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Tastings: January 2017
31 January 2017
87PTS
Bodega Santa Julia Brut Rosé 2012
Mendoza, ArgentinaCrisp and bright, with red apple blossom and a shearing grapefruit acidity to carry candied cherry and strawberry on the soft, creamy base. Medium bodied, this off-dry fizz absorbs the sugar well, finishing with pink florals, a bitter twist and a hankering for salty things. This was created in honour of José Zuccardi's daughterPrices:| BC | $14.49 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Villa Teresa Rosé Veneto Vino Frizzante Organic NV
Veneto, ItalyBrisk and bright, this organic frizzante from Veneto is 100 percent Raboso, affording the delicate pink hue. Tight strawberries, plums, violets, candied cherries are carried with a riffing acidity when chilled, which is how this aperitif wine is best enjoyed.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Côté Mas M Gewurztraminer Blanc de Blancs Brut NV
Languedoc, Sud de France, FrancePithy, bright and just off-dry, with light peach, apricot, green apple and pear skin. This crisp, bright, lighter bodied sparkling gewürztraminer is from Carcassonne in the south of France. Riffing acidity keeps this wine brisk and fresh to a light pink floral finish. Best well-chilled, and alongside Thai-scented moules.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Jean-Paul Brun Terre Dorees FRV 100 NV
Beaujolais, Burgundy, FranceProduced in the ancestral method, this disgorged (clear) pet nat gamay rosé opens with sweet strawberry jam and fragrant raspberry blossoms before a fine, grippy riff on the finish, afforded by the granite soils and minimal intervention in the vineyard or winery. Perfumed, pretty, off dry and bright, and far too easily gulpable at 7.5% alcohol.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Bella Wines Sparkling Rosé Orchard House Vineyard 2015
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFrom Naramata's Orchard House Vineyard, this gamay was whole cluster pressed and left on lees for a year without sulphur before being bottled in August 2016. Pointed strawberry, green raspberry and a strong earthy note in this natural wine, with VA and a cellar-lined mousiness on the finish. Piercing acidity carries this to the brisk finish. A work in progress. Will try again in future.Prices:| BC | $23.99 | 750ml |
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30 January 2017
88PTS
Unsworth Vineyards Rosé 2015
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaThis bright, juicy and dry rosé reflects Cowichan Valley's warmth in a marine climate: naturally bright acidity and a flush of ripe fruit on the the mid palate. Bright strawberry, youthful raspberry and wild pink florals is laced with mandarin peel and finishes with an bright buzz. Earnest and unpretentious, this youthful pink is ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Château Lauriga Rosé 2016
Côtes du Roussillon, Roussillon, Sud de France, FranceJuicy and jubulent blend of sryah and grenache gris from Côtes du Roussillon, round with strawberry gummies, blackberry gummies, red apple and fine cinnamon spicing on a bed of creamy lees. Fuller and bolder, with a good dose of RS, and a charming youthful appeal right to the snappy finish. Drink now.Prices:| BC | $23.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Château de Jonquieres Cuvée Cersius Rosé 2015
Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceThis refined pale pink grenache/syrah rosé from the Languedoc is light bodied and bone dry and kissed with strawberries. Delicate raspberries, strawberries, white peach and Anjou pear finish with scrubby spices and a twist of pink grapefruit candy.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Paul Mas Côté Mas Rosé Aurore 2018
Sud de France, FranceOne litre of gently sweet, fruity and juicy rosé from the South of France for $14? Seems a no brainer to me. The shining pale pink/peach hue is appealing to the eye, and a chilled glass of this grenache/cinsault/syrah will be appealing to summer beach parties. Juicy wild strawberries, cherry jam, light peppery spice and candied pink florals on the finish, this is a simple, crowd-ready rosé to stock up on for this summer.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 1000ml |
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89PTS
Domaine Lauriga Rosé 2016
IGP Côtes Catalanes, Roussillon, Sud de France, FranceThis grenache gris from Côtes Catalanes pours a gentle pale pink, and continues the charm with delicate wild strawberries, roses and pear. Medium bodied and elegant, the juicy palate is lined with herbal lees and finishes with a snap of zesty spice. Just off-dry. drinking fine now.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Jason Parkes Customs Flipping the Bird Pinot Noir Rosé 2015
British Columbia, CanadaIf the label doesn't catch your attention (it's an upside-down parrot on a flower), the name might. Flipping the Bird Pinot Noir Rosé was made for Parrot Island, a non-profit sanctuary for abandoned and abused exotic birds in Peachland, BC. Partial proceeds from this wine goes towards the facility, founded by The Hatch partner Jason Parkes' parents. Medium pink hue, with juicy, off-dry and bold cherry and raspberry backed up with a rush of sweet strawberry candies. This pinot noir is grown in Grand Forks and made in very limited quantities, so if you want to taste this rare bird, grab it when you see it.Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards Pink Mile Rosé 2015
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA specific block of their estate pinot noir went into this strawberries and cream rosé, a deep shade of pale. Off dry, with orange blossom, pear and ample ripe wild strawberries on a creamy base. A flush of acidity keeps the whole juicy and bright, though the sweetness and alcohol (14 percent) makes this more a food wine (tuna tataki) than a patio sipper.Prices:| BC | $18.50 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Chayee Bouras Buhonarda Bonarda Rosado Dulce Natural 2015
ArgentinaThis deep coloured rosé is a limited edition dulce natural rosé of bonarda. Hence, it is a a deeply sweet rosé dessert wine, with fermentation stopped with cold temperatures, preserving the natural sugar. Perfumed cherry blossoms, pear nectar, strawberry shortcake is scented with rosehips and pink peppercorns. Ideal for pairing with, yes, strawberry shortcake, as well as berry tarts or chocolate brownies. A swell of bright acidity easily carries the sweetness on the silky palate. With 12 percent alcohol, this is a bright, easy and likeable wine for desserts.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Bottega Pinot Grigio delle Venezie Rosé 2015
Veneto, ItalyAn unexpected surprise. This beautiful super-pale rosé is all you could ask for in style and elegance. Its pure, chiselled fruit is reminiscent of pear and apples with an exotic touch of mandarin, all as light and ethereal as the colour. Winemaker Lorenza Scollo worked at the famed Jermann winery in Friuli Venezia Giulia, and has brought that cool-climate sensibility to this wine. A bargain, to say the least. Five percent pinot noir is added to the blend to establish the perfect colour. Bravo.Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Alandra Rosé 2013
Alentejo, Central and Southern Portugal, PortugalThis fruity rosé is a blend of moreto, castelão and trincadeira from the Alentejo. Smoked berries, red currants, candied cherry and pink florals ride a quick swell of juicy acidity before crashing to a short, bitter and hot finish. Simple juice, best well chilled.Prices:| BC | $11.29 | 750ml |
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27 January 2017
91PTS
Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2013
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesRich, intense, enticing smoky. blackberry jam and spicy nose. The attack is big with firm rich, dense, fine grained tannins. Finally, a reserve with meaning. It begins with big intense, hillside black fruit flavours with a smoky, toasted undercurrent of oak, tobacco and savoury dried herbs. A wine that needs time but will only improve in bottle.Prices:| BC | $69.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $55.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $60.00 | 750ml |
| US | $40.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Arrowood Cabernet Sauvignon Knights Valley 2013
Knights Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesA great vintage in northern California didn’t miss Knights Valley, home of the robust, rich, red cabernet. There’s a rush of black fruit and spices here with a mineral undercurrent that neutralizes the jammy fruit and intense clove notes. A tug of grip, otherwise the tannins have been well managed. Definitely a steak wine at the moment, but could easily age five years.Prices:| AB | $40.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley 2014
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesRodney Strong was a fan of Alexander Valley cabernet sauvignon as far back as 1971, when he planted Alexander’s Crown. Today they farm four different estate vineyards on the benches and hillsides on Alexander Valley terroir. Fine richness here, if a little less finesse than in 2013. The wine spends about 18 months in French oak barrels, 50 percent new. The nose is fragrant, showing dark plums, cassis, and spice with a hint of chocolate. The attack brings more warm, round, soft black cherry fruit flecked with espresso, blackberry, smoky vanilla and savoury, dried herb flavours. New world style but with freshness and style. For current drinking to mid-term drinking. Good value. Steaks anyone?Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $28.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $28.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Lake Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesNot a big change over the past ten months. This remains a cool, peppery red with cedar, cassis and tobacco notes. The palate is round, the tannins beginning to fade but still rough and drying with earthy cassis and savoury, menthol cherry and cocoa in the finish. There is some heat, but all in all a sold dry red with some structure. Try this with lamb chops or beef kabobs.Prices:| BC | $26.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $26.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $29.96 | 750ml |
| ON | $30.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $31.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $33.79 | 750ml |
| NB | $33.79 | 750ml |
| SK | $33.63 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Sonoma County, California, United StatesRodney Strong Vineyards has become a Sonoma star of late, practising modern, artisanal winemaking on a large scale, while making substantial commitments to the environment. Its SoCo cab comes off three sites from Jimtown, Geyserville and Cloverdale all planted to alluvial, volcanic, and uplifted shale/sandstone soils. A one-month harvest from mid-September to mid-October has spawned a round, easy drinking flavourful cabernet sauvignon with plummy fruit. Baking spices disappear into a dense mix of blackberry, vanilla and coffee/cocoa in the finish, with round, soft tannins. Perfect for hamburgers or meaty pasta dishes. This cabernet spends 15 months in 75% American oak and 25% French oak barrels. Solid.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $24.95 | 750ml |
| SK | $25.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $27.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $22.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Nk'Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRipe and dense, reflecting the southern Okanagan's natural sun-drenched generosity. This full bodied cabernet sauvignon spent 18 months in French oak and the wood is evident here, even outpacing the concentration of the fruit at this stage. Roasted coffee, branch, dark blackberry, medicinal anise are supported by ripe, supple tannins, finishing with bittersweet cocoa. Decant now with a T-Bone steak, or give it a couple of years in the cellar to settle and merge.Prices:| BC | $31.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Cousiño Macul Antiguas Reservas Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileReserva Antiguas is an old Chilean label that dates to 1927. The wine has been thankfully modernized, and while it still shows some of that menthol, cedar, bay leaf character on the nose there is more cherry fruit and spice in the back end. The palate is cleaner and fresher with black cherry fruit and soft tannins sprinkled with cedar and spice. Try this with grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.99 | 750ml |
