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Tastings: January 2021
29 January 2021
88PTS
Quails' Gate Maréchal Foch Limited Release Fortified Vintage 2017
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis is a sweet, fortified red wine that's arguably closest in style to a ruby Port. It's smooth and ready to drink after ageing 18 months in barrel, and the fruit shows just a touch of developing character veering into the baked spectrum. It's made from maréchal foch, but this is really more about the style than the grape variety, and it hits the mark nicely. There's the spiritous 18% abv, from locally distilled neutral grape spirit in this case, and roughly 80 g/L residual sugar. So, you'll probably only want a couple of ounces after dinner. But there's no rush to finish a bottle because it'll keep in your fridge for at least several weeks.Prices:| BC | $25.99 | 375ml |
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88PTS
Quails' Gate Old Vines Foch 2018
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFrom Quails' Gate's Osoyoos Vineyard, where the original Foch plantings date to 1978, this is a step above last year's vintage. The style will be familiar: jammy black fruits with coconut and coffee-tinged oak, and a palate that is soft, round, and medium-full bodied. However, the fruit is juicier, which naturally makes you want to pour a second glass. An excellent wine for midweek burgers.Prices:| BC | $25.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $27.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Quails' Gate Old Vines Foch Reserve 2018
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis is a wine that turns everything up to 11. Like its entry-level sibling, the Reserve Old Vines Foch is defined by wood and opulent black fruits. After aging in American oak for 20 months, there's no shortage of coffee, char, and coconut. But there is better integration with the fruit here. If you're looking for a big, smooth red, this will certainly hit the mark.Prices:| BC | $46.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Quails' Gate Maréchal Foch Limited Release Fortified Vintage 2017
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis fortified foch from a single vintage, what the Portuguese would refer to as a colheita, was made to honour Poppa Dick, grandfather to the current Stewart family clan and the man responsible for the business. The production follows traditional port methods using some of the oldest maréchal foch grapes on the property picked very late in the season. The fermentation is stopped using Okanagan Spirits alcohol made with foch fruit and aged 18 months in oak barrels. The style is pleasingly fresh with concentrated fig and cherry, with a dusting of milk chocolate and a hint of spirit. I’m with Geoff and the winery and the recommended sticky toffee pudding match.Prices:| BC | $25.99 | 375ml |
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87PTS
Quails' Gate Old Vines Foch 2018
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Quails' Gate Osoyoos Vineyard is the south Okanagan Valley home to this foch and the original plantings that first went into the ground in 1978, hand picked every year. The attack is open, rich, and packed full of jammy, black fruits with a wild undercurrent mixing licorice, cloves, and molasses from front to back. Each year this wine gets incrementally cleaner and more respectable, although I suspect it sells out in any event very early on in its release cycle given its wide course of fans. The classic hamburger red also can tolerate older mature cheeses.Prices:| BC | $25.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $27.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Quails' Gate Old Vines Foch Reserve 2018
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe old vines planted by Poppa Dick are at the centre of this reserve version of foch, now an Okanagan cult classic. It is stainless steel fermented on skins for 19 days before spending 20 months in American oak barrels, which defines its demeanour. The palate is a riot of intensity sporting vanilla, charred oak, sagebrush, coffee, molasses and wild black fruit. In short, a lot of everything. If you are a lamb fan, this would be the wine you could serve with it, and they would both be happy.Prices:| BC | $46.99 | 750ml |
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28 January 2021
92PTS
Garage Wine Co. Single Ferment Series The Soothsayer's Ferment Cinsault 2018
Maule, Valle del Claro, Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileDerek Mossman, his wife Pilar Miranda, and Dr. Alvaro Peña have produced small lots of old-vine carignan, cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon from local farmers growing grapes in Maule and Maipo for years. New to the mix is a cinsault that comes out of the bottle with supple tannins and big flavours that are almost ready to drink as soon as you take it home. The first official release comes from a small number of vineyards in Itata. The Series is usually a group of co-ferments using selected blocks from vineyards scattered about the region. Often the fruit is stacked on top of each at different times as it ripens in the vineyard. Primitive but real. The farming is ancestral, usually by horse and hand, as is the winemaking using little sulphites, neutral oak, and recycled glass. If you want natural and quality, this is it. The wine itself fills the palate instantly with beautiful plummy, aromatic red fruit with soft, lush textures and a long persistent finish flecked with leather and earth and a twist of balking spices. Impressive.Prices:| CDN | $20.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Garage Wine Co. Old Vine Pale Carignan-Mataró Lot 83 2019
Maule, Valle del Claro, Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, ChileThat this is described as “the first glass of a long lunch” by the winery is hard to resist. Essentially bone dry, this electric red-fruited rosé-like wine is delicious. The mix is 11 barrels of carignan with one barrel of mataro from a mixed planting of 75-year-old vines on cracked granite soils. When you taste this wine, you believe it is a place where reds barely ripen, but that is a big part of its charm. Wild, savoury, and full of life, it could be the most interesting lunch you ever had.Prices:| CDN | $39.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Garage Wine Co. 215 BC Ferment País 2018
Pirque, Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileThe Pais 215 BC Ferment falls into the Garage Wine Co "Single Ferment Series," although the fruit could be sourced from multiple blocks or vineyard sites, it is co-fermented in one single ferment. The fruit comes from Portezuelo and the "2015 BC" refers to 215 years before the first documented cabernet in Bordeaux in 1763. The Chilean bodega was making pais in 1548. Winemaker Derek Mossman explains that "Sometimes all the fruit does not enter the tank at the same time and we simply stack on top of the fermenting tank when the next fruit is ripe — one single ferment one single wine." Mossman goes on to say that "For years we watched as the small farmers with whom we grow the parcel wines were forced to accept prices fixed [illegally] by agro-giants far below their costs for working the earth. So we developed Single Ferments as a dignified means of getting more of their wonderful fruit made into wine for export. The wines are affordable, yet we still manage to pay a bonafide price to the farmers." In 2018 the pais were from two farms. It was farmed and picked using ancestral methods and horses and all naturally fermented with native yeasts. The ferment is open-top, hand punched down and pressed off manually. It gets a pinch of sulphites after the malolactic fermentation and is aged in old barrels over one winter. The attack is fresh; there is a surprising level of acidity. The rest is wild, scrubby, mineral red fruits with a touch of graphite. Unique and ready to drink, but somehow, it seems as if it could age for some time. A huge effort to reach back into the history of Chilean wine.Prices:| CDN | $28.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Garage Wine Co. País Cariñena Phoenix Ferment 2018
Pirque, Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChilePaís-Cariñena Phoenix Ferment falls into the Garage Wine Co 'Single Ferment Series,' although the fruit could be sourced from multiple blocks or vineyard sites. The cariñena lends it a slightly recognizable nose and palate, even with a sense of fruit. At the same time, the pais brings a savoury, scrubby, sparse, cool windy landscape that takes the wine back into unique territory. Fresh, floral, savoury with a richness of texture that is authentically Maule and Chile. Derek Mossman said, "a full posse of people working with us that allowed us to prune, pick (or what have you) at our speed with our people. 2018 is the first year that this effect of the community will be felt in the wines. We think you will agree that the ethereal effect of community shows through." It is the only closed-fermenter wine made at Garage Co. and the only one aged in stainless steel. The result is a unique wine, never an easy thing to make in the wine business.Prices:| CDN | $27.99 | 750ml |
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27 January 2021
87PTS
Sea Change Malbec 2019
Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceNot all wines are created equal. Sea Change is a brand dedicated to sharing its profits to protect the world’s oceans, the Earth’s key life support system. The folks at Chateau Canet make this malbec from the Languedoc region and the tony appellation of Minervois. The style is soft and round, the fruit juicy and spicy with just a light riff of tannin. It's ready to drink, easy to sip, and affordable.Prices:| BC | $19.49 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Moon Curser Malbec 2018
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis is an intensely concentrated malbec with no shortage of ripeness thanks to its location on the Osoyoos East Bench. There's generous sun-soaked blackberry and blueberry, and what makes this really interesting is how it weaves in savoury aromatics with pepper and floral notes that are reminiscent of syrah. Sometimes malbec can be monolithic and one-dimensional, but that's certainly not the case here. The dense fruit easily carries the oak (20% new French), which is present but nicely integrated. Malbec has a lot of potential in the Okanagan, and this has to be near the head of the pack.Prices:| BC | $31.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Van Westen Vineyards Violeta 2017
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVioleta is a good example of why the Naramata Bench is a special place. To be able to grow a malbec here is impressive, and most years so is this wine. Not quite what 2016 is, 2017 opens with plenty of wild black fruits, plums and cherries, with a twist of tannin to keep it running long and dry on the palate. It’s more Cahors than Mendoza this year, but nothing a piece of grilled beef would not tame. Solid, and should peak in late 2023 -2024.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Château Eugénie Tradition Cahors 2017
Cahors, Sud-Ouest, FranceThis French malbec, fermented in stainless steel, opens with a hint of campfire, licorice, and black fruit. The palate is dry and slightly rustic at this stage, although it seems there is enough fruit to breakthrough down the road. It’s not Mendoza this year, but with a bit of time, it should come around. It is a food wine and any rustic dish, a winter stew, grilled sausages, mushrooms, or classic casseroles.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Altamana Grande Reserve Malbec 2015
Valle del Maule, ChileAltamana was built on the premise of working with Chile's rare and ancient old vine malbec. Bordeaux Winemaker Didier Debono worked at Chateau Clinet, and La Croix du Casse in Pomerol, as well as Saint-Emilion's Chateau Sansonnet, the latter owned by the d’Aulan family. After a stint in Argentina, Debono and d’Aulan teamed up in Chile with Jose Manuel Donoso and Laurent Teillet, two well-established growers from the Maule region, to work with historic malbec vineyards. The combination of French winemaking and Chilean fruit again shows huge promise: note the perfect 13.3 percent alcohol. The Reserve is made with dry-farmed grapes from low-yielding 60 year old vines, grown on granitic soils mixed with clay and rocks. The wine eventually spends 12 months in new French oak. The nose is an enticing mix of spice and oak with intense raspberry and black cherry and dense, sweet tannins. It is not near ready to drink, but it has the balance and the demeanour to be consumed now with a rich piece of meat. Super value here, so stock up.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Kaiken Selección Especial Malbec 2018
Mendoza, ArgentinaKaiken is named for a bird that migrates back and forth between Chile and Argentina. The legendary Montes family runs the winery, and early on, winemaker Aurelio Montes Sr. was known to fly his plane back and forth between Santiago and Mendoza. This wine, made by Aurelio Montes Jr., hails from vineyards in Vistalba and Agrelo sub-regions, and is aged six months in new and used French oak. Seleccion Especial is a focused, savoury, resinous malbec with juicy blueberries mixed with dark cherries. It is authentic Argentine malbec that is hard to find for $16. It finishes on the sweet fruit side but with enough spice and acidity to keep it all balanced. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $15.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $19.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.95 | 750ml |
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26 January 2021
88PTS
Bow and Arrow Gamay 2019
Willamette Valley, Oregon, United StatesBow & Arrow is a tiny husband and wife winery based in NW Portland since 2010. Scott and Dana Frank source grapes from across the Willamette's top organic / biodynamic vineyards. This vintage sources gamay from the Hughes Hollow and Walnut Ridge Vineyards in the Willamette Valley. After a native ferment and semi-carbonic maceration, this ages for 10 months in neutral oak barriques before bottling unfined, unfiltered, and with minimal tannins. A pierce of potent VA and gentle spritz opens this lighter red, leading into raspberry, crunchy plum, and sprightly, crunchy acidity on the slight 12.5% palate. Tannins are soft and downy. This very naturalist gamay is best taken with a chill and current consumption.Prices:| BC | $42.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Domaine les Roches Bleues Côte de Brouilly Soleil de Brulhie 2016
Côte de Brouilly, Beaujolais Villages, Beaujolais, Burgundy, FranceLes Roches Bleues is a family estate now in its 3rd generation, rooted in the blue granite hillsides of Côte de Brouilly, in southern Beaujolais. Farmed with organic practices, this comes from the climate Brulhie, and vines from 15-60 rooted in a mix of 70% blue volcanic rocks, and 30% deep pink granite. As is typical for Bojo, this was semi-carbonic and macerated over 2 weeks before aging for 8 months in large and small barrels. Ample purple and blue florals and fruits lead this lighter mineral-driven red, with finely grippy tannins and pixellated acidity in harmony to a snappy, lightly sticky finish. Nice to drink quality Cru Bojo with some age, seek out and crack into now.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Hospices de Beaujeu Régnié 2018
Régnié, Beaujolais Villages, Beaujolais, Burgundy, FranceBeaujolais was named after Beaujeu, its capitale city until 16th century. Nowadays, Beaujeu is not an important village nor wine producer anymore, but its Hospices continue to make excellent quality wines. The Domaine has over 80 hectares of vines, predominantly in Régnié. Soft and approachable, filled with perfumed red florals, juicy raspberries and strawberries on a cushy palate, and slight, long tannins that house this to a pink peppercorn dusted, lip-smacking finish. This charmer is drinking ideally now, and even better with some airtime.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Oak Bay Vineyard Gebert Family Gamay Noir 2019
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSt. Hubertus has a long history, with gamay first planted in 1964 with followups plantings in 1990 and 1999, at 350-440 metres, over clay, sand, and gravels. It is fermented in a blend of stainless steel, French, and American oak. It’s not as juicy or vibrant as the 2018, but is a little more on the leaner, tart side that should appeal to the restaurant crowd. Good value and will age effortlessly through 2030.Prices:| BC | $18.50 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Domaine du Crêt de Bine BioAddict 2019
