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Tastings: April 2015
30 April 2015
90PTS
Road 13 Jackpot Syrah 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA huge, assertive and enticing nose of cracked pepper, roast meats and sage brush opens this full bodied syrah from Oliver's gloried Golden Mile. The densely fruited palate (black plums, wild blackberries, thorny cassis) is lifted with fresh acidity, bound with ripe, but structured tannins, and finishes with more of that peppery spice. Reminiscent of shepherd's pie in a glass, this wine would make a match for that hearty dish, or grilled lamb.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Tawse Winery Riesling Icewine 2013
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaThis heady and potent icewine shows concentrated lime cordial, apricot pit, brown butter and savoury whiffs of salt, lending interest and intrigue. Acidity is easily fresh enough to carry the silken palate of richly honeyed fruit, while citrus close out the very lengthy finish. Try with foie gras.Prices:| ON | $35.00 | 200ml |
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83PTS
Fabulous Ant Pinot Noir 2012
Tolna, HungaryAlmost nondescript wine-y nose with bits of cedar, tobacco leaf and earth. The attack is thin an acidic with sour cherries and smoky, tobacco, cedar flavours. Reminds one of cheap Bourgogne from an era gone by. Really needs food to round out the edges.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Barista Pinotage 2013
Western Cape, South AfricaSimilar to previous edition but this time with just a little less intensity of coffee and chocolate but then the scorched earth effect sets in and covers the fruit from back to front. The palate is soft and silky but the flavours are both sweet and sour with a strong smoked leather finish. As we have said before, thanks but no thanks.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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29 April 2015
90PTS
Tawse Winery Sketches Riesling 2013
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaSourced from sustainably farmed vineyards across Niagara Peninsula, this 'entry tier' riesling astounds with its value. Pure lime, sweet pear drop, lemon candied and light eraser aromas. The intense, off dry palate is alive and zesty, with ample lime, green apple, citrus blossom and a tight, cool core of stony minerality. The zippy acidity handily carries the residual sugar, leaving a gentle sweetness on the tactile finish. Would be lovely with citrus kissed spot prawns or tuna tataki.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Tawse Winery Spark Limestone Ridge Sparkling Riesling 2013
Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaThe second vintage of the Limestone Ridge Vineyard Riesling Spark impresses instantly with its limey, green apple and light petrol whiff. The dry, crisp palate dances with focus and drive - all high toned and riesling-marked, with pure lime, lemon zest and abundant minerality. Lively and refreshing, positively demands pairing with oysters or salty snacks.Prices:| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
L'Ecole No 41 Semillon 2011
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesJust a shadow of age has revealed alluring mature notes of honeycomb and pistachio, scented apricot blossom and lemon pith, and herbal, earthy lees across a subtly waxy, full bodied palate. Fluid acidity carries into a lovely lengthy finish.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Wolf Blass Yellow Label Chardonnay 2014
South Australia, AustraliaThe latest ‘Yellow Label’ chardonnay reflects many of the changes that have been going on at Wolf Blass with its chardonnay program. Less oak, tight green apple fruit, better minerality notes and even bits of lees for complexity. It’s still fun to drink but it is not tiring and you want to have another glass. Try this with your favourite seafood dish or grilled chicken.Prices:| BC | $13.29 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $17.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.45 | 750ml |
| NS | $18.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Pierre Amadieu Gigondas Romane-Machotte Rosé 2014
Gigondas, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceVery pale raspberry colour with spicy, earthy, cherry, tobacco and light apple aromas. Fresh, juicy, elegant palate with a tiny hint of sweetness. Cherry, plum, licorice, earthy, green apple and tobacco flavours. A bit tight on the nose at this point but the palate is well balanced with good flavour intensity. Perfect summer luncheon wine when white wine is quite enough.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Caymus Vineyards 40th Anniversary Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Napa Valley, California, United StatesRich ripe black berry jam with smoky, licorice, leather, vanilla, chocolate, cassis, prune, orange peel, resin and espresso aromas. Rich, full, ripe, fat, jammy palate with big chocolate, coffee pudding, black berry jam, licorice, smoky herb, black olive flavours flecked with prunes. A touch of sweetness and round, long finish with balance but too much of a good thing. Best with rich, spicy meat dishes.Prices:| BC | $72.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $74.50 | 750ml |
| AB | $85.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $77.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $89.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $70.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
La Tarasque Rouge 2011
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceExpect a slightly volatile lifted fruit nose with notes of raspberries and violets. The palate is juicy with a smoky chocolate, meaty, sour cherry fruit flavours with a definite bitter coffee bean finish. Not the best bottle.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Chateau St. Jean Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Sonoma County, California, United StatesCassis, black olive, licorice, vanilla, smoky nose with bits of cedar, menthol, coffee and tobacco aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy, smooth palate with light tannins and more black berry, cedar, coffee, cassis, vanilla, peppery, smoky licorice, olive and leather flavours. Forward style but well balanced with solid fruit. Try this with grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $35.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Michel Torino Cuma Organic Torrontés 2013
Cafayate, Calchaqui Valley, Salta, North, ArgentinaBig lemon, floral, mint, nectarine, ginger aromas. Fresh, juicy, creamy, dry palate with orange, lemon oil, spicy, ginger, nectarine and rose petal flavours. Good intensity and balance and value. Turkey would be fine match.Prices:| BC | $12.19 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $12.00 | 750ml |
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27 April 2015
90PTS
Luis Pato Vinhas Velhas Branco 2012
Bairrada, Northern Portugal, PortugalA blend of white grapes bical, cerceal and sercialinho are rare enough (here) to get any wine fan intrigued. Luis Pato’s family has been producing wine since the 18th century, and his father, João was the first to bottle wine in Bairrada DOC after it was officially demarcated as an appellation. Together with his father, Luis is credited with bringing Bairrada (traditionally Beiras) back to life. Unoaked and raised in stainless steel, this bright trio of grapes highlight their pure-fruited nature and chalky clay soils well. Herbal, white grapefruit and lemon on the nose carry to a creamy, light lees texture with white peach and tight pear, quince, wild honey, mild nuts and a perfumed elderflower. Beauty freshness and energy.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Terravista Fandango Albariño Verdejo 2012
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis was the second vintage of this blend, singular in Canada, and it keeps getting better now with some age. Delicate orange blossom, heady seashell, whiffs of fresh herbs and greengage entice into a full and rich palate of herbal-kissed fruit: ripe white peach, peach fuzz, pear blossom, heavy honeydew and heady spice. This is a big, expansive wine (14 percent alcohol) with fervent intensity, but the juicy white grapefruit acidity keeps it feeling lively and balanced.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Concha y Toro Amelia Chardonnay Las Petras Vineyard 2013
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileLeesy, garlic, matchstick, buttery nose with bits of pineapple, guava, honey, cinnamon and baked apple aromas. Ripe, full, juicy, elegant palate with honey, lemon custard, spicy lees, garlic, waxy, pineapple, toasty, smoky, grassy flavours. A bit heavy on the lees and butter but good fruit. Ready to drink.Prices:| US | $35.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Concha y Toro Terrunyo Costa Block 3 Syrah Los Boldos Vineyard 2013
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileFresh meaty, bacon, menthol, bay leaf, peppery red with black cherry, earthy, saddle leather and rosemary aromas. Dry, round, fresh, smooth palate with black cherry, menthol, sausage meat, cola, peppery, thyme, dried rosemary, coffee and light vanilla flavours. Solid elegance and length if a bit light on the mid-palate. Try this with a hardy lamb stew or lamb chops.Prices:| QC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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25 April 2015
90PTS
Carson Pinot Noir Naramata Vineyard 2013
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOne of the best we have tasted from the Carson/Kemp camp in a tricky year. We love the delicate pinot character here the strawberry raspberry nuances and the fresh earthy, forest floor notes. Pure, terroir-focused and eminently drinkable now. We (they) can do this. The fruit, all from the 115 clone, comes off a steep, 1.5 acre, sand over clay site facing south west. Made by hand and aged 8 months in about 25-30 percent French oak.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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24 April 2015
88PTS
Claus Preisinger Basic Red 2011
Claus Preisinger is one of Austria's hottest winemakers. Youthful, driven, modern and innovative and he farms biodynamically. This red’s appeal starts with the label, striking in its stylized simplicity. Pinot Noir cousins zweigelt and blaufrankisch come together like close family in this fresh, lively and light red. Mildly perfumed cranberry, salted plum, and young blackberry on the nose, the juicy palate has flavours of earth, black cherry and spiced tea notes. Soft, fine tannins and an easy balance make this great with or without food - I recommend margarita pizza with arugula.Prices:| BC | $20.50 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Rio Madre Rioja 2012
Rioja, SpainYou don’t see many 100 percent graciano bottles of Rioja because it can be over powering. In this case it’s mostly in check but it’s easy to see why this wine appeals to Mr. Parker. Round, soft and super ripe with blueberry notes, this red wine slides down easily helped along by a fragrant, floral nose and an oaky undercurrent. The vines, approximately 20 years old, are planted to chalky soils located at 600m above sea level. An attractive style you can serve with grilled lamb chops or pork. Good value.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Marqués de Cáceres Crianza 2010
Rioja, SpainA clean start is welcomed. Look for freshness and red berry notes with bits of cedar, earth, licorice, spice and vanilla. The attack is smooth and fleshy with medium weight and light tannins. A mellow but authentic crianza suited to a wide variety of foods including chicken grilled meats, cheeses and pastas.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.25 | 750ml |
| NS | $21.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $21.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Marqués de Cáceres Rosé 2013
Rioja, SpainThe Rioja rosé is gradually moving its colour profile toward Provence exchanging dark pink for muted salmon. Even though this Caceres is closing in on a year and a half in the bottle, under screwcap the nose is still fresh. The blend is a mix of mostly tempranillo with a touch of garnacha the fruit a raspberry/strawberry affair that is bright but dry and food friendly. Think summer foods, pork kebobs or chicken or pasta salads.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.25 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Bodegas Beronia Rioja Reserva 2010
Rioja Alta, Rioja, SpainThis is a terrific bottle of Rioja. Deep dark and dense the fruit remains bright but not candied and it is flecked with bits of black licorice, mushrooms and new leather. The structure is smooth and long and its fun to drink even now at five years old. The wine is aged like many others 18 months in mixed American and French oak barrels. Try this you’re your favourite game dish or grilled lamb chops in a chimichurri sauce.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $21.50 | 750ml |
| MB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Campo Viejo Reserva 2009
Rioja, SpainThe reserva is a selection of blocks based on the growing season and tastings. The blend is predominately tempranillo with some 15 percent of mazuelo and graciano that is aged 18 months in French and American oak and 18 months in bottle. Look for ripe entry of cherries and plums with a dusting of spicy mushrooms and oak. The finish is tempranillo temperate. Try this with grilled chicken or lamb.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $21.50 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $21.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $23.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $23.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $21.25 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Famille Perrin Rasteau L'Andéol 2011
Rasteau, Côtes du Rhône Villages, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceRasteau L'Andéol comes off a two-hectare, bowl-shaped vineyard that boasts gravel over sand and clay. It faces south turning its back on the persistent Mistral wine. In 2011 the fruit jumps from the glass s preview to its wild red fruits and pepper flavours protected from all but a touch of wood thanks to only ten percent of the mix going into foudres. The red fruit is juicy and dense with the usual glossy textures mixed with chocolate and a hint of butcher’s block. A perfect foil to any rotisserie chicken dish.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $26.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
The Invisible Man Rioja 2011
Rioja Alta, Rioja, SpainThe name is a bit kitschy but thankfully the wine is not. This 95/5 tempranillo/mazuelo has it going on with its fresh red fruit nose and pepper that spills on to the palate. Dry and linear it has typically light tannins but we love the dusty, black cherry, fruity, mineral flavours that cry out for food. There's a touch of toasted oak in the back end but nothing that would interfere with a winter menu. Try this with lamb chops for a great match. Made from very old vines.Prices:| BC | $21.79 | 750ml |
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23 April 2015
79PTS
