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Tastings: January 2023
31 January 2023
88PTS
J. M. Sohler Crémant d'Alsace Brut Rosé NV
Alsace, FranceSituated 30 km southwest of Strasbourg, J.M. Sohler is a boutique estate family producer nestled in the hamlet of Blienschwiller. This rosé comes entirely from Pinot Noir, and was gently whole bunch pressed before resting on lees until the following spring, when it heads to the bottle and a minimum 24 months rest on lees. This was disgorged to order, though the base year and disgorge date is not shown on the label. Ripe strawberry, cherry, mandarin rules the silken palate, with fine bubbles, and finer spicing through a brief, bitter kissed finish.Prices:| ON | $31.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Cune Cava Brut NV
Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, Penedès, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainBack in the 19th Century, Rioja's CVNE produced consistent quantities of sparkling wine to fill the void for Champagne, ravaged by phylloxera. Although the company evolved into being still wine focused, they continued with Cune Cava Brut representing a return to the future. This xarel·lo, macabeo and parellada blend is flush with doughy lees and red apple, and laced with tight salty lashes of lemon, holding in the sides of this generous Cava through the snappy, saline washed finish.Prices:| BC | $23.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Marqués de Monistrol Seleccion Especial Cava Rosé Brut 2023
SpainMarqués de Monistrol has been making Cava for more than 100 years at Sant Sadurní D'Anoia. This floral / flamingo (??) labelled Cava blends 70% monastrell and 30% pinot noir. A vibrant pink hue, this Cava carries sweet salami, red currants, red apple across a tight, zesty palate, finishing with a snap. Best well chilled, with protein-based tapas.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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27 January 2023
91PTS
Torres Purgatori 2020
Costers del Segre, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainMiguel Torres Jr. spearheaded this Costers Del Segre project. While touring the region, one particular low-production vineyard caught his eye and lit the spark in this wine. A historic estate in the heart of Les Garrigues (Lleida) with excellent conditions for growing wine. 200+ hectares of organic vineyards stand at three different altitudes across loamy, poor, deep, well-drained soils with a high calcium carbonate content. On the site, they found an ancient building adorned with the shield of the Abbey of Monserrat; monks sent bad monks to this area to grow olives and vineyards. Hence, the wine was named Purgatori. This abandoned vineyard is extreme farming: "very, very dry farmed." This blend of cariñena, garnacha, syrah, and a small percentage of two ancestral varieties (gonfaus, moneu) was fermented in stainless and aged in a French barrel for 18 months (30% new). Dense, concentrated, and wild, with black fruit, pipe tobacco, and ground espresso along a surprisingly supple palate, lined with plush silks and encased with ripe tannins. Dusky violets perfume the big red, lifted with subtle, easy acidity through a spiced finish. Drinking well now and with time ahead. Think lamb/root veg.Prices:| BC | $57.99 | 750ml |
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85PTS
Vignerons l'Enclave La Résistance 2020
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceThis blend of organic Grenache and Syrah is from chalky-clay soils, fermented and rested briefly in stainless. It was made without any added sulphur. Bitter and tart, with short tight red fruit and a pasty, short finish, with soft tannins. Great aims, but needs some direction. Best taken now with a light chill.Prices:| QC | $17.60 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Château Beauchene Grande Réserve Côtes du Rhône 2020
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceFrom plots around the château, replanted around 15 years ago in the region's limestone clays, this blends 35% syrah, 30% grenache, 23% mourvèdre, 8% marselan, and 4% carignan. It was fermented and aged up to 1 year in stainless. Crushed raspberries, strawberries flood the juicy, cushy palate of this CdR, with ample stony underlay, and finely grippy tannins bracing the full, yet fresh red to a spiced violet finish. Drinking smartly now, ideally with roast pork / mushrooms.Prices:Read Full Note
92PTS
Domaine Font de Notre Dame Côtes du Rhône 2020
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceBased at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail, Domaine Font de Notre Dame is run by two brothers, Frédéric and Boris Roux. They produce only red wines from their 30 hectares of vineyards, which are spread over five southern Rhône appellations. This Côtes du Rhône blends sustainably farmed 60% grenache, 30% syrah, and 10% carignan from vineyards in Sablet and Séguret, as well as Roquemaure. It was vinified and aged in concrete vat. An alluring fragrant wild raspberry, boysenberry, and cherry open this medium red, laced with bright limestone-laced acidity, scented with scrubby garrigue herbs, and bound by long, fine tannins through a saline finish. Lovely purity and freshness here, drinking beautifully now and over the next few years easy.Prices:Read Full Note
87PTS
M. Chapoutier Collection Bio Côtes du Rhône 2020
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceThis organic red blends 55% Grenache, 45% Syrah into a pleasant, ripe, and soft entry CdR, with crushed plum, dark raspberry, on a soft, dusky palate, lined with crushed stones and hugged with sticky tannins to a shorter, spiced finish. One to crack with a hearty stew.Prices:| QC | $19.35 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Domaine Montmartel Côtes du Rhône 2021
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceDomaine Montmartel has been family owned and operated since 1919, with their hillside vineyards farmed organically. This blend of grenache, syrah, and carignan average 20 years vine age, and come off the calcareous clays of the southern Rhône. Destemmed fruit was native fermented and rested in stainless. Tight and tart black cherry, plum, raspberry lead a soft palate, with fine herbs and spices, and sticky, plumped tannins to frame. The finish lingers with powdery dark cocoa. A simple, straight CdR for stews and enjoying now.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
| QC | $17.35 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Anciano 35-Year Old Vines Garnacha 2020
Calatayud, Aragon, SpainThese garnacha vines, aged 35 years, come from Calatayud's chalk / clay soils at 600-900m. After destemming and a short maceration, the wine was aged in American and French oak for 4 months. Ripe and dried plum, raspberry leather, worked leather fill a juicy full-bodied palate, with softly sticky tannins taking this to a medicinal-edged end. Fantastic value here, and one to think of with roast veg / lamb.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Finca La Montesa 2018
Rioja, SpainTasted twice in the last 60 days, La Montesa is the vision of winemaker Alvaro Palacios. It takes its name from a hillside vineyard on the northeastern slope of the Yerga mountain in eastern Rioja. Alvaro, as only he could, describes the wine as "flowing wide in the mouth and possessing the wild strength of the mountain from which the wine hails." For a mountain wine, it is impressively balanced. Finesse best describes the style: silky, vibrant, red fruited, complete with exotic notes of orange and spicy, savoury notes. The garnacha/tempranillo blend is field selected and sorted at the winery, fermented separately in stainless steel tanks for spontaneous alcoholic and malolactic fermentation. After a 35-day maceration, it was aged 12 months in new and used French (90 percent) and American oak barrels. I'd recommend La Montesa with lighter fare, such as chicken, turkey, or a piece of Manchego cheese.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $32.85 | 750ml |
| QC | $20.85 | 750ml |
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25 January 2023
89PTS
Clos du Soleil Fumé Blanc 2021
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis sauvignon blanc (61%) and sémillon (39%) blend shows off a charming fresh nose bursting with zesty citrus, savoury green olives, and sauvignon’s hallmark herbal grassiness. It’s light and crisp on the palate, but there’s also a subtle creamy waxiness, contributed by the sémillon and lees ageing. It’ll do well with any seafood dish.Prices:| BC | $23.90 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Clos du Soleil Fumé Blanc 2021
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis sauvignon blanc-sémillion blend is sourced from three vineyards across the Similkameen and Okanagan. It's all about finesse and restraint, two hallmarks of winemaker Michael Clark. With just 12.7% declared abv, this offers an enticing nose of green fruits, white grapefruit, and fresh herbs, backed by the saline minerality of the Similkameen. A delicate touch of wood is firmly in the background, earning it the Fume Blanc title, but really this is about place more than anything else, with a beautiful energy and tension that carries the textured finish.Prices:| BC | $23.90 | 750ml |
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23 January 2023
90PTS
Errazuriz Shiraz La Cumbre 2017
Valle de Aconcagua, Region de Aconcagua, ChileLa Cumbre is a selection of top plots from across Viña Errazuriz' holdings in Aconcagua, including the iconic Don Max estate. This aged 20 months in French oak. Teeming with dark florals, dark berries, tobacco, roast coffee, and subtle peppercorns, this savoury, full bodied and textural red carries an inherent green freshness, aided by elevated vineyards. Tannins are ample and chewy, though well absorbed into the density of fruit. One to decant, and serve with grilled beef.Prices:| ON | $90.75 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Hester Creek Syrah 2020