Beaujolais, Burgundy, FranceFrançois and Marie-Therèse Subrin, along with thier daughter Florence and nephew Geoffroy, farm 5 hectares of land in the village of Sarcey, a village situated on a high plateau tucked between the Monts Beaujolais and the Monts Lyonnais in the southwest corner of Beaujolais. The Subrin’s vineyard is planted on granite soils with significant deposits of quartz and feldspar. On average, the vines are 40 years old. They are certified organic and biodynamic (Demeter), and are committed to working their land as healthfully as possible. This gamay is sourced from two parcels planted on granite and and granitic sand, one planted to 20 year old vines, and the other to 50 year old vines. This was native fermented with their pied de cuve, and semi-carbonic, in stainless, where it remained for a few months until bottling with small amounts of sulphur. Green edged and leafy, this medium bodied gamay has tight cassis, downy plum, purple florals wrapped with sticky tannins to a brisk, astringent, sour berry finish. Best with a brisk chill.Prices:| ON | $25.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Long Dog Vineyards Inflorescence NV
Prince Edward County, Ontario, CanadaA local leaning on lambrusco, this Prince Edward County gamay is dry and brisk, with black raspberry, cherry, plum, scrubby thorns, cracked pepper on a tight palate, held bright with astringent tannins. Refreshing and food-friendly.Prices:| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Therianthropy David Eagle Gamay 2019
Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaFrom Twenty Mile Bench's legendary Foxcroft Wismer Vineyard, these 22 year old gamay vines were dry farmed, rooted in the site's calcareous clay, limestone-laced soils. This year David Eiberg used 40% whole cluster and a 6 day cold soak, followed by a 19 day native ferment. It rested 4 months in older 225L barrels before being bottled unfined and unfiltered, with a recyclable plant-based cork, sealed with a beeswax button. Bright and fresh, with tight cherry, wild raspberry, pepper, wild spicing flooding the juicy palate. Tannins are tight and acidity is crunchy, with a thread of reduction drawing this to a very saline finish. #GoGamayGo.Prices:| ON | $27.95 | 750ml |
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25 January 2021
89PTS
Main Divide Pinot Gris 2018
Canterbury, South Island, New ZealandMain Divide is a range of wines produced by prolific winemaker Matthew Donaldson, of Pegasus Bay. This range sources grapes from choice vineyards running the Southern Alps, regarded as the backbone of the South Island. From the northern Canterbury region, this pinot gris is crafted in the Alsatian mode, with ample ripeness and healthy RS (10 g/L). This was fermented in stainless, where it rested on lees prior to bottling. Heady honeysuckle, ripe pear, gooseberry, ginger are drawn slowly along the full, waxen palate. This finishes with a twist of grapefruit, offsetting the moderate acidity. Can stand up to richer pork or perfumed curries.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Montevento Pinot Grigio delle Venezie 2018
Veneto, ItalyThe Pasqua family are behind the Veneto-based Montevento (Mountain Wind) wines. This pinot grigio is rooted in limestone soils, and comes from sites across Veneto, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and Trentino that benefit from altitude. Bright tight pear, green apple, on a lean, lees-slicked palate, finishing with a dusting of stony spice and a twist of white grapefruit. Bright and refreshing.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Montevento Pinot Grigio delle Venezie 2018
Veneto, ItalyThe Pasqua family is behind Montevento, a crisp pinot grigio grown over limestone soil. Long daylight hours and cool alpine air contribute to its lean, refreshing stature. Expect a lime, pear and lees affair with supple textures flecked with almonds and grapefruit. A perfect wine for simply-prepared seafood dishes.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Miklus Pinot Grigio 2017
ItalyPouring a glowing dark peach / amber hue, this natural pinot gris comes from the hills of Collio, and its layered marl and sandstone soils, known as ponca. This was was native fermented on skins for 14 days in wooden barrels, before ageing in large oak for 24 months. Lovely fine bergamot tea, peach skin on a lengthy, fuller-bodied, textural palate, threaded with mineral salts. Very well balanced, though at 14%, this finishes with a flush of warmth.Prices:| ON | $59.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Conviviale Pinot Grigio 2019
Veneto, ItalyConvivale is one of the Boutinout collection. Tight, lean, and green fruited, this is a crisp and dry grigio, with a spiced stony note closing out the finish. Green apple, green melon, white grapefruit ride a medium-bodied bed of lees. Pour this alongside salads or simple steamed shellfish dishes.Prices:| BC | $17.49 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Noble Ridge Reserve Pinot Grigio 2019
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFrom their Okanagan Falls estate vineyard, this was whole cluster pressed and fermented in stainless. Very fruit forward, with orchard pear, yellow apple, tangerine, and melon, across a plumped, fuller palate, finishing with a raft of spice and a bitter lemon twist. Pour this stately grigio alongside seafood or green veg dishes.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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22 January 2021
89PTS
Therianthropy Mouflon Viognier Riesling 2019
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaThis, their first orange wine, was an experiment, and a worthy one at that. From St. David's Bench and Twenty Mile Bench, this is a blend of cofermented viognier, riesling, and marsanne, native fermented in egg, where it was left on skins and stems for 5 months. It was bottled unfined and unfiltered, and topped with a recyclable and renewable plant-based cork, sealed with a beeswax button. Grippy and intense, this hazy orange-hued wine beams astringent apricot, bergamot, peach blossom, on a tight palate. The finish is rinsed with bitter orange, and mouthwatering salinity. A very tasty orange, well make and whistle clean, and a lovely addition to an already very interesting range of wines.Prices:| ON | $40.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Van Westen Vineyards Vivacious 2019
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVivacious continues to live up to its moniker with a leaner, fresher style in the last two years. It’s 96 percent pinot blanc with a dash of pinot gris, fermented in both barrel and tank. Expect crisp, fresh citrus with a thread of sagebrush and desert scrub running throughout the wine, with lemons and nectarines filling out the finish. Vivacious comes off the Home Lot Vineyard on the Naramata Bench. Best with food, use it as you would a squeeze of lemon. Good value.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Le Vieux Pin Ava 2019
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAva is named after winemaker Severine Pinte's daughter. In 2019 the mix was 51% viognier, 37% rousanne, 12% marsanne. The nose is a floral affair with white flowers, orange blossoms, and summer orchard. The attack is juicy with apricot and peach, and a light dusting of citrus and licorice on the palate. Youthful and lively, but this will undoubtedly grow into itself as it ages to become a serious white wine. A good example of how diverse BC wine should be.Prices:| BC | $35.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Domaine Martin Jund Edelzwicker NV
Alsace, FranceMaison Martin Jund has Alsace roots in the Colmar region that date to 1630. The latest family iteration has been farming fruit that is organically certified since 1997. This dry blend of pinot blanc, muscat, riesling, and gewurztraminer labelled Edelzswicker is an ode to an ancient but still used term that designates any blending of white AOC Alsace grape varieties, without any indication of percentage. The varieties can be vinified together or separately. The vintage year on labels is not obligatory. Historically the various varieties came from the same parcel. The term Edelzwicker comes from the German words for edel (noble) and Zwicker (blend). On the palate, expect a subtle oily, yellow fruit affair that appears fruity on entry but finishes with a twist of bitterness that pulls it all together. A delicious Old World style that is food-friendly and is listed at a great price, considering it is sold in a one-litre bottle.Prices:| BC | $31.99 | 1000ml |
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89PTS
Monte del Frà Ca del Magro Custoza Superiore 2017
Verona, Veneto, ItalyCa del Magro is a rich blend of Italian heritage that always sports a slightly darker yellow colour in the glass, previewing a vibrant, floral, mineral, nutty nose. The grapes come out of Verona's 55 year old Ca' del Magro vineyard, blending garganega, trebbiano Toscano, tocai friulano, cortese, chardonnay, riesling italico, malvasia, and incrocio manzoni. A creamy texture balances off the acidity, which balances the rich melon, quince, honeydew, and citrus. Ready to drink, it can be paired with a wide variety of dishes, including chicken, pork, or fresh fish.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Quinta das Arcas Arca Nova 2019
Vinho Verde, Northern Portugal, PortugalIn 1985, Antonio Edwards Monteiro founded the family-owned winery in Alentejo. In 2012, he expanded into Vinho Verde with the purchase of 200 hectares. This blends Loureiro, Arinto, and Trajadura, fermented and raised for a brief time in stainless. This shows VV's characteristic and refreshing spritz on the palate, brightening Asian pear, green apple, and light melon on a tight palate, finishing with a sour twist on the finish. Seafood and green veg ready.Prices:| ON | $14.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Noble Ridge Mingle 2019
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaMiingle is a 58/30/12 blend of pinot gris, gewürztraminer, and kerner, that is highly aromatic and hits the palate off-dry with citrus, honeyed, baked apple, with a bitter orange rind undertow. Ready to drink, it may be best suited to soy dishes.Prices:| BC | $17.30 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Summerhill Pyramid Winery Alive Organic White 2019
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOrganically grown and vegan approved, the 2019 version is off-dry with a sweetness level that is mostly matched by a freshness of acidity. This year’s juicy blend is a mix of gewurtzraminer, riesling, muscat, chardonnay, and ehrenfelser. The result is an aromatic white with floral orange blossom, sweet golden apples, lime, and pear. Perfect for a spicy curry.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
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21 January 2021
92PTS
Testalonga El Bandito 2019
Swartland, Coastal Region, South AfricaFrom Craig and Carla Hawkins' family label Testalonga, aka South African's top tier of naturalist winemakers, El Bandito Skin is a skin contact chenin blanc, and was the first wine they ever made. They've dialled it in over the years, with less extraction and time on skins, into a seamless, harmonious orange. From Swartland's organically farmed Observatory Farm Vineyard, this dryland bush vine chenin (planted 1972) grows at the bottom of the slope's decomposed granite, where water is more abundant. After destemming, and 12 days on skin in 1500L open fermenters, this was pressed off into one 3000L foudre for native ferment and full MLF. Whiffs of meadow grass, hay, yellow apple, elderflower blossoms, and wildfire honey lead into a long, slender palate, sharpened with fine edges of apricot skin, and seasoned with ample mineral salts. The palate hums with a fine shimmer through to the lingering, saline finish. I last tasted this vintage in November 2019, and it's really come quite a way in bottle since then. Impressive.Prices:| BC | $58.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Testalonga Lords of Dogtown 2019
Swartland, Coastal Region, South AfricaFrom one of SAF's leading natural wine wine producer, Testalonga (aka Craig and Carla Hawkins), Lords of Dogtown features a label photo that Carla snapped, and is a wine initially just produced for Japan and SAF. Then the UK received 12 bottles in the second year. 24 bottles made it to BC this year. From 13 rows of 1981 planted organically farmed bush vine chenin on Paardeberg's granite soils, this vineyard was previously abandoned, and this is the third year they have been resurrecting it. This was whole bunch pressed and native fermented in an old 500L oak cask with full MLF. SO2 was not added at any stage, and it was bottled without fining or filtration. Beautiful salinity streams throughout this chenin, shaping it around green and yellow apple, meadow grass, elderflower blossoms, subtle apricot fuzz, all spined with a beam of acidity that leads this long on the savoury palate. Impeccable balance in this subtle charmer.Prices:| BC | $58.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
YK3 Junmai Nigori Sake NV
British Columbia, CanadaYK3 is a Richmond-based sake company, so named because the Toji (brewmaster) and two founders all share these two initials. The rice is high quality Calrose, imported from Sacremeto, California, where most of the North American sake rices are sourced from. This Junmai nigori was made in the traditional method, unfiltered (you're supposed to shake well before serving to distribute the sake lees (kasu). It is also Junmai (no added alcohol), and Genshu (undiluted with water). Medium bodied on the creamy palate, this glides like silk, with anise, pear, vanillin streaming to the lingering, subtle finish. Lovely freshness to counter the creamy weight on the palate, this is in lovely balance, and a beautiful pour alongside marinated roasted sablefish or grilled scallops on creamy polenta, amongst numerous other umami-led dishes.Prices:| BC | $15.95 | 375ml |
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88PTS
Zuccardi Serie A Torrontés 2019
Salta, North, ArgentinaSerie A references Zuccardi's Argentina Series, and showcasing varieties in terroirs where they best shine. For this torrontés, they selected the northwest valleys of Salta, the grape's homeland. This comes from high altitude vineyards, and was fermented in stainless, where it remained on lees for a few months prior to bottling. This captures the grape's fragrant lime hallmark, with lime blossoms, lime pith and peel, green melon, green apple, and a perfumed soapy note. Fresh and shining on the palate, belying its 14% alcohol until a gentle warmth and width on the finish. Pour alongside fragrant Thai or Vietnamese noodle dishes.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Telmo Rodriguez Gaba do Xil Godello 2018
Valdeorras, Galicia, SpainFrom driving rockstar winemaker Telmo Rodriguez (aka T-Rod), this comes from Valdeorras, in eastern Galacia. The wine is named for the river Sil that flows through the region (Xil is its ancient name, used by the Celtic people who once inhabited the area). The various bridges on the label reference crossing over the river numerous times to access all the steep, slate soiled vineyards. This godello comes from estate and long-term grower contract vineyards, was partial native fermented in stainless where it remained on lees for one year. Rich and ripe with fleshy white peach, musk melon, starfruit, honeysuckle, and ripe yellow apple on a softer, waxen palate, imbued with fine musk spicing. Packs a lot of impact into 13%.Prices:| BC | $24.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $24.75 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Bow & Arrow Melon 2019
Willamette Valley, Oregon, United StatesBow & Arrow is a tiny husband and wife winery based in NW Portland in 2010. They source grapes from across the Willamette's top organic / biodynamic vineyards. This comes from various vineyards across the valley, and post native ferment in stainless this rested 9 months on lees before heading to bottle without fining or filtration, and with minimal sulphur throughout. Bright and shining, this ably blends melon's penchant for sleek salinity with the Valley's bright orchard fruit. Crisp apple, crunchy melon is livened with a quenching saltiness and lined with an earthy cushion of lees. Impactful, impressive, and highly smashable wine for 11%.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Terracura Smiley V6 NV
Swartland, Coastal Region, South AfricaSmiley is 'the hardest wine we make', according to Terracura founders Sam and Ryan. Like a champagne cuvée, this is a big NV blend that needs to have consistency year over year. They were inspired by Jura, and Tondonia, using oxidation in an old school, yet modern way. V6 is a blend of 22 different Paardeberg chenin wines, and countless experiments, including aging under flor, madeirised wines aged outdoors in the sun, and skin contact wines, all woven together. Swinging with ample VA, and pierced with ethyl acetate, this streams sharp lemon, green apple, melon rind, flake salts, green herbs on a jumpy and adjunct palate. There's a bright freshness that draws this to the sour finish. Certainly highly adventuresome and natty.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $27.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Provam Portal do Fidalgo Alvarinho 2019
PortugalProvam is a group of 10 like minded producers in Vinho Verde who came together to make wines as a collective in 1992, and includes such luminaries such as Anselmo Mendes and Francisco Leandro. The name stands for Productores de Vines Alvarinho de Monção. This alvarinho is from the prized northwestern subregion of Monção e Melgaço, and was aged a few months in older wood. Tight and bright, multilayered with green apple, tight pear, lemon, and a refreshing marine salinity that streams this slender wine to a lengthy finish. There's a lovely savoury note to temper the pure fruit.Prices:| QC | $18.60 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Miklus Francesco Jakot 2017