Covert Farms Rosé (Organic) 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis deeply hued rosé is organically grown and managed with biodynamic practices. An assertive / assaulting nose of rhubarb, decaying berries and funky yeast. A clipped palate reflects the same, over a tart, cranberry rhubarb acidity. There's a fault somewhere down the line, hopefully correctable for future bottles.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Robert Mondavi Pinot Noir Reserve 2012
Carneros, Napa Valley, California, United StatesTwo blocks in Carneros were selected for this reserve pinot noir, combining dry farmed 40 year old vines with a mix of clones aged 35 years. Partial whole cluster and 100 percent new French oak was employed to up the presence of this full, ripe red. Fragrant plums, raspberry and sweet spice aromas. The silky palate carries the same, alongside strawberries, cherries, red currant and woodsy notes. Tannins whisper fine, acidity is bright and lively right through to the cracked black pepper and finely sanded cedar spice on the finish. A generous, ripe fruited and silken pinot noir that would pair well with sauced baked salmon or pork tenderloin in mushroom cream.Prices:| QC | $60.50 | 750ml |
| BC | $65.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Concha y Toro Trio Reserva Chardonnay Pinot Grigio Pinot Blanc 2013
Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, ChileEnticing light honey, butter, spicy lees, baked pear, citrus and green apple aromas. Fresh, juicy and creamy palate with lemon custard, butter, pear, honey, garlic lees and baked green apple flavours. Good concentration and intensity with a bit of citrus rind at the end. Super value in Ontario. Try this with a summer seafood salad.Prices:| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.25 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Concha y Toro Trio Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Shiraz 2013
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileOpen spicy, peppery, cassis, cranberry, black olive nose with sappy, cedar aromas. Fresh, soft, round, juicy and suave palate with cassis, black cherry, cedar, tobacco, leather, coffee, bay, sappy, savoury, thyme flavours. Well balanced with attractive textures. A perfect hamburger red. Good value.Prices:| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Concha y Toro Terrunyo Andes Block Las Terrazas Cabernet Sauvignon Pirque Vineyard 2012
Pirque, Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileRich fresh blackberry, cassis, peppery nose with tobacco, cedar, vanilla, licorice and light coffee and black olive aromas. Ripe, round, rich, fresh, juicy palate with only fine-grained tannins. Coffee, black berry, smoky, cassis, tobacco, cedar, meaty, savoury, bay and vanilla flavours. Good concentration and length with some youthful tannins to smooth out over 2-5 years. A terrific steak wine that will only improve in bottle through 2020. Pure one hundred percent cabernet sauvignon mixing 85 percent Block Las Terrazas, Old Pirque Vineyard, Maipo Valley and fifteen percent Puente Alto Vineyard, Maipo Valley both over poor alluvial stony soils over more gravel. The wine spends 14 months in French oak barrels.Prices:| BC | $37.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $35.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Concha y Toro Terrunyo Andes Block Las Terrazas Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Pirque, Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileSappy cassis, menthol, bay, peppery, black cherry nose with tobacco, vanilla and cedar aromas. Rich, full, juicy, slightly tannic palate with cassis, black berry, coffee, vanilla, balsamic, bay, menthol, thyme, licorice and tobacco flavours. Pure one hundred percent cabernet sauvignon mixing 85 percent Block Las Terrazas, Old Pirque Vineyard, Maipo Valley and fifteen percent Puente Alto Vineyard, Maipo Valley both over poor alluvial stony soils over more gravel. The wine spends 14 months in French oak barrels. Excellent styling.Prices:| BC | $37.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $35.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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22 April 2015
84PTS
Kim Crawford Pansy! Rosé 2014
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandAssertive in hue and aromas, this punchy rosé is 100 percent merlot from Hawke's Bay. Cherry, watermelon and strawberry are up front and primary, the acidity is moderate and the finish is tart and candied. A simple, easy rosé for summer refreshing. Not shy, pour this with salmon burgers or tuna tataki.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $17.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.25 | 750ml |
| NS | $19.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $19.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Pascual Toso Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Mendoza, ArgentinaSweet plum, blackberry jam and potpourri open this Argentine red. Sweet jammy blackberry, coffee and vanilla provide a thick shellac to the densely fruited palate, one finishing with sweet wood and spices. A universal style that will appeal to someone looking for an easy, big, sweeter-fruited red to pour with their grilled ribs.Prices:| BC | $12.50 | 750ml |
| SK | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Blue Mountain Pinot Gris 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA delicate peach hue hints to the gris in the glass, an herbal, textured and finely spiced example. Forty percent barrel fermentation and age ups the spicy, stony complexity, a fine foil to the herbal-imbued lemon, pear and pithy notes. Moderate acidity and a subtle honeysuckle closes out the creamy, spicy finish. Youthful still, but will build and continue to deepen with 3-5 years time. Quietly confident, as is the house style. Pour with herb trussed poultry or classic moules frites.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $23.50 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Garage Wine Co. Lot 44 Carignan 2012
Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileCorked try anotherPrices:| AB | $33.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Garage Wine Co. Lot 44 Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileCanadian Derek Mossman has been toiling in Chile for a long time now but we are just getting to see some of his wines in Canada, although not in BC yet. The cabernet is unfined and unfiltered and is ferment naturally with native yeasts in open-top fermenters. Look for sappy, cassis, pepper and black olive nose with cedar, vanilla and meaty, leather aromas. Ripe, round, suave, juicy palate with light tannins and more coffee, black pepper, black olive, black berry, leather, bay and tea flavours. Well-balanced with solid fruit and finesse. Drink now - 5 years. There’s 15 percent cabernet franc in the mix. Steak is the ticket here.Prices:| AB | $33.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Yalumba Y Series Viognier 2014
South Australia, AustraliaThere has been some variation in this wine over the last few year but the ’14 is spot on. We love the fragrant nose and the spicy, pure floral ginger litchi flavours but it’s the bright juicy light textures that really lift it out of the glass. Well done, I loved it with grilled chicken.Prices:| BC | $15.69 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $19.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $16.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Ruffino Chianti 2013
Tuscany, ItalyPeppery, spicy, cherry-scented nose with a touch of game. The attack is soft and juicy, the palate and easy sipping mix of plums, cherries, licorice and savoury, balsamic tobacco flavours. Fresh with attractive fruit and balance for current drinking. Good value here for Chianti. Spaghetti and meatballs anyone?Prices:| BC | $14.29 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $15.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.75 | 750ml |
| SK | $16.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $17.25 | 750ml |
| YK | $18.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Alain Brumont Merlot-Tannat 2012
Cotes de Gascogne, Sud-Ouest, FranceBig spicy, savoury, meaty, peppery, black olive, rooty, cedar, sappy cassis aromas with a hint of chocolate and cigar. Fresh, soft, easy palate with coffee grind, cherry, black olive, tobacco leaf, peppery, meaty, earthy flavours. Friendly country style red with a touch of green. Serve with grilled lamb or veal chops.Prices:| BC | $13.29 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Crociani Rosso di Montepulciano 2012
Tuscany, ItalySavoury, peppery, gamey, licorice, black cherry, balsamic, smoky leather aromas with a bit of barnyard. Dry, fresh, round, easy sipping style but lean. Peppery, balsamic, smoked meat, black cherry, licorice and leather flavours with a bit of Brettanomyces coming through. A rustic style you can served with barbecued meats.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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21 April 2015
92PTS
Ochota Barrels The Green Room Grenache Syrah 2014
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaOchota Barrels' aim is to express old vine, single vineyard sites as naturally as possible. Here, fragrant wild strawberry, raspberry, violets and forest aromas reflect the 88/13 grenache/syrah Rhone-styled blend. Eighty year old grenache is whole bunch pressed and spends ample time on the skins, lending a complexity and phenolic texture that surprises with its depth. Fine through ample white and black peppery coexist in harmony, and season the wild berry, summer cherry, earthy forest palate. Acidity is nimble and juicy, mellow tannins throw a light rasp and a dusky five spice closes the lengthy, textural finish. Alcohol is a welcome 12.8 percent. Winemaker Taras Ochota is one of the cutting edge talented nonconformists of the Australian wine industry, and we need to see more Aussie wines like this on our shelves.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Pinot Gris 2014
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRipe pear, perfumed florals and fine cream open this pinot gris, sourced from estate vineyards in Oliver, Kelowna and Naramata. A short time partially fermented and aged in French oak up the weight and leesy complexity, as does a gentle dollop of residual sugar, a cushion for the herbal pear, white peach, starfruit and pink grapefruit pith notes. A smoked stoniness persists to the finish.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Robert Mondavi Fumé Blanc Reserve To Kalon Vineyard 2012
Napa Valley, California, United StatesAn expressive, assertive nose of meadow, hedge, passionfruit and white grapefruit open this powerful sauvignon blanc, from a dry farmed block in one of Napa's legendary vineyards. Smoked stone and wood tip to the time spent in new French oak, and frame the full bodied, bracing palate, standing up to the potent passionfruit, grapefruit and greengage flavours. A splash of semillon lends a seam of delicate white florals to the smoked lemon finish. A great match for grilled seafood or clambake.Prices:| BC | $47.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $44.75 | 750ml |
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20 April 2015
92PTS
Chateau Beychevelle 2010
Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceSmoked stone, wild herbs and white pepper marked this vintage making it an alluring and complex pour. Deep black cherry, ripe raspberry, some earthy stem savouriness and light smoked stone. Youthful raspberry, fine grained white pepper and black pepper add characterful charm, and while the young tannins are fine, they are currently a touch ragged. Time will heal - this wine has power enough for two decades. An herbal, savoury bent through the lengthy, smoked stone finish. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Tasting Vancouver 2015.Prices:| BC | $168.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $132.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $140.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $150.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $159.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Chateau Cos d'Estournel 2010
St. Estèphe, Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceThe peppery potency of this St.-Estephe stands out, while the structure of nearly 80 percent cabernet sauvignon carries undeniable structure. Scented wood and dusty gravels and leather notes, with an alluring dried raspberry floral and tobacco. Quite potent on the palate with black cherry, black plum and pure cassis in the ripe and juicy prime of youth. Nice savoury vein throughout with a black peppery earthiness to the lengthy finish. Lovely finesse and harmony, balancing out the powerful triad of tannins, fruit and minerality. Will reward in 15 years time. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Tasting Vancouver 2015.Prices:| ON | $480.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $688.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $490.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $520.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $550.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Chateau Léoville Las Cases 2010
St. Julien, Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceAt first, this is somewhat closed and hard, a reflection of its youth and dominance of cabernet sauvignon. With some time, smoked stone, black cherry bitterness emerge. Heady cassis, wild blackberry, charcoal and tobacco are carried by dense, though fine grained tannins. Lovely structure, and undeniable power, keyed with a savoury edge. Needs a lot of time to fully emerge - ten years plus. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Vancouver 2015.Prices:| BC | $500.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $490.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $500.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $500.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $550.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Henschke Cyril Henschke Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Eden Valley, South Australia, AustraliaI was charmed by the ripe, perfumed and up front cherry of this floral Eden Valley icon. Red and black berries, strawberry jam are tempered by a wave of rocky stoniness and sweet spice. The round, soft palate is cushioned by very juicy perfumed strawberry, raspberry, vanilla, while fine tannins and finer white pepper spice frame the whole. A gentler, quieter cabernet based blend. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Vancouver 2015.Prices:Read Full Note
89PTS
Vasse Felix Heytesbury 2010
Margaret River, Western Australia, AustraliaAromatics of this Margaret River blend were muted at first, with time in the glass revealing subtle stone, whiffs of black cherry and youthful cassis. The juicy palate carries cranberry, green raspberry, ripe cherry, bramble, tobacco ash and a lingering fine peppery spice - both white and black. Tannins feel a bit taut and black tea tinged. A wave of eucalyptus closes out the finish. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Tasting Vancouver 2015Prices:| BC | $100.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Wolf Blass Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 38th Vintage 2010
