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Tastings: January 2018
31 January 2018
89PTS
Westside Red Troublemaker Blend 11 NV
Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, Central Coast, California, United StatesTroublemaker is a Paso storyteller of syrah, grenache, petite sirah, mourvèdre and zinfandel where syrah is the foundation and the rest of the grapes fill in the architecture. Juicy round, rustic, soft fruit flavours with bits of coffee and tobacco preview a rich, spicy, earthy finish. A hedonistic nod to the sunshine of Paso and its Rhone heritage. Best with grilled chicken, pork or beef.Prices:| AB | $26.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $33.29 | 750ml |
| QC | $25.45 | 750ml |
| NF | $26.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $24.99 | 750ml |
| NB | $24.99 | 750ml |
| NS | $28.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $29.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Laurent Miquel Vendanges Nocturnes Classic 2015
Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceLanguedoc excels at red wines like these: youthful, accessible, charming, food friendly and easy - and highly affordable. Humble Pays d'Oc exemplify this. Cherry, red currants, cranberry acids on a softer palate, one that closes with a bitter cinnamon snap and quietly tugging tannins. Braised chicken thighs, or grilled root vegetables would make a fine match.Prices:| BC | $13.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $14.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Xavier Vins Vacqueyras 2015
Vacqueyras, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceXavier Vignon was a leading oenologist in the Southern Rhône, making wine all around France, Oz and NZ and consulting at a number of top estates before settling in Rhône Valley, where he operates this impressive negotiant house, consults for 200 Domaines from Rhône to Languedoc, and manages one of the area's biggest laboratories. This is a blend of syrah, grenache and mourvedre, from clay, limestone soils and up to 60 years old. After fermenting in stainless, the mourvede and syrah aged in barrels and demi mids for 18 months (partially new). Wild blackberry, black cherry, tobacco, salted black liquorice are scented with rocky scrubby herbs and structured with grippy, chewy, dusty tannins. There's a lovely juicy black fruit core to counter the tug, but overall this big wine requires lamb to match.Prices:| AB | $0.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Cháteau Rigaud Faugeres Organic 2014
Faugères, Coteaux du Languedoc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceRigaud is an AOP Faugères grown on south facing broken schist soil. The vineyard is certified organic by Ecocert, and this blend is 55/26/15 syrah/mourvèdre/grenache. The syrah spends 12 months in demi-muids while the grenache and mourvèdre spends the same time in concrete vats. Look for a floral, fragrant spicy nose. The attack is fresh with red fruit, bright acidity and mineral undertones with chalky tannins. Best now with beef grilled lamb or cellar through 2020.Prices:| BC | $22.99 | 750ml |
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30 January 2018
93PTS
Valadorna 2011
Tuscany, ItalyWhat a treat to taste a mature, super-Tuscan blend dominated by merlot. Its beautifully fragrant, dark plum fruit is neatly held in line by a mix of ripe cabernet sauvignon and franc. At this point, the spicy cherry/fig flavours take a bit of a backseat to the spectacular, silky textures that finish in a warm, complex, earthy, graphite dust-up. Can’t wait to see this label in a cooler year. Modern but sensitive and very food-friendly. The blend is 60/25/15 merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc aged a year in 80 percent new French oak. The fruit is predominantly sourced from the coolest and latest picked blocks known as the Valadorna and Capraia blocks said to be the property’s most complex and mineral-based expressions.Prices:| BC | $81.99 | 750ml |
| US | $65.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Rodney Strong Upshot 2015
Sonoma County, California, United StatesThe final or eventual positive outcome or conclusion of a discussion, action, or series of events is the impetus for Rodney Strong’s Upshot red blend. It’s all Sonoma and most of it is grown in the Alexander Valley and Knights Valley. The style is lush, the textures soft with plenty of forward, warm, black fruit. I worried it was going to be sweet but it’s not overly ripe. The blend is a bit unusual at 44/29/15/7/5 zinfandel, merlot, malbec, petit verdot and riesling (!!), but it works and is ready to drink. The hipster label that chronicles the life of the wine is accompanied by a screwcap closure for easy access. Bottom line: Upshot is fun.Prices:| US | $28.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Van Westen Vineyards Voluptuous 2014
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPerfumed and potent black plum, blackberry jam, violet pastilles, black coffee on a thick, hard pressed palate. Merlot and cabernet franc is tight along this full bodied Naramata red, with chalky/gritty tannins, earthy notes, biscuit, pipe tobacco, and black liquorice. There's a luxurious savoury note and feel, but wood overrides all at this stage. With time, this will relax. At present, drink with grilled meats.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Chateau Lafont Fourcat 2014
Bordeaux, FranceThis Entre-Deux-Mers chateau was bought in 1993 by Paul Marie Morillon, the advisor to Chateaux Ausone, Yquem and La Mondotte. The hilltop village of Pujols looks across the Dordogne river valley, facing the hillside opposite St Emilion. A rustic, mod little Claret, this is merlot splashed with malbec, with pressed blackberry, boysenberry, black plum, brown spices on a firm, strict, yet simple, stainless-steel palate. The finish ends choppily with a bitter herbal edge and lingers with some raised sweetness. Skirt steak and smashed potatoes, meet your match.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Chateau la Besage Grande Cuvée 2015
Bergerac, Sud-Ouest, FranceSmoked meats, roasted wood and branch jockey throughout this Bergerac blend of merlot, cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon. A rustic palate of anise, black cherry, tobacco and powdery tannins finishes brusquely, but honestly, and makes for a midweek match with grilled sausages or meat pie.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Kopke Ten Years Old Tawny NV
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalA dry firm style with a strong resiny/nutty nose from the oldest Port producer in the world. They say the average age of this wine is 15-years-old but it only qualifies for the ten-year-old moniker. Mature long nutty, bitter chocolate, flavours that won’t quick. Light the fireplace.Prices:| BC | $26.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.99 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.95 | 750ml |
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83PTS
Château Haut-Mazieres 2015
FranceRich and direct, with roasted coffee, cola, smoked wood on a slicked, smoothed out palate. The finish is brief, with a lingering bitter cherry and coffee note and gritty, ragged tannins. A very simple blend of merlot and cabernet sauvignon, dosed with toasted wood, and thankfully held at moderate alcohol (12.5), priced for your takeaway steak sandwich.Prices:| BC | $13.29 | 750ml |
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29 January 2018
87PTS
Sandeman Founder's Reserve Ruby Porto NV
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalThis sweet and soft Ruby is a blend of numerous lots of touriga franca, tinta roriz, tinta amarela, tinta barroca and tinto cão, aged in cask for five years. Dense and ripe, with sweet cherry jam, sugarplums, dark maple syrup, and gingersnap spicing. Tannins are sticky and the finish is hot. This young port is best partnered to dark chocolate clad fruits or rich, boozy fruitcake.Prices:| CDN | $23.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Taylor Fladgate Very Old Single Harvest Port 1967
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalJust re-tasted this at Taylor in late 2017 and it's delicious. Taylor has extensive reserves of very old cask aged Tawny Ports, and beginning with the 1964, have released a series of fifty year old Tawnies as single vintage Colheita, marking the wine's 50th anniversary in barrel. Time mellows all wines, and in this case, intensifies its internal structure. Still potent up front, with salted marzipan, orange, whisky and wood and some ‘spirit’ before the caramelized orange, singed brown sugar, butterscotch, treacle, raisins, honeycomb and pecans finish with great length and warmth. An experience for anyone or any event connected to 1967.Prices:| BC | $259.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Graham's 10 Year Old Tawny Port NV
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalLight amber, tawny, tea colours mark the spicy, toffee nose flecked with nuts, tea, and liquorice root aromas. The palate is similar with mature honeyed fruit, mellowed by oak ageing, leaving a rich fruitcake spiciness with hints of walnuts. A lovely mature, long, warm figgy/fruitcake finish shouts for the walnuts. A delicious fireside sipper.Prices:| BC | $38.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $41.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $39.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $31.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Fonseca 10 Year Old Aged Tawny Port NV
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalConsistent and classic, Fonseca 10-Year-Old comes by its tawny colour through ten years of barrel aging. That decade in small casks helps shape this spicy tea and walnut nose flecked with cedar, cherry and rancio notes. The attack is rich and smooth, mellow with high toned, youthful notes of spiced fruitcake, walnuts, tea, golden raisin compote and spice. There's a grip and power here that gives a welcome kick to the smooth palate. Still quite youthful, but it is ready to drink. Try this with a selection of cheese or solo with some fresh almonds.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $40.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $34.75 | 750ml |
| PEI | $40.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $39.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $40.00 | 750ml |
| NFL | $40.00 | 750ml |
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26 January 2018
86PTS
Altano Douro Red 2013