Friuli-Venezia Giulia, ItalyThis friulano is named Jakot, which is the backwards spelling of Tokaj (a name they're no longer allowed to use for the grape). Pouring a glowing dark peach / amber hue, this natural friulano comes from 63 year old vines rooted in the hills of Collio, and its layered marl and sandstone soils, known as ponca. After a 12 day maceration, this was native fermented on skins in wooden barrels, before ageing in large oak for 24 months, and bottled unfiltered. This pours a glowing deep yellow, with potent candied lemon, marmalade, bergamot tea, yellow pear, and almond flooding the medium bodied (13%) palate. Lovely balance and harmony between acidity, alcohol, and fruit, with a gentle rasp of skin tannins, to make this feel seamless.Prices:| ON | $59.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Miklus Malvasia 2016
Friuli-Venezia Giulia, ItalyPouring a glowing dark peach / amber hue, this natural malvasia comes from the hills of Collio, and its layered marl and sandstone soils, known as ponca. This was was native fermented on skins in wooden barrels, before ageing in large oak for 24 months. A glowing golden hue, this opens with fragrant orange blossoms, honeysuckle, marmalade on a full, heady palate. The 15.5% alcohol is balanced off by brisk acidity, leading this viscous wine to a lengthy finish. Powerful and potent.Prices:| ON | $59.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Miklus Natural Art Ribolla Gialla 2015
Friuli-Venezia Giulia, ItalyPouring a glowing dark peach / amber hue, this natural ribolla gialla comes from the hills of Collio, and its layered marl and sandstone soils, known as ponca. This was was native fermented on skins (30 days) in wooden barrels, before ageing in large oak for 24 months. Pouring a hazy orange hue, this is alive with bergamot, apricot pith, wild orange, fragrant apricot blossoms on a tightly striated, medium-bodied palate. Tannins are long and fine and firm, guiding this to a spiced and amply salted finish. Amazing life for a 5 year old orange, with time ahead.Prices:| ON | $59.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Township 7 Benchmark Series Muscat Sunshine Acres Vineyard 2019
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIt was nice to see this wine get the nod to the Benchmark Series, courtesy of winemaker Mary McDermott, but it's no surprise given its classic styling. Aromatic, to say the least, this bright fruited, Euro-style muscat opens with an enticing, sweet-smelling tangerine, gooseberry nose that hits the palate dry and crisp with a citrus-lined finish. A Benchmark indeed.Prices:| BC | $26.97 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Szász Birtok Zenit 2019
HungaryThis organically farmed Zenit was native fermented and aged in steel. Fragrant white flowers, lemon pith, lemon blossoms, crunchy Asian pear flood the mouth with juicy acidity, finishing steely and dry. A lovely, fresh and crisp white ready for salads and shellfish dishes.Prices:| ON | $19.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Yalumba Organic Viognier 2019
South Australia, AustraliaYalumba is credited with being the leading rescuer of Northern Rhone's viognier grape, close to slipping away to oblivion back in 1985 when there were only 32 hectares planted worldwide (and nearly entirely in the Rhone). Fast forward to today, when Yalumba is the largest producer of the grape, and viognier is healthfully planted and purchased around the globe. This organic viognier comes from the Babich family property, tucked up along the Murray River in Loxton, as well as the Bassham's family vineyard in Barmera. Winemaker Heather Fraser does little to this wine, allowing it to ferment naturally in stainless steel, where it remains until bottling. Fragrant honeydew melon, honeysuckle, tangerine, and cold cream rules the plumped, sleek palate, with a raft of spice and just a slight nip of RS. Though youthful, certainly not the most exuberant of viognier, but rather the grown up, restrained version next to their Y Series.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Il Meridione Catarrato 2019
Sicily, ItalyNo big changes from Araldica’s third-generation, family-operated co-operative based in Piedmont. The cattaratto project sits outside the home region in Sicily. The grapes are grown organically in chalky soils at 500 metres above the sea in the northwest corner of the island, at Calatafimi. The fermentation and ageing are done in stainless steel to preserve the fruit. The nose is the southern Mediterranean with exotic notes of melon, mandarin orange, and Asian pear. The texture is smooth and broad with just enough acidity and a touch of bitter guava in the finish to make it fun to drink. Best with white meats, seafood dishes, and most vegetarian items. Fine value.Prices:| BC | $15.49 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Koerner Pigato 2020
Clare Valley, South Australia, AustraliaFrom Watervale's Gullyview Vineyard, and its terra rossa soils, this vermentino was destemmed with 50% whole berry for a native ferment in open top steel, and with twice daily pigeage over its 20 days on skins. The free run and pressings were combined before resting in steel for 7 months. It was bottled without fining or filtration. First sniff / sip and all I can think is proper iced tea meets vermentino. Wow. Pouring a hazy lemon hue, with apricot fuzz, white peach and peach blossom, crunchy Asian pear taking the light bodied, textural palate. Though only 11% alcohol, this has a mouthfeel and presence that carries it beyond, though to a brisk and astringent wild orange finish. Would be lovely to have with complexly spiced Thai vegetarian or seafood curries, but sipping solo is also highly recommended.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Valados de Melgaço Alvarino Reserva 2018
Vinho Verde, Northern Portugal, PortugalArtur Meleiro is a 3rd generation vintner, owning his family's 4 hectares of vineyards. He was working as an industrial engenieer until 2013 when he realized his dream of taking over the family vines. From the priced subregion of Moncão and Melgaço, this alvarinho grows in terraces (valados) averting 150m. This Reserve Alvarinho has had some skin contact before aging on lees with bâtonnage in stainless for 5 months. Alvarinho is one of those grapes that shows age early, especially under cork, and you can see it here with a honeyed sheen overtop pear, white melon, meadow grass on a moderately plump palate. There is a brace of Atlantic acidity to hold all fresh, and very much food-friendly, especially for shellfish, white fish, and green salads.Prices:| ON | $18.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Quinta da Lixa Pouco Comum Alvarinho 2019
Vinho Verde, Northern Portugal, PortugalThe Meirles family has long owned vineyards around Vila da Lixa, selling their fruit to others, but in 1886 they decided to start making their own wines. They hired well-known oenologist Carlos Teixeira in the early 2000s to over see the project. They now have 52 hectares of vines across 6 estates. This cuvée is named Pouco Comum, translating as 'unusual'. Though fermented and aged in stainless, this alvariñho from Minho has seen additional time on lees, giving a very creamy feel to the palate. Baked pear, yellow apple, green melon glides along the palate, finishing with gentle spiced notes. Try this if you're looking for an albariño with more body, but still with a great deal of freshness, to partner with your white fish or spring risottos.Prices:| AB | $20.75 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.65 | 750ml |
| PEI | $17.91 | 750ml |
| NS.19.98 | $0.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Adega Ponte de Lima Loureiro 2019
Vinho Verde, Northern Portugal, PortugalPonte de Lima is the oldest town in Portugal, and home to this co-op, founded in 1959. It now has 2000 growers, and an 11.5M L production. This is entirely loureiro, from granitic sandy loams. Nimble and tight with lime pith, lime peel, crab apple, and Asian pear crunchiness to a shorter, snappy, sour finish. I wish this was under screwcap so it would be as fresh as it should be.Prices:| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Summerhill Pyramid Winery Ehrenfelser 2019
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 2019 vintage is a blend of three vineyard sites beginning in the south Okanagan with the warmest site at Inkameep Vineyards at Osoyoos, joined by the home Summerhill Vineyard, and Cathpair Vineyard located in the cooler Kelowna area in the north Okanagan. Cold stabilization halts the fermentation leaving 19 grams of residual sugar and a medium sweet Ehrenfeser. The fruit is a riot of tangerine, apricot, peach and tropical fruits flecked with enough acidity to keep it travelling across the palate. It would be fun to sip on a warm patio all summer, but for now, put it up against a powerful curry or even spicy tuna sashimi, or barbecue ribs. Serve well chilled.Prices:| BC | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $18.00 | 750ml |
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19 January 2021
93PTS
Rieslingfreak No. 1 Grounds of Grandeur 2017
Clare Valley, South Australia, AustraliaNo. 1 Grounds of Grandeur is proper riesling freak John Hughes' version of a GG, and is only made in exceptional vintages. Only 12 bottles of 2017 are coming to Western Canada, as it's in such limited supply. From a single vineyard grown in Clare Valley's White Hutt, this was harvested and chilled for 48 hours before whole bunch pressing for only the free run juice. This was settled and native fermented in 1500L barrel, where it is held for a year prior to bottling. Finely grippy and textural with lime pith, green apple, pear skin streaking across a juicy, vibrant, taut, saline palate. Savoury and dry, this haunts with a lingering finish.Prices:| BC | $100.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Rieslingfreak No. 99 2019
Clare Valley, South Australia, AustraliaNo.99 is an experimental wine for true riesling freak John Hughes. This was fermented with wild 'exotic' yeast strains for maximum funk and texture, prior to resting in large format oak for 12 months. Dry and earth-driven, with broken stones, flax bedding layers of lime sherbet, bright lemon curd, pear skin, cold cream, finishing with a bitter lime twist on the dry finish. Certainly funky, and a more severe edged wine for those looking for the style.Prices:| BC | $44.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Rieslingfreak No. 3 Clare Valley 2020
Clare Valley, South Australia, AustraliaNo 3 Riesling comes from John Hughes' family vineyard in White Hutt, and its heavy red clay soils. The 2020 vintage saw an 80% reduced yield here, so this is quite intense, and in very short supply. Perfumed lime, lemon sherbet, cold cream, mandarin flood the weighted palate, still clocking in at only 12%, and dry, with 2.8 g/L RS. A snappy Asian pear crunch keeps this tight and tense, though the lingering apple blossom finish. Singular, as ever.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Township 7 Riesling Fool's Gold Vineyard 2018
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFool's Gold Vineyard resides in North Oliver and presents a crisp, dry riesling reminiscent of Australia’s Clare Valley. The fruit is pressed and cold settled before fermenting at very cool temperatures with a small portion fermented wild in neutral oak to preserve as much fruit as possible, which is what you get when you taste it. Mosel czar Johannes Selbach would call this wine crunchy, led by green apples, grapefruit pith, and a squeeze of lime. Tart, crisp, and mineral, it's ready for sashimi.Prices:| BC | $26.97 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Van Westen Vineyards Viscous 2019
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaYear two of Viscous and it looks a lot like last year’s inaugural label, rich in sugar and acidity that more or less cancel each other out, although strangely it remains fresh and vibrant and anything but sticky and viscous. Sugared lemon drops and baked apples carry a mineral undercurrent that keeps it all inline. You can cool this down, drink it solo for its fresh sugary fruit, or serve it with a favourite Thai or Indian curry. Well done again.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Sperling Vineyards Dry Riesling 2018
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis is a new limited release from Ann Sperling, caretaker of her family's land settled in Kelowna more than 150 years ago. She thought the 2018 vintage was so special that she was inspired to create this new cuvée, bottled under the Vision Series. Organic and biodynamic, from old vines planted in 1978, this had some skin contact prior to ferment, giving it a taut, textural buzz. Lime pith, mandarin, pear skin hums along the sleek, lean palate, alive with energy through the lengthy finish. Quite savoury, and certainly dry, this is a wine to seek out if you're a fan of the style.Prices:| BC | $27.89 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Sperling Vineyards Old Vines Riesling 2016
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAnn Sperling biodynamically farms the Kelowna land her grandparents settled more than 150 years ago. he Old Vines Riesling is the winery flagship, held back two years prior to release. These vines were planted in 1978 and show their concentration in this dryish, textural, sleek riesling, driven by lime pith, lemon pith, quince, white honey to a snappy finish. This year there's a lactic / lees pear note on the mid that detracts from last year's purity, but the bright acidity and 11.5% package help distract. Partner with Thai or Vietnamese vegetable dishes.Prices:| BC | $27.89 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Pewsey Vale Single Vineyard Estate Riesling 2018
Eden Valley, South Australia, AustraliaTumbling across slopes at 540 metres, the contoured, windy Pewsey Vale vineyard is a worthy icon site of Eden, and Australia. Done entirely in stainless to preserve the fruit, this is crisp and crunchy with green apple, lemon blossom riding a slick base of perfumed lemon verbena. The finish lingers with broken stones and lime pith. Very concentrated and oily beyond its 12%, this is a fun wine in youth but will really gain complexities with cellaring.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $22.99 | 750ml |
| QC | $22.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Wakefield Estate Clare Valley Riesling 2018
Clare Valley, South Australia, AustraliaSourced from their Clare Valley vineyards, this tight, zippy riesling was gently pressed and cold settled in stainless prior to fermentation, where it remained, cool, until bottling. Lemon lime, sherbet, verbena, green apple zip along the dry, zesty palate, with an underlay of lees and hints of petrol. Ample dry extract hugs at the sides, hemming this to a zesty, lingering finish. Racy, high acid, and well handled, this is an excellent intro to what this grape can do in this special region.Prices:| BC | $21.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Sperling Vineyards Old Vines Riesling 2016
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Old Vines version of the Sperling riesling lineup is the winery flagship. It opens with a barely noticeable 10.4 g/L of residual sugar. It is all estate grown, both organic and biodynamic. The wine is made to reflect its origins and vineyard site, without makeup. The dominant soil feature is deep, mineralogical clay high in calcium, which seems to turbocharge this riesling. At 42 years of vine age, it has a fine concentration of dryish fruit flavours with a strong lemon-lime undercurrent in the finish. Great with food and fairly priced.Prices:| BC | $27.89 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Sperling Vineyards Dry Riesling 2018
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWow, how good is this. The Dry Riesling is a new release by winemaker Ann Sperling, the current caretaker of the family property first settled in Kelowna's Mission District over 150 years ago. It was bottled under the avant grade Vision Series, and it's organic and biodynamic, from old vines planted in 1978. The nose and the attack are fresh with a strong lemon-lime pith character and a textural mouthfeel from skin contact before fermentation. The wine is otherwise electric with that identifiable BC savoury scrub scent. It shouts for food. Dry, taut, and stylish, this wine is for riesling sophisticates. After soaking the stemmed grapes on their skins, they used the free-run juice for the Old Vines Riesling and took the juice closer to the skins for the dry version.Prices:| BC | $27.89 | 750ml |
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18 January 2021
90PTS
Stag's Hollow Renaissance Merlot Stag's Hollow Vineyard 2017
