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Tastings: February 2017
28 February 2017
90PTS
Riccitelli Hey Malbec 2014
Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaFrom Lujan de Cuyo, this is next gen malbec, from one of the exciting, young movers-and-shakers on the scene, Matias Riccitelli. Easy and detailed at once, Hey Malbec is 12 year old vines, predominantly aged in concrete (the remainder in French oak), which is felt on the breadth and grip of the palate. Concentrated plums, mulberry and perfumed red florals drive the savoury red, with whisper-tuggy tannins along the long palate to support. Easily bright enough to carry the 14.5 percent. Not profound, but (as the label suggests), fun; complexed enough for the geeks and accessible enough for the rest. A well struck balance all around.Prices:| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Felino by Vina Cobos Malbec 2015
Mendoza, ArgentinaThis Mendoza (Valle de Uco and Lujan de Cuyo) malbec is a Paul Hobbs project, and his Californian plush hand is seen in this easily drinkable full red. Crushed plums, raspberries, soft pepper and black liquorice are carried on a velveteen palate, with soft, lightly smoky tannins buffering to a warm (14.5 percent) finish. The oak is very well handled here, highlighting rather than dominating. With a rabbit stew, this would shine.Prices:| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
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27 February 2017
91PTS
MacIntyre Heritage Reserve Ardua 2012
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOwner Drew MacIntyre has had a long love affair with merlot, inspired by the great wines of Bordeaux's Pomerol, and Tuscany's Bolgheri. In 2012, the Lake Breeze owner decided to pursue his dream of making a high-end merlot and chardonnay to honour his father, and push the team at Lake Breeze to reach for the stars. MacIntyre's father was a member of the RCAF, so when he decided to launch the MacIntyre range, the names Astra, and its merlot brother Ardua, were chosen as an ode to his father and the Royal Canadian Air Force motto, Per Ardua ad Astra, meaning through adversity to the stars. The Lake Breeze Naramata Bench vineyard is home to the fruit for Astra, and since 2014 has been home to Ardua. There is very little production of either wine (fewer than 300 cases), and it is virtually snapped up via the McIntyre mailing list. It's a concept Drew MacIntyre learned from his many years as an active buyer on the famous Harlan mailing list in Napa Valley. The '12 Ardua is beginning to show its class after five years, expressing the fruit and freshness that is the hallmark of Naramata Bench merlot. The core of aromas and flavours comes from a blueberry and blackcurrant, with a savoury undercurrent and well-managed tannins that persist through a long warm finish (sporting 15.5 percent alcohol). However, it's not a factor in the final taste. Good, and getting better in the bottle. Drink through 2022.Prices:| BC | $90.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Pétales d'Osoyoos 2013
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe second label to flagship Osoyoos Larose, Pétales is meant to be drunk now, while waiting for the big brother to hit his prime. This is pretty serious as is, with chisled and serious black fruit, bitter cherry, espresso, smoked tobacco, medicinal cherry and grilled meats, tightly framed and structured. That said, amidst the drying, firm tannins, there is a playful cushion of anise-seeded black fruit that says "drink me now!", and rightfully so, alongside roast beef, and preferably after a decant. Medium bodied (13.5 percent), this blend of merlot, cabernet sauvignon, malbec, cabernet franc and petit verdot certainly sits in the savoury side of the southern Okanagan. This little brother is growing into a man.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $28.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $26.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $29.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $29.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $31.00 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate Reserve Meritage 2015
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaSweet, ripe and round, this easy, entry-level wine is somehow one of J-T's "reserve" tier. Blackberry kool-aid, sweet candied cherries and a faint branch note on muddy, powdery tannins. The finish is short, as is the shelf life for this wine. If you have, crack the top and drink now with sloppy joes. The blend is labelled only as "Meritage", so I assume this is some mix of merlot, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc.Prices:| ON | $13.99 | 750ml |
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97PTS
Vérité La Muse 2013
Sonoma County, California, United StatesVérité, or truth as the French would say, makes a trio of Bordeaux-shaped reds all grown at the foothills of the Mayacamas Mountains at the southern tip of Sonoma County's Alexander Valley, where winemaker Pierre Seillan works with Sonoma Mountain fruit. Seillan is a disciple of the cru concept and at Vérité his selections are released under the monikers of ‘La Muse’, a Pomerol-style merlot/cabernet franc mix; ‘La Joie’, a left bank, Haut-Medoc style cabernet sauvignon; and ‘Le Désir, a Saint Emilion-style blend of cabernet franc/merlot/cabernet sauvignon. In 2013, La Muse reaches for the stars blending a third of its fruit from the Alexander Valley vineyards, some 40 percent out of Chalk Hill and the remainder from the Knight and Bennett valleys. At 89 percent it is fair to call this a merlot especially when you consider its amazing, silky texture, bolstered by eight percent cabernet franc and three percent malbec. The perfect vintage spawned a 14.3 percent alcohol level that fits the harmony of this wine. The flavours are bright but restrained with impressive black fruit aromatics seemingly uninhibited by ageing in 100 percent new French oak barriques. A smoky, savoury, licorice and black cherry affair, but again without any boldness, seems as if it might age for decades. Each year the concentration improves but so does the finesse. A superb bottle of wine now long sold out but look for it in restaurants and private wine shops.Prices:| BC | $289.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $238.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Bootleg Red Blend 2012
United StatesThe bootleg red blend is an overtop Napa red swimming in super ripe black fruit and alcohol. Its merlot base, 36 percent, gives it a soft demeanour and the sweet zinfandel, petite sirah, syrah pushes into the chocolate/cherry ‘Apothic’ category with some bitter cabernet tannins in the finish. The cedar and spice is all nice but it’s difficult to finish a glass bearing eight percent residual sugar. Too much of everything we don’t like about New World wine.Prices:| ON | $59.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Château Martinolles Garriguet Vieilles Vignes 2015
Limoux, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceLimoux wine is produced around the city of Limoux in the Languedoc under four AOCs or Appellation d'origine contrôlée designations: Blanquette de Limoux, Blanquette Méthode Ancestrale, Crémant de Limoux and Limoux. Aside from the trio of sparklers, Limoux reds are a mix of familiar French grapes: merlot, cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, grenache, malbec or cot, syrah and carignan. By law it must be a blend containing a minimum of three varieties, with no two varieties together exceeding 90 percent of the blend and merlot must make up a minimum of 50 percent of the blend. Martinolles Garriguet is mix of merlot, syrah and cabernet sauvignon that treads the fine line between red and black fruits. The underlying influence is the strong garrigue influence of licorice and dried herbs that perfectly balances the fruit and spice. This was a great match to a beef and tomato stir-fry but it would work with duck and roasted chicken. Real wine and great value.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Ca’ Momi Rosso di Napa 2014
Napa Valley, California, United StatesBrooding dark fruit fills this boozy, full-bodied blend of cabernet sauvignon, zinfandel, syrah, merlot and petite sirah from Napa Valley. Tannins are softened, the palate supple and sugars are high, all recommending this wine for current consumption. A nice spicy raspberry note highlights the palate before the big smoked spices (pepper, cardamom) on the punchy finish call out for BBQ beef.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $18.52 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Van Westen Vineyards V 2013
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRipe and concentrated, as is the Van Westen way, this is a blend of merlot, cabernet franc, malbec, cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot, sourced from four vineyards within two kilometres along the Naramata Bench. Espresso lingers throughout the dense black fruit, with graphite, tobacco, anise, branch and thorns. Ample tannins are well managed and integrated into the fruit, structuring the heft without overpowering, and have just enough grip. A charming raspberry note lingers on the subtly spiced finish. Youthful now, this benefits from a decant and side of beef or lamb, or cellar for a few years for maximum enjoyment.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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24 February 2017
84PTS
Fuzion Alta Malbec Tempranilo 2015
Mendoza, ArgentinaPressed red berries, candied cherry gummies and a bit of spritz on the soft, smoothed palate. A prickle of spice and resinous branch closes out the short, powdery and acidified tang on the warm finish. A simple, uncomplicated and drink-now red for burgers.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Cháteau Peyros Madiran Tannat Cabernet Franc 2011
Madiran, Sud-Ouest, FranceAnise, leather, resin and thorns throughout this 60/40 tannat/cabernet franc blend from Madiran. Peyros takes its name from the Gascony word meaning "rocky location", giving a clue to the topography of this site. Savoury rules, with raging tannins hemming in brambled, cedar fruit, seasoned with smoky tobacco, broken stones and medicinal hued black cherry and dried violets to a drying finish. This intrinsically rustic red needs roast beef/roasted root veg to balance.Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
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23 February 2017
91PTS
Painted Rock Cabernet Franc 2014
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWhen you taste this cabernet franc, you have to ask yourself why anyone bothers trying to ripen cabernet sauvignon in BC? You will love the smoky, dusty, savoury aromas that jump from the glass. Plums and cherries dominate the chocolate and coffee for a change suggesting less wood, older wood, less time in wood, better wood? But really, it doesn’t matter, it all works. What is key here in the savoury, spicy tobacco finish is the dense but fabulously silky, tannins. Ooh la la, hedonistic and if you must, you can drink it now. We would wait five years but if you have a steak and some chimichurri sauce, or a leg of lamb, well get at it.Prices:| BC | $44.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Haywire Pinot Gris Switchback Vineyard Raised in Concrete 2013
