegance but lacking in overall concentration and length for the price.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Bellingham The Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2012
Coastal Region, South AfricaSpicy, honey, nutty lees, baked pear, vanilla, floral, biscuit, citrus aromas. Ripe, round, juicy, creamy palate with good richness. Vanilla, honey, hazelnut, ripe pear, quince, lemon and apple skin flavours. A touch warm with a hint of bitterness on the finish but with fine fruit and concentration. A great wine to pair with food and it is consistently well-made too.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $23.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $26.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Saggi 2011
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesItaly in Washington? Not quite, but nevertheless, impressive. Saggi is a collaboration between Ambrogio Folonari and the folks at Long Shadows and the 2011 is a 43/42/15/mix of sangiovese, cabernet sauvignon and syrah. We love the savoury, delicious spicy nose with its tobacco, clove and blackberry jam notes. The palate is warm and full with peppery, blackberry/blueberry, coffee, meaty flavours flecked with orange and black olives. You can drink this now with a grilled steak or cellar it for another three to five years.Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
| US | $45.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $85.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $44.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Quails' Gate Chenin Blanc 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaI'm excited about the new Quails' Gate as it moves away from the good but austere style of winemaker Grant Stanley for the more approachable under new winemaker Nicky Callaway (ex-Mission Hill). The latest chenin has swapped the sweaty grapefruit and bitter finish for more citrus and tropical fruit all in a dry style. The palate is lively with notes of stony minerality and fresh green apple. The winery recommends it with a chilled seafood platter and we concur. It is a perfect match. The blend is 91/9 chenin blanc / sauvignon blanc that is fermented 85/15 in stainless steel tanks and 2 year-old French barrels. Bravo.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $19.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $23.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $23.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $23.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Hester Creek Old Vines Block 16 Trebbiano 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe latest in BC trebbiano continues along the aromatic, fruity honeysuckle, red apple fruit path. The attack is juicy with a sweet citrus and honey flavoured palate with ripe tropical fruit notes. A bit sweeter than we would like for such old vines capable of making a more complex style. Best to pair this with spicy hot dishes and let the sugar and spice cancel each other out.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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19 July 2014
87PTS
Intrigue I Do Sparkling 2013
Lake Country, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRiesling with a dash of merlot yields a pale raspberry colour with spicy green apple, light floral, nectarine and pear aromas. Fresh, juicy, off-dry palate with light mousse. Green apple, grassy, lime, nectarine and cherry flavours with a touch of herb. Elegant and juicy for food. Well done and a whole lot of fun in a bottle.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Belstar Cuvee Rose NV
Veneto, ItalyRed licorice, earthy, spicy, tobacco leaf, peach aromas. Fresh, juicy, somewhat soft and sweet with citrus, tobacco leaf, licorice, melon and herb flavours. Clean, easy style with light, creamy mousse. It is what it is: pink prosecco Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Meander Sparkling Moscato 2013
Breedekloof, Breede River Valley, South AfricaNice open floral, peach, spicy, ginger, anise and pear aromas. Fresh, juicy, slightly foamy palate in a somewhat sweet style. Light and elegant with ginger, nectarine, grassy, citrus, honey and peach flavours. Good fresh, easy-sipping style for the summer picnic.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Truchard Cabernet Sauvignon Carneros 2011
Carneros, Napa Valley, California, United StatesBig black pepper, bell pepper, tobacco leaf, sappy cassis, coffee bean and herb aromas. Round, somewhat skinny and tart palate with cassis, herbal, coffee grind, tobacco leaf, tomato paste, roast bell pepper flavours. Like the previous edition the style is herbaceous and somewhat tart on the finish.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $27.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Selbach-Oster Riesling Brut 2011
Mosel, GermanySpicy, light floral, green apple, light nectarine and lees aromas. Crisp, fresh, somewhat foamy but dry with green apple, grassy, nectarine skin and lime flavours. Simple, fresh style with clean fruit. Ready to drink. Try this before dinner with light seafood appetizers. Prices:| BC | $36.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Inglenook Cabernet Sauvignon Cask Paper Label 2010
Rutherford, Napa Valley, California, United StatesBig rich savoury Napa valley cab nose with black pepper, leather, light barnyard, tobacco, cedar, cassis jam, black berry and menthol aromas. The attack is suave and elegant on the palate with small, grainy tannins. Coffee, vanilla, cedar, tobacco and smoky black berry and mint flavours mark the palate. Still lots of oak and some tannins on the finish suggesting to age over the next 2-5 years. Try it now with grilled steak.Prices:| BC | $90.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Vina Maipo Carmenere Reserva 2012
Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileSmoky, celery salt, sappy cassis, tobacco leaf, dill, roasted tomato and caraway aromas. Round, smooth, fresh palate with a sour note. Bitter chocolate, sappy, herbal, cassis, peppery, resin, roast bell pepper and tobacco flavours. Simple, tart, smoky leather finish.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Vina Maipo Vitral Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2012