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe estate merlot block is planted over free-draining gravel soil facing southwest to gather the late afternoon and evening sun. Like last year it was co-fermented with 2.4 percent cabernet franc and mixed with another 2.4 percent cabernet sauvignon that is all fermented in French oak, making all the difference in the world with this variety. It's an intriguing mix of red and black raspberries dusted in desert scrub and mixed with juicy black cherries. Rich, round, and juicy, this has immediate appeal, but its chalky tannins are capable of ageing three to five more years in bottle and beyond. A little more friendly this year and more complex. Well done.Prices:| BC | $34.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Mission Hill Reserve Merlot 2017
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada2017 began late, wet, and cool, but after 66 days, including a record-breaking dry spell in July and August, it came to an end on October 30, yielding a small, intense crop of ripe fruit. The fruit comes off two southern estates in Osoyoos (54 percent) and Oliver (46 percent). The style is rich and spicy with some milk chocolate hints. The palate is equally expressive with wild blackberry, cassis, dark plums, vanilla, and toast. Friendly but authentic, try this with grilled poultry or meats. It's entirely merlot this year, but I miss the recent introduction of cabernet franc in 2016.Prices:| BC | $26.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $25.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $26.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Synchromesh Tertre Rouge 2017
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA few years in to the Tertre Rouge program, 2017 has turned the magical corner, so to speak. From Naramata's Turtle Rock Farms, this is an 80/20 blend of merlot and cabernet franc, the latter grape whole cluster. The whole aged 21 months in French oak (25% new) before bottling without fining or filtration. Beautifully knit, with perfumed plum, wild blackberry, perfumed boysenberry on a smooth, silken palate. The whole bunch is judicially used, providing a lovely herbal green lift and subtle herbal bough spicing to the medium+ red. Tannins are long, lithe, and finely grippy, housing this finessed Naramata red to a gently spiced, lingering finish. Really impressive now, and will continue to cellar.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
LaStella Allegretto Merlot Pie Franco 2017
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOver the years this has been my favourite Canadian merlot, by some distance, and it holds its title again with 2017. From east bench Osoyoos' Le Faucon vineyard and its distinct sandy, white silica soils, this was planted in the early 1990s. The pie franco in the name signals that the vines are planted on their own rootstock (piè franco). Perfumed black plums, wild blackberry, thorns rule the youthful palate, gripped by structural tannins, yet imbued with an inherent finesse that runs the long length of the full palate to a firm finish. Very much in youth, this benefits from advance opening / decanting now, but will certainly reward with cellaring.Prices:| BC | $65.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Le Vieux Pin Equinoxe Merlot 2016
Golden Mile Bench, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThese 20+ year old merlot vines are rooted in the silt, clay and large gravels of La Feuille D’Or vineyard at the south end of the Golden Mile. This spent 19 months in French oak (18% new) before being bottled unfined. Concentrated yet strikingly fresh, with wild plum, wild blackberry, ripe cherry running the long palate, threaded with darkly bittersweet chocolate, thorns, and dried rosemary. Tannins are appropriately firm for this youthful wine, ensuring structure enough to last the next decade of aging. Such a light, graceful touch on such a powerful wine. Very impressive.Prices:| BC | $89.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Luke Wines Merlot 2017
Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesLuke Merlot barely makes the varietal cut at 75 percent mixed with 23/1/1 cabernet sauvignon, malbec and petit verdot, all out of the Wahluke Slope AVA in the Columbia Valley. Merlot has been the unwanted best wine of Washington Stae for decades suffering from widespread prejudice in the wine business against a grape that frankly was never given the room to grow as much as cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc or syrah or even malbec. The truth is, in the northwest, including BC, merlot's savoury, rich, round flavours and textures have been as good as most cabernet sauvignon, if not better and a lot more consumer-friendly. Look for a very ripe example here with dense sweet tannins and even sweeter black cherry fruit and chocolate flavours that coat the palate from the front back. The style is soft and easy-sipping — it is a drink now wine that will be too sweet for some and just right for others.Prices:| BC | $43.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Van Westen Vineyards Vivre la Vie 2017
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaYou feel the intensity of 2017 vintage, ripe and rich from the get-go, but in this case, with an earthy, barnyard undercurrent that slightly dulls the fruit. The flavours are dark cherry, black raspberry, black plums with a spicy finish dusted in the barnyard, and dense but sweet tannins. Ready to drink in many ways and may be required if the flavours go sideways down the road. Enjoy now with rustic stews or cassoulet dishes.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
LaStella Allegretto Merlot Pie Franco 2017
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAllegretto Piè Franco is both a medium brisk and playful tempo and a rare, ungrafted, Canadian single-vineyard merlot where the vines sit on their rootstock, an occurrence the Italians refer to as piè franco, rooted in white silica sand. Winemaker Severine Pinte is in constant search of trueness and originality, and this site fits the bill. The 2017 is a rambunctious youthful merlot with good aromatics mixing black plums and black raspberry with a spiced touch. The attack is tart, and the freshness follows through to the palate. The tannins are grippy and intense, something we see around the south Okanagan in 2017, where lower yields and smaller bunches are intensifying flavours and tannins. It will need a decade to fill out and show its true mettle, but it should be a good one.Prices:| BC | $65.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Le Vieux Pin Equinoxe Merlot 2016
Golden Mile Bench, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWe need more of this wine. Equinoxe Merlot comes of La Feuille d'Or Vineyard on the Golden Mile Bench, and a specific block of 20+ year old vines on the mid slopes at the south end of the GI. It's a giant of a wine. Only 18 percent new oak allows the merlot to fully express itself, although under Severene Pinte's hand, it is a quieter, drier French expression that makes you want to drink the whole bottle yourself. 2016 is a terrific vintage, which only intensifies this merlot. Rich black plums mix with fine espresso and even better oak integration before a slightly gritty pay attention to me because I'm going to age a decade finish. Well done. Stock up if you can.Prices:| BC | $89.99 | 750ml |
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93PTS
CheckMate Artisanal Winery End Game Merlot 2017
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaEnd Game begins on two warm, south Okanagan benches on the valley's eastern side: the Osoyoos East Bench and the Black Sage Bench. Both are predominately made up of sandy soils sporting multiple expositions and elevations, producing a range of flavours and styles intensified by long days and warm, late-day sun. The fermentation is wild, and it's finished in the barrel where the wine remains in contact with its skins for 50+ days. Post skin contact, the wine is aged 21 months in French oak, mostly St. Martin and Deptos Bordeaux. In 2017 the aromas were vibrant, offering whiffs of sassafras and root beer mixed with savoury desert scrub and sagebrush running throughout the palate. The palate is slightly bigger in 2017, with denser, richer tannins that will take this wine further down the ageing road. It's a touch drier, yay, with less chocolate and more spice and complexity — more Euro less New World this year and closer to Next World Okanagan. There is no rush to open this wine. If you must drink it now, think lamb or roasted meats while it slowly opens up over the next five to seven years.Prices:| BC | $85.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $196.00 | 1500ml |
| BC | $439.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $989.00 | 6000ml |
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92PTS
CheckMate Artisanal Winery Silent Bishop Merlot 2017
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada2017 Silent Bishop is an 87/10/3 blend of merlot, petit verdot, and cabernet franc, grown on the cool Western Benches of Oliver North, Golden Mile, and Osoyoos West beneath Mt. Kobau. A smaller crop and smaller bunches have upped the intensity of flavours, and little more acidity has accentuated the tannin component. In a good way, I note this edition is a touch drier than previous years, with denser, richer tannins to disperse at this point. I love the drier attack and the savoury red and black fruit that pushes through to the palate along with rich blueberry. A solid effort and I look forward to watching this wine develop into 2027 -2030.Prices:| BC | $85.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Poplar Grove Merlot 2017
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada2017 Merlot is an 85/7/5/3 mix of merlot, malbec, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc. This wine is turning the complexity corner, drying out just enough to display the fruit's best sides without overwhelming the palate with baked flavours and chocolate. It gets 21 months of barrel ageing in 25 percent new oak and 75 percent in one to three-year barrels before spending another year in the bottle at the winery. A solid, mid-valley merlot that should age well through 2023-2025. Things are heading in the right direction at Poplar Grove if you are a serious wine lover. Grilled beef is the match.Prices:| BC | $30.99 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Frescobaldi Castelgiocondo Lamaione Merlot 2013
Tuscany, ItalyThe 12-hectare Lamaione site has always given a fairly powerful Tuscan merlot expression thanks to its southwest exposition, high-density paintings, and heavy clay subsoil loaded with limestone and mineral elements, plus a mostly dry climate during the growing season. It has been produced since 1991 on the Castelgiocondo estate in Montalcino, in vineyards that sit at about 300 meters above sea level. From the time they arrive at the winery, the grapes spend at least 30 days on skins before ageing 24 months in French barriques (90% new). A final year in bottle ensures the wine is ready for release when it heads to market. I love the exotic complexity here, led by dense, sweet, velvety tannins and a lovely combination of black and red fruits flecked with tobacco, leather, coffee, and smoky black olive. In a perfect moment to drink. Mushroom stews or risotto are good matches, or an aged piece of pecorino for a purist experience.Prices:| BC | $66.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $46.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $62.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $55.00 | 750ml |
| CDN | $90.00 | 750ml |
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15 January 2021
92PTS
Little Farm Winery Pied de Cuve Chardonnay 2016
Cawston, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFrom the same site and fruit as Little Farm's straight chardonnay, though the Pied de Cuve line shows the wines through a natural lens. Clones 76, 95, and 548 were planted in 2009 on Cawston's calcium carbonate laced soils. This was organically farmed, whole bunch pressed, and native fermented (with the foot-tred pied de cuve vineyard starter) in neutral French oak, where it was left to rest on lees for 10 months before it was bottled unfined and unfiltered, with minimal sulphur throughout. Showing some age now, with a deeper yellow hue revealing roasted hazelnuts, lemon zest, flake salts, meadow herbs and hay, on a concentrated, yet relaxed-by-time palate. Those powerful soils show themselves in the ever-present mineral buzz that extends long on the finish. Really impressive, and very distinctly stony, wind-swept Similkameen.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Lunessence Chardonnay 2019
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaI haven’t seen this in a while, but it is a fresher, cleaner version than the buttery, nutty 2014. The nose is a mix of green apple and orchard with a whiff of lemon. The attack follows the theme, simple as it is, going forward with bright citrus, green apple, a small amount of mid-palate creaminess, and a tart, clean finish. Perfect for creamy seafood pasta or a bowl of clams and crusty bread.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Lunessence Small Lot Series Chardonnay 2019
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Small Lot Series Chardonnay is the first such release at Lunessence. It comes off a single vineyard in Osoyoos and is aged in French oak (33 percent new and two thirds second fill barrels) for eight months. It has some affinity with the regular chardonnay but with a bit more intensity. While it is aged in oak and goes through partial malolactic fermentation, it has a freshness and citrus, green apple profile to balance the oak ageing, keeping the wine lively. It is a good start but lacks some complexity, though some will take place in the bottle, and some will come with subsequent vintages and experience with the site in the coming years.Prices:| BC | $27.99 | 750ml |
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94PTS
CheckMate Artisanal Winery Fool's Mate Chardonnay 2017
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaTasted twice now, Fool's Mate is a blend of sites, and it is clear 'the sum is greater than its parts' in 2017. The mix is 74 percent Jagged Rock Vineyards, dirt that sits just east of Phantom Creek on the Black Sage Bench. The other sites in play include 11 percent Border Vista Vineyard (Osoyoos), with 5 percent contributions from Sunset Vineyard (Black Sage Bench), and Dekleva and Combret vineyards (Golden Mile Bench). The clones are equally diverse: Dijon 76, Dijon 95, 809, Dekleva, and Combret, and the results are highly encouraging. The elegance and general style is getting better and better: think more ballerina, less tap dancer. It's not Burgundy, and it is not California, but it is all Checkmate and Okanagan, and it has plenty of life ahead. Winemaker Phil McGahan used eight high end Burgundy barrels that were 41 percent new, plus one foudre, and one concrete egg. Expect a cool pear, nectarine affair supported by a savoury mineral undercurrent and a long, silky, saline, smooth finish. At 14.1 percent alcohol, the organic viticulture continues to encourage phenolic ripeness at an earlier stage, allowing for earlier picking and lower alcohols. It also is 66 percent wild fermented, which McGahan claims adds some complexing white noise to the mix. Good value.Prices:| BC | $80.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
CheckMate Artisanal Winery Attack Chardonnay 2017
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAttack has consistently been among the best Checkmate labels every year. It is a co-ferment of Dijon clones and the Dekleva clone from two single-vineyards: Jagged Rock (Black Sage Bench); and Border Vista Vineyard (Osoyoos East Bench). In 2017 it was fermented and aged 16 months in a single, new French oak foudre. It's hard to underestimate the foudre effect that seems to set this wine free, exposing its most alluring beginning with a saline flavour that permeates the wine. The benefits of moving to organic farming are also beginning to come home to roost in 2017. Phenolic ripening is happening sooner, allowing earlier picking, and you guessed, lower alcohol. This edition comes in at 13.9, giving the wine a delicacy that further heightens its outer edges. Sadly, regional wildfires created long periods of smoke that contributed to higher than usual mildew rates, stalling the organic program, although it's been back on track since 2018. It would appear a little less is more in 2017 as Attack begins to settle into itself, becoming more elegant with each passing vintage.Prices:| BC | $115.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
CheckMate Artisanal Winery Little Pawn Chardonnay Barn Vineyard 2017
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLittle Pawn comes off Jagged Rock Vineyards planted 20 years ago on a west-facing plateau at the top of the Black Sage Bench that runs into Okanagan Highlands foothills. Its exposition is west-tilting and warm. The 45/55 clone selection is Dijon 76, and the Dekleva selection is from the home estate. The soil is porous fine-grained sands with little ability to retain moisture. Hence, the bunches are always small, and the flavours intense. The nose is a mix of sagebrush and fennel. The textures are creamy with a floral leesy, citrus and orange flavours with a spicy finish — a rare combination of elegance with power. It is the first time this wine has been 100 percent wild fermented in eight barrels (46 new French oak - all Burgundy coopers).Prices:| BC | $110.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