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalFrom the Douro's legendary Symington Family (of Port wine fame), this is an easy entry to Douro table wines. Scrubby rock roses, cassis, wild blackberries, on a ripe, rough-edged, softly structured palate, this is a blend of touriga franca, tinta roriz and tinta barroca from the Cima Corgo and Douro Superior. This was split between stainless steel vats and past-used 400 litre French and American oak barrels. Authentic but very rustic, pour this simple, solid red with lamb stew or burgers.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $13.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.45 | 750ml |
| QC | $12.45 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Vale do Bomfim Douro 2014
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalVale do Bomfim is owned by the Symington family, and the wine is from grapes of Upper Douro vineyards that have traditionally gone to the port house of Dow. The move to dry table wines is new, and welcome, as the market for port wines is lagging and interest in dry white and red table wines of the Douro is soaring. This is full of the Douro: dark plum, dusky wild blackberry, thorns, rock roses on a medium bodied, wild palate. Compact, yet lively on its feet, this counters intensity with a swell of acidity, to an espresso powder finish. Charming yet serious, this is an ideal drink-now red for wine folks wanting a mid-week sipper with their lamb stew or grilled pork.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $18.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.55 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Pedra Cancela Dão Selecção do Enólogo 2015
Dão, Northern Portugal, PortugalWhen handled properly (with care, like this) Dao is a fantastic region for fresh, bright reds and whites made from indigenous varieties, in this case, tinta roriz, alfrocheiro and touriga nacional. Herbal raspberries, black cherry, perfumed rock roses, with an undercarriage of pitch and black pepper. Grippy and tight, sticky youthful tannins reflect a short six month stint in oak and three months aging before release.Prices:| BC | $16.79 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Soito Dao Reserva 2014
Dão, Northern Portugal, PortugalDeep and potent, with blackcurrant, dusky violets, cassis filling the compact, potent frame. Tar, tobacco, leather coat the base, downy and fleshy, and framed with a fiercely thick wall of tannins. Intense through the sticky, lingering finish. This is touriga nacional, tinta roriz and alfocheiro from Terras de Azurara, on the granitic soils of the Dao. After a stainless ferment, this spent ten months in French oak. Tight and unyielding now in youth, this serious, big wine benefits from decanting and pairing with boar or lamb, and more so from cellaring.Prices:| BC | $45.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Flor de Crasto Douro Vinho Tinto 2015
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalFlor de Crasto is the younger, juicy, ready-to-drink brother of the Quinta do Crasto serious red portfolio. From 10-14 year old vines from the Douro's schistous soils, this was destemmed, fermented and aged in stainless. That's not to say this isn't a serious red however; the blend of touriga franca, touriga nacional and tinta roriz is packed into a fine, taut structure, with tight tannins housing scrubby dark florals, dark tobacco, perfumed cassis and cracked pepper. Bright acidity (thanks schist) keeps this aloft, and printed for lamb kabobs or roasted chestnuts and mushrooms. Fantastic value.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Crasto Superior Douro 2014
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalThis wine comes from Crasto's Upper or ‘Superior’ Douro estate: Quinta da Cabreira. Here the inland intensity and roasting heat of the Douro is at its most potent. Superior is a field blend of old vine touriga nacional, touriga franca, tinta roriz and the intriguing sousão, fermented in stainless steel and aged one year in French oak. The wood is felt, but matches the potency of the sun-drenched fruit. Leather, dried cherry, black plum, raspberry, resinous scrubby herbs and medicinal cassis is drawn slowly along a black pepper, schist-textured palate. Young and tight, this easily relaxes with a splash decant, and will be even more appreciated with five+ years in the bottle. Great value.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Quinta do Crasto Douro Tinto 2015
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalFirm, dark fruited and stony, this is a blend of 20+ year old tinta roriz, tinta barroca, touriga franca and touriga nacional from Crasto's vast and impressively sited vineyards in the Douro. Quinta do Crasto was first officially documented in 1615. Of their steep, undulating and terraced 135 ha estate, approximately 80 ha are planted, and include some of the most historic producing vines in the Douro, particularly from the Vinha da Ponte and Vinha Marie-Teresa vineyards, both over 100 years old. This is firm in youth, with grippy, stony tannins wrapping around cassis, dried tobacco, black plum and dried scrubby herbs. Acidity is bright, and the finish is bitter black cherry, both of which makes this primed for lamb now, and a few years in the cellar. Fantastic value, as are most of Douro's dry reds and whites.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
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25 January 2018
90PTS
Sacred Hill Deerstalkers Syrah 2014
Hawkes Bay, North Island, New ZealandSerious, structural and potent, with youthful intensity just now starting to yield into velvety, sueded tannins. Deerstalkers is entirely Gimblett Gravels fruit, and only produced in the very best years. Gravelly, with humus earth, tar, camp smoke texturing inky dark black plum, liquorice, dusky violets, ripe black cherry, thick blackberry on a potent, refined palate, this finishes with ample fresh cracked pepper and smoked beef. Open top fermented with extended post-ferment maceration before being basket pressed into French oak barrel (30 percent new) for 18 months, this is a well-constructed big red, intended to impress, and hold a good few years in the cellar.Prices:| BC | $65.99 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Le Vieux Pin Equinoxe Syrah 2014
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSaid to be the more masculine of LVPs Syrah, Equinoxe is certainly a highly structural, savoury, powerful red, but one with an emphasis on grace. From the Black Sage Bench and Osoyoos East Bench, and from teenaged vines (9-14 years old). Salted, roasted walnuts, stony cassis, cured meats run long on the palate, firmly gripped with a dusting of black pepper clad tannins, but still allowing the natural flow of thorns, wild cassis, black cherry to flush through to the lingering finish. The rock salts linger on and on, encouraging another glass or pairing with fine lamb or pork. This wine is nonchalant about its impressiveness, making me like it all the more. Tightly knit, you can drink it now, with a decant or ample air time, but you will be rewarded all the more with a few years in cellar.Prices:| BC | $79.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Le Vieux Pin Syrah Cuvée Violette 2015
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSaid to be the more feminine of LVPs syrahs (Violette alludes to this) this syrah was cofermented with 1 percent roussanne, sourced from three vineyards (Black Sage Bench, Osoyoos Lake, Golden Mile Bench) and from 10-15 year old vines. After 14 months in French oak (8 percent new) this was bottled unfined, and lightly filtered. Lovely tobacco and dried herbs twist throughout the roasted meats, wild cassis, wilder thorns, and dusky violets, lifted by a rise in acidity, harnessed with gritty tannins and anchored with an ample Indonesian coffee note. Drinking well now, but will age beautifully in your cellar.Prices:| BC | $26.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Painted Rock Syrah 2015
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA reductive swing opens this youthful syrah from Skaha Bench, one followed quickly thereafter by roasted meats. A decant or opening a day in advance (or, theoretically a few years' cellaring), erases the reduction and yields black pepper, anise, thorns, ripe cassis, dried violets and caramelized onions, fast and potently on the fuller palate. A thread of acidity stays this aloft, and downy/tacky tannins hem this in to a warming finish. At this youthful stage, lamb or beef is required.Prices:| BC | $34.99 | 750ml |
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23 January 2018
88PTS
Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, Central Coast, California, United StatesThis hits all the right notes for an easy-drinking everyday California cabernet that comes without any residual noticeable residual sugar. Look for an open expressive peppery, smoky, black olive nose flecked with cassis and earthy cedar aromas. The attack is round, the palate medium deep with ripe black fruit, chocolate, tobacco and pepper flavours. Try this with grilled barbecue meats.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $22.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $26.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $22.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Seven Stones Speaking Rock Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWarm, ripe nose with earthy, olive, soya notes. The attack is similar with a jacket of grippy tannins followed by earthy, black fruit, cocoa, coffee and vanilla. Still young and needs time in bottle while the oak dominates. Serve now with a grilled steak.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Black Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA first release for Black Hills, so I guess that explains the $100 price tag. Only one barrel was made, presumably the best of what would have gone into Nota Bene. It spent two years in new French oak and it tastes like it. Ample purple florals, perfume, sweet bluberry, dense coffee, ample peppery spicing. There is plenty of stuffing and some savoury notes but there isn’t a lot of life in the fruit. Rich, warm, round and a touch soupy. There will be a market for this but at this price there is plenty of competition offering more finesse.Prices:| BC | $100.00 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Bonterra Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