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSlightly shy on the nose, this shows more earthy, spicy notes at first, but later reveals floral fragrances and cracked black pepper. Generous red and dark fruit on the palate is nicely balanced by the bright acidity and tight-knit tannins. A fairly long finish with lingering savoury notes is a bonus. Enjoyable now but also suitable to keep for a few years.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $29.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Stag's Hollow Renaissance Syrah Amalia Vineyard 2020
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis single vineyard syrah shows pretty, fragrant florals blended with spicy black pepper notes, an unexpected nose for syrah made with fruit grown in Osoyoos. It’s not a heavily extracted syrah, but light and bright, with the right amount of dry extracts and chewy tannins along with fresh acidity to frame the vibrant red berry fruits. An enjoyable BC syrah.Prices:| BC | $42.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Scorched Earth Reserve Syrah 2016
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis 2016 syrah from Black Sage Bench grapes spent 22 months in barrel and 20 months in bottle prior to release. It’s more of an Old World style syrah that shows a lifted nose of wild red and black berries and a savoury, gamey character layered with evolved woodsy notes and forest floor. With 14.5% abv declared, it surprisingly doesn’t feel heavy on the palate, rather airy and sleek, but at the same time, brooding and meaty.Prices:| BC | $39.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Ferraton Père & Fils Calendes Crozes-Hermitage 2020
Crozes Hermitage, Northern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceThe Ferraton family have been winemakers for generations, and the estate was converted to biodynamic practices by Michel Chapoutier. This syrah comes from the area of Mercuroland Beaumont-Monteux and its pebbled, stony gravels. It was destemmed and fermented in stainless prior to aging in large oak barrels for 8 months. Savoury and wild, this medium+ red is very complete, with black cherry, black plum, scrubby herbs and cracked pepper, wrapped with fine, grippy tannins and finishing with stony spices. Lovely layers of depth, and drinking very smartly now.Prices:| QC | $30.25 | 750ml |
| BC | $35.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Hester Creek Syrah 2020
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis syrah is a dependable go to year after year, and the 2020 vintage is no different. It opens with bold fruit, showing a combination of dark cherry and brambles, along with rich, toasted spices and dried herbs. It's quintessential South Okanagan syrah, framed by generous American and French oak, with estate fruit from the Golden Mile Bench combined with grower fruit from Oliver and Osoyoos.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $29.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Stag's Hollow Renaissance Syrah Amalia Vineyard 2020
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis syrah is sourced from Amalia Vineyard on the Osoyoos West Bench, with a 5 percent dollop of viognier from Upland Vineyard in Penticton. It's a lighter, juicier expression of syrah, with bright wild berries, fresh violets, and delicate spice. It's more about the purity of fruit than depth or power, with present acidity that will pair well with tomato-based pasta dishes.Prices:| BC | $42.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Scorched Earth Reserve Syrah 2016
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSourced from the Black Sage Bench, this 2016 Reserve Syrah is a current release from Scorched Earth, a new-to-me winery in Kelowna. It's drinking at a lovely spot, benefiting from the time in bottle, with a generous nose of macerated blackberries, sagebrush, and savoury spices. There's a beautiful balance between ripeness and freshness, a hallmark of the 2016 vintage, but with a polish and thoughtfulness to the winemaking that takes this to another level. A project to watch, clearly.Prices:| BC | $39.95 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Stag's Hollow Syrah 2020
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis syrah has quite a unique, unexpected initial nose of banana and bubblegum, reminiscent of Beaujolais Nouveau as opposed to that of a typical syrah. Floral notes and peppery spices come later in the glass. Light and fresh on the palate, this cherry and raspberry red is uncomplicated with supple tannins. It can be enjoyed slightly chilled.Prices:| BC | $27.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Pentâge Winery Syrah 2017
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis savoury syrah shows a woodsy nose complemented by lifted cherry fruit, leading to a fresh, red-fruited palate that's impressively silky. Enjoy this with a light chill alongside pork carnitas.Prices:| BC | $24.35 | 750ml |
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20 January 2023
95PTS
Martin's Lane Zenith Single Block Collection Pinot Noir 2019
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaZenith is the first single-block wine to come out of Martin’s Lane, and it's located inside Naramata Ranch at precisely 49.66° N and -119.631° W. It’s a rugged high-altitude site at 550 metres, that is as complex as the wine. The winery describes the wine as “rooted in calculation, alchemy and abstract expression.” It is a unique beginning with its opulent earthy bent, and wild berry nose. It is all 667 clones yielding a darker-coloured pinot with bright floral overtones and intense black cherry. Think of the Okanagan on steroids. The texture tells the story, so long, silky and layered that winemaker Munn says it “is a result of high altitude, precision viticulture and gravity flow.” The fruit is grown organically and was certified as of the 2020 vintage. The limited-release, single-block offering comes from eight select barrels and is sold in 3-bottle lots at $375 to club members.Prices:| BC | $125.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Martin's Lane Dehart Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSet high above Lake Okanagan facing west into the setting sun, Dehart Vineyard in East Kelowna was eleven years old in 2019. It is planted to clone 777 and a smaller amount of 667 that are all co-fermented in concrete with up to 60 percent whole bunches over 32 days. Gentle, gentle, gentle remains the mantra, and while hardly a shy pinot, it is among the most delicate made at Martin’s Lane. It tends to be a bit reductive when opened, offering up a mix of earthy floral red blossoms, so give it plenty of time in the decanter if you are drinking it now. It is mouth filling but silky on the palate, offering refinement and polish throughout. 2019 is the first year it is certified organic, resulting in quicker healthy ferments and more complex flavours. At 13.2 percent alcohol, this is a delicious drop of pinot noir that will age well into 2028.Prices:| BC | $100.00 | 750ml |
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96PTS
Martin's Lane Simes Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOf all the Martin’s Lane pinots, Simes Vineyard is the darkest colour despite coming off a cooler, steep, north-facing vineyard in East Kelowna. The soils are granite-based over fine silt, situated only a few kilometres south of the 50°N mark. The northern aspect adds a rare distinction to this site that remains cool even as climate change is warming up the world. There are three blocks within the vineyard, and a mix of clones: 943, 667, 777, 114, and 115, but in 2019 only the 667 from two blocks made it to the finished wine. After a long slow maturation, the fruit was picked on September 21; it was natively fermented using 70 percent whole bunches for 32 days before spending 17 months in extra tight-grain Austrian oak. The cool site only serves to intensify its dark fruit. At the same time, winemaker Munn’s mastery of doing as little as possible at the crush pad and throughout the winemaking has yielded ultra-silky textures and terrific length. It will be interesting to see how this wine is received at Oregon’s International Pinot Noir Celebration this summer when Martin’s Lane takes the stage. This wine takes me to Central Otago and is one to cellar.Prices:| BC | $100.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Martin's Lane Fritzi’s Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019
West Kelowna, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFritzi's Vineyard is a compact vineyard that sits at the base of Mt. Boucherie in West Kelowna, on a former conical volcano created 60 million years ago. It faces southeast, 417 metres above Okanagan Lake, exposed to the gentle morning sun and well-protected from the hot afternoons that bathe the east side of the valley. The vineyard is named after owner Anthony von Mandl's mother and is planted exclusively to clone 115. The site is pretty vigorous, yielding 5-6 tons per hectare, although it is not noticeable. In 2019 the grapes were harvested on September 19 and produced a typically rich wine of wild dark cherry with complex, layered flavours: classic New World. Balanced at 13 percent alcohol and cellar-worthy, you could lay this down for five to ten years with little problem. The wild fermentation occurs in concrete with 60 percent whole clusters for 32 days. It spends 17 months in tight-grain Austrian oak barrels. Impressive.Prices:| BC | $150.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Martin's Lane Naramata Ranch Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPinot noir was first planted at Naramata Ranch in 2008, with several blocks added over the next decade at different elevations, up to 545 meters, and various expositions. It is a fantastic mix of sites and mesoclimates. Depending on the plots' proximity to Okanagan Lake, they give winemaker Shane Munn a virtual playground of single blocks to choose from, should he deem it worthy. Several clones are in the ground: Pommard, 943, 828 and 667, but in 2019 the selection was predominantly clone 943 with some 667. At 1350 growing degree days and 13 percent alcohol, Naramata Ranch is the most excellent pinot noir site in the Martin’s Lane lineup. The mid-valley pinot comes with a rich structure. Munn says it is akin to a supercharged gamay noir. The clones are cofermented in concrete with 50 percent whole bunches over 32 days, and spend 17 months in extra-tight grain Austrian oak. I like the bold, floral, spicy black cherry, licorice, and spice that give way to a graceful, pure pinot tone in the finish. Elegance and complexity all in one.Prices:| BC | $100.00 | 750ml |