Region del Valle Central, ChileVery spicy, peppery, bay leaf, tobacco, cranberry, smoky, cassis aromas. Round, easy, somewhat tart palate with smoky tobacco, bay, peppery, sappy cassis, black olive flavours with a bit of cedar and bitter chocolate. A bit soupy and tart but will be fine around the barbecue.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
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81PTS
Tempus Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Region del Valle Central, ChileSmoky, leafy, riparian, tobacco, olive, dill, bay leaf nose with a hint of lees. Tart, dry, slightly bitter palate with lactic, peppery, savoury, tobacco leaf, bell pepper, smoky resin flavours. A very light, vegetative style. You get even less for $8 when half it is tax.Prices:| BC | $8.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Terralis Shiraz Malbec 2012
ArgentinaSpicy, peppery, black cherry, tobacco leaf and resiny aromas. Soft, round, hollow palate with tobacco, resin, meaty, peppery, plum flavours. Finish is short with some sweetness. Basic barbecue red. You don't get much for $9 when half of that is tax.Prices:| BC | $9.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Vina Maipo Viognier 2012
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileLight honey, matchstick, ginger, lees and citrus aromas. Off dry, fresh, easy palate with light ginger, lees, citrus rind, resin and apple flavours. Not much intensity here with a bitter, rind-y finish.Prices:| BC | $10.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Palo Alto Winemaker's Selection 2010
Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileMeaty, bay, eucalyptus, black cherry, licorice, smoky tobacco, leather and pepper aromas. Smooth, round, easy palate but a bit hollow and tart. Black cherry, cassis, espresso, peppery, tobacco, gamey, resin, smoky herb flavours. Solid but lacks texture with the tart finish.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Palo Alto Reserva 2012
Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileCassis, black berry, riparian, bay leaf, tobacco, peppery, smoky aromas. Dry, somewhat thin and tart palate with peppery, tobacco leaf, savoury, bay, coffee, resin, black olive and coffee flavours. Thin and soupy with a tart finish. Needs grilled meat to tame the edges.Prices:| NS | $13.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Avalon Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Napa Valley, California, United StatesBlack olive tapenade, tobacco, prune, black berry, chocolate, dried herb and sappy aromas. Dry, smooth but somewhat tart with light tannins. Roast pepper, black olive, resin, smoky tobacco, peppery, rooty, cassis flavours. Finish is a bit rustic but will melt into a grilled steak or roast beef.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $24.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Tormaresca Torcicoda Primitivo 2010
Salento, Puglia, ItalyTorcicoda is always a big wine. Look for an earthy, meaty, black cherry jam and ash nose. The palate is fresh and round, with medium firm tannins and just a hint of Mediterranean sweetness with blackberry, black cherry, smoky, vanilla, tobacco, coffee and liquorice flavours. Big and concentrated there is plenty of warmth in the finish. Not for the faint hearted. Serve with game dishes.Prices:| BC | $31.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $25.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $27.00 | 750ml |
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17 July 2014
88PTS
Poggio Salvi Rosso di Montalcino 2011
Montalcino, Siena, Tuscany, ItalySmoky ash, black cherry, peppery, earthy, gamey, resin and licorice aromas. Dry, round, elegant palate with tobacco, earthy, ash, prune plum, smoky, orange peel and licorice flavours. A touch lean on the finish but with fine balance and it is drinkable now. Solid value for Rosso. Try this with a mushroom dishes.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Lazy Creek Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir 2012
Anderson Valley, Mendocino County, California, United StatesCelery salt, coffee, pepper, light smoke and tea with an undercurrent of black cherry aromas. Full, fresh, juicy, elegant palate with light tannins. Raspberry jam, cherry, tobacco, licorice, peppery, orange peel, celery and light coffee flavours. Good purity and acidity with length and finesse. Should improve over the next 2-3 years. Well done.Prices:| US | $42.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Ferrari-Carano Pinot Noir 2012
Anderson Valley, Mendocino County, California, United StatesSmoky, vanilla, black cherry, celery root, tobacco-scented nose with peppery highlights. Ripe, round, full, juicy palate with light tannins and a savoury, rhubarb, cedar, smoky, vanilla, cherry jam and chocolate flavours. Good fruit and intensity if a bit warm and tart on the finish. Could use a year or two to fully soften.Prices:| US | $38.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Ferrari-Carano Sky High Ranch Pinot Noir 2012
Anderson Valley, Mendocino County, California, United StatesBright open, aromatic spicy, peppery, savoury, plum aromas with notes of raspberry jam, celery, tobacco and light coffee aromas. Dry, full, round, elegant palate with good ripeness. New World chocolate, vanilla, cherry jam, raspberry and pepper mix with smoky, spicy, rooty, orange peel flavours. Good length and finesse with some light tannins to shed over the next few years. Impressive. Try this with baked salmon.Prices:| BC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Cobos Bramare Malbec 2011
Mendoza, ArgentinaBlack cherry jam, cola, vanilla, chocolate, roast mushroom, tobacco, orange peel, savoury herb aromas. Ripe, round, full, juicy palate with some grainy tannins. Peppery, savoury, celery, licorice, vanilla, coffee, black cherry, balsamic, floral, cola flavours. Still youthful with lots of extract, needs a year or two to fully soften. Excellent quality with some restraint.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Felino by Viña Cobos Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Mendoza, ArgentinaGreen bean, cassis, coffee, black olive, peppery, tobacco aromas. Dry, full and juicy but with somewhat hard tannins and a warm finish. Coffee, vanilla, chocolate, black olive, savoury, riparian, tomato leaf flavours. Warm and a bit tart on the finish with some youthful tannins to shed. Needs grilled meat to soften the edges.Prices:| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Church & State Wines Coyote Bowl Series Malbec 2011