North Coast Region, California, United StatesGritty and grippy sides house this dense, compact and short cabernet sauvignon that is all organically grown. Bitter cherry, hard pressed blackberry bush (thorns, mostly) and coffee are covered in cocoa dust and toasted oak. Simple, rustic and at this point angular. Best now with beef stew or hamburgers to help tame the tannins.Prices:| BC | $20.49 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $21.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.60 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Painted Rock Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaYou feel the heat in 2015, and while the label says 14.6 the impression is bigger, yet, and it is a big yet, there is a sense of balance here that’s been growing since 2013. The harvest began October 29 and for cabernet in the mid-Okanagan that’s about as early as it gets. Not quite as juicy as the ‘13, but you notice the finesse amid the menthol, savoury black cherry fruit and warm, brown spicing. California meets Bordeaux this year, which should please a lot of people. Fine tannin management too. Not near ready, but you could roast some meat and give it a go. Best after 2022.Prices:| BC | $34.69 | 750ml |
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88PTS
The Hatch Hatchchild 2014
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA nice improvement this year thanks to a fruit source change from the Oliver Inkameep Vineyard to what the Hatch boys describe as “the sandy streets of East Osoyoos”, better known as Hans Estate Vineyard. Plenty of heat units should ensure physiological or phenolic ripeness but there is no mistaking the varietal, leafy, cassis fruit aromas and flavours. The tannins are well managed and seem to be appropriate for the warm, peppery finish. Best now with cheese or grilled meats, or wait three-to-five years for the oak to settle in and the wine to find its feet.Prices:| BC | $33.99 | 750ml |
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22 January 2018
89PTS
Barone di Valforte Passerina 2015
Abruzzo, ItalyPasserina is both a rare autochthonous white grape of the Marche, and a DOC/IGP for wines of the same name. It is also found in Abruzzo, Umbria and some areas of Lazio, and is so highly regarded that it has its own Campaign, sponsored by the Italian government. The Sorricchio family has owned the baronial fief of Valforte since the 13th Century, and covers 42 hectares throughout the Teramo hills. This is grown on the cooler, north-facing slopes, around 100-150m, preserving freshness and purity. Floral acacia, quince, yellow plum and tight herbal interest on a round and creamy palate, impressively aloft at 12 degrees alcohol and with a lingering herb-strung finish. This would make a lovely accompaniment to sablefish or green curries.Prices:| BC | $17.79 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Mastro Greco Campania 2015
Campania, ItalyAlmonds, white blossom, quince, crystalline lemon and a fine slick of pear in this greco from Campania. Calcareous clay-loam soils at approximately 300m altitude site this lighter-bodied wine, one with three months in stainless, on lees. Bright acidity and a slight wash of salts on the finish make this particularly food friendly, especially with shellfish, scallops or endive salad.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Falanghina del Sannio Feudi di San Gregorio 2016
Campania, ItalyFeudi di San Gregorio hasn't been around all that long by Italian wine standards, roughly three decades, but they have made a serious impact with a plan to preserve indigenous grapes such as fiano, greco, falanghina, and aglianico, while actively looking for even more obscure varieties to bring back to life. The vineyards are set in the volcanic, sandstone and marl hills of Sorbo Serpico, not far from Mount Vesuvius. The nose and attack is spare but super fresh, with pear, lees, floral, and mineral notes. Not for everyone, but if you like exciting, refreshing, electric white wine that is a match for almost any equally fresh seafood, this is it.Prices:| BC | $27.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Querceto Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2015
Tuscany, ItalyDid you know that Vernaccia di San Gimignano was the first Italian wine to be awarded Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) status in 1966? If you did, well done wine geek. The wine was elevated to DOCG status in 1993. The wine's history in the Tuscany region is recorded back to the 13th century, though the vernaccia grape fell out of favour in the 20th century. This is 85 percent vernaccia, complemented with other local grapes, and aged entirely in stainless steel. Lemons lead the chorus of citrus, followed by almonds and wild flowers. There's an mushroom earthiness to the fine bed of lees that finishes this medium bodied white with a bitter twist.Prices:Read Full Note
19 January 2018
89PTS
Legado del Moncayo Garnacha Old Vines Montaña 2015
Campo de Borja, Aragon, SpainIsaac Fernandez is a 25 year winemaking veteran of Northern Spain, and for his Seleccion he sources grapes from 6 DOs in Northern Spain to make a range of red, white and fizz. This is 40-year-old bush vine garnacha from stony, iron-rich, red clay soils at 700m in Northern Spain's Campo de Borja. The wine was fermented in stainless and aged seven months in older French oak. Savoury and structurally fine, with black cherry, black raspberry, herbal garrigue and fine black pepper on a soft, subtle palate, slightly gripped with tuggy tannins. Youthful but charming, this is for your grilled sausages or chops.Prices:| BC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Bodegas Gran Sello Tempranillo Syrah 2015
Vinos de la Tierra de Castilla, SpainBodegas Gran Sello is one of the labels of the Spanish giant Araex, who makes wines across Spain. Gran Sello is sourced from vineyards in central Spain, and for this wine, tempranillo and syrah from Ripe and blue fruited, with generous violets scenting thick blueberry compote, blackberry jam and mint. Tannins are sticky, and stick out, an affect of four months warmish temperatures in 80 percent American and 20 percent French oak for four months. Youthful, easy, and accessible, for drinking now, especially with grilled sausages.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Botijo Rojo Single Estate Garnacha Tinta 2014
Aragon, SpainGarnacha from IGP Valdejalón, in north eastern Spain's Zaragoza, Aragon, this small batch garagiste garnacha is from a single, dry-farmed vineyard above 400m. Low intervention throughout, and from 40+ year old vines, this spent time in concrete (plus 5 percent in 3-year-old barrels). Finely gritty, grippy dusty tannins house wild raspberry, a cherry core, dried herbs and fine pepper on the finish. Acidity is brisk to a quick finish, reflective of the dry, unrelenting environment. An individual wine of terroir (my bottle was 31,002). Grilled sausages or winter squash would shoulder up well.Prices:| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Alvear Palacio Quemado Los Acilates 2010
Ribera del Guadiana, Extremadura and the Southwest, SpainTasted again, one year along, and this impresses as before. Finessed and fine grained, this quietly confident tempranillo / syrah comes from sustainably farmed steep slopes in Ribera del Guadiana DO, in the Extremadura region near Spain's Mediterranean coast. After a native ferment this spends one year in 500L French oak prior to one year in bottle, with little intervention and low sulphur throughout. Worn leather, cured meats, salted cherry, plum, green tobacco, smoke and burnished salts are carried with a narrow stream of acidity, framed with finely worn tannins to a lingering, gentle finish. Savoury, striking, this is drinking well now.Prices:| Spain | $30.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Finca Cuarta by Ruben Maure Ribeira Sacra 2016
Ribeira Sacra, Galicia, SpainThis is the highest expression of the “Heroic Viticulture” in Spain. Carefully harvested by hand on steep vineyard terraces, typical of this appellation, this is 50-year-old vines and was aged in French and American oak barrels for at least three months. This is entirely mencia, a grape you rarely encounter outside the Bierzo, Ribeira Sacra, or Valdeorras appellations. It was once thought to be a rogue cabernet franc clone, (it’s not), although there are similarities: savoury fruit and rich, dense, soft tannins. Finca Cuarta is on the deeper, richer spectrum with earthy, firm, dense tannins, cardamom spice and wild red fruits. Finca Cuarta is the name of the vineyard, located in the heart of the Ribeira Sacra. Viticulture here goes back to Roman times, but was expanded and refined by the monks during the Middle Ages. The many monasteries gave the ‘Sacred Shore’ its name. Good value.Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
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18 January 2018
87PTS
Gotim del Risc Bierzo 2012
Bierzo, Castilla-Leon, SpainA rare chance to taste an older Bierzo. At five years the mencia remains juicy with its characteristic mineral jacked red fruits. The attack is round but with fresh acidity from front to back. The attack is savoury and herbal with fading black cherry fruit. I would say it's held up fine and it's certainly ready to drink. Try this with lamb chops or grilled beef.Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
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17 January 2018
87PTS
Guillaume Gonnet Côtes du Rhône Le Reveur 2015
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceThe Gonnets bought their own plots of land in Châteauneuf du Pape in 2015 and set about making wines they hoped reflect their origin. Employing minimal interference, following the tenets of biodynamic farming, and using natural yeasts, the goal is simply wines of place. I found this wine in Costco in Hawaii and wasn’t disappointed given its $6.99 price. Le Reveur is an 80/20 grenache/syrah blend that is soft, round and elegant with a refreshing raspberry front end with a juicy, black fruit, mineral, wet stone, garrigue back end. Ready to drink and super value. Aged in concrete tanks for 12 months. Real wine at a real price.Prices:Read Full Note
87PTS
Xavier Vins d'Experts Côtes du Rhône 2015
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceXavier Vignon was a leading oenologist in the Southern Rhône, making wine all around France, Oz and NZ and consulting at a number of top estates before settling in Rhône Valley, where he operates this impressive negotiant house, consults for 200 Domaines from Rhône to Languedoc, and manages one of the area's biggest laboratories. This is a blend of grenache, mourvedre and syrah from numerous sites and terroirs of the Southern Rhone, and vines averaging 40 years. Dried cassis, wild blackberry, thorny pitch is hemmed in with grippy, hard-pressed and unforgiving tannins. Rustically trimmed, this would fare best with roast leg of pork or lamb.Prices:| ON | $19.00 | 750ml |
| NF | $22.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Killer Drop 2014