CheckMate Artisanal Winery Knight's Challenge Chardonnay Sunset Vineyard 2017
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe fourth edition of Knight's Challenge, which comes from Sunset Vineyard on the Black Sage Bench, continues to follow the dictum of site dominating the clones. Elevation changes and east/west row orientations affect the wine's disposition more than its Dijon clones (76 and 95) and the 26-year-old vines. The two distinct blocks that go into this wine allow for separate pick dates to maintain its balance of power and acidity. In 2017 some 67 percent of the wine was naturally occurring, and post ferment, it spends 16 months in French oak (44 percent new). Knight's Challenge is very much an Okanagan chardonnay with herbal, green tea. desert scrub and sagebrush aromas and flavours that run through its round, mineral, spicy base. It is a softer, rounder, easier-drinking version of Checkmate. Drink or hold, it is your choice.Prices:| BC | $85.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Mission Hill Perpetua Chardonnay 2017
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPerpetua is picked off four individual blocks of Dijon clones (clones 76, 96, and 548) in eastern Osoyoos and Naramata Ranch vineyard estates (80% Osoyoos, 20% Naramata), with the latter gaining more presence in the blend over recent years. 2017 looks to be a good year for chardonnay, playing into Perpetua’s increasing elegance, complexity, and intensity in equal measure. It’s an impressive mix of limes and pears with some reduction, a creamy lees underpad, and a mineral complexity in the back end. Impressive and consistent, in 2017 it was aged sur lie for 15 months in French oak, concrete eggs, and stainless steel. High quality.Prices:| BC | $59.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $54.01 | 750ml |
| MB | $50.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Kitsch 11 Barrel Chardonnay 2018
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaJust five years old, these clone 95 chardonnay vines are outdoing themselves, getting the most from the stony, gravel soil of East Kelowna. Showy in a good way, the fruit is ripe and weighty in the mouth with a fine hazelnut, lees, and reductive yeasty undercurrent that mystifies and gives it a complexity to balance its ripe citrus, and baked apple. The oak is ramped up California style, but held in check by a purity of fruit and acidity that sings East Kelowna. This white is fully capable of taming rich food. Impressive in its youth; let’s see how it develops.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Fort Berens White Gold Reserve 2018
Lillooet, British Columbia, CanadaWhite Gold is the top of the line chardonnay at Fort Berens, and it is entirely Lillooet-grown chardonnay from Dry Creek Vineyard. The honeyed, toasted nose is a nod to French oak barrel fermentation and ageing in the same vessels with lees stirring. It's fully ripe, perhaps a bit too ripe for some, although I suspect a wider spectrum of consumers will be fine with style. Look for baked apple and peach, with soft honeyed fruit and moderate acidity. Clean and fresh, you can drink it now. Try this with richer pasta dishes, butter chicken, or freshly cracked crab and drawn butter.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Fort Berens Chardonnay 2019
Lillooet, British Columbia, CanadaIn 2019 Lillooet upped its fruit content to 83 percent, electrified by 17 percent from Riverbend Vineyard in the Similkameen Valley. It’s all whole cluster pressed and fermented 83/17 in stainless steel and French oak. Bright and fresh is the descriptor here, with green apple and lemon curd all vying for your palate’s attention. A perfect match for numerous vegetarian dishes or crab cakes. Well done modern BC chardonnay.Prices:| BC | $20.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Summerhill Pyramid Winery Estate Grown Chardonnay Demeter Certified Biodynamic 2019
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIt is safe to say everything is coming together at Summerhill, as evidenced by the 2019 chardonnay release that is a Demeter certified wine in a much needed redesigned bottle/label package that befits the quality and direction of this winery. The small block of chardonnay vines (2.4 acres) that make up this wine was planted in 2005. The grapes were handpicked and fermented on their native yeast in stainless steel with minimal sulphur inputs. The style is round and soft with a touch of sweet yellow fruit, but otherwise clean and very pleasant on the palate. A little drier version would be a home run, and I hope to see that direction as this wine label evolves over the next five years. Ready to drink and would be perfect with roasted chicken or a spicy tuna sushi roll. Good value.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Tantalus Chardonnay Reserve 2018
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada2018 is the first release of Reserve Chardonnay, and I am impressed. The aim was complexity, always an admirable goal in fine wine, and they can check that off the list. The nose is a mix of green apple, butter, lees, and vanilla with a subtle toasty undercurrent. It is medium-weight with a fresh lemon undercoating, with almonds, toasty vanilla, and creamy, leesy textures on the palate. The fruit comes from a single block of estate vines and spends ten months in French oak. Just a baby, I would age this two to three more years in a bottle to allow it to expand fully. A promising start for this new label — expected release in Spring 2021.Prices:| BC | $49.99 | 750ml |
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14 January 2021
90PTS
Olivier Leflaive Pommard 2014
Pommard, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, FranceThe Leflaive Family has been rooted in Puligny Montrachet since 1717. In the 20th century, Joseph Leflaive steadily acquired parcels of exceptional 1er Cru and Grand Cru vineyards mainly in the village of Puligny-Montrachet, and was one of the precursors of domain bottling, exporting to the States in the early 1930’s. Today, the Maison Olivier Leflaive controls 120 acres of vineyards located mainly in Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet, Meursault and Pommard, and also in Chablis and Côte Chalonnaise. This Pommard comes from multiple parcels spread throughout the appellation, rooted dry clay with an iron, limestone subsoil. This was fermented and aged in new and used oak barrels, and stainless steel. This is a powerful red, now worn beneficially with time, showing forest berries, dark raspberries, chestnut, with ample spicing, and upright, firm-boned, rustic-hewn tannins. The moderate finish is somewhat drying, and making this well-suited to grilled pork or mushrooms. Drink now.Prices:| BC | $105.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Mac Forbes Woori Yallock Pinot Noir 2019
Yarra Valley, Victoria, AustraliaThis year marked the new Villages label from Mac Forbes, highlighting distinctly regional Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays in the Yarra. Woori Yallock is a hilly area based on red volcanic and grey loams, tucked behind the Waramate Hills. This year's Worri Yallock received 10% whole bunches and 14 days on skins over a native ferment, prior to 10 months in older oak. This was bottled unfined and unfiltered. Dark and fragrant plum, black cherry, dusky violets, tobacco floods the stony structure. The palate, though silken, is textured with a fine stony dust, rasping at the sides with finely grippy tannins to a lingering crushed floral finish. Drinking smartly now, and will continue with cellaring.Prices:| BC | $65.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Mac Forbes Yarra Junction Pinot Noir 2019
Yarra Valley, Victoria, AustraliaThis year marked the new Villages label from Mac Forbes, highlighting distinctly regional Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays in the Yarra. These grapes come from east facing vineyards, within a smaller, protected valley that runs from Yarra Junction to Poweltown in the south. The soils are grey loam overtop silt, and grapes here are typically later ripening, with thicker skins and higher acids resulting in powerful, structural wines. This had 25% whole bunch, with 12 days on skins and a native ferment prior to resting 10 months in older oak. It was bottled unfined and unfiltered. Tart and tight, with cranberry, spring rhubarb, finely threaded with long stoney, saline lines. This finishes tartly, with a sarsaparilla twist and a lingering spice.Prices:| BC | $65.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Mac Forbes Pinot Noir 2019
Yarra Valley, Victoria, AustraliaThe screwcap Yarra Valley Pinot Noir is Mac Forbes' overview of the Yarra, a blend of multiple clones and sites. This years' blend sources from fruit from Coldstream, Woori Yallock, Yarra Junction, and Gladysdale vineyards. This was 30% whole bunch, with 2 weeks on skins, native fermented, and with 11 months in older oak before bottling unfined and unfiltered. Pouring a dusky crimson hue, this feels its whole bunchiness, with a tart green swath cutting through wild strawberry, green raspberry, forest moss, sarsaparilla to a lightly spiced, very tart finish. Tannins are very slight, as is the body at 12.5%. Welcomes a brisk chill.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Mac Forbes Villages Coldstream Pinot Noir 2019
Yarra Valley, Victoria, AustraliaThis year marked the new Villages label from Mac Forbes, highlighting distinctly regional Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays in the Yarra. Coldstream lies at the entrance to the Valley, at lower elevation, and based on grey/loam clay soils, with a notable ironstone/mudstone influence. With 5% whole bunch, this spent 16 days on skins through a native ferment, prior to resting 11 months in older oak. It was bottled unfined and unfiltered. Alluringly savoury and saline, with forest berries, fragrant cherries, wild raspberries layered along elongated, fine, structural tannins. Acidity is cranberry tart, and the body is slight.Prices:| BC | $65.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Wolf Blass Maker's Project Pinot Three Reserve Project 2018
Adelaide Hills, Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide, South Australia, AustraliaThe project range is an exploratory, a what’s new, or let’s do something different range of wines from Wolf Blass. The focus is on wines people like to drink, and that’s pretty much what you get with the Makers’ Project Pinot Three. The play is pinot noir, fermented with a percentage of whole berries, and blended with pinot gris and pinot meunier. The result is a mid-weight, pure fruited raspberry and cherry red with just a hint of spice. It was a fun wine we drank with a Margherita pizza. It’s bottled under screwcap and showing a hint of reduction, so splash decant or get it into your glass for a few moments before drinking.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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13 January 2021
88PTS
Fontella Chianti 2018
Tuscany, ItalyFontella Chianti is a classic blend of sangiovese and canaiolo made from grapes grown across the Chianti DOCG region. After a fairly standard stainless steel ferment, it aged three months in large Slavonian oak barrels. The result is a delicious drinking red wine with juicy, red cherry fruit aromas and flavours, round slippery tannins balanced by bits of forest floor, mushrooms and licorice. Simple well made and perfect for a meat pizza, grilled sausages, or a beef-stir fry. Our favourite match is a selection of Chinese take out. Very good valuePrices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $14.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.10 | 750ml |
| QC | $14.95 | 750ml |
| NB | $16.99 | 750ml |
| NS | $18.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
San Valentino Bacaia Sangiovese Superiore 2018
Emilia-Romagna, ItalySan Valentino is a certified organic property owned by the Mascarin family since 1990, and is centered on the hills of Rimini, near the sea. This sangiovese is from 150m, and 12 year old vines, native fermented and aged in stainless and concrete, and rested for up to 10 months in large French wood casks. Teeming with dark plums, cherry, earth, and leather, this has a lovely texture from the site, concrete, and older casks. Acidity is bright, and tannins are supple and lightly grippy, housing this fuller wine to a lingering, rosemary spiced finish. A smart sangiovese, drinking well now and with time ahead.Prices:| ON | $23.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Domini del Leone Veneto Rosso NV
Veneto, ItalyThis organic NV Veneto red blends Corvina, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Raboso into a fresh, charmingly rustic, medium red. Grown on limestone and clay loams, this was fermented in stainless, and aged in a mix of stainless and French oak barrel over one year. Cherry, black plum, dark raspberry floods a juicy palate, bright with acidity, and gripped with fine tannins. Fantastic value, and easy to drink without being dumbed down.Prices:| ON | $16.95 | 750ml |
| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Sesti Grangiovese 2018
Tuscany, ItalyThe Sesti family uses the Sangiovese grapes that don't go into their Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino for this earlier-to-drink medium bodied red. The wine spends one year in medium-sized oak barrels. Savoury black cherry, salted herbs, worked leather are lifted across a bright palate, framed by subtle wood, and finishing with a lingering minerality and toasty spice. Fantastic structure and harmony in this baby Brunello; drinking beautifully now, and great value.Prices:| ON | $28.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Monte del Frà Lena di Mezzo Scarnocchio Amarone del Valpolicella Classico 2015
Verona, Veneto, ItalyElegance is not a word you often use when tasting Amarone, but at Monte del Frà, it is part of the ethos. This introductory Amarone is an 80/20 blend of mostly corvina Veronese with corvinone and rondinella, and the first thing you notice is that it doesn’t overwhelm with power and alcohol. Post-harvest, the grapes rest for 120 days, drying out, concentrating their grape sugars by 28-30 percent depending on the year. Post ferment, the wine spends two years in 20 and 30 hl French barrels, followed by a minimum of six months before bottling and release. Expect a round, spicy nose of dried berry bruit flecked with leather and tobacco. On the palate, earthy, mushroom, black fruit leads, with rich but softish tannins suggesting you can start to enjoy this wine now, but that it will hold through 2034. Think rich flavourful dishes like lamb, venison, mature cheese, and many Asian dishes too.Prices:| BC | $57.99 | 750ml |
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95PTS
Frescobaldi Castelgiocondo Brunello di Montalcino 2015
Tuscany, ItalyCastelGiocondo’s location in Montalcino offers up multiple soils of galestro, clay, and Pleocene sands, on hillsides from 180 - 360m, contributing to this Brunello’s complex nuances. 2015 was an excellent vintage, if on the warm side, but it yielded some terrific bottles with proper care. Castelgiocondo is organically grown; the fruit is handpicked and fermented in stainless steel and aged for five years in oak. Then, it spends another 12 months in the bottle before release. 2015 is undoubtedly one of the finest editions of this wine, from its spicy red and black fruit to its almost luxurious creamy textures and long persistent finish — one for the cellar that will hold through 2030. Excellent value.Prices:| BC | $55.95 | 750ml |
| AB | $55.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $60.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $53.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $50.85 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Tormaresca Trentangeli Castel del Monte 2017
Puglia, ItalyTrentangeli is a 70/20/10 mix of aglianico/cabernet sauvignon/syrah. The nose is an enticing warm, fragrant mix of violets and rich dark fruit. The attack is full bodied and fresh, featuring black raspberry, liquorice streaked with brown spices and dried herbs that finishes with persistence and suppleness. Think lamb osso buco, meaty pizzas, or mushroom pasta.Prices:| BC | $19.49 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Tenute Luce della Vite 25th Anniversary 2017
Montalcino, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyA special bottle was created to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Luce. It sports an inscription by Vittorio Frescobaldi, one of the label's founders, that reads, "Here lies the memory of the vineyard and work, of the earth, the sun, the sound of time and the song of the seasons." It is a huge wine in 2017, still sitting very much within itself. The nose is a savoury, earthy, tobacco affair with ripe red berries poking through a warm, spicy, angular palate full of cassis, olives, and bitter walnut undertones. It is going to require some time in the bottle to settle down and hopefully emerge from the unusual tannin and ruggedly youthful nature. Time will tell. A Super Tuscan blend almost evenly split between merlot and sangiovese, with high potential.Prices:| BC | $119.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $119.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $120.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $120.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Tenuta Luce La Vite Lucente 2018