Golden Mile Bench, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOkanagan dill and sage with coffee, vanilla, tobacco, resin and light black cherry, chocolate aromas. Dry, full, juicy, elegant palate with some light, grainy tannins. More coffee, vanilla (barrel notes) with black cherry, sage, licorice root, celery, rhubarb, peppery, tea leaf flavours. Good finesse and intensity in a cooler style that needs a few years in bottle to tame its ragged edges.Prices:| BC | $70.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Church & State Wines Coyote Bowl Series Petit Verdot Malbec 2010
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoky, savoury, smoked tomato, plum, tobacco leaf, meaty, resin aromas. Dry, light, somewhat tart palate with some light, green tannins. Coffee, smoky, herbal, savoury, peppery, tobacco leaf, riparian, tomato paste, cassis and leather flavours. A bit tart and dry on the finish, this needs time to round out. Best with grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Church & State Wines Coyote Bowl Series Syrah 2011
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVery savoury, vanilla, meaty, sage, liquorice nose with cedar, chocolate, coffee, poultry spice and blackberry aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant, somewhat lean palate with more coffee, vanilla, cola, peppery fruit mixed with meaty, chocolate, cedar, resin, tobacco leaf and smoke flavours. Good intensity but lacks concentration and finishes quite short. The end of two tough cool years. Bring on 2012.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Blue Mountain Reserve Pinot Noir 2011
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMedium-bodied pinot with spicy, celery salt, tobacco leaf, cherry, worsteshire, smoky carrot top aromas. Dry, elegant, round, fresh palate with celery root, smoky tomato, tobacco, coffee, vanilla, and rhubarb with light strawberry flavours and a hint of barnyard and tea. Youthful and lean this needs five years to pull it all together. Solid effort in a tough year.Prices:| BC | $36.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Rocca di Montegrossi Chianti Classico 2011
Tuscany, ItalyEarthy, black cherry, peppery, savoury, meaty, rooty, coffee grind aromas. Dry, round, smooth palate but a bit fresh and warm. Coffee, black cherry jam, prune, earthy, tobacco, smoky tea flavours with a bit of chocolate and light tannins on the finish. More open style with some finesse. Bigger than you might expect likely due to the 5 per cent colorino. Certified organic.Prices:| BC | $38.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Zinck Crémant d'Alsace NV
Alsace, FrancePretty, peach skin, light green apple, pear and citrus rind aromas with a hint of nuts. Fresh, fairly dry, somewhat foamy palate with apple skin, light lees, melon rind and peach pit flavours. Simple, dry style suited to appetizers.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Romain Duvernay Crozes-Hermitage 2012
Crozes Hermitage, Northern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceFresh peppery, caraway, meaty, tobacco, black cherry nose with savoury, earthy, roasted pepper notes. The attack is dry, fresh, round and elegant. The mid-weight palate is awash in with black cherry, licorice, and savoury, meaty, celery salt, roast pepper and tobacco leaf flavours. Youthful with some light, rustic tannins on the finish. Good intensity. Try this with grilled sausages or steaks.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Undurraga Sibaris Pinot Noir Reserva Especial 2012
Valle de Leyda, Valle de San Antonio, Region de Aconcagua, ChileThe latest Sibaris is now made with Leyda fruit. Look for smoky, light coffee, pepper, cherry jam, rhubarb and celery aromas. The attack is round, smooth producing an easy-drinking style with cedar, pepper, celery, cherry, cooked rhubarb, tobacco and licorice flavours. Warm but solid fruit on the finish. Best with pork or salmon.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
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16 July 2014
89PTS
Miguel Torres Cordillera de Los Andes Chardonnay 2012
Valle del Limari, ChileFragrant delicate juicy soft red apple fruit aromas with light vanilla notes. The attack is warm with bits of honey and lees pushing through the citrus, nectarine and pear fruit flavours. Stylish ready to drink New World style with a modern twist. Try this with a summer chicken salad.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Lariana Cellars Viognier 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, spicy, orange, lime, red apple and ginger aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy, creamy palate but a bit light. Honey, lime, lees, spicy, ginger and green apple skin flavours. Solid but a bit too simple and lacking in texture. Give it some time perhaps in the bottle as it is young. Fermented and aged in concrete.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Church & State Wines Viognier 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaHoney, lees, mango, vanilla, lemon, ginger, floral aromas. Round, full, juicy, creamy palate with a hint of sweetness. Vanilla, mango, honey, orange, spicy lees, ginger and baked pear flavours. Good fruit, texture and finesse yet a bit young and showing the oak. Should be better over the next year and we love the 13.2% alcohol.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Jackson-Triggs White Meritage Grand Reserve 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGrassy, gooseberry, herbal, green apple skin and grapefruit aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy palate with grapefruit, granny smith, lemon, nettle and floral flavours. A bit tart and lean on the finish but solid intensity and balance. Should improve with 1-2 years in bottle. Best with lighter seafood dishes.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Blue Mountain Reserve Pinot Gris 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, lees, floral, honey, pear, light orange peel and apple skin aromas. Fresh, round, creamy, juicy and elegant palate with vanilla, spicy lees, green apple, pear skin, orange, almond and white pepper flavours. Good length and complexity if a bit austere on the finish. Should improve over the next 2-3 years. Solid effort here in a more complex that you can age.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Alma de Forcada Cepas Viejas 2010