South Australia, AustraliaAn almost even split between cabernet sauvignon and shiraz from Barossa, Langhorne Creek and McLaren Vale, Wolf Blass' legendary Black Label has legions of followers, and is now in its 38th vintage. Ripe kirsch, chocolate cherry, fragrant fig jam aromas. Dense strawberry and raspberry jam fills the fruit forward, round and juicy palate, with ample, slightly sticky tannins carrying the ripe fruit to a spiced finish. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Tasting Vancouver 2015.Prices:| BC | $100.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $100.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $100.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Château Léoville-Barton 2010
St. Julien, Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceI admired the perfumed, raspberry, light anise, deeper florals and woodsy cedar notes of this St.-Julien, the predominance of cabernet sauvignon (77 percent) evident, as was the whiff of (good) bret. The graceful and finessed nose carried through to the palate: black raspberry, black cherry, dark coffee and juicy acidity. Tannins are strident and youthful, and fruit is ripe though restrained, with finely rasped spice and light smoke on the lengthy finish. Will hold, knit and improve over the next two decades. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Tasting Vancouver 2015.Prices:| QC | $175.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $210.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $210.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2010
Pauillac, Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceA compelling, characterful wine, impossible to bypass even though I was tasting through a flawed bottle. Light smoked stone, smoked berry, earth, stem and savoury gravels. Alluring bacon, black cherry, blackcurrant and anise carries fluidly across fine boned, structured tannins. The gravels and minerality present poised and finessed, even though the wine dried out at the finish, sadly. I wish the bottle was sound, and I'm looking forward to retasting, but the quality was unmistakable. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Tasting Vancouver 2015.Prices:| BC | $380.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $350.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $350.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $315.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Chateau Latour 2010
Pauillac, Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceThe gravitas of Latour could not be denied in the Master Blend blind tasting, and while it is still so young and tight, the potential and confidence of this wine was immense. Subtle floral perfumes - black and red raspberry, dusty gravels, black florals entice on the finessed nose. A complex and intriguing palate reveals graceful black cherry, scented cola, gentle cassis, wild raspberry, mineral, graphite and gravels - punctured with upstart youthful acidity and spice. Beauty balance even now - poised in its youth and with decades of time to go. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Tasting Vancouver 2015.Prices:| AB | $2000.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $1920.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $1950.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $1935.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Opus One 2010
Napa Valley, California, United StatesAt first whiff there is a brambled bent to the nose, with green and red raspberry fruit, light toast and high tones. Red cherry and leather dominate the juicy and mouth filling palate, alongside generous strawberry and raspberry fruit. Ripe, cushy tannins are well integrated and succulent. An interested perfumed carnation character washes over the jammy finish. The wine presents young and somewhat awkward now, but doubtlessly will outgrow its gangliness and emerge a swan over the next 5+ years. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Tasting Vancouver 2015Prices:| ON | $459.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $375.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Signorello Seta 2012
Napa Valley, California, United StatesRay Signorello makes a silky white wine blending sémillon and sauvignon blanc from Oak Knoll District fruit, dry-farmed, near to the Napa River. The nose is a mix of pear and melon with just a spray of citrus. The attack is nimble with a bitter nectarine, pear passion fruit flavour that ends juicy and stony. Surprisingly nimble for a 100% barrel-fermented white. That spends a further 8 months in barrel a la Bordeaux Blanc. A fine match for sophisticated seafood or chicken dishes.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Narrative White by Okanagan Crush Pad 2013
Summerland Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaNarrative is an innovative storyline of wines from the Okanagan Crush Pad folks. The wine is made sans sulphur, enzymes and oak to best translate the terroir of the valley in a pure, makeup-less style. The white is a mix of chardonnay, gewürztraminer and pinot blanc from sites in Summerland (mid-valley) and Oliver in the south. Look for a dry, spare style white with bits of fresh lemon, dried herbs, and stony mineral notes. The palate is a mix of light pear fruit flavours with citrus and sage and a dry creamy finish. A perfect food for light seafood dishes.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Quails' Gate Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeppery, smoky, black olive, savoury, tobacco leaf, cassis, rubber, cedar aromas with a touch of vanilla. Soft, round, smooth palate with light tannins. Black olive, resin, coffee, vanilla, smoky tomato, cedar, tobacco, chocolate and herb flavours. Hard and reductive at the moment so give this a splash decant before you serve it with a grilled piece of meat.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Quails' Gate Fortified Vintage Foch 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGamy, foxy, cherry jam, spirit-y, minty, peppery aromas. Fresh, rich, sweet, supple palate with roast meat, raisin, gamy, black berry, coffee, chocolate and prune flavours. Very intense version of foch but balanced. Try this with nutty desserts.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 375ml |
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87PTS
Quails' Gate Old Vines Foch Reserve 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeppery, tobacco, meaty, leather, cedar, rooty, rubber, roast tomato, coffee and vanilla aromas. Dry, full round, slightly tart palate with coffee, chocolate, tomato paste, rooty, smoked leather, cherry jam, meaty, savoury flavours. A big, oaky style for those that like it.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $40.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Grilos Dão Vinho Tinto 2012
Dão, Northern Portugal, PortugalWe love the peppery, savoury, black cherry, earthy, smoky with notes of plums, olive and licorice aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy with slightly astringent tannins. Meaty, savoury, thyme, cedar, earthy, smoky, black berry and resin flavours. A rustic country red perfect for burgers or meaty pizzas.Prices:| BC | $13.09 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBlack pepper, black olive, coffee, smoky herb, cassis, vanilla, earthy, black berry and leaf aromas. Soft, round, smooth and fresh palate with roast pepper, cassis, black olive, green bean, cedar, tobacco, leather, vanilla and coffee flavours. Well balanced but with some green notes throughout. Serve with grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $28.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $25.25 | 750ml |
| NS | $31.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $25.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Tinhorn Creek 2Bench Oldfield Series Red 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCassis, sappy, savoury, resin, black olive, black cherry, leather, light barnyard, orange, smoky sage and licorice nose. Smooth, round, fresh palate with cranberry, olive, cedar, dried herbs, licorice, tomato paste, bell pepper and coffee flavours. Well balanced for near term consumption try this with beef.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Flat Roof Manor Malbec 2012
South AfricaMeaty, smoky, leather, barnyard, coffee, black berry and prune aromas. Round, fresh, somewhat sweet and hot palate with smoked meat, leather, cherry jam, Band-Aid, coffee flavours. Very rustic, commercial style.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $14.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $15.50 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Black Sage Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVery spicy, peppery, cedar, saddle leather, cranberry, balsamic, orange peel, leafy, resin aromas. Round, dry, slightly hard and tannic palate. Leafy, resin, tomato paste, olive, cranberry, smoky leather, cigar ash and balsamic flavours. Needs a bit of time to soften and integrate.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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18 April 2015
85PTS
Noble Ridge Pinot Noir 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOpen warm spicy nose with bits of rhubarb, smoke and milk chocolate. The attack is round and rich with a heavy, peppery, smoky soy, cherry, green tobacco flavours with some dry tannins. The finish is warm and oaky. Too much wood and wine making here to be a true pinot.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $35.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
The Ned Pinot Gris 2013
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandYou may not think of pinot gris and New Zealand in the same breath, and while the grape isn't nearly as popular as sauvignon blanc, it is produced in reasonable quantity, and The Ned is the biggest selling gris in NZ. This light, pale blush hue shows ripe peach, nectarine, yellow apple and tropical flowers, in a full bodied, generous style. Spice, lemon drop and petals close out the finish. Power over delicacy here, and a worthy pour to fragrant green curries or shellfish.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $21.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $18.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Fort Berens Pinot Gris 2014
Lillooet, British Columbia, CanadaFrom estate vineyards on the Fraser River Bench comes this stony, herbal and tart pinot gris, one of the first of the 2014 vintage we've tasted. The crisp palate is tempered with a small cushion of pear and Asian pear, and sharpened with a line of white grapefruit and lime pith. The acidity gobbles up the 6 g/l of residual sugar, and this medium bodied gris finishes with an appealing pear skin / thistle bitterness. Pour with grilled calamari or lemon dressed trout.Prices:| BC | $18.40 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Tantalus Rosé 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThough Tantalus will always be known for their striking riesling (and iconic labels) that brought worldwide acclaim for BC riesling, you shouldn’t write them off as a one-trick pony, as their prowess for cool climate grapes shows throughout their entire portfolio. This singular rosé is from a block of pinot meunier planted in 1985, splashed with a hit of pinot noir. Lovely ripe strawberry, raspberry and sunripened cherry, a wave of fragrant plum, hard berry candy and a waft of wild herbs and citrus peel on the finish.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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17 April 2015
88PTS
Selbach Riesling (Fish Label) 2013
Mosel, GermanyHeady peach and ripe pear aromas mark this juicy, mouth-filling riesling, always a memorable sight due to its colourful fish label (designed by a Vancouver artist). Steep, south facing Mosel slopes yield the stony backbone and depth of orchard fruit, expressed in a ripe, off-dry, shining style. Lime rind, nectarine and apricot blossom trail off with fine, nutty spice. Great intensity, fantastic value and a welcome 10.5 percent alcohol makes this an ideal pairing for gentle/moderately spiced curries.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Stable Door Cellars Riesling 2013
CanadaIntense, fresh, citrus and lime rind aromas. The palate is similar with fresh cut apples, lemon and candied lime rind that plays into an off-dry finish. This is a straight-up, well-made sweetish riesling that would be best served with a spicy Indian curry, or even barbecued ribs.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Nk'Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Syrah 2010
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaNk'Mip's premium syrah opens with a toasted red cedar, cherry and twine nose that precedes a juicy and generous palate, dense with medicinal cherry fruit, structured, finely rasped tannins and fresh, ripe cassis and blackberry seed. Great spiciness and freshness throughout. Improving in the bottle needs another two years to hit its stride.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Casa Planeta Bianco 2011
Sicily, ItalyIf you’re looking for an easy intro to Sicily’s idiosyncratic wines, Planeta is your gateway and this light-bodied, juicy grecanico/chardonnay blend is your key. Grecanico is the same grape as garganega, and here it’s part of 50/50 blend with chardonnay. This Sicilian IGT is a fragrant, tropical wine with notes of pineapple and lime, finishing crisp and bright with a whiff of white flower blossoms. A lovely aperitif wine.Prices:| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Le Volte dell' Ornellaia 2012
Tuscany, ItalyLe Volte is Bolgheri-based Ornellaia's entry level red. The Tuscan blend is a 50/30/20 mix of merlot, sangiovese and cabernet sauvignon that in 2012 ripened in a warm and mostly dry growing season. Look for rich black cherry/cassis fruit aromas flecked with earthy undertones. The palate is always suave with soft round cassis, black cherry, meaty, licorice flavours. There is fine intensity here and fruit but with that savoury Bolgheri streak from front to back. Serve now with mushrooms or meat or give it another two to three years in bottle to fully mature. Le Volte is always aged for some 10 months in old Ornellaia barriques.Prices:| BC | $30.50 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $30.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $33.00 | 750ml |
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16 April 2015
88PTS
Gunderloch Fritz's Riesling 2013