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19 January 2023
89PTS
Haywire Chardonnay 2021
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA new year, a new label, a new wine, and a new winery name. Okanagan Crush Pad has shifted its name to Haywire Winery, reflecting the growing importance of its leading brand and the company's shift away from being a custom crush facility. With the change comes new branding and this new Haywire Chardonnay, still off their home Secrest vineyard site. Ripe and creamy, this was whole bunch pressed and fermented in concrete before full MLF and time on lees. This young, medium-bodied white is downy with lees and threaded with lemon, green apple, meadow grass, flax, and subtle salinity, which linger on the hop-kissed finish. Quite smart, and will doubtlessly settle into itself a bit more with time.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Meyer Family Vineyards Chardonnay McLean Creek Road Vineyard 2021
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFrom their estate McLean Creek Road Vineyard, in OK Falls, this Chardonnay comes off a steep sandy and gravelled loam site, planted in 1994, between 320-380m. After a long, cool partial native ferment in stainless, this transferred to French oak (22% new) for MLF and 11 months on lees, sans bâtonnage. This was unfined at bottling. Toasty spices pervade this bright chardy, cloaking green apple, pear, river stones, white blossoms, and a finish of bacon fat and cracked nutmeg. Very much in youth, this needs some time to resolve.Prices:| BC | $32.26 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Meyer Family Vineyards Chardonnay Dekleva Clone Anarchist Mountain Vineyard 2021
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis is the second single vineyard Anarchist Mountain Chardonnay from one of BC's chardy specialists. This comes from their family's estate, Osoyoos vineyard, planted in 1985 to an unknown clone (planted by Anthony Dekleva, hence the name on the label). This was native fermented long and cool in stainless, then transferred to French oak (25% new) for 11 months' rest on lees, without bâtonnage. You can feel the southern Okanagan in this ripe, creamy chardy, with generous yellow fruit, butter, ale, and toast, which lingers on the shorter finish. Cali meets Okanagan; this young chardy is best dished with equally rich foods.Prices:| BC | $32.26 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Meyer Family Vineyards Chardonnay Stevens Block Old Main Road Vineyard 2021
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis is a single block selection from their Naramata Bench Old Main Road Vineyard, planted in 2006 to French clones 4 and 5. Stevens Block is a steep, cool slope (350m), farmed with organic practices. After a whole cluster ferment, the free-run juice was natively fermented over 6 weeks in stainless, before resting in older French barrels on lees for 10 months, with MLF. There's a welcome tightness here (especially compared to the standard Old Main Road Vineyard Chardonnay), with lemon pith bracing the sides, and green apple, crunchy Anjou pear, and white peach filling the core. A stream of stony acidity carries this to the subtly spiced finish. Nice presence, without being overdone, enjoy this youthful wine now and over the next few years easy.Prices:| BC | $27.04 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Meyer Family Vineyards Old Main Road Vineyard Chardonnay 2021
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIn past years, this wine was designated to their Tribute Series Chardonnay. After last year's Tribute to Terry Threlfall, and the Meyer Family's contribution of $75,000 to numerous organizations and charities across Canada over the past 15 years, that label has been retired. From Naramata Bench's Old Main Road Vineyard, and its silt over clay loams around 350m, this chardy (planted in 1996) was aged in French barrels (22% new) for 11 months on lees, without bâtonnage. It went to barrel without fining or filtration. Ripe and creamy, with a toasted backdrop, this medium bodied chard is flush with ripe white peach, pear, yellow apple, and nutmeg, finishing with a bacon kiss. The wood spicing sticks out at this point, but should integrate with time, and/or with roast chicken.Prices:| BC | $32.26 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Laurent Miquel Père & Fils Chardonnay 2021
Languedoc, Sud de France, FranceEight generations of the Miquel family have worked their Languedoc lands, beginning in 1791. Ripe and round, with creamy yellow and green apple, pear, and light spices on the sour finish. Simple, basic chardy.Prices:| ON | $13.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Kitsch 7 Barrel Chardonnay 2019
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis lean and elegant chardonnay from East Kelowna is full of satisfying aromas: orchard and citrus fruit layered with florals; spices; and crushed gravel. There’s a fair amount of new oak (57%), but it’s well integrated, not overshadowing the fruit but conferring fragrance and pleasant vanillin and nuttiness. The backbone of tight acidity framing the fruit makes the overall impression more vibrant and fresh, while subtle leesy creaminess and a hint of sweetness at the finish rounds the palate.Prices:| BC | $39.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Quails' Gate Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay 2020
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis flagship white wine of Quails’ Gate has more resemblance to richer Californian chardonnays than that of Old World chards, showing a mix of ripe orchard fruit and a hint of tropical fruit as well as quite noticeable, yet enjoyable, buttery characteristics and vanillin oak. The pleasant crisp acidity, balancing the richness of the fruit and creamy mouthfeel, brightens the wine and makes it feel lighter and fresher.Prices:| BC | $49.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Maenad Wine Co Skin Fermented Chardonnay 2020
St David's Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaThis skin fermented chardy comes from the students at Niagara Collage. It was fermented on skins for 2 weeks, and continued MLF in mostly neutral French oak barrels. It was bottled unfined and unfiltered, with no added sulphites. The naturalist vein is evident in the lightly hazy, deep yellow gold hue. Piercing lemon, apricot, peach fuzz, shape this textural orange wine, with moderate acidity through the stony, grippy finish. Well done on an adventuresome wine and style.Prices:| ON | $34.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Megalomaniac Outspoken Unoaked Chardonnay 2021
Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada2021 is the inaugural release of Outspoken, an unoaked chardonnay from Twenty Mile Bench. White flowers, crisp pear, white peach, and yellow apple rule the sleek palate, with an alluring lick of salty lees on the underlay which lingers on the saline finish. Very well handled, and one to look for if you're feeling like an unoaked chard.Prices:| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Closson Chase The Loyalist Chardonnay 2021
Ontario, CanadaUnlike their estate PEC bottlings, The Loyalist sources fruit from various sites in Ontario. It was fermented in stainless, with 30 days on lees, and no malolactic fermentation. Youthful and primary, with tight green / cider apples, crunchy Asian pear, and green verbena, bright with brisk acidity through the snappy finish. If you like your chardy crunchy and oak free, check this out.Prices:| ON | $28.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Closson Chase Closson Chase Vineyard South Clos Chardonnay 2020
Prince Edward County, Ontario, CanadaFrom their South Clos estate vineyard and vines 20+ years, this was whole cluster pressed and barrel fermented, with 20% new oak and full MLF. Opening with tight white blossoms, this quickly segues into a flint kissed, subtly creamy white with white peach, tight pear, and downy lees. Subtle, yet makes a statement, this elegant wine is one to seek out.Prices:| ON | $44.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Closson Chase Vineyard Chardonnay 2020
Prince Edward County, Ontario, CanadaKnown for their range of chardonnays, this Closson Chase Vineyard Chardy was whole cluster pressed and barrel fermented, with less than 10% new oak. It remained there for 18 months prior to bottling. The wood is now a gentle backdrop to this powerful, reductive-flecked wine, supporting the broken stones, green apple, meyer lemon, and herbal lees on the palate. This has come together beautifully, and will continue to impress over the next couple of years easy. Very good value here.Prices:| ON | $34.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Henry of Pelham Estate Chardonnay 2020
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaTheir estate Short Hills Bench site was settled by the Speck ancestors in the 18th century, and was planted in three vineyards, beginning in 1988, and across a variety of clones. It was barrel fermented in 1/3 new oak (Europe and American), where it remained for 8-10 months. Fragrant white florals, cold cream, ripe pear flood an expansive, creamy palate, with tight lemon lacing holding in the sides through a spiced finish. A posher style, ready for richer dishes now.Prices:| ON | $20.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Tawse Robyn's Block Chardonnay 2020
Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaFrom their oldest chardonnay block, this is rooted in clay and loam, consistently yielding wines with ample body and texture. This was aged for 10 months in French oak. The French oak polish adds a perfumed note to this weighted wine, framed with a brace of lemon/lime, and filled with lemon verbena and green apple, trailing off into a shimmery stony wake. Nice intensity and freshness here, drinking smartly now and over the short term.Prices:| ON | $46.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Therianthropy Bonnie Vivant Chardonnay 2021
Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, CanadaTherianthropy is the mythical process of shapeshifting, which is another way to view turning nature into wine. This small collaborative project launched in late 2019. From St. David's Bench's Bock Vineyard, this dry farmed chardonnay is rooted in loamy clays (Tavistock red phase, Toledo loamy phase, Toledo phase), planted 10 years ago. After a whole cluster, native ferment (with 11% seeing 3 weeks on skins) in concrete egg, this remained there for full MLF and 7 months on lees without bâtonnage. It was bottled unfined and unfiltered. Pouring a deep yellow hue, this year's is ripe and round, with a sheen of butter and a kiss of caramel on the creamy palate, filled out with ripe pear, green apple, and a whisper of concrete grip. The richness reflects the dry and hot growing season, and makes this suited to creamy white risotto dishes now.Prices:| ON | $29.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Roche Chardonnay 2019
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFrom a 1 acre parcel of Falcon's View Vineyard, north of Oliver, this chardonnay is planted in alluvial gravels. After whole bunch pressing, this was fermented in 2nd and 3rd fill 225L French barrels (15% new), with full MLF, and 10 months on lees before bottling. A lick of reduction charms in this savoury-edged chardy, still packed full of pure Okanagan orchard apple and pear, and scented with scrubby dessert herbs. The wood impact is evident on the expansive palate, but there is zero overt woodiness in this wine. The finish lingers with a subtle stony salinity. Very smart, drinking well now and with time ahead. 192 cases.Prices:| BC | $38.90 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Quails' Gate Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay 2020
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay comes off predominantly clone 95, and aged in French oak, which is apparent from first whiff. Ample toast, lemon curd, perfumed blossoms, ripe pear, yellow apple custard fill a full, buttery palate, with ample cracked nutmeg through the toasty wooded finish. Weighty and proud of it, this is suited to creamy / buttery / rich dishes.Prices:| BC | $49.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Quails' Gate Chardonnay 2021
West Kelowna, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis standard chardonnay comes off fruit from various plots, fermented in a mix of stainless and neutral French oak, with partial MLF, and 9 months on lees before blending. Lemon blossom, yellow apple, pear, soft spicing rules this easy, friendly, creamy medium+ bodied chard. Crack and drink now.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $26.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $24.95 | 750ml |
| NS | $26.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $25.98 | 750ml |
| NB | $24.99 | 750ml |
| QC | $25.50 | 750ml |
| NL | $24.98 | 750ml |
| PE | $24.99 | 750ml |
| YK | $24.90 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Kitsch 7 Barrel Chardonnay 2019
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFrom estate fruit grown in East Kelowna, this chardonnay shows rich, golden-hued fruit, ranging from golden apple to candied lemon, with well integrated vanillin and oak spices that are present but balanced, even with 57 percent new wood. The wine is at a lovely place, with a touch of tertiary development from bottle age, but the palate is still bright and fresh, clocking in at just 12.9% abv. Well done.Prices:| BC | $39.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Quails' Gate Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay 2020
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFrom Quails' Gate's estate vineyard on the hillside of Mount Boucherie in West Kelowna, the Stewart Family Reserve is predominantly clone 95. This is a return to form for this benchmark label, offering rich golden apple, lemon curd, and honeyed nectarine, all framed by quality wood that adds a harmonious spice accent to the fruit. Weighty and creamy, this is a fuller style of chardonnay that will be versatile at the dinner table alongside butter-poached lobster or scallops. Well done.Prices:| BC | $49.00 | 750ml |
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18 January 2023
87PTS
Cecchi Chianti Classico Storia di Famiglia 2019
Tuscany, ItalyThis Chianti Classico is a 90/10 mix of sangiovese and other red grapes. The style is light with a medium body and red cherry chocolate with a dusting of mushrooms and forest floor. It spends a year in large wooden casks and another 60 days in the bottle before release. Established in 1893, Cecchi (pronounced check-ee) is one of the oldest producers in Tuscany. The classic spaghetti red is equally suited to take-out Chinese.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Le Ragnaie Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Vecchi 2017
Siena, Tuscany, ItalyOne of three particular black label Brunello from organic Le Ragnaie in 2017, this VV Sangiovese came from 50-year-old vines and was native fermented in concrete before spending three years in 37 hl Slavonian oak vats. Fleshy black cherry and black raspberry are woven with ferrous minerality and scented with aromatic dark florals and roses. Tannins are ample but very well integrated into the fruit, structuring for the future, but not overwhelming now (especially when paired with lamb and wild mushrooms). An effortless acidity lifts this to a lingering, saline finish—a beauty.Prices:| ON | $168.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Le Ragnaie Brunello di Montalcino Casanovina Montosoli 2017
Montosoli, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyOne of three special black label Brunello from organic Le Ragnaie in 2017, this Sangiovese comes from the famed Montosoli site. It was native fermented in concrete prior to spending 3 years in 32 hl Slavonian oak vats. Ripe and worn black cherry fills the sueded palate, lit with a buzzy limestone acidity, and framed with ample, lightly furry tannins through a tart red/black currant and white pepper finish. Quite muscular and powerful, give this structural wine some time to knit in the bottle, and enjoy with lamb. 2900 bottles.Prices:| ON | $168.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Le Ragnaie Brunello di Montalcino Passo Del Lume Spento 2017
Montalcino, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyOne of three special black label Brunello from organic Le Ragnaie in 2017, the Vigna del lume Spento omes from one of the highest spots in the appellation. This Sangiovese was native fermented in concrete prior to spending 3 years in 25 hl Slavonian oak vats. Perfumed black cherry, wild raspberry flood a lifted, silken palate, framed with scrubby herbs and scented with dried and fresh red florals. Acidity is red currant snappy, and tannins are long and lithe through a tomato finish. Bright and lively, this is a charmer. 3020 bottles made.Prices:| ON | $168.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Il Borro Polissena Sangiovese 2018
Arezzo, Tuscany, ItalyPolissena is aged 12 months in used French Allier oak barrels to protect the Tuscan sangiovese. It opens with earthy forest floor mixed with violets and cherry. On the palate, the complexity builds with the black cherry and mushroom mixing with balsamic and black licorice, persisting throughout the finish. It’s all organic, adding a touch of freshness and lightness to a brooding red with rich, dense tannins despite a very accommodating 13.5 percent alcohol. The structure and complexity of this wine were sure to catch the attention that gave it a rare Gambero Rosso Tre Bicchieriross Tre Biccheri rating. It is a buy, and you can hold it through 2025 with no issues. You can serve it now in a pinch with mushroom risotto.Prices:| BC | $65.00 | 750ml |
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16 January 2023
88PTS
Weingut Hajszan-Neumann Zweigelt NATURAL 2018
Wien (Vienna), AustriaNatural is Fritz Wieninger's experimental range of wines, still biodynamic, as is his family's Weingut Wieninger. The grapes for the Zweigelt come from two old vineyards in Ried Weisleiten on Vienna's Nussberg. The soils are heavy and quite iron-rich. These Zweigelt had a 9 week maceration and native ferment on skins before 6 months in concrete eggs, prior to bottling unfined, unfiltered, and with no sulphur. Wild and herbal plum, blackberry, boysenberry are etched with a concrete grip, and threaded with a green edged note. Tannins are softly furry, and acidity is tart. Give this quite natural wine a light chill and enjoy with sausages.Prices:| ON | $42.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Weingut Hajszan-Neumann Traminer NATURAL 2019
Wien (Vienna), AustriaNatural is Fritz Wieninger's experimental range of wines, still biodynamic, as is his family's Weingut Wieninger. The grapes for the Natural Traminer come from the single vineyard Obere Schos, located on the Vienna Nussberg, and its limestone, chalk, and clay soils. The Red and Yellow Traminer blend was native fermented on skins in concrete eggs, staying there for five months, after which it was carefully racked to older 500L barrels where it remained for 6 weeks. This went to bottle without fining, filtration or sulphur. Stencilled with pear skin and apricot pith, this textural wine streams elderflower, tangerine, ash, and lime pith along a sleek palate, finishing with a saline wash, a kiss of soap bubbles, and a concrete handshake. Very interesting.Prices:| ON | $67.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Wieninger Wiener Grüner Veltliner 2021