Rioja, SpainVery earthy, licorice, leather, peppery nose with savoury, black raspberry jam aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy palate with very light tannins. More smoky, raspberry, orange peel flavours with vanilla, earth and licorice flavours. Good finesse and fruit if a bit light on the finish. Try this with pork.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Flor de Baco Rioja Joven 2011
Rioja, SpainStrawberry jam, cherry, floral, smoky, resin, licorice and leather aromas. Fresh, juicy, round palate with plum, strawberry, licorice, orange and black pepper flavours. A solid, simple, fruity style ready that is ready to drink. Good value here.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Domaine de Cristia Cote du Ventoux 2012
Ventoux, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceFresh peppery, licorice, smoky, black cherry nose with savoury, tobacco, orange peel notes. The attack is ripe and round with black plum kirsch, peppery, tobacco, licorice root, poultry spice and herb flavours. A bit lean and light but with fine fruit and styling. Ready to drink now with grilled meats or poultry.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Cono Sur Single Vineyard Block 28 Carmenere La Rinconada 2011
Valle del Cachapoal, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileTypically peppery, rooty, cedar, coffee/cassis/black cherry nose with smoky leather, tobacco and vanilla. The attack is elegant with sappy cassis, coffee, bay leaf, smoky, cherry, cedar, tobacco leaf, vanilla and eucalyptus flavours. Good finesse here and still youthful. Try with grilled chicken.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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15 July 2014
88PTS
Matteo Correggia Barbera d'Alba 2011
Alba, Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalyOpen black licorice, black cherry, peppery, savoury, gamey, earthy, cardamom aromas. Soft, round, fresh, elegant palate with juicy acidity. Peppery, black plum, smoky, meaty, licorice, tobacco, earth and mint flavours. Finish is easy and fragrant with a bit of dried sage and mint. Nice, lighter, forward style with fruit and a bit of pizazz for lamb and beef dishes.Prices:| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Torres Vina Esmeralda 2013
Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainThe 2013 Esmeralda is classic Upper Penedès white offering bright Mediterranean style fruit with spicy floral notes. The annual blend is an 85/15 mix of moscatel/gewürztraminer but it's much lighter than that combination of grapes sounds. Look for a generous dollop of lemon lime mixed with floral, litchi fruit with a fresh sapid finish. Juicy and ripe try this with spicy sushi or a favourite curry.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $17.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Torres Celeste Crianza 2010
Ribera del Duero, Castilla-Leon, SpainFollowing on the delicious '09 the 2010 is equally fine. The style is modern, the attack fruit forward, with glossy, blackberry fruit with bits of black pepper, smoke and chocolate. The tannins are elegant and small grained suggesting you could drink this sooner than later but it should age gracefully. Put this in the modern tempranillo camp but ignore it at your peril. The vineyard sits at 895 metres above sea level where at Torres it is said you can almost touch the stars.Prices:| ON | $22.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.85 | 750ml |
| MB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $28.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $28.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $27.00 | 750ml |
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14 July 2014
86PTS
Calliope Viognier 2013
British Columbia, CanadaLight struck match, honey, ginger, lees, baked pear, orange and sausage aromas. Fresh, soft, round, easy palate with some definite sweetness. Honey, grapefruit, citrus, butter, floral, spicy flavours. Good fruit but this is a sweet style with a soft finish. Best with spicy food. Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Selbach-Oster Riesling Zeltinger Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett Halbtrocken 2011
Mosel, GermanyIf you haven't fallen asleep trying pronounce this name, fear not the wine will revive you. Halbtrocken is the German nod to half-dry wines - it cannot have more than 18 g/L of residual sugar and can only exceed 12 g/L of residual sugar if the acid level is within 10 g/L of the residual sugar. Are you asleep yet? Wait, the wine is sensational. The nose has a flinty, mineral, salty seawater notes with bits of Vaseline and dried herbs. The attack is marginally sweet with citrus, lemon, ripe apple flavours. A rich, creamy, textured wine with crunchy juicy delicious fruit with endless food pairing possibilities on the west coast.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Paul & Phillipe Zinck Muscat 2012
Alsace, FranceFloral, spicy, green apple skin, light lees aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy, slightly austere palate with granny smith, green apricot, ginger, floral, lemon flavours. Drier, delicate style that's great for food but a bit lacking in intensity.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Losada Bierzo 2009