Summerland Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOne of the most memorable wines of Vancouver Wine Festival 2017. This wine continues to impress every time I try it, building complexities with age. This week the sage brush really stood out throughout the creamy, flint-framed palate. Herbal wildflowers, salted fennel, honeysuckle is carried along the concrete texture. Quietly confident and alluring. A wine about place, not grape.Prices:| BC | $24.90 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Domaine Queylus Tradition Chardonnay 2013
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaOne of the memorable wines tasted at Vancouver Wine Fest 2017. Tight pear, yellow apple, salted hazelnut is streamlined and framed by a stony minerality, based with a clay-anchored cushion of earthy lees. Tangerine blossoms scent throughout and linger on the finish. Finessed and polished. Organically grown, this was whole cluster pressed before a long wild ferment in French oak (20 percent new) and 16-20 months aging stint.Prices:| ON | $24.75 | 750ml |
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22 February 2017
92PTS
Tawse Riesling Quarry Road Vineyard 2015
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaA standout wine at Vancouver International Wine Festival 2017. Perfumed concentrated stone, pear, tangerine, lime, green apple throughout this electric and exciting Vinemount Ridge riesling. A streamlined linear focus right through to a hum on the finish. Vibrating with minerals and energy from top to tail, and one that will hold for the next decade. Certified biodynamic.Prices:| ON | $24.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Benjamin Bridge Brut Méthode Classique 2011
Gaspereau Valley, Nova Scotia, CanadaThis newly released, 100 percent chardonnay Brut spent four years on the lees before release, and is still extremely tight, fresh and precise. Tasting beauty now, this has a long life ahead. Gripped by a pithy tightness, and centered with a comfortably slender palate, this is crystalline orange and lemon, pear skin and oil, and bitter lemon thistle herbaceousness throughout to a shimmering vibrato on the finish. Serious stuff. 11.5%, TA 10.7. pH 3.01.Prices:| ON | $50.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $45.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $50.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Norman Hardie County Chardonnay Unfiltered 2013
Prince Edward County, Ontario, CanadaStandout Ontario wine tasted at Vancouver Wine Festival 2017. The County chardonnay was grown on five separate sites, is a blend of two clones, was wild yeast fermented (started in horizontal stainless tanks and finished mostly in 500L French barrels, 30 percent of which were new). No sulphur was added for a year, after which the wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered. Toasted popcorn, kernal, broken stone and mineral. Limestone distinctiveness throughout. Lovely flint edge, into an alluring and characteristic reductive note. Wild herbs, salted and brown butter savouriness lingering on the finish. The finest Chardonnay I've tasted from Canada, and on par with any, anywhere.Prices:| ON | $40.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Fairview Cellars Cabernet Franc Premier Series 2014
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSurprisingly ready to drink this 2014 offers a lot of upfront enjoyment. The tannins are round, almost silky, even Saint Emilion-like, leaving exuberant, hedonistic, blueberry/red plum fruit flavours to entice. The style is ripe and warm but with a touch of minerality and complexity across the finish that keeps you nosing the glass and working small sips until your glass is empty. Post tasting, we served this bottle with a beef stroganoff and both the wine and food went to another level.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
C.C. Jentsch Small Lot Series Cabernet Franc 2014
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA few months down the road from our last tasting this cabernet franc remains impressive. The nose has a meaty, mineral, black fruit scent that leads into a medium-rich palate awash in raspberry and cherries. Still youthful with plenty of freshness the tannins are firm and cloaked in medicinal-scented tobacco and long lingering cloves in a dense, sweet-fruited, warm finish. Seventeen months in French and American oak barrels, plus plenty of sunshine hours on the Golden Mile Bench provides a structure that will reward with a few years in the cellar. Pricey but impressive.Prices:| BC | $49.90 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Cassini Cellars Roussanne Marsanne Bella Vineyard 2013
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis 2013 is a 60/40 Rhone-style blend that mixes roussanne and marsanne all grown in Oliver. The nose is slightly tropical with bits of citrus and mandarin orange that continues onto the palate with more honey, orange notes and a touch of ginger. The textures are creamy and fresh. It should pair well with ripe cheeses, grilled fish, lobster, chicken BBQ, duck and creamy pasta sauces.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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95PTS
PerSe La Craie 2013
Gualtallary, Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaAt PerSe, owners/winemakers/viticulturalists Edgardo del Popolo and David Bonomi practice artisanal winegrowing based on the simple and time-honoured philosophy that less is more. The 2013 vintage was cold; the first in a series of three cool years in Mendoza. Unlike the preceding years of warmth and richness 2013 was a chance to express freshness and to build acidity and structure. La Craie. A 65/35 blend of malbec and cabernet franc is perhaps the ultimate Gualtallary red, a wine that shouts minerality to all who would deny it exists in wine. The fruit is co-fermented and joined together after growing nearby each other yet in different plots. Wild yeasts begin the co-fermentation and two, per-day punch-downs last through more than a month lengthening the tannins to a silky scarf texture that are aged 16 months in two and three-year-old used oak barrels. It seems the older the oak gets the better the wine. That’s it for winemaking: no fining no filtering, no other fussing about. It’s difficult to explain how much more interesting this wine can be in the cool years but there is a freshness and delicacy that highlights the terroir, the red fruits and savoury dried herbs in this blend. The franc gives it a richness without weight and the chalky/calcareous soils mixed with sand, clay and limestone contribute the minerality and class. You could argue the alcohol at 15.2 is too much but you don’t feel it. It is as if it provides the weight in this cool year not that the fruit isn’t ripe. Again kudos to Bonomi and del Popolo for stretching the envelope and putting first class (Grand Cru) sites like Gualtallary on the international wine map. It’s still a baby but it’s a beacon for the New Argentina, a place where the wine is beginning to take its cue from its origins. Gualtallary (pronounced WALL-tall-oree) has quickly established itself as the best single site for malbec in all of Argentina and now it looks like cabernet franc may be a fit too.Prices:| BC | $150.00 | 750ml |
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95PTS
PerSe Jubileus 2013
Gualtallary, Tupungato, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaAt PerSe, owners/winemakers/viticulturalists Edgardo del Popolo and David Bonomi practice artisanal winegrowing based on the simple and time-honoured philosophy that less is more. The 2013 vintage was cold; the first in a series of three cool years in Mendoza. Unlike the preceding years of warmth and richness 2013 was a chance to express freshness and to build acidity and structure that could give a wine like Jubileus and extra long life and express the terroir in a very pure form. Grown at higher elevations within the Uco Valley skinny, spare, sandy/stony soils it is a wine of great harmony showcasing the stony, mineral, pure malbec flavours of Gualtallary are stunning. There is handful of cabernet franc in the mix but the star is the malbec albeit in a form we seldom see from most commercial Argentine offerings that make their way to Canada. Kudos to Bonomi and del Popolo for stretching the envelope and putting first class (Grand Cru) sites like Gualtallary on the international wine map. It’s still a baby but it’s a beacon for the New Argentina, a place where the wine is beginning to take its cue from its origins. Gualtallary (pronounced WALL-tall-oree) has quickly established itself as the best single site for malbec in all of Argentina.Prices:| BC | $150.00 | 750ml |
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21 February 2017
89PTS
Edmeades Zinfandel 2015
Mendocino County, California, United StatesI like the evolution of this wine, now a little less funky and a little more dependable, but still with that bright Mendocino fruit character. Now just under 30 years old the fruit is sourced from across 64 acres inside the Mendocino AVA, including Mendocino Ridge, Redwood Valley and the Anderson Valley appellations. Old fruit is a pillar of Edmeades, with Ciapusci Vineyard planted in 1878, Perli Vineyard planted in the late 1800’s, Zeni Vineyard planted in 1910 and Piffero Vineyard planted in 1930. Wines are made in an artisanal way, using small, open top fermenters, indigenous yeast fermentations, and are bottled unfined and unfiltered. I love the peppery, blackberry jam aromas and a savoury undercurrent. It’s already delicious drinking but should be fine for the next three to five years. Perfect with grilled meat or chicken dishes.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Rodney Strong Zinfandel Knotty Vines 2014
Northern Sonoma, Sonoma County, California, United StatesAlways attractive and soft, the nose opens with brambleberry and powdered chocolate aromas with a touch of spice. The attack is smooth with warm, spicy, smoky, black fruits lined with licorice. Sweet warm and soft, this slides down effortlessly. The "Knotty Vines" were planted in 1904 and a small portion is blended with other grapes from the Russian River and Alexander Valleys. It’s ready to drink now and will take on most hamburgers, barbecued ribs or chicken. Simple, straight-up zinfandel.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $23.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Lake Sonoma Zinfandel 2013
Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesThis wine was good in 2012, but the 2013 is terrific. I love the savoury, ripe black fruit notes that jump from the glass. Full, rich, and impressive on the palate, the combination of red and black cherry fruit carries the day with smoky, bramble, cinnamon, cloves and black pepper. The finish is long, smooth, warm and - happily - not hot. Good value.Prices:| BC | $24.49 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.50 | 750ml |
