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Tastings: November 2023
30 November 2023
89PTS
Tinhorn Creek Blanc de Blanc 2018
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis is an impressive effort from Tinhorn. It’s a more restrained Blanc de Blancs, offering a combination of dried lemon peel and green apple alongside yogurt and toasted brioche, with just a whisper of tertiary character going on five years from vintage. The lean, crisp styling, finished with a classic Brut dosage (6 g/L), will pair well with simply prepared oysters. Enjoy now or over the next two years.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Blue Mountain Gold Label Brut NV
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Blue Mountain Gold Label Brut continues to set the benchmark for Canadian sparkling wine, consistently outperforming wines double its price. Based on the 2019 vintage, this bottling shows exceptional complexity, with crystalline lemon, yellow apple, and red berry fruit framed by generous brioche notes alongside toasted spice and hazelnut. There's a depth here that belies its youthfulness and 24 months on lees, and it'll be fascinating to see how this evolves. There's no need to wait, but we have a hunch this will reward careful cellaring over the next 3-4 years. The dosage is consistent with previous vintages (8 g/L in a traditional Brut style). Still, this vintage feels more forward – at least to this palate – making it well-suited to pair with canapés and hors d'oeuvres, especially as we head into the holiday season.Prices:| BC | $31.90 | 750ml |
| AB | $36.85 | 750ml |
| ON | $28.95 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Contratto For England Blanc de Noir Pas Dosé 2019
Oltrepò Pavese, Lombardy, ItalyThis pinot noir from the Alto Langa was first fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks, where it remained for nine months. The second fermentation takes place in the bottle, followed by a minimum of 36 months of aging on its lees. Riddling is done by hand before it is disgorged with no dosage. The style is impeccably fresh, offering cherries and tangerines with a marzipan underside. The colour is a pale, pale orange/red from the macerating Pinot Noir. Electric is the best descriptor, and a seriously good bubble. Buy, drink, and contemplate every sip. Contratto was founded in 1867 by Giuseppe Contratto, the oldest producer of sparkling wine in Italy. Their 1919 Contratto Extra Brut was the first vintage sparkling wine ever made in the country. “For England” was named in 1930, when Contratto began producing a lower dosage wine for the English following demands from England's Royal Court to bottle a drier wine.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Contratto Metodo Classico Pas Dosé Cuvée Novecento 2013
Piedmont, ItalyContratto’s flagship sparkler, the 2013 Metodo Classico Pas Dosé Cuvée Novecento, is easily among the best non-Champagne sparkling wines in the world. The nose is a breathtaking mix of wildflowers, candied dried fruits, early morning minerals, and a sophisticated mature leesy note. The winemaking begins with a gentle press and a collection of the free-run must that is fermented and aged in stainless steel for nine months. The second fermentation takes place in a bottle for an impressive 100 months, and the bottles are all hand-riddled through that lengthy period. This is one perfect sparkler with exotic, creamy sophistication and ethereal elegance. Don’t miss this one if you can find it. The blend is 70/30 chardonnay/pinot noir, and it is certified organic.Prices:| BC | $55.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Gramona Lustros Font de Jui 2014
Catalunya (Catalonia Cataluña), SpainGramona has always been a leader of traditional method sparkling wine in Spain, and was the founder of the collective Alliances per la Terra association in 2015 to unite like-minded growers in the area. Though the collective certified biodynamic in 2017, this special Brut Nature had been following the principals since long before, the family having made wine quite naturally since 1881. This Brut Nature of Xarel.lo and Macabeu is from the Font de Jui property, on calcareous clays between 100-350m. This release is the 2014 vintage, disgorged in March 2023 after 97 months on lees (!) under agrafe (cork). This is most certainly a serious, serious wine, with the extended time on lees unfolding out across the palate with layers of fragrant biscuit, toast, dried apple, subtle almond blossom, all brightened with slivers of green apple and twists of lemon peel. Developed for sure, but with freshness, this is quite impressive.Prices:| BC | $135.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Château Dereszla Methode Traditonelle 2018
Tokaj-Hegyalja, HungaryHungary's main whites, Furmint and Hárslevelű come together in this traditional method fizz, with 14 months on the lees and a dosage around 8 g/L. White florals, apricot skin, crunchy pear is met with a searing stony acidity, and softly creamy mousse. The finish wraps up quickly with bitter white grapefruit pithiness. A curiosity, to be sure.Prices:| BC | $28.26 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Loimer Pet Nat 2022
Kamptal, Niederösterreich, Weinland Österreich, AustriaFrom loess, and limestone gravels in Kamptal’s Langenlois and Gumpoldskirchen, and vines up to 20 years old, this biodynamic pet nat is a blend of 50% Donauriesling, 29% Muskateller, 13% Grüner Veltliner, and 8% Chardonnay. This was whole cluster native fermented in barrels and stainless before heading to bottle during ferment, where it spent 6 months on lees. This was disgorged in April 2023. Just off-dry, cloudy by intent, and 11.5%, this streams fragrant apricot, bergamot, pink grapefruit, crunchy pink lady apple, and lime pith along the tight, nimble palate, finishing with a riffing grip. Lovely energy and lift here, in this pure, dry pet nat.Prices:| ON | $35.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Niepoort Nat'Cool Branco 2022
Vinho Verde, Northern Portugal, PortugalNAT’Cool is Dirk Niepoort's line of wines that are low-intervention, low-alcohol, available only in a 1L format, affordable, and highly smashable. This cloudy pét-nat ish Vinho Verde, comes from the sub-region of Lousada, and is a mix of Azal, Arinto, Avesso, Trajadura, and Loureiro, and vines 25-30 years. After beginning ferment in stainless, it was bottled with a few grams RS, so it could continue to percolate in the bottle, affording it a gentle spritz. With a new colour blocked label for 2022, this is brisk and dry, with light elderflower, lemon, pear skin, meadow grass skipping along the slight 11 degree palate, lingering with gentle astringency. Very natty, and very Nat'Cool!Prices:| ON | $25.00 | 1000ml |
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91PTS
Township 7 Seven Stars Sirius 2016
Fraser Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWinemaker Mary McDermott has assembled a first-class sparkling wine program at Township Seven, and Sirius is one of the stars. The 2016 has been sleeping quietly for 60 months in south Langley, where the grapes were grown. Sirius is a serious sparkling wine made with 76% chardonnay (Dijon Clone 96) and 22% pinot noir (Dijon Clone 777 & 78). McDermott says, “Langley estate fruit is special, as the microclimate offers a unique terroir within BC. Planted over 20 years ago, the vines are located only two miles from the Canada/US Border at 49° N latitude, the same as Champagne, France.” I like the apple brioche dusted in citrus, followed by a creamy, mineral, red berry character that runs through the finish. Lean, stylish, and will keep for years in the bottle, this is a top flight BC bubble you should try before it all disappears. After riddling, the wine was disgorged, and a small amount of proprietary dosage was added for complexity and depth of flavour. The wine was then bottle aged for one year before release.Prices:| BC | $79.97 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Blue Mountain Brut Rosé R.D. Méthode Traditionelle 2019
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaYear after year, the Brut Rosé is a personal favourite in the Blue Mountain portfolio, and the 2019 may be my favourite vintage yet. It's always very moreish in style, but the cooler 2019 vintage has yielded an elegance and class that elevates this to another level. Pale salmon in colour, this shows stylish, crisp strawberry and red apple framed by a toasty autolytic character from 30 months on lees. Although this has a higher dosage than other Blue Mountain sparkling wines, it's beautifully balanced in a dry, Brut style that finishes long and chalky. Exceptional value.Prices:| BC | $39.90 | 750ml |
| BC | $48.85 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Domaine Carneros Cuvée de la Pompadour Brut Rosé NV
Carneros, Napa Valley, California, United StatesThis multi-vintage mix of 59/41 organically grown pinot noir/chardonnay is at the centre of Pompadour and its medium red/peach colour. A portion of the pinot noir juice gets several days of contact with the skins to extract colour and flavour, and a small amount of still pinot is added to the blend. There is a surprising amount of acidity to keep this wine fresh, but on the palate, it is all strawberries and caramel with some pomegranate and spice. This is an attractive pre-dinner sipper. Madame de Pompadour (mistress to Louis XV) is credited with introducing Champagne to the Versailles court and inspiring the Brut Rosé Cuvée de la Pompadour.Prices:| BC | $59.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $51.95 | 750ml |
| SK | $41.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Kamara Pure Pet Nat Blooming Island NV
Thessaloniki Area, Makedonia, GreeceDimitrios Kioutsoukis and his family decided to give up city life to be more connected to nature, moving to Thessaloniki and planting 11 ha of organically farmed autochthonous vines. All of their wines are supremely low intervention, with native ferment, no sulphur additions, and bottling without fining or filtration. Blooming Island is based on Malagousia and Assyrtiko, to which some fresh Xinomavro must was added, kicking off a gentle second ferment in this undisgorged pet-nat. Mouthfilling generous fine mousse carries tangerine, peach, apricot along a sleek, dryish palate to a snappy saline and citrus finish. Super smart, textural and natural while still being drinkable and moreish.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Piggy Pop Pet-Nat 2022
South Australia, AustraliaTim Wildman MW has spun his colourful career into winemaker over the past years, known for his playful wines like this Piggy Pop. The 2022 blends Mataro, Lagrien, Arneis, Nero d'Avola, and Zibibbo, sourced from McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, and Riverland. All were native fermented in stainless, with Nero and Mataro getting 50% whole bunch and 24-hour skin contact, giving this a deep ruby grapefruit hue. The tart citrus carries along the sleek, dryish palate with wild strawberry, white cherry, and crunchy plum, finishing with black tea tannins, pink peppercorn spiciness, and a cranberry twist. Super snappy, super fun, enjoy this Piggy with a light chill.Prices:| BC | $38.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Astro Bunny Pet-Nat 2022
AustraliaTim Wildman MW has spun his colourful career into winemaker over the past years, known for his playful wines like this Astro Bunny. As joyous as Tim is, this happy Bunny blends Vermentino, Gruner Veltliner, Zibibbo, Nero d'Avola with a splash of Verdejo, from various vineyards across Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale, and Riverland. The early picked white grapes add crunchy acidity, zibbibo was given 24 hours pre-ferment skin contact for aromatics, and the Nero d'Avola was taken from press after just a few hours to give the slight pink peachy hue before it was co-fermented with GV, Verdejo, and Vermentino. Perfumed peach, apricot, and lime pith leap from the glass, propelled by the the Astro's fine mousse, and continue along the lightly creamy, dryish palate to a snappy tangerine finish. So much fragrance and fruit in this fun 12% pet-nat. Ideal for a sunny day.Prices:| BC | $36.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Jansz Premium Rosé NV
Tasmania, South Australia, AustraliaGrown in the best vineyards, this delicate bubble with even more delicate strawberries and roses is a delight to sip. The grapes are sourced from selected sites across Tasmania, from the Pipers River and Tamar Valley regions in the north, to the Coal River Valley in the south. The palate is creamy, textured, and full of elegance and style. The colour is barely there, but the wine is ever-present. A perfect wine to serve with smoked salmon blini and crème fraîche. The winemaking is straightforward: hand-picking, gentle whole bunch pressing, cool fermentation, full malolactic fermentation, assemblage and extended ageing on lees, and released after three months of bottle age.Prices:| BC | $44.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $39.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Jansz Premium Cuvée NV