California, United StatesKiller Drop is made by 689 Cellars in Napa, although this mix of grenache, petite sirah, syrah and zinfandel it hails from all over Northern California including Napa Valley, Sonoma, the Sierra Foothills, Lodi and Mendocino fruit. It’s a modern California red, bereft of any address or notion of terroir and packed full of sweet, super ripe, cherry/chocolate fruit. The textures are soft and warm with silky, alcohol fuelled fruit that finishes long warm and sweet. A dinner match if you like your red wine sweet.Prices:| BC | $55.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $55.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Domaine des Escaravailles Les Sablières Côtes du Rhône 2014
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceEvery time I drink a humble Côtes du Rhône red, I chide myself for not doing it more often. Especially when it's a classic example like this. I first tasted this charming red in the UK (via The Wine Society) so when I saw it on private store shelves here in BC, I picked up a few bottles and went home to grill a chicken. If you're wondering why there's a wee beetle on the label, "escaravailles" is the Occitan name for scarab beetles. The word was also used for the black-robed monks who occupied the area’s Catholic monasteries centuries ago. The domaine has been in the Férran family since the 1950s, and today amounts to 65 hectares of vineyards, 40 of which are in the rocky, clay-limestone hillsides of Rasteau. This grenache/syrah blend comes entirely from Rasteau, and from vines between 30-50 years old. This spent time in stainless and oak barrels. Ample peppery raspberry, wild strawberry, perfumed anise and sweet salami is seasoned with herbal resinous scrub, so typical of the southern Rhone. Tannins are peppery grippy and acidity is lifted to a gentle, lingering finish. This is the typical bistro, roast chicken wine, and one that you should stock up on (as I did). Classic.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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16 January 2018
88PTS
Knotty Vines Zinfandel 2015
Northern Sonoma, Sonoma County, California, United StatesWhen Rodney Strong first arrived in Sonoma in the 1960s he bought some benchland acreage on Westside Road just behind the winery that included 15 acres of old, gnarled Zinfandel vines planted in 1904. It’s still part of the Gnarly Vine label along with selected fruit from the Alexander and Dry Creek Valleys. This presents as a classic zinfandel, fruity and soft with notes of brambleberry and cocoa with a touch of spice. The attack is warm, smoky and spicy with more sweet, black fruits and licorice throughout. As comfortable as your favourite pair of shoes. Hamburgers, barbecued ribs, oven-fired pizza or a dish of roasted vegetables suits.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $23.00 | 750ml |
| US | $25.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
1000 Stories Zinfandel Bourbon Barrel Aged Small Batch 2015
California, United StatesRich and potent, as you might expect from the name (Bourbon aged small batch) and weight of the bottle (oof). This thick zinfandel from Mendocino and Sonoma was aged in new and used Bourbon barrels. A shellack of sweet wood and baking spice infiltrated this highly potent, thick and hot red, with heaps of blackberry jam and a dose of residual sugar. Of a certain style, and surely will have fans, but we are not of them.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $29.99 | 750ml |
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15 January 2018
93PTS
Martin's Lane Naramata Ranch Vineyard Riesling 2014
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWinemaker Shane Munn hails from New Zealand but has extensive winemaking experience, including stints in Burgundy, Barolo and North America. He takes a micro view of the vineyard working with individual blocks or rows of vines and employing only gravity to move the juice. In general, the riesling is hand sorted, and not all the berries are crushed before they go to press (with no sulphur). The juice is settled and stirred; the ferment runs 7 to 14 days at 16 to 18C and is aged on its lees for six to nine months adding richness and texture. We love the ultra-bright and electric style of the Naramata fruit. Juicy, inviting and delicious, it is super fresh but doesn't threaten to peel the enamel off your teeth. The wine is site-driven, and the grapes make the most of a perfect latitude: 49.67 north where they gather sunshine in the daytime and retain acidity through the cool nights. Naramata Ranch sits at the very northern end of the Naramata Bench before it runs up against the mountains on the way to Chute Lake. The site spans several elevations where the soils, or perhaps better said rocks, are a mix of red granite on the surface over granite bedrock with no grass or cover crop.Prices:| BC | $65.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Martin's Lane Fritzi’s Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014
West Kelowna, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFritzi's vineyard is a compact, single vineyard site that sits at the base Mt. Boucherie, a former stratovolcano or conical volcano created some 60 million years ago. Between four and six different glacial periods over the past 50 million years have eroded the volcano to produce Mount Boucherie and the soils around it. It sits 417 metres above the nearby lake, although it's estimated to have been 2,000 metres or more back in the day. The vineyard faces south-east, giving it a warm nature, and it is named after owner Anthony von Mandl's 101-year-old mother. The vines are clone 115, and the fruit is dark fruited with round tannins that persist across the palate and through a very long finish. It will continue to improve in the bottle through 2019. Winemaker Shane Munn assesses every parcel on its own and uses numerous techniques at the crush pad, including whole bunches for carbonic or intracellular fermentation to keep the fruit bright. Some 40-to 50 percent of the fruit is fermented naturally on its yeast, and sulphur levels are kept very low. The small parcels are kept intact and are settled straight to tank.Prices:| BC | $150.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Martin's Lane Simes Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWinemaker Shane Munn takes a micro view of the vineyard, working single blocks or rows of vines employing gravity to move his grapes and wine only five times through the six-level, pump-less winery. The Simes Vineyard is a steep, north-facing site with granite-based soils located in East Kelowna. The site is not exactly a recipe for rich wine. It's all about cool-climate characteristics, as in aromatic with bright acidity and freshness. The pinot noir is a mix of two clones 943 and 667 (picked two weeks apart) aged in French oak for 17 months. The result is a bright, pure fruit pinot without any makeup. Minerally, sapid, juicy and bright, the fruit quality is outstanding. Winemaker Munn is using one bunch per shoot and removing the shoulders of that bunch to arrive at 1.8 to 2.8 tons to the acre.Prices:| BC | $100.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Martin's Lane Naramata Ranch Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThese are early days for this label, but Naramata Ranch, first planted in 2008 with several blocks added at different elevations and expositions, has become a wonderland of meso-climates for BC pinot noir. Mid-valley temperatures are just warm enough to invite the richer style of New World pinot noir while it remains cool enough to be somewhat spare in form too. The soils, or perhaps better said rocks, are red granite rock on the surface over granite bedrock with no grass or cover crop. The aromas are savoury and earthy with juicy flavours of cranberries, red currants and smoky, spicy licorice with a whiff of Ponderosa pine. It's the elegance of this wine that attracts. The wine is made with equal parts of the three clones Pommard, 943 and 667 that spend seventeen months in extra tight grain French oak. It is bottled unfiltered, in this case, at 14 percent alcohol.Prices:| BC | $100.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Martin's Lane Simes Vineyard Riesling 2015
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Simes Vineyard is a steep, north-facing site in East Kelowna, with granite-based soils. Not exactly a recipe for rich wine. It's all about cool-climate characteristics, as in aromatic with bright acidity and freshness. The riesling, all clone 21B, is lively with bright lemon-lime fruit, Okanagan sagebrush and a slightly greener bent. The style is less extreme with less aggressive acidity than its contemporaries. An approachable food-friendly riesling you can drink now. Winemaker Shane Munn hails from New Zealand but has extensive winemaking experience, including stints in Burgundy, Barolo and North America. He takes a micro view of the vineyard, working single blocks or rows of vines, and employing only gravity to move his wine five times through the six-level winery (a facility that tellingly does not contain a pump). In general, the riesling is hand sorted, and they do not crush all the berries before they go to press with no sulphur. The juice is settled and stirred, and the ferment runs 7 to 14 days at 16 to 18C before ageing on its lees for six to nine months for richness and texture.Prices:| BC | $55.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Martin's Lane Fritzi’s Vineyard Riesling 2014
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFritzi's vineyard is a tiny single vineyard at the base of Mt. Boucherie (a dormant volcano) in West Kelowna. It is comprised of an individual, warm, south-eastern facing parcel named after owner Anthony von Mandl's 101-year-old mother, and is home to pinot noir and riesling. In 2014 the style is flatter and fuller versus the Simes Vineyard, with softer, tropical fruit flavours that are ready to drink. This wine was made at CedarCreek during the construction of Martin's Lane and was aged in several vessels, including wood, stainless steel, and concrete. The fruit is all from the 21B riesling clone planted in 1997. In general, winemaker Shane Munn hand sorts the riesling and doesn't crush all the berries before they go to press with no sulphur. The juice is settled and stirred, and the ferment runs 7 to 14 days at 16 to 18C, ageing on its lees for six to nine months for additional richness and texture.Prices:| BC | $75.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Martin's Lane Fritzi’s Vineyard Riesling 2015