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26 January 2017
88PTS
Paul Mas Estate Single Vineyard Collection Malbec Gardemiel Vineyard 2015
Coteaux du Languedoc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceBlack plum, thorny blackberry, roasted meats and black pepper ride along a velveteen cushion, sided by rustically grippy tannins and ballooned with balsamic. This single vineyard malbec is in the foothills of the Pyrenees in Languedoc, 200km from Cahors, the historical birthplace of the grape. Great midweek red with skirt steak.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Bench 1775 Malbec Similkameen 2014
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBench 1775 released two malbecs this vintage, one from "Okanagan Valley", and this one, "Similkameen Valley." Both are exclusive for their Wine Club. Potent blueberry, fragrant violets and herbal fennel throughout this concentrated big red, the potency matched with a bright lift of acidity. Ripe and full on the palate, sculptured with muscular, lightly powdery tannins and supported by a firm cushion of black plum. For drinking now, and well suited to teriyaki beef skewers or sweeter glazed beef ribs.Prices:| BC | $25.90 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Bench 1775 Malbec 2014
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBench 1775 released two malbecs this vintage, one from Similkameen, and this one, sourced from "Okanagan Valley". Both are exclusive for their Wine Club. Cedar, pencil shavings, potent blueberry, stemmy black currant ride a juicy swell to a clipped, brisk finish. Tannins are powdery and stick out from the soft fruit. Simple; this vintage would benefit from pairing with a meat stew to round out the ragged edges.Prices:| BC | $25.90 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Santa Julia Reserva Malbec 2014
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaThe reserva malbec has no doubt benefitted from the Zuccardi family foray into concrete and a growing respect for terroir based wines. In this case, expect a brighter, fresher opening than in the past with a glance at the floral, red fruit spectrum. The attack is rich and lush (malbec soft) with completely ripe, peppery, black fruit notes in the finish. Balanced; it delivers a lot of wine for $16. Grilled beef is the ticket here.Prices:| AB | $17.50 | 750ml |
| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $16.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.99 | 750ml |
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25 January 2017
90PTS
Weingut Reichsrat Von Buhl Armand Riesling Kabinett 2014
Pfalz, GermanyFarmed organically, the historic Reichsrat von Buhl estate was founded in 1849, is an honoured member of the VDP and one of the legendary properties of the Pfalz. Armand was a personality in the estate’s history who put the winery on the international map. Armand was present at the opening of the Suez Canal, an event where Von Buhl wines were served. This wine is said to be similar to that historic wine. Kabinett sweetness, with ripe pear, apricot and lime pulp driving the fleshy core. A juicy swell counters Pfalz's round and ripe generosity, tightened with lime twist on the finish. A welcome and beauty 8 percent alcohol makes this concentrated, juicy wine an easy one to drink, liberally.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Nik Weis St. Urbans-Hof Riesling Estate Bottled From Old Vines 2015
Mosel, GermanyThe original vines around the St. Urbans-Hof Estate buildings were planted by Nik Weis’s grandfather in 1949 and many have yet to replanted. The current average age is now 50+ years old. Deep roots down into the bedrock slate produce classic Mosel riesling with structure and terrific refinement. Weis has recently decided to use only the oldest parcels for his Estate Riesling and it's paying off. Add to this ambient and indigenous yeasts and the focus is now all terroir and high quality output. Expect a bright, complex mix of orchard fruits led by apricots, with ripe mango and a delicious, stony, mineral character to freshen the off-dry finish. Elegant, fresh, food-friendly - what a bargain.Prices:| BC | $25.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Nik Weis St. Urbans-Hof Riesling Ockfener Bockstein Kabinett 2015
Mosel, GermanyI love how consistent this Saar vineyard is. Bockstein is a steep, south-facing slope of hard, gravelly slate rock. The style is light and fruity with bright minerality. Fresh racy flowery, nectarine notes preview a juicy, delicate palate of slate and orange and guava flavours with creamy acidity. Ripe apple, orange, honey, slate, guava and mineral/lees flavours. Fine intensity. Thai or Indian curries will work here.Prices:| BC | $33.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $27.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Nik Weis St. Urbans-Hof Piesporter Goldtropfchen Kabinett Riesling 2015
Mosel, GermanyThe Piesport town name has a long history of growing wine, some of which ends up as pretty ordinary stuff. That's not the case with the St. Urbans-Hof Goldtröpfchen Black Label Kabinett. The soil is heavy slate and the Weiss family farms some of the oldest vineyards in Goldtröpfchen with steep, rocky banks down to the river. The dark slate heats all day and releases its warmth all night. It’s big and rich for a Kabinett. The nose is all mineral, mixing black fruits, grapefruit and even some gooseberry. Sweet yet refined and elegant beyond its power, it finishes with a tart, lip smacking, orange/citrus fruit. Delicious.Prices:| BC | $44.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Nik Weis St. Urbans-Hof Saarfeilser 2015
Mosel, GermanyThe Urbans-Hof white labels are dry tasting and are among our very favourites. Saarfeilser faces directly south making it one of the warmest sites in the cool Saar region. A twice changing river course has left a deposit of sand and gravel at Saarfeilser creating the delicate nature of this wine that opens with white flowers and wild herbs fed by a palate packed with a tightrope of acid, peach, citrus and dusty stony dry finish. The vines are as 40-to 60 years old here. This is a great bottle of pure riesling.Prices:| BC | $67.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Nik Weis St. Urbans-Hof Wiltinger Alte Reben 2015
Mosel, GermanyAll of the dry tasting wines at St Urbans-Hof bear a white label and a super, bright, freshness in the mouth. The Wiltinger Schlangengraben (snakepit) is a nine-hectare vineyard located in the heart of the Saar Valley. The winery suggest vines and reptiles have one thing in common: they love a warm and humid environment. White pears, apricots and guava lead a light and lively riesling with a fine mineral undercurrent. Complex and sophisticated, this is a riesling for contemplation. The hint of sweetness will take on lightly spiced food with ease.Prices:| BC | $44.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Nik Weis Selection Urban Riesling 2015
Mosel, GermanySimple is good and the Urban is all that. Floral, red apple, honey aromas dominate with a dressing of citrus. The attack is similar with floral cherry fruit, more red apple, slate, guava and citrus bits. Ready to drink, in a fresh light and elegant style. The fruit is grown down the road from St.-Urbans-Hof in Mehring, over steep blue slate. A good sushi white.Prices:| BC | $23.90 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.25 | 750ml |
| MB | $15.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Harper's Trail Thadd Springs Vineyard Pioneer Block Dry Riesling 2014
Kamloops, British Columbia, CanadaNice to see the freshness here that we didn’t see in 2012, our last look at this Kamloops riesling. Apples and limes dominate the nose and palate with some mouth-watering, stony acidity throughout. This wine will live for years and likely improve with time. An impressive bottle for such a young site. Good value. Turkey would be a great match.Prices:| BC | $17.29 | 750ml |
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24 January 2017
88PTS
Corte Ottone Riserva 2013
Puglia, ItalyBrindisi is a port city within the wine region of Puglia, where negroamaro is king. The black grape makes up the majority of this full-bodied blend, along with malvasia nera and sangiovese. Dense vanilla, smoked wood, subtle cloves colours the super ripe black fruit. Thick in the mouth, but easily propped up by supple, sweet tannins. Dark chocolate cherries linger on the spicy and warming finish, even though this is a pleasantly surprising 13 percent alcohol. This is drinking well now (with rich ragu) but will merge some of the rough edges with additional time in bottle.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Alpha Box & Dice Kit & Kaboodle 2014
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaBlack cherry leather, boysenberry, tobacco and peppercorns fill the voluminous palate of Kit & Kaboodle, a McLaren Vale and Langhorne Creek blend of montepulciano, cabernet sauvignon and barbera. An herbal mustard seed edge from first sniff weaves throughout the juicy acidity, framed by pencil shaving tannins. Bright and mouthwatering on the warming finish, this well-handled red calls out for hearty butternut squash / ragu ravioli. Alpha Box is a series of allocation-based wines from McLaren Vale that represent every letter of the alphabet.Prices:| BC | $27.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Tormaresca Trentangeli Castel del Monte 2014
Puglia, ItalyHeady dark florals lead and linger throughout this full bodied, fresh blend of aglianico, cabernet sauvignon and syrah from Apulia's DOC Castel Del Monte. An Antinori project, this is certified organic. Trentangeli underwent MLF and then a year in French and Hungarian oak before an eight month stint in bottle before release. Sweetly spiced, with black raspberry, potent anise, worn leather, scrubby herbs and a tug of tarry tannins to the warming finish. More savoury than most from this sunbelt, and a welcome pour with roast lamb.Prices:| BC | $19.49 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Le Casematte Nero d'Avola 2015
Sicily, ItalyA consistent performer that opens with that ripe Mediterranean cherry/plum fruit character, flecked with licorice and spicy, floral notes. It’s 100 percent nero d’Avola from 20-year-old vineyards in Butera, Sicily, that sit at 984 feet above sea level and sees no oak. The attack is dry, elegant and fresh with very light tannins. It’s all about fruit here. This could easily take on a tomato beef ragú with an appropriate pasta.Prices:| BC | $18.49 | 750ml |
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23 January 2017
95PTS
Bell Hill Chardonnay 2012
Canterbury, South Island, New ZealandFarmed organically and biodynamically, the limestone sloped North Canterbury site of Bell Hill is one of the most remarkable in New Zealand. Husband and wife Marcel Giesen and Sherwyn Veldhuizen farm and produce the wines in this 2ha site, tucked in an old lime quarry in the Weka Pass. Grapes were picked earlier phenological ripeness, crushed with stems and then basked pressed with 10 percent solids before racking into French oak (25 percent new) for a year, followed by eight months more in tank. Earthy and savoury, with wild herbs, broken stones, fine spicing throughout the taut, lean and linear frame. Citrus, green apple, subtle quince, green fig and chalk vibrate in a focused core, while light salts and spices linger on the lengthy finish. Memorable and finessed now, and will be even more so with a decade in the cellar.Prices:| NZ | $100.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Astrolabe Marlborough Chardonnay 2014
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandBig, expressive and ripe, with smoked lemon pith and lemon curd brightening a round clove-scented sweet corn and popcorn toasted palate. The heft is veined with stony mineral and tangerine pithiness. Twenty-five percent new oak is used here, though it is handled very well and marries into the dense fruit. Rich and creamy, this Marlborough chardonnay is suited to richer, creamier dishes now.Prices:| BC | $22.50 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Frescobaldi Rèmole Chianti 2014
Tuscany, ItalyWild blackberry, thorns, black cherry and sun-warmed cedar on this mouth filling and fruity Tuscan red. This blend of sangiovese and cabernet sauvignon is soft and approachable on the lighter palate, with four months in stainless and two months in the bottle before release. Youthful and savoury-shaded, this is a juicy red for your midweek pastas. A welcome 12 percent alcohol works in its favour.Prices:| ON | $13.50 | 750ml |
| NB | $13.50 | 750ml |
| NF | $16.50 | 750ml |