Rheinhessen, GermanyRipe pear, white peach and lemon drop open this juicy riesling. Though Fritz's, named for principal Fritz Hasselbach, is a punchy, catchy intro to their brand, the grapes come from the same area as their premium wines, grown in a special part of the Rheinhessen called the Roter Hang, or Red Hill. These slate soils are red in colour, and the iron oxide deposits impart a lot of minerality to the wines. The plentiful orchard fruit carries through the juicy, mid-sweet palate, finishing with tangerine and a stony spiciness.Prices:| BC | $18.49 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Church & State Wines Coyote Bowl Series Cabernet Franc 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA southern Rhone blend gaining popularity in the south Okanagan blending marsanne, viognier and roussanne grapes. The palate is rich and leesy with with waxy, exotic aromas of peach and mango followed by honeyed apricots, spice, brown butter and a nutty lemon finish. A little closed in but has fine potential over the next three years. A wine to watch. The grapes for this wine were picked from the Bella and Second Chapter vineyards in the Okanagan Valley.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Tinhorn Creek Gewürztraminer 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFrom Oliver’s Golden Mile, this off-dry gewürztraminer is mainly from 17 year old vines (that’s old for the Okanagan) and enticing with alluring rose perfume, fragrant lemon blossom and ripe gooseberry. Juicy grapefruit acidity and a medium body keep it food friendly, with lingering peach spiciness to lead through the finish.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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15 April 2015
90PTS
Vina Tondonia Red Reserva 2001
Rioja Alta, Rioja, SpainSince when is the current red vintage on our shelves more than a dozen years old? Gracias Rioja. And especially the majestic Bodegas R. López de Heredia, the epitome of old school, timeless, individualistic and ritualistic winemaking. Their wines respect historic traditions, and released when ready to drink. Luckilly for us. This old vines Reserva (tempranillo, garnacha graciano, mazuelo) opens with worn books, old cherry wood and dried strawberries. The palate feels well-worn and welcoming: dried cherry, sweet wild strawberries, aged leather, dried rose petals, earthy salinity a lift of fresh cranberries and a thin rasp of bitter cherry tannins before the mineral-lingering finish. Classic, timeless and excellent value.Prices:| BC | $54.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Wolf Blass Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 38th Vintage 2010
South Australia, AustraliaIn 2010 the mix is 51 cabernet sauvignon and 49 shiraz, a tough blend to compete with in this lineup. Expect a floral nose with sweet dense cherry aromas with a dollop of vanilla. The attack is the familiar sweet and sour affair with the acidity poking through the smoky, blueberry, licorice, stemmy, fruit flavours. It finishes tart. Lamb anyone.Prices:| BC | $100.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $100.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $100.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Antinori Solaia 2010
Tuscany, ItalyPerhaps an awkward moment for this iconic Tuscan red. The nose is pretty if a touch lifted with bright red fruits dominated with bits of olive, dried herbs and earth. The attack is elegant and well balanced with slightly darker fruits, resin, graphite and savoury notes supporting. Just a baby but will need time to mature. It is not the same size as most of the wine in this tasting and for that we can be thankful. Cellar through 2020 then try with a steak, prepared Florentine style. The blend is 75/20/5 cabernet sauvignon, sangiovese, cabernet franc. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Tasting Vancouver 2015.Prices:| ON | $251.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $270.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $504.00 | 1500ml |
| AB | $600.00 | 1500ml |
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93PTS
Château Léoville-Barton 2010
St. Julien, Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceLéoville-Barton has always been a value buy but in the last decade the jump in quality at the Chateau is marked. The 2010 mix is 73/17/10 cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc all aged in 60 percent new oak. The wine is still tightly wound five years out showing more savoury notes and monster tannins over tarry red fruits. The finish is long and tight with coffee and licorice dominating. This is a thirty year wine for sure and should be scintillating in its third decade. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Tasting Vancouver 2015.Prices:| QC | $175.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $210.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $210.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 2010
Pauillac, Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceA controversial bottle sporting what many thought was some TCA. Even so the wine you could feel and taste a much better structure in 2010 and despite the TCA a cleaner wine with no Brett. The blend is 66/24/7/3 cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc and petit verdot. It’s firmer and denser than we have seen in a while. With some of the fruit knock off by the cork, and no back up bottle, it really must be re-tasted again for a definite score. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Tasting Vancouver 2015.Prices:| BC | $380.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $350.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $350.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $315.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Joseph Phelps Insignia 2010
Napa Valley, California, United StatesLike many of the star California 2010 reds it’s the cool mineral, floral stony notes that attract. The blend is 84/10/4/2 cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot, merlot and malbec. The palate reveals more of the richness and dark chocolate and New World sweetness than can be part of the cabernet picture. The fruit is pure and dense, the tannins fine grained and dense. This needs decade or more in bottle to unwind. Always rich and hedonistic it dwarfed some of the lesser lights form South Africa and Australia. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Tasting Vancouver 2015.Prices:| ON | $225.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $225.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $225.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Almaviva 2010
Puente Alto, Valle del Maipo, ChileCoulure in 2010 reduce the crop, never a bad thing in Chile or a late ripening year all of which helped the earthquake year turn out to be more than solid. The blend is 61% cabernet sauvignon, 29% carmenère, 9% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot and it all spends about 17 months French oak. Almaviva doesn’t disappoint bringing elegance and charm to the mix and in 2010 it appears to up the mocha/coffee flavours to better balance off the licorice, black fruit and mint. Less is more when you compare Almaviva to its vineyard mate Dom Melchor. Super value. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Tasting Vancouver 2015.Prices:Read Full Note
91PTS
Chateau Montrose 2010
St. Estèphe, Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceThe Montrose is wound tight despite a well-balanced 53/37/9/1 mix of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc and petit verdot but in the end was more old school than exciting. Expected to be one of the greatest Montrose it was not showing that well on the day. It’s a very good wine but licorice, leather and resin is dominating the fruit at the moment and the tannins of St. Estephe were pushing hard through the back end. There’s more merlot than ever in the blend but this wine like most preceding vintages needs two decade in the bottle before its ultimate potential can be assessed. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Tasting Vancouver 2015.Prices:| BC | $435.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $350.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $380.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Dominus 2010
Napa Valley, California, United StatesIn 2010, like last year Dominus, is finding its rhythm mixing the power and warmth of Napa with the restraint and length of Bordeaux. The blend is a 95/5 mix of cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot. The nose has a pronounced cool, menthol/medicine chest note with, licorice, black cherries that all spill on to the palate. Love richness and density of tannin that gives way to a very balanced fruit forward finish. Another fine bottle that will age for two decades or more. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Tasting Vancouver 2015Prices:| AB | $206.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $180.00 | 750ml |
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95PTS
Chateau Haut Brion 2010
Pessac-Léognan, Graves, Bordeaux, FranceWhat a great bottle of Haut Brion currently in a good space. Finesse over power is the story here and red fruits over chocolate and toast. The nose is an elegant aromatic affair with red fruits and fabulous minerality electrifying the blend. On the palate violets, tea, stony red and black fruits and sweet round tannins with just enough acidity to keep it all in line. This will age forever just fine tune the menu to follow the tannins. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Tasting Vancouver 2015Prices:| AB | $1400.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $1600.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $1600.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $1600.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $1800.00 | 750ml |
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97PTS
Opus One 2010
Napa Valley, California, United StatesSimilar to last year’s tasting this wine wowed me with its ability to straddle the New and Old World. The 2010 vintage was unique with unseasonably cold days, untimely rain fall and several heat spikes. Yet somehow Opus managed to overcome all of it. Again complexity and finesse ooze from what is a very cool/floral/mineral nose with bright red fruit flavours underneath. The palate is suave and dense, the tannins fine-grained tannins and along smooth balanced finish. The blend is 84/5.5/5.5/4/1 cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot, petit verdot and malbec. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Tasting Vancouver 2015Prices:| ON | $459.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $375.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Harlan Estate Red 2010
Napa Valley, California, United StatesThis is one plush red wine although you could argue it’s as lean as it gets for Harlan which undoubtedly helps its overall balance and weight. The nose is awash in black fruit and licorice with flecks of espresso and dried herbs. The textures are pure silk and seamless with ample fine-grained tannins all supporting a rich, black fruit flavour profile with bits of tobacco and black olive in the finish. A giant of a wine but with more restraint than you might expect. Drink from 2018 through 2030. The wine has a very high percentage cabernet sauvignon in it but the vineyard is planted to 70% cabernet sauvignon, 20% merlot, 8% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot; estate production is set at about 2000 cases. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Tasting Vancouver 2015Prices:| US | $750.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Chateau Latour 2010
Pauillac, Haut-Médoc, Médoc, Bordeaux, FranceFor many this was the wine of the tasting and while I‘ll admit it was excellent it may have suffered by its placement after the intensely rich Harlan. The blend is 90.5% cabernet sauvignon mixed with 9.5% merlot and .5% petit verdot. This has all the freshness and minerality you could want in a Bordeaux along with the classic blackberry, cassis, coffee lead pencil and spice. Surprisingly silky and round for Latour and certainly destined to improve in the bottle over the next decade. Should be ready by 2020 and hold through 3035. Wolf Blass Master Blend Classification Tasting Vancouver 2015Prices:| AB | $2000.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $1920.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $1950.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $1935.00 | 750ml |
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14 April 2015
89PTS
Quails' Gate Chenin Blanc 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThese chenin vines, nearing 20 years of age, are planted on the winery’s sloping estate soils, rich in volcanic rock and glacial till. A splash of sauvignon blanc ups the herbal citrus acidity ante. Alluring aromas of honey, grapefruit, flint, stone and light lees lead to a creamy palate of herbal meadow flowers, honeycomb, wild grass and tangerine pith, lifted with vibrant acidity and ending with lingering mineral spice on the lengthy finish. We want to see more delicious chenin blanc in the Okanagan – please.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
Boutari Moschofilero 2013
Mantinía, Peloponnese, GreeceReady for sunshine? This is the wine to transport your thoughts and palate to sunny Greece - even the sunny hue harkens the Mediterranean sunshine. Boutari is the wine king of Greece, with the winery dating back to 1879 and wine domination pretty much continually since. Pure moschofilero, this bright, crisp and aromatic wine is lively and lean on the 11 percent palate, but full of floral blossoms, exotic fruit, zesty citrus and herbal aniseseed. Pour with calamari or feta herbed orzo.Prices:| BC | $15.49 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $19.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.50 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Nik Weis St. Urbans-Hof Riesling Ockfener Bockstein Kabinett 2011
Mosel, GermanyThis off-dry Riesling is proof positive that low alcohol wines (8 percent) can be as exciting and intense as ones clocking in degrees higher. This ripe Mosel Riesling, while lighter in body and doe-nimble, delights with ample heady orchard fruit, crisp and shiny lemon pith acidity, peach blossom florals and a lingering, lightly petroled, stone-spiced finish. This will continue to deepen and delight over the next five years.Prices:| BC | $33.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $27.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Pewsey Vale Individual Vineyard Selection Riesling 2012
Eden Valley, South Australia, AustraliaPewsey Vale is a single vineyard Yalumba brand that is situated approximately 540m high in the Eden valley part of the Barossa Ranges. Slate and sweet lemon curd aromas lead to an intense and bone dry palate, with fragrant dried herbs, prominent stoniness, red apple, spiced bitter melon and subtle eraser notes. Beauty fresh acidity throughout. Wild meadow flowers and minerality linger on the finish.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Quails' Gate Pinot Noir 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMost of the fruit in this pinot, now over 20 years old, is grown on the volcanic based, sloping soils of Stone Mountain Vineyard. One month on the skins followed by ten months in French oak barrels yields this gentle strawberry and sweetly ripe cherry pinot, fragrant and poised from first whiff to the finish. The palate is potent with the scented red fruits, along with earth, cinnamon spice, fine grained pepper, desert sage and rock rosemary. Gentle, with juicy intensity - a lovely balance struck - and a lovely pour for flavourful duck.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $27.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $27.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $30.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $25.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $27.00 | 750ml |