Tasmania, South Australia, AustraliaThis label is highly reliable because the fruit is sourced from selected cool-climate vineyards across Tasmania. The individual batches are all kept separate until the blend, roughly a 75/25 chardonnay/ pinot noir mix. The nose is a taut affair of red apples, lemon zest, and honeysuckle, with streaks of wild strawberries and bright acidity adding the tension. The palate is rich in lemon curd and creamy lees with final notes of grapefruit and licorice. It gets 18 months of lees contact, which explains the complex nutty notes. It is a delicious sparkler at a fair price.Prices:| BC | $44.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $39.95 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Blue Mountain Reserve Brut R.D. Méthode Traditionelle 2014
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIf you don't pay strict attention to the wine you drink, you may be unaware of one of the best characteristics of any wine, and that is consistency. Blue Mountain sparklers can be many things, but their best attribute may be their ability to be consistently good year in and year out. The Reserve Brut 2014 R.D. is estate grown, hand harvested, and all first press juice kept separate by variety. After the first fermentation, the wines were blended, yeasted, and bottled in the spring of 2015. After that, the wine sits sur lie for 7½ years. It was disgorged in August 2022 and finished dry. It then gets another year to unwind in the bottle before being released. The nose is an enticing autolytic affair of nutty oatmeal and strawberry. There is a refreshing citrus undercurrent and a full flavoured long finish that is almost elegant. It's a wine for BC gastronomy, for sure. It is fully ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $50.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $58.85 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Tinhorn Creek Blanc de Blanc 2019
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada2019 is an excellent follow-up to 2018, albeit a little lighter on its feet. There is plenty of acidity to keep it fresh and bright throughout, and a lovely amount of citrus and subtle tropical fruit. I especially love the creamy texture and leesy brioche notes throughout the wine. It has the delicacy of a blanc de blancs and only lacks the complexity of the world's best examples.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
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29 November 2023
91PTS
Clos du Soleil Saturn 2022
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis late-harvest sauvignon blanc comes from Whispered Secret Vineyard in the Similkameen Valley. The balance is perfectly spot on, with vervy, bright acidity that cuts through the 85.5 g/L residual sugar and keeps pulling you back into the glass. And then there's the fruit: precise, beautifully defined pineapple, guava, passionfruit, and orange that's vibrant and pure, exuding the long hang-time after being picked in late November. A serious sweet wine that's excellent value and will no doubt improve in bottle over the next 3-4 years.Prices:| BC | $31.90 | 375ml |
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27 November 2023
89PTS
High Note Cadenza Red Blend 2021
British Columbia, CanadaCadenza Red is an interesting blend of Similkameen merlot with Balck Sage Bench cabernet franc, sangiovese, and cabernet sauvignon. It is all aged in French oak and, in a very small way, reminds me of the Bolgheri red blends, especially when it comes to the dry finish. The attack is rich, the black fruit juicy and savoury, but the oak rules at the moment. If there is a high note, and it looks probable, that will be down the road in four to six years.Prices:| BC | $40.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Clos du Soleil Signature 2020
British Columbia, CanadaConsisting of merlot (34%), cabernet sauvignon (33%), cabernet franc (21%), malbec (9%), and petit verdot (3%), this Bordeaux blend was aged for 16 months in new French oak barrels. This wine impresses with highly concentrated dark fruit, featuring blueberries and dark plum, beautifully layered with Similkameen's distinctive graphite, without losing floral and herbal accents. On the palate, a firm and tight core of fruit harmoniously blends with well-integrated tannins, boasting both power and richness. The finish is fairly long, characterised by dark chocolate, bittersweet nuances, and dried herb savouriness.Prices:| BC | $55.90 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Château la Grolet Tête de Cuvée 2019
Cotes de Bourg, Cotes de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, FranceChâteau La Grolet is a 17th-century manor house at the bottom of a valley surrounded by its 50 hectare estate, including 38 hectares of vines. The Hubert family acquired the estate in 1997 and began its conversion to biodynamics, with Demeter certification coming in 2000. Tête de Cuvée blends 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Malbec from 55 year old vines. Made with native fermentation with very low sulphite additions, this aged for a year in new French oak barrels. Crunchy plum, tight cassis, fragrant dark florals, and crushed gravels is threaded with graphite, and wrapped with furry and sticky tannins, guiding this to a savoury, crushed floral and nutmeg finish. Quite strict upon opening, give this a decant and a roast veg and/or lamb dish.Prices:| ON | $51.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Laughing Stock Vineyards Portfolio +14/10 2020
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 2020 vintage, universally admired across BC, has yielded an extensive, rich, dark Portfolio in the glass. The 18th blend is 43% merlot, 35% cabernet sauvignon, 16% cabernet franc, 3% malbec, and 3% petit verdot, and it is full ripe black plums, balsamic, cocoa, and blackberries, with a sweet vanilla underside. This is going to need some time to settle down and show itself. At this point, it would be hard to know if the fruit came off Sunrock and Perfect Hedge vineyards in Osoyoos, or just saying it’s a modern New World blend. Portfolio sees 20 months in French oak barriques that are 40% new and 60% second use.Prices:| BC | $53.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $53.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $53.00 | 750ml |
| BC | $109.99 | 1500ml |
| BC | $219.00 | 3000ml |
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88PTS
Noble Ridge Meritage 2020
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 34 acre Okanagan Falls Vineyard at Noble Ridge is home to this fruit. Like last year, it is a spicy, savoury, soya balsamic style red with sour cherry and black raspberry and some bright acidity. A bit lean for 2020, this is best consumed with braised beef of a hearty winter stew. Ready to drink. The mix is 81 percent merlot (clone 118 planted in 1986, and an unknown clone planted in 1999) and 15 percent cabernet sauvignon (also an unknown clone from one of the oldest blocks of cab in the Okanagan, planted in 1986) with two percent cabernet franc and two percent malbec. It gets a standard, three day cold soak before fermentation. Post ferment, it spends 12 months in 20 percent new barrels, 75% French, and 25% American.Prices:| BC | $21.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
One Faith Vineyards Grand Vin 2015
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaOne Faith Grand Vin has a secretive grape source, Black Sage Road vineyards, located on a north-south benchland gravel bar. The region is primarily dry all summer and warm if not hot, but the season is short, emphasizing precision viticulture to ripen the grapes before the cold weather arrives. It is a yearly dance. The fruit is hand picked, hand sorted, and kept separate as they are fermented in open top French oak barrels. It spends 18 months ageing in French oak and is blended before bottling. The 2015 mixes 58% merlot, 25% cabernet sauvignon, and 17% cabernet franc. The medium dark wine has a dusty, dry, cedar nose that spills onto the palate. At eight years, it is already peaked, pitching leather and balsamic with cherry, prunes, and tobacco, all signs of ageing. The texture is wonderfully silky and smooth, so the best advice I can give you is to drink this now. Beef Wellington might be a fine match here.Prices:| BC | $142.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Quails' Gate Queue 2021
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaQueue is part of a new series of small batch wines bottled under the Distinction Collection that fill in some portfolio gaps using a combination of varieties, clones, rootstocks, vineyard blocks, and winemaking techniques that offer something different for club members. They come, and they go, and no two are alike, similar to the pattern on a quail’s egg and the Queue label. The latest blend of 46/30/24 merlot/cabernet/syrah comes off the upper Boucherie bench vineyard, just above the winery, that boasts a unique southern exposure and a series of vineyard blocks on volcanic soils spiked with mineral deposits. This second edition is a restrained red blend with dusty, earthy, spicy, savoury, peppery fruit streaked with dried tomatoes. The tannins are fine-grained, if a little on the dry side. It's not showing a lot of charm at the moment, so I suggest you serve it with pork belly to complement the style.Prices:| BC | $54.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Tinhorn Creek Edition 94 Limited Release 2021
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA warm, hot, and dry 2021 and its lower yields are the base for Edition 94, a wine that celebrates Tinhorn’s environmental commitment. Now 30 years on, Tinhorn’s sustainable practices, a legacy of former CEO and winemaker Sandra Oldfield’s team, works from the vineyard to the bottle. This wine exemplifies the winery’s commitment to eco-friendly production methods. The blend is merlot 27%, cabernet sauvignon 25%, cabernet franc 19%, syrah 19%, and malbec 10%, grown at Diamond Back Vineyard (Black Sage Bench) and Tinhorn Creek Vineyard (Golden Mile). Post-fermentation, it is aged 18 months in French oak. The attack is silky dry and with more red berries than black, with a dusting of dried herbs and desert sagebrush. The finish is a complex mix of dark plums, dark chocolate, and a subtle hint of smoke and spice. Youthful, I wait for the wine to unfold over the next four to seven years. If you must open it now, serve it with mushroom pasta or marinated flank steak, grilled rare.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Maeli Rosso 2018
Veneto, ItalyMaeli is owned by the 21st generation of Bisol brothers, Gianluca and Desiderio, and is nestled in the Euganean Hills’ volcanic, chalky slopes. The organic winery is directed by winemaker Elisa Dilavanzo. This blend of Merlot, Carmenere, and Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the volcanic and chalky hills of Veneto's Colli Euganei. After a native ferment, 30% of the wine was aged in neutral oak barrels, with the remainder in stainless and cement tanks. Dusky and juicy, with cherries, raspberries, fresh tobacco, green herbs and cracked pepper rolling across the medium palate. Tannins are furry, and acidity is lofty, calling out for a roasted veg / meat braise.Prices:| ON | $28.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Silhouette Aon 2020
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAon is a rich, silky, smooth mix of merlot, cabernet sauvignon, and cabernet franc grown on the Black Sage Bench and the Naramata Bench. The plummy black fruit is hidden at the moment under a blizzard of 70% new oak, but at this point, it looks like this wine can handle the wood and free up the fruit five to seven years down the road. It should turn out just fine. It’s new and has no track record, so we shall see how it develops. Given it’s the first release, it is probably worth taking a chance if you are a collector because there is only one first release.Prices:| BC | $37.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Upper Bench Altitude 2019
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAltitude is the flagship red at Upper Bench and likely the best I have seen yet. The mix is 75/25 cabernet sauvignon/merlot, spending 21 months in 30% new French oak. The cabernet leads here, showing plenty of muscle and spice, dragging the merlot into the mix just enough to soften the finish. Look for a savoury black fruit affair with rich balsamic and cedar, dark baking chocolate, and a dash of cola. Not for the timid, this needs time in the bottle or a big, rich, soft cheese to help round the edges. Wait for this one and you won't be disappointed.Prices:| BC | $48.00 | 750ml |
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24 November 2023
92PTS
Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Napa Valley, California, United StatesFreemark Abbey is on a roll under the Jackson Family Wines banner and winemakers Kristy Melton and Ted Edwards. In 2019 this Napa Valley cabernet opens with rich dark baking chocolate and blackberry. Similar flavours mark the palate with some espresso and reasonably bright acidity that lends a fresh, juicy character to what is a youthful red. It was a mostly perfect year for Napa cabernet, and this warm, spicy red is all you can want at this price point. The final mix is 90% cabernet sauvignon, 8% merlot, 2% petit verdot, 2% malbec, and 1% cabernet franc. The fruit comes from all over Napa Valley, led by 33% Okaville, 20% Atalon, 5% Keyes, 2% Sycamore and 40% purchased fruit. It aged 24 months in French oak barrels, of which 41% were new.Prices:| BC | $88.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $62.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $73.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $70.00 | 750ml |
| NB | $79.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Joshua Cooper Shay's Flat Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Pyrenees, Western Victoria, Victoria, AustraliaJoshua Cooper grew up in the vineyards with parents Alan and Nelly Cooper, and their pioneering biodynamic Cobaw Ridge winery in Macedon Ranges. He made his first own-label wine with that estate fruit in 2012, and has since been cultivating relationships with top sustainably sensitive growers in Central and Western Victoria for his impressive and tight portfolio. His efforts have not gone unnoticed; his was named Best New Winery by the 2024 Halliday Wine Companion Awards. Shay's Flat vineyard is on a ridge in the Pyrenees' Landsborough Valley, surrounded by native scrub. The 20+ year old vines are rooted into shale, quartz, and mudstone. This was destemmed and partially foot-trodden before 3 weeks maceration in open fermenters. After native ferment, this moved into 30% new Stockinger 300L, along with older thin-staved Bordeaux barrels for 1 year, followed by a 4 month stint in stainless prior to bottling, with a modicum of sulphur. There's a smouldering energy pulsing through this biodynamic wine, coursing medicinal cherry, ferrous notes, perfumed purple florals, scrubby resinous herbs (notably wild mint and rosemary) along its medium-bodied (13%), structural frame. Tannins are lightly furry, and acidity is naturally lofted. For all its youthful energy, this is showing so much purity and grace at present that's it hard not to drink right now, though the Diam30 cork indicates this has a long life ahead. Very special.Prices:| BC | $180.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Joshua Cooper Spring 2022
Victoria, AustraliaJoshua Cooper grew up in the vineyards with parents Alan and Nelly Cooper and their pioneering biodynamic Cobaw Ridge winery in Macedon Ranges. He made his first wine with that estate fruit in 2012, and has since been cultivating relationships with top environmentally sensitive growers in Central and Western Victoria for his tight portfolio. His was named Best New Winery by the 2024 Halliday Wine Companion Awards. This cabernet sauvignon is a blend from 4 vineyards in Central Victoria he works with: 50% Dash Farms, 40% Shays Flat, 5% Balgownie Old Vines, 5% Redbank Old Vines. All was destemmed and partially foot-trodden before macerating in open top fermenters over 3 weeks, kicking off a native ferment. This was then basket pressed into older thin-stave Bordeaux barrels for 10 months. Pouring a dusky plum hue, this textural red streams wild cassis, mint, perfumed tayberry across a finely textured palate, with medicinal ferrous notes threaded throughout, and lightly grippy tannins framing. Acidity is easily lofted, carrying this fresh, smart, natural cab through a wild herb finish.Prices:| BC | $100.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Sidewood Stablemate Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Adelaide Hills, Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide, South Australia, AustraliaFrom Maximilians Vineyard in Verdun in Adelaide Hills, this fermented in open-top vats before spending 18 months In French oak. The style is mid-weight, mixing black cherries, black plums, and red currants. The tannins are light and dusty, with a spicy mix of dried herbs and menthol, and a touch of barrique. Perfect for lamb chops or a favourite braised beef dish. Good value.Prices:| BC | $22.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Francis Ford Coppola Diamond Collection Black Label Claret Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
California, United StatesThis is named after the old Bordeaux word claret, which speaks to a lighter style cabernet blend despite a quarter petit verdot and petit sirah in this mix. Look for sour cherries, plums, and blueberries with a dryish licorice and soft oak finish. It is expensive for what it is: a simple, light, fruity red wine you can drink now.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.00 | 750ml |
| SK | $32.32 | 750ml |
| MB | $35.99 | 750ml |
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0PTS
Mount Veeder Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Napa Valley, California, United Statescorked, try another.Prices:| BC | $47.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Napa Valley, California, United StatesArtemis is a surprisingly supple, melt in your mouth Napa cabernet from all across the valley. The fruit is perfectly ripe on the black plum side, and full of spice, balsamic, milk, and chocolate notes. The finish is soft and persistent with black fruit and sweet fig, and refined, dense, sweet tannins that are already mature. Artemis is named for the Greek goddess of the hunt, to speak to the blend of fruit the winery hunts down to make this wine every year. The locals like to serve it with a grilled tri-tip steak, braised short ribs, or pasta with wild mushrooms and prosciutto. I want a plate, please. The 99/1 cabernet sauvignon/merlot mix is aged 14 months in 50% new French oak, 4% new American oak, plus older French oak barrels.Prices:| BC | $95.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $61.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $117.95 | 750ml |
| ON | $87.95 | 750ml |
| ATL CAN | $88.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Wente Vineyards Southern Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Livermore, San Francisco Bay, California, United StatesSouthern Hills comes from the vineyards along Livermore Valley's south side. The nose is pleasantly aromatic, pitching classic cedar, tobacco, and ripe blackberry that spill onto the palate, where black plum and spice pulls you to a dry, pleasant finish. A solid introductory style that is perfect for grilled sausages and a favourite braised dish. The family has been farming the land and making wine in the Livermore Valley since 1883. The cabernet is made with two clones originally planted by pioneer Charles Wetmore from 19th century Bordeaux cuttings. Good value.Prices:| BC | $22.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $22.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $21.99 | 750ml |
| QC | $21.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Pirramimma Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
McLaren Vale, South Australia, AustraliaPirramimma is anything but a shrinking violet, and in 2019 it is bursting to get out of the bottle. Floral violets, black fruit, and a dose of cigar tobacco jumps from the glass, streaked with licorice and cedar. It’s a perfect mix of old Bordeaux and new Australia with rich, sticky tannins and a long, powerful herbaceous finish that’s as raucous as it is fun to drink. Perfect now for your favourite beef or pork rib recipe, or cellar it through 2025.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $29.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $34.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Hollick The Bard Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaThis is a simple Coonawarra cabernet that's driven by an abundance of green flavours alongside some juicy dark fruits. The palate reveals a soft structure with modest concentration. It already displays some signs of ageing, suggesting that it may not improve further with time. Enjoy it now to savour the best of what it has to offer.Prices:| BC | $23.49 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Hollick Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Coonawarra, South Australia, AustraliaOne whiff of the Hollick Old Vines Cab, and you are transported to the terra rossa soils of Coonawarra in the Limestone Coast Wine Zone. The old vines are matured in French oak, which envelops the warm, spicy red with a mean eucalyptus streak that runs through soft, ripe black plum mixed with green olives that dominate the finish. It comes off two well known old vine vineyard blocks: Ilgha and Neilson's Block, both at the cooler southern end of Coonawarra. You can drink this now with a grilled piece of beef or wait another five to seven years. Solid value.Prices:| BC | $30.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Love & Grapes Muse 2021
Loire, FranceLove & Grapes is the personal negoce project of Domaine de l'Ecu winemaker Fred Niger. For this label he purchases organic / biodynamic fruit from friends in other regions, including his homeland of the Rhône. For Muse, this biodynamic cabernet sauvignon comes from a 1 hectare vineyard in the Loire on Gneiss and Orthogneiss soils (so assuming it's in Pays Nantais). Half spent a day on skins for colour, while the rest was pressed off immediately. All was native fermented and rested briefly in stainless. Pouring a pink grapefruit / peach hue, this juicy, sleek rosé is brimming with herbal young strawberry and raspberry blossoms, crunchy plum, mandarin pith across a rhubarb yogurt / tart palate. A bit disjointed, but give it a try with a crisp chill and some appropriate canapés.Prices:| BC | $25.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Lake Sonoma Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Sonoma County, California, United StatesLake Sonoma Cabernet is a textbook introductory Sonoma cab owned by the Stewart Family of West Kelowna's Quails' Gate. Full bodied and ripe with that characteristic savoury underside, it is packed full of blackberries and dried herbs with good acid and length. It's a simple but pleasing red for cab fans, and it's under $30. This was aged 11 months in a mixture of new and neutral French oak with a touch of new American oak. Beef empanadas, beef tacos, or hamburgers will work.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $27.00 | 750ml |
| MB | $29.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $33.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $31.00 | 750ml |
| NS | $33.79 | 750ml |
| NB | $33.79 | 750ml |
| SK | $36.99 | 750ml |
| YK | $32.80 | 750ml |
| US | $35.00 | 750ml |
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93PTS
De Martino Ungrafted Gravel Soils Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Isla de Maipo, Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, ChileHow much do I love this wine, and how well does it illustrate the allure of ungrafted vines, in this case, from the region of Isla de Maipo in the Maipo Valley? It is hard to describe the vitality of this cabernet sauvignon that begins with 13.5 percent alcohol. The vineyard is planted on alluvial terraces with gravel soils that are the perfect medium to translate the terroir through the stones into the vine's original roots. The winemaking is traditional, with grapes destemmed and fermented in stainless steel with native yeasts before spending 12 months in French barrels. The magic is in the mouth, where elegance and style are intermingled with perfectly ripe cassis and blackcurrant streaked with tobacco and graphite. It is cabernet sauvignon unmasked that you can drink today, but it will only improve in the bottle through 2030.Prices:| BC | $28.99 | 750ml |
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97PTS
Beaulieu Vineyards Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Napa Valley, California, United StatesGeorges de Latour Private Reserve is back in a big way. A portion of the wine is barrel fermented in new French oak to assist early integration and promote a dense, rich texture. The rest of the must is fermented in stainless steel and concrete tanks, adding much needed freshness and purity of fruit to the blend. There is a small amount of petit verdot in the mix to up the aroma and flavour profile, and you detect it immediately on the nose. The opening is wonderfully fragrant with plenty of dark, ripe, black raspberry, red currant, and black cherry streaked with dried herbs and mint. The style is far more nuanced, with layers of black fruit and oak that support but never intrude. The finale is a supple Rutherford dust affair that goes on for minutes. It's surprisingly drinkable now, but its best days are a decade down the road and beyond. Kudos to winemaker Trevor Durling for bringing this iconic label back to life. The grapes come off the finest Cabernet Sauvignon vines located on the western bench of the Rutherford AVA in BV Ranches No. 1 and No. 2, originally planted by Georges de Latour in the early 1900s.Prices:| BC | $179.99 | 750ml |