| BC | $16.50 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay 2014
Kumeu, North Island, New ZealandThis is sourced from six vineyards in Kumeu and spends time in 20 percent new oak. The striking reductive edge classic of this winery is showing strong in this wine, still in youth. Whole-bunch pressed and wild yeast fermented, this was entirely barrel fermented and through MLF before 11 months maturation in wood. Ample flint, stony spice, earthy lees, white asparagus and a flush of tangerine pith on the finish to tighten. Generous and broad, but kept bright with acidity, this structured wine has presence now, but will build with short term cellaring.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Barone Ricasoli Chianti 2014
Tuscany, ItalyThis entry level Chianti far surpasses many other producers' Chianti Classico and Reserva. Ricasoli excels at creating interesting and accessable wines that are ready to drink, and with potential to age, and this is a perfect example. Savoury dark cherry, woodsy plum, worn leather and branch are seasoned with white pepper and woven with a cured meat note throughout. Tannins are worn and stretched, and acidity is brisk. Stainless steel has preserved the brightness of the predominantly sangiovese blend, while a welcome 13 percent alcohol makes this drinkable with or without food. That said, I highly recommend a sausage / arugula pizza to meet this juicy red.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Cecchi Chianti Classico Storia di Famiglia 2013
Tuscany, ItalyFleshy dark cherry and black plum is supported by worn leather in this Chianti Classico from Castellina in Chianti - Siena. Supple tannins are wood-led and grainy, to a quick, bitter cherry finish. Ten percent of local varieties flush out the 90 percent sangiovese. After the requisite year in oak for the DOCG, this was bottled, rested for two months and released. Pour this simple, earnest example with ragu to round out the rough edges.Prices:| BC | $20.50 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Cecchi Chianti 2014
Tuscany, ItalyOne million bottles are made of this Chianti every year, so once you consider the scale, this simple, lighter red makes sense. Sangiovese is splashed with 10 percent canaiolo and colorino, and ages five months before bottling. Earthy wood and a young leather colours the bright cherry, red currant fruit through the short finish. Tannins are powdery and light, and this simple wine welcomes pairing with an equally simple pizza or spaghetti.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Villa Antinori Toscana Rosso 2013
Tuscany, ItalyConsistent year over year, this accessable Toscana IGT is predominantly sangiovese, splashed with small quantities of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and syrah. Twelve months in French, Hungarian, and American oak barrels were followed by eight months of bottle aging. Plush and soft in the mouth, with cushy plum, blackberry, tobacco and leather notes dominating, and a balsamic snap on the finish. Tannins are a bit astringent but otherwise this is a easy, welcoming red primed for pairing with meatballs. When you pick an entry level wine from a producer like Antinori, you needn't worry.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $27.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.50 | 750ml |
| QC | $25.50 | 750ml |
| NB | $31.50 | 750ml |
| NS | $32.50 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2011
Tuscany, ItalyThe appearance of Gran Selezione on Chianti labels (retroactive to 2010) marks a producer’s best effort. Reserva Ducale Oro Riserva has its own mystique marked by decades of being Ruffino’s top Tuscan red. Oak dominates the nose, subduing the nuances of this 85/15 sangiovese blended with colorino, merlot and cabernet sauvignon. Round, soft and ripe, this earthy, black fruited, full-bodied red has supple, tuggy tannins and is scented with cardamom, black peppery, anise and potent tobacco. The 2011 is ready to drink now with lamb manicotti or lasagne. Not as elegant as previous editions; drink now through 2020.Prices:| BC | $46.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $44.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $45.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $50.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Monte Antico Toscano 2011
Santa Lucia, Pisa, Tuscany, ItalyYear after year, this value IGT Toscana impresses with its consistent, accessible showing. Even more so since they moved to screw cap with the 2010 vintage. A baby-Super Tuscan, if you will, with sangiovese, merlot and cabernet sauvignon tipped together into an age-appropriate (2011 is current release and ready to drink now), light/medium bodied, finely structured red. With that bitter Italian cut, this brings black cherry, leather, anise, smoked plum and dried blackberry to a time-smoothed palate, one with ample but soft, downy tannins. The finish is short, with bitter espresso, but suitable for spaghetti and meatballs or lasagne.Prices:| BC | $16.49 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.90 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.45 | 750ml |
| NS | $19.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $35.99 | 1500ml |
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89PTS
Ruffino Modus 2013
Tuscany, ItalyA cool, wet, late, vintage by modern global warming standards, 2013 was saved by fine weather in the end. Modus is a modern Super Tuscan affair mixing 34/33/33 sangiovese, cabernet sauvignon, merlot. The attack is weighty, showing the cabernet and merlot and a smoky, savoury, dark fruit and tapenade character. A richer, fatter version of Chianti Classico, but it is an IGT Toscana. Try this with a mushroom or beef pasta. Good valuePrices:| ON | $29.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $29.75 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $30.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $35.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
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22 January 2017
92PTS
Pegasus Bay Virtuoso Chardonnay 2013
Waipara Valley, South Island, New ZealandAlmost thirty year old vines, terraced on a north-facing Waipara site yield lovely density and earthy smoked stone throughout a textural, ripe and full palate. The concentration and heft is very well supported by an equally potent spire of acidity. This was wild yeast fermented in puncheons, where it was aged sur lies. Powerful and complexed, this will last a decade in the cellar easily.Prices:| NZ | $43.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Dog Point Vineyard Chardonnay 2011
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandThis Marlborough chardonnay has spent eighteen months in French Oak barrels on full solids, a small portion of said wood is new. No racking and natural MLF this structured white is rich with toasted popcorn, wild flowers, perfumed pear, earthy lees and smoked stone. The intensity and texture is well balanced with riveting fruit and pointed acidity underneath. Flint lingers on the finish. A beaut at this stage, with the reductive notes a seamless and beneficial part of the whole.Prices:| ON | $45.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $53.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $57.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Giesen The Fuder Clayvin Chardonnay 2011
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandOne of Giesen's single vineyard series, this is from Brancott Valley's Clayvin vineyard, and from organically farmed vines 19 years of age on silt loam. Whole bunch pressed, wild ferment, after settling this was sent to new 1000L German oak fuder (cigar) for 11 months to impart a lower oak to volume ratio. Beauty concentrated, earthy, flinty, structured form, with lemon pith lifting, and lemon curd weighting the palate. Ample, stony, earthy spicing mingles with echoes of clove on the finish. A substantial wine, ripe and complexed, and cellar worthy for a few more years, though the 2011 is drinking beautifully now.Prices:| NZ | $48.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Millton Clos de Ste. Anne Chardonnay 2013
Gisborne - Poverty Bay, North Island, New ZealandJames and Annie Milton are not just leaders in biodynamics in New Zealand, but worldwide. The first in the southern hemisphere to be certified biodynamic by Demeter in 2009, they have remained in tune and focused on their now 30 ha, spread between four vineyards in Manutuke and Matawhero. Clos de Ste. Anne is a single vineyard on steep northeast facing slopes in the foothills of Poverty Bay. This chardonnay is from dry farmed older vines on loam with volcanic ash and pumice over calcareous sedimentary rock. Wild ferment, this spent ten months on the lees (without sulphur) before being bottled unfined. Finessed and textural, with pear skin, white peach, green apple brightness and yellow apple warmth on a very fluid and streamline palate. Slightly grippy texture frames the edges, while creamy lees, nutty brioche bases the cushioned palate. Subtle shimmering acidity throughout, this merges lightness of being and of concentration. Showing beautifully now, but with the interest and depth to cellar for the next decade.Prices:| NZ | $75.00 | 750ml |
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95PTS
Kumeu River Hunting Hill Chardonnay 2014
Auckland, North Island, New ZealandHunting Hill vineyard is Kumeu River's home site, and this clone 15 chardonnay was planted in 1982, replaced in 2000, and facing slightly south west. Because it was planted earlier, it's picked earlier, allowing these vines to fully express their complexities. Whole bunch pressed, wild yeast barrel fermented before 11 months on the lees. Lemon pith and taut mineral throughout, with smoked sea salt seasoning the lean, firm structure. Alluringly reductive, with laser-lemon fruit driving to a lingering finish. An age-worthy and expressive wine that benefits from airtime, and rewards with cellaring. World class.Prices:| QC | $47.50 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Maude. Mt. Maude Chardonnay 2014
Central Otago, South Island, New ZealandAfter working as winemakers in Oz, Sarah-Kate (SK) and Dan Dineen returned to her parents' Central Otago vineyard and took over the 4ha of steep, north facing, terraced slope. Planted in 1994, this Mendoza clone chardy was foot-tread, basket pressed and wild yeast fermented before time in puncheons and one new barrique. No sulphur was used until bottling unfined and unfiltered. This rich and expansive wine opens with toast, nuts and pear before spreading wide in the mouth, bedded with peach, streaked with orange rind and finishing with smoked stone on the finish. A savoury, round and complete style.Prices:| NZ | $25.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Black Estate Home Chardonnay 2015
Waipara, Canterbury, South Island, New ZealandFrom their sedimentary and clay-rich Waipara estate vineyard, this organic, and biodynamically farmed chardonnay is from 22 year old, predominantly Mendoza clones. Whole bunch pressed, this was wild fermented in barrel, 15% new, where it also underwent full MLF. Lovely cream, apple, cashew and light toast on the silken, gliding palate. The depth of the soils shows on the grounded palate, one that finishes with an alluring saline note. Finessed, with an authentic, textural earthiness that will reward with cellaring. A beauty.Prices:| NZ | $38.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Pyramid Valley Vineyard Field of Fire Chardonnay 2013
Canterbury, South Island, New ZealandField of Fire is one of four, small, biodynamically farmed vineyards in Pyramid Valley's limestone-laden home site in the Waikari Valley of North Canberbury. This chardonnay was fermented and aged half in barrel and half in amphora before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. Stony, wild herbs, ripe pear and riffing, grippy pear skin. You can feel the clay weight on the seamless, round and elastic palate, veiled with fine, savoury lees and lifted with precise and vibrant acidity. The very fine grip finishes with liberal and lingering chalk. Drinking beautifully now, but will last easily 10 more years in cellar.Prices:| NZ | $85.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Craggy Range Kidnappers Vineyard Chardonnay 2013
Hawkes Bay, North Island, New ZealandThis single-vineyard chardonnay is located on Kidnapper's Vineyard's silty clay loams, close to the sea. Thirty percent wild ferment, this was divided between stainless steel (15 percent) and oak cuves and puncheons (10 percent of which was new). Lovely citrus and pear blossom scents stone fruit, Anjou pear and yellow apple. At this stage, the wood is still noticeable through a light filter of smoke though the juiciness of the mid palate and streaks of bright orange makes this likeable and friendly now, and over the next few years.Prices:| QC | $25.60 | 750ml |