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13 April 2015
89PTS
Yalumba Cabernet Sauvignon Menzies The Cigar 2011
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaThe Menzies Vineyard is in the heart of the cigar-shaped Coonawarra terra rossa red soils country, and The Cigar typifies this special site. Layers of savoury textured goodness to unwrap over time – iron, herbed bramble, tobacco, plush cassis, red cherry, espresso, fragrant red floral notes – neatly bound with fine grained tannins and elegant freshness. Pour with lamb chops.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Jaume Serra Cristalino Brut Cava Método Tradicional NV
SpainAmazing value here – crisp, fresh and dry, método tradicional sparkling, with bright citrus, white peach and green apple and lively, pithy acid. Start this while you’re cooking and continue through the appies and right into dinner. At this price, and for this quality, you can afford to.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Red Rooster Reserve Malbec 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCracked cloves and nutmeg open this unique malbec, sourced from the estate vineyard on the Naramata Bench. Under the spice box, black plums, blackberry jam and cracked peppercorns. The full, plump palate is potent with the same, along with sweet smoke, black cherry compote and lingering vanilla, black pepper and dried blueberries. Ample tannins are a touch chewy and acidity is moderate - pour with beef ribs or brisket for best results.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Blue Mountain Reserve Pinot Noir 2012
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA very consistent performer with bright floral, strawberry jam, plum, leather, vanilla, coffee, tobacco and barnyard aromas flecked with a touch of game and dried herbs. The attack is dry, fresh, elegant and round with light tannins and more carrot top, strawberry jam, orange peel, tobacco, vanilla, cedar, Worcestershire sauce and savoury raspberry flavours. Finely balanced and supple, should age well for two to seven years but delicious now. The Reserve Pinot Noir (formerly Stripe Label) is normally release at the end of April, you can also find this wine in magnums at the winery.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $42.00 | 750ml |
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12 April 2015
87PTS
Sperling Vineyards Sper...itz 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAnn Sperling is one of Canada’s most heralded winemakers, and has brought 25 years of winemaking home to the vineyard she grew up on in the Okanagan, continuing a cherished tradition begun by her great grandparents on that land over 150 years ago. This light and lively, slightly sper…itzy wine is a blend of the obscure perle of csaba and slightly more familiar bacchus grapes. Light, frothy mousse, perfumed roses, honeycrisp apple, pink grapefruit and white peach. Chill it down and lap it up – this is low alcohol (7 percent), moderate acid deliciousness. Pair with fruit salad and brunch.Prices:| BC | $13.00 | 375ml |
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89PTS
Yalumba Bush Vine Grenache Barossa 2011
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaThe bigger, riper, toastier 2012 vintage is readily available on our market, but if you get a chance to snag a few of the remaining bottles of 2011 (or if you were fortunate enough to stash some away), kudos to you. I love the freshness of this overlooked Aussie grape, so oft relegated to a blending partner. Big cracked spice here, with cinnamon and black pepper from start to finish, overtop of perfumed black floral, deep damson plum and a satisfying, fresh palate. Partial wild ferment ups the character factor. Pour with grilled pork chop.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Fort Berens Pinot Noir 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLightly perfumed black cherry, perfumed raspberry and earth aromas open this Lillooet pinot, a blend of five clones grown in their estate vineyard. Sweet strawberry jam, juicy plum and pomegranate dominate the medium bodied palate, propped up by structured, fine tannins and finishing with finely rasped cinnamon bark. Nice length and flow. Pour alongside planked salmon or pork chops.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
CedarCreek Merlot Cabernet 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWhat's in a name? This Merlot Cabernet is built from merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc and malbec, the latter two in enough proportion (8 and 6 percent, respectively) to alter the blend considerably. A quiet nose shows black liquorice and delicate nutmeg spice. The palate is less subtle, letting loose with blackberry, black cherry, black pepper, thorns and spiced oak, with a whiff of flowers on the finish. Tannins are ample and a bit granular, but harnessed, while acidity keeps things juicy. Pour with skirt steak or beef empanadas.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $25.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
CedarCreek Platinum Block 4 Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGood ruby cherry colour. Spicy, floral, cherry, plum, earthy, cedar, vanilla and celery salt aromas. Ripe, round, fresh, dry palate with light tannins. Raspberry, cherry, cedar, coffee, tobacco, savoury, celery salt flavours. A slightly fresher, firmer but fruity version of Block 2 that needs a few more years to integrate but fine effort. Try this with duck or pork.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
CedarCreek Platinum Block 2 Pinot Noir 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFresh strawberry/rhubarb cedar cherry nose with a dash of floral, Worcestershire sauce and menthol aromas. Fresh, round, juicy, suave palate with cherry/rhubarb, tobacco, celery salt, vanilla and leather flavours. Fine balance and finesse with the structure to age and improve over the next two to four years in the bottle. Real pinot noir here and great with duck.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Pétales d'Osoyoos 2011
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis is the second label of Osoyoos Larose, the French / Canadian partnership that first drew international eyes and sizeable investment to Okanagan. This is the wine meant to drink now, while you lay Osoyoos Larose down to rest. Strong cassis, dark plum and a touch of black fruit compote on the nose. The sharp palate reflects the cool vintage - a bit hard edged, even now four years along. Cranberry, cassis, blackberry thorn, tobacco and dried blueberries, across grippy, slightly bitter tannins and with fresh, brisk acidity. Finish is a bit short and quite a bit bitter black fruit; pour with beef stew to counter.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $28.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $25.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $27.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
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11 April 2015
87PTS
Blue Mountain Pinot Gris 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, grapefruit, earthy, spicy, pear aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy, slightly austere palate with slate, lemon, green apple skin, pear, ginger and lees flavours. Young, more reserved style that will benefit from some bottle age but good intensity for food. Give it another six months.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $23.50 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Blue Mountain Gamay Noir 2013
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeppery, savoury, black cherry, meaty, light leather, floral and licorice aromas. Fresh, round, juicy, elegant palate with licorice, cherry, plum, meaty, peppery, tobacco flavours. An elegant, forward style this is refreshing and food friendly. Always a pleasure to sip. Try this with grilled pork or salmon.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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10 April 2015
88PTS
Quails' Gate Gewürztraminer 2014
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIt’s hard not to like the style of this gewürztraminer, with its fresh, aromatic notes of rose petal and orange blossoms. Just off-dry on the palate the spicy, litchi, pineapple flavours finish with a touch of ginger. Pork is a great match or your favourite Indian curry. The fruit is comes off vineyards on the Mount Boucherie Bench, North, Central and South Kelowna. An impressive 7,700 cases are made.Prices:| BC | $14.79 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $18.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.95 | 750ml |
| YK | $19.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Rainoldi Sassella Riserva 2007
Valtellina, Lombardy, ItalyFrom the most elegant and complex of the subzones of Valtellina. A faded orange red hue, with heady smoked Ricola nose, alpine herbs, fernet and amaro bitterness, candied maraschino cherry, wet leaves, sweet pipe tobacco, cinnamon bark, nutmeg and cedar scents. Mountain berries, smoked meat lead the palate and though the acidity is tamed a bit with age, there are quite a bit of smoothed, silken tannins there, drawing out iron, autumnal and earthy mushroom notes. Drink now (truffle risotto or sautéed mushrooms on rapini) as this is facing the descent.Prices:| BC | $46.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Talento Vino Ecologico Jumilla Red 2012
Jumilla, Valencia and Murcia, SpainVery spicy, peppery, meaty, savoury, orange peel, chocolate, floral, cedar and licorice aromas. Fresh, soft, elegant, slightly tannic palate with cherry jam, orange peel, red licorice, black pepper, chocolate, olive and tobacco leaf flavors. A bit lighter on extract but elegant with good fruit and finish for current drinking.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Marionette Jumilla Red 2012
Jumilla, Valencia and Murcia, SpainPeppery, black plum, licorice, smoky, dried herb, resin, cedar, floral and chocolate aromas with a hint of meat. Fresh, juicy, slightly lean palate with black cherry, cedar, licorice root, resin, orange peel, olive, and tobacco flavours. Good fruit and juicy but with some acidity poking through the back end. Try this a favourite chicken dish.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Goru Jumilla Red 2012
Jumilla, Valencia and Murcia, SpainSpicy, dark chocolate, black pepper, meaty, black berry, plum, saddle leather, licorice and earth aromas. Fresh, dry, juicy palate with light tannins. Cherry, black berry, vanilla, cocoa, peppery, savoury herb, orange peel and licorice flavours. Simple but fruity and ready to drink with any grilled meat.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Benjamin Bridge Tidal Bay 2013
Gaspereau Valley, Nova Scotia, CanadaTidal Bay is not only the name for this wine (and many others from Nova Scotia), it is the first wine appellation for Nova Scotia, launched in 2012. These crisp, aromatic white wines must all follow the same set of standards, though the finished wines are all quite different from one another. Benjamin Bridge's is a blend of l'acadie blanc, chardonnay, ortega and new york muscat, presenting with late summer meadow flowers and stone, before a lean and juicy palate of focussed lime, granny smith apple and dynamic, chalky acidity. The finish is gentle roses and a touch of elastic. Surprising concentration here - especially for its 10.5% alcohol - contributed to the addition of structured, mineral-strong chardonnay. Shellfish is a natural here.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $22.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $22.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $22.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Kendall-Jackson Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Reserve 2011
Sonoma County, California, United StatesSpicy, savoury, herbaceous, dusty, resiny nose with a cool demeanour. More floral blueberry and coffee vanilla flavours over a firm structure with bits of licorice, a roasted coffee beans and darl chocolate. An okay reserve but not singing.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $36.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $33.00 | 750ml |
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09 April 2015
88PTS
Orofino Syrah Scout Vineyard 2012
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPruny, earthy, resin, smoky, black berry, tobacco, leather nose with black pepper and herb aromas. Dry, warm, fresh, somewhat hard palate with some youthful tannins. Coffee, black berry, peppery, meaty, vanilla, tobacco, savoury, pruny flavours. Youthful and exuberant and maybe a bit overripe but this needs time to settle in. Give it five years and be prepared to serve it with a big piece of beef or lamb to tame its wild side.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Santa Rita Shiraz 120 2013
Region del Valle Central, ChileEarthy, sappy, meaty, menthol, bay leaf, Chilean nose with tobacco and smoky, rooty aromas. Smooth, round but somewhat tart palate with a resiny, menthol, bay leaf, meaty, peppery, sappy, blueberry, leafy flavours. Lacks generosity and fruit but at $11 I guess it is what it is. Best with a hamburger.Prices:| BC | $11.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $14.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Hillside Syrah 2012
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFresh peppery, resin, smoky, licorice root nose with tobacco, savoury, plum and coffee aromas. Dry, light, somewhat thin and weedy palate with coriander, black pepper, tobacco leaf, tea, roasted pepper, meaty, coffee flavours. Elegant but a bit thin, especially for 2012 and even herbaceous. Best with grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Norton Malbec Barrel Select 2010
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaFrom Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, this big malbec shows cassis, green resin, ripe blackberries and smoky tobacco. The tannins are wood hewn (12 months in 1st & 2nd use French oak) and the palate veers to the astringent, but a thick cut of beef would help in the mouth.Prices:| QC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $16.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $15.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Shot in the Dark Traminer Riesling 2013
AustraliaShot in the Dark is a joint project between well-known Aussie winemaker John Quarisa, and Icon Fine Wine & Spirits. The aim was to make approachable, affordable wines, and this one certainly qualifies. An aromatic and off dry blend of traminer (a mutant family member to gewürztraminer) and riesling, this lower alcohol (11.5 percent) is showy sweet peach, lime pulp and pear, with a floral/herb character, spiced lychee, anise and sweet lime on the finish.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
See Ya Later Ranch SYL Brut NV
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBright, lively and floral, this is a consistently solid BC sparkling wine. A unique blend of chardonnay and riesling provides the green apple and citrus spine of the former and the floral aromatics of the latter. Juicy, crisp and ripe orchard fruits are carried by energetic bubbles through the finish. Pour with brunch, canapés and sushi.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $21.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $24.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Edmeades Zinfandel 2011