Wien (Vienna), AustriaThis village level GV is sourced from Bisamberg's loess (2/3) with 1/3 from Nussberg's limestone. Green apple, pear skin, elderflower rule the soft, streamline palate, with a lifted, easy, grapefruit tinged acidity, and fine lees baseline through the saline finish. Subtle and harmonious, dry and straight, and a beauty entry into the world of GV.Prices:| ON | $24.95 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Wieninger Gemischter Satz Ried Ulm 1ÖTW 2021
Wien (Vienna), AustriaFrom Fritz Wieninger's masterpiece site, Ulm, this classic field blend of Pinot Blanc, Neuburger, Welschriesling, Grüner Veltliner, Sylvaner, Zierfandler, Rotgipfler, Traminer, and Riesling is from 75 year old vines, and planted in the fossil rich limestone soils of Nussberg, close to the Danube and bordering Vienna. It was native cofermented and aged in 80% stainless, 20% Slavonian oak for 1 year. Pear skin, green apple, apple blossom stream along a tight palate, with ample buzzy limestone minerality stretching long, finishing with a saline wash. Powerful, with great extract, priming this harmonious white for ageing.Prices:| ON | $55.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Wieninger Gemischter Satz Wiener 2021
Wien (Vienna), AustriaThis classic Austrian field blend is a mix of biodynamic cofermented riesling, grüner veltliner, neuburger, weissburgunder, and welschriesling, from both Nussberg (limestone) and Bisamberg (loess). This had 3 hours skin contact and was native fermented and rested in stainless. Juicy white peach, green herbs, pear skin, subtle anise run along a silken, streamline palate, laced with salinity. Fresh, dry, fragrant, and fun, this is a natural for fragrant Thai / Japanese dishes.Prices:| ON | $27.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Wieninger Riesling Wiener 2021
Wien (Vienna), AustriaBased on Bisamberg's loess, but with parts of Nussberg's limestone soils, this riesling was done in stainless. Lime pith and peel, kumquat zesty grapefruit ride a pear butter core, through the buzzy humming, white pepper and saline finish.Prices:| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Wiengut Wieninger Nussberg Grüner Veltliner 2021
Wien (Vienna), AustriaThis village wine is from 3 biodynamic plots, all on Nussberg's limestone soils. It was fermented in a mix of 2/3 ss, 1/3 foudre, with partial MLF. Quite open and approachable now, with subtle pear blossoms opening into green apple, elderflower, quince skin across a stony underlay, lingering with salinity. White peach, quince blossoms, elderflower is lit with buzzy limestone minerality which lingers on the saline finish.Prices:| ON | $30.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Wieninger Grüner Veltliner Ried Herrnholz 2021
Wien (Vienna), AustriaFrom Bisamberg's loess soils, and the single vineyard (Ried) Herrnholz, a very sandy site, which was the first Fritz’ father planted, in the 1960s. This was fermented and aged in stainless. Very expansive and saline, with quince blossoms, pear skin, ripe white peach, and gentle, persistent buzzy minerality through the lingering lemon blossom and white pepper finish. Quite striking, this is drinking smartly now and with ample time ahead.Prices:| ON | $41.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Weingut Wieninger Grüner Veltliner Bisamberg 2021
Wien (Vienna), AustriaThis is a new village level release, from Bisamberg's loess soils. This biodynamic GV had a little skin contact, and was native fermented in stainless, with no MLF. Streaming and arrow sleek, with Asian pear, quince, green apple, tangerine through to soft spices washing over the lingering saline finish. Friendly and ready to enjoy now.Prices:| ON | $29.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Hajszan-Neumann Gemischter Satz NATURAL 2020
Wien (Vienna), AustriaThe grapes for this natural Gemischter Satz come from two old vineyards on the Wiener Nussberg: Ried Weissleiten, and Ried Ulm. The soil of both is comprised of limestone and clay, with a very high chalk component throughout. Gemischter Satz is a traditional field blend from allowable Austrian quality grapes, with a minimum of three grapes. This is a blend of Grüner Veltliner, Welschriesling, Pinot blanc, Riesling, and Traminer, native fermented on skins in concrete eggs with no sulphur or other additions. Post-ferment, it remains in the eggs for more than 5 months, after which it is racked off into neutral 500L barrels where it rested for 6 weeks before bottling unfined and unfiltered. Lightly hazy, with pear skin, apricot, fragrant lime blossoms, anise, and subtle soap, finishing with a saline wash. There's a buzzy amphora grip here, adding interest and complexities.Prices:| ON | $54.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Hajszan-Neumann Grüner Veltliner NATURAL 2020
Wien (Vienna), AustriaNatural is Fritz Wieninger's experimental range of wines, still biodynamic, as is his family's Weingut Wieninger. This is the only NATURAL wine done in stainless, and here it spends 3.5 months on skins prior to bottling without fining, filtration, or sulphur. This Grüner Veltliner comes from an old vineyard in Ried Gabrissen on Vienna's Bisamberg, a sunny south-facing location on loess, with high lime content and a prominent gravel band in the higher part of the vineyard. Tight and sleek, with hops, apricot skin, pear skin, tangerine, gentle blossoms on a pure, bright palate, lingering with a saline wash. There's a persistent, fine grip from skin time, but not nearly as much as the other NATURAL wines, aged in amphora.Prices:| ON | $25.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Hajszan-Neumann Pet Nat 2021
Wien (Vienna), AustriaPinot Blanc, Riesling, Gruner, Neuburger, Welshrielshing, Traminer from 3 vineyards were harvested earlier than normal, and naturally fermented in Amphora, prior to heading into bottle. They use 5% gelber muskateller for topping up here. Pear skin, yellow apple, hops run a crisp, slight palate, with finely buzzy bubbles. Disgorged March 2022.Prices:| ON | $38.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Hajszan-Neumann Nussberg Grüner Veltliner 2020
Wien (Vienna), AustriaTasted again a year along, and this just hints at the magisterial staying power of grüner veltliner. Weingut Hajszan Neumann is located at the foot of the Nussberg and the district of Grinzing, with 20 hectares of certified biodynamic vineyards spread across the region's mineral-rich, weathered limestone soils. This cuvée comes from the cooler Weisleiten and Haarlocke vineyards. After a short maceration on skins, this was native fermented in stainless, where it remained until the following spring. Bright and fresh, though now with a slight honeyed slick, this streams verbena, pear skin, crab apple, river stones along a streamlined palate, seasoned with subtle white pepper and pithy wild lime. Under stelvin, this will continue to go the distance, becoming even more interesting as it ages.Prices:| BC | $34.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $29.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
F.X. Pichler Gruner Veltliner Ried Klostersatz 2021
Wachau, Niederösterreich, Weinland Österreich, AustriaFounded in Oberloiben in 1898, the Pichler estate has developed a reputation as a Grüner Veltliner specialist since Franz Pichler Sr began selecting his own clones in 1928. His grandson son Lucas joined the winery team in 1996, taking over winemaking at the estate in 1999 and assuming management of the whole estate in 2009. Lucas manages the winery together with his wife Johanna, representing the 5th generation to farm these lands. The Ried Klostersatz is one of the oldest vineyards in the Wachau to be cultivated by the monks of Bavarian and Salzburg monasteries. It is situated in the Loibner basin, within the curve of the Danube river between Dürnstein and Oberloiben. The fine sandy topsoil is overlying gravels that have washed down from the Alps. Bone dry and tight with apple skin, lees, and stones, the brisk acidity of this organic GV is countered with subtle meadow grasses, all held by ample tension throughout the lengthy finish. Uncompromising and pure rock juice.Prices:| ON | $49.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
F.X. Pichler Grüner Veltliner Durnsteiner 2021
Wachau, Niederösterreich, Weinland Österreich, AustriaFounded in Oberloiben in 1898, the Pichler estate has developed a reputation as a Grüner Veltliner specialist since Franz Pichler Sr began selecting his own clones in 1928. His grandson son Lucas joined the winery team in 1996, taking over winemaking at the estate in 1999 and assuming management of the whole estate in 2009. Lucas manages the winery together with his wife Johanna, representing the 5th generation to farm these lands. This wine comes predominantly from younger organically farmed terraced mountain vineyard plots around the village of Dürnstein. This sleek GV streams meadow grass, green apple, crushed stone across a textural frame, with ample buzzy energy through a saline finish. Very smart, drinking beautifully now.Prices:| ON | $53.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
F.X. Pichler Grüner Veltliner Loibner 2021