| QC | $26.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $29.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $29.79 | 750ml |
| PEI | $30.25 | 750ml |
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20 February 2017
88PTS
Hall Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Napa Valley, California, United StatesIf you love Kiwi sauvignon blanc you probably will not be a fan of California sauvignon; to each his own. Expect a rounder, softer version of sauvignon, with a whiff of passion fruit and ripe honeydew melon. On the palate, the wine is expansive with peachy melon citrus fruit and a dusting of cut grass. The textures are creamy and round, giving it a slightly sweet finish. Try this with a spicy tuna poke.Prices:| AB | $28.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Goose Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Moutere Hills, Nelson, South Island, New ZealandGoose Bay wines were developed for the kosher market, from fruit grown on the Upper Moutere hills near Nelson, on the South Island. The attack is classic gooseberry, passion fruit and melon, with a strong citrus undercurrent. Simple well made sauvignon blanc, with a Kosher rating.Prices:| BC | $20.47 | 750ml |
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86PTS
NewHarbour Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandClassic passion fruit and guava with a bright, crisp citrus thread from front to back. Friendly, ready-to-drink style that is best for chicken salads, avocado toast, or assorted shellfish, very simply prepared.Prices:| BC | $15.49 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Galerie Naissance Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Napa Valley, California, United StatesThis wine has a very peculiar non-Napa vibe, where the nose is muted and aromas of citrus, yellow flowers and honeydew melon seep, rather jump out at you. The juice is fermented in stainless steel tanks and neutral French oak to preserve the light melon flavours that carry its creamy finish. It’s New World but we like the sophisticated approach here. Fish tacos and fruit salsa would work well.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $40.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Stonestreet Sauvignon Blanc Aurora Point Vineyard 2014
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesThe 5100-acre estate (900 acres planted) is a blend of several sauvignon blocks planted at 900 feet over rocky volcanic soils. Bright tangerine aromas mix with bay leaf and fennel, with floral notes throughout. The palate is a riot of flavour with grapefruit pith, guava, white flowers, candied lemon and a stony mineral undercurrent. It's 100 percent barrel fermented and aged in French oak for six months, yet you hardly notice it. This is delicious stuff that marks a new direction in California mountain sauvignon blanc.Prices:| US | $40.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Kirkland Signature Sauvignon Blanc Ti Point 2016
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandTi Point Vineyards makes this wine for Costco and it's definitely brisk Marlborough. Fresh citrus and guava notes pervade the wine and jump from the glass with bits of gooseberry and grass. The palate is equally fresh; if anything it loses a bit of persistence through the finish. Not much to complain about here at US$6.99 if you are devoted Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc fan. Mussels anyone?Prices:| US | $6.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Pascal Jolivet Attitude Sauvignon 2014
Loire, FranceThe Pascal Jolivet domaine owns over 120 acres of vineyards spread across the appellations of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé. Attitude is from a single 57-acre estate located to the west of Sancerre in Touraine, and covers two distinct terroirs: Chémery, with limestone soils, and Anger sur Cher, with sandy soils. Wild yeast fermented, this carries greengage, tinned asparagus, shale and lemon thistle, lined with a cushion of herbal lees, and seasoned with white pepper. Low yields (for a VdP) has aided concentration, and buzzy minerality on the finish.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis reserve tier sauvignon blanc was sourced from Mission Hill's estate vineyards in Osoyoos and on Black Sage Bench. Twenty percent was fermented in French oak, where it remained for six months but you wont notice it. This is tropical in style with mandarin, passion fruit and lime blossom on a light, creamy, bright palate (a welcome 13 percent alcohol). Ginger spicing seasons the zesty almost watery finish. A nice blend of New World tropical, Old World structure and Okanagan purity; well done.Prices:| BC | $20.49 | 750ml |
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17 February 2017
86PTS
Altos Blanco 2014
Rioja, SpainSuper ripe peach, overripe melon, banana, guava on this fleshy, floral Rioja white. Lower acidity leads to a zesty lime, very warm finish. Oak treatment is obvious, creaming the palate, and weighting this down further. If you like your whites tropical, full and creamy and with lower acidity, seek this out.Prices:| BC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Falesco Est Est Est di Montefiascone 2012
Lazio, ItalyHerbal slicked, lees-licked and lemon-lined, this medium bodied blend of trebbiano and malvasia is from the remarkably memorable DOP of Est! East!! East!!! in Lazio. Whole cluster grapes spend time in stainless steel, preserving the bright fruit. Greengage, lemon, green fig and mineral salts on the finish. Best when warmed up a bit. As legend has it, a 12th century Bishop was travelling to the Vatican for a meeting with the Pope. The Bishop sent a scout ahead to survey the villages along the route for the best wines, with directions to write 'Est' (Latin for 'It is') on the door of the inns he visited when he was particularly impressed with the quality of the wine, so the Bishop following on his trail would know where to stop for a tipple. At a Montefiascone inn, the scout was reportedly so stoked with the local wine that he wrote Est! Est!! Est!!! on the door.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Plaimont Les Vignes Retrouvées 2013
Sud-Ouest, FranceThis herbal-driven, lemony lighter white is a blend of gros manseng, arrufac and petit courbu, the ancestral grapes of the Pyrenean foothills. This wine is named Les Vines Retrouvées (the Rediscovered Vines) as a tribute to the grapes' history in the South West. Hedgerow, lemongrass and a ringing river stone minerality throughout, streaked with a quenching lemon rind acidity and lined with a scrubby herbal lees. Enjoy this vibrant, honest, authentic white with mussels, clams or other shellfish. Fantastic value.Prices:| QC | $12.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Domaine de Majas Blanc 2012
IGP Côtes Catalanes, Roussillon, Sud de France, FranceThe 30-hectare Domaine de Majas is located to the west of the Roussillion in the village of Caudies de Fenouilledes. Fully biodynamic since 2007, with Domaine Matassa's Tom Lubbe as consultant. Organic rolle, macabeu, carignan blanc vines are planted on clay-limestone soil at an altitude of 350-400 metres above sea level, fermented wild and see just a shadow of sulphur. Salted almonds and hazelnuts glide along a sizeable slick of herbal lees, lifted by a crystalline citrus. White peach, green fig, dried thyme, medicinal hued white cherry on the medium body, before mineral salts linger on the finish. Exactly what you want to drink right now with grilled anchovies or white wine and garlic mussels.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Esprit de Silène Blanc 2015
Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceIt was December 2014 that Les Domaines Paul Mas took over Domaine du Silène des Peyrals and its 57 hectares of vines. Esprit de Selene is a new blend from this historical property, located along the Joncastre stream, in the municipality of Saint-Pons-de-Mauchiens. It sits adjacent to the vineyard of Château Paul Mas, Abbey Valmagne and Domain Peyre Rose. The blend is a typical mix of grenache blanc, marsanne and vermentino, offering up a stony mineral floral mix of fruit aromas and flavours with a touch of heat and nutty bitterness in the finish. Try this with turkey, roasted chicken and creamy mushroom pasta dishes.Prices:| BC | $20.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Soleil Blanc de Lauriga 2015
Côtes du Roussillon, Roussillon, Sud de France, FranceSurprisingly this 60/40 blend of old vine (30-years-old) grenache blanc and macabeu wine spends three to six months in new oak complete with regular battonage. The nose is a mix of bright peach and pear flavours with flecks of tropical fruit and ginger with more of the same on the palate. The oak sets the tone but there is a delicacy and some underlying mineral/orange notes that keeps it all fresh.Prices:| BC | $23.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Fuzion Alta Torrontés Chardonnay 2016
Mendoza, ArgentinaHuge florals - fragrant lime and peach blossom - throughout this off-dry and bright blend of torrontés and chardonnay from Mendoza. Bananas, candied pear and powdered lemon on the short, gingery finish. Chill well down and enjoy on a patio, or as the base for summer fruit sangria.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.99 | 750ml |
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16 February 2017
86PTS
Francis Ford Coppola Diamond Collection Black Label Claret Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
California, United StatesNamed after the Bordeaux claret style, this blackberry-scented red is all California less its Rioja fine gold netting package. Cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc and petit verdot are in the blend that projects soft, round, cassis and cola fruit with sweet tobacco. Modern commercial, introductory California cabernet.Prices:| BC | $29.49 | 750ml |
| QC | $27.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Avalon Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Napa Valley, California, United StatesThis wine surprised us with its purity of fruit and balance. The nose is full of dark fruit, tapenade and tobacco. The attack is firm but rich and weighty with fruit from Napa County: Rutherford AVA, Oakville AVA and the Oak Knoll District AVA. The 85/15 blend of cabernet and merlot comes off a small vintage that allowed the grapes to ripen evenly. Only 30 percent new French oak adds lushness without over-powering the fruit. A very solid restaurant wine. Pair with grilled hamburgers or roasted chicken.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
| NF | $29.72 | 750ml |
| AB | $31.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Jim Barry The Cover Drive Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaDusty red and black fruit is drawn along a gentle stream of eucalyptus in this classic Coonawarra cab. Tobacco, black cherry, perfumed dark florals on a medium bodied, cocoa lined palate. Supple tannins gently support the whole to the lightly spiced finish. Charming and friendly, it's hard not to like this fresher cabernet sauvignon.Prices:| BC | $27.99 | 750ml |