Mendocino County, California, United StatesA nice improvement on the 2010 with slightly richer rounder fruit marked by a peppery, blackberry jam nose and a savoury bramble berry undercurrent. The attack is smooth and round the fruit, rich and dense and sweet the finish is dry and balanced. This is a very solid introduction to zinfandel you can share with most and grilled meat or chicken dish.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Louis Jadot Bourgogne Chardonnay Couvent des Jacobins 2012
Burgundy, FranceLight butter, lees, spicy, baked apple, nutty, citrus aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy, round palate with butter, spicy lees, baked grapefruit, baked apple and honey flavours. Ripe but lots of juicy baked apple and salted butter on the finish with good acidity. Impressive bottle of Bourgogne.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $22.72 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $21.80 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Yalumba Organic Chardonnay 2013
South Australia, AustraliaCooked apple, lees, spicy, earthy, light butter and matchstick aromas. Round, fresh, easy palate with baked pear, apple, light lees, earth, butter and apple skin flavours. Solid if a bit flat and bitter in the finish. Lacks lift and vitality at this point.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Spierhead Chardonnay 2013
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPear skin, burnt matchstick, green apple, floral, spicy, butter and citrus aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy, elegant palate with light lees, ginger, spicy, green apple, lees, bitter lemon and herb flavours. Solid but dominated by some excess sulphur and bitterness that doesn’t quit.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Chardonnay 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, spicy, nectarine, butter nose with bits of lees and canned tropical fruit. Ripe, rich, round, dry, juicy palate. Buttery, spicy, vanilla, pear, citrus rind, melon, waxy, floral flavours with a creamy, passion fruit note. Good intensity but needs a year or two to settle down. Well-made fair value.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $22.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $22.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $26.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Shiraz 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBright fresh peppery, cedar, black berry nose with flecks of plum, resin, sausage meat and light floral notes. The attack is elegant, the weight medium bodied with coffee, licorice root, black pepper, tobacco, plum and dried herb flavours with a meaty, vanilla finish. Solid fruit and intensity with a fresh finish. A perfect foil to lamb or barbecue pork.Prices:| BC | $23.49 | 750ml |
| AB | $28.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $27.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $28.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $27.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Smoking Loon Syrah 2012
California, United StatesCedar bark, resin, smoky, meaty, tobacco, coffee, earthy aromas. Soft, round, sweet and sour palate with resiny, earthy, tobacco, coffee, cedar bark, licorice flavours. Not much here that says syrah.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.95 | 750ml |
| SK | $16.55 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Time Syrah 2012
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMeaty, peppery, savoury, smoky nose with coffee, light vanilla, leather, and menthol aromas with a touch of volatility. Round, fresh, slightly sweet and sour palate with prune, chocolate, bacon, black pepper, tobacco, cedar, smoky menthol flavours. Warm and thin with a savoury leafy finish. Best with grilled meats now or let it settle down in bottle through 2018.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
40 Knots Reserve Chardonnay 2012
Comox Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaLight floral, green apple, grapefruit, lemon custard and butter aromas. Fresh, juicy, crisp, round but slightly austere palate. Grapefruit, granny smith apple, light honey, butter, lees and floral flavours. The style is spare, if not austere for some but this is the right road. Oysters anyone.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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08 April 2015
88PTS
Fort Berens Riesling 2013
British Columbia, CanadaThis juicy little off-dry riesling shows ample ripe peach and peach fuzz, with lime sherbet, red apple, pink grapefruit and kiwi flavours. Fresh and clean with moderate acidity and a lick of anise on the finish. Chicken salads or tuna tataki would work well.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Errazuriz Max Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2013
Aconcagua Costa, Valle de Aconcagua, Region de Aconcagua, ChileFruit from the cooler, maritime influenced Aconcagua Costa region makes up the bulk of this bright and intense white. Spring asparagus, green hedge, white florals are the entry to a vibrant palate. Tropical fruits abound - pineapple, mango, passionfruit and kiwi - before a spicy, lingering peach fuzz finish. Lees work lends complexity and a cushion of weight to the mid palate. Will stand up to heavier white fish and fruit chutneys.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Haywire White Label Pinot Noir Raised Concrete 2012
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFrom the cool mountainside Secrest Vineyard comes this pure fruited pinot noir. Fragrant raspberry and subtle earthy stem on the nose, with juicy cherry, wild raspberry, stony spice and dried strawberry fruit on the medium bodied palate. Fine grained tannins finish with a lingering black pepper and bitter black cherry note. Pour with herb roasted poultry.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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07 April 2015
89PTS
Fonseca Bin No 27 Reserve Port NV
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalConsistent style from Fonseca in this reserve ruby style. The black licorice, pepper, blackberry, tobacco, tea, earth, dried figand light spirit aromas lead to a full, juicy, sweet, warm palate with very light tannins. Black plum, blackberry, peppery, licorice root, smoky, toffee, tobacco and chocolate flavours. Continued good introduction to modern port.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.95 | 750ml |
| NB | $24.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Norton Privada 2010
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaMalbec, cabernet sauvignon and merlot make up this structured, plush red. Dusky black cassis, blackberry, blueberry, anise, dark chocolate and graphite notes. Tannins are drying on the finish - sweet oak a bit too domineering - though the concentration and freshness is a positive. Pour with grilled beef.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $26.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Jose Maria da Fonseca Moscatel Roxo Rosé 2013
Setúbal Peninsula, Central and Southern Portugal, PortugalThe oldest table wine brand in Portugal launched an exciting, new and completely modern wine into Canada last spring. The Domingos Soares Franco Colecção Privada (Private Collection) Moscatel Roxo Rosé is 100% moscatel roxo, a rare purple muscat that is small-yielding and typically reserved for the premium fortified wines that Setubal Peninsula is renowned for. Moscatel's trademark bouquet is in full display in this delicate salmon pink hue - a blooming garden of aromatic purple, pink and white flowers on the nose and juicy palate. Expressive and ripe lychee, gooseberry, pear, wild strawberries and tropical melon dance around the mouth, finishing dry and refreshing and ideal with fragrant Mediterranean styled shellfish dishes.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Trapiche Pure Malbec 2012
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaVery impressed with this new listing from first sniff in the glass - the expressive perfume of swirling blackberries, blueberries, cassis, black pepper and violets was alluring enough to keep going back and back looking for more. The intrigue carried through to the palate - inky ripe blackberries, smooth and pure fruited, plum and violets, concentrated yet fresh. The tannins were smooth and juicy, and the finish is spicy and lasting. It was then I noticed that the name Pure refers to the fact this is oak-free, fermented with wild yeasts, aged in concrete and sourced from high altitude vineyards in the Uco Valley, foothills of the Andes. Aha - I'm tasting unadulterated malbec. No wonder it's so interesting. Drinking lovely now, especially with juicy beef, I suspect this will peak in 2-4 more years.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $20.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
King Estate Acrobat Pinot Noir 2012
Oregon, United StatesKing Estate Winery is one of the major players in the Oregon wine scene. Here, with grapes from "western Oregon" they've created an easy, soft and approachable light red with discernible pinot noir character. Subtle cherry, earth and cassis on the nose. The juicy, soft palate shows the same, along with black cherry and sweeter raspberry jam. Acid is bright, but the wood feels disjointed and angular through to the finish. Best poured with salmon burgers or pork sandwich.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
JoieFarm Gamay 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFresh spicy, gamey, peppery nose with black cherry, licorice and savoury herb aromas. Fresh, ripe, juicy but slightly tart palate with more licorice, smoky meat, black pepper, black cherry, raspberry, worsteshire sauce notes. Solid gamay expression in a forward style that should be balanced by any grilled meat or tomato dish.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
JoieFarm PTG 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCherry red colour with earthy, licorice, tobacco, smoky, dried herb, resin cedar and cherry aromas. Soft, round, fresh, juicy palate with cherry, strawberry, licorice, meaty, peppery, tobacco and herb flavours. Good fruit and freshness in an easy drinking style.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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06 April 2015
86PTS
Newharbor Pinot Noir 2009
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandThis medium-bodied red starts off with clove, smoke and strawberry aromas on the nose and finishes with juicy, sour cherry and cranberry flavours on the palate. Approachable, fruity, soft tannins, straightforward and fresh - what more can you ask of a pinot at this price? Drink mid-week with your prosciutto sandwich.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Mission Hill Pinot Noir Five Vineyards 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMission Hill did a slight rebrand on their very popular Five Vineyards series, now newly reborn as 5V. Light and lifted youthful cherry, beetroot and raspberry jam aromas leading to a medium body, dominated by iced black tea tannins, black cherry, light earthiness and plump plummy fruit. Another solid entry in the popular 5V series from Mission Hill, and an identifiable and approachable pinot noir for under $20 - challenging no matter what part of the world you're from, but particularly impressive from BC. I paired this to a porchetta and cranberry sandwich with tasty success.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $20.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $17.50 | 750ml |
| NF | $21.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $21.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $22.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Fort Berens Pinot Gris 2013
British Columbia, CanadaFrom the outback (for wine anyway) of Lillooet comes this light/medium bodied white. Light smoke, stone, pear blossom and a streak of herbaceous-ness leads to a thistle-filled bitter edged palate. White grapefruit pith, lemon juice, pear skin lead into a buttery finish. The whole is a bit disjointed and clunky - best to try this with light cream pastas.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Francis Ford Coppola Diamond Collection Ivory Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
California, United StatesThis is a softer, entry-level blend of fruit across California, providing neither varietal nor geographic typicity, but resulting in a simple and crowd-pleasing California red. Mocha, blackberry, espresso, green branch and toasted wood spiciness dominate. Tannins are smoothed but end crunchy / branchy and a bit hot. Pour with casual steak sandwiches or beef stew.Prices:| AB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $27.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
CedarCreek Shiraz Cabernet 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe CedarCreek ode to Oz is 52/29 mix of cabernet sauvignon and shiraz from Osoyoos with about 20 percent cabernet franc, merlot and malbec. The nose is authentic cab shiraz with its blueberry and spice notes. The palate is cedar-y with black fruits and some acidity poking through before the tannins kick in. A rustic style red with some tannins to tame. Try this with grilled beef for best results. Expensive fro what you get.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Black Sage Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOne of the warmest sites in the Okanagan delivered in 2012 offering up a big rich, warm spicy savoury red made for grilled beef. Mercifully ripe tannins are big but round and support some black inky fruit mixed with cedar and sweet black cherries. A touch dry but nothing a year in the bottle wouldn’t mend or serve now with a juicy, grilled steak or a firm piece of cheese.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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05 April 2015
89PTS
Pfaff Pinot Gris 2013
Alsace, FranceFragrant melon, pear open this lush, off dry pinot gris from Alsatian leader Pfaffenheim. The creamy, viscous palate carries roses, honeysuckle, lime cordial and fine ginger spice to the lengthy finish. An elegant, generous pinot gris (at a great price) suitable for your bacon and onion tart.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Kim Crawford Small Parcels Wild Grace Chardonnay 2013
Hawkes Bay, North Island, New ZealandCream, vanilla and spiced wood open this Small Parcels chardonnay from Hawke's Bay, fermented wild and from select high quality grapes. Full on the mouth, potent cloves, brioche, lemon curd and toasted cashew are drawn out across the leesy, toasty palate, reflecting the generous battonage and oak treatment. A heady, perfumed vanilla pervades through the concentrated finish, making it a bit much for solo drinking, but inviting pairing with rich cream and poultry dishes or silken white pastas.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Alvear Fino NV