Wachau, Niederösterreich, Weinland Österreich, AustriaFounded in Oberloiben in 1898, the Pichler estate has developed a reputation as a Grüner Veltliner specialist since Franz Pichler Sr began selecting his own clones in 1928. His grandson son Lucas joined the winery team in 1996, taking over winemaking at the estate in 1999 and assuming management of the whole estate in 2009. Lucas manages the winery together with his wife Johanna, representing the 5th generation to farm these lands. The name LOIBEN (for the area of the cadastral communities Oberloiben and Unterloiben) is the designation of origin of this Wachau DAC village wine. The organic vineyards are situated on the plains of the Loibner basin, with light and warm soils made of alluvial Danube sand and gravel. Tight and sleek, with pear skin, green apple, Asian pear, apple blossom, subtle verbena on a gently buzzy base. Nice streamline form, that lingers on the finish.Prices:| ON | $44.00 | 750ml |
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12 January 2023
89PTS
Bodegas Peique Ramón Valle 2018
Bierzo, Castilla-Leon, SpainThis Bierzo mencia comes off 55 year old vines, and was aged 7 months in French barrel, 3 months in bottle prior to release. Ripe black cassis, blackberry, black cherry, thorns are sharpened with a tart rhubarb, and coated with a dusky tannin through a herbal finish. There's a beauty tight acid throughout, keeping this fuller wine aloft. Great concentration and freshness, ensuring a great pairing with lamb or pork.Prices:| ON | $21.95 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Zuccardi Concreto 2020
Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, ArgentinaScion and exceptionally talented young Sebastián Zuccardi, 3rd generation winemaker, pioneered this Concreto malbec, grown at Finca Piedra Infinita in Uco's Paraje Altamira, at 1100m. The vines are rooted in the rocky calcareous soils, and the whole cluster grapes were native fermented and aged in concrete eggs (specially made, without epoxy), with the aim to show the purity of the grape on this special site. The altitude gifts immediate freshness, easily trumping the hot 2020 vintage, turning out wild plum, fragrant black cherry, smouldering tobacco, fresh violets, and crushed stones which course along a full, yet taut palate. The fine, firm, and lengthy tannins lead this to an amply salt studded finish. Such a beaut, and promise for a future Malbec purity in Argentia.Prices:| BC | $53.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Collavini Pignolo 2012
Friuli-Venezia Giulia, ItalyCollavini began in 1896 under founder Eugenio Collavini. His grandson, Manlio, is known as 'the lord of ribolla, for his work on the grape. The winery is now in the hands of Manlio and his sons Giovanni and Luigi. They are now centred in Corni di Rosazzo, with 170 hectares of vineyards in Collio, on the Slovenian border, and Colli Orientali, at altitude. This pignolo uses dried grapes, concentrated for 20 days on drying racks before a three-week fermentation. It then aged in small oak casts for five years, followed by two more years in a bottle before release. The oversize, massive, hefty bottle reveals an earthy, rustic, plushly fruited, full-bodied red with a core of sweetness wrapped with gritty, ample tannins. Mint and pepper season and the finish dries out quickly, encouraging drinking with a hearty winter stew.Prices:Read Full Note
88PTS
Collavini Pucino Refosco 2020
Collavini began in 1896 under founder Eugenio Collavini. His grandson, Manlio, is known as 'the lord of ribolla, for his work the grape. The winery is now in the hands of Manlio and his sons Giovanni and Luigi. They are now centred in Corni di Rosazzo, with 170 hectares of vineyards in Collio, on the Slovenian boarder, and Colli Orientali, at altitude. Refosco dates back to ancient Roman times. Here, the grapes are fermented and aged briefly in stainless. Dried flowers, boysenberry, thorns, and fresh black currants glide over a sleek, steely, medium bodied palate, with sticky, fuzzy tannins, and lightly washed with pink pepper, anise, and balsam on the finish. A crispy, floral red that would suit a slight chill.Prices:Read Full Note
88PTS
E Pira & Figli de Chiara Boschis Dolcetto d’Alba 2021
Piedmont, ItalyThis organic Dolcetto comes off Ravera di Monforte d’Alba, Mosconi, and Le Coste di Monforte d’Alba, and clay lime marls, around 400m. It was fermented and aged in stainless for a few months. Dusty plum, raspberry are shaped with tight, tart blackcurrant acidity, and framed by sticky, herb dusted tannins, carrying this to a tart finish. Very much in youth, this fresh red is ready for mixed grill dishes.Prices:| ON | $37.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Dominio de Tares Cepas Viejas 2017
Bierzo, Castilla-Leon, SpainIn the Atlantic northwest corner of Spain, these 60 year old bush vines of mencia grow at 700m. After a native ferment, this aged 10 months in French barriques, followed by an 18 month rest in the bottle prior to release. Wild and brooding, with thorny blackberry, black cherry, perfumed dark florals drawn across a leathery palate, with oxidative notes at the fore battling with mountainous acidity for pole position. The overripeness fruit wins out, finishing with browning spices and salinity. Past prime.Prices:| BC | $37.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Van Loggerenberg Wines Geronimo 2021
Coastal Region, South AfricaPrimarily from 1960s planted Stellenbosch fruit, with a portion from South Africa’s second oldest vineyard, in Franschhoek, this haunting Cinsault spent 10 months in older wood. Scrubby fynbos herbs permeate this lighter red, with ample white pepper seasoning wild plum, raspberry, candle wax, all lit with crunchy acidity and framed with finely sticky tannins through the perfumed and saline finish. Lovely finesse and drinkability here.Prices:Read Full Note
88PTS
Conviviale Primitivo 2020
Salento, Puglia, ItalyAraldica is a third generation, family operated co-operative based in Piedmont. It has expanded its winemaking projects beyond its home region, working with local farmers and growers to produce authentic Italian wines. Conviviale is made from the local primitivo variety cultivated in the Salento peninsula of Puglia, and here from 20 and 60 year old vines. A self-described heartland grape, it is a zinfandel taste and lookalike with spicy, brambly black fruit spiked with dried figs and hints of cinnamon. A weeknight red that can take on pizza, pasta, and spicy barbecue ribs, this is ready to drink and it's good value.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Cantine Leuci Terra Guaniani Negroamaro Kosher 2019
Salento, Puglia, ItalyTerra Guaniani is a Salice Salentino Rosso made from negroamaro, and is certified Kosher, respecting the dietary rules established by the Torah, interpreted by exegesis in the Talmud, and codified in the Shulkan Aruk. Interestingly Kosher foods are not only associated with consumption by practitioners of the Jewish religion but also foods considered more reliable, controlled, and of better quality. Terra Guaniani has exotic spices and licorice, and the palate is an earthy mix of licorice, black plums, and dark cherries. It is well balanced and certainly food friendly, matching well with grilled veal, pork, chicken, and mature or semi-hard cheeses. The tannins are in check, but 20 minutes of air is useful here.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Cantine Leuci Primitivo Kosher 2018
Salento, Puglia, ItalyA sweet floral nose plunges into a black, spicy, earthy, black plum, black tea country red with rustic peppery edges. The tannins are soft with an intensity and warmth of sunshine that persists throughout the wine, ready to drink, albeit with a bit of decanter airing time. Leuci started to set aside a small selected quantity of grapes to produce Kosher wines for Passover in 2013. They are certainly some of the best Kosher wines I have tasted in this market over the last three decades.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
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11 January 2023
88PTS
Collavini Villa Canlungo Pinot Grigio 2021
Friuli-Venezia Giulia, ItalyCollavini began in 1896 under founder Eugenio Collavini. His grandson, Manlio, is known as 'the lord of ribolla, for his work the grape. The winery is now in the hands of Manlio and his sons Giovanni and Luigi. They are now centred in Corni di Rosazzo, with 170 hectares of vineyards in Collio, on the Slovenian boarder, and Colli Orientali, at altitude. Textured and perfumed pear perfumed, yellow and green apple skip along a silken, saline-laced palate, finishing with ample stoniness. Lovely savoury edge to this grigio, so oft a washed out grape.Prices:| ON | $16.95 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Elk Cove Vineyards Estate Pinot Gris 2021
Willamette Valley, Oregon, United StatesFrom vineyards from the Northern Willamette and Yamhill-Carlton, and vines up to 35 years old, this classic Elk Cove Pinot Gris was a whole cluster, fermented and aged in stainless. Plumped with ripe pear and ripe melon and scented with anise and finely rasped spice, this floods the palate with mouthwatering acidity, finishing with a lingering lemon verbena note. Classic for a reason; this PG shows lovely typicity for Willamette.Prices:| CDN | $34.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Roche Tradition Pinot Gris 2020
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaRetasted one year along. This comes off their Naramata's organic Kozier Vineyard, planted in 2007. This was whole bunch was pressed, fermented (no MLF) and rested in neutral oak barrels for 10 months. Rich and creamy on the palate, with toasty spices seasoning ripe pear, white peach, shaved coconut, and musk perfume. Quite a heady, weighted style, ready to take on butter drawn halibut and/or creamy chanterelle risotto.Prices:| BC | $34.90 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Roche Tradition Pinot Gris 2020
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA clean, fresh, dry style, more Euro than Okanagan, but it is packed full of delicious, overt orchard fruit. It is grown organically at Kozier Vineyard on the Naramata Bench. Look for crunchy red apples and pears dusted in a savoury Okanagan desert scrub. Dry and very pure, this white will surprise you with its versatility at the table. From fish to fowl to mushrooms to cheese, you can take it in many directions. It is aged ten months in French neutral oak, adding depth and mouthfeel.Prices:| BC | $34.90 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Livio Felluga Pinot Grigio 2021
