After 365 days of tastings and global travel we are proud to release our list of our favourites wines encountered in 2007. We have left off many magnificent old wines that are simply impossible to find and tried to confine our picks to recently released wines that you could probably track down with a bit of effort. If you are new to the site you may note that often our scores are two to three points lower than what you may see from other wine review sites. Our goal is to accurately reflect the quality and value of the wines we taste everyday and to place them in a global perspective. I’m sure we will encounter a 100-point wine some day but so far we are still looking. Anthony Gismondi and Stuart Tobe
96 Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port 2003
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, Portugal
BC $137.00 specialty listing, MB $139.00, NB $142.00, ON $109.00, QC $142.00, SK $107.00
We love the way Taylor is put together. Always so solid with powerful dense fruit, flecked with floral (violet) notes and spice. The color is opaque with a licorice laced, black fruit flavours and a wonderful long, warm finish packed full of plums chocolates and raisins. It seems to linger on the palate in perfect balance for ever. (AG)
96 House of Salon Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil-sur-Oger 1996
Champagne, France
BC $359.00, AB $370.00 fine wine shops, ON $350.00 arriving Fall 2007, QC $350.00 arriving Fall 2007
The House of Salon only makes one wine – the Blanc de Blancs, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. Even then it’s only produced in the finest years and its release occurs only when the winery thinks it’s ready, usually some 6 to 8 years later – surely a rare occurrence in the modern wine business. The fruit comes off a single hectare of vines known as Le Jardin de Salon and 19 other smaller parcels totalling just over 9 hectares in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. The 1996 is everything you think it should be powerful yet elegant, youthful but drinkable, and packed full of nutty, mineral, citrus flavours. Very fine bubble. Highly refined champagne. (AG-ST)
95 Colgin IX Proprietary Red 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot - Cabernet Franc - P.Verdot
Napa Valley, California, United States
US $250.00
Colgin’s 20 acre vineyard sits between 900-1400 feet above sea level. The rocky, low yielding hillside site is home to the 59/22/13/6 blend of cabernet sauvignon/merlot/cabernet franc/petit verdot. The colour is opaque. The nose, magnificent mix of juicy, fruity black cherry and finely chiselled acidity. The tannins are dense yet silky smooth - a real cult wine trademark. The flavours are layered and intense all playing on the rich fruit, dark chocolate theme with a minerality and acidity to balance the equation. Excellent New World red that should be best buy 2015. The winery released 1200 cases at $250 in April 2007. (AG)
95 De Bortoli Noble One Botrytis Semillon 2004
Australia
BC $27.99 specialty listing, AB $28.00 fine wine shops, MB $33.00, NF $30.00, ON $30.00 Vintages
Noble One continues to impress one vintage short of its 25th anniversary. The 2004 has undergone two important changes: the switch to screwcap (for those markets who want it) and the addition of 20 per cent un-oaked juice to the final blend. The result is anew level of aromatics that in a sense has allowed Noble One to trade its some mid-palate weight for stunning vibrancy in the mouth. We love the big apricot, botrytised nectarine fruit, the layered spicy, orange marmalade flavours streaked with creamy, smoky, vanilla flecks. The finish is a crisp as ever and clean with plenty of honey, dried apricot, baked apple, melon, grapefruit and butter with a creamy vanilla, toasty, fig finish This should age gracefully for decades under screwcap. Fabulous value. (AG-ST)
95 Kendall-Jackson Stature Red 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot - Petit Verdot
Napa Valley, California, United States
BC $175.00 Special Order - Summit Fine Wines
The ’02 Stature is a 70/28/2 cabernet /merlot/petit verdot blend that is beginning to awaken. Stature is always the best of the best fruit meaning it is a vintage dependent, block by block pick. Love the coffee, leather, tobacco notes as they mix with the spicy, blackberry jam, clove and cedar aspects. On the palate, the wine is rich, round, supple and concentrated. It has fine density to the corners with smoky, vanilla, coffee, peppery, blackberry jam, black cherry, clove, olive, cardamom flavours with a warm, long finish. It’s beginning to shape up but with its finesse and length, it has fine potential to age through 2015. Well done. (AG-ST)
95 Penfolds Yattarna Bin 144 Chardonnay 2004
Henty, Western Victoria, Victoria, Australia
BC $94.00 specialty listing, AB $90.00 fine wine boutiques, MB $86.00, NF $90.00, ON $90.00, QC $90.00, SK $100.00