Bierzo, Castilla-Leon, SpainPeppery, meaty, smoky, savoury nose with dusty floral, dried cranberry aromas. Round, fresh, suave, juicy palate with spicy, vanilla, savoury, black cherry, plum, smoky tobacco and licorice flavours. A bit warm but otherwise packed with fruit, finesse and texture. For current drinking.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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13 July 2014
86PTS
Tommasi Pinot Grigio Le Rosse 2013
Verona, Veneto, ItalyLight floral, pear, earthy, lees and peach skin aromas. Soft, fresh, somewhat sweet entry with creamy pear, honey, lees, citrus and baked apple flavours. Nice fruit but a bit too sweet on the finish.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $16.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Marimar Estate Pinot Noir Don Miguel Vineyard La Masia 2010
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesSoft with fresh, juicy, round elegant red fruits reminiscent of cherries, strawberry and tobacco with bits of vanilla, dried herbs and oak in a sweet, warm seamless finish. This will continue to improve in bottle but duck confit would be the perfect match today. Excellent quality. Fermented in stainless steel, with no whole clusters in thirty two percent new, French oak bottled, unfined and unfiltered. There are six clones planted in the vineyard's 30 acres of pinot and in 2010 the mix is: 40% Swan, 30% Pommard, 14% Dijon 115, 6% Dijon 667, 6% Lee, and 4% Cristina 88.Prices:| ON | $35.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $38.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $38.00 | 750ml |
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10 July 2014
88PTS
Laughing Stock Vineyards Portfolio +15/10 2011
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen peppery, rooty, savoury, coffee, poultry spice, vanilla, cassis and menthol aromas. Dry, fresh, somewhat tart palate with light, astringent tannins. Smoky, black olive, peppery, savoury, and vanilla, dill, sappy cassis, espresso, cranberry and resin flavours. Good effort but severe on the finish and oaky. Needs two to four years to round out.Prices:| BC | $42.00 | 750ml |
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08 July 2014
89PTS
50th Parallel Estate Riesling 2013
Lake Country, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada50th Parallel is betting the ship on pinot noir but I'm very fond of this riesling with its mineral backbone and juicy fruit. Look for Key-lime citrusy flavours with bright acidity and the tension you hope for in riesling that really grabs your palate before finishing crisp and clean. Love the value here.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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06 July 2014
87PTS
Punto Final Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Mendoza, ArgentinaSlightly reductive with peppery, tobacco, savoury, floral, black cherry, roast mushroom and earth aromas. Round, full, juicy, suave palate with some sweetness. Blackberry, coffee, chocolate, peppery, tobacco, spicy, savoury flavours. A bit too warm and sweet but good fruit and intensity.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $10.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Cháteau Peyros Madiran Tannat Cabernet Franc 2009
Madiran, Sud-Ouest, FranceCedar, graphite, meaty, savoury, tobacco aromas flecked with pepper and black currants. Dry, fresh, juicy elegant palate leads to a cranberry, black currant, meaty, smoky palate with savoury, celery salt, tobacco leaf undercurrents. A bit tight on the finish but should be fine grilled meats or stews. Good value.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
San Fabiano Calcinaia Chianti Classico 2010
Florence, Tuscany, ItalyPeppery, sausage meat, black cherry, cedar, tobacco, licorice, balsamic and prune aromas. Dry, full, round, slightly tannic palate with fresh acidity. Meaty, peppery, black cherry, licorice, resin, vanilla, coffee, rooty, leather and tobacco flavours. Young with some tannins to shed but well made. Solid value here and a keeper. Serve now with chicken or turkey dishes.Prices:| ON | $27.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $29.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Barone di Valforte Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2011
Abruzzo, ItalyDeep black cherry colour. Big meaty, black cherry, tobacco, earthy, licorice root, balsamic aromas. Rich, full, round, fresh palate with a bit of sweetness. Smoky herb, gamey, peppery, tobacco leaf, black berry, plum and licorice flavours. Warm with lots of fruit for the bbq and pasta.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Villa Locatelli Friulano 2012
Cormons, Gorizia, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, ItalyNectarine, floral, pear, light honey, anise aromas. Fresh, juicy, creamy, dry palate with pear, anise, lemon, spicy, nectarine skin and apple flavours. Full with a bit of austerity but good intensity and the ability to improve over the next few year. Will be great with seafood.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Longview Red Bucket Shiraz Cabernet 2012
Adelaide Hills, Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide, South Australia, AustraliaLeafy, peppery, slightly reductive nose with some blackberry, earthy, balsamic notes. Fresh, round, juicy but slightly sweet and sour palate. Blueberry, prune, coffee, tobacco leaf, resin and meat flavours. The acidity overpowers the finish and dries out the wine.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Punto Final Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Mendoza, ArgentinaMeaty, black cherry, licorice root, prune, black olive, tobacco aromas some reductive notes. Round, smooth, soft and somewhat sweet entry with prune, black cassis, coffee, tobacco leaf, herbal, celery flavours. Finish is warm with a sweet and sour note. Simple at best.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Rocland Chocolate Box Shiraz 2012
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaChocolate, cedar, blueberry, bacon, licorice, vanilla, meaty aromas. Round, suave but somewhat tart and lean palate with coffee, chocolate, rooty, resin, smoky, meaty, blueberry and cedar flavours. Warm with a very tart finish. Needs grilled meat to temper the acidity in the finish.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Musella Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso 2010