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93PTS
Penfolds Cabernet Sauvignon Bin 407 2020
South Australia, AustraliaThis may be a multi-regional blend but it tastes like Australian cabernet through and through. Sourced from McLaren Vale, Barossa Valley, Coonawarra, Padthaway and Wrattonbully, it opens with gorgeous herbaceous mint, eucalyptus, and thyme, then reveals poised cassis and dark cherry that is accented by savoury cedar and graphite. There's impressive density to the fruit, but there's still an elegance and clarity that makes this wine so compelling. Meticulously structured, this will reward careful cellaring over the next 5-7 years.Prices:| BC | $109.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $109.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $109.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $109.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $109.75 | 750ml |
| NB | $109.99 | 750ml |
| NS | $109.99 | 750ml |
| NFL | $109.99 | 750ml |
| US | $80.00 | 750ml |
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23 November 2023
87PTS
Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio Valdadige 2022
Valdadige, Pedemonte Valpolicella, Verona, Veneto, ItalyYes, Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio is the greatest selling grigio on the planet, and yes, they sell countless millions of bottles. It's even said they produce more pinot grigio than is possibly grown in Veneto. Hm. From 150 - 300m in the Valle dell'Adige, this was cool fermented in stainless, where it remained for a short time before bottling. Crunchy pear, Asian pear, and light citrus rule a steely and clinical palate, with a light dusting of spice on the short, snappy finish. Very basic, and you're well suited to look elsewhere.Prices:| BC | $22.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Blue Mountain Estate Cuvée Pinot Gris 2022
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis pinot gris stands out with ripe peach and mandarin, accompanied by a delightful blend of orange peel and ginger spices. It's notably more expressive and ripe compared to the typical Okanagan pinot gris, offering subtle yet inviting spiciness and a hint of creamy richness. Aged on the lees in foudres, it gains weight and depth, unquestionably showcasing its gris character rather than grigio. Nice length with pleasant pithiness.Prices:| BC | $24.90 | 750ml |
| AB | $26.85 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Piera 1899 l'Altro Terra Magre Pinot Grigio 2022
Friuli-Venezia Giulia, ItalyIn 1992, Piera Martellozzo was chosen by her father to manage their small family winery in Padua, becoming the 3rd generation in the wine business. Over the course of two decades, after moving and consolidating its headquarters in Friuli, the winery became an esteemed name in winemaking in the North East. Off sandy gravelled soils, these grapes were crushed and fermented warm in stainless, where it remained on skins until the following spring. Pouring a slight blush hue, this full bodied (14%) grigio feels surprisingly watery on the palate at first, with honeyed pear, yellow apple, and some gooseberry on the brief finish. Feels quite made, and unnecessarily packed in heavyweight glass.Prices:Read Full Note
88PTS
Tinhorn Creek Pinot Gris 2022
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA crisp, juicy gris in the pear / apple spectrum, with a touch of spice adding complexity. It's well made in an easy-drinking, dryish style to enjoy on its own or with light salads.Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
MezzaCorona Pinot Grigio 2022
Veneto, ItalyFresh and light on the nose with a mix of lemon, grapefruit, pear, and green apple notes with a thin veneer of lees to give the palate a light creamy texture. Soft and friendly it slides down easily with just a minerality in the finish. A solid white to pair with simple seafood, pasta, or vegetable sushi rolls.Prices:| BC | $19.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $19.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $18.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $15.50 | 750ml |
| NS | $15.33 | 750ml |
| PEI | $15.60 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Roche Pinot Gris 2021
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFrom Naramata's Kozier Organic Vineyard, this PG was planted in 2007, and fermented in neutral French oak (no MLF), where it aged for 10 months prior to bottling. The treatment provides a subtlety creamy and textural backdrop to the orchard pear, wild lemon, white honey, and scrubby desert sage ruling the palate. There's a lovely inherent freshness here, buoying this through a lingering stony finish. Quite smart, this is the best PG I've seen from this promising winery.Prices:| BC | $34.90 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Italia Pinot Grigio Can NV
Lombardy, ItalyAdria Vini is a winemaking venture jointly owned by Boutinot and Araldica Castelvero, the leading co-operative in the Monferrato hills of Piemonte. The aim (listen up BC) "is to produce authentic, well-priced still and sparkling wines from local grape varieties. All aspects of production, from grape selection to vinification, maturation, blending and bottling, are meticulously overseen by Araldica's winemaking team of Claudio Manera and Lella Burdese, assisted by Boutinot's Tony Brown MW." The pinot grigio is harvested in the first half of September, crushed, gently pressed to stainless steel tanks, and with 15 percent chardonnay, finished in cans. Expect a refreshing white with classic apple, citrus aromas (pinot grigio), lemon and honey (chardonnay) mid-palate flavours, and a crisp finish. Simple, clean, and ready to drink in a one-glass format, you can easily carry this vegan-friendly white up the mountain or to the beach.Prices:| BC | $7.99 | 250ml |
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90PTS
J. M. Sohler Grand Cru Winzenberg Pinot Gris 2021
Alsace, FranceWinzenberg Grand Cru rests between 240-320m, south and south-east facing, on pink granite soils laced with mica and feldspar. Ripe pear, honeycrisp apple, perfumed melon glide along the slender palate, lit with lime zest and peel which linger on the stony finish. Understated, this is a quiet gem.Prices:| ON | $31.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Blue Mountain Estate Cuvée Pinot Gris 2022
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFrom 36 year old vines planted across two clones, this pinot gris shows the vibrancy of the 2022 vintage, with bright Asian pear and lemon, accented by delicate orange blossoms, creamy lees, and balanced, high quality oak spice after aging in a combination of foudre (20%) and puncheons (52%) alongside stainless steel (38%). In true Blue Mountain fashion, it's all about restraint and elegance, with a depth and texture that elevates this well above your average gris. Excellent value.Prices:| BC | $24.90 | 750ml |
| AB | $26.85 | 750ml |
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22 November 2023
89PTS
Madonna Nera Brunello di Montalcino 2016
Montalcino, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyFrom hilly vineyards around the Abbey of Sant’Antimo, this was macerated and fermented in stainless over one month before resting 2+ years in 5 hectolitre French oak (new and second use). Tart and tight plum, baked cassis, and anise streak across a medium, leathery palate, lashed with dark cocoa and taut with grippy black tea tannins. Certainly a fresher, lifted and lighter style, this 2016 is showing a bit of age, and primed for enjoying now, ideally with ragu.Prices:| BC | $81.00 | 750ml |
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96PTS
Altesino Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2016
Montalcino, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyThe Altesino Riserva is only made in spectacular vintages and is always a rare sighting in Canada. The Riserva label was first launched in 1977, and the latest Riservas to be declared were 2010, 2013, 2015, and 2016. There will be no 2018. The fruit is sangiovese grosso selected from Altesino's four vineyards: Altesino, Macina, Pianezzine, and Castelnuovo dell'Abate. They total 40 hectares and sit at roughly 250-400 metres above sea level with two primary exposures southern and northwest. 2016 is a highly-lauded vintage, and at Altesino, they have made a gem. It has all the regular Altesino hallmarks, including purity of fruit, dark cherries, and black raspberries with an undertow of balsamic, a touch of complexing bitterness, and a wealth of finesse and persistence through the finish that melts in your mouth. A real keeper, you can drink now if you must, but it will be even better in 2026 and beyond.Prices:| BC | $154.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Altesino Brunello di Montalcino 2018
Montalcino, Siena, Tuscany, ItalyAltesino, which produced its first Brunello in 1972, always rests it at least two years in oak and four months in bottle before release. 2018 was a very cool year in Brunello, offering respite from the overheated seasons both before and after that. As a result, the wine has more balsamic notes, a fresher mid-palate mixed with forest floor and red fruits, and softer tannins. It is not a rich, dense wine this year, but rather a Bordeaux brick-coloured Brunello that overwhelms you with finesse and flavour. It will be a Brunello you can drink upon release and enjoy while you wait for the bigger, warmer years. It is ready to drink all winter.Prices:| BC | $64.99 | 750ml |
| ON | $59.00 | 750ml |
| QC | $64.50 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Altesino Rosso Toscana 2019
Tuscany, ItalyAltesino has always been a pioneering winery in Tuscany. They introduced the Cru concept with their Montosoli in 1975, were the first to experiment with barriques in 1979, and the first to release Brunello futures in 1985. The IGT Rosso is a classy spaghetti red that is hard to ignore. It is about 80/85 percent sangiovese mixed with 15/20 of merlot and cabernet sauvignon. It sees no wood, spending its life in stainless steel, pitching warm, mellow red-black fruits streaked with cherry, dried florals, leather and thyme. A real wine you can serve to Italian wine lovers Monday to Friday with confidence.Prices:| BC | $28.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Altesino Rosso di Montalcino 2020
Tuscany, ItalyAltesino Rosso di Montalcino is exclusively made with sangiovese di Montalcino grapes before ageing in Slavonian oak barrels for eight months, then a year in bottle at minimum. Most Rosso di Montalcino is made from younger vines and juice that never made the Brunello cut, but not at Altesino. Everything is estate grown, and the Rosso lives its one life mainly faithful to the house style, which is elegance supported by red fruits and spice. Look for light, breezy cherry and raspberry mixed with polished leather, dark plums, and earthy dried herbs mid-palate. Fragrant, accessible, and with bright acidity, I love this with anything mushrooms or grilled chicken off the barbecue. Good value and authenticity. Baby Brunello is at its best.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Canalcchio di Sopra Rosso di Montalcino 2019
Tuscany, ItalyYoung vines are the story of most Rossos, and it's true at Canalicchio di Sopra. You can expect a silky slick mix of black cherries, minerals, dried herbs, and forest floor so typical of this region and the Sangiovese grape. The fermentation is all stainless steel before the wine rests for one year in a mix of Slavonian oak barrel sizes, and some French oak barriques. It is all you could want in a Rosso, including the bright acidity and dry finish that is a Tuscan signature. Any mushroom-inspired pasta or chicken dish would work here.Prices:| ON | $31.95 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Tommasi Poggio al Tufo Rompicollo 2019
Maremma, Tuscany, ItalyTommasi has been growing cabernet sauvignon for 110 years in Tuscany at the Poggio Al Tufo estate, whose name translates to Volcanic Rock Hill. Today, the tradition continues in the southwest corner of Tuscany in Maremma. The 60/40 mix of sangiovese / cabernet sauvignon comes off the Pitigliano estate, with soils rich in calcium carbonate tufa. The wine is stainless fermented and aged 12 months in large 65hL Slavonian oak casks. This wine generally sits in the more rustic lane of Tuscan reds. Clearly, the cabernet is driving the bus with a mix of black currant and bitter cherry, and sticky, dry tannins that seem to sit on the sangiovese. It is young and will mellow, so it's best to let this remain in the bottle for another two or three years. For now, pork and pasta, or a winter stew are the match.Prices:| BC | $26.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $25.99 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Sette Ponti Crognolo 2019