Chief winemaker Peter Gago grins when he says there is zero new oak in the ’04 Yattarna now under screwcap. In just over a decade Yattarna has gone from the whole, meal deal blockbuster Oz oak bomb to a sophisticated Burgundian style barrel-fermented in French barriques that you can age. This is a sensational chardonnay from Henty, Western Victoria that is surely at the top of the game in Australia. The nose is the best yet, tightly strung with spicy, creamy, lees characters and the scent of nectarine and limes. Roasted nuts and citrus fruit coat the mid-palate before it finishes long clean and balanced. Elegance and power in a tight package. Bravo (AG-ST)
95 Penfolds Grange Bin 95 Shiraz 2002
South Australia, Australia
BC $329.00 specialty listing, AB $300.00 fine wine boutiques, MB $310.00, NF $298.00, NF $298.00, NS $296.00, ON $320.00, QC $300.00, SK $299.00
Grange has always been more icon than textbook shiraz. In 2002 the regional fruit sourcing included Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale. It’s 98.5 per cent shiraz with a dusting of cabernet sauvignon. Based on what Max Schubert termed ‘a riper spectrum of fruit’ production remains low in the 5000 to 8000 case mark. This is a very fine Grange with plenty of chocolate, coffee and ripe black currant aromas spiked with licorice. The palate is no less intense with dense sweet fruit bathed in a youthful sheen of vanilla and soft tannins. Chief winemaker Peter Gago calls it deceptively accessible. It’s his first Grange and it’s clear the tradition and the challenge has been accepted. (AG-ST)
94/100 Antinori Solaia 2003
Tuscany, Italy
BC $150.00 (750 ml) specialty listing, AB $140.00 (750 ml) fine wine shops, ON $150.00 (750 ml)
An impressive Solaia nose. Cassis, floral, meaty, saddle leather, tobacco, smoky game notes with vanilla, barnyard and coffee aromas. Ripe, rich, round, supple, slightly grainy, chalky tannins. Vanilla, coffee, peppery, meaty, smoky, cassis, black cherry, eucalyptus, floral, mineral, tobacco, leather flavours. Long, fat, rich finish if a bit warm but good acidity balance. Will improve with 5-7 years bottle aging but drinkable now with beef or veal steak.(AG-ST)
94 Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 2004
Aloxe-Corton, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, France
BC $135.00 speculative - Grady Wine Marketing
Spicy, melon, lees, vanilla, toasty, butter, citrus, baked green apple skin, pear, mineral, honey aromas. Dry, rich, tight, concentrated palate with very good acidity. Fresh with green apple, spicy, mineral, vanilla, lees, honey, citrus peel, floral flavours and a buttery, anise finish. Very young, needs 3-7 years. Has structure and vibrancy if a slightly hard edge. Not quite the finish of the Chevalier but it has fine intensity. (ST)
94 Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Chevalier Montrachet Grand Cru 2004
Chevalier-Montrachet, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, France
BC $259.00 speculative listing - Grady Wine Marketing
Floral, honey, smoky, mineral, vanilla, citrus, waxy, lees, spicy, peach skin nose with a touch of butterscotch. Dry, elegant, tight, fresh acidity but fine finesse. More mineral, green apple, citrus flavours mixed with butterscotch, lime, peach skin and nutty lees notes with spicy, waxy, honey, vanilla flavours on the finish. Very bright acidity but great long finish with good intensity. Needs time, perhaps 3-10 years. Very fine. (ST)
94 Domaine Christian Moreau Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos 2005
Chablis, Burgundy, France
BC $59.99 specialty listing, AB $48.00 fine wine boutiques, MB $58.00
Open buttery, spicy lees, floral, citrus, baked pear, lemon aromas. Ripe, round, fresh, elegant palate but dry and structured. Juicy with red apple, lemon, pear, nutty lees, butter, honey, floral, vanilla flavours. Great finesse and crispness, more open and juicy than the Valmur but good acidity. Drink now or hold. (AG-ST)
94 Dr. H. Thanisch Berncasteler Doctor Riesling Auslese 2005
Bernkastel-Kues, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany
BC $53.70 (375 ml) specialty listing
Floral, guava, pineapple, smoky, slate, green apple, lime, light Vaseline aromas. Rich, ripe, fat, full and intense but juicy and crisp with very good acidity. Baked pear, orange, guava, lime, green apple, honey, waxy, creamy flavours. Great finesse and flavour with balance and fine ripeness. Delicious. (AG-ST)
94 Frescobaldi Ripe al Convento, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2001
Tuscany, Italy
BC $105.00 specialty listing, AB $121.00 fine wine shops, ON $109.00, QC $109.00