Verona, Veneto, ItalyLicorice, smoky, peppery, black cherry jam, orange peel, prune and tobacco aromas. Ripe, round, smooth, fresh and elegant palate with light tannins. Black pepper, sausage, smoky, prune, black cherry, licorice, game and savoury herb flavours. Good intensity and length that will let it age three more years in bottle or serve now with osso buco.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Reserva Finca Ygay 2007
Rioja Alavesa, Rioja, SpainChocolate, vanilla, black cherry jam, meaty, barnyard, cigar, menthol aromas. Dry, fresh, round but slightly lean palate. Vanilla, black cherry, peppery, smoked meat, menthol, leather, coffee flavours with a bit of medicinal-barnyard on the finish. Warm and fresh, needs a year in bottle or serve now with grilled lamb chops.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $34.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Inception Deep Layered Red 2012
Western Cape, South AfricaPeppery, meaty, smoky leather, black cherry, rooty aromas. Soft, sweet, round, fresh palate with earthy, prune, black cherry, chocolate, cedar and meat flavours with a bit of tobacco leaf. Simple, sweet and sour style commercial style red with a leafy finish. Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Le Serre Nuove Dell' Ornellaia 2011
Bolgheri, Tuscany, ItalySerre Nuove is considered the baby Ornellaia but it too needs cellaring. The attack is round and full with a juicy, rich palate flecked with grainy tannins and flavours of coffee, vanilla, tobacco, cassis and pepper. The finish is savoury with meaty, chocolate flavours. Long, flavourful finish with good finesse. Needs more time in bottle - say two to four years - or try it now with steak Florentine.Prices:| BC | $63.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $65.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $60.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $60.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $129.00 | 1500ml |
| QC | $275.00 | 3000ml |
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89PTS
Le Volte 2011
Tuscany, ItalyBlack cherry, plum, meaty, tobacco, vanilla nose with flecks of coffee, cassis and earthy aromas. Full, ripe, round, juicy attack. The palate is suave with cassis, black cherry, celery salt, resin, licorice, tobacco and roasted meat flavours. Good fruit and intensity but still youthful. Give this a year or two in bottle or try with grilled beef.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $33.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $30.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $30.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $37.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Haywire Pinot Noir Canyonview Vineyard Raised in Concrete 2011
Summerland Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaEarthy compost, light balsamic, dark berry, spicy, barnyard aromas. Dry, fresh, round, elegant palate with juicy red berry fruit, celery salt, pepper, smoky dried herb and vanilla flavours. Good finesse and balance if herbaceous with some chocolate and liquorice on the finish. Much improved over previous years. It just needs another level of fruit intensity to really shine.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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05 July 2014
97PTS
Taylor Fladgate Single Harvest Tawny Port 1863 1863
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalOne of the finest vintages of the 19th century made from fruit grown on pre-phylloxera vines. Sourced from two pipes acquired by Taylor's from a small producer. This is a wonderful example of the quality and ability of tawny ports to age. Mahogany colour with a green olive rim. Big dried fig, toasted walnut, spicy, cedar, dried lemon peel, molasses, toffee, earthy, dried apricot, vanilla and Christmas cake aromas with a just a hint of VA. Full, juicy, fresh acidity with moderate sweetness and warmth but intense. Toffee, coffee, peppery, tobacco, molasses, walnut, butterscotch, dried citrus, stewed prune, apricot and balsamic flavours. Intense and balanced, fresh palate despite a big 240 g/L residual sugar level and 21% alcohol. Very fine and a privilege to drink. To serve slightly chilled.Prices:| BC | $3988.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Villa Maria Pinot Noir Cellar Selection 2009
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandTobacco, menthol, floral, meaty, light barnyard nose with black cherry jam, smoky, savoury, vanilla and celery salt aromas. Rich, full, supple and juicy with black cherry, crushed strawberry, pepper, licorice root and meat flavours. Good mouthfeel and concentration that finishes rich and warm. Duck confit anyone?Prices:| NF | $40.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $34.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $40.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $35.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc Cellar Selection 2011
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandRipe pear, nettle, passion fruit, honey, pink grapefruit, spicy, light lees and mango aromas. Ripe, full, creamy, juicy palate. Grapefruit, lemon grass, honey, nutty, passion fruit, canned jalapeno and gooseberry flavours with a touch of bell pepper. A drier style with good intensity and concentration. Ready to drink but will a couple of years in bottle. Perfect with mussels.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $26.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $21.95 | 750ml |
| NS | $28.79 | 750ml |
| MB | $21.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Villa Maria Pinot Gris Private Bin 2012
East Coast, New ZealandFloral, honey, baked pear, spicy, light melon and passion fruit aromas. Ripe, full, round, juicy and slightly sweet palate with honey, guava, citrus, ripe pear and red apple flavours. Good concentration and intensity with some viscosity. A blend of Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, Marlborough and Waitiri fruit.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Villa Maria Pinot Noir Private Bin 2012