| QC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Wakefield Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Clare Valley, South Australia, AustraliaMedicinal hued cherry, anise and nubuck open this Clare Valley cabernet sauvignon, permeated with a subtle mineral salts note and ample scrubby grass and herbs. A slicked palate is buffered by moderate, lightly tuggy tannins and raised with acidity to the potent anise finish. A bit elbows and knees at this young phase, best paired with herbed lamb kabobs.Prices:| ON | $17.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Two Hands Sexy Beast 2015
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaThe suggestive label hints that this McLaren Vale will be sexy and rich, but I would summarize as ripe and succulent instead. Brooding brambles, ripe wild blackberry and dark florals on a soft, velvet cushioned palate. Dark chocolate streams throughout the whole, coating the ripe tannins in the characteristic McLaren Vale way. Sweet baking spices linger on the finish. Easy drinking and easily approachable now.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Cassini Cellars The Aristocrat Cabernet Sauvignon Limited Edition Milestone Vineyards 2013
Golden Mile Bench, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMilestone is a single-vineyard in the south Okanagan and the wine is 100 percent cabernet sauvignon. The attack is warm and oaky with caramel and vanilla obscuring the fruit at this point. The palate is rich and spicy with savoury black fruit flecked with pepper. As your palate adjusts there are flickers of red fruit and fine acidity but this bottle needs five years of rest to relax and open up. We would suggest that less is more but at Cassini it’s full speed ahead. Serve with highly marbled grilled steaks at this point.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOne of Mission Hill's Reserve tier of wines, this cabernet sauvignon was sourced from two of their estate vineyards in Osoyoos and on the Black Sage Bench and spent 13 months in oak barrel. The wood sits around the heady density of the ripe black fruit, and in this youthful stage, still dominates the whole. Roasted coffee, vanilla throughout the ripe fruit and tuggy, earthy tannins. This requires roast beef to match.Prices:| BC | $25.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $28.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $25.25 | 750ml |
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15 February 2017
88PTS
Cassini Cellars Chardonnay Bella Vineyard 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 2013 growing season was made for chardonnay on the Golden Mile Bench. The vines are 22 years old at Bella Vineyards, and a mix of two clones. The style is friendly with just enough acidity to balance the ripe fruit, in this case red apples and peaches with a touch of citrus underneath. The wine is aged in new French and American barrels, the later lending it a slightly more open character with bits of vanilla and spice. It is ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Jason Parkes Customs Crown + Thieves Chardonnay 2015
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaYou can't like them all unless you love that oaky, soft, round, fat style of chardonnay, which according to winemaker Jason Parkes is the way his wife likes her chardonnay – and he made this for his wife. Ms. Parkes you are not alone, but rather than say its an acquired taste I feel as it I should say it’s a mostly abandoned taste. My advice is go funkier with lees, and reduce the new oak. Or crank up the acidity and go in another direction.Prices:| BC | $34.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Black Swift Vineyards Oak Street Vineyard Chardonnay 2014
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOak Street Vineyard is a cool, south-east facing site on the Golden Mile Bench appellation that gathers the warm morning sun and escapes the baking heat of the afternoon. You sense that from the acidity that greets you right off the top, and freshness that continues throughout. The fruit is a mix of clones 53, 76 and 96, adding more complexity to the palate. The wine is aged in new French puncheons for 14 months. The nose is a mix of aromatic pears, orange spice, melon and apples. The palate is similar with more red apple and citrus and a touch of oaky bitterness. Fine elegance here with a dash of smoke. A little more refinement, less new oak and this wine is poised to soar.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
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14 February 2017
89PTS
Tesch Unplugged Riesling 2014
Nahe, GermanyEstablished in 1723, Weingut Tesch is one of Germany’s classic producers, typifying the Nahe. Unplugged is driven by racy, ripping acidity, driving heady yellow fruit, green fig, white peach and honeysuckle, all cut by weathered stone and funky earthiness. Though Nahe's generosity is cut with the shearing acidity and crystalline orange peel, this is still very dense, vibrating on the finish. Not quite cohesive at this point, but still fun to drink (unlike what the dude on the label will make you think).Prices:| NF | $19.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Nik Weis St. Urbans-Hof Piesporter Goldtropfchen Spatlese Riesling 2015
Mosel, GermanySpätlese means the grapes were harvested ripe or late enough to potentially make a wine a sweeter than normal. Even so spätlese only refers to the ripeness level. It’s up to the winemaker to decide how much residual sugar is left in the wine and the final style. This Piesporter Spätlese is an opulent style with big, tropical fruit flavours, citrus, sea salt and minerals with plenty of sweet fruit (108 grams per litre) to offset its acidity at 8.9 grams per litre. Best with tarte tatin or a Weis favourite, salted caramel.Prices:| BC | $52.00 | 375ml |
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91PTS
Nik Weis St. Urbans-Hof Riesling Spätlese Saarfeilser Grosse Lage 2015
Mosel, GermanyYou are going to love this wine from start to finish. This is a delicious, edgy riesling packed full of electric, mineral fruit, bright tropical overtones, big peach and red apple flavours and hints of pastry and baking spices. The plate is slightly zingy with a long, sweet balanced honeyed finish. Try this with spicy tuna, or spicy roasted chicken. This will live in the bottle through 2025 without problem.Prices:| BC | $67.00 | 750ml |
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13 February 2017
89PTS
Yalumba Old Bush Vine Grenache 2014
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaThe last time I tasted the 2014 was 18 months ago, so was happy to revisit this special Yalumba red. Old Barossa bush vine grenache, from vines planted between 1898 and 1972, were crushed as separate parcels, mostly destemmed, and utilize wild yeast to kick off fermentation. Some bunches were left on skins for three months, after which all went to barrel for maturation. An alluring, lifted floral note leads throughout, with perfumed plum, fresh cassis and wild blueberry that stretches along the palate. An herbal mustard seed note that I always get in this particular wine is still strong, here joined by highly perfumed iris and a fine dusting of white pepper. Tannins are finely sticky, in perfect proportion to the density of the fruit. Tasting lovely now, and will continue to hold for a few years yet.Prices:| NS | $22.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $24.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $28.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Brunel de la Gardine Côtes du Rhône 2015
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceThe Brunel family has been making wine since the 17th century, and this Châteauneuf du Pape property, Château de la Gardine, was acquired by the négociant in 1945. Known for their singular "La Gardine" sloped bottle, this grenache, mourvèdre, syrah is a classic, typecast Côtes du Rhone. Aged in cement, this approachable bistro-perfect red is textured with anise and tobacco, seasoned with cracked peppercorns and a lick of mineral salts, and charming with alluring red liquorice and cherry friendliness. Bright and medium bodied, there is a firmness to the tannins of this young red, providing structure ideal for roast chicken. Excellent value; this is the Côtes du Rhone you want to stock up on and drink regularly over the next couple of years.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $16.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Esprit de Silene Rouge 2015
Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceLes Domaines Paul Mas came into possession of the 57-hectare Domaine du Silène des Peyrals in December 2014. The vineyard sits along the Joncastre stream, in the municipality of Saint-Pons-de-Mauchiens adjacent to the vineyard of Château Paul Mas, Abbey Valmagne and Domain Peyre Rose in the Coteaux du Languedoc. The terroir is classic Mediterranean scrubland countryside, scented with garrigue and soils are gravel mixed with sandstone. Expect a fresh, earthy red with the scent of plums in this syrah, grenache, cinsault blend. The palate is dry with peppery red fruits, light tannins and tobacco. A perfect wine for mushroom dishes or spaghetti Bolognese.Prices:| BC | $20.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Laya Garnacha Monastrell Vieilles Vignes 2015
Almansa, Castilla-La Mancha, SpainThe weight and heft on the palate reflects both the old bush vines in this 70/30 garnacha tintorera/monastrell, and the intense heat of Almansa. Fortunately, the altitude of the vineyards (700-1000m) and calcareous soils have laced this concentrated wine with freshness. Brooding cassis, black plum, dark florals and black liquorice are etched with scrubby resinous herbs, thorns, espresso and medicinal blackberry, all bolstered by thick and sticky tannins. This packs weight and complexity far past its price point. Bodegas Atalaya was founded in 2007 by the Gil Family of Jumilla.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Domaine Maby Nessun Dorma Lirac 2013
Lirac, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceThis estate has been in the Maby family since the early 19th century, and is now run by descendant Richard Maby. Nessun Dorma, the estate's top red cuvee, is named for an aria from ‘Turandot’, made from their oldest parcels of syrah and grenache, and aged for 18 months in conncrete and new oak. Dusky violet, blackberry, anise is drawn across a textured palate, with herbal scrub, rock roses, dark espresso, cured meats and worn leather. Juicy on the mid palate, with raging, rustically grippy tannins caging the whole. Decant and enjoy now with lamb shank.Prices:| BC | $38.00 | 750ml |
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10 February 2017
87PTS
Braida di Giacomo Bologna il Bacialé 2012