| MB | $29.50 | 750ml |
| BC | $33.00 | 750ml |
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20 January 2017
86PTS
Moillard Viognier Hugues le Juste 2015
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceLean for viognier, especially when compared to their Aussie cousins, this Pays d'Oc white has some cool and steely greenness leading melon, pear and kiwi notes. Ginger spices lingers on the clipped finish. A simple, fresh and almost-too-clean version of the grape.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Van Westen Vineyards Viognier 2015
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWarm, ripe, sweet nose of pears and apricots. Strangely sweet and bitter on entry with sugared pear, lime rind, orange peel and oil flavours that finish with a warm burn and spice. It’s viognier and it’s rich but we like it better with some freshness. Turkey or ham would be a good match for this year’s version.Prices:| BC | $24.90 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Mission Hill Terroir Collection No. 29 Bluebird Passage Viognier 2014
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIn this reserve tier wine, Mission Hill offers up an unoaked version of viognier that leads with and carries through stony orchard fruit from first whiff to finish. The style is bright and floral with sweet peaches, apricots, tangerine and starfruit on a creamsicle, leesy base. Soft perfumed baby powder and gingerale on the finish. The fruit comes off the cooler western area of Osoyoos. Drink now.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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19 January 2017
86PTS
Time Syrah 2013
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaTime Syrah is from the sandy loam soils of Sundial Vineyard on Black Sage Bench and aged for a year in French oak. You get the ripe southern Okanagan sun from first whiff: sweet candied blackberries, which carries to the full, soft and plush palate. Ripe plums, sweet raspberry jam, violets and light peppery spice join in before the short, powdery, sweet wooded finish. A simple and approachable syrah, typical of the winery's style.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
d'Arenberg Shiraz The Dead Arm 2004
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaFrom the cellar. Dead Arm is named because the these vines are affected by the fungus Eutypa Lata, which causes one half (an arm) of the vine to turn into dead wood. The other arm can go on to produce fruit, highly concentrated grapes, since the vine is outputting all of its energy into only one limb. Concentration this certainly has, amplified by a dozen years in the bottle and magnified by McLaren Vale generosity. Foot tread, basket pressed, older French and American oak and bottling without fining or filtration are quality moves that paid off. Pouring a dark crimson brown, this full bodied wine draws perfumed dark florals, supple leather, dark chocolate, medicinal cherry, boot polish and tar along ripe, sticky tannins. Chai spicing lingers on the warm finish. A welcome move to stelvin has really helped this wine, with the heft lifted with a gentle swell of acidity still. This has calmed with a decade in the bottle, and drinking perfectly now with a decant and match of rich lamb shank. Pricing is for current vintage in stores.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $50.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Nk'Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Syrah 2014
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis wine has lost the structure and cut of previous vintages, though I'm sure it has gained fans with its welcoming generosity. Warm, open nose with peppery, sweet and sun-ripened blackberry, oak notes. The attack is ripe and round with more sweet pepper, black plum, violet and lush blackberry before soft, plush tannins. A savoury undercurrent throughout, this is a ringer for warm-climate syrah. Roast lamb anyone?Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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18 January 2017
91PTS
Dodgy Bros Grenache, Shiraz, Mataro 2013
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaFrom Winnipeg to Whistler to Kelowna to Bordeaux, every growing in the wine industry, Wes Pearson ended up in McLaren Vale with his young family in 2008, working as assistant winemaker at Pirramimma before accepting a sensory scientist position at the acclaimed Australian Wine Research Institute. He is one of three Dodgy Brothers, and together they turn out small lots of well-tended wines while holding down their day jobs in the "real world". This GSM is a blend of 70/18/12, from the Sellicks Foothills, Willing and Tatachilla subregions of McLaren Vale. Lovely perfumed black fruit - warm and ripe - throughout. An alluring perfumed red liquorice and black liquorice lifts inky tar, strawberry jam on the lush, seamless palate. Bottled without fining or filtering, there is a depth of flavour that is welcome against the plushness of the wood-framed fruit. 900 cases produced.Prices:| BC | $31.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $39.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Jean-Paul & Benoit Droin Chablis 2015
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceSince 1620 this winery has been passed from father to son without stopping. Benoît is the 14th generation, working with his father Jean-Paul on their 26 HA in Chablis, all managed latte raisonée. This was fermented wild, aged on fine lees without battonage, and spent 8-10 months in tank on the lees, without battonage. Youthful and juicy, tight still, with white asparagus, lemon peel, pear skin grip, Asian pear crunch and river stone minerality imbued with an herbal-lined leesiness giving mid-palate weight. As with all their wines, beautiful fluidity, even now in the tightness of youth. A Chablis that you can enjoy now or in a couple of years' time (rare).Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Laroche Chablis Premier Cru Mont de Milieu 2012
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceA selection of three old vine, mid slope parcels from growers and estate fruit on the 1er Cru Mont de Milieu. This was whole bunch pressed and aged in foudres on fine lees. A streak of flint, subtle clove, light hazelnut, wild herbs, perfumed lemon blossom, dried pear, preserved lemon and broken stone which lingers on the lengthy finish. Savoury and mineral driven, this is a finessed and flowing 1er cru that will age well.Prices:| BC | $42.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Domaine Laroche Chablis Grand Cru Les Blanchots 2012
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceThis is a plot selection of older vines across the Grand Cru of Blanchots. Powerful, potent and savoury, with flint, cracked wheat, toasted popcorn, medicinal lemon, hawthorn, herbal spice, with a swing of honeysuckle and a desiccated pear skin finish. The palate is creamy and broad, but comfortably large boned. Far too young to drink now, this would be best enjoyed after 5+ years in the cellar.Prices:| BC | $79.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $90.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Domaine Laroche Chablis Premier Cru Les Fourchaume Vielles Vignes 2012
Chablis, Burgundy, FranceFrom a windy site near the top of the hill, this is a massale selection and old vines. Taut, lemon-lined, with fennel, herbal wheat, white asparagus, lemon verbena, honeysuckle perfume on a base of flint. Bitter herbal pear and aged parmesan lingers on the earthy finish. Quite generous, with concentrated phenols from thicker skins finishing with a salty, chalky tug. Many layers and concentration, which will reward fully with cellaring for 5+ years.Prices:| BC | $42.99 | 750ml |
| QC | $38.75 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Mark Haisma Santenay Saint Jean 2014
Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceMark Haisma is known to be different. An Australian in Burgundy is a great start. A fan of biodynamics, he doesn’t own any land but he sources grapes from local growers he deems devoted to the land and the vineyards. I’m not sure what you know about white Santenay, but his 2014 Santenay Saint Jean Blanc is a shockingly good bottle of Burgundy. A bright, floral, apple blossom affair, it has a delicious, measured citrus-soaked nut flavour with a fresh mid-weight, sea-salt finish. Perfect with crab cakes. A wonderful discovery and good value too.Prices:| BC | $43.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Joseph Drouhin Côte de Beaune Blanc 2013
Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceFrom estate grapes on the Côte de Beaune (slope above Beaune) as well as some declassified wine from the young vines off the famous Clos des Mouches vineyard. Biodynamically farmed, this youthful Bourgogne blanc was fermented and aged in oak, (20 percent new) for a year. It opens with potent yellow apple, lemon curd, almond and a wash of medicinal lemon warmth on a broad, creamy palate to a shorter, toasty, vanilla finish. Fine citrus lifts somewhat, but the palate heft is grounded, and at this stage in a bit of a dumb phase. Richer, butter-drawn foods are a good match.Prices:| BC | $69.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Joseph Drouhin Laforet Bourgogne Chardonnay 2014
Burgundy, FranceThis is sourced from Drouhin vineyards and purchased fruit across Burgundy: Bourgogne Nord Auxerrois, Côte d'Or and the Mâconnais. This is split between stainless steel and older barrels for eight months. Yellow apple, green apple, pear and butter are lined with a fine slick of lees and ringed with a salty twist. White florals close out the finish. Youthful, crisp and juicy, and appealingly under screw cap, this is an affordable and approachable white Burgundy for drinking now.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
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17 January 2017
87PTS
Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc Holiday Edition 2016
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandTasting Kim Crawford in a warm, tropical climate makes a difference; it seems more mellow. I feel the style has been adjusted as well, with softer acidity and less bitter lime rind notes that mark a lot of commercial Kiwi sauvignon blanc. The fruit is a mix from the Wairau Valley and neighbouring Awatere Valley, in essence, fast draining, alluvial loams over gravelly subsoils. Expect a bright citrus entry with mango, pineapple and passionfruit flavours and a dusting of tomato leaf. Juicy sweet fruit, easy-sipping style. We suggest asparagus, young goat cheese or mussels.Prices:| PEI | $19.99 | 750ml |
| NS | $23.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $19.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
| NB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $24.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Hardys Whiskers Blake Classic Tawny Port NV
AustraliaThis screw cap tawny is a ringer, very sweet, with roasted hazelnut, walnuts, brown sugar, maple, baked figs, orange oil and firey peppery spices filling a syrupy palate. A hint of eraser/rubber lingers underneath, but piercing orange acidity whisks that away. Sweet coffee and marmalade on the warm finish. An easy, accessible and exuberant tawny.Prices:| BC | $22.59 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Quails' Gate Fortified Vintage Foch 2014
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMight fortification be the answer to marechal foch's vexing foxiness problem? This certainly leads one to think that way, with just an edge of smokey fochiness on the nose adding an edge to this sweet, rich wine. The potent, thick palate carries smoked branch, bitter chocolate, baked blackberries, cracked pepper and cigar notes to a brusque finish. If you're serving brandied cherry or blackberry pie, here's a solid match.Prices:| BC | $25.99 | 375ml |
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87PTS
Laughing Stock Vineyards Dark Pool 2010