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandEarth, licorice, light tobacco leaf, spicy, rhubarb, black cherry, smoky herb aromas. Ripe, round, supple, juicy palate with good finesse. Peppery, spicy, strawberry jam, rhubarb, smoky, herbal, tobacco flavours with a bit of cola, licorice and vanilla. A bit leafy on the finish but good solid fruit and balance. Try this with grilled pork or chicken.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $22.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $25.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $26.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc Private Bin 2013
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandPassion fruit, grapefruit, light jalapeno, nettle, lemon grass and herb aromas. Round, full, fresh, juicy, slightly sweet entry with canned grapefruit, passion fruit, canned jalapeno and light bell pepper flavours. A solid easy sipping style, that is reliable if unremarkable.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $20.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $19.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $20.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Familia Castaño C Monastrell Vinas Viejas en Altura 2013
Yecla, Valencia and Murcia, SpainFresh lively spicy nose with pepper, menthol and black cherry aromas. The attack is soft and the textures supple and fruity with more dark fruit flavours with a touch of stony minerality in the finish. Warm easy sipping and affordable. Perfect for the barbecue. Super value in a tasty mourvèdre.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $11.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
California Square and Co Three Blend Red 2012
Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, Central Coast, California, United StatesSquare bottle, round wine, with intense spicy, brambleberry, black fruit aromas and flavours. The attack is smooth and sweet with more vanilla oak and black fruit flavours that reflect its mix of petite sirah, syrah, sangiovese, zinfandel and merlot. Fun, friendly commercial red selling for about $10 too much.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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03 July 2014
90PTS
Domaine Boucabeille Monte Nero 2011
Côtes du Roussillon Villages, Roussillon, Sud de France, FranceHuge peppery, black licorice, spicy, smoky, garrigues, black cherry, meaty, earthy aromas. Ripe, round, suave and rich with a bit of warmth. Intense black cherry jam, tobacco, licorice, vanilla, chocolate, white pepper, savoury, meaty, kirsch and dried thyme and rosemary flavours. Despite some warmth on the finish, this has intensity and balance with some finesse but some young tannins on the finish to dissipate. Roast lamb or sausages will be a fine match. Should improve with 2-4 years.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Township 7 Sauvignon Blanc 2013
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAnother good effort although it is a touch cooler and greener (not necessarily a bad thing) than the previous version. Look for floral, fresh apples, lemon, apple and dried herbs with an orange and passion fruit finish with a hint of Co2. Perfect for most west coast seafood salads, goat cheese and dishes.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Vina Casablanca Nimbus Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2013
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileNimbus is not your average Chilean sauvignon. More reserved it has a certain elegance on the palate along with gooseberry fruit mixed with mineral, bell pepper and smoky, grapefruit notes. The attack is off-dry, with buttery nettle, gooseberry and grass flavours. Workman-like if a bit too much New Zealand style as oppose to earlier Sancerre versions.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
JoieFarm Pinot Blanc 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight floral, peach, pear, bubble gum and citrus aromas. Round, juicy, creamy palate with a sweet and sour entry. Honey, pear, baked apple, grapefruit, melon and bubble gum flavours. Finish is a bit warm but juicy. Easy sipping white that is ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
JoieFarm Muscat The Pure Grape (v) 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFine spicy, floral, nectarine, green apple skin and fruit cocktail aromas with a bit of citrus. Fresh, delicate, clean palate with some sweetness but brisk acidity. Leafy, green herb, green apple, floral, nectarine flavours. A bit hard on the finish but should be fine with Indian and Thai food. Perhaps needs a few more months to settle in bottle.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Hermanos Lurton Rueda Verdejo 2012
Rueda, Castilla-Leon, SpainThis all verdejo white is a terrific example of the potential of Rueda. The minerality, flower and citrus are enticing on the nose and manage to carry through with plenty of brightness on the palate with hint of dried herbs. This is a wonderful food wine think shellfish, seafood pastas, sushi and more.Prices:| NS | $17.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.25 | 750ml |
| NF | $18.50 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Babich Sauvignon Blanc 2013
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandA simple fresh style with a touch of struck matchstick on the nose mixed with melon smoke jalapeño and gooseberry. The attack is moderately lean with fresh lemon lime, grapefruit, passion fruit, green apple and grassy, jalapeno flavours. Simple and ready to drink with a touch of bitterness in the background.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.15 | 750ml |
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87PTS
León de Tarapacá Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileAlways styled to be easy-drinking the aromas and flavours are an aromatic grassy mix of lemon and grapefruit with red apple and dried herb flecks. A perfect luncheon style you can serve with a classic goat cheese salad or even spicy mussels. A kinder gentler version of New Zealand sauvignon. Good value.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Felino by Viña Cobos Malbec 2012