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFritzi's vineyard is a tiny single vineyard at the base of Mt. Boucherie (a dormant volcano) in West Kelowna. It is comprised of an individual, warm, south-eastern facing parcel named after owner Anthony von Mandl's 101-year-old mother, and is home to pinot noir and riesling. The riesling style here is fuller and marginally softer in acidity but with intense lifts of mango/guava fruit that finishes fresh, long and silky. Love the balance here from this all 21B riesling clone planted in 1997. In general, winemaker Shane Munn hand sorts the riesling and doesn't crush all the berries before they go to press with no sulphur. The juice is settled and stirred, and the ferment runs 7 to 14 days at 16 to 18C before ageing on its lees for six to nine months to add richness and texture.Prices:| BC | $75.00 | 750ml |
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12 January 2018
90PTS
Palacios Remondo La Vendimia Rioja 2016
Rioja, SpainAlvaro Palacio can do anything, as illustrated by this delicious drop of garnacha and tempranillo from his home estate in Rioja Baja. There is a richness and roundness of texture that enthralls but without overwhelming the drinker. Juicy, earthy, red-fruited and spiked with mulberries and floral cherry notes that just keep pulling you back to the glass. So much so, before you know it the bottle is gone. La Vendimia, 'the harvest,' is a delicious joven, a young Rioja, made for simple foods. The fruit sits at some 500m and the estate-owned 10-to 40-year-old vines have been grown organically since 2003. Drink now with lamb, veal or even fish, or hold through 2019.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.49 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.55 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Rioja Vega Gran Reserva 2009
Rioja Alavesa, Rioja, SpainThe Gran Reserva 2009 hails from an excellent vintage. The style is pleasantly modern, as in clean and fresh, with intense, spicy, licorice-coated black fruit. Yet as big as it is, there is a sense of finesse and styling after 29 months in oak and 36 months in bottle. It’s a bit warm but it’s a Gran Reserva and it carries itself as such. I love the price. Rioja Vega has been producing quality wines for more than 125 years and is the only winery in the Rioja region that has the right to use word Rioja in its name. Lamb osso buco would be a fine match.Prices:| BC | $44.94 | 750ml |
| AB | $55.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $43.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Marqués de Riscal Finca Torrea 2015
Rioja Alavesa, Rioja, SpainYouthful juicy and approachable, with strawberry, cherry, raspberry, perfumed violets, seasoned with toasted cinnamon and nutmeg, and bracketed with earthy, fine tannins. The palate is cushy and the finish is warm. This youthful Rioja is a blend of tempranillo and graciano fermented in small French oak vats where it remains after MLF for 18 months. Modern style, as reflective of the stylized label showing the plots surrounding the winery where the grapes are sourced. Excellent, approachable introduction to Riscal.Prices:| QC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $29.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $57.50 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Marqués de Riscal Rioja Reserva 2013
Rioja Alavesa, Rioja, SpainDried cherry, subtle blackberry and fine smoke in this Reserva Rioja, showing wicking and wearing of a little age, but holding its youthful cherry core. Tannins are gritty but acidity swells, carrying this to the warming, salty finish. Reserva Riojas strike a great balance between old and new, and this classically styled one, consistently so.Prices:| QC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $29.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $29.49 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Cune Rioja Crianza 2012
Rioja, SpainThe first wine of this winery was named Cvne after its initials. The grapes from La Rioja Alta are an 85/15 mix of tempranillo/ garnacha tinta and mazuelo. The ferment is in stainless steel followed by malolactic fermentation then 12 months in American oak barrels. The nose is red fruited with floral (violet) nuances. Similar flavours are on the palate with just a touch of vanilla and balsamic. Solid if a bit ordinary, but yields were low in thanks to another drought year. Best with grilled sausages or lamb.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
| QC | $15.55 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.01 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
CVNE Monopole Rioja Blanco 2015
Rioja, SpainThis one hundred percent viura from Rioja is grown in the Rioja Alta subzone, at higher altitude, and subject to the influence of the cold Atlantic Ocean. This is an elegant white with creamy, juicy mineral limey fruit flecked with ripe melons. The finish is smooth and chalky with more minerality. Made fresh, bottled fresh and under screw cap; one can only lament all those years it was sold under cork. Seafood anyone?Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Vina Real Rioja Crianza 2012
Rioja, SpainA medium-bodied, juicy, sour red and black fruit affair with soft-ish but dry tannins. A sommelier kind of wine but less likely to win over the public at large. The nose is muted but successive sips pull you into a simple, dusty, old world red with some grippy tannins. A bit of beef or pork are all you need to settle into this youthful crianza. Finished under screwcap.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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11 January 2018
88PTS
Sarmentero Rueda 2016
Rueda, Castilla-Leon, SpainThis is 100% verdejo aged in stainless-steel that opens with subtle citrus notes with a touch of grass and pear. The attack is refreshing with more white flowers mixed with lemon, green apple and lime rind, finishing clean and light. An honest, refreshing seafood wine for buttered clams, cracked crab or chicken salad.Prices:| BC | $26.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Principe de Viana Edición Limitada 2012
Navarra and Basque Country, SpainDried earth, dried cherry, raspberry runs along light, dusty tannins to a quickly faded finish. This is a blend of tempranillo, cabernet sauvignon and merlot from three vineyards in Navarra that spent 14 months in wood (three quarters French and the remainder American). The fleshy generosity on the palate is hemmed in with some stern tannins and scented with chrysanthemums and a lick of mint. Still presenting in youth, but with tannins thankfully worn, this shows best with pork roast.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
| NS | $21.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Honoro Vera Rioja 2016
Rioja, SpainFresh, stony resiny nose with fragrant black plums, raspberries, and a dusting of violets. The attack is juicy with round, succulent red fruit reminiscent of freezer raspberry jam. The acidity is persistent and in balance with supple tannins. This is the New Rioja but it's done in a respectful way. Pair with lamb chops for a traditional match or barbecue ribs for a more rustic backyard dinner. It is all tempranillo fermented over two weeks in stainless steel and with ten percent on to spend five months in French oak. The alcohol is a modest 13.5 percent alcohol.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
La Garnacha Salvaje del Moncayo 2015
SpainVintae is a dynamic, young and innovative family project involving seven wineries in six different Spanish DOs. José Miguel Arambarri Terrero, together with his sons Ricardo and José Miguel, and winemaker Raúl Acha, seeks out interesting terroir, and in the case of this wine, old garnacha vines. They aim to create authentic, affordable wines with modern, approachable and interesting packaging. These old bush vines come from the mountains of Moncayo, in Aragon and northern Navarre. Medium bodied and downy soft, with raspberry, forest berries, anise on a generous strawberry jam core. Fine cinnamon and nutmeg spicing on the moderate finish. This is approachable, savoury, not dumbed-down, and ready for your chicken thighs or root vegetables.Prices:| BC | $21.90 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Hacienda Lopez de Haro Rioja Reserva 2013
Rioja, SpainPencil shavings filter throughout this denser, riper Rioja Reserva, with bigger sweet tobacco smoke clouding the view of the dark cherry cordial core. Black plum, blackberry jam, medicinal cherry is spread thick on the palate, with dense tannins shouldering this all in to a balsamic finish. Feels sunbaked, especially on the warming finish. From Spain's innovative Vintae project, this is a blend of tempranillo and graciano from terraced soils in the area of San Vicente de la Sonsierra, La Rioja, that has seen twenty months in French and American oak. Ragu would be a fitting, hardy match for this.Prices:| BC | $22.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
El Petit Bonhomme Blanco 2016
Rueda, Castilla-Leon, SpainCanadian Nathalie Bonhomme is behind this 100 percent verdejo made in collaboration with Miguel Gil of Bodegas Juan Gil. The 2016 Blanco is particularly fruity with fresh, peachy mango fruit and nutty nectarine. Fresh, well-made, ready-to-drink white for seafood or summer salads. Super value.Prices:| BC | $13.49 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.99 | 750ml |
| QAC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Marqués de Riscal Rueda Blanco 2016
Rueda, Castilla-Leon, SpainLean, clean and crisp, this is a fruity, steely 85/15 blend of verdejo/viura, fermented in stainless to preserve the bright fruit. Tight citrus and pear blossoms, green hedge and hints of almond on the light, juicy palate to a warming finish. This is a natural, simple white for grilled squid and like tapas.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $10.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Marqués de Riscal Rioja Gran Reserva 2007
Rioja Alavesa, Rioja, SpainOnly produced in the best vintages. Perfumed and elegant, with finely worn tannins, aged wood, cardamom, earthy autumnal flavours, fine dusting of cinnamon and pepper on the lingering finish. 80+ year old vines go into this Gran Reserva, from both estate vineyards and contract growers. After the tempranillo, graciano and mazuelo is fermented and select lots blended, it goes in French oak casks where it will remain for between two and a half and three years, followed by a further three years in the bottle prior to release for sale.Prices:| BC | $59.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $55.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $43.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Luis Canas Reserva Rioja 2012