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaDark Pool is a new, small cap release of 179 cases of fortified merlot that has spent four years in French oak puncheons (much to the surprise of Cynthia Enns, wife of port project mastermind David). The spirit used in fermentation was distilled from the same merlot lees used in the wine, completing the circle. The wine spent a further 18 months to marry wine and spirit before release. Persistent plastic aromas mix with plum jam and youthful cassis before all carries onto the medium bodied palate, where they are joined by kirsch cherries, bitter currants and a youthful balsamic vinegar note. The RS is relatively low (32 g/l) and not really enough to push this into the typical "port wine" tasting family. A drying sour cherry pit takes over the finish. Try pouring with cherry pie or strong cheeses and berry compote for best results. Great, iconic packaging (love the matte 500ml bottle) as ever from the winery.Prices:| BC | $34.99 | 500ml |
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85PTS
Averill Creek Vineyard Cowichan Tawny 2008
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaCinnamon toast, ribena, plum, marzipan, marmalade and lightly smoked berries pack this sweet dessert wine, from local wild blackberries. A peppery, spicy note pervades the candied and fruity palate, lingering with sharp medicinal cherry and brandied apricot. This is a very potent solera style nectar, aged in barrel, and suitable for your berry or cherry pie.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 372ml |
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88PTS
Sileni Cellar Selection Pinot Noir 2015
Hawkes Bay, North Island, New ZealandFrom North Island's Hawkes Bay, this is a round and silky pinot, with fine black cherry, black raspberry, dark florals, twine and herbal notes throughout. Polished and approachable, a juicy core of raspberry and wash of mineral salts keeps this highly likeable and drinkable now. Fantastic value, as ever.Prices:| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $18.49 | 750ml |
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16 January 2017
86PTS
Villa Teresa Chardonnay Vino Frizzante Organic NV
ItalyCrisp and bright, this is organic chardonnay fizz from Veneto. Pear skin, apple blossom, lemon and white grapefruit peel to lift a sweet, pear drop base to a bitter twist finish. Frothy on the palate, enjoy this off-dry fizz well chilled.Prices:| BC | $16.49 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Quinta da Murta Brut Nature 2013
Bucelas, Lisboa, Central and Southern Portugal, PortugalSalty and marine, this crisp brut nature wine sings of place: the briny Atlantic coast and calcareous-laced soils of Bucelas. Chalky throughout, with wild scrubby myrtle, lemon thistle, lemon pith, riffing sea salts and driving, shearing acidity, this biodynamically farmed, wild yeast fermented, traditional method fizz is 100 percent arinto The grape's herbal citrus notes amplified here. Two and a half years on the lees gives structure without heft; this is light, lean and riveting, vibrating on the finish, and drinking beautifully now with fresh oysters.Prices:| BC | $26.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Kim Crawford Small Parcels Fizz Méthode Traditionelle 2011
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandThis crisp, complete, medium bodied traditional method fizz is a blend of Chardonnay from Marlborough's cooler Awatere Valley, as well as Pinot Noir from Marlborough's clay-soiled Southern Valleys. Ample toasted stones, lemon and a bed of doughy, fennel lees is brightened with a pithy citrus acidity and a snap of lemon peel that hums along the finish. A lovely example of accessible Kiwi fizz.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
| QC | $29.55 | 750ml |
| ON | $30.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Bottega Petalo Il Vino dell' Amore Moscato NV
Veneto, ItalyIl Vino dell'Amore Petalo Moscato is a white sparkling wine with a refined aromatic sweet nose reminiscent of roses. The fruit is grown in the Euganean Hills in the Veneto province of Padua over sedimentary rocks rich in minerals. The fermentation occurs with the addition of selected yeasts using the Martinotti method. The resulting wine is quite low in alcohol (6,5%) with a high level of residual sugar. The wine remains fresh, with spicy, floral, peach, mineral aromas. The style is sweet but delicate with fine acidity. More orange, peach, green apple and mineral flavours mark the palate. This is a delicious, summer style sipper for patio parties. Serve with spicy tuna sushi rolls.Prices:| BC | $16.49 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Bottega Prosecco Casa Bottega NV
Treviso, Verona, Veneto, ItalyGrown in the Province of Treviso (Veneto) using the glera grape. The fruit is generally hand picked from mid-September, grapes are pressed in the vineyard and then vinified. Once clarified the juice goes into special steel containers, where it is fermented with the addition of selected yeasts in Charmat method at 14° C for nearly 40 days. Over this period, carbon dioxide is released naturally giving the Prosecco its sparkle. The colour is pale, with flecks of dried straw. The nose is fruity with big acacia notes, white fruits and a dusting of citrus. Nice delicate balance and tension throughout. A classic aperitif, it works with many appetizers, fish and poultry.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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13 January 2017
86PTS
Gehringer Brothers Optimum Pinot Noir 2014
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSandalwood, cedar shavings, ripe cherry and light hickory spice fill this round, fuller bodied and concentrated "reserve tier" pinot noir from the Golden Mile Bench. The smoked wood continues along wood-grained tannins, to an earthy, bittersweet chocolate finish. A bruiser of a red, this is more akin to a muscular merlot than a finessed pinot noir, but if that's what you're into, pair this with grilled bison burgers.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Emandare Pinot Noir 2014
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaEmandare sits on a south-facing terraced hillside tucked beside Cowichan Valley's Mount Prevost. All of their wines are estate grown, dry farmed organically, with minimal intervention. This is four clones (114, 115, 667, 777) of pinot noir, destemmed and lightly crushed before a wild ferment in open top neutral French oak puncheons, and a ten month stint on lees in neutral French oak. Racked only once, this was bottled unfined and unfiltered, providing an authentic, clear lens to view coastal pinot noir. Juicy and pure, salted black plum, wild blackberry branch, thorny florals and balsamic jus swipe along the base. Savoury and bright (a welcome 12.5 percent), with taut, tight and grippy tannins through a lingering, salty finish. Young, keen, precise. The risks of growing finicky pinot noir in such a fringe region are huge, as is the risk to do it as naturally as Emandare has done.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
The Hatch Birds Eye View Pinot Noir Clone 777 2014
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis vintage The Hatch bottled the three clones of Pinot Noir from their Black Sage Bench Stones Throw Vineyard separately, bottling 50 cases of each, in the same distinct rotund bottle. 115, 667 and 777 are all Dijon clones, all grown, picked and vinified the same. Fermented in stainless steel, these three then went into a mix of new and neutral wood for MLF, before finishing off eight months in neutral oak. Medium bodied, with spiced wood, roasted coffee, stewed sour cherries, dark florals, smoke and a forest undergrowth before a medicinal cherry finish. Tannins are strident though soft, and the finish is amply nutmeg spiced. Sour, stewed cherries and forest linger on the finish. Bold, punchy, bruiser pinot noir.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
The Hatch Birds Eye View Pinot Noir Clone 667 2014
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis vintage The Hatch bottled the three clones of Pinot Noir from their Black Sage Bench Stones Throw Vineyard separately, bottling 50 cases of each in a distinct, rotund bottle. 115, 667 and 777 are all Dijon clones, all grown, picked and vinified the same. Fermented in stainless steel, these three then went into a mix of new and neutral wood for MLF, before finishing off eight months in neutral oak. Bricking brown in hue and medium bodied, this has darker cherry, dark soy sauce, black raspberry, herbal mustard seed, wrapped around a soft core. Tannins are fine and supple, and acidity is fine and lifted, both to a warm, salted, bitter cherry finish.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
The Hatch Birds Eye View Pinot Noir Clone 115 2014
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis vintage The Hatch bottled the three clones of Pinot Noir from their Black Sage Bench Stones Throw Vineyard separately, bottling 50 cases of each in a distinct, rotund bottle. 115, 667 and 777 are all Dijon clones, all grown, picked and vinified the same. Fermented in stainless steel, these three then went into a mix of new and neutral wood for MLF, before finishing off eight months in neutral oak. Spicy dark cherry, dried raspberry and whiffs of leather on the medium bodied palate, one with a sweep of toasted wood and swell of lifted acidity before a bright, salted, sour cherry finish.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Bench 1775 Pinot Noir 2014
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWarm, ripe raspberry and cherry jam fill this lush pinot noir from their estate vineyard on Naramata Bench. Smoked branch, strident wood leading the fuller palate detracts from the purity of the autumnal berry fruit. Bitter black cherry on the finish calls out for protein (grilled pork) to soften.Prices:| BC | $25.90 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Schubert Pinot Noir Block B 2013
Wairarapa, North Island, New ZealandFrom the North Island's Wairarapa Valley, this pinot noir was destemmed and fermented into stainless for three weeks of maceration before moving to French barriques for 18 months (40 percent new). Bricking hue, this generous pinot leads with autumn forest and moss into sunripe cherry and black raspberry, mustard seed herbaciousness, fine pepper and cinnamon spicing, and a subtle tar-lined, fleshy palate. Fine, grainy tannins frame the whole to a warm (14.5 declared) smoky finish. This packed, Kiwi pinot will stand up to smoked pork ribs.Prices:| QC | $50.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $67.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Black Swift Vineyards Stone's Throw Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA curious mix of warm rich high glycerol fruit on entry a with mossy, menthol green notes. Spicy black cherry fruit mixes with bits of rhubarb and earthy forest floor notes in the back end. A conundrum with a washing of toasted oak.Prices:| BC | $49.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Black Swift Vineyards The Long Road Pinot Noir 2014
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAnother East Kelowna site is fast becoming the go-to but not yet approved pinot noir sub-region of the Okanagan Valley. Diverse soils within a single vineyard help to shape the complexity here, as well as the final taste. Sand and gravel over deep clay with glacial till mixed throughout seem suited to Pommard and Dijon 115, 667 and 777 plantings. The grapes were fully de-stemmed and fermented on the skins for 28 days to maximize full extraction before being aged in a mix of 2 and 3-year-old French Oak barrels. Expect a fairly hedonistic style here rich in oak and sweet pinot fruit that are still robust and youthful. Time in the bottle over the next three years should help this wine gather itself. Solid.Prices:| BC | $49.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Spierhead Pinot Noir GFV Saddle Block 2015
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe home estate Gentleman Farmer Vineyard (GFV), in East Kelowna, is shaped like a saddle, hence the Saddle Block label moniker. This is a trio of Dijon pinot clones from the original Spierhead plantings, 115, 777 and 828. In this warm year this wine seems slightly disjointed, at least lacking sweet fruit in favourite of mossy, stemmy, menthol forest floor notes with a bitter, sour cherry finish. Tannins are fine and gentle, as is the acidity. Best with fatty dishes like duck or pork belly or grilled sockeye salmon.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Spierhead Pinot Noir Cuvée 2015
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 2015 Spierhead Cuvée, a blend of the best barrels from the harvest, is showing the generosity of warmth in the vintage. The attack is soft with a fair bit of glycerol over a mix of red plums and black cherries. The oak kicks in mid-palate adding weight and texture with a spicy, earthy back end. Still tightly wound and youthful, it looks to have the stuffing to age well. The flagship is a mix of clones aged in 100 percent French oak: 30 percent Pommard and 70 percent Dijon 115, 777, 828 and 667.Prices:| BC | $38.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Quails' Gate Pinot Noir Richard's Block 2014