Piedmont, ItalyThis is a blend of barbera, pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon and merlot, from Piemonte's Monferrato. In the Piemonte dialect, Il Baciale translates as matchmaker, the person who arranged marriages between members of noble families in the area, and this wine marries local barbera with French grapes. Dusky blackberry, potent leather, sweet cassis, grilled meats and thorns drawn across youthful, gritty tannins to a bitter cherry and cinnamon finish. A juicy swell on the medium bodied palate helps mitigate the rusticity, though the frisky acidity and bitter finish is best suited to hearty sausages.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Hester Creek Character Syrah Malbec Petit Verdot 2015
Golden Mile Bench, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRoasted: coffee, meats, branch, onions, tobacco. From first sniff to the powdery finish, this vintage of Character, a Golden Mile Bench blend of syrah, malbec and petit verdot, is fully roasted. Outside of that, you taste juicy and bitter blackberry, smoke and charcoal right to the short finish. I'm sure the fruit is great from this site; please less adulteration in the future so we can taste it. As is now, crack and pour with roasted something.Prices:| BC | $20.95 | 750ml |
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09 February 2017
89PTS
Montalto Tuerong Block Pinot Noir 2015
Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, AustraliaFrom the warmest of Montalto's plantings, this is potent, herbal, ripe raspberry and dark plum throughout, with sour cherry and earthy stalkiness entering in on the palate. You can feel the clay soils in the weighted breadth of the palate. Kirsch lingers on the finish. Though there is a lot there, this wine is a bit stunted and clumsy at this phase; hopefully it will mature and grow into its frame.Prices:| AUS | $65.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Yabby Lake Block 6 Pinot Noir 2015
Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, AustraliaFrom Tuerong, and sandy loam over clay, Block 6 is 50 percent whole bunch, 10 days ferment and time in 500L French oak prior to being bottled unfined and unfiltered. Very round and voluminous on the palate, with ample plush tannins supporting potent red currant, raspberry, plum fruit, finishing with downy dark cocoa. Quite youthful and showy at this stage, this is a wine that will wear maturity (couple of years in the cellar) quite well.Prices:| AUS | $90.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Stonier Windmill Pinot Noir 2015
Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, AustraliaThe pioneering Stonier winery first planted in Mornington in 1978, though Windmill vineyard was planted in 1996. Ample whole bunch was utilized in this wine, yielding stony raspberry, forest berries, earthy, dark florals, wild thorns across a tightly knit and lifted palate. Acidity is bright and tight, and saline notes linger on the smokey bitter cherry finish. Savoury, earthy, overt style, but one that settles down very well with bottle age.Prices:| AUS | $69.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Scorpo Pinot Noir 2015
Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, AustraliaIn Merricks, Scorpo's vineyards are halfway between Port Phillip Bay and Westernport and sit on reddish brown clay/loam soils of volcanic origin. A touch of reduction on the nose blows off, though this young wine is still stunted in aromatics and palate. Red florals, mushroom, red currant and rhubarb lead to a stunted finish. Would like to try another bottle in future.Prices:| AUS | $43.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Merricks Estate Pinot Noir 2015
Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, AustraliaLocated by the sea, near Western Port Bay, Merricks Estate was one of the first commercial vineyards, planted in 1978. Immediately the old Pommard clones give off saline, sea notes, with quenching minerality continuing the length of this medium-bodied red. Wild herbs season a pure-fruited core of raspberry, red currant and plum, until white pepper spicing caps the finish. Tannins are finely structured, balancing out the finessed fruit. Distinctive.Prices:| AUS | $39.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Hurley Hommage Pinot Noir 2015
Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, AustraliaFrom Balnarring, close to the sea, this wine was matured in oak (1/3 new) for 18 months before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. Generous on the palate, with bright cranberry, candied plum and red currant fruit seasoned with earthy herbal notes and buffered with ripe tannins. Drinking well now.Prices:| AUS | $56.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Dexter Pinot Noir 2015
Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, AustraliaDestemmed without crushing, after a warm fermentation, this is pressed into French oak barriques (25 percent new). Darker and fluid, this pinot noir carries pointed black raspberry, black plum, cherry along a spiced, soft palate to an oily eucalyptus finish. Chewy tannins house the young, muscular fruit. Drinking well now.Prices:| AUS | $43.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Kooyong Single Vineyard Meres Pinot Noir 2015
Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, AustraliaPlanted in 1997, the Meres vineyard is north facing, with exposed vines producing low vigour and low yields. More clay and sand, and less ironstone in this vineyard always produces wines with fragrant, red-fruited aromatics leading. Quiet smoked stone and gentle clove streak through a core of strawberry and raspberry, with earthy, herbal spice, and dark cocoa whiffs on the finish. Long, linear and finely textured throughout. This was fermented in wood, 25 percent new, with a small portion whole bunch, and was bottled unfined and unfiltered. Lovely complexity now in youth, that will build and deepen with cellaring.Prices:| AUS | $65.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Foxeys Scotsworth Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015
Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, AustraliaPlanted in 1998, farmed biodynamically and fermented wild. Lovely black cherry purity throughout this long and vibrant pinot, with pink peppercorns and wild herbal notes seasoning the generous palate. Quite a bit of new oak is used here, but the concentrated fruit absorbs it very well. Medicinal herbs perfume the finish.Prices:| AUS | $63.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Paringa Estate Pinot Noir 2015
Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, AustraliaPlanted 1985, this is three clones, all destemmed. Darker fruited, denser perfumed black raspberry, cherry in this full bodied pinot. You can feel the support of oak here (one year on lees in French oak, 40 percent new), propping up a dark, ripe, sweet plum core. Eucalypt kiss lingers on the spicy finish.Prices:| AUS | $40.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Prancing Horse Pinot Noir 2015
Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, AustraliaInspired by Burgundy, where owner Tony Hancy also makes wine, Prancing Horse is farmed with organic and biodynamic principles under consultation from Pascal Marchand in Burgundy and Patrick Piuze in Chablis. Deeper, stonier notes in this Red Hills South pinot, filled with raspberry, dried fruit, iron and savoury leather. Larger flake mineral salts linger on the spiced finish. Lovely structure and presence, finessed into 12.5 percent. Cellar-worthy, and drinking very well now.Prices:| AUS | $64.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Ten Minutes by Tractor McCutcheon Pinot Noir 2015
Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, AustraliaSo named because the three estate vineyards are all within ten minutes drive by tractor. This is from the elevated McCutcheon vineyard, 160-200m, planted in 1993. Light and pretty strawberry, red currant, cherry lead this very fragrant and bright red. Light herbal notes wrap around a sapid strawberry fruit core to a slight sea salt finish. Nimble and elegant throughout.Prices:| AUS | $90.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards Interloper Gewurztraminer 2015
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaUnmistakably gewürztraminer, this super ripe, round and fleshy white is full of rose petals, peach and melon to a gingersnap finish. A quarter was fermented in neutral oak, and all spent four months on the lees in stainless, upping gew's generosity further - almost too far. A bitter twist on the finish helps rein this in, but I hope for more acid on this Alsatian-style white in the future.Prices:| BC | $24.50 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards The Unwinder Ehrenfelser 2015
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPerfumed orange blossoms, ripe pear, peach blossom, and a lick of anise throughout this big, full ehrenfelser from West Kelowna, supplemented with the home Greata Ranch fruit. Fifteen percent was fermented in barrique, which is apparent in the broadness of the palate. Would love to see this tighter and fresher in the future.Prices:| BC | $24.50 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Pipe'Dreams Kerner 2015
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRipe, sweet and round, with lime blossom, pear and yellow apple. Fragrant pink floral perfume and overripe melon throughout the soft palate to a short, hot (15 percent!) finish. This is flabby and lacking verve; better hopes for an earlier pick and tighter frame next time.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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08 February 2017
91PTS
Sequel Syrah 2011
Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesLong Shadows is a collective of sorts, with each wine in the portfolio made by a different winemaker. The difference here is that the winemakers are among the world's most iconic wine names, like Michel Rolland and John Duval. Sequel is made with Duval (ex-Penfolds, and maker of Grange for many years). Full bodied and silky, with dark chocolate, blackberry, perfumed florals, vanilla pod throughout the lush palate. Tannins are ample, but downy soft, to a sweet, cool mint finish. This is a lush, polished, but elegant red. Drinkable solo, but will match rare beef or lamb very well.Prices:| US | $60.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Jackson-Triggs Shiraz Sunrock Vineyard 2014
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRipe, warm, savoury black fruit studded with peppercorns opens up the nose of this single vineyard shiraz. One year in French and American oak is evident with grippy cedar hewn tannins supporting potent black cherry, blackberry, raspberry fruit with quite a bit of acidity poking through the back end. It’s an intense wine with a somewhat medicinal cherry finish. This is a polished, modern style of shiraz you can drink now with apiece of lamb of cellar through 2019.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Finca Los Primos Syrah 2015
San Rafael, General Alvear, Southern Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaA cool growing season always seems to benefit New World syrah and in 2015 it has done just that in Argentina. We love the black pepper laced blackberry jam aromas, sweetened with heady perfumed violets and plum paste in this San Rafael syrah. The tannins are supple, as is the medium bodied palate. Black liquorice, vanilla pod, smoked meats and baking spices mark the warm finish. Juicy and approachable, especially with BBQ ribs. Super value.Prices:| BC | $11.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Yalumba The Guardian Shiraz Viognier Eden Valley 2010