Montilla-Moriles, SpainAt 2.5 grams per litre of sugar this Solera system fino from the D.O. Montilla-Moriles is bone dry. Made under a blanket of flor for more than four years in American oak casks this fino is not fortified reaching 15º alcohol thanks to the Pedro Ximénez must. The colour is pale with a yeasty, tangy nutty, toasty, rancio nose with citrus aromas. The attack is dry, fresh and elegant with more nutty, rancio, apple skin flavours. Perfect as a chilled aperitif you can serve with olives, charcuterie or sushi.Prices:| BC | $23.49 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Alvear Medium Dry NV
Montilla-Moriles, SpainConsistency is a good thing and Alvear has little problem with this product over the years. Born of the Solera system this D.O. Montilla-Moriles is made with 100 percent pedro Ximénez in a medium dry style that combines the development of a Fino, aged under a blanket of Flor and the oxidative aging of an Oloroso. It is slightly sweetened and stays in a Solera system of 500L old American oak casks for more than 6 years.Expect a nutty, figgy, cedar nose flecked with dried herb. The attack is full and slightly sweet as it spills across the palate with just the right amount of acidity. Walnuts, orange peel, soy and tobacco flavours give it a complex flavour with fine intensity. Great with soup or cheeses. Super value, again.Prices:| BC | $23.49 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.95 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Hester Creek Pinot Blanc 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBright peach and ginger ale aromatics lure to a ripe, medium bodied palate. Ripe peach, more ginger spices, white flowers, and overripe pear finish a bit heavier than the 13.5 percent alcohol would suggest. Pour with fruited chicken salad or grilled poultry/veg skewers.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
CedarCreek Chardonnay 2013
British Columbia, CanadaWhite flower blossoms and meadow herbs from first nose through the creamy, complete palate. Fine grained nutmeg, clove, pineapple rind spice and ripe pear finish bright and fresh. Fermentation in stainless steel, foudre and traditional oak barrels ups the complexity and body. Pour with crab cakes and enjoy. Last tasted June 2015.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Quails' Gate Fortified Vintage Foch 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIf you've given up on maréchal foch because of one too many poorly made, foxy examples, Quails' Gate Fortified Vintage Foch might just be the rich, figgy, chocolate-pairing wine to bring you back. The nose is quiet at first, a bit boozy and a swirl of sugarplum. The palate, though, isn't shy, with heaps of cracked pepper, silken plum, fig paste, cigar, cherry pit and dark chocolate covered orange. The finish is long and peppery-potent - almost demanding a pairing of blue cheese or dark chocolate.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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04 April 2015
88PTS
Haywire Gamay Noir 2011
Summerland Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAlluring nose of black cherry, raspberry, herbal anise, bramble and stone. Vibrant and juicy cassis, raspberry, dried strawberry, black cherry and florals on the spicy palate flow to the lingering, white pepper finish and are framed by fine grained tannins. A cooler, elevated view of gamay, ideal with grilled pork.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Kris Pinot Grigio 2013
Veneto, ItalyA subtle nose of peach blossom and herb dried apple opens this lean white from north eastern Italy's sloping Trentino-Alto Adige region. Thistle, peach fuzz, almond, anise, green apple and citrus notes. Crisp and fresh, with a gentle honeysuckle cushion, this wine is best enjoyed not totally chilled - allow the flavours the opportunity to warm up and shine. Pour with Pernod mussels and frites or Belgian endive salad.Prices:| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Rustic Roots Fameuse 2013
British Columbia, CanadaThe 2011 grabbed a silver medal a couple of years ago at the National Wine Awards of Canada and the current version is equally impressive. A Provencal-like orange colour the blend in this sparkler is some 70 percent Fameuse apples (the tree in question is closing in on a century of growth in the Similkameen with 30 percent Santa Rosa plums. The nose is predictably ‘fruity’ with a hint of apple cider. The attack is reasonably fresh given the near 20 grams of residual sugar with just a hint of cooked apples and butterscotch in the back end.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Ruggeri Giustino B. Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore NV
Treviso, Verona, Veneto, ItalyGiustino Bisol, founded the winery in 1950 and worked hard on the Prosecco a wine style - the first fermentation is in large vats at a low temperature until spring before a second fermentation in pressurized vats where it remains on its yeast until June. The glera grapes come off the higher Dolomitic ridges, in the northern part of the Province of Treviso – in essence the best crus of the upper Valdobbiadene hills. The style is fresh and crisp with enough citrus and acidity to balance off the sugar. Look for floral, sugar-candied lemon fruit flavours and a clean finish. Try this with spicy appetizers. It is finished extra dry with about 16 gr/ltr of residual sugar.Prices:| AB | $38.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Corvezzo Ikaro NV
Veneto, ItalySweet sparkling red wine is not my thing but if its made properly it can be useful with things like turkey, ginger-flavoured Asian dishes. The raboso grape brings its own balance to the blend mixing the sweetness of dark berries with a touch of bitterness. A soft sipper with enough sweetness to call for spicy foods to temper the sugar and the classic dry tannins you get at the end of most Italian red wines.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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03 April 2015
90PTS
Drouhin Vaudon Chablis Reserve de Vaudon 2013
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceThe Réserve de Vaudon is a mix of Drouhin property fruit mostly from the Valley of Vauvillien between the Premier Crus of Montée de Tonnerre and Mont de Milieu. The soil is marine-based containing millions of tiny fossils that once laid on the seabed. The average yield at the domain is just over 55hl/ha roughly five percent below the 60hl/ha limit. The fruit is bio-dynamically grown and the fermentation and ageing is all done in stainless steel for 7 to 8 months. The nose is fresh, with a tight mix of floral, lemon, mineral, salty notes. It is similarly fresh with round, lively red apple and chalky flavours. Oysters anyone.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $32.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $32.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Seven Stones Speaking Row 128 Merlot 2011
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoky olive, herb, tobacco, peppery, black cherry, aromas flecked with coffee and notes of ash. Smooth, round, fresh, elegant palate with black olive, smoky herb, chocolate, cherry, tobacco, cedar, vanilla and prune flavours. Good texture and balance but showing just a bit too much oak in the back end. Give this some time to better integrate. Try it with a grilled steak.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Upper Bench Merlot 2012
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFresh bright plum, black cherry, briar, licorice nose with bits of chocolate, vanilla and peppery/meaty dried herb aromas. The attack is juicy and full with some light, grainy tannins the flavours a mix of peppery, coffee, roast pepper, black olive, black cherry and tobacco flavours. The finish has some tannins and oak to shed but will be fine with grilled meats now and much better in bottle a year or three from now.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Europa ChocoVine Dutch Chocolate & Red Wine NV
HollandFresh open creamy milk chocolate nose with spice and a bit of spirit. Rich, creamy, fat, oily texture with pleasant caramel, chocolate, cream, spicy flavours. Like having a Bailey's and coffee with whipping cream. Tasty and affordable.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Culmina Family Estate Hypothesis 2011
Golden Mile Bench, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe first vintage of Culmina's Bordeaux-blend is an impressive one, and promising for future vintages. Hypothesis earned its name as a 'proposal from the land', with youthful grapes (only 3 year old vines) proving that the Triggs family has planted successfully. Pencil, stone and bramble is lured out of the tight nose. After airtime, juicy blackberry and black florals emerge as well. The structured palate shows black cherry, black liquorice, thorn, black plum, dark clay and savoury spice, stretched across firm, grippy and slightly gummy tannins. Bright acidity carries to a lingering finish. I recommend letting this lie for 2-3 years, or decanting 3-4 hours in advance of enjoying now, and pouring with beef tenderloin or lamb rack.Prices:| BC | $38.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Stoneboat Vineyards Verglas 2011
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVerglas is from the old French, meaning a thin layer of clear ice over rock. I deem it intensity without overpowering. A blend of old vine oranienstenier and pinot blanc, the grapes for this icewine were 55 percent botrytis affected, adding layers of complexity to an already highly evolved and intense wine. Silken sweet honey, brown butter, mandarin and ripe apricot, roasted almonds, fresh pineapple, balanced by pure lime zest acidity and complemented by a touch of savoury intrigue. Impressive length.Prices:| BC | $33.00 | 375ml |
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89PTS
Tinhorn Creek Oldfield Series Kerner Icewine 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis is as light and fresh as an icewine can possibly be thanks to the fragrant, lemon, lifted delicacy of kerner. The grape certainly shows off its aromatics here, with white flowers, honey and apricot on the nose, and ripe pear, dried mango and candied citrus peel on the palate. Lovely flow; pour with lemon curd or candied fruit tarts.Prices:| BC | $58.00 | 375ml |
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88PTS
Quails' Gate Merlot 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCherry, floral, black plum, tobacco, light olive and cedar aromas with a touch of resin and vanilla. Fresh, round, juicy, soft palate with light tannins. Peppery, cherry, cedar, tobacco, black olive, spicy, vanilla and coffee flavours with a touch of leather. Good solid fruit and intensity with some short term ageing potential.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $25.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $26.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $27.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Quails' Gate Chardonnay 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWinemaker Nikki Callaway had full control over the 2013 chardonnay albeit while she was just finding her way around the winery. The wine is simply more electric from the get go. Less reductive, less overt oak more citrus this is super juicy and fun to sip. Look for fresh tropical melon and peach flavours with just a hint of fresh baked pastries. Try this with roast chicken for a perfect match. Callaway is blending clones 95, 96, 277 and 809 with a 50/50 mix of barrel ferment and tank fermented juice. Bone dry at 13 percent alcohol. Bravo to all 9000 cases. Fantastic value.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 |
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88PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Merlot 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeppery, cherry, plum, black olive, tobacco, sage, licorice and vanilla aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy, slightly austere palate with light tannins. Coffee, resin, black olive, roast pepper, cherry, savoury herb and orange peel flavours. Good flavours and juiciness but this still needs some time in the bottle. Try it now with roasted meats or cellar for two to three years.Prices:| ON | $26.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $25.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Tinhorn Creek Oldfield Series Merlot 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBlack olive, spicy, tobacco, savoury herb, roast tomato, briar, sage aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant but slightly lean palate with black olive, tobacco leaf, celery salt, Worcestershire, savoury, coffee, vanilla and cedar flavours. Good finesse but a bit cool and lean. Solid try this with grilled flank steak.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Bonitas Merlot Artist Series Block 1 2009
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCedar, tobacco, black olive, cherry, savoury, briar, light floral and leather aromas. Full, dry, round, juicy, slightly tannic palate. Chocolate, cedar, black cherry, plum, tobacco, peppery, black olive, coffee and licorice flavours. A bit chunky and warm but has solid fruit. This should be even better by 2016. Serve with a favourite cut of beef.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Mt. Boucherie Merlot 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSavoury, tobacco, black olive, roasted tomato, perfumed chocolate aromas. Soft, round, slightly sweet entry with chocolate, cedar, tobacco, earthy, licorice, resin and herb flavours. A bit too sweet and commercial but balanced.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Stall Speed Merlot Icewine Okanagan Selection 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight raspberry brick colour. Floral, candied orange peel, cherry jam, dried apricot, tobacco aromas. Fresh, juicy, slightly soft palate and moderate sweetness. Cherry jam, baked apple, orange peel, tobacco leaf, herb and spice flavours. Easy sipping style with a juicy finish. Well done.Prices:| BC | $36.00 | 375ml |
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85PTS
The Girls Vivacious Rosé NV
British Columbia, CanadaLight earthy, tobacco, cherry, matchstick, floral aromas. Fresh, juicy, somewhat sweet but light-bodied entry with earthy, cherry, red apple, tobacco, olive and spice flavours. Simple but pure and clean if a bit sweet and sour in the finish. Try with chicken salad.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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02 April 2015
88PTS
JoieFarm PTG 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis vintage of PTG (referencing Passe-Tout-Grains and the Burgundy bent of Heidi Noble) blends pinot noir from Skaha, Summerland and Naramata Bench with gamay from Naramata's Deep Roots Vineyard. Light currant, cherry and raspberry nose. The juicy, medium bodied palate carries the same mellow red fruits, along with cinnamon spiced cherry cider, cranberry and an herbal branch note. Tannins are very fine, though structured, making this juicy, quaffable red a great match to charcuterie or salmon.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Quails' Gate Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPolish is apparent immediately. Spiced brioche, rich cream, popcorn, French perfume and vanilla aromas carry through a reductive note to the silky palate. Full bodied and creamy with heaps of fine grained spice, more rich cream, nut, lees lemon curd and ripe pear. Buoyant freshness and tight acidity to carry this big wine elegantly across the oaken form and to a honeycomb finish. Pour with lemon dressed scallops or butter dipped crab.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $39.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $35.25 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Township 7 Chardonnay 2013