Friuli-Venezia Giulia, ItalyLivio Felluga is one of the most respected producers of Friuli, dedicating his life to reviving high-quality and sustainable viticulture in the hills of this north-eastern, Adriatic-influenced Italian countryside. He emigrated from Istria and established his property in Brazzano in the 1950s, buying up old, neglected vineyards and rejuvenating them. From marl and sandstone hills, this was macerated for a short time (hence the slightest copper hue and grip) before a stainless ferment and six months on lees. Anjou pear, lemon pith, green fig run the length of this sleek white, with a fine grained buzzy texture underneath. Lovely energy in this subtle wine; a grigio with a sense of place.Prices:| ON | $43.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
LaStella Vivace Pinot Grigio 2021
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaVivace is not your grandmother's pinot gris. Full of life, grown and managed to pick early from cooler sites, it yields a wine with lively, relatively low alcohol. Zesty lime dusted in savoury desert sagebrush, the palate is packed with citrus, minerals, and a twist of salt before it finishes with tart apples and more zesty notes. It is stainless steel fermented and aged on fine lees for five months.Prices:| BC | $22.99 | 750ml |
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05 January 2023
90PTS
Szász Birtok Cabernet Franc 2019
Balatonfelvidék, HungaryThis organic cabernet franc comes from Hungary's Balaton-Felvikék region. Dark and woodsy, with blackcurrant, black cherry, black raspberry, and ample dried herbs filling the medium body, this is wrapped with furry tannins, and bright with a lifted franc acidity. Pour alongside grilled pork / root veg.Prices:Read Full Note
90PTS
Township 7 Benchmark Series Cabernet Franc 2019
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis rich and bold cabernet franc opens with sweet red and dark fruits layered with oak spices. What makes it stand out is that it doesn’t lose cab franc’s charming perfumey florals and green herbal notes. On the palate, the overall impression is round and supple, but the ripe yet well-defined fruits are framed by fine tannins and crisp acidity. It’s a well-balanced, varietally correct cab franc.Prices:| BC | $33.97 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Wakefield Estate Label Chardonnay 2021
South Australia, AustraliaAustralian chardonnay has come a long way, as evidenced by this 70/30 Padthaway/Clare Valley blend. Bright and aromatic with fresh lemon, vanilla, and cream on the nose. The palate is vibrant with peach, nectarine, and lightly toasted cashew streaked with lemon pith acidity. Only a tiny portion of new French oak is used to broaden the palate without quashing the fruit, leaving the finish clean and elegant. Halibut would be a good match. At $19, I say back up the truck.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Painted Rock Cabernet Franc 2020
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWinemaker Gabriel Reis and consulting winemaker Alain Sure described the vintage as “Fantastic due to the smaller berry size and meagre yields leading to ripe, well-balanced wines.” The fruit is hand-picked off a single three-acre block, berry-sorted and cold-soaked for four days. Then, after 21 days of fermentation on skins, it is finally transferred to 40% new French oak for 18 months and bottled unfiltered. Look for a complex nose of black raspberry that previews a silky palate flecked with tobacco, spicy oak, black licorice, and savoury desert scrub. The finish is long and intense with more dark chocolate, black plums, and dry baking spices. This is just a baby and nowhere near ready to drink, but it will be a wine to watch through 2030 and beyond.Prices:| BC | $54.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Township 7 Benchmark Series Cabernet Franc 2019
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis opens with a lovely floral, spicy nose that's sometimes lost with Okanagan cabernet franc. There's considerable wood, but it's balanced by ripe, expressive black raspberry and cherry that shows excellent depth. Medium-full bodied, and yet just 13.2% declared abv, this is beautifully balanced with fresh, vibrant acidity and fine, suave tannins. This is one to tuck away and enjoy over the next 3-5 years. Well done.Prices:| BC | $33.97 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Backyard Vineyards Simply Social Cabernet Franc 2019
British Columbia, CanadaThis South Okanagan cabernet franc shows a juicy nose of raspberry and sour cherry, layered with tobacco and dried herbs. It's a more savoury style, which works well with the variety, leading to a structured palate with firm, assertive tannins that still need time to resolve. A touch warming on the moderate finish. Well made and a solid pairing for midweek burgers.Prices:| BC | $34.60 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Backyard Vineyards Reserve Cabernet Franc 2018
British Columbia, CanadaA selection of the top barrels from the 2018 vintage, this Reserve Cabernet Franc shows a ripe, lush nose of macerated dark cherries balanced by judicious oak (25% new), and smoky spices, evocative of the growing season. Already evolved in the glass, and drying out on the finish, this is best enjoyed in the short term.Prices:| BC | $55.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Winemaker's Cut Bohemian Cabernet Franc 2020
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe fruit is a mix of 17 year old cabernet franc vines grown at Deadman Lake and Quails Wayside vineyards in West Oliver. Post ferment, the wine spends ten months in French oak. The style is somewhat reminiscent of the Loire and Niagara, with more red fruit, leafy notes, and plenty of licorice and ripe peppers. There is a softness that attracts, along with lavender, mint, and spice. A winter red for roasted meats or vegetable dishes that you can start to drink in 2023. Definitely a bit Bohemian.Prices:| BC | $37.00 | 750ml |
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03 January 2023
89PTS
Kirkland Signature Gigondas 2020
FranceGigondas is a magical wine, and to find this bargain on vacation in what is usually a wasteland for wine is pretty satisfying. The Kirkland Signature Gigondas is, first and foremost, authentic. The 85/10/5 mix of grenache, syrah and mourvèdre is made by Guillaume Gonnet, whose family winery is Domaine Font de Michelle. It begins with a fine vintage in which the fruit was quickly ripened. There is an inviting roundness and an inviting dusting of garrigue that interacts with a wealth of cherries and black raspberries with a touch of smoked meat and mushroom. Not quite as intense as the best of the appellation, but for the price, this wine over-delivers, including a licorice, mineral, and wet stone back end. Drink or hold for the next decade; there is no rush.Prices:| US | $12.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Tanca Els Ulls Garnatxa Negra 2021
Tarragona, Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainThis garnaxta is made by Francesec Baronat Fernandez, a descendant of his family's organic vineyards in Tarragona. These grapes come from Finca Mas Gaya, a small vineyard in the village of Picamoixons, at the foot of Miramar Mountain Range, rooted in terraced, calcareous clays. It was native fermented with 10 days maceration in stainless, where it aged for 3 months. Light bodied and lofted, this red streams fine stony raspberry, sapid wild cherries along its slight 11.5% palate, with a sheen of waxen strawberry leather making up the underlay, and a dusting of white pepper on the tart finish. A youthful and joyously pure natural red, primed for enjoying now with a slight chill.Prices:| BC | $31.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Tessellae Grenache Syrah Mourvèdre 2019
Côtes du Roussillon, Roussillon, Sud de France, FranceTessellae Old Vines has been a joint venture between Eric Solomon and Jean-Marc Lafage for two decades. Jean-Marc was the first to break away from selling most of his grapes from his family’s vineyards that, now total of over 160 hectares of vines, most more than 50 years of age, to the local cooperative. As a result, several diverse sites and soils go into this easy-drinking quality GSM. The blend is 40/40/20 grenache/syrah/mourvèdre, all harvested by hand, fermented for a month after a short pre-fermentation maceration, and aged entirely in concrete tanks. Intense black fruit lead a wonderfully mellow red dusted in the magic savoury garrigue of wild rosemary and thyme. Fabulous value here.Prices:| ON | $18.95 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Winemaker's Cut Q and A 2020
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaJason Priestley, a former investor at Black Hills Estate Winery and Hollywood actor/director, is back in the wine business with media broadcaster Terry David Mulligan and winemaker Michal Mosny (Winemaker's Cut). The release of Q&A, a 2020 red blend, marks a return of Priestly to the B.C. wine scene after the sale of Black Hills to the Peller family. Mosny's hands-off winemaking at Winemaker's Cut has increased us for some time, always exhibiting a sense of finesse with most of his wines to date. Mosny's calm and efficient winemaking style is the perfect antidote to the Hollywood and Vine media rush the other partners will bring to the mix. The blend is a 45/38/13/4 cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc and petit verdot, all of which enjoyed ideal growing conditions in 2020. The nose is an attractive savoury mix of ripe blue fruits, sweet black raspberries, and fresh cloves. The textures are equally inviting thanks to an excellent vintage that pitches round, ripe, juicy fruit that slides down easily. The ripe fruit and oak are a little reminiscent of California cabernet sauvignon blends with a touch of Canadian restraint. You can drink this now through the next seven years as it matures in a bottle.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $50.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Brotte Viridi Côtes du Rhône 2018