Eden Valley, South Australia, AustraliaThis Eden Valley shiraz is graced with 2.5 percent cofermented viognier. Sweetly spiced dark plums, chocolate covered cherries, thorny bramble berry, cracked nutmeg and cloves fill the juicy, generous palate. Older leather plumps, and plush, lightly tuggy tannins frame. Savoury Worcestershire lingers on the warm (14.5 percent) and spiced finish. Showing nice maturity and ready to drink now, especially with lamb and fennel sausages.Prices:| ON | $22.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $23.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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07 February 2017
87PTS
Inniskillin Montague Vineyard Chardonnay 2014
Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaOut from underneath a heavy cloak of oak, a peak of bright, tight, crystalline lemon fruit pokes through, though sadly, the toasty wood quickly snuffs it out to dominate this Four Mile Creek chardonnay. Over-ripe pear and white peach are studded with cloves and lashed with vanilla. Acidity works its best to carry the heft and sweetness on the palate but the style is more old school than new. Some older oak or larger barrels could lift this to a higher place. As it is now, best paired with an equally rich and generous cream pasta dish.Prices:| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Nielson by Byron Chardonnay 2015
Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesMuch like last year, but maybe even better, this wine opens with bright, crisp tropical fruit before bursting with ripe orange, mineral, apple skin, spicy lees and intense peach flavours. So delicious to drink and ready to take on any spicy savoury chicken or sushi dishes. Nielson by Byron is the next iteration of Byron Wines. To honour the area’s first true pioneer, Uriel Nielson, who planted the first commercial vineyard in 1964, the new Byron Winery will focus on small-lot single-vineyard pinot noir and chardonnay from top vineyards including Rita’s Crown, Bien Nacido and La Encantada.Prices:| BC | $28.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Rodney Strong Chardonnay Chalk Hill 2014
Sonoma County, California, United StatesThe light, white ash soils of the Chalk Hills appellation is the force behind this delicious drinking chardonnay. The RS chardonnays have grown up in the past five years, offering a little less obvious fruit and more complexity. The result is they are much better with food. The palate is creamy but among the apples and honey and vanilla there are hints of nectarine, citrus and a touch of stoniness in the finish. Lobster, crab or halibut all work here. A new California less-is-more chardonnay for the reformed chardonnay drinker.Prices:| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $27.99 | 750ml |
| QC | $26.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $29.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Rodney Strong Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 2014
Sonoma County, California, United StatesUnder winemaker Justin Seidenfeld, the house style for chardonnay is to let the vineyard take the lead, in this case revealing a maritime site. All the fruit comes from a vineyard in the Petaluma Gap with high salinity. That leads to brighter acidity and minerality aided by water bent French oak barrels and stainless steel drums. Another warm year with an early pick, which is becoming the norm, sets up this tropical styled chardonnay. 60 percent spends 10 months in barrel (85 percent of which is new French oak). The attack is fresh, with intense red apple and tropical fruit, creamy textures and a stony, leesy mineral aftertaste. We would love to see this wine dialed up an even edgier nervousness notch. We enjoyed with pesto pasta and prawns.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Rodney Strong Chardonnay 2015
Sonoma County, California, United StatesFresh Fuji apple with spicy jalapeno notes mark this delicious, fresh entry-level Rodney Strong chardonnay, partially (60 percent) barrel fermented and aged. The palate is equally lively with more fresh cut apple, pear, citrus, and a touch of minerality. Love the way this wine is leaning out and becoming more and more food friendly. It’s made from a combination of estate grown and locally farmed fruit, pulled from the benchland and alluvial soils in the Russian River, Dry Creek, and Sonoma Coast appellations.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $22.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.99 | 750ml |
| NB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $26.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $26.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Davis Bynum Chardonnay 2014
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesWinemaker Greg Morthole’s signature of mixing his favorite blocks and clones from the River West Vineyard mark this wine. A mild winter and plenty of rain saw 2014 get off to a quick start and it stayed warm and dry. Overcast days covered the late summer and preserved acidity, while a slightly larger crop slowed down the ripening process in what turned out to be a very warm year. Clone 15 and clone 809 were up first, followed by the Wente and Spring Mountain picks. This is a delicious, fresh, complex chardonnay from a single vineyard that you hardly notice goes through 100% malolactic fermentation, and sur-lie aging with plenty of bâtonnage inside 34 percent new French oak barrels. According to Morthole, even in the warm years the best blocks are the best blocks. The citrus notes set the tone for this tropical/floral white with ripe, creamy, green apple and pear flavours and toasted brioche throughout. From halibut to veal and mushrooms, it is a great food wine.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Lake Sonoma Chardonnay 2014
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesWe like the freshness here that takes it out of that old style California chardonnay. There’s some oak and lees but generally the mango fruit shines through the creamy textures before the caramel, toasted oak and vanilla jump in at the end. Moving in the right direction and will be admired by California chardonnay drinkers.Prices:| BC | $21.49 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.50 | 750ml |
| SK | $28.23 | 750ml |
| MB | $24.96 | 750ml |
| ON | $28.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $27.05 | 750ml |
| NB | $26.49 | 750ml |
| PEI | $27.23 | 750ml |
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06 February 2017
92PTS
Quinta Vale D. Maria Vinha do Rio 2014
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalCristiano van Zeller divides his vineyards into parcels, and Vinha do Rio (the river vineyard) is their oldest, at over 100 years old and made up of a field blend of 29 varieties (49 percent of which was tinta barroca). Resting at lower altitude, near the river Torto, this was foot trodden and fermented in lagares before being racked into new French oak casks. Fine earthy, savoury dried cassis, dried blueberry and dark cherries is lifted with highly perfumed violets, fleshy plum and a driving bead of acidity. Lovely red fruit, scrubby herbs weave throughout the juicy palate, framed by strident, yielding tannins, to a peppery finish. Drinking well now with a decant, this is really meant to cellar for at least five years, and upwards from there.Prices:| QC | $160.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Quinta Vale D. Maria Vinha do Francisca 2014
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalIn 2004, the year of Cristiano van Zeller's daughter Francisca’s 18th birthday, they planted Vinha da Francisca (Francisca’s Vineyard) with several different grapes, one of which is Tinta Francisca. This grape variety was introduced to the Douro in 1756 at Quinta de Roriz – which belonged to the van Zeller family until 2009. Joining tinta francisca is sousão (50 percent), rufete, touriga nacional, touriga franca, and a mystery grape. Foot trodden and fermented in lagares before time in French oak barrels. Reductive and tar notes blow off, followed by thorns, dusky cassis, black plum, black pepper and carried by beauiful freshness. Red fruit entwines throughout. Though tannins are heady and fierce at this young stage, there is great focus and drive in this elegant wine.Prices:| QC | $100.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Van Zellers Co. Douro 2013
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalA slight reductive note introduces this rustic, youthful red, before blueberry, raspberry, dough, soft blue plum, cracked peppercorn and violet leaves overtake. Balsamic streams along downy tannins, to a riff of smoked stones on the finish. This is a blend of predominantly touriga nacional, touriga francesa, assisted by other local grapes, alluringly ready to drink now, with pork chops.Prices:| QC | $18.25 | 750ml |
| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Flor de Crasto Douro Vinho Tinto 2014
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalFlor de Crasto is a youthful, fresh and juicy red that captures the schistous soils of the Douro Valley. This is 10-14 year old grapes, destemmed, fermented and aged in stainless. Tight and grippy, with subtle cassis, thorns and scrubby florals on the tight, taut frame. Tannins are gritty and acidity is bright, all befitting the 13.5 percent alcohol. Ready to drink now with lamb or beef kabobs.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Quinta do Crasto Douro Tinto 2014
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalAlways consistent, this is twenty+ year old tinta roriz, tinta barroca, touriga franca and touriga naçional, aged in stainless steel (and five percent oak barrels). Strident tannins draw black plum, black cherry, stony cassis, espresso and quiet violets along the structured palate. Tannins are fine, but grippy, supporting the cassis fruit to a bitter black cherry and candied violets finish. Young, will refine further with a couple of years bottle age. Pour now with lamb.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Quinta do Crasto Superior Douro 2013
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalCrasto Superior is where the portfolio really starts complexing with the reds, with a mix of field blend old vines and the intriguing sousão blended with touriga nacional, touriga franca, tinta roriz. This comes from Crasto's Douro Superior estate, Quinta da Cabreira, and spent one year in French oak. The wood is felt, but matches the potency of the cassis, cherry, raspberry and blackberry. Tannins are chewy and ripe and ample. Red medicinal fruit weaves throughout, a resinous herbal note permeates the concentration, and lingers on the finish. Youthful, dense and powerful now, and best enjoyed with some time in cellar or a decant and roast lamb.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Niepoort Dialogo 2014