Mendoza, ArgentinaAmerican winemaker/partner Paul Hobbs works with Argentine partners Andrea Marchiori and Luis Bernard to make this generous, high quality, entry level Malbec. The oak has been reined in over the years to better reveal the spice that supports the ripe malbec fruit laced with black cherries and licorice flavours. A classic New World style red to be served with grilled meats that you can drink now.Prices:| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
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02 July 2014
89PTS
50th Parallel Estate Pinot Gris 2013
Lake Country, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis is an impressive first release from winemaker Grant Stanley. A fresh juicy subtle white with a balanced mix of ripe red apples honey, pears and nectarine fruit with a hint of sweetness. Love the subtle lees character that adds interest and complexity to the mid-palate yet doesn't weigh the wine down. Try this with any summer dish or even whole roasted chicken or turkey.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Vina Maipo Vitral Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2013
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileThe Vitral sauvignon is a mix of cool coastal fruit from the Limarí, Casablanca and Rapel Valleys. An all stainless steel white it has a dry nectarine, skinny, mineral grassy nose and palate marked by lemon and bits of gooseberries. Perfect for those who prefer a reserved style of sauvignon. Best with shellfish, especially oysters.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
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01 July 2014
87PTS
CedarCreek Riesling 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe highlight here is 9.9 percent alcohol although this may be a bit too dry for many. The gamble in picking early is you get less alcohol but you can forsake the attractive, riper fruit flavours. The attack is dry with a grassy, lemon lime undercurrent and a fairly tart finish. A fresh tight dry style that will be best when served with food. Our match would be a summer style charcuterie plate.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
JoieFarm Chardonnay Un-Oaked (ii) 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight melon, green apple, honey, lees, grapefruit and bubble gum aromas. Round, fresh, juicy but quite sweet entry with a light oily texture. Honey, butter, baked green apple, grapefruit rind, pear skin flavours. Very warm, sweet finish. Not our favourite style.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
JoieFarm A Noble Blend 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, spicy, peach, lychee, honey, citrus rind and baked apple aromas. Fresh, juicy, elegant, somewhat sweet entry with red apple, mango, peach, grapefruit rind, soapy floral, pear and clove flavours. A fun and juicy summer wine that finishes with a dusting of sweetness. Serve with spicy sushi dishes.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $34.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Hester Creek Pinot Gris 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA fine follow-up to the 2012. It's the freshness and vibrancy of this wine that attracts in the glass. Juicy and bright fruit with pears and apple over crisp acidity and clean finish. Love the stony notes throughout. Try this with a summer chicken salad. Good value.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Le Vieux Pin Syrah Cuvée Violette 2012
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaViolette is a high quality, entry level syrah that is co-fermented with two or three percent of viognier. A warm summer and cool night have yield a tasty syrah with peppery, meaty black fruit, poultry spice and black cherry flavours. Sleek and smooth you can sip this now or let it age two to three years in bottle. The winery suggest steak Dianne with a flambé of crème de violette and cassis moutarde. A beef and tomato pasta dish is an equal match. The fruit is grown in North Oliver, Deadman Lake and Black Sage Bench from seven to 16-year old vines. It spends some 14 months in varying sized French oak barrels (225l, 400 and 500L) of which 19 percent is new. Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
LaStella Vivace Pinot Grigio 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA defining style of pinot gris for me although it is warmer (more alcoholic) than I would like. The nose is an aromatic mix of floral, fennel, gooseberry and quince notes. The attack is weighty but juicy gooseberry, granny smith, orange and quince flavours. This is wonderful style for food and shellfish especially mussels would be a perfect match. Well done.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Frescobaldi Danzante Pinot Grigio delle Venezie 2012
Veneto, ItalyFresh, floral, grassy, nectarine skin aromas with light lees and green apple bits. The attack is dry with grapefruit, pear, quince and spice flavours. A spare style best with food. Try this with your favourite vegetarian pasta dish.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.45 | 750ml |
| NF | $17.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Paul & Phillipe Zinck Pinot Gris 2011
Alsace, FranceThis is the Alsace style I like, as in no oily notes just fresh fruit. The nose is a mix of ginger, lemon peel and sweet apple. The palate is weighty with more baked apple notes and sweet red apple undertones. Pork is the perfect foil here. A wine that over delivers for its price.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Louis Bernard Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2011
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceEnticing spicy, savoury, peppery, orange peel nose with black cherry jam, liquorice, and earthy, smoky aromas. Rich, round, full, smooth, juicy palate with more smoke and pepper with black cherry jam, plums, liquorice and chocolate flecked with orange peel. A juicy, delicious finish that should appeal to a wide audience. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $43.00 | 750ml |
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August 2014