Tuscany, ItalyLucente is the second wine at Luce, but it’s hardly a second wine. It is also a merlot/sangiovese blend that is stainless steel fermented and aged 12 months in a mix of new and aged French oak barrels. 2018 is an expressive, pure-fruited wine with a bright future. Blackberries and plums line the palate with a light vanilla toasted oak finish. The organically grown fruit is perfectly right, the textures smooth, and finish long and persistent. This label has come a long way over the years. Try this with a grilled steak.Prices:| BC | $35.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $34.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $40.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $34.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $34.10 | 750ml |
| NB | $39.99 | 1500ml |
| NS | $34.95 | 750ml |
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12 January 2021
88PTS
Maison Lorgeril L'Orangeraie Rosé 2019
Cabardès, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceMaison Lorgeril is an independent, family-owned vineyard located on the grounds of the family’s stately home, Château de Pennautier, which was built in 1620 in Languedoc in the heart of Cabardés. With four centuries of history, Nicolas de Lorgeril’s family is one of the oldest winemaking families in France. They began their conversation to organic farming in 2019. This blend of cinsault, grenache, syrah, merlot in the saignée method, with the pale peach hue the result of a few hours skin contact. Savoury and dry, with wild strawberry, young raspberry, rose petals, subtle spice, on a delicate slip of a palate. Finishes refreshing and bright, ready for your poached prawns or spinach salads.Prices:| BC | $15.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Palazzi Monferrato Chiaretto Rosato 2019
Piedmont, ItalyPalazzi Rosato comes with an attractive pink-orange glow that previews a very juicy, fresh 80/20 blend of barbera/pinot nero. The perfect mix of acidity is offset by a dry cherry undercurrent. Perfect for vegetarian selections as well as chicken dishes. You can sense the drinkability factor that is always front and centre with folks at Boutinot, no matter what the wine is. This wine goes through a short pre-fermentation maceration on skins at a low temperature, followed by gentle pressing and fermentation in stainless at low temperatures.Prices:| BC | $16.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Wolf Blass Maker's Project Rosé Free Run 2019
Langhorne Creek, South Australia, AustraliaMakers' Project Rosé is made with free run juice drained directly from the press. Without any pressure on the skins and seeds, you only get pure juice, which tends to be light, vibrant, and quaffable. It is a multi-regional blend that winemaker Marie Clare has managed to make in an unfussed manner, offering fresh strawberry and pomegranate that dance across the palate in search of a charcuterie plate. Bring on spring and summer.Prices:| ON | $16.25 | 750ml |
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88PTS
A Vita Rosato 2019
Calabria, Italy'A Vita is located in Cirò, on the arch of Italy’s boot tip, nestled between the Ionian sea and Sila mountains. Wine has been made from Cirò since the time of the ancient Olympics. Francesco and his wife Laura de Franco moved back to his native Calabria to make wines sustainably after finishing oenology studies. They purchased 4 vineyards and 8 hectares of vines planted in the historic alberello method, with each vine staked independently to allow for maximum air and light flow. This organic rosato is entirely gaglioppo, a grape native to the area, and an offspring of Sangiovese and a cousin to Nerello Mascalese. From a clay / marl soiled vineyard close to the sea and 9 year old vines, these grapes were grapes macerated on skins for 12 hours in stainless steel without temperature control, after which they are not pressed, but drained by gravity. This was native fermented, went through full MLF, and aged 8 months in stainless steel. Pouring a dusky glowing amber hue, this has subtle notes of wild raspberries, cherries, sour apple, scrubby herbs on a fiercely grippy palate. The finish is refreshingly astringent, welcoming pairing with food or solo sipping.Prices:| ON | $30.95 | 750ml |
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95PTS
Gérard Bertrand Clos du Temple Rosé 2019
Cabrières, Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceAt $299.99 a bottle, this rosé will always be controversial, but if I am to be fair, I could say that about many wines from Napa or Bordeaux and wherever folks are reaching for the stars. Nor do I accept that because it is a rosé, it can't be priced like wines that age forever. In the end, it's the quality of the wine that matters, and this is an excellent rosé. Many have complained about the use of oak in rosé but isn't there oak in some Champagnes? Don't some Chablis wines have oak in them, not to mention white Burgundy? Six months in the finest French oak barrels shouldn't be a problem for a rosé from an outstanding piece of dirt with grapes grown biodynamically. Clos du Temple is located on the historical terroir of Cabrières, in the heart of Languedoc, 240 metres above the Mediterranean with a southern/south-western exposure. Its old vines reside at the birthplace of rosé, on an eight-hectare / seven parcel site of schist and limestone. The wine is a blend of grenache, cinsault, syrah, mourvèdre, and viognier. As mentioned, the oak is introduced to help with ageing and allow the wine to handle main course menu items. On the palate, the wine is a study in refinement and grace with intense apricot and peach that stream through a sleek and creamy palate flecked with strawberries and a twist of tangerines and grapefruit pith in the finish. A complex rosé seems like an oxymoron, but this pink is complex and will age. Look out Provence, Gerard is coming for you.Prices:| CDN | $299.99 | 750ml |
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11 January 2021
88PTS
Covert Farms Amicitia 2017
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAmicitia is Latin for friends, an apt name for the 2017 vintage of this friendly red blend. With grapes from the Covert's organic McIntyre Bluff estate, planted between 2006-09, and at 420m, this blends merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, malbec, petit verdot, and syrah into a fuller red. Dusky black and red fruited, with cherry, blackberry, roasted coffee leading the way, and cedar-hewn tannins gripping the sides. The finish cuts a bit short with some bitter cherry notes, but would be mitigated with a root veg or beef stew.Prices:| BC | $30.80 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Fort Berens Meritage Reserve 2018
British Columbia, CanadaThis year's Reserve Meritage is led by merlot, with cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon filling out the rear. Grapes come from Fort Berens' estate vineyards in Lillooet, as well as the Okanagan Valley. Part of the cab franc was apassimento, and the merlot and cab franc utilized 25% whole clusters. Though the cab sauv was cold macerated and given a commercial yeast before heading to American oak, the others were native fermented and aged in French and American oak. Ripe dark cherry, blackberry, plum flood the juicy palate and the soft, plush tannins housing a spicy kirsch kissed finish. Softer and welcoming, this is ready to drink now or over the next couple of years.Prices:| BC | $36.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Fort Berens Meritage 2018
British Columbia, CanadaFrom sourced vineyards in the Okanagan and Similkameen, as well as from their Lillooet estate, this Meritage blends merlot, cabernet sauvignon, and cabernet franc into a plump, ripe, fuller red. After a stainless ferment, this was pressed off into French and American oak for one year. Round and plush blackberry, plum jam is seasoned with baking spices, cedar, and peppercorns. Tannins are soft, and the fruit is forward and direct, leading this to a snappy, warming finish. For current consumption, with a hearty fall stew or French onion soup to match.Prices:| BC | $27.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Clos du Soleil Célestiale 2017
British Columbia, CanadaCélestiale is the little sibling to Clos du Soleil's icon Signature red. Theoretically you can enjoy this one now (signal screwcap) while waiting for Signature to mature. This year blends 38/33/13/13/3 merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, malbec, and petit verdot, from various Similkameen vineyards. Mostly destemmed (some Merlot was fermented whole berry and with stems), this was fermented primarily in concrete, and pressed off into French barrels for 15 months before the final blend. It was bottled unfined. Ripe and dusky black plum, cassis, dark raspberry is seasoned with baking spices, toasted cedar, and cracked pepper on a succulent palate. Tannins are well integrated and balanced by the savoury fruit and Similkameen's wind-swept acidity. Certainly drinking well now, and will continue over the next couple of years.Prices:| BC | $23.90 | 750ml |
| ON | $26.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Covert Farms Amicitia 2017
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAmicitia [am-ee-CHEE-tee-ah] is Latin for friends, and as the years go by, this wine gets friendlier and friendlier. Winemaker Gene Covert blends 42/14/26/9/7/2 organic merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, malbec, petit verdot, and syrah in 2017, all from the Coyote block planted in 2006. The nose is a spicy, minty affair with a fair bit of desert scrub and black fruit. The palate is similar with black cherry, coffee, and some grippy tannins that need to settle down and slip away. It needs a bit of refinement, but it's getting there, and the price is fair.Prices:| BC | $30.80 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Van Westen Vineyards V 2017
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe ninth vintage of V is here. Where does the time go? The 2017 blend is 48/19/17/8/8 merlot, cabernet franc, malbec, cabernet sauvignon, and petit verdot, all grown within two kilometres of the Naramata Bench winery. The nose is vibrant and open with a wide range of savoury red and black fruit. Black raspberry, black cherries, and smoky, meaty notes with a touch of minerality and graphite all contribute to this wine's complexity. The edges are soft, the tannins dense but sweet, allowing those who prefer the hedonistic style to drink this wine earlier. I suggest you wait three to five years before you dive in. Well done.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Van Westen Vineyards Voluptuous 2017
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVoluptuous takes its cue from its name. It is always fun to drink: soft, red, round, never overbearing, and never too dry or tough. In 2017 the mix was 67/33 merlot and cabernet franc from the 15-year-old vines growing in Boothe Vineyard on the Naramata Bench. The nose is black plums, cherries, and licorice, never suppressed by oak. The palate is a carbon copy, with Naramata pine and sagebrush to settle the ripe fruit down. Ribs, spaghetti Bolognese, or simply grilled sausages will work here.Prices:| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Château Haut-Mazieres 2018
FranceThis is a classic Bordeaux blend (65/25/15) of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and cabernet franc that opens with an aromatic nose of cedar, earth, graphite, and florals. The attack is dry with fairly high acidity in the front end, carrying through the wine along with red fruit. Tannins are light, but this needs food to be tolerable at this point. Simple.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Gold Hill Grand Vin Family Reserve Meritage 2016
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Gold Hill Grand Vin is the flagship red blend, mixing cabernet franc, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, and malbec. The nose is fresh with attractive black and red fruit, with vanilla and oak tones underneath. The attack is sweet with milk chocolate and cherries on the palate, which linger through the finish. Showy and hedonistic, this will appeal to those who prefer a bit of sweetness in the red wine, but a Grand Vin needs to be more complex and age worthy. Back to the drawing board. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $64.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Noble Ridge Meritage 2018
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 34 acre Okanagan Falls Vineyard at Noble Ridge is home for this fruit. The mix is 83 percent merlot (clone 118 planted in 1986, and an unknown clone planted in 1999), and 17 percent cabernet sauvignon (also an unknown clone from one of the oldest blocks of cab in the Okanagan, planted in 1986). After a standard, three-day fermentation, it spent 12 months in 20 percent new barrels, 75% French, and 25% American. The result is a good red blend: spicy, savoury, and sporting some good green and desert scrub mixed with black raspberry and cedar. Best now with grilled meats and a decant before serving. Good value.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Mission Hill Family Estate Oculus 2016
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 2016 harvest lasted 76 days at Mission Hill, setting the record for the longest harvest ever on the hill. Moderate summer heat with few, if any, heatwaves created a longer, slower growing season. This allowed phenolic maturity to sync with sugar maturation, the holy grail of vineyard management. It is a very fine Oculus, beginning with its vibrant nose: flush full of Okanagan scents from desert scrub to savoury, floral, black fruit, from berries to currants. The palate is equally measured with dense, sweet, soft tannins built across the palate without overwhelming, before a rush of spice and warmth flood into a youthful finish. It is a 10 year bottle for sure and should easily age another 15 years after that. It will be special. In 2016 the mix was 56 percent merlot with 27/17 split of cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc, all estate-grown in Osoyoos and Oliver in the south Okanagan Valley. It's mostly fermented in small French oak fermenters, but in 2016 a small portion was also fermented in a concrete fermenter to supply a little punch of electricity to the fruit. From here, it spent 27 months in new French oak barriques. Buy and cellar.Prices:| BC | $149.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $150.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Mission Hill Family Estate Oculus 2015
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOculus is an all-Osoyoos affair grown in the warmest, most southern region of the Okanagan Valley. Oculus grapes undergo a fastidious selection in the vineyard long before they get to the winery, and in the warmest years like 2015, it was a must. Even so, 2015 is more of an outlier than normal in style. There was no problem ripening the fruit; the challenge was to protect against raisining, overripe fruit, and high alcohol. Oculus mostly succeeded in 2015, as noted by its 14.5 percent alcohol, but it is more Napa than Bordeaux to use a tired comparison. Rich, round, and ripe, it has intense black plum, black fruit, streaked with cedar and just a hint of savoury desert scrub before a spicy finish. The blend is 58/26/15/ merlot, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc, fermented in small French oak fermenters. Post ferment, it spent 15 months in French oak barriques (21 percent new). The Romans used an oculus in buildings as a window to the outside. At Mission Hill, an oculus provides the only natural light into the underground barrel cellar.Prices:| BC | $149.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $150.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Mission Hill Quatrain 2017
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWinemaker Darryl Brooker has been reshaping Quatrain since the John Sines era by upping the syrah content to give this wine more of a purpose in the Legacy range. In 2017 the blend was 44/25/24/7 blend of syrah, merlot, cabernet franc, and cabernet sauvignon, grown mostly in Osoyoos with a ten percent addition from the Oliver region. It spends 18 months in French oak barrels. Like 2016, there is a spicy, aromatic nose with rich, black fruit and light meaty undercurrents. A smaller crop with higher intensity has given 2017 a power over finesse signature for many, but that savoury spice is more Okanagan than Barossa or Southern France. Should age forever.Prices:| BC | $79.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $79.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $65.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $75.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $75.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Fort Berens Meritage Reserve 2018