Rioja, SpainThere was a time when inexpensive Rioja was a no-go zone. Today the results are much more reliable, as is the case with this youthful Reserva, dark in colour, fresh on the nose, and soft in texture. The attack is a smoky, red berry affair with a touch of minerality and a slight grip around the edges calling for food. The texture is dense, even fleshy, with a long, dry, savoury roasted cacao back end. One to enjoy after 2020 but if you must drink it now think lamb chops, meatballs, or a hard textured young cheese.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $26.97 | 750ml |
| NB | $33.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Marqués de Cáceres Crianza 2013
Rioja, SpainThis youthful Rioja charms with gobs of dark cherry, peppery spice and ample cedar-hewn tannins. Sanded wood and cinnamon bark coats the youthful and juicy palate, one with raggedy tannins but youthful exuberance. Best met with lamb sausage or kabobs.Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $17.99 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.25 | 750ml |
| NS | $20.79 | 750ml |
| NF | $20.98 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.60 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Vivanco Crianza Rioja 2012
Rioja, SpainThere's a charm to young, northern Spanish reds, especially with some age to it. This current release (on our market) Crianza is modern styled, with soft raspberry, leather and perfumed plum, with moderate smoke infiltrating and vanilla potent on the bitter-edged finish. This tempranillo aged sixteen months in French and American oak, and the shellacked grip of wood brackets the sides. This would be great with lamb meatballs on polenta.Prices:| BC | $18.50 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Antaño Rioja Crianza 2014
Rioja, SpainThis is entry-level Rioja with a skinny, acidic profile to prove it. Dry, earthy, spicy notes with a dry, acidic back end call for food and quickly. We suggest grilled sausages, perhaps in a tomato sauce. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Pata Negra Rioja Reserva 2012
Rioja, SpainThere's a lovely firm presence to this Reserva Rioja, with structured black fruit, anise, graphite and wood smoke wrapped around a sweet chocolate cherry core. The ten percent graciano in this blend adds an alluring lift and lightness, while the tight, gritty wood-hewn tannins hold it all in. Well built, and ready to drink now with pork tenderloin.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Ramon Roqueta Garnacha Blanca Tina 21 2016
Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainLove the freshness here, not to mention the floral, stony, mineral notes throughout. Bits of quince, pear, green apple and dried herbs keep it all interesting on entry and across the palate. Simple, delicious wine, and the kind of wine that builds a wine palate. The finish is fresh and delicate and perhaps best of all, pure. The perfect shellfish wine, although I loved it with fish tacos. Could we not grow this in the Okanagan?Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Finca La Emperatriz Rioja Crianza 2013
Rioja, SpainA mild, wet winter led to an early bud break followed by continuous rains throughout the growing season. Fungal diseases like mildew and oidium required immediate attention throughout the year, one that was salvaged by a warm, dry, September, at least at higher altitudes. In what is the real gift of bad years, the top two Finca Emperatriz wines were abandoned in 2013, leaving some of the best fruit to bolster the regular labels. The crianza is a blend of ten plots covered in large white pebbles to a depth of about 40cm. The vineyards, between 15 and 65 years old, are a mix of bush vines and trellis, yielding a respectably low 40 hl/ha. It’s 95 percent tempranillo with a bit of garnacha and viura, all aged 14 months in American (80 percent) and French (20 percent) barriques before spending another year in bottle. After all that, the wine is delicious. A classic mix of red and black fruit flavours with little, if any, obtrusive oak. The texture is dense but soft with more floral, mineral, red fruit that stay fresh through the finish. A perfect wine for chicken, turkey or pork dishes.Prices:| ON | $23.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Finca La Emperatriz Viura 2016
Rioja, SpainThis is a blend of plots inside what is a single estate; there is no outside fruit used here. About a foot and a half of white pebbles over sandy loam seems the right fit for these 100 percent, 60-year-old viura vines. A short, cold maceration sets the stage for a cool ferment followed by two months on fine lees. Look for quiet/delicate white fruits with watery citrus, pear, floral notes. Bright, soft and ready to drink, and coming out of a strong vintage.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.50 | 750ml |
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10 January 2018
86PTS
Pasion de Bobal 2015
Utiel-Requena, Valencia and Murcia, SpainCrimson cherry, red currant, twine smoke fill the round and chewy palate of this youthful red from DO Utiel-Requena, in Spain's southeast. This is 100 percent bobal, native to the region and making up 90 percent of all plantings. The grape's thick skins suit the sunbaked region, and the rusticity of this wine, though its wood-streaked tannins and ripe, dried fruits, mirror the environment. There's a lick of sweetness on the finish. Pour this rustic, fuller red with equally rustic foods: meat pie, sausages, tripe.Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
| AB18.49 | $0.00 | 750ml |
| NFL | $22.68 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Julia de Moya Monastrell 2015
Valencia and Murcia, SpainBodega De Moya was the long-awaited dream of Belgian businessman Yves Laurijssens, who left his factories behind and followed his wine passion to the mountains tucked behind Valencia. The poor, sandy soiled vineyards range from 800-950m, and he works with vines (predominantly bobal) up to 95 years old. Julia is 45-year-old monastrell from 550m that has spent 18 months in French oak. Structured and brooding black fruit, with gritty, hard-pressed tannins framing the blue plum core. This finishes with bitter black cherry and dark chocolate.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Justina de Moya Bobal 2015
Valencia and Murcia, SpainBodega De Moya was the long-awaited dream of Belgian businessman Yves Laurijssens, who left his factories behind and followed his wine passion to the mountains tucked behind Valencia. The poor, sandy soiled vineyards range from 800-950m, and he works with vines (predominantly bobal) up to 95 years old. Justina is one of three bobal-dominant wines produced (this splashed with 7 percent cabernet sauvignon and three percent syrah). Four months of oak nurtures these 15-25-year-old vines, the youngest in the winery's bobal trio. Dense crimson berry, cassis, wild black cherry, leather, with raspy peppercorns. Tannins are sticky and dense (as per bobal) but acidity is bright, reflective of altitude. The finish is short and sweet on this youthful, approachable wine.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Maria de Moya Bobal 2015
Valencia and Murcia, SpainBodega De Moya was the long-awaited dream of Belgian businessman Yves Laurijssens, who left his factories behind and followed his wine passion to the mountains tucked behind Valencia. The poor, sandy soiled vineyards range from 800-950m, and he works with vines (predominantly bobal) up to 95 years old. Maria, the middle of the trio of bobal wines, is from 43-year-old vines from 850m altitude and with a year in French oak. A splash of five percent cabernet sauvignon and four percent merlot flushes out the moderate palate, one spiked with a rise of acidity. Fermented in both stainless and wood for one month, the free run juice was transferred to French oak (35 percent new) for one year. Wild blackberry, black cherry and inky plum with a perfumed dried floral, blue fruited fragrance and lick of wild sage/rosemary/mint on the fresh, lightly salty finish. This is a dense wine to be sure (those bobal tannins) but with an impressive rise of freshness. I like this charming medium bodied red with beef shank, lamb chops, or meaty grilled mushrooms. Drinking well now, but will age well short term.Prices:| BC | $29.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Sofia de Moya Bobal 2015
Valencia and Murcia, SpainBodega De Moya was the long-awaited dream of Belgian businessman Yves Laurijssens, who left his factories behind and followed his wine passion to the mountains tucked behind Valencia. The poor, sandy soiled vineyards range from 800-950m, and he works with vines (predominantly bobal) up to 95 years old. Sofia is the eldest of the trio of bobals, with vines 72-95 years old and altitude of 850m. Ten percent cabernet sauvignon and two percent merlot finishes off this full, complexed wine, one that has been structured by fermentation and 18 months aging in new French barrels. Sultry and brooding, this youthful wine is still dense and compact at this stage, but will slowly relax and open with time. Blackcurrant, anise, wild mint, dried sage and resinous thorns are swiftly carried with a stream of acidity across sticky tannins to a lingering, salted, warming finish. Impressive; decant now with prime rib or lamb rack, or cellar for five+ years.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Gloria de Moya Monastrell 2015
Valencia and Murcia, SpainBodega De Moya was the long-awaited dream of Belgian businessman Yves Laurijssens, who left his factories behind and followed his wine passion to the mountains tucked behind Valencia. The poor, sandy soiled vineyards range from 800-950m, and he works with vines (predominantly bobal) up to 95 years old. This is 23-year-old monastrell from 550m that has spent one year in French oak. Soft plush black plum, blackberry with stretched, tight tannins to a bitter chocolate finish. Youthful and ready for drinking now with your meatballs and polenta.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Familia Castaño Hécula Monastrell 2015
Yecla, Valencia and Murcia, SpainJuicy youthful blue fruits (berries, plums) fill this fleshy monastrell from Yecla, in south eastern Spain. The Castaño family owns more than 410ha in the Yecla DO, and 80 percent of those are planted to monastrell. This wine comes from sandstone and limestone soiled Las Gruesas and Pozuelo vineyards, located 750m above sea level and averaging 38 years of age. It was stainless fermented, then aged for six months in oak 80 percent French, 20 percent American), half of which were new. Modern and accessible, ready to drink now, with soft worn tannins, anise and fine, grippy tannins calling out for grilled ribs.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.00 | 750ml |
| YK | $17.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $17.50 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Castaño Monastrell Ecológico 2016