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Anniversary Series is a small series of wines grown on select family vineyard sites. Richard’s Block Pinot Noir is dedicated to Richard Stewart, who purchased the original family vineyard in 1956. The 2014 is a spicy affair with cool, floral earthy aromas. The acidity is prominent, the fruit still waiting to be released. A little reminiscent of Oregon and France this year with a resiny, earthy, sour cherry finish. This needs at least two years to settle into itself. Big enough for duck, venison or big winter mushroom dishes. All of the fruit came off two older blocks of clones: 667, 117 and 115.Prices:| BC | $53.00 | 750ml |
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12 January 2017
93PTS
Rodney Strong Symmetry Table Red Wine 2013
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesSymmetry is a red Meritage from Sonoma’s Alexander Valley, in this case from the very fine 2013 vintage. The blend is 76/8/8/4/4/ cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot, cabernet franc, malbec and merlot that spends 19 months in French oak barrels (45 percent new). Most of the fruit comes off the hillsides of the Alexander Valley and is fermented separately. Some six months down the road the top lots find their way to Symmetry, where they are blended and re-barreled for additional 12 to 20 months before bottling. Winemakers Greg Morthole and consulting winemaker David Ramey make this wine. Only indigenous yeast and naturally occurring malolactic fermentation are allowed. Symmetry has an enticing, almost hedonistic nose but with that Sonoma restraint. Look for a rich palate of black fruits with bits of chocolate and coffee and super, silky, dense, fine-grained tannins that almost melt in your mouth. Harmony in a glass already and it will live a decade easy. Beef, lamb, hard cheeses all work here. Well done.Prices:| BC | $80.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $70.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $77.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Robert Mondavi Maestro 2013
Napa Valley, California, United States2016 marked the 50th anniversary of Robert Mondavi Winery, and amongst the many celebrations, the winery released Maestro, a merlot-led meritage sourced from To Kalon (where Mondavi initially started) and Wappo Hills. After 59 percent merlot, the wine is blended with cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot and malbec to create a full-bodied red to celebrate with now. That said, with an extended maceration and two years in 75 percent new French oak, this was obviously constructed to age. Savoury edged, bitter black cherry, bitter chocolate, blackberry and thorns are framed up with ample lengthy, hard tannins and seasoned with toasted nutmeg. Would be suitable now with a decant and grilled red meats, but will reward with your cellaring.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $60.00 | 750ml |
| US | $49.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Bench 1775 Groove 2014
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis sweet and ripe blend of merlot, malbec and cabernet franc is a full-bodied red appropriate for the BBQ. Dark plum, blackberry and cassis are filtered through a smoked wood and spiced lens, one with bitter cherry pressed tannins to the powdery finish.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Bench 1775 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis full-bodied cabernet sauvignon/merlot is splashed with a little syrah, creating a savoury-edged, dark fruited and complete wine that is drinking very well now but has a year or two to develop further. Sourced from Osoyoos' Oxbow Vineyard. Savoury meats and peppery spiciness throughout the black cherry, cassis, roasted onions, espresso and earthy tobacco notes, with ample wood-grippy tannins matched by the density of the fruit. A bright acidity and moderate alcohol (13.4 percent) works well in holding freshness to a moderate, clipped finish. This spent one year in two-year-old wood. I'd love to see less safe wood and more daring freshness in the future vintages. For now, roast lamb would work.Prices:| BC | $29.90 | 750ml |
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11 January 2017
91PTS
Burlotto Acclivi Barolo 2009
Barolo, Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalyGiovani Battista Burlotto was an early Barolo pioneer, establishing his estate in the late 1800s and becoming the first to both put wines in bottle (rather than cask) and label with the name of his estate, as was the French fashion. Acclivi is made from a blend of several crus in the village of Verduno. Red flowers, crushed stones, autumnal truffles, crimson berries and rock roses on this classically savoury, lifted barolo. Worked leather and tobacco are rimmed with medicinal cherry, painted with iodine and salts, and structured with firm, lengthy tannins to a drying finish. A heft on the palate that welcomes decanting and pairing with boar now or a few more years in the cellar.Prices:| BC | $59.19 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Renato Ratti Marcenasco Barolo 2012
Piedmont, ItalyThis one hundred percent nebbiolo first released in 1965 is very simply made, as in the fruit is destemmed and crushed and aged for two years in oak barrels of 25 and 50 hectolitres. Fresh, lively red fruits and licorice deliver a subtle message of terroir with harmony and elegance. There is a tug of tannin to remind us this will age into 2025. Fire grilled meats or game are a great match here.Prices:| BC | $63.99 | 750ml |
| QC | $55.90 | 750ml |
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91PTS
La Spinetta Langhe Nebbiolo 2011
Piedmont, ItalyI’m always impressed by this nebbiolo and its rich open nose laced with licorice, red cherry and strawberry flavours. The attack is round and suave, the palate rich with tannins and fine acidity. Coffee, orange peels and black cherry mark the dry Piemontesi flavours that coat the palate. Long but with balance and still a few grippy tannins to shed. Well made and ready for food. Mushrooms, meat, beef and pasta all work here.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $37.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $38.00 | 750ml |
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10 January 2017
88PTS
Paxton AAA Shiraz Grenache 2013
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaPaxton is Australia's leading producer of biodynamically farmed grapes, managing 300 acres of vines across McLaren Vale. Dark plum, cassis, potent anise, leather, black raspberry, twine, and mustard seed herbaceousness fill this juicy, generous blend of shiraz and grenache. Lifted acidity brightens, while McLaren Vale's classic dark cocoa powdered tannins support. Dark florals linger on the warming finish.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Alpha Box & Dice Tarot Grenache 2015
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaThe late-ripening grenache soaks up the McLaren Vale sun, expressing it in Tarot through concentrated cinnamon-cherry compote, ripe tayberries and raspberry jam, with an earthy, savoury currant underneath. The generous palate is cushioned with soft, plush tannins and is seasoned with ample pink peppercorns. Partial whole bunch, this undergoes a short maceration and ferment before time in stainless, keeping the tannins low and fruit youthful and bright. A rush of medicinal raspberry and heat on the finish requires food to tame. I recommend rabbit or pigeon.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
La Garnacha Salvaje del Moncayo 2014
SpainThis is old bush vine garnacha at altitude, from the mountains of Moncayo, in Aragon and northern Navarre. Winemaker Raúl Acha seeks out vineyards around Spain that best reflect the true essence of Garnacha. Medium bodied and succulent, with raspberry, forest berries, earthy tobacco on a generous strawberry jam core. Fine spicing and very grippy black pepper on the warm finish. This spent five months in oak.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Père Anselme La Fiole Côtes du Rhône 2014
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceThe Côtes du Rhône with the distinctive bottle is usually enough to identify Anselme's La Fiole, a regular on BC shelves. Stewed cherry, dried raspberry and brisk herbs dominate this spiced blend of grenache and syrah, one dusted with fine pepper and juicy with a swell of acidity. Tannins are somewhat powdery and bitter, detracting from this simple wine's charm, but easily mitigated by pairing with turkey sausages or chicken burgers.Prices:| BC | $17.49 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Borsao Tres Picos Garnacha 2014
Campo de Borja, Aragon, SpainSweet ripe blackberry and dense cassis in this full bodied, ripe and heady red from Campo de Borja. Tres Picos is the top cuvée of Borsão, drawn from 30 to 65-year-old, head-pruned garnacha from the slopes of the extinct Moncayo volcanic hills. Thick on the palate, with potent wood courtesy of older French oak barrels (for 10 months) and stainless steel. Vanilla-drawn black fruit is well integrated with potent wood, fleshy black fruits, strong pipe tobacco and a supported by plush tannins to a warm (15 percent) espresso finish. The sweet wood overwhelms all at present; this needs rich beef or lamb dishes to absorb.Prices:| BC | $24.49 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Yalumba The Tri-Centenary Grenache 2011
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaCan’t say enough about this special bottle of wine, especially to the cadre of folks who think grenache is for kids. Hand-picked from a scruffy bunch of old bush vines planted in 1889 (127 years ago). This wine is about texture, savoury dried cherry texture, with an amazing undercurrent of spice and earthy, dried red fruits. Finesse over and under elegance that frankly could change the way many think about Australian wine. Persistent, long and luxurious without being fat and sweet; this is a treasure. You can drink it now or hold it forever. Undervalued in every market.Prices:| US | $60.00 | 750ml |
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09 January 2017
86PTS
Lake Sonoma Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesThis has that classic ripe fruit California style that is seldom seen with most cool-climate sauvignon but there is an attractive crystalline lemon character here that offsets the herbaceous, citrus rind and mineral notes. Pair this with a classic goat cheese salad, or perhaps a Margherita pizza. Light and ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $20.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $24.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $23.95 | 750ml |
| NB | $25.49 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Rodney Strong Sauvignon Blanc Charlotte's Home 2015
Northern Sonoma, Sonoma County, California, United StatesRodney Strong established the winery’s heritage sauvignon blanc vineyard in 1971, naming it Charlotte’s Home in honor of his wife. The same site remains the core of today’s Charlotte’s Home Sauvignon Blanc, along with select estate vineyards in the Alexander, Russian River and Dry Creek valleys. It was warm in 2015 and not easy to produce a fresh sauvignon. The warm Alexander Valley fruit is the base of the blend, the Dry Creek brings honeydew and tropical fruit notes while the super-cooled Russian River Valley is the citrus injection required to freshen the finish. Perfect for soft cheese salads, or pasta dishes or any number of vegetarian dishes. The ferment is 90/10 cold fermented in stainless steel tanks with no malolactic versus 10% barrel fermented in French oak barrels with full malolactic. A ripe but perfectly acceptable style, especially for those who think the New Zealand style is too aggressive.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Emandare Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaEmandare sits on a south-facing terraced hillside tucked beside Cowichan Valley's Mount Prevost. All of their wines are estate grown, and dry farmed organically, with minimal intervention. A typical sauvvy this is not. This sauvignon blanc surprises with its sweetness and full body: 12 g/l RS is set against 3.2pH and 9 g/l TA. Wild ferment, this spent five months on the skins. Orange blossom, ripe pear, honey, meadow herbs, gentle anise on a round, creamy core. Bitter orange closes out the lingering finish. Hoping for a drier version in future. A lovely, entirely different expression of grape, rather an expression of place. Intriguing result, and an interesting project to followPrices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Sileni Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2016