British Columbia, CanadaA mix of fruit from the Okanagan Valley and the home Lillooet estate goes into this merlot (57 percent) dominant Meritage blend, with lesser amounts 27/17 of cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon. The franc was dried to intensify the fruit appassimento style. Post ferment, it spends 14 months in French and American oak. It is a richer version of the regular Meritage, and is a bit cleaner, allowing its juicy red/black fruit and spice to break through. Not ready to drink but should be promising down the road. Lamb chops would be a fine match.Prices:| BC | $36.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Fort Berens Meritage 2018
British Columbia, CanadaA mix of fruit from the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys, as well as the home Lillooet estate goes into this merlot, cabernet sauvignon, and cabernet franc blend. The textures are plump, and the fruit is ripe, reminiscent of black raspberry, but all with a bit of reduction throughout, so be sure to splash decant this wine after opening. You can drink this now with any rustic fall dish, from grilled pork to roasted chicken to mature cheeses. I like Treve’s idea of French onion soup as a match.Prices:| BC | $27.99 | 750ml |
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08 January 2021
91PTS
The Holy Trinity Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre 2015
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaThe Holy Trinity is a rich Barossa GSM, and in 2015 saw 38% grenache, 33% shiraz, 25% mourvedre, and a splash of 4% graciano from 50-120-year-old dry-farmed bush vines. Part of the grenache and shiraz were co-fermented, and all was matured in French oak. This 2015 is a current release on this market, allowing you to see a mightly Barossan with some age. Dried and ripe cherry, black and red currant, mulberry, plush plum, fresh fig is streaked with black licorice, worked leather, medicinal dark cherry, and finely rasped baking spices. Tannins are well integrated at this point, the palate is voluminous, and acidity is lofted enough to carry this to a lingering, slightly warming finish. Drinking well now, ideally with lamb.Prices:| BC | $41.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $46.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
St. Hallett Gamekeeper's Shiraz Grenache 2018
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaGamekeeper’s 2018 blends Shiraz (65%), Grenache (26%), and Touriga Nacional (9%) from southern Barossa's red brown loam over shale soils. Though medium/full in the mouth, bright acids keep this fresh, with ripe cherry, red currant, worked leather, roasted root veg, and some brown spices on a compact, spiced palate. Crack and drink now with root veg and/or beef stews.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Natte Valleij Swartland Cinsault 2018
Swartland, Coastal Region, South AfricaYoung winemaker Alex Milner suddenly became very cinsault-centric when a professor told him not to bother reading the cinsault chapter in his textbook because it would be worthless to him. Fast forward from that 2011 conversation to today, and The Natte Valleij Cinsault Collective. Alex set out to find forgotten patches of old Cinsault across the Western Cape, expressing their individualities through low-interference winemaking. These dry farmed bush vines were planted in 1986 on decomposed Malmesbury shale, lying on an eastern facing, morning-sunned slope. This was aged in foudres, with 20% stems (left in the full sun for a day). Powerful and direct, with wild plums, black raspberry, medicinal scented cherry, scrubby wild herbs, and dashes of rock salt flooding the generous (only 12.5%) palate. The structure is firm, though the bones are very fine, drawing this to a lingering finish. Drinking very smartly now, and will continue in your cellar.Prices:| BC | $49.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Natte Valleij Simonsberg Paarl Cinsault 2018
Simonsberg-Paarl, Paarl, Coastal Region, South AfricaYoung winemaker Alex Milner suddenly became very cinsault-centric when a professor told him not to bother reading the cinsault chapter in his textbook because it would be worthless to him. Fast forward from that 2011 conversation to today, and The Natte Valleij Cinsault Collective. Alex set out to find forgotten patches of old vine Cinsault across the Western Cape, expressing their individualities through low-interference winemaking. These bush vines were planted on decomposed granite in 1993, and face northwest in the protection of Simonsberg Mountain. They are the youngest in the Collective, picked early and fermented with 10% stems, and aged in 300L barriques for one year. Such a charmer, with wild raspberry at the fore, led by strawberry jam, spring rhubarb, pink peppercorn, subtle anise running a long, slender frame. Tannins are barely felt, but house this pretty red to a spiced, bitter cherry ending. Drinking smartly now, especially with a chill.Prices:| BC | $49.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Natte Valleij Darling Cinsault 2018
Darling, Coastal Region, South AfricaYoung winemaker Alex Milner suddenly became very cinsault-centric when a professor told him not to bother reading the cinsault chapter in his textbook because it would be worthless to him. Fast forward from that 2011 conversation to today, and The Natte Valleij Cinsault Collective. Alex set out to find forgotten patches of old dryland bush vine cinsault across the Western Cape, expressing their individualities through low-interference winemaking. These 1978 planted bush vines grow in a very isolated block in coastal-influenced Darling, on sloping decomposed granite. This low intervention, lighter, dusky-hued red was fermented in concrete egg. Perfumed wild raspberry, sapid plum, dried rosemary, green leaf, and scrubby herbs flood the sharper palate, lined with sarsaparilla and lifted with gentle acidity. Tannins are fine, guiding this to a pink peppercorn kissed finish. Drinking well now, with a slight chill.Prices:| BC | $49.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Natte Valleij Stellenbosch Cinsault 2018
Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South AfricaYoung winemaker Alex Milner suddenly became very cinsault-centric when a professor told him not to bother reading the cinsault chapter in his textbook because it would be worthless to him. Fast forward from that 2011 conversation to today, and The Natte Valleij Cinsault Collective. Alex set out to find forgotten patches of older Cinsault across the Western Cape, expressing their individualities through low-interference winemaking. This is from old bush vines planted in 1974 in Helderberg Mountain’s sea-facing shadows and decomposed granite soils. This was destemmed into concrete egg, evidenced through its long textural whispers running the length of this slender red. Pouring a lighter, dusky hue, this is lifted with perfumed wild plum, red currant, sour cherry, green edged rhubarb, and seasoned with mustard seed. Tannins are slight, and the finish disappears seamlessly with a whiff of sarsaparilla. Take now with a chill.Prices:| BC | $49.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Viña Ebbrezza Especial Montsant 2018
Montsant, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainEbbrezza Especial is equal parts garnaxta and carignena from a red clay and granite soiled vineyard in Montsant. Dusky, sultry plum, black cherry, boysenberry pie, perfumed violets flood the fleshy, leather-lined palate, cut with a swath of medicinal cassis through to the lingering, stony finish. Tannins are ample, fine and grippy/sticky, as is the alcohol, finishing with a warming baking spice flush. Very much in youth, this will benefit from a couple of years' cellaring.Prices:Read Full Note
88PTS
Domaine du Séminaire Côtes du Rhône 2019
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceThis organically farmed Côtes du Rhone blends 80% grenache with 10% each of syrah and carignan, all grown on clay-limestone soils, and aged in concrete vat for 9 months prior to bottling unfined. Peppery and bright, with dusky plum, wild cherry, thorns on a plump, juicy, high-toned palate. Acidity is fresh, and tannins are appropriately grippy, structuring this ideally for pairing with sausages. Quite charming, and great value.Prices:| ON | $17.45 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Sun & Air Cinsault 2018
Western Cape, South AfricaSun & Air is a South African line from Boutinot, in their ever-expanding reach of affordable, well-made, excellently packed wines from around the globe. This is a youthful and juicy Cinsault from a majority of 65 year old dry farmed bush vines across the Cape. Raspberry, plum, worchestershire, thorny blackberry is streaked with smoke and brightened with crunchy acidity and a peppery finish. Tannins are tucked away, allowing the fruit to rise through. An easy, sausages-ready red; take with a slight chill.Prices:| BC | $14.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Rioja Bordón Tempranillo Reserva 2013
Rioja, SpainThis Rioja Reserva blends 85% tempranillo with garnacha tinta, and mazuelo (aka cariñena), before two year's rest in American oak prior to additional bottle time. Aged perfectly for you, this is ready to drink upon purchase, with layers of worn word, dried paper, dried and fresh cherry, and fine tobacco along a lengthy, slender palate, finishing with mineral salts. Quite elegant, and a lovely opportunity to drink a well aged wine upon purchase.Prices:| BC | $31.99 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.90 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Torres Mas de la Rosa 2017
Priorato, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainMas de la Rosa is one of the hidden valleys of Priorat, a place that historically was one of the first inhabited masias (farmhouses) near Porrera. This is an 80-year-old bush vine field blend of garnacha and carineña, around 500m. The shallow soils are made of broken llicorella. After 8 days of skin contact, this was fermented in small stainless tanks for a week and then into French oak for 16 months' rest. Alluringly savoury and grippy from the start, reflecting the soils, altitude, and gnarly old vines, this opens shyly at first, with perfumed violets, wild plum, wild blackberry, thorns, and an herbal scrub. Tannins are appropriately firm, and the palate has a lovely pure core of fruit. Very much in youth, this finishes with a swell of warmth, though once this wine settles into itself in a couple of years, it will feel effortless. Quite a special wine of place; if you find one of the 2328 bottles produced, grab it.Prices:| BC | $560.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Paxton AAA Shiraz Grenache 2017
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaPaxton is Australia's leading producer of biodynamically farmed grapes, managing 300+ acres of vines across McLaren Vale. This is a brooding, dark and fleshy blend of 60/40 shiraz/grenache, with inky black plum, dusty cocoa, cassis, worked leather, anise, mustard seed flooding the juicy palate. Crack this with grilled root veg or lamb kebobs.Prices:| BC | $24.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
The Stump Jump Red 2017
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaThis easy, entry-level Aussie GSM is from mostly older McLaren Vale vines, basked pressed and with a short time in oak prior to bottling. Light and smoothed on the palate, with milk chocolate, raspberry, underripe red currant, and a cranberry tangy acidity, with hints of eucalyptus and sticky dark cocoa on the warming finish. Short, tart, and quick, partner this with grilled burgers.Prices:| BC | $12.99 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Yangarra High Sands Grenache 2018
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaHigh Sands is Yangarra's Holy Grenache Grail, capturing the essence of their prized old vines. From their McLaren Vale Blewett Springs estate, this biodynamic High Sands block is perched at the top of the ridge, with gnarly old bush vines from 1946 rooted in deep silica sand soils. This was destemmed with 50% whole berry, native fermented, and kept in older French oak for 11 months, prior to bottling without fining. This certainly achieves the trinity of intensity, lightness of being, and structure, with a quiet confidence and nonchalant restraint that lets the finessed purity of this wine shine. Fragrant plum, wild blueberry, sweet wild strawberry, gum tree, and a wash of mineral salts flood the palate, shockingly fresh and finessed for its 14.5%. Tannins are long and lissom, sticky just enough to pin in the fruit to a lingering finish. Though there is a gently ripe sweetness here inherent in grenache, there is a savoury saltiness that rises to match, in the end creating a memorable harmony. Drinking beautifully now, this will certainly continue to hold in your cellar over the next few years.Prices:| BC | $100.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Thistledown Wine Company Gorgeous Grenache 2020
AustraliaThis grenache is sourced from various older vineyards across Riverland and McLaren Vale, some of which are gnarly old bush vine. Each vineyard was native vinified separately, with partial whole bunch. The blend was rested in larger oak and bottled without filtration or fining. Ripe and juicy on the fuller palate, with bright plum, downy blackberry, perfumed strawberry, red and black liquorice, and heaps of fine peppery spice. Tannins are supple and smoothed, guiding this to a gripped finish. Ready to crack and drink now, with roasted beets and/or sweet shellacked ribs.Prices:| BC | $36.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Envínate Albahra 2017
Castilla-La Mancha, SpainEnvínate (aka wine-yourself) is the brainchild of Laura Ramos, Jose Martínez, Roberto Santana and Alfonso Torrente, four friends who met while studying oenology at the University of Miguel Hernández in Alicante. Their work is focused on exploring the ancient, Atlantic-infused terruños of Ribeira Sacra, Canary Islands, Extremadura and Almansa. Their philosophy is simple: let each single parcel express itself through low-intervention farming and winemaking. Albahra is Castilian for small sea, and named for the vineyard area in the Alamansa region, tucked into the southeastern corner of Castilla-La Mancha, bordering the neighbour appellations of Jumilla and Yecla. This blends 70% Garnacha Tintorera (aka the teinturier Alicante Bouschet) and 30% Moravia Agria (a local grape with only 50ha remaining), with grapes sourced from 25 year old vines rooted at 800m on chalky clay soils. This was 40% whole bunch fermented in large concrete tanks, where it remained for 8 months prior to bottling unfined and unfiltered. Pouring a paler, cloudy hue, this opens with waves of reduction leading to dusky plum, medicinal-kissed cherry, wild raspberry, and ample scrubby herbs. The medium bodied palate is nervy with acidity, and pinned with grippy / sticky tannins, guiding this to a saline finish. An alluring, intriguing wine, best taken with a slight chill, and possibly a platter of choice charcuterie.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Yalumba Samuel's Collection Barossa Grenache Shiraz Mataro 2016
Barossa Valley, South Australia, AustraliaThe grenache, shiraz, and mataro were sourced across Barossa, and native fermented separately in a mix of oak vats and stainless, before blending and resting for 11 months in French, Hungarian, and American oak hogsheads (13% new). Boysenberry jam, plush raspberry, spiced cherry floods the juicy palate, with a brace of tight spices and softer tannins to guide this to a snappy finish. At 13.5%, this is quite a fresh, welcoming take on Barossa GSM, approachable now, ideally with grilled chicken or pork.Prices:| BC | $25.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Testalonga Baby Bandito Follow Your Dreams 2019
Swartland, Coastal Region, South AfricaFrom the Swartland's decomposed granite soils, this was a single bush vine plot of carignan, planted in 2001 at 220m, and farmed organically. As is Craig's way, this was entirely whole bunch, crushed, and native fermented before going into 2 old foudre where it remained until bottling without fining. Fragrant darting cherry, wild plum, wild raspberry run the fresh, bright palate. Tannins are stencilled fine, ideally structuring this svelte wine through a lingering spiced, saline finish. Such a charmer, especially with a slight chill.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $80.00 | 1500ml |
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07 January 2021
88PTS
Spier Seaward Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Coastal Region, South AfricaWe were impressed with 2017, and 2018 is as good or better. Spier strives for fruit purity in its wines, never an easy task at this price point, but they seem to pull it off with aplomb. Nothing is pressing about this wine. It simply measured clean and balanced and as good as it gets for less than $20 from this grape variety. It's more European than New World, with less fat and oak, and more style and elegance. Look for moderate amounts of blackcurrant and black cherries, with a dusting of cedar and oak. It is ready to drink and perfect with any barbecued meat, stir fry, or pizza.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Covert Farms Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Reserve 2018