Tuscany, ItalyThe 2019 vintage has spawned some terrific Tuscan wines, including this 95/5 blend of sangiovese and merlot. There is no shortage of oak in evidence here, but there is a wealth of red cherry, fresh acidity, and polished tannins to balance the palate. Rich, plush, and seamless, there is no rush to drink this charming red before 2025, and it will improve in the bottle through 2029.Prices:| BC | $42.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $41.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $45.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Poggio Civetta Governo all’Uso Toscano 2020
Tuscany, ItalyThe first thing you notice about this wine is its luscious, ripe, almost sweet fruit character. It results from Governo, a Tuscan winemaking process where grapes are left to dry on the vine and then are added to the fermented wine to referment one more time, creating an even richer version. It begins with a boisterous nose of ripe Bing cherries mixed with licorice and forest floor. Similar flavours mark the palate with a streak of dark chocolate and umami notes. Silky, smooth, and open with generous but soft tannins, this red has a lot of curb appeal. A delicious red best with rich dishes like osso buco or mushroom risotto.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
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20 November 2023
91PTS
Corcelettes Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Corcelettes Estate Vineyard sits on the Keremeos Upper Bench over a mix of spare, alluvial Stemwinder soils and gravelly sandy loam: the perfect setting for the super warm 2021 vintage that fully ripened this cabernet sauvignon hanging one cluster per shoot. As hot as it got, the cabernet pushed through, and the results were gratifying, including an amazing silky texture at release. Florals mark the opening, followed by dusty mineral, black plums, blackcurrants, and that BC savoury desert brush finish. It's impressive now, but I would wait 5 to 7 years for this issue to reach its peak.Prices:| BC | $39.90 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Mt. Boucherie Original Vines Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaWe were a fan of the previous vintage of this wine, but the 2020 vintage is notably lifted and dominated by wood, with a tired character to the fruit. There may be some bottle variation in play, so we will try to taste again.Prices:| BC | $49.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Blasted Church Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe mix is 94/6 cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot, the two most difficult grapes to ripen in BC, yet somehow this wine got it done. The cab comes from the Jose Vineyard (clones 191 and 169) on the western edge of Osoyoos, Inkameep Vineyard (clone 169) on the Oliver East Bench, and the home estate vineyard on the Skaha Bench. The petit verdot was sourced from the Lloyd Vineyard on the west side of Osoyoos. It was all kept separate through fermentation and aging. It spent 12 months in French oak, with 30 percent new and the rest a mix of second, third, fourth and neutral barrels. After a year, it’s all racked, blended, and returned to barrels for an extra 180 days. The nose is floral with plenty of cassis, plum, and spicy blueberry. The tannins are a touch sticky, but not an issue. The finish is persistent, with notes of Christmas cake and sagebrush.Prices:| BC | $36.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Painted Rock Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe fruit was hand picked and berry sorted from a single 2.15 acre block on the estate. It was barrel aged for 18 months in 30% new French oak and blended before it was bottled unfiltered. The Painted Rock style is dark and brooding, with branchy, black and blue fruit, and classic, youthful, dense tannins that finish resiny and spicy for the moment. You must be patient here or served it with rich meat dishes to help break down those youthful tannins. No need to drink this before 2025.Prices:| BC | $59.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Plume Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAnother 2021 silky cabernet from the Similkameen. Maybe the valley's name should be the Silk-ameen. In any event, 2021 was a scorcher, and it seems it was perfect for cabernet sauvignon, notoriously difficult to ripen in BC. Winemaker Jeff del Nin produces this wine at Quails' Gate as a sister label to its same-named Alexander Valley version in Sonoma. This is more mineral with that stony dusty underside, silky round black fruit, and dry savoury finish. It is youthful and needs time, but its round textures will permit you to drink this wine now. It is a gastronomic wine and one to watch in the coming years.Prices:| BC | $60.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $60.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Plot Cab 2020
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe cabernet comes from a single-vineyard plot near Oliver, one of the warmest sections of the Okanagan Valley. The style is unconventional, and a fresher take on a variety long known for its rich, black, warm fruit slathered in oak. Instead, look for a brighter nose previewing a juicy, dry red with bright acidity, earthy blackcurrant streaked with dried herbs, desert sagebrush, and balsamic. Post ferment, it spends 16 months in French oak, some new, some second use and the remainder all neutral. You can drink or hold this refreshingly different take on BC cabernet sauvignon.Prices:| BC | $36.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Hester Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Golden Mile Bench, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFrom 16 year old vines planted at blocks 7 and 8 at the estate on the Golden Mile Bench, the fruit was destemmed but not crushed before a four day cold soak and fermentation in Ganimede fermenters. This has an attractive nose of sappy wild berries and minty herbs, framed by dark chocolate and aromatic spices after aging for 16 months in French barriques. It's very much a youthful wine, and the tannins are still firm and rugged at this early stage, but there's the depth of fruit and impressive concentration that will allow this to gracefully mature over the next 4-5 years. An impressive Okanagan cabernet sauvignon, to be sure.Prices:| BC | $34.99 | 750ml |
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14 November 2023
90PTS
Natte Valleij Axle Chenin Blanc 2022
Darling, Coastal Region, South AfricaCinsault-centric Alex Milner crafted this white for his Chenin-loving wife, sourcing fruit from 1985 planted dry farmed bush vines in Darling. This was basket pressed and settled 1 day before racking to older 225L barrels for native ferment. It remained in the barrels post-ferment with regular bâtonnage for a couple of months, and then a quiet rest, all totalling 9 months. Gently creamy, with layers of downy lees, lemon, crunchy yellow apple, and heaps of stony salinity which chisel and shape the finish. A lovely, fresh, charming chenin.Prices:| BC | $45.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Yalumba Gen Organic Viognier 2022
South Australia, AustraliaCredited with reviving and reintroducing a dying off grape, Yalumba now has the greatest plantings of viognier in the world. Gen is their greenest wine next, inspired by future generations, and from certified organic grapes with ample biodiversity in the vineyard, and clean winery practices from start to finish, including the paper on the label of the lightweight bottle (no small feat). This is a compact and nimble iteration, with the grape's lushness pinned in smartly, with lime leaf, tangerine, honeysuckle streaking along the palate, lingering with white pepper and orange rind. Very modern, fresh, interesting, and worthy of next gen's attention.Prices:| BC | $27.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Cascina Vèngore Sanromè Arneis 2022
Piedmont, ItalyVèngore is a natural amphitheatre of 26 hectares, including meadows, woods, and vineyards. Centering, there is a historic farmstead with Roman steps. This organic arneis comes from a single vineyard within the estate and was native fermented in stainless, where it spent eight months on lees until bottling. Very sleek and refined, with wild pear, quince, tangerine, and herbal hedgerow across a medium palate, lees kissed. The finish lingers with a crushed, stony minerality. All the subtleties you'd expect from arneis, and primed for drinking now. Try green veg dishes.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Terravista Roussanne Focus Series 2022
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Focus Series is a limited label, and in this case of the roussanne, the fruit comes off celebrated Le Vieux Pin and LaStella winemaker Severine Pinte’s west-facing Oliver home vineyard. I can think of so many grapes we could pull out in favour of this variety, which is simply overdelivering at Terravista. After a gentle whole cluster press, the juice runs into older barrels and puncheons for fermentation and five months of ageing on its lees with regular stirring. This is so delicious. Perfectly ripe with delicate acidity, hints of rosewater, lots of lime and peaches, with just a thread of spice in the finish. Lively and alive, this wonderfully fresh version of roussanne will be a hit with Asian chefs and consumers who love Thai, Indian, and Vietnamese dishes.Prices:| BC | $33.00 | 750ml |
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13 November 2023
89PTS
Vig Amber 2022
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaGewürztraminer from the Naramata Bench, this is a blend of three components: one macerated overnight; another fermented over three weeks; and the third on skins for five months. It was then aged in stainless steel and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Pouring a hazy pale amber, this has a punchy, aromatic nose led by orange blossoms and elderflower, alongside juicy peach and candied orange peel, leading to a dry, textured palate that shows some bitterness from the extended skin contact. Try this with tangy, salty light bites like olives stuffed with anchovies.Prices:| BC | $32.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Mt. Boucherie Original Vines Gewürztraminer 2022
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSouth Rock Vineyard sits at the southern tip of Oliver's famed Golden Mile Bench and is the oldest continuously farmed site in the Mt. Boucherie portfolio, with plantings dating back to 1972. The Original Vines Gewürztraminer block was planted in 1986, offering concentrated, dense berries of great spice and character. The must is left on the skins for approximately three weeks in stainless steel, developing richness, intensity, and a gentle tug of tannin before the ferment. The nose is a quiet mix of dry grapefruit, light rose petals, and candied orange peel. The attack is dry and rich with good freshness, a bit of litchi, and ginger, with more skin phenolics building through the finish. This is quite an exciting wine that sits nicely outside the standard gewürztraminer curve. Perfect for the curious, and dishes of delicate spice or more decadent Alsatian cuisine, such as the famous choucroute garnie.Prices:| BC | $34.99 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Maçanita Branco 2022
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, PortugalSiblings Antonio and Joana Maçinata work together on this Douro Valley project. This Branco blends viosinho, arinto, and gouveio, mostly from the Baixo Corgo (80%), with the remainder from the Cima Corgo and from vines between 580-700m on granite and schistous soils. This was whole bunch pressed, then fermented and aged in stainless for 6 months, on lees. A beauty brace of crushed stones is filled with wild lemon, green fig, crunchy pear, all dosed with ample stony salinity, and held taut with steep acidity. There's an alluring white tea texture to this medium bodied white, adding to its interest. Drinking very smartly now, and over the next couple of years easy.Prices:| ON | $30.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Francois Lurton Les Fumées Blanches Sauvignon Blanc Vin Orange 2021
FranceIt's about as lively as it gets for an orange, and that is saying something since I usually pour eight out of ten defective samples down the sink. It has that sauvignon acidity to help with the extra weight and flavours, although this wine is perfectly balanced. It has a citrus thread with nuttiness and a bitter orange peel finish. It is a curiosity, but it is a wine worth trying and experiencing with spicy dishes, sweet and sour Asian dishes, firm older cheese, and even turkey.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Plot Wines Orange No. 4 2022