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaButterscotch, vanilla pudding, tinned tropical fruit and butter aromas. The round palate carries more of the same, along with bright white grapefruit, moderate acidity, pineapple spice and vanilla honey. Sop up the finish with cream sauced pasta.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
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01 April 2015
87PTS
Eau Vivre Riesling 2013
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis lean, stony riesling appeals to those seeking a dry style, as the stony soils of the Similkameen Valley ring loud and clear here. A thin cushion of residual sugar comes by way of pear, though the nose and palate is driven by green apple, white grapefruit and lemon. The finish is tight, with wild herbs, lemon pith and subtle stony spice. Pour with fennel sauced mussels.Prices:| BC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Orofino Pinot Noir Home Vineyard 2012
Cawston, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFive clones used and aged in French oak barrels. Spicy, savoury, cedar, resin, light raspberry and vanilla aromas. Round, fresh, juicy, elegant palate with light tannins. Rhubarb, raspberry, tobacco leaf, carrot top, peppery, coffee, orange peel with a slightly bitter coffee and herb finish. Needs a year or so to integrate and soften. A solid wine with a bright future.Prices:Read Full Note
89PTS
Blue Mountain Pinot Noir 2013
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCarrot top, celery root, spicy, tobacco leaf, light strawberry with light barnyard note. Fresh, smooth, juicy, suave palate with orange, strawberry, earthy, tobacco leaf, carrot, celery, vanilla, light lees and herb. Very good finesse and balance for current drinking. Solid value and effort here.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $30.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
BC Tree Fruits Cider Company Broken Ladder NV
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA new product in a 473 ml can, pale with fine foam. Waxy, light grassy, green apple, yeast, light floral, grapefruit aromas. Fresh, juicy, crisp, near dry palate with fine mousse. Green apple, citrus, lees, spicy, grassy, bubble gum flavours. Fun and fruity with a creamy texture and fairly dry and it is all natural, no water, no additives.Prices:| BC | $10.39 | 473ml |
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88PTS
Eau Vivre Pinot Noir 2013
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLight ruby colour with peppery, Worcestershire, strawberry, earthy, floral aromas with some dried herbs and tobacco leaf. Fresh, dry, juicy, elegant palate with strawberry, orange peel, tobacco leaf, smoky, coffee, vanilla, and chocolate. Good finesse if a bit young and oaky. Fine now with grilled chicken or duck but should improve in bottle over the next 18 months.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Painted Rock Red Icon 2012
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOne of the best yet Icon noses with savoury, cassis, black cherry notes mixed with an expressive floral thyme, tobacco undercurrent. The attack is full, the palate smooth with some grainy tannins. Coffee, cassis, boysenberry, sage, floral, black olive, black tea, orange peel and eucalyptus flavours. Very savoury, aromatic style with good complexity. Will require three to seven years to develop and integrate the oak and acidity. This year's blend is 31/28/26/15 malbec/merlot/cabernet franc/petit verdot.Prices:| BC | $55.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Painted Rock Syrah 2012
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeppery, tobacco, boysenberry, celery salt, meaty, chocolate, thyme and mint aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant but somewhat lean palate. Coffee, peppery, savoury, slightly meaty, celery salt, gamey, tobacco leaf, vanilla and eucalyptus flavours. Good balance but seems a little lacking in mid-palate concentration. Good aromatics and finesse but a touch of greenness, perhaps will fatten out with 2-4 years.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Painted Rock Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaEasily one of the best cabernets we have tasted in BC, no doubt a combination of diligent farming and a vintage warm enough to ripen a variety that most years never does. Love the savoury, earthy, spicy nose laden with smoky cassis, black pepper, celery salt, coffee and vanilla aromas. The attack is dry, fresh and round with a noticeably fuller palate with just a hint of grainy tannins. Expect a big mix of cassis, black cherry, inky, Oxo, coffee, earthy, black olive/pepper and vanilla flavours. Good balance and concentration, should develop well with 3-5 years aging. Steak anyone?Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Painted Rock Merlot 2012
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBlack cherry, light coffee, vanilla, floral, sage, cranberry, savoury, smoky herb aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant but slightly tight palate. Cranberry, black cherry, coffee, celery salt, licorice, orange peel and chocolate flavours with a bit of savoury spice on the finish. Well balanced with good elegance and tannin balance. A touch less ripe and not quite as well knit in the mid-palate suggesting more time is required in the bottle to soften the edges. Give this another two to four years for maximum expression.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Hillside Pinot Noir 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPeppery, earthy, black cherry, Worcestershire, light vanilla with savoury/smoky herb aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant with a lean light tannin attack. Cherry/rhubarb resin, coffee, vanilla, pepper tobacco flavours spread across the palate with flecks of dried herbs. Solid intensity if a bit chunky for the moment but give this a year or two to fully bloom.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Howling Bluff Pinot Noir Summa Quies 2012
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBig barnyard, meaty, vanilla, peppery, cherry jam, tobacco, Worcestershire, tomato paste aromas. Dry, full, tart palate with light tannins. Coffee, rubber, sour cherry, stewed rhubarb, chocolate, carrot top flavours. Lean and rustic with an earthy finish. Needs to be cleaner and fresher to get to the next level.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Yalumba Barossa Patchwork Shiraz 2012
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaPatchwork, as its name suggests, is a blend of selected parcels across the Barossa. Deep and dark nose of berry compote, blackberry, anise, and perfumed blackberry. Very elegant notes of cassis, blackberry leaf, black plum, sand and eucalyptus on the medium bodied, softly cushioned mid palate. Ripe tannins feel lightly powdery on the finish along with a bit of a wood grip and lick of mint. American, French and Hungarian oak in use here. Pour with roasted lamb.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $24.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $25.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Anciano Gran Reserva Tempranillo Aged 7 Years 2005
Valdepeñas, Castilla-La Mancha, SpainMellow, sweet aged vanilla oak aromas and dusty cherry aromas lead into a well-worn sweet cherry, plum palate with earthy tea leaves, dried raspberry and dusky, dusty fruits on the finish. Grainy, worn wood tannins. Acidity dimmed with age but still relatively fresh. Nice to see a wine with a touch of age on the shelves. Pour with sage dusted light pork dishes.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
JoieFarm Pinot Noir 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSourced from four different vineyards (Summerland, Naramata and Skaha) and a blend of five clones, this youthful, fruity pinot has a lot of interesting flavours in the glass. Cherry, subdued raspberry, floral perfume aromas open to a medium bodied red with pencil shavings, stony earth, Rainier cherry, pepper and smoked nutmeg spice. Tannins are finely grained, and acidity is cranberry bright. Finishes with a lingering cherry cola. A lovely pour with roast poultry or salmon steaks.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Pinot Noir 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCherry jam, earthy carrot juice and salt open this medium bodied pinot noir. The smoothed palate shows florals, youthful raspberry, light smoke toast and fine peppery spice across a generous fruit cushion and slightly gummy tannins. Acidity is rhubarb / cranberry bright and the finish carries some heat - pour this alongside pork chops and roast root veg.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $26.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $26.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $28.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Kalala Organic Estate Merlot Icewine 2011
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIt's rare to see merlot turned into icewine, and even rarer to come across one so stylish and successful. Here organic merlot is transformed into a tawny-hued syrupy elixir with rich fig, cherry pie, dried strawberries, baked plum and caramelized brown sugar, finishing with a riff of nutmeg spices.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 375ml |
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84PTS
Calona Vineyards Artist Series Pinot Noir Reserve 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCandied strawberry, rhubarb, orange peel, tobacco, leafy aromas. Soft, round, slightly flat entry with earthy, prune, chocolate, coffee, herbal, sour cherry flavours with a bit of bitter, leafy notes on the finish. Simple stuff.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Sandhill Gamay Noir Sandhill Estate Vineyard 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaEarthy, carrot, black cherry, rooty nose with coffee, meaty aromas. Dry, flat, lean palate with some light tannins. Coffee, prune, earthy, tobacco, resin, black cherry and chocolate flavours. Chunky and rustic style, needs a year to settle down in bottle. Serve with grilled meats or salmon.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
CedarCreek Pinot Noir 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaEarthy, light compost, raspberry, Worcestershire, coffee aromas. Fresh, round, somewhat sweet and sour entry with strawberry, earthy, light carbonic, peppery, carrot top and herb flavours. Solid, easy-sipping style for current drinking.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Spierhead Pinot Noir Cuvée 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCarrot top, celery salt, cedar, meaty, rhubarb, floral, vanilla, light raspberry aromas. Dry, fresh, round, elegant palate with a touch of austerity. Strawberry, rhubarb, peppery, tobacco leaf, carrot top, light lees, vanilla, coffee, cedar flavours. Good intensity and finesse but could use a few years to integrate. Made from three clones, 667 115 and Pommard adding to its charm and complexity. Duck confit anyone?Prices:| BC | $33.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Maverick Estate Winery Pinot Noir 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCaraway, sausage meat, smoky, herbal, tobacco, celery, leafy aromas. Round, smooth, fresh, rich palate but a bit hollow. Coffee, smoky, floral, carrot, Worcestershire, chocolate, licorice, meaty, vanilla flavours. Balanced but not a great deal of pinot character. Try this with grilled pork.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Quails' Gate Pinot Noir 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaEarthy compost, rhubarb, leesy, barnyard and dried herb aromas. Fresh, elegant, juicy but lean palate with sour cherry, rhubarb, tobacco leaf, tea and reductive lees flavours. Finish has green, somewhat bitter tannins. Best with food.Prices:| SK | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $27.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $30.00 | 750ml |
| PEI | $30.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $30.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
JoieFarm Pinot Noir 2012
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, coffee, light chocolate, cedar, tobacco, stewed cherry, herbal, wet rhubarb aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy, round palate with a touch of austerity. Chocolate, orange peel, strawberry, rhubarb, vanilla, light lees, compost and tobacco leaf flavours. Solid everyday pinot at a fair price. Serve with a favourite grilled salmon recipe.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Pinot Noir 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaEarthy, carrot top, orange peel, spicy, raspberry, light coffee aromas. Dry, fresh, juicy, slightly lean entry with orange peel, raspberry, peppery, tobacco, carrot top, celery salt and vanilla flavours. Solid balance and fruit but needs another year in bottle to reach its potential. Try this with a pork.Prices:| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $26.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $26.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $28.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Bonitas Pinot Noir Artist Series 2009
Summerland Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaStrawberry jam, prune, meaty, leather, carrot top, rooty aromas. Rich, ripe, warm palate with dried cherry, rhubarb, coffee, vanilla, chocolate, prune, cedar, carrot top flavours. Finish is warm and a touch sweet and a bit port-like.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Mt. Boucherie Gamay Noir 2013
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFloral, cooked cherry, earthy, light barnyard, meaty, peppery aromas. Fresh, round, off-dry palate with cherry, smoky, earthy, meaty, licorice, barnyard and leather flavours. Simple, easy-sipping style if a bit sweet.Prices:| BC | $15.50 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Sumac Ridge Pinot Noir Private Reserve 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSpicy, savoury, tobacco, carrot top, rhubarb, strawberry jam and cedar aromas. Round, fresh, easy palate with light tannins. Cherry, orange peel, herbal, tobacco, chocolate and cedar flavours with a bit of a sweet and sour finish. Solid, affordable, everyday entry style pinot noir.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
40 Knots Pinot Noir 2012
Comox Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaA light, brick red colour precedes a tobacco, leafy, carrot top nose with candied, cherry, light herb aromas. Fresh, juicy but somewhat sweet with earthy, chocolate, carrot, sour cherry, stewed rhubarb flavours. A basic style pinot that is ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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May 2015