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceBrotte was a family business and independent for four generations, founded in 1931 in Châteauneuf-du-Pape by Mr Charles Brotte, one of the pioneers of bottling wines from the Rhône. This is one of the largest and widespread negotiants in the region today. This organic (Viridi = green) CdR blends 80% grenache with 20% syrah, vinified and aged in concrete over 1 year. Lightweight and juicy with crushed cherries, raspberries, and a light dusting of pepper on a shorter palate, framed with lightly sticky tannins. A fair introduction to the region, and one to pop now with simple fare.Prices:| BC | $22.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Brotte Creation Grosset Cairanne 2016
Cairanne, Côtes du Rhône Villages, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceLocated in Cairanne, Domaine Grosset was founded by Alain Grosset, Laurent Brotte’s father-in-law. The Grosset family has always been very active in the farming and social life of the village and contributed to the development of the AOC. The domaine is situated at the foot of the old provencal village of Cairanne, covering an area of 22 hectares, including some 100+ year old grenache vines. This blend of grenache, syrah, mouvèdre, and carignan is lightweight and juicy, with herbal cherries, dusky red currants, dark cocoa, and tart acidity, wrapped with dusty sueded tannins. One to drink now, with veg / pork stews.Prices:| BC | $25.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Brotte Chateauneuf-du-Pape Domaine Barville 2017
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceDomaine Barville is the ancestral name of Laurent Brotte's family estate in Barville. The 15 hectare, southwest facing site is split into seven parcels that sit on two of the best parts of the appellation: clay and pebbles at Pradel; and shattered limestone at Beaurenard. This blends grenache, syrah, and mouvèdre, fermented over 3 weeks' maceration, with the syrah and mourvèdre spending a year in equal parts new French oak, 1 and 2 year old barrels. The grenache is aged in concrete and 100 year old oak vats, prior to the final blend. Inky black and red fruit swirl on the full, chewy, oxidative-edged palate, sharpened (a bit too much) with a tart currant acidity, and shaped by furry, sticky tannins. Needs a hearty lamb/veg stew to merge this together.Prices:| BC | $73.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Brunel de la Gardine Côtes du Rhône 2020
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceBrunel de la Gardine is a grenache, mourvèdre, syrah blend, a classic Côtes du Rhone. Aged in cement, the fruit is easily accessible, making it a drink now bottle. Red fruits, anise, and tobacco, are dusted in cracked peppercorns and garrigue, and finish with a twist of minerality. Good value and a natural mid-week red you can count on. Château de la Gardine is a tiny estate that sits immediately west of the Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation. The site has been involved in wine since the mid-1700s. In contrast, La Gardine has been involved with the Brunel family since 1947 and is easily recognized by its famous moulded bottle, originally mouth-blown, and rediscovered during the cellar expansion. Brunel de la Gardine is the‘micro-négociant range set up to give access to the Brunel label, now known for its outstanding value.Prices:| BC | $23.99 | 750ml |
| QC | $19.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $16.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Pierre Henri Morel Gigondas 2019
Gigondas, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, France2019 is an 80/20 mix of grenache and mourvèdre grown over calcareous sandstone gravel/clay terraces, hand-harvested, destemmed, and fermented in concrete tanks cooled to 25°C. The ageing, two-thirds in concrete tanks for 12 months, and one-third in 600L demi muid, leave this a silky masterpiece. The colour is purple opaque with a refreshing black cherry that floods the palate. Rich, round, smoky, and inviting, this wine has it all, finishing with a solid stony mineral aftertaste. This is one to invest in for the next decade or more. The brand Pierre-Henri Morel surfaced in 2008 when Pierre-Henri Morel and Michel Chapoutier purchased twenty acres of 50 year old vineyards in Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the Pignan, Bois Dauphin, and Barbe d'Alene lieux-dits. Pierre-Henri is wholly responsible for the style of the wines made at Chapoutier, where his daytime job is as commercial director, joining the company in 2000. The old Pignan and Bois-Dauphin vineyards, mainly planted to grenache and syrah, are farmed without synthetic chemical input and form the centre of this range of wines, supplemented with the Gigondas and Côtes du Rhône Villages wines. Morel is fascinated by the southern Rhône Valley and especially grenache. The Gigondas come off blocks of high-altitude terraces made of alluvial soils that yield lovely freshness, balance, and minerality.Prices:| BC | $51.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $16.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Cellier des Dauphins Les Dauphins Cuvée Spéciale Côtes du Rhône 2020
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceLes Dauphins Cote du Rhône Red is the wine we can’t or won’t make in Canada. Well made, easy drinking, ready to drink red that is as pleasant as its price. Slick, smooth, and mouthfilling grenache and syrah spill across the palate spreading black fruit, licorice, and spice. Hamburgers, pulled pork sandwiches, meatballs, or barbecued chicken are the matches. The Union des Vignerons des Côtes-du-Rhône is a growers association that established its cooperative in 1965. With more than 2300 members, the association has a long reach across the Rhône, including a selection of the best villages and crus in the southern Rhône. The benchmark Rhône brand Cellier des Dauphins label is now 55 years old.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Cellier des Dauphins Reserve Côtes du Rhône 2019
Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, FranceThe Union des Vignerons des Côtes-du-Rhône is a growers association that established its cooperative in 1965. With more than 2300 members, the association has a long reach across the Rhône, including a selection of the best villages and crus in the southern Rhône. The benchmark Rhône brand Cellier des Dauphins label is now 55 years old. It was created shortly after the inception of the winery in 1967. It has remained one of France's benchmark Rhône brands for decades and is now available in Canada. The reserve is a 60/40 mix of grenache and syrah crafted to be ready to drink. Look for an inviting brambly garrigue-scented nose with lush black fruit, with a dollop of pepper, and non-existent tannin. Pork chops, sausages, or grilled root vegetables all work here. Fair value.Prices:| BC | $23.30 | 750ml |
| MB | $20.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Vinadores de Gredos La Esclara Garnacha 2019
SpainLa Escalera comes from a single dry farmed vineyard at 1000m in the Gredos Mountains in Cebreros, and utilizes garnacha of 60-80 years in sandy granite soils. The native fermentation took place over 30 days maceration before heading to 3rd use barrels for 9 months. It was bottled unfined and unfiltered. Sticky ripe strawberry, wild raspberry, herbal tea leaves and white pepper flood the 15% palate, with a buzzy granitic grip bracing the underlay, bright, lofted acidity, and long, soft and fuzzy tannins hugging the sides through a grippy finish. A youthful wine, very much of place.Prices:| BC | $43.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Langa Classic Garnacha 2018
Calatayud, Aragon, SpainLanga is a small family owned winery in Calatayud, founded in the mid 19th century. This garnacha comes from 70-100 year old vines rooted in slate / stony soils between 800-1000m. After a native ferment in stainless, this rested 12 months in American, European, and French oak. The wood treatment is evident, and unnecessary, somewhat overruling the complexities of these very old vines and special site. Still, black cherry, black raspberry, black liquorice emerge, over a bed of crushed stones, with ferrous threads pulling this to a lingering, warming, medicinal-tinged finish. Tannins are soft and sticky, encouraging a partnering with lamb / mushroom dishes. Fantastic packaging, fantastic value.Prices:| BC | $18.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Les Vignerons du Castelas Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2019
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, FranceThe cooperative cellar of the winegrowers of Castelas was founded in 1952, Today 45 families combine their efforts to produce Côtes du Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages Signargues, AOP Tavel, IGP du Gard, and this Châteauneuf-du-Pape. They make the wine in partnership with an unnamed but prestigious Domaine from the appellation. The growers of Castelas have put together a blend which matches their style. Rich and smooth with a modicum of tannin, it opens with spicy black fruit and rich sensuous unfolding Chateauneuf that never quits. Delicious drinking now will age for five to seven more years with ease. Lamb chops or a pork shoulder would be the match today with plenty of dried herb spicing. The wine is produced 70% in stainless steel tanks and 30% in oak barrels and aged for 15 months. It is a 60/40 blend of grenache/syrah.Prices:| BC | $64.99 | 750ml |
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February 2023