Yecla, Valencia and Murcia, SpainThe Castaño folks look to solved their minor reduction problems with screwcaps at the introductory end of their lineup. Fresh, earthy, blackberry notes are the story of this organic monastrell from Yecla. Juicy black plums, and black cherry jam flavours with a dusting of cocoa finish the story of what is a solid fair value, rustic red. Burgers, ribs, flank steak are all fine matches.Prices:| BC | $11.49 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $12.00 | 750ml |
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09 January 2018
87PTS
Vionta Albariño 2016
Rías Baixas, Galicia, SpainFleshy peach, apricot fuzz, pear fills this albariño from Rias Baixas, in the north west of Spain. A sheen of anise slicks the pillowy palate, to a lightly spicy, gingersnap finish. An easy, joyous wine best suited to coconut prawns.Prices:| ON | $26.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Altos De Torona Triple Varietal 2016
O Rosal, Rías Baixas, Galicia, SpainThe soils of Rías Baixas are mostly uniform in profile based on granite. The cool wet, coastal climate also supports a mineral-rich combination of clay, silt, sand and gravel with limited amounts of organic material and extremely elevated levels of minerality. The Altos di Torona Rosal is a mix of three grapes, Albariño, Loureiro and Caiño Blanco harvested separately and matured over their fine lees post ferment for 120 days. The nose is quietly aromatic, with notes of stone fruits mixed with tropical melon fruits. Fresh and lively, the palate is all citrus with nectarine, chalky, and ginger notes. I love the delicate styling and intense flavours that cry out for roasted chicken, sushi and spicy food.Prices:| AB | $28.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $28.99 | 750ml |
| QC | $23.00 | 750ml |
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08 January 2018
87PTS
Yuntero Selección Gran Calidad Tempranillo Reserva 2010
La Mancha, Castilla-La Mancha, SpainChewy and dark fruited tempranillo from La Mancha reflects all of the sunbaked rusticity of the region. Tobacco, black cherry, earthy cassis is stretched across the palate, buffered on the sides with sticky, bitter-edged tannins. From a local co-op, this is just the edgy rustic red you want with your grilled sausage.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Mas Donis Old Vines 2015
Montsant, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainThe grenache, merlot and syrah are vinified separately in stainless steel tanks and aged nine months in a mix of new to five-year-old French and American oak barrels. The vines are as much as 50-years-old growing in a mix of alluvial and stony, mineral granite soils along with limestone and slate. The nose is muted with dry undertones and notes of wild black fruits and leather. The entry is dry, with peppery, gamey, black cherry, mineral flavours. The finish is warm, dry and rustic. A fine earthy, full-bodied red wine for a mid-week cassoulet, stew or hamburger. Needs another two to three years in bottle to settle into itself.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
El Grand Bonhomme Cuvée Especial Tempranillo 2012
Castilla-Leon, SpainThis is a giant, "El Grand", I guess, tempranillo from the province of Zamora with a somewhat lifted, near volatile nose, so give it some tine in a decanter to blow off some steam. The tempranillo spends 16 months in one and two-year-old French barrels. Think big, with rich tannins and jammy, black cherry, licorice fruit. Canadian Nathalie Bonhomme makes the wine in a modern style, all the while respecting the tradition of old vines and vineyards. This one needs time, three to five years to reach its peak.Prices:| BC | $31.50 | 750ml |
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88PTS
El Petit Bonhomme Tinto 2016
Jumilla, Valencia and Murcia, SpainLikely the best I have tasted by winemaker Nathalie Bonhomme when it comes to her introductory Jumilla red, mixing monastrell, garnacha and syrah from bush vines grown in southwest Spain. The monastrell comes off 25-year plus bushvines bringing depth of flavours, and she guards those flavours with minimal oak ageing: five months in French and American oak. The juicy, almost grapey 2016 is full of fruit and pepper with a savoury, liquorice, ripe raspberry/cherry flavoured finish. Lamb chops, ribs, burgers or grilled chicken all work here. Super value and this will only get better in the bottle all year.Prices:| BC | $13.49 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.49 | 750ml |
| MB | $14.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Alaya Tierra Old Vines 2015
Almansa, Castilla-La Mancha, SpainWhile the grey silver labelled Laya may be common to you, the top tier, gold leaved Alaya may not be. As soon as you tip the overweight bottle (OMG, muscles) into your glass you get a sense of the concentration. This is low yielding old bush vine garnacha, from crappy limestone soils 1000m up in Almansa. This was fermented in stainless before MLF in new French and American oak, where it sat for 15 months before bottling. Almost opaque, with uber-ribe and sweet dusky black cherry, ribena, anise dusted with violet leaves, soft black pepper and worn leather. Tannins are cushy and the palate is cushier, propped with the sweet spice of new wood. At a whopping 16 percent alcohol, this rivals most ports; certainly not a breezy lunching sipper.Prices:| BC | $45.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Laya Garnacha Monastrell Vieilles Vignes 2016
Almansa, Castilla-La Mancha, SpainThe heft in the bottle reflects the density of this wine, a blend of old bush vine garnacha / monastrell from Almansa. Fortunately, the altitude (700-1000m) and soils (calcareous) has kept a flush of freshness. Dusky blackberry, charcoal smoke, black liquorice tug along with thick tannins on a soft, brooding palate, lingering with black espresso and a medicinal scrub. This concentration, as savoury-lined as it is, requires red meats to meet. Solid value.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Juan Gil Blue Label 2015
Jumilla, Valencia and Murcia, SpainThe Juan Gil ‘Blue Label’ is a 60/30/10 mix of monastrell, cabernet-sauvignon and syrah that spends 18 months in French and American oak barrels. The monastrell vines are very old and grown at 700 meters altitude. The colour is opaque, the nose a mix of toasted oak (too much really) with earthy, lead pencil, spicy black fruits and chocolate flavours. The finish is long and smooth with balsamic notes. New World Spain. This will need time to settle into itself. If you must open it now, think grilled beef, duck, pork or meaty/mushroom pasta dishes.Prices:| BC | $48.99 | 750ml |
| NS | $48.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Riscal 1860 Tempranillo 2016
Castilla-Leon, SpainSmoked wood, stewed forest berries, wood spice in this youthful Vino de la Tierra from Castilla y Leon. 85 percent tempranillo is aided by 10 percent syrah and 5 percent cabernet sauvignon, all spends its life in stainless. Rustic, rooty and ragged, with earthy raspberry, cherry, and smoked wood lingering on the finish. Beef stew ready.Prices:| BC | $16.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.75 | 750ml |
| ON | $11.45 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Castillo de Almansa Reserva 2013
Almansa, Castilla-La Mancha, SpainDark, earthy and rustic, the Castillo de Almansa Reserva is a blend of tempranillo, monastrell, and garnacha tintorera, matured in American oak for a year. Leathery and sinewy, with smoked wood, roasted beets, dried florals, gritty tannins and a hard-pressed palate to a clipped finish. Requires roasts (root veg, pork, beef, pasta) to meet.Prices:| BC | $12.29 | 750ml |
| AB | $12.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $12.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $12.50 | 750ml |
| NS | $14.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $13.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Elefante Primero Tempranillo 2015
Castilla-La Mancha, SpainOld-ish bush vines (25-32 years), limestone, marl and sandstone from 510 to 610 metres and a 92/8 mix of tempranillo and garnacha overcomes a garish label to offer a super value barbecue red. 2015 was a hot, dry vintage in Spain but this red was moderated by the high altitude of Manchuela and the age of the vineyards before a bit of rain, and a cooler fall, brought everything back to life at harvest. Much of the fruit was aged in stainless steel before six months seasoning in French and American oak. The secret is some twenty percent Rioja tempranillo aged in French oak that is added to the blend three months before bottling. The nose is clean and aromatic, the palate is rich and dark, with floral fruits, soft tannins and just a hint of game in the mix. Open, splash decant, and pour all year round by the barbecue.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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05 January 2018
87PTS
Deinhard Riesling Piesporter 2015
Mosel, GermanyAlways pleasant and fresh, an attractive just off-dry riesling offers up floral, red apple and orange flavours flecked with minerality. It simply delivers for the price without overreaching, and it's food friendly too. Perfect for spicy tuna sushi, fish cakes or barbecue. Big value.Prices:| SK | $14.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $15.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $13.79 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Roche Arome 2016
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaHighly perfumed peach, apricot, lime sherbet, orange blossom on this light palate. Lime oil acidity is laced throughout, lifting the aromatic blend to a gossamer finish. One of the rare lighter bodied (12 percent), dry aromatic white wines of BC, and a welcome trend.Prices:| BC | $17.90 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Black Swift Vineyards Riesling Kirkjian Farm 2016
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe deep clay soils of Kurkjian Farm make what winemaker Jason Parkes would term a more muscular, intense riesling with a pronounced firm, dry acid bent. The four-acre vineyard located in East Kelowna, just below Summerhill Winery, is certified organic. As noted previously its bone-dry styling reminds us of the Clare and Eden Valleys. Again, the electric East Kelowna, salty, mineral style carries the day, suggesting this wine will keep for years in the bottle. Love the style and so will food lovers.Prices:| BC | $27.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Narrative Riesling by Okanagan Crush Pad 2016