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPlot Wines is a newish friendly and funky wine collab based out of Kaleden. Their name refers to the partners' (Kevin Rossion and Adam Kereliuk) practice of sourcing grapes from different plots of land across the Okanagan Valley, making an ever changing roster of minimal intervention wines. Pouring a hazy glowing orange hue, Orange no. 4 blends gew, muscat ottonel and orange muscat from Kaleden, with up to 1 weeks on skins before pressing into neutral oak for 6 months. It was bottled unfined and unfiltered. A more assertive orange, with bitter apricot, peach fuzz and pit, bergamot, and salinity streaking across a tight, dry, and textural palate, lingering with crushed rocks and more salinity. A smart, if more severe, colour of orange.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Plot Wines It's Nice 2022
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIt's Nice is a skin contact blend of sauvignon blanc, muscat and chardonnay from Kaleden and Oliver, macerated on skins for up to 6 days and then pressed into barrel where it remained until bottling, unfined and unfiltered. Singing brightly, with tangerine, kefir lime, and apricot fuzz strung taut along the palate, finishing with an ale-like bitterness and fine spicing. A smart semi-orange wine, fresh and gentle, for enjoying now.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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09 November 2023
90PTS
Clos du Soleil Winemaker's Series Chardonnay La Côte Vineyard 2021
Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFrom their certified organic La Côte Vineyard, this was whole cluster pressed and fermented in older French puncheons, with no MLF. It was aged on lees for 8 months, with sporadic bâtonnage. Ripe and creamy with pear, lemon curd, and green apple, all scented with scrubby sage. There's a lovely shape and form to this young wine, rewarding now, and over the next couple of years easy.Prices:| BC | $29.90 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Blue Grouse Chardonnay 2022
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, CanadaNow under the Jackson Family wings, this Cowichan Valley chardonnay comes with no other details than it's from Cowichan Valley. Outside of that, there are elements of barrel aging with cloves and nutmeg up against ripe apple, melon, and island fresh acidity. There's a creamy ripe toastiness to this which stands apart to the bright saline acidity. Cali meets proper cool climate? Certainly a project to watch unfold.Prices:| BC | $31.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Domaine Rolet L'étoile Chardonnay en Novalet 2020
Jura, FranceThis chardonnay is grown on the hills near Lons Le Saunier, with distinguished soils of grey blue marls and star shaped fossils called pentacrine, after which this small appellation was named. Their plot, en Novalet, is located in the village of Planoiseau. L'étoile is fermented in barrique, where it ages for a year before bottling. There's a lovely flinty reduction shaping this savoury medium bodied chardy, with crushed stones, lemon peel, green apple, and a white grapefruit cut that lingers on the saline finish. Quite a lot of impact for 13.5%, this is drinking very smart now, and with time ahead.Prices:| ON | $43.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Blomidon Chardonnay 2021
Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, CanadaThe 2021 Blomidon Chardonnay blends 45% Blomidon Estate Vineyard, with 40% Blomidon Next Door Vineyard, and 15% Luckett Avonport Vineyard, all in the Annapolis Valley. This was partial native fermented in a mix of 60/40 barrel / stainless, with different lots spending up to 11 months on lees. Lemon curd, green apple, and perfumed white blossoms are wrapped with a fine cloak of toasty wood, and bedded by a gentle lees bed. The green apple returns to sharpen the finish, leaving it with a saline rinse, and beckoning for food (think shellfish).Prices:| ON | $32.95 | 750ml |
| NS | $29.50 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Noble Ridge Stony Knoll Chardonnay 2022
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis is a bright, fresh, straight-up version of chardonnay with florals and mineral filling the front end. The fruit is whole cluster pressed, fermented cool in stainless steel tanks, and there was no malolactic fermentation, leaving a super bright, fresh chardonnay pitching crisp red and green apples, crunchy pear, and lime, with a dusting of citrus and stone dust. Clean and fresh and ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $25.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Roche Chardonnay 2021
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFrom their home vineyard, Domaine Roche, on the Naramata Bench. Ripe and forward, with white peach, juicy pear, lemon yogurt, and spicy wood influence across a creamy, nutmeg-kissed palate. There is a subtle lemon brace around the sides providing a bit of tension through the stony finish. Friendly, easy, and drinking now, easily able to handle creamed dishes.Prices:| BC | $38.90 | 750ml |
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88PTS
One Faith Vineyards Reserve Chardonnay 2022
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA challenging, cool, wet spring set back the 2022 season, resulting in a later than average bud break, followed by a hot summer that slowed the phenolic ripeness, pushing the final ripening into the dry, relatively warm fall. That scenario resulted in full flavours and an overall delicate balance. This wine originates above the western shore of Skaha Lake, and believe it or not, is somewhat reminiscent of northern Italian chardonnay. It opens with florals and citrus, with a strong stony, almond, mineral character that runs through the wine. More melon and citrus dominate the mid-palate before a saline nutty finish wraps up. Food friendly and ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Painted Rock Chardonnay 2022
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaLike last year, Painted Rock engaged in four mini harvests, picking its chardonnay over two weeks, capturing different levels of acidity and ripeness. Some 85% of the wine was aged six months in 45% new French oak, and 40% in older used barrels. The rest was stored in stainless steel. Less than a quarter went through malolactic fermentation, leaving the wine surprisingly fresh. Look for tropical pineapple and melon with stony mineral notes underneath. The finish is clean and dry. There's not a lot of complexity, but there's excellent drinkability. Turkey, pasta, and pan-fried squid would be fine matches.Prices:| BC | $44.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Burrowing Owl Chardonnay 2021
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaAt BOV, the Chardonnay remains classic California in style with abundant ripe, sweet fruit mixed with buttery, nutty, oaky vanilla. 2021 will be remembered as a scorching year with few cool nights, which made acid retention a challenge. Phenolic ripeness was more easily achieved, and the BOV estate grown chardonnay, mostly from original vines planted in 1993, was handpicked in late September. The bunches were hand sorted and dropped whole cluster into the press, where the juice was gently extracted. Some 75% of the juice was fermented and aged in barrels, while the remaining 25% was fermented and aged in stainless steel. The alcohol is a pleasant 13.5 percent, yet the flavours are bold, pitching peach, mango, and papaya with undercurrents of caramel and popcorn. It is an appealing style that is no doubt demanded by BOV buyers, but I see room for improvement here, like more complexity and a drier, more electric style. Ready to drink.Prices:| BC | $34.00 | 750ml |
| AB | $35.00 | 750ml |
| ON | $37.95 | 750ml |
| QC | $39.75 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Quails' Gate Chardonnay 2022
West Kelowna, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe classic QG Chardonnay comes from several family-owned sites and is fermented in a mix of vessels from stainless steel tanks to neutral French oak. It goes through partial malolactic fermentation to retain its freshness, and spends nine months on its lees while adding some creamy textures to the mix. The attack is a balanced mix of citrus and creamy bakery notes spiked with fresh pear and barrel spice. The stylish, new, round, and easy-to-drink white is the perfect chardonnay at this price point to serve a large crowd. Shellfish, halibut, and roasted chicken all work here.Prices:| BC | $26.99 | 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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91PTS
Liber Estates Rebil Chardonnay 2019
Cawston, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Rebil (Liber backwards) Chardonnay is grown on the west facing banks of the Similkameen River about four kilometres from the US border. It is a fabulous exposition for this organic vineyard, situated on a cool, wild, and windy site that gets plenty of sun. Winemaker Mike Dowell calls it "the shimmer effect" of the sun bouncing off the bend of the Similkameen that runs directly up to the foot of the vineyard. This wine has an eerily Chablis Grand Cru style, as in a dry, rich, and complex front end and a nutty, leesy undercurrent. It is complex and lengthy, with some bitterness in the back end but not enough to disturb the balance. Delicious at 13.5 percent alcohol, it is still just a baby. Dowell says he and his wife instantly fell in love with the vineyard the first time they saw it. I contend that you will fall in love with this chardonnay the first time you taste it.Prices:| BC | $32.99 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Liber Farm & Winery Everyday Chardonnay 2022
Cawston, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIt's year six for this organically grown Similkameen Valley chardonnay grown above a bend in the Similkameen River, east of Cawston. Simple straight-up winemaking, including a stainless steel ferment, has produced a crisp, clean, mineral-based chardonnay with crisp pear and red apple. The palate is pleasantly soft with tropical pineapple mixed into the leaner apple notes, giving it instant drinkability and reflecting its Everyday moniker. Perfect with a bowl of popcorn or a chicken fajita.Prices:| BC | $18.00 | 750ml |
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87PTS
Fort Berens Chardonnay 2022
Lillooet, British Columbia, Canada2022 is a 55/45 mix of Lillooet fruit from the home estate Dry Creek Vineyard and nearby Fraser Bench. Just under a third of the grapes were fermented whole cluster into neutral French oak barrels and aged for four months to add some mouthfeel. Everything else was fermented and aged in stainless steel. This is a simple, skinny chardonnay full of green apple skin and lime, with bright acidity and a stony mineral finish. It is best with a creamy pasta dish or lobster and plenty of drawn butter. It's a good start, but a little more lees would help up the interest.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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08 November 2023
0PTS
Three Sisters Winery Gamay 2021
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaSadly smouldering with ashes and smoke taint.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
JoieFarm Gamay 2020
East Kelowna Slopes, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFrom East Kelowna's Lakeshore vineyard, this gamay was fermented on skins in concrete over 1 month, and then gravity fed into a basket press before returning to concrete and large neutral oak for aging. The wine was then racked into a mix of 10% new barrique, and puncheons for the last 3 months on fine lees. There's a lot going on with the vini, but thankfully the end result is a tightly structured gamay with dark plum etched with thorny blackberry and brightened with lifted cassis acidity. Tannins are light and long and slightly grippy, guiding this to a snappy, tart and puckering finish. A new look for an old-school favourite.Prices:| BC | $30.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages Combe aux Jacques 2021
Beaujolais Villages, Beaujolais, Burgundy, FranceThis Beaujolais-Villages shows a fruit driven, semi-carbonic character, with juicy cherry and Damson plum flecked with earthy spices, leading to a soft, juicy palate that shows a touch of grittiness to the tannins. Correct, well made, and fairly priced. Enjoy with a light chill.Prices:| BC | $26.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $20.99 | 750ml |
| SK | $25.95 | 750ml |
| MB | $27.99 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Vig Gamay 2022
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaPenelope and Dylan Roche, owners of Naramata-based Roche wines, have launched a collection of labels tagged Vig (that’s short for vigneron or winegrower), which collaborates with renowned Canadian artists known for their bold style. The Roches asked each artist to create a label that illustrates their sensory experiences when tasting the wine. Vig 2022 Gamay, their first, is captured by Roanne Corteza, and sourced from a grower in north Oliver. Smouldering smoked morello cherry, wet forest, dried leaves rule this bricking, lighter red, making it appear much older than it should for 2022. It's time in medium toast hybrid American / French barrels most certainly are the cause, since there isn't any smoke taint in the area this year. Tannins are fine and whispy, and the slight palate is silken, leading this to a campfire ash finish. A bit too ashen for me.Prices:| BC | $33.00 | 750ml |