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandThis brisk, bright, medium bodied white carries intense tangerine, gooseberry and fresh grass across its zippy palate awash in a wave of juicy acidity ending with some tangerine bitterness and warmth. The palate is coated with a slick of lees, enough to support the potent fruitiness, without detracting from it. Balanced throughout, this is good value classic Marlborough sauvignon.Prices:| BC | $18.49 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Plan B Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Franklin River, Great Southern, Western Australia, AustraliaWestern Australia's Frankland River is the site of this punchy sauvignon blanc, one dominated by assertive passionfruit and asparagus, and plumped with time and stirring of the lees in French oak barriques. The two forces (green and fruity, rich and leesy) are at odds throughout, leaving a disjointed whole. A smoked sour lemon note lingers on the snappy finish. Simple, straightforward and certainly not shy.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Murphy-Goode The Fume Sauvignon Blanc 2014
North Coast Region, California, United StatesThis wine surprised us a bit. The nose is a mix of tropical scents and citrus that carry onto the palate. It could be the four percent sémillon that has given this wine a slightly different look. Mostly dry, look for tangerine, lime rind, melon flavours with just enough acidity to keep it all clean. Seafood works here as would almost any vegetarian dish. Just over a quarter of this wine was fermented in wood to add a bit of texture and body to the mix. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $15.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $17.60 | 750ml |
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06 January 2017
91PTS
Tolaini Cabernet Franc 2009
Castelnuovo Berardenga, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyCabernet franc is many things but it’s not cabernet sauvignon. We know it ripens earlier, which is useful in northern climes. The aroma is a mix of leafy scents and black fruits. Yet no matter how big it gets, like this unreleased single bottling Tolaini, it has a lighter, gentler side than its sauvignon cousin. In Tuscany, especially Bolgheri, franc thrives in the Mediterranean heat. Deep, dense but with silky tannins, this wine will ride out a decade. It's rough around the edges but I’ll chalk that up to an unlabelled sample. Very promising and a lot of fun to drink.Prices:| BC | $65.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Tolaini Picconero Tenuta Montebello 2011
Castelnuovo Berardenga, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyIt's never easy to follow up a great vintage, just ask the Bordelais, but Tolaini family seems to have got the 2011 as right as possible. The blend is a 65/35 mix of merlot/cabernet franc (the latter is said to be among the very best franc grown in Italy) that is at once rich, fat and elegant thanks to a wealth of dense, fine-grained tannins and dark fruits with earthy tobacco highlights and a twist of mocha. Almost hedonistic, this is a very lavish version of this wine and will undoubtedly have wide appeal for those who like a bit of Napa Valley in their Italian reds.Prices:| BC | $120.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $110.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $134.99 | 750ml |
| QC | $100.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Tolaini Chianti Classico Riserva 2008
Castelnuovo Berardenga, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyThis 100 percent sangiovese comes off a high-density, single vineyard site that is the classic Galestro and limestone soils. The bunches are sorted and the berries are resorted before fermentation in stainless steel and a small amount in French oak fermenters. The wine spends 12 months in wood (six on its fine lees), six months in stainless and six more in bottle. At eight years old this wine is showing a fullness of flavour and depth with black cherry/tobacco flavours spiked with licorice and a stony mineral undercurrent. Surprisingly rich in tannin at this point but balanced with acidity and a long, dry fruity finish. Try this with turkey, guinea fowl or pork dishes.Prices:| BC | $33.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $53.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $125.99 | 1500ml |
| QC | $25.99 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Tolaini Valdisanti Tenuta S. Giovanni 2012
Castelnuovo Berardenga, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyAnother fine effort in 2012, in what is a rich version of this wine. The Valdisanti Toscana IGT is an organic, super Tuscan red that mixes 75 percent cabernet sauvignon with 20 percent sangiovese and 5 percent cabernet franc. In this case, the cabernet is perfectly ripe and dominating form front to back. The nose is a black fruit and spice affair with a dusting of cocoa. The tannins are dense, fine grained and still very youthful. Impressive value here, and a wine that needs another five to ten years in bottle. Steak comes to mind as the match, or try an aged pecorino. Good value too.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $33.90 | 750ml |
| MB | $54.99 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Tolaini Picconero Tenuta Montebello 2010
Castelnuovo Berardenga, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyIt’s hard not to like this wine at six years old. It’s still a few years away from its peak, but it is impressive in the glass. The blend is 65/30/5 merlot, cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot. Dense and muscular, it has a rich entry spilling across the palate with fine-grained tannin and deep dark cassis, mulberries and black cherries. A savoury, mineral undercurrent keeps it focused and linear. All new French oak gives it a framework to age, while the long, silky finish persists for minutes in your mouth. Well done.Prices:| BC | $120.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $110.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $110.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $100.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Tolaini Valdisanti Tenuta S. Giovanni 2010
Castelnuovo Berardenga, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyThe Valdisanti Toscana IGT is a super Tuscan red that mixes 75 percent cabernet sauvignon with 20 percent sangiovese and 5 percent cabernet franc. Owner Pier Luigi Tolaini says it is the finest cabernet franc in all of Italy. This is an impressive wine that starts with perfect structure and tension and walks the taster through a series of highlights. Superb dark fruit aromas preview similar flavours of black raspberries and cherries with a dusting of leather and cocoa. The tannins are dense, fine grained and silky à la Michel Rolland. It’s a mouthful at the moment but this will live through 2025 and as it mellows will become an elegant, Euro red. Osso buco is the choice today or an aged pecorino. Bravo.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $33.90 | 750ml |
| MB | $54.99 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Tolaini Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2011
Castelnuovo Berardenga, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyThe Tolaini Gran Selezione is a wine of finesse and class. The fruit is grown in the warmer Castelnuovo Berardenga area of Chianti Classico, giving the wine a touch more substance on the mid-palate without affecting its balance. The ‘08 harvest was the first vintage of the Tolaini Chianti Classico Riserva while the 2011 saw the end of the Riserva term now replaced by the Tolaini Chianti Classico Gran Selezione label. Produced only in the best years, Gran Selezione is one hundred percent sangiovese, from the organically-farmed Montebello Vineyard "numero sette”. Look for a mélange of red berries with a twist of forest floor and perfect acidity. As mentioned, the finesse and overall elegance of this wine define it, suggesting it should age well over the next decade. This spends 12 months in wood, of which seven are on the fine lees plus six months in stainless, followed by six more months in the bottle.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $34.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $79.99 | 1500ml |
| QC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Tolaini Al Passo 2012
Castelnuovo Berardenga, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyA small, circular forest tops the tallest hill on the Tolaini Estate and is known as Al Passo, a favoured hunting ground for locals centuries ago. An 85/15 IGT blend of sangiovese and merlot grown in the Chianti Classico region over limestone and clay, it trends toward the modern style, with a fair amount of overt cherry fruit and spice to take on its savoury leathery earthy back end. The fermentation is done in stainless steel with a portion going into French oak fermenters (20 percent new and 80 percent one year). It is aged one year in 500-litre French tonneaux. Drink now through 2020.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $34.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $79.99 | 1500ml |
| QC | $0.00 | 750ml |
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05 January 2017
88PTS
The Hatch Rhymes with Door Hinge 2015
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWhat rhymes with door hinge? Not quite orange, though that is the hue, and style, of this new release from The Hatch. Kerner, schoenburger and chardonnay were cofermented and kept on skins for six weeks in old puncheons. High toned, lower acid, with orange blossom, peach, perfumed fennel on a light-bodied, finely textured palate, one that kisses with herbal nectarine sweetness on the finish. Well done. Only 100 cases made.Prices:| BC | $25.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Emandare Vineyard Siegerrebe Gewurztraminer 2015
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaEmandare sits on a south-facing terraced hillside tucked beside Cowichan Valley's Mount Prevost. All of their wines are estate grown, and dry farmed organically, with minimal intervention. This is a light, tight and pithy off-dry coastal white that captures the floral aromatic fruitiness of siegerrebe and gewürztraminer without the weight associated with those grapes. Wild yeast ferment and five months on the lees in stainless has created some textural interest, while preserving the bright fruit. Cleansing lime, rosewater, green apple, orange blossom, gooseberry and crunchy Asian pear acidity finish clean and lively with a bitter lime twist. This is a natural for citrus or peach dressed spot prawns or scallops.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Jason Parkes Customs Gobsmacked Cyclops Love 2015
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThere’s little doubt we can mirror Alsace in BC. Sometimes we do it so well we are gobsmacked by the results. Enter winemaker Jason Parkes. Gobsmacked 'Cyclops Love' is an Alsace-ish blend of 34 percent pinot auxerrois, 28 percent muscat, 21 percent schönburger and 17 percent riesling. I’m thinking it’s a bit Edelzwicker in style, as in a dry light wine that is a blend of several white grape varieties from the Alsace region. Bright and fresh, it’s a little less floral and little more piney than its German kin, with dried herbs and orange peel notes on the finish. The colourful ‘kid’ label was drawn by Jason's 7-year-old daughter.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Cloof BV Bush Vines Chenin Blanc 2016
Coastal Region, South AfricaThis Western Cape chenin blanc is tipped with 14 percent sauvignon blanc, diluting chenin's characteristic beauty and replacing it with a placeless white blend. Pear, yellow apple and white peach have a fine cushion of stony lees and a zippy acidity. Sour lemon throughout, to the short finish. A simple, stark white that is best well chilled and served with fresh, sweet spot prawns or scallops.Prices:| BC | $8.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Hoffman & Rathbone Bacchus 2015
EnglandLean and linear, this is a very limited (1000 bottles) release of bacchus from East Sussex. Greengage, delicate lemon blossom and a lime peel scent this very light white, surprisingly already amped up with 50 percent barrel fermentation and four months on the lees.Prices:| Great Britan | $19.00 | 750ml |
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04 January 2017
88PTS
Blue Mountain Pinot Gris 2015