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPlanted in 2006 in the Coyote Block of their organic McIntyre Bluff estate at 420m, this was fermented with daily punch-overs over a month prior to 20 months in French oak. Compact and dense with dark cherry, dark chocolate, baked plums, and leather coating the muscular palate. Tannins are rustic hewn and grippy to the bitter cherry finish. Very young and tight now, best taken with root veg and/or beef stew.Prices:| BC | $63.80 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Luke Wines Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington, United StatesThe 2017 edition of Luke Cab comes in at 96 percent cabernet sauvignon, with a drop of petit verdot and malbec. It is a definite upgrade over 2016, and while wildfire smoke was a problem across parts of Washington, I did not find it to be much of an issue with this label. There is more intensity of aromas and flavours in 2017, led by a more Washington like nose of black cherries and dark chocolate. It presents with a little more weight and more chocolate, coffee, and black fruit on the palate. Smooth and easy-sipping, you can get into this wine, especially with a favourite grilled entrée.Prices:| BC | $43.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Luke Wines Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley, Washington, United States77 percent of this wine is cabernet sauvignon, blended with merlot, malbec, petit verdot, and cabernet franc. The nose is a muddle of French and American oak, and the palate, while full of dark berry fruit and a combination of caramel and molasses, is a little shy on weight and the power you might expect from Washington cabernet. The good news is the tannins are supple, and you can drink it now.Prices:| BC | $43.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Covert Farms Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Reserve 2018
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis certified organic cabernet sauvignon comes off the Coyote Block of the Covert family 650-acre estate, planted in 2006 in Oliver. The ferment is 26 days long in open-top fermenters. The result is a ripe, dark fruited, dark chocolate cabernet with a touch of cedar, leather, and brown spice, with moderate but refreshing acidity. Best to hold for three to five years, or serve now with roast lamb.Prices:| BC | $63.80 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Moon Curser Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSourced from Fernandes Vineyard on the Osoyoos East Bench, the fruit is sorted and destemmed for whole berry fermentation in stainless steel fermenters. This is a youthful cabernet sauvignon, with the best still yet to come. The blackcurrant and blackberry is juicy on the palate but really started to emerge on the second day the bottle was open, with a nice, complementary spiciness from the oak (33% new François Frères barrels). The tannins are a bit hard right now but should soften nicely after another 2-3 years in the bottle, and bring everything into balance. Some pyrazine character would add another dimension. Only 275 cases produced.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
LaStella La Sophia 2017
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis is an enticing small lot cabernet sauvignon whose style was founded on the savoury gems of Bolgheri and Maremma, Italy. The savoury part is easy in the south Okanagan. The round tannins are more of a challenge for this late-ripening variety. Still, winemaker/winegrower Severine Pinte has a handle on this wine's texture that presents as round, warm, spicy, and very Bolgheri. The fruit comes off mostly plus 30-year-old vines with others that date back to the 1980s and the late 70s. Just a baby, but it will be even better down the road.Prices:| BC | $89.90 | 750ml |
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84PTS
Condor Peak Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Mendoza, ArgentinaLight savoury minty notes mark the nose of this otherwise quiet Argentine cabernet. The attack is soft, with a mix of milk chocolate, oak, and cassis that finishes on the sweet side. An easy-drinking red that is ready to go.Prices:| BC | $14.99 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Torres Mas La Plana 2016
Penedès, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainThis iconic Spanish wine has been in the spotlight since the 1979 Paris Judgement (The Wine Olympics) when the 1970 Mas La Plana beat out Bordeaux for the Cab Crown. From deep, limestone-rich soils in Alt Penedès, Catalunya, this was destemmed, fermented in stainless and oak foudres, with a gentle extraction. This spent 18 months in French oak (65% new) barrels. Though the wood and cab's structure is firmly felt, the juicy, mouth-watering core dominates this wine, with fleshy black cherry, graphite, dried florals, tobacco, and waves of fine grained savoury spice texturing the whole through to the lingering finish. Very well integrated now; drink or cellar for the next 5 years or so.Prices:| BC | $65.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $62.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $56.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $57.00 | 750ml |
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82PTS
Chateau St. Jean Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Sonoma County, California, United StatesThis sweeter Sonoma cab is filled with raspberry jam, candied cherry, and toasted oak, with swirls of sweet mocha on the short finish. Tannins are somewhat pasty, cushy and soft, as is the palate. Definitely a wine of style (soft, sweet red) than of grape, or place.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $17.59 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.45 | 750ml |
| NB | $22.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Arboleda Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Valle de Aconcagua, Region de Aconcagua, ChileThis Aconcagua cabernet was fermented in stainless before heading to French barrels for 14 months (30% new). Super green and pyrazine-led, with green branch, ample smoke, toasted cedar clouding some muddled red fruits underneath. The alcohol is warming beyond its declared 13.5%. This needs fire-grilled meats to match.Prices:| BC | $29.77 | 750ml |
| ON | $19.95 | 750ml |
| NS | $22.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Ringbolt Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Margaret River, Western Australia, AustraliaFrom the west coastal cooled Margaret River, this is an entry-level cabernet sauvignon showing off its cooler-climate structure. This was aged for 11 months in American oak barriques (8% new) and older American and French oak barriques and hogsheads. Ripe, dense cassis is cut with cooling eucalyptus on the fleshy palate, one housed with toasted, somewhat sticky tannins. The finish is tight and bright, with a lingering mint/mocha note. Crack and take this plush, fresh red with grilled and sauced ribs.Prices:| BC | $22.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $24.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $25.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Knights Valley, Sonoma County, California, United StatesBeringer has used the Knights Valley designation since 1974, well ahead of it being officially designated as an AVA in 1983. Labelled as a single variety cabernet sauvignon, Beringer champions this as a Bordeaux blend with 8% merlot, 5% cabernet franc, and 1% petit verdot. It shows ripe blackberry fruit, fig, dried herbs, and integrated sweet-spiced oak after ageing for 20 months in French wood (27% new). Medium-full bodied and quite linear, it lacks some concentration and fruit density on the midpalate, finishing with youthful fine-grained tannins. Nicely balanced.Prices:| BC | $46.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $47.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $35.50 | 750ml |
| MB | $47.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $45.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $37.10 | 750ml |
| NL | $49.98 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Black Label 2014
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaWynns' Black Label cabernet sauvignon is a classic label, which has steadily (and deservedly) gone up in price over the last several years. It has a classic Coonawarra nose of fresh blackcurrant, dusty earth, and dried mint, with a light touch of oak firmly in the background. Some tertiary notes are just starting to emerge at six years of age, though the tannins still have a slight grip to the finish. It's drinking well now, but these are wines that will age gracefully for years if you let them, thanks to their combination of structure and elegance.Prices:| BC | $34.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $23.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Hussonet Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileIt’s been years since we have seen this wine, and as you might expect, it has shed some of its rustic stylings and added more ripeness and more refined texture. On the nose, look for savoury bay leaf with sappy cassis and smoky, licorice notes. The attack opens up with menthol, resin, more cassis, and cedar, with pure red fruit poking through from underneath. As mentioned, the structure is so much better today. A solid offering and one perfect for a mid-week steak or beef taco.Prices:| BC | $19.90 | 750ml |
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06 January 2021
88PTS
Fort Berens Cabernet Franc Reserve 2018
British Columbia, CanadaThere's no indication where the grapes come from for this Reserve Cab Franc, but it is appellated BC VQA, leading one to believe grapes were sourced from across BC (including their Lillooet estate?) Partial whole cluster, this was native fermented, and then aged in wood for 14 months. Cedar-framed dark cherry, black raspberry rides a smoothed medium+ palate, with hearty doses of sweet spices, sarsaparilla, and a savoury rusticity to season through the shorter finish. Typical BC cab franc, though that's as far as typicity goes. I wish there was more transparency here, especially for a 'Reserve' tier.Prices:| BC | $36.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Fort Berens Cabernet Franc 2018
Lillooet, British Columbia, CanadaThere's a lot going on in this dusky, ripe cab franc, with grapes partially from their Lillooet estate's Dry Creek Vineyard, and the rest from elsewhere in BC. Partial whole cluster, this was native fermented prior to aging in French and American barrels. Ripe plum, blackberry jam, mulberries and ample toasty spice fill a suave palate, with soft tannins hugging the silky fruit to a musk perfumed finish. As mentioned, there's a lot going on here, and a little bit too much. Crack and drink now with grilled burgers or kabobs.Prices:| BC | $28.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Van Westen Vineyards Vulture 2017
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA good follow up to the outstanding 2016 but not quite in the same class. There are plenty of savoury notes in this fully ripe franc, offering sweet blueberry aroma and a fair amount of oak. The palate is a mix of smoky black fruits with a peppery and savoury undercurrent and just a hint of acidity. Longer and softer than 2016, not quite as chiselled, this will be ready to drink in the near term (three to five years). To be reassessed in two years to see how it's developing in bottle.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Gold Hill Cabernet Franc 2016
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis is a high octane cabernet franc that shows concentrated, jammy fruit with pungent dried herbs. The extended hang time seems to have concentrated some of the green characters, suggesting some raisining on the vine (similar to an appassimento-style wine). The fruit intensity allows the wine to carry the oak, with the high alcohol easily giving the palate a suave, glycerous character. It's a love it or hate it style, and arguably few do it better than Gold Hill in the Okanagan.Prices:| BC | $34.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Poplar Grove Cabernet Franc 2017
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPoplar Grove is beginning to hit its stride with this cabernet franc. It’s been the little tweaks but important ones along the way as it goes from a soupy savoury midpalate to a more structured wine with dense sweet tannins toning down some of its hedonistic flare. The result is just enough structure to allow multiple layers of flavours featuring black plums and cold tea with a mocha wisp upping its complexity quotient. It spends 21 months in about one-third new French oak and gets another full year in bottle to rest at the winery. You can drink this now, but more time will only benefit its final picture.Prices:| BC | $37.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Fort Berens Cabernet Franc Reserve 2018
British Columbia, CanadaLabelled as BC VQA, suggesting this is a multi-regional blend, Fort Berens' Reserve Cabernet Franc shows more obvious oak than its entry-level sibling and doesn't quite have the same charm as a result. A combination of dill and smoke obscures some of the fruit and varietal character. There's also a notch more ripeness and extraction, giving this a bold character that calls for a charcoal-grilled steak. Best after another 1-2 years.Prices:| BC | $36.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Fort Berens Cabernet Franc 2018
Lillooet, British Columbia, CanadaPredominantly from Fort Berens' Dry Creek Vineyard in Lillooet, this underwent partial whole cluster fermentation, which works nicely here. The fruit is juicy and shows real freshness, complemented by spicy herbs and subtle oak influence from ageing in French and American barriques. It retains cabernet franc's appealing savoury aromatics, which can be lost in the chase for ripeness. It's a quaffable style with negligible tannins, and is not trying to be something it's not. And that's part of its charm.Prices:| BC | $28.99 | 750ml |
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04 January 2021
90PTS
Clos du Soleil Capella 2019
British Columbia, CanadaTight, zesty, and intense, this Bordeaux-inspired white blends 83% sauvignon blanc (from Keremeos) and 17% sémillon (oliver). After a whole bunch press, the lots were partial native fermented in barrel (82% French puncheons, 18% stainless), and partial MLF before aging on lees with bâtonnage for nine months. Passionfruit, orange, guava, grapefruit jockey for pole position, all braced with zesty lemony acidity, and scented with scrubby desert herbs. A fresh, powerful style.Prices:| BC | $24.90 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Condor Peak Sauvignon Blanc 2019
Mendoza, ArgentinaClean, crisp, and bright, with shining lemon, greengage, green apple, lemon pith ruling the slender palate. This has a welcome fine layer of lees to offer the fresh acidity, finishing with a snappy, lip-smacking finish. Simple, but well made, and quite smart.Prices:| BC | $11.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Domaine de la Chaise Touraine Chenonceaux Blanc 2018
Touraine, Loire, FranceIf you are a fan of sauvignon blanc, look for Domaine de la Chaise Touraine Chenonceaux. For six generations, the Davault family has been farming at Domaine de la Chaise and its 57 hectares of hillsides at Saint Georges sur Cher. They make a perfect style of sauvignon, fresh and ripe, dare I say almost New World, until you taste the balance, persistence, and intensity that firmly brings you back to the Loire. The nose is a mix of pineapple, passion fruit, and lemongrass. The palate is rich but lively with the perfect touch of bitterness (guava) and a mineral twist. A lovely wine at a terrific price, and it's sold in 38 BCLDB stores.Prices:| BC | $26.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Clos du Soleil Capella 2019
British Columbia, CanadaInitially quite youthful with a whiff of sulphur dioxide, this quickly opens up after a whirl through the decanter. Like the 2018 vintage before it, the story here is still about restraint and place. This 83/17 blend of sauvignon blanc and semillon is largely wild fermented in French oak puncheons and stainless steel barrels. However, the oak is less about flavour and more about texture. This is crisp and bright, but the oak brings some richness to the mid-palate with sur lie aging for nine months. It's quite salty and mineral-driven, but also not shy on fruit. It's predominantly citrus-fruited, but it's also fleshed out by some riper passion fruit notes, too. A moreish, delicious wine at an unbeatable price. Highly recommended.Prices:| BC | $24.90 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Cirro Sauvignon Blanc 2019
Marlborough, South Island, New ZealandThis label remains consistent for Cirro and Kiwi SB out of Marlborough. The nose is intense, led by grapefruit rind, passionfruit, and citrus in a juicy, assertive, ripe palate. The mid-palate follows form with a whack of jalapeno pepper spicing before a crisp finish. Classic Marlborough with its pungent, herbaceous undercurrent. Drink now; best with shellfish or fresh cheeses.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
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February 2021