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWinemaker Matt Dumayne shepherded this Golden Mile Bench riesling from vineyard to bottle employing a native yeast ferment in a concrete tank before extra ageing in stainless steel. The wine is bright, and as Treve ring would say joyous and juicy, with the perfect mix of complexity and sweetness. The palate is mildly tropical with pineapple/pear red apple fruit that remains intense from front to back all the while balanced by its minerality and acidity. The Narrative line is a pure or natural view of the Okanagan, at a fair price and as we have said before this riesling is the poster child. Winery direct private wine shops.Prices:| BC | $22.90 | 750ml |
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04 January 2018
87PTS
Concha y Toro Marqués de Casa Concha Chardonnay 2016
Valle del Limari, ChileRipe, round and creamy on the palate, with ample toasted wood dominating, followed shortly thereafter by a tropical fruit basket of pineapples, guava and bananas. Creamsicle coats the palate to the shorter, vanilla finish. Amazing winemaker (Marcelo Papa), amazing site (Limari), amazing vision (coastal, cool climate), but the bottle I had was distinctly Old School.Prices:| BC | $22.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.60 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Black Swift Vineyards Hart Street Vineyard Chardonnay 2016
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Hatch is behind this Black Swift release from a single vineyard site in east Kelowna that is the coolest and the most northern of their chardonnay labels. It’s a terrific addition to their goal “to create the first exclusively single vineyard, multi-regional wine project in British Columbia; one which seeks to capture the diversity of our young, but exceptional region.” Winemaker Jason Parkes assessed the site and the fruit and was inspired to emulate the Chablis style. In fact, it’s a good play given the delicate textures here and that long clean subtle palate with just a hint of lemon, sage and salty wet stones. More acid would be the final solution.Prices:| BC | $43.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Fort Berens White Gold 2015
Lillooet, British Columbia, CanadaLillooet chardonnay is the base for this premium Fort Berens label. The nose is open and rich, reminiscent of an earlier time in California, save for the green apple fruit, the toasted caramel notes of new barrels, and a swath of creamy lees that take over on the nose and palate. The wine spends six months in new French oak with twice-monthly battonage which is probably a bit too much for the Lillooet fruit. That said, many will enjoy the tropical, pineapple, citrus flavours with a twist of butterscotch and all at only 12.5 percent alcohol. Try this with butter based fish dishes or young, creamy cheeses.Prices:| BC | $25.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Sacred Hill Reserve Chardonnay 2016
Hawkes Bay, North Island, New ZealandIn 2016, the cool growing season in Hawkes Bay finished in a storm of heat and dry conditions, perfecting ripeness in the vineyard. The nose is a fragrant mix of citrus and hazelnuts. The palate is round and creamy with sweet lemon pie, orange and mineral flecks and vanilla undertones. The fruit comes off the famed Riflemans Terraces and is all barrel fermented in French oak barriques. A touch old style but well made.Prices:| BC | $26.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $40.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Black Hills Chardonnay 2016
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA welcome change over the supercharged 2015. There is much better fruit and oak balance here with a subtler hazelnut, peach and mango flavour profile. The lees are creamy but doesn’t dominate the flavour profile revealing fresher red apple notes with just a hint of baked pear on a very spicy finish. Entirely barrel fermented, but only 18 percent new oak. Lobster, fresh cracked crab and creamy brie all work here. A new direction?Prices:| BC | $29.90 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay 2015
Sonoma County, California, United StatesAlways a safe choice we think CSJ has upped the ante a bit in 2015 going a little more juicy and fresh. Still attractive, with a ripe, lemon, honey, spicy lees nose. On the palate, the attack is fresh with more citrus, red apple pear fruit with just enough well-managed oak to let you know it's there but without interfering in the finish. Perfect for crab or scallops or seafood pasta dishes. Let’s hope the style continues to evolve in this direction.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Liberty School Chardonnay 2015
Central Coast, California, United StatesThe Liberty School chardonnay is whole-cluster pressed and chilled for 1 – 2 days prior to a barrel fermentation and spending six-eight months in both neutral French and American oak barrels. The freshness and elegance surprises despite the intensity of the citrus and pineapple fruit flavours with a hint of butterscotch. Again, impressive for the price and a good introduction to California chardonnay that isn’t sweet.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $26.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Bachelder Willamette Valley Chardonnay 2013
Willamette Valley, Oregon, United StatesSourced from a few sites in the northern Willamette and vinified at Carlton Winemakers Studio (alongside like minded garagistes), this was barrel fermented with native yeast before 18 months rest in wood (15 percent new French oak, the rest 1-5 years old), and blended just prior to bottling. In Bachelder's Burgundian-toned way this carries a slick of flint throughout the generous form, tinged with lemon balm and verbena on a creamy, stone-fruited, popcorn base. A sea salt snap tightens the whole and rings on the finish. Poured blind I probably wouldn't say Willamette, but I would say Bachelder.Prices:| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Concha y Toro Marqués de Casa Concha Chardonnay 2016
Valle del Limari, ChileThis is extreme Chilean chardonnay from Limari’s Quebrada Seca Vineyard just 29 kilometers from the Pacific Ocean. It’s grown on silty clay soils, rich in calcium carbonate and under cool temperatures. Just five percent of the wine underwent malolactic fermentation.This is extreme Chilean chardonnay from Limari’s Quebrada Seca Vineyard just 29 kilometers from the Pacific Ocean. It’s grown on silty clay soils, rich in calcium carbonate and under cool temperatures. Winemaker Marcelo Papa has been pushing the “Marques” range away from the predictable, super-ripe, over-extracted, too-much-new-oak-style, toward a fresher, juicier white that better represents the grape and the land. Five percent of this wine goes through an acid-flattening malolactic ferment and it spends only 11 months in French oak barrels, now of varying sizes. The attack is svelte with vibrant tropical fruit aromas and flavours before a creamy mid-section kicks in to provide some balance. Best with richer, creamier pastas or roasted chicken.Prices:| BC | $22.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $18.60 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Painted Rock Chardonnay 2016
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 2016 PR Chardonnay is a blend of three pick dates to manage the fruit flavours and acidity from the estate block. The first two picks, 80 percent of the fruit, is aged six months in French oak (55 percent new). The final 20 percent is aged in stainless streel. In 2016 some 60 percent of the wine underwent malolactic fermentation to build mouthfeel without making the wine too fat. This is the freshest chardonnay we have tasted from Painted Rock replete with creamy guava, apple and pear with enough acidity to keep it fresh through the dry, salty, mineral finish. Well done. Skaha chardonnay is in the game.Prices:| BC | $30.49 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Sterling Vineyards Vintner's Collection Chardonnay 2016
California, United StatesNice to see a sensible introductory chardonnay that isn’t oaked to death. Fresh notes of green apple with a touch of resin and creamy notes of apples with subtle buttery lees. Soft, round, warm entry with a hint of sweetness. Ready to drink and fair value.Prices:| BC | $14.49 | 750ml |
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90PTS
La Crema Chardonnay 2015
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, United StatesDespite one of the earliest ever picks, the coastal fruit remains fresh with floral, lemon, green apple, honeydew, pear and spice aromas and flavours. Richly textured and concentrated, with balanced acidity that drives a lingering finish. There is only 19 percent new oak in the mix and the wine spends seven months in wood except for a small amount of juice kept in stainless steel to maintain freshness. The fruit is sourced from multiple vineyards spread across the Sonoma Coast AVA including the estates of Saralee's, Laughlin, Fulton, Shiloh, Carneros Hills West and Durell. The clones include 4, 17, 76, 95, 96 and 809 and the soil is mostly free-draining sandy loam. Very solid, and reliable label.Prices:| BC | $30.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $28.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $32.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $26.60 | 750ml |
| MB | $28.99 | 750ml |
| NF | $32.87 | 750ml |
| PEI | $39.69 | 750ml |
| NB | $40.48 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay Vintner's Reserve 2016
California, United StatesKJ has been America's #1 selling chardonnay for 25 years and despite its massive production it remains entirely barrel fermented and essentially handcrafted from small vineyard lots, vineyards, by the way, the Jackson family owns. It’s all cool, coastal fruit from a mix of top clones. KJ’s signature label is all about land. They own every vineyard that goes into this two million-plus case brand and it's all cool, coastal, chardonnay that chief winemaker Randy Ullom gets to work with. Here he mixes Monterey County citrus and lime flavours with the mango and pineapple flavours of Santa Barbara County, the green apple notes of Mendocino County and Sonoma County’s ripe pears. The wine is fermented and aged in French and American oak barrels and aged sur lie. Soft, round and fresh, it is fully ready to drink. Try it with a chicken salad or a favourite creamy pasta dish.Prices:| AB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $23.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $19.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $21.00 | 750ml |
| US | $15.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $27.50 | 750ml |
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February 2018