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalOne of the Fabulous Wines series, Dialogo is enjoyed around the world (Branco and Tinto) under many different names. The line was begun in 2004 when Dirk wanted an appealing Douro label for the German market. Working with his designer, they devised a whole comic storyboard label called FABELHAFT. After the success in German markets, Dirk developed labels for many other countries including Canada (Dialogo), Drink Me (UK), and Twisted (USA). As you can expect with such a global spread, this is a bright, accessible wine. Youthful raspberry, blackberry, wild blueberry, thorns ride a juicy and jubilant palate, brought back to earth by earthy, savoury and youthfully fierce, fine tannins. Based on touriga franca, tinta roriz, touriga nacional, tinta amarela and tinta barroca, the destemmed grapes fermented in stainless, where 95 percent remained for a year (the remainder in older French oak barrels). This achieves enough savoury seriousness while achieving juicy drinkability - no small feat.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.85 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Niepoort Dialogo Douro Branco 2015
Douro Superior, Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalOne of the Fabulous Wines series, Dialogo is enjoyed around the world (Branco and Tinto) under many different names. The line was begun in 2004 when Dirk wanted an appealing Douro label for the German market. Working with his designer, they devised a whole comic storyboard label called FABELHAFT. After the success in German markets, Dirk developed labels for many other countries including Canada (Dialogo), Drink Me (UK), and Twisted (USA). As you can expect with such a global spread, this is a bright, accessible and easy to like wine. From numerous higher altitude vineyards around the Douro, this is rabigato, códega do larinho, gouveio, donzelinho, viosinho and others, averaging 40-60 years. Fifteen percent was fermented in French oak, with the remainder in stainless vats for eight months. Tight and shiny citrus, a light slick of lees and wild herbs / bitter lemon ringing on the finish. Youthful, highly quaffable, while still interesting - even more impressive with this reach, and at this price.Prices:| QC | $17.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Niepoort Vertente 2014
Cima Corga, Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalVertente can be thought of as the son of Batuta. By that I mean this is in the same fresh, lean vein as the exceptional Batuta, though here the wine has the energy and verve of youth. Sourced from older vineyards in Pinhão as well as Quinta de Nápoles, averaging 30-60 years, and a mix of tinta amarela, rufete, tinta roriz, touriga franca and others. This was fermented in stainless steel, with a month-long maceration, before aging in French oak (30 percent new) for 20 months. Bright and fresh, with a juicy core of wild blackberry, raspberry, herbal violets, smoked garrigue scrub and lashings of mineral salts. This has a lovely tension and energy, with a cut of acidity and tannins firm but not aggressive.Prices:| BC | $32.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $27.00 | 750ml |
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95PTS
Niepoort Robustus 2009
Cima Corga, Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalRobustus can be thought of as the parent of Redoma. The name pays tribute to the first wine Dirk made in 1990 but never released. This wine is made in the traditional way, fermented in oak and lagares before a very long time in old, large oak to slowly soften the strict tannins, while preserving the driving schistous acidity. This 2009, their current release, spent four years in large foudres, and with select field grapes (touriga franca, tinta roriz, tinta amarela, touriga nacional, tinto cão and others) from their oldest vineyards, predominantly north-facing Carril. Deeper, richer, denser and generously concentrated, but with amazing freshness and precision. Earthy black plum, wild cassis, dried blackberry is filtered through broken stones, with gravelled smoke, black pepper, herbal scrub and mineral salts to season. Generous but shy, this robust wine impresses the extreme severity of the Douro in a finessed, memorable way. Decant and enjoy, or continue to hold. Impressive.Prices:| BC | $100.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Niepoort Batuta 2014
Cima Corga, Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalBatuta is an impressive very old vine red, with fruit from Quinta do Carril, a north-facing vineyard more than 70-years-old, and also from 100-years-old vineyards near Quinta de Nápoles. This blend of tinta amarela, rufete, touriga franca, tinta roriz, malvazia preta and others fermented in stainless steel, with two months maceration and no extraction before heading to French barrel, 20 percent new, for 22 months. Finessed and structured, with lithe, bamboo-firm tannins and precise, fresh acidity driving the length of the wine. Dusky dark plum, black cherry, savoury stoniness textures throughout. Such refinement and detailing, even in this tight, young stage; it will express even more over the next decade and beyond. All this within 12.5 percent alcohol. Respect.Prices:| QC | $81.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Niepoort Redoma Tinto 2014
Cima Corga, Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalRedoma was the first Niepoort dry Douro red. Tinta amarela, touriga franca, rufete, tinta roriz, tinto cão and more come from the schistous soils of Quinta de Nápoles as well as nearby vineyards, all averaging more than 70 years of age. When Carill doesn't make it into top wine Robustus, it goes into Redoma. This is vinified with 50 percent stalks in concrete lager before MLF and aging in old wooden foudres for 22 months. Fresher and less extracted than previous vintages (stalks in ferment? extended aging?) this still displays the firm structure of the Douro: dark cherry, wild herbal, resinous scrub, raspberry, with an undercurrent of earthy red currant and mineral salts and finely grippy tannins. Deep, lengthy and layered, with the concentration and acidity to last 10+ years easy. Beauty.Prices:| QC | $48.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $55.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
F. Olazabal e Filhos Monte Meão Touriga Nacional 2013
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalThis touriga nacional was grown on granite, and the ample, dusty stone tannins that structure this wine reflect the severe terrain. After crushing, the grapes were foot trodden in granite lagares before fermenting in French oak. The wine then aged for fifteen months in older French barriques. Potent blueberry, cassis, dark chocolate is perfumed with a tight and fine violet note and scented with red apple blossom perfume. Savoury cured meats and a wash of black tea bitterness linger on the severe finish. This wine is still tight but surprisingly elegant in youth, and will reward with cellaring.Prices:| BC | $71.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Quinta do Vallado Prima 2015
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalThis may surprise you: 100 percent moscatel galego, with vines up to 50 years old, from the Douro Valley. This delicate and floral white is the first picked by Vallado each harvest, with exuberant rose aromas narrowing on the lean, light (12.5 percent) palate, joined with lemon, lime oil and ample lime blossoms. This was fermented using a process called bica aberta, lasting for nearly one month and between 14-16C. A three month stint in stainless steel finishes off this fresh aromatic. Pour with delicate Thai flavours, or enjoy as an aperitif.Prices:| Portugal | $10.50 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Quinta do Vallado Douro Vinho Tinto 2014
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalThis Douro red is a blend of touriga nacional, tinta roriz, touriga franca and sousão, 20 percent of which are from vineyards over 70 years old. Aged for 16 months in a blend of 70/30 stainless steel/wood, this still has the dusky and grippy tannins of youth overriding the ripe and perfumed blackberry, black cherry and resin-laden fruit. A lovely perfumed violet throughout. Rustic and a bit chunky at this youthful time, well suited to lamb sausages.Prices:| QC | $19.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Quinta do Crasto Douro Vinho Tinto Reserva Old Vines Vinhas Velhas 2013
Douro Superior, Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalFrom a field blend of 25-30 different grapes, and vines over 80 years old on schist, this Reserva was foot tread in lagares before spending 18 months in barrel (65 percent new, and 15 percent American). The old vine complexity shows with layers and layers of cassis, thorns, anise, sweet tobacco and warm spices on a warming, salted, violet finish. Tannins grip firmly, confidently, though the wood certainly is present still at this young age. Needs time in bottle to fully unknit and reveal all complexities, but even at this stage, these old vines are impressive.Prices:| BC | $42.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $37.25 | 750ml |
| AB | $49.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Quinta do Crasto Superior Branco 2015
Douro Superior, Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalViosinho and verdelho from the Douro Superior spent six months of battonage time on the oxoline, with 60 percent new wood and 15 percent headed with acacia barrel tops. The affect is certainly felt in this full bodied, powerful white. Herbal, waxy acacia lines the creamy body, with lemon curd, thick lees and cloves. A welcome, strong and fine backbone of acidity helps keep this voluminous wine from overwhelming at this young stage.Prices:| Portugal | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Quinta do Crasto Douro Vinho Branco 2015
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalTwenty-plus year old gouveio, viosinho and rabigato from the Cima and Upper Douro spent time on the lees in stainless steel, yielding creamy, lees-lined base with bright, fragrant fruit on top. Lemon blossoms, pear and orange curd rule the creamy palate. Classic style of the house - just verging on that ripe/voluptuous style, but still with freshness.Prices:| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Quinta do Vale Meão Douro Red 2014
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalThe flagship wine of the Quinta, and rightfully thought of as one of the classic Douro table wines. The 2014 Vale Meão is a blend of 55% Touriga Nacional, 35% Touriga Franca, 5% Tinta Barroca and 5% Tinta Roriz. After being crushed and cooled, the grapes were and foot trodden before vinification in stainless and maturation in oak barriques (65% new). Drinking beautifully now in youth, with a lovely refined elegance. Very complete, dense on the black-fruited, medicinal hued and sappy-tinged palate. Structured, with well integrated wood (less new in this vintage, which is a welcome move) and long tannins. Much depth and complexity in this elegant wine to last a decade easy.Prices:| BC | $135.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Meãndro do Vale Meão Douro Branco 2015