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaTwo French clones of 29-year-old vines were whole cluster pressed, with 40 percent fermented and aged on the lees for seven months in three year old French oak and the remainder in stainless, racked from lees. The sum equals the parts: some crisp, tight, green apple and sour lemon fruit swirling with fuller, riper pear and green melon, all on a leesy base, to a sour finish. At this youthful stage, the elements are not in unison, though it should knit with another year or two.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $26.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $24.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $24.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Pinot Gris 2015
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMission Hill's "Reserve" tier is a selection of parcels and barrels, and in 2015 was sourced from Black Sage Bench (95 percent) with a splash from their Naramata Ranch vineyards. This was partially fermented in French oak, where it aged for five months. Richer and full-bodied, with desert pear, crab apple, bitter lemon and crunchy Asian pear acidity, accented with apricot pit bitterness before a sour, warm finish. At this early stage, the oak and lees overrides the whole, though with time it should come together.Prices:| BC | $20.49 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Blue Mountain Pinot Gris 2015
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIn another league from most BC pinot gris, and from around the world for that matter. A ripe year has brought more orange and aromatics to the 2015. Texture and weight manages the bright orchard fruit notes flecked with tropical melons and pineapple. There’s just enough acidity and minerality to keep it all together. Normally this wine needs time but you can start drinking it now. Today the vines are 29 years old. Some 60 percent is wild fermented in stainless steel, and the remainder is fermented in new to 4th fill oak. Fine value.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $26.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $24.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $24.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Kumeu River Pinot Gris 2011
Auckland, North Island, New ZealandNew Zealand isn't known for its pinot gris, and the style ranges from grigio lean to Alsatian-rich, so it pays to know your producer. Fortunately, top tier Kumeu River makes delicious everything, so you're in safe hands with their pinot gris. Wild yeast fermented, this is round and generous, but held with a finely structured grip and bright acidity to counter the 10 g/l RS. Juicy yellow apple, herbal pear, smoked stone and lightly perfumed apricot with a delicate oil slick on the palate. A pleasant honeyed sheen of age showing here.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Santa Julia Pinot Grigio 2016
Mendoza, ArgentinaLight lees, dried pear and earthy notes with bits of green apple and lemon oil on the nose. Cleaner than last year but with fresh lemon, grapefruit, green apple and spicy flavours that finish a bit grippy and dry. Best with pasta olio or a Margherita pizza.Prices:| BC | $13.49 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $13.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $10.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
L'Ora Pinot Grigio 2015
Trentino- Alto-Adige, ItalyConsistently fresh now under screw cap, this Northern Italian white opens with flecks of citrus mixed with pears and a light mineral undercurrent. Simple, light, fresh and dry, it is ready to drink. A good match with shellfish and/or calamari.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Gray Monk Pinot Gris 2015
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGray Monk is a BC pinot gris pioneer, taking its name from the Austrian for the grape, Grauer Mönch. The 2015, like many of its cousins, is super ripe and will have wide appeal because of it. The cherry peach fruit is round and easy-sipping and the grapefruit notes more pink then acidic. The finish is ripe with honey, intermingled with sweet canned grapefruit and melon rind flavours. Bright, off-dry, ready-to-drink, try with spicy foods to combat the sweetness.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $21.94 | 750ml |
| MB | $21.28 | 750ml |
| SK | $22.69 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.95 | 750ml |
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03 January 2017
85PTS
Marionette Riesling 2014
British Columbia, CanadaSimilkameen Valley's Ladyhawke Vineyard is the source for these riesling grapes, sourced and produced by Salmon Arm's Marionette Winery. Tart and lean green apple, pear and lemon is held taut with riesling's characteristic zippiness. A cut of key lime rings on the slightly sour finish. Youthful and a touch too severe, this is one to watch in future.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Black Swift Vineyards Riesling Kirkjian Farm 2014
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaKurkjian Farm is an organic four-acre vineyard located in East Kelowna, directly below Summerhill Winery. This is bone dry riesling that takes its cue from the powerful, dry rieslings coming out of the Clare and Eden Valley. East Kelowna is making a strong case for riesling, think Tantalus for one, and winemaker Jason Parkes has done a fine job here, pushing that electric, salty, mineral style. The clay-based soil accounts for the depth and power. Look for stone fruit and plenty of citrus with some serious bitter rind notes in the finish. Best with food now but this will age. Good effort.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Gustave Lorentz Riesling Altenberg de Bergheim Vieilles Vignes Grand Cru 2008
Alsace, FranceAt eight years old this wine is close to full maturity in the rich, dry, intense Alsace style. The nose is showing some age with potent honey, cooked pear mixing with citrus pith, green notes and stony minerality. Bergheim, the vineyard, is steep sloping and sits between 220 and 320 metres above sea level. No need to hold this now; it is ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Culmina Family Estate Haut-Plateau Riesling No. 001 2016
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaCulmina has launched the first in a series of one-off wines they are calling the Number Series to showcase “the best of our research and development from any given vintage.” Up first at Nº 001 is the Haut-Plateau Riesling, a super late-picked riesling with 31 grams per litre of residual sugar that floods across the palate. Foie Gras is the power rich match. I tried it with a curried chicken dish and the sweet pear juice with a mineral/lemon undercurrent did its best to hold its own against the long syrupy finish. It’s a perfectly safe style that is long sold out but may we suggest Nº 002 be a little more daring, a little more electric.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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02 January 2017
88PTS
Blue Mountain Gamay Noir 2015
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaEight to twenty-six year old vines make up this estate gamay. Warm and generous black raspberry, strawberry and morello cherry fill the juicy palate, one with fine spices to season and finer tannins to frame. Wild yeast fermented, after destemming and a 20 day maceration on the skins this rested in four year old oak barrels for ten months. Has the simplicity for a midweek meal, but the heft and seriousness to make it with roasted chicken.Prices:| BC | $22.90 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
The Hatch Gamay Sunrise Vineyard 2014
West Kelowna, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThirty-year-old gamay from their home Sunrise Vineyard makes up this fuller bodied red, one plumped with the Okanagan sunshine. Bright raspberry, strawberry compote, morello cherry and an earthy forest note fills the juicy palate, threaded with fine cinnamon spicing and finishing with some heat. Tannins are fine and welcoming, especially with a pairing of grilled chicken thighs.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Joseph Drouhin Morgon 2013
Morgon, Beaujolais Villages, Beaujolais, Burgundy, FranceBlack raspberry, black cherry and subtle forest / ferrous spicing in this reserved Morgon. Medium bodied and silken on the palate, with lightly powdery tannins to a bitter, cherry skin finish. Finely structured and quiet, almost forgetful, pour this simple Morgon with grilled portobellos.Prices:| US | $18.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Pipe'Dreams Gamay 2014
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe valley floor gamay, located below Macintyre Bluff, is all estate grown and was harvested October 6 and 7, de-stemmed, crushed and fermented in small batches before aging in oak barrels and stainless steel drums. The nose is ripe figs and black cherry, almost more pinot noir than gamay. The palate is soft and round with medium acidity and more ripe bush vine fruits before the oak kicks in. The finish is sweet and redolent of baking spices and warmer California pinot characters. Not really gamay-like but tasty nonetheless. More acid please.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Quails' Gate Cailleteau Gamay Nouveaux 2016
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaBritish Columbia wine producers are really beginning to stretch their legs exploring new and old wine methods from around the world and making them their own. Case in point is the the inaugural release of the Quails’ Gate Cailleteau (pronounced kye-toe). It’s named after the French for baby quail and its nouveau style pays homage to the French tradition of celebrating the end of harvest with a “new wine”. In this case winemaker Nikki Callaway has nailed the traditional Beaujolais Nouveau style. The wine was picked, fermented whole cluster in a carbon dioxide rich environment prior to crushing, and bottled, all within about a month of harvest. The colour is youthful purple, the nose a mix of inviting primary cherry/kirsch sprinkled with cinnamon. It’s pure fun and too clever. Winery only sales…and you better hurry if you want some. It’s a perfect wine for lighter charcuterie when chilled down and drunk now.Prices:| BC | $19.50 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Blue Mountain Gamay Noir 2015
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe warm 2015 vintage has spawned a juicy, dark, fresh, floral-scented gamay noir that was aged in old French oak for about four years. A flatter, ripe, candied-cherry flavour dominates the palate with some savoury, lemon/pine undercurrents. Soft and mild with supple dusty tannins it is ready to drink now. Try this with veal or salmon.Prices:| BC | $22.90 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.95 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Julien Sunier Fleurie 2015
Fleurie, Beaujolais Villages, Beaujolais, Burgundy, FranceGoGamayGo. A dense and alluring nose of crushed stone, fragrant raspberry and wild strawberry on this artisan vigneron wine from Beaujolais. This is from the lieux dits La Tonne and Charbonnieres, wild yeast fermented with partial carbonic before elevage in wood. Textural and grippy, finishing with branchy sap, cured meats and a lightly smoked stone. Young and authentic lens of gamay.Prices:| France | $30.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Louis Latour Gamay Bourgogne 2013
Burgundy, FranceGamay from a declassified Beaujolais Cru can use the term Bourgogne Gamay as of the 2011 vintage, as is the case with this Louis Latour. This is 85 percent Fleurie and Côte de Brouilly, along with 15 percent pinot noir from Burgundy. Strawberry jam, black cherries and dried herbs are carried along a smooth, light palate, rimmed with finely peppery tannins, to a brusque bitter black cherry finish. More grippier than entry-level gamay, and far simpler than Cru Bojo, exactly where it's supposed to be. Great mid-week red with ham or sausages.Prices:| BC | $22.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Robin Ridge Gamay 2014
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA solid performer most years now, this Similkameen take on the great Beaujolais grape is slightly richer and denser but still has a firm, stony undercurrent. The attack is lively with black cherry fruit leading the way with a warm savoury, cinnamon undercurrent. Cru level weight and heft here. You can serve this with pork, roast chicken or soft cheeses to best effect. Tasty and ready to drink but it should improve in the bottle over the next three years.Prices:| BC | $23.90 | 750ml |
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February 2017