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92PTS
Mathieu & Camille Lapierre Morgon 2021
Morgon, Beaujolais Villages, Beaujolais, Burgundy, FranceSiblings Mathieu and Camille Lapierre took over the reins of their father Marcel's groundbreaking naturist wines in Beaujolais, carrying on the house's tradition of organic / biodynamic / estate. From 70 year old vines on sandy decomposed granites, this was native ferment, semi-carbo (no SO2) for up to 3 weeks before aging 9 months in older 216 later barrels. Tight and buzzy, this is lofted with iris, crunchy plum, raspberry, and perfumed cherry, framed with finely buzzy tannins and lit with an intrinsic minerality, easily streaming this to a lingering, saline finish. If you think Morgon is a brooding, built, darker shaded wine for the cellar only, please do try this, though give it some time to open.Prices:| BC | $54.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $55.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Deep Roots Winery Gamay 2022
Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFrom Naramata's Hardman Vineyard, facing southwest toward the lake, this was destemmed and cold soaked for 6 days before a 9-day fermentation. It was then pressed into older barrels where it aged 8 months. Juicy blackberry, cherry, cracked pepper is cut with a slice of VA on the palate, tightening and shortening the palate to a puckering finish. Tannins are lightly sticky, hugging this along to the end. Try with grilled mushroom burgers.Prices:| BC | $22.53 | 750ml |
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07 November 2023
88PTS
La Quercia Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2020
Abruzzo, ItalyLa Quercia is run by four friends (Elisabetta, Antonio, Luca, and Fabio) who met while working at a big winery in the late 1980s. In 2000, the quad came together and purchased a small winery where they had previously served as consultants. They now have 46 hectares spread across various areas. This is organically farmed (some dry-farmed) montepulciano at 210m, in clay soils. It was fermented in stainless, where it remained 6 months until bottling. There's a lovely wild herb savouriness to this lighter red, with dried thyme and oregano imbuing the fleshy dark plum, subtle cassis, and dark cocoa on the medium palate. Tannins are furry and a bit sticky, and acidity is lofted, both welcoming a ragu or grilled sausages.Prices:| BC | $26.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Produttori del Barbaresco Langhe Nebbiolo 2021
Langhe, Cuneo, Piedmont, ItalyThe Produttori Langhe rosso is made from young vines growing across the DOC. It is fermented in stainless and aged six months in large oak. Its best asset is its aromatic nose and juicy red fruits. The acid could scare some, but with the right food, this wine is a serious player. Then, there is that dry Italian styling that makes it so attractive. Look for violets, cassis, tobacco, intense red and black cherries, and licorice, with firm but round tannins. Thank you, concrete tank fermentations. I like the versatility of serving this with mushroom pizzas, soft cheeses, or meaty pasta. Produttori del Barbaresco was formed in 1958 by a priest in the Barbaresco village who discerned small properties would need to unite to survive. Hence, nineteen small growers founded the co-op. Today, 54 members control more than 100 hectares of premium nebbiolo vineyards in Barbaresco. Each family wholly owns their land, growing nebbiolo grapes with centuries-old skill and dedication. The winery produces a Barbaresco DOCG, a blend of nebbiolo grapes harvested from different vineyards, and a simpler Nebbiolo Langhe suited for earlier consumption. Nine single vineyard Barbarescos are made in outstanding vintages from nine premium sites within the Barbaresco village boundaries.Prices:| BC | $33.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Cascina Vengore Campolungo Barbera d'Asti 2021
Piedmont, ItalyVèngore is a natural amphitheatre of 26 hectares, including meadows, woods, and vineyards. Centering, there is a historic farmstead, with Roman steps. This organic barbera comes from a single vineyard on the estate, and is native fermented and aged one year in stainless. Not your typical candied barbera, this is a serious example, still fruit primary from the lack of wood, but with a savoury sheen as it edges into secondary notes of dried florals and fruit alongside fresh. Cherry, mulberry, and plum lead the pack, with a crunchy acidity, and fine, sticky tannins pinning in the sides to a pink peppercorn finish. Nice energy here, and a lovely addition to the dinner table (think kebabs).Prices:| BC | $29.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Cascina Vèngore Belgardo Terre Alfieri 2020
Piedmont, ItalyVèngore is a natural amphitheatre of 26 hectares, including meadows, woods, and vineyards. Centering, there is a historic farmstead, with Roman steps. This organic nebbiolo comes from a single estate vineyard, native fermented in tank before aging one year in large Slavonian oak barrels. Deep and dark, with plush black plum, black cherry, and fragrant purple florals wrapping around a smouldering, smokey, twiney core, with sinewy, grippy black tea tannins pulling this in and straight, and to a bitter raspberry/cherry finish. At present, this is a very strict and youthful and stand-offish nebbiolo, which should soften and ease with a year or two in your cellar. For now, give it some airtime, and roasted pork/wild mushrooms.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Araldica Barbera 2022
Piedmont, ItalyThis screwcap barbera is a lovely, fresh expression of this red-fruited grape. Bright and juicy, it jumps across the palate, spreading hints of plums and raspberries before the sour cherries tighten the finish. Soft tannins and a spicy licorice, almost balsamic finish add complexity to a perfect mid-week red. Araldica, one of Piedmont's largest and most forward thinking co-operatives, is situated in the Monferrato hills in the heart of Barbera d'Asti. Pizza, anyone? It's good value, and real wine.Prices:| BC | $20.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Belle Colle Langhe Nebbiolo 2021
Piedmont, ItalyDOC Langhe Nebbiolo is designed to be drunk long before any Barolo from the same year, but not all Langhe Nebbiolo is made with the same care as this Belle Colle version. To know why, taste this wine, mixing fragrant floral violets with scented roses and sweet black cherries. The entry is charmingly soft and fresh, pitching pretty red fruit and soft, dusty, almost non-existent tannins. There is no dryness here, just a delicious red wine you want to swallow quickly, even if it is far more deserving of serious study. Once again, it is more reminiscent of pinot noir than nebbiolo. Back up the truck.Prices:| BC | $20.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Fontanabianca Barbera d'Alba 2020
Piedmont, ItalyThe nose mixes dry, earthy Italian notes with floral red fruit. The palate is alive that Barbera way, with bright acidity but not over the top. Plum, cherries, and savoury, dried herbs and earth mix with a silky texture, leaving this red poised to take on any fall and winter fare easily. A pork roast would be a perfect match at this point. This Barbera hails from Neive, Piedmont and the 30 year old vines are grown over clay and limestone 250 metres above sea level. The winemaking is traditional, with aging in large and small barrels for 9-12 months followed by 4-6 months in bottle before it is released.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
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06 November 2023
89PTS
Blasted Church Merlot 2021
Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe Blasted Church Merlot is all home estate fruit grown on the Skaha Bench. The vines are 30 years old, the yields are low, and the result is a supremely rich red. Look for plenty of black plums, baking chocolate, black cherries, and fragrant vanilla. This is a stylish red, and it's only just settling in. Drink or hold, this is a good one. The oak is all French, and only 30 percent new, making for a winning formula.Prices:| BC | $34.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Painted Rock Merlot 2021
Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada2021 was an inconsistent year for some producers, and generally, the terroir lost out to the weather that tossed some intensive events at BC growers. In this case, a first-ever heat dome and ongoing drought reduced the regional yields and bumped up alcohol. This merlot clocks in at 15.1 percent with plenty of dried black cherries, a touch of raisins, and some smoky notes in the finish. The texture is merlot soft, and the flavours are more baked than fresh this year. Full-bodied and rich, this is ready to drink now while it still has some youthful notes, but the dry back end suggests you might want to drink it up over the next six months to a year.Prices:| BC | $49.99 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Hester Creek Joe's Block 2021
Golden Mile Bench, Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThis merlot, a clone sourced from Italy and planted in 1968 by Joe Busnardo, is savoury and distinctive, showing sappy dark cherries, iodine, green peppercorns, and singed, leafy herbs, framed by generous French oak. It's a fun discovery well outside of the typical idiom of Okanagan merlot, and all the better for it. There's excellent intensity and concentration, alongside woody, medium-grained tannins that will benefit from another 2-3 years in bottle.Prices:| BC | $39.99 | 750ml |
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03 November 2023
89PTS
JoieFarm A Noble Blend 2022
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA Noble Blend is one of the signature aromatic blends from the Okanagan, and the reins have now passed onto winemaker Richard Charnock, formerly of Pentâge. The 2022 vintage is a blend of gewürztraminer (50%), riesling (27%), pinot auxerrois (10%), pinot gris (8%), and pinot blanc (5%), sourced from up and down the Okanagan. This is bright and lively, perhaps less aromatic than previous vintages, with a combination of pear, grapefruit, and orange blossom. The balance is on point, drier than I remember (this is 6 g/L), with a crisp, refreshing, clean finish. It is well made in an appealing, fruit driven style.Prices:| BC | $26.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $33.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Ciù Ciù Oris 2022
Ascoli Piceno, Marche, ItalyOris is an organic blend of Trebbiano, Pecorino, and Passerina, grown in the towns of Offida and Acquaviva Picena, in Marche's Ascoli Piceno province at 300m. This was native fermented in stainless, and left to settle on lees for 4 months. Peach blossoms, ripe pear flood a juicy palate, with a slight phenolic apricot skin grip, and crunchy Asian pear acidity. The stony base lingers on the snappy almond-kissed finish. A lovely fresh white for spring salads / seafood.Prices:| ON | $19.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Via Latina Grande Reserva Branco 2018
Vinho Verde, Northern Portugal, PortugalThis blend of Arinto, Loureiro, and Trajadura was fermented and rested in stainless. Honeyed pear, yellow plum, and Asian pear run the streamlined palate, with a fine, buzzy granitic grip livening the underneath and pushing this along the saline finish.Prices:Read Full Note
90PTS
Anselmi San Vincenzo 2021
Veneto, ItalyPredominantly garganega (70 percent), with chardonnay and sauvignon blanc, from a combination of volcanic tuff and limestone soils, this was fermented with ambient yeasts and aged for six months in stainless steel before bottling. Pale gold in colour, the nose is very sauvignon-like, with a combination of bright lemon and gooseberry accented by fresh herbs and a touch of tropical passionfruit. The depth and complexity are above the norm, with a crisp, medium-long finish. Excellent value.Prices:| BC | $23.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Plot Thick 2021
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaIf a blend of viognier/chardonnay sounds luscious, it is because it is. Thick and viscous as they come, this opens with super ripe apricot and honeysuckle intertwined with oatmeal. Similar weight and fruit coat the palate and remain intense throughout the finish, earning the label moniker ‘thick.’ This was barrel fermented and received light bâtonnage during a 16-month rest in neutral and second year French oak. As ripe as it tastes, only 2.35 grams per litre of residual sugar exists. It was a gold medal winner at the National Wine Awards.Prices:| BC | $30.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Moon Curser Roussanne Marsanne 2022
Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaA unique blend in Canada of classic French Rhône white varieties roussanne and marsanne, this is co-fermented and lees stirred. Some of the wine goes through malolactic fermentation, adding even more fatness, while a portion (20%) is aged for 120 days in French oak, adding mid-palate weight. Typically surprisingly elegant, 2022 is a more decadent version with the marsanne adding the honey and marzipan to the yellow apples and oily citrus. There is plenty of power here, so be prepared and buckle up. Cornish game hen is a good match, as is cauliflower steak or butternut squash ravioli.Prices:| BC | $26.99 | 750ml |
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02 November 2023
87PTS
El Petit Bonhomme Blanco 2022
Rueda, Castilla-Leon, SpainThis is a well made, crisp, straightforward verdejo that pitches a bright lemon nose mixed with a smooth, ripe peach palate that fades into a short, snappy finish. This is an honest mid week white best suited to crab cakes, Margherita pizza, or a chunk of reggiano parmigiana, all for a reasonably priced $18. The bonus is the wine is certified organic.Prices:| BC | $17.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $16.99 | 750ml |
| MB | $18.99 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Tamellini Soave 2022
Soave, Verona, Veneto, ItalyThe Tamellini family has been cultivating vineyards for 4 generations, but it was only in 1998 that brothers Gaetano and Pio Francesco decided to found their winery. This Garganega came from calcareous soils and was the whole cluster pressed and fermented in stainless, where it remained for four months until bottling. Soft white peach, pear blossom, and ripe gooseberry work through the slight palate, finishing with a pucker of salinity. A gentle, welcoming Soave, ready to crack into now.Prices:| BC | $32.00 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Bonnet Huteau Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie Les Gautronnières 2021
Muscadet, Pays Nantais, Loire, FranceMuscadet continues to be one of the most underrated, and best value, regions in the world of wine, and Bonnet Huteau shows why. Drawing on a 150+ year history, the domaine is organic and biodynamic since 2010, and produces a range of bottlings from four vineyards throughout Muscadet, each with its own unique soil type. Les Gautronnières is based on "green rocks and amphibolites," the latter a metamorphic rock formed from basalt, with vine age ranging from 15 to 30 years. It makes for seriously good Muscadet, with a combination of pure lemon and an abundance of wet stones and oyster shell that's backed by creamy lees, providing richness to the taut, precise frame. A wine that will undoubtedly last for another decade, though it's impossible not to drink now.Prices:| BC | $32.99 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Fontanafredda Gavi di Gavi 2021
Piedmont, ItalyAn expression of a territory, Gavi del Comune di Gavi, is made from the cortese grape. A wine that defies time and the whims of modernity. As always, this wine is deliciously on point. The nose is electrically charged with white flowers, citrus, and wet, warm stone. The palate reflects the nose, with more quince and bitter grapefruit flecked with a mineral sea salt undercurrent. Delicious and a homerun gastronomic wine for West Coast seafood. Hunt it down.Prices:| BC | $31.99 | 750ml |
| AB | $30.95 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Bonnet Huteau Muscadet Sèvre et Maine sur Lie Les Gautronnières 2022
Muscadet, Pays Nantais, Loire, FranceDomaine Bonnet-Huteau, nestled in La Chapelle-Heulin, in the heart of Muscadet’s Sèvre et Maine appellation, has been producing Muscadet for over 150 years. Today it is run by the Bonnet brothers, Jean-Jacques and Rémi. This 42 hectare vineyard has been certified organic since 2005, and biodynamic since 2010. They’ve divided their Melon de Bourgogne into parcels to highlight the nuances and subtlety of their individual terroirs, and their focus is on producing pure, fresh, Muscadet. From 20-30 year old vines and profoundly rocky clays and amphibolite fossil-rich volcanic soils, Les Gautronnières was native fermented in stainless, with full MLF and 9 months on lees. Broken stones, subtle wild lemon, green apple waft through this smart and savoury Muscadet, with a grippy / buzzy underlay reflective of the soils, and a well-managed layer of herbal lees adding interest. Still quite tight and poised, this is drinking well now, and with time ahead.Prices:| ON | $27.00 | 750ml |
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89PTS
Bonnet Huteau Muscadet Sèvre et Maine sur Lie Les Bonnets Blancs 2022
Muscadet, Pays Nantais, Loire, FranceDomaine Bonnet-Huteau, nestled in La Chapelle-Heulin, in the heart of Muscadet’s Sèvre et Maine appellation, has been producing Muscadet for over 150 years. Today it is run by the Bonnet brothers, Jean-Jacques and Rémi. This 42 hectare vineyard has been certified organic since 2005, and uses biodynamic philosophies. This youthful, fresh Muscadet is off 15-30 year old vines from La Tarcière’s limestone over gneiss. Forward and friendly, with juicy white peach, crisp green apple, lemon pith and peel strung along a sleek and stony form, finishing with a fragrant tangerine twist. A fresh, fun, smart Muscadet for cracking into now.Prices:| ON | $24.00 | 750ml |
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90PTS
Loimer Kamptal Grüner Veltliner 2022
Kamptal, Niederösterreich, Weinland Österreich, AustriaCarrying on his family's winemaking tradition, after studying oenology at Austria’s Klosterneuburg University and working in Germany and Napa, he took over the winery from his father in 1997. His 80 hectares of vineyards began conversion to biodynamics in 2006, and all are certified today. Unlike most of his peers, Fred vinifies his wine to dryness, like this concentrated, stony, older vine grüner from vineyard around Langenlois, growing on loess and gneiss soils at 200-400m. Predominantly fermented and aged in large stainless tanks (5% in large oak barrels), this rested 4 months on lees before blending and bottling. Pink grapefruit, crunchy honeycrisp apple, tangerine runs the sleek palate, dusted with white pepper and lingering with white blossoms.Prices:| ON | $27.00 | 750ml |
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88PTS
One Faith Vineyards Reserve Pinot Blanc 2022
Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe long, cold, wet spring set back the pinot blanc, resulting in a later than average bud break. A super hot summer similarly delayed the growth in the vineyard, all of which led to a later cool ripening period in the fall that turned out to be warm and dry as well. This pinot blanc is, at the very least, exciting and the longer you taste it, the more interesting it gets. It is reminiscent of a Northern Italian pinot bianco with a pronounced citrus and almond nose amid a wash of stony minerality. The west Skaha vineyard gets the warm morning sun before slipping into cooler late-day conditions, seemingly ideal for pinot blanc. Look for fresh, bright fruit pitching crisp apple with a touch of honey, and a gooseberry wash. Fresh and lively, this would be an excellent turkey wine and something you could serve with halibut or a classic onion tart.Prices:| BC | $27.77 | 750ml |
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01 November 2023
90PTS
Bartier Bros. Riesling 2022
Thompson Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe first riesling to be released from Bartier Bros. since 2015 is a snappy, lip-smacking one, sourced from the limestone-rich soils of the Thompson River Valley, which gives this a backbone of stony minerality. This shows real verve and tension, tremendously balanced with 13 g/L residual sugar that washes away thanks to the crisp acidity, leading to a dry, refreshing finish. It's the type of wine that we would happily drink any day of the week, and it's only going to get better with time in bottle. Tuck away a six-pack if you can and revisit over the next 10 years. Recommended. https://bartierbros.com/feature-wines/ Gismondi readers use GOW2024 for free shipping.Prices:| BC | $24.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Hugel Estate Riesling 2016
Alsace, FranceAlsace escaped the hail and frost in 2016, and the crop is generous. It was the first vintage in over a decade where no botrytis-affected wines were made at Hugel. A late vintage and very healthy grapes resulted in a classic vintage for dry wines only. The Hugel Riesling also underwent a reset in 2016 thanks to a new parcellaire selection of carefully chosen plots from the Famille Hugel estate in Riquewihr. Most of the plots for this new wine are being converted to organic viticulture, something new for the soils of Riquewihr, which in and around the Schoenenbourg are known for the minerality they can bring to a wine. The style is dry and aromatic, but it's more elegant than in previous years. Look for plenty of lime, lemongrass, and white peach flavours—a benchmark for sure. There is no better way to celebrate Hugel Day and 384 years of winemaking.Prices:| BC | $19.95 | 750ml |
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88PTS
Upper Bench Riesling 2022
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThere is more elegance in 2022, but it is still big on freshness, opening with tart citrus and nectarine, with fresh Granny Smith apple and a hint of honey on the palate. When you make cheese, as Upper Bench does, it makes sense for your riesling to have this electric acidic edge to cut through every bite and cleanse the palate. Dry and austere but perfect for a variety of soft cheeses, the winery suggests that you match it with their King Cole blue cheese.Prices:| BC | $26.00 | 750ml |
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86PTS
Wild Goose Riesling 2022
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaThe 2022 Riesling comes from two longtime growers, as well as some 35 year old estate vines. The grapes were pressed into stainless, fermented, and aged for 6 months. Bitter and sweet, with lime, grapefruit, and orange sherbet at the fore, and some pithy citrus notes on the brief mid and closing out the snappy finish. Simple and sound.Prices:| BC | $20.99 | 750ml |
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91PTS
Martin's Lane Fritzi’s Vineyard Riesling 2020
West Kelowna, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, CanadaFritzi's vineyard is a tiny single vineyard at the base of Mt. Boucherie, a long-dormant volcano in West Kelowna at 49.83°N. It is a warm, southeastern facing parcel named after owner Anthony von Mandl's mother. The clone 21B vines are 22 years old. In 2022, it received 48 hours of skin contact, giving it a phenolic character that not everyone will love. The Fritzi riesling style is typically ripe, and while there is some sweetness here, the skin contact completely muffles it. This is a gastronomic version this year, and would be easily paired with white fish as a main course. Ecocert organically certified.Prices:| BC | $65.00 | 750ml |
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97PTS
Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenhur Riesling Auslese 2020
Mosel, GermanyThe quintessential mix of pears, honeycomb, orange and passionfruit runs over a firm slatey foundation. It dances like a Kabinett, eschewing its unctuous Auslese fruit. There is nothing fat here, just pure, stony peach and apricot that run through the finish, and seemingly never quit. It is an extraordinary wine made by a laser-focused producer of German riesling. This is a legacy year that could well make it to 2100.Prices:| BC | $98.00 | 750ml |
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94PTS
Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenhur Riesling Kabinett 2020
Mosel, GermanyWhat does one say about this riesling that lives in a world far from most others? The lightness, the power of the dancing palate, the incredible density of fruit, the brightness of acid, and it is just a baby. The vitality of Kabinett-class riesling is always a winning point for me, but in this case, the electricity is off the charts. Apricots roll across the palate like a cloud before a stony minerality kicks in on the finish. Sophisticated and complex, yet refreshingly it is almost gulpable. Drink or hold it for the rest of your life, it is your choice.Prices:| BC | $104.00 | 750ml |
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95PTS
Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenhur Riesling Spatlese 2020
Mosel, GermanyThe Wehlener Sonnenuhr is a steep, rocky vineyard known to produce some of the most elegant and refined white wines in the world and The Prum Spatlese is a prime example. This is another level of intensity and sweetness above the Kabinett level. The attack is richer with fine citrus on the front end mixed with ginger, orange, and apricot that flood the palate with volume and viscosity before the acidity, minerality, finesse, and floral notes pull the wine back toward a linear finish. Intensity and elegance all in one bottle, this is one fine complex riesling that will live for decades.Prices:| BC | $90.00 | 750ml |
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December 2023