Douro Superior, Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalThis blend of rabigato and arinto was slightly crushed and cooled before pressing in a traditional vertical press, after which the separate grapes were aged on lees for ten months prior to blending. Crisp and intense, with citrus, white peach, medicinal herbs on a medium bodied, highly brisk palate.Prices:| BC | $12.00 | 750ml |
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03 February 2017
88PTS
The Hatch Cabernet Franc 2014
Golden Mile Bench, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRipe, deep and round, with sweet dark raspberry, dark cherry jam, thorny brambleberry and ample sweet baking spice throughout. This spent 14 months in neutral oak, framing the sun-ripened fruit with supple tannins to a bittersweet chocolate finish. This generous cabernet franc comes from Mama D's Vineyard on the Golden Mile Bench, and is well suited to grilled lamb or pork.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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02 February 2017
91PTS
Quinta do Vallado Reserva field blend 2014
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalAs the name implies, this is a field blend of old vines, at least 45 different grapes, with the majority comprised of tinta roriz, tinta amarela, touriga franca and tinta barroca, partially trodden in granite lagares. The 2014 shows a lovely freshness, confidence and complexity with layers of fresh black plum and cassis, earthy tobacco, branch and savoury notes. Dialling back the new oak in has made a big difference; this spent 18 months in French barriques, 60 percent of which were new. Drinking well now in youth with a decant, this will hold over the next decade in your cellar.Prices:| Portugal | $28.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Merlot 2014
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaDense and ripe, with roasted sweet black plums, roasted coffee, roasted meats throughout. This reserve tier merlot (aided by cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot) was grown in estate vineyards in both Osoyoos and just further north, on the Black Sage Bench. The 13 months in French and American oak is evident through the strident, bitter tannins, finishing with an astringent espresso burn (14.5 percent). Overly brash and aggressive in this youthful state, and requiring richer meat dishes to tame.Prices:| ON | $26.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $25.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $25.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Nielson by Byron Pinot Noir 2014
Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United StatesThe Nielson Vineyard, located in the eastern foothills of the Santa Maria Valley, lies just south of the famous Bien Nacido Vineyard. It boasts mature vines of carefully selected clones of pinot noir planted by Uriel Nielson back in 1964. Today it is owned by Jackson Family Estates. The wine is aged 15 months in French oak, thankfully only 15 percent is new. This is unabashed California pinot noir with black cherries and smoky cinnamon, clove notes. The palate is rich and the fruit dense, with similar smoky, black cherry fruit flavours. All the blocks are harvested separately to allow the winemaker a wide choice of flavours and styles. The use of ten percent whole cluster keeps the wine fresh and juicy. Delicious drinking style that’s fun now with grilled chicken or salmon.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Davis Bynum Pinot Noir Jane's Vineyard Clone 23 2014
Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United StatesJane’s Vineyard a well-drained, nutrient poor gravelly, Huichica loam site seldom delivers big yields. The vines get water stressed because of the drainage and lack of root depth so they are watched daily. Clone 23 also known as the Mariafeld clone from Switzerland, stood apart in 2014 topping the French Dijon clone leaving the DB team to say it was the best ever and only on of two lots chosen out of 24 from Jane’s Vineyard to go to bottle separately. Look for dark fruit with strawberry highlights, earthy minerality and delicious silky tannins across the back end. The ferment begins with native yeasts, which come in on the grapes from the vineyard and is 36 percent new oak. Mushrooms dishes come to mind here.Prices:| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Rodney Strong Merlot 2013
Sonoma County, California, United StatesRodney Strong Vineyards has been growing merlot since the early 1970’s in Geyserville, the heart of Alexander Valley. Today the fruit comes off three vineyards in the Alexander Valley. The 2013 season was more or less perfect from its dry, frost-free spring to a summer of no heat spikes and a warm, rain free autumn. The nose and palate are lush with plenty of dark plums and baking spices with just a light chocolate dusting in the finish. There is just enough tannin, albeit silky, to give this delicious-drinking-now merlot some elevated status. A great match with grilled vegetables, Italian-style sausages or veal chops. It spends 16 months in 50/50 French and American oak barrels.Prices:| BC | $24.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $23.95 | 750ml |
| YK | $24.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $21.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Villa Teresa Merlot (Organic) 2015
Veneto, ItalyBlack raspberry and plum open this light, organic merlot from Veneto. Candied cherry and blackberry gummies carry through on the palate to a short, powdery finish. This is a simple, light style that would be a good match to salami sandwiches.Prices:| BC | $14.49 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Nk'Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Merlot 2014
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSoft and plush and ripe and sweet, as merlot is expected to be when it's coming from the the deserts of Osoyoos and picked mid/late October. Eighteen months in French oak further ups the concentration and provides a wooden cradle for the potent fruit, led by inky black plum, ripe blackberry and cassis before tobacco and nutmeg spicing. Heaps of chewy tannins are downy clad, craving rare steak and blue cheese potatoes.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Merlot 2013
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA hedonistic style packed full of rich black peppery plums, dense cassis and espresso notes sourced from Mission Hill's Osoyoos and Black Sage Bench vineyards that spend 13 months in French and American barrels. Tannins are plush and grainy, enough to support the richness of sun-ripened fruit to the warm finish. A wave of savoury dried desert herbs helps tie this to place. It’s ready to drink but will be best enjoyed with lamb or beef shank.Prices:| ON | $26.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $25.00 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Pipe'Dreams Merlot 2014
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSweet, ripe and smoked black fruits dominate this merlot, quickly backed up with dried figs, shoe polish and medicinal cherry. This new Oliver winery has plucked ex-Sumac Ridge winemaker Mark Wendenburg, and the similarities in style are obvious. Over-ripe, rich, primary and wooded, with sweet, soft, polished tannins atop a mocha base to the short sweet and hot finish. Simple, commercial, sweet oaky red.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Pipe'Dreams Merlot Reserve 2014
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSmoked meats, overripe and sweet black fruits and roasted stems fill this full-boded red. This new Oliver winery has plucked ex-Sumac Ridge winemaker Mark Wendenburg, and the similarities in style are overt. Tannins are soft and dark chocolate powdery, the result of 24 months in two-year-old Kentucky American Barrique Oak barrels. The char is felt on the hot finish, requiring equally ample grilled meats to match. Expensive for an antiquated and assertive style of wine.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Marionette Merlot 2014
British Columbia, CanadaMarionette is a new BC winery located in Salmon Arm and run by a young couple with winemaking experience in France, Spain and the UK. Amanda and Jamie returned to BC and founded Marionette two years ago, focussing on low intervention wines. This juicy merlot was sourced from a single vineyard in Keremeos, spent time in stainless and was bottled unfiltered. Youthful blackcurrant, herbal green raspberry, black plum and a subtle medicinal cherry note are framed by soft tannins on a lean, slightly spritzy palate and end with fine salts and a wash of heat. Ernest and keen.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Concha y Toro Marqués de Casa Concha Merlot 2014
Puemo, Valle del Cachapoal, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, ChileThis is a blockbuster style merlot that makes the most of its ripe fruit and savoury undercurrents. The nose is aromatic with pure, ripe plum and bits of savoury bay leaf throughout. The palate mixes more bay leaf, and dense rich plummy fruit flecked with chocolate and spice. The finish is packed full of dense sweet tannins that finish glossy and well, merlot-like. Really well done for the price and perfect for any grilled meat course. Super value.Prices:| BC | $20.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $24.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $25.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $25.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $22.00 | 750ml |
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01 February 2017
88PTS
Emandare Vineyard Marechal Foch 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, and dry farmed organically, with minimal intervention. The dark cherry hue is mirrored on the tight, fresh palate, along with wild blackberries and a bitter cherry, cinnamon bark twist on the finish. Fourteen year old marechal foch was splashed with 14 percent cabernet foch, all destemmed and wild ferment before a year in neutral French oak. Tannins are smooth and fine, and acidity has a gently buoyant swell. This was bottled without fining or filtration, leaving a lingering pleasant texture. An impressive showing for a risky project, and a pleasant and highly drinkable view of marechal foch, so often overworked and unpleasant.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
The View Pinotage 2014
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaI'm not a big fan of pinotage but for some reason it would appear we can do better in the Okanagan than all the South African commercial crap that is listed in BC. Case in point this offering from The View. It has fresh, cherry/coffee grind aromas; the palate is soft and juicy with wild, savoury black cherry fruit and dried spices. Food-friendly and ready to drink, try this with barbecued pork or chicken.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Monte Creek Ranch Blueberry Wine NV
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canadafaulted, retaste.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
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March 2017