This wine finishes fermentation in new French oak barriques for 9-12 months then goes into 50 hL botti. Smoky, peppery, animal, meaty, black cherry, chocolate, resin, licorice root, saddle leather aromas with a touch of wax and tobacco. Rich, ripe, round and dry with supple but grainy tannins. Warm with very good acidity structure. Big black cherry jam, blackberry, coffee, peppery, resin, licorice root, violet, tobacco and leather flavours with orange peel, vanilla, cardamom and garrigue notes on the finish. Very young, concentrated, chewy finish. This has length and mid-palate but needs 5-7 years to fully round out. Very good potential here. (AG-ST)
94 Frescobaldi Montesodi Castello di Nipozzano Chianti Rufina 2004
Tuscany, Italy
BC $56.00 specialty listing, AB $53.00 fine wine shops, ON $59.95 Vintages, QC $134.00 (1500 ml), QC $269.00 (3000 ml)
Huge peppery, spicy, black cherry, black plum, vanilla, dried fig, coffee, orange peel, tobacco, incense, gamey, riparian aromas. Rich, round, full and concentrated with substantial ripe, grainy tannins and very good acidity. Intense ash, tobacco, licorice, root, peppery, orange peel, black cherry, coffee, vanilla, gamey flavours. Long, full, very young, needs 5-7 years but very young. Great fruit on the nose and great potential. As much as we like the 2001, this will probably be better year and the best produced to date. That said stay tuned for 2006 and 2007 that may also rival or exceed this based on barrel tastings. The ’04 Montesodi was aged for 18 months in new French oak barrels after a 30 day total maceration. (ST)
94 Highland Estate Napa Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot
Mount Veeder, Napa Valley, California, United States
US $60.00 retail
The Highland ‘Napa’ comes in a giant-sized wrapper with plump, floral, spicy fruit yet still lined with traces of mineral, dusty earth and savoury bits. Slightly richer and rounder than the Sonoma labels although the tannins are probably a bit more plentiful and full strength. On the palate it’s beefy displaying rich pepper youthful fruit with smoky, black fruits and spice. A blockbuster in ’05. All the fruit in '05 comes off the grey pumice soils of Veeder Peak at 1250'-1850' above sea level and it's 100 per cent estate grown ‘mountain’ cabernet. Huge potential. (AG-ST)
94 Jean-Marc Brocard Chablis Les Clos Grand Cru 2005
Chablis, Burgundy, France
BC $71.95 specialty listing, AB $59.95 fine wine shops
Light butterscotch, garlic lees, floral, butter, oyster shell, honey aromas with a touch of spice and quince. Ripe, round, rich, elegant, fresh palate with lemon, flint, butter, garlic, nutty lees, quince, green apple flavours with a touch of iodine and smoke on the finish. Great acidity and finesse, should improve for the next 3-7 years under screw cap. Bravo. (AG-ST)
94 Louis Latour Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 2005
Aloxe-Corton, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, France
BC $149.95 specialty listing
Corton-Charlemagne sits on the hillside of Corton pitched in a south-easterly direction to capture the maximum exposure to the sun and generally is harvested as late as possible to guarantee maximum ripeness. Big white floral, spicy, citrus, quince, baked apple and melon aromas. Rich, ripe, fat and concentrated with good acidity balance. Intense apple, spicy lees, butter, vanilla, melon, nutty, quince flavours. Full, long, ripe and structured. One of their finest in many years. Buy cellar and enjoy for years to come. (AG)
94 Louis Latour Chambertin Cuvée Heritiers Grand Cru 2003
Gevery-Chambertin, Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, France
US $150.00 estimated price
Vanilla, mocha, gamey, spicy, peppery, orange peel, floral, cherry jam aromas, very open and ripe. Dry, supple, fat and rich but well balanced. Very spicy, peppery, black cherry jam, black raspberry, mocha, vanilla and orange compote flavours. Great fruit, full and long, very fine – certainly hit the spot this year, always one of Latour’s finest vineyards and they have tended it since end of the 19th century. (AG-ST)
94 Paul Dolan Deep Red 2004 Syrah - Petite Syrah - Zinfandel
Mendocino County, California, United States
BC $52.00 speculative listing - Calibrium International, AB $45.00 fine wine shops, ON $43.00 Vintages - September 2007
Very deep cherry purple colour and 100 per cent biodynamic. Open spicy, tobacco, saddle leather, peppery, rootsy, smoky, black olive, cassis, clove, vanilla, coffee, black cherry aromas with a hint of iodine. Rich, dry, elegant and concentrated. Great intensity with big clove, peppery, spicy, cassis jam, black cherry jam, floral, mineral, licorice and coffee flavours. Very long and well balanced but somewhat tannic and young. Needs 3-5 years but very good quality and value here. (AG-ST)
94 Penfolds Cabernet Sauvignon Bin 707 2004
South Australia, Australia
BC $120.00 specialty listing, AB $104.99 fine wine boutiques, MB $111.00 private wine shops, NF $107.00, ON $110.00, QC $111.00, SK $110.00
The ‘Grange’ cabernet long marked by its big ‘sweet,’ American oak nose is showing more fruit than ever in 2004 mixing cassis and raspberry with licorice and pepper. Textures are lush and ripe with more black fruits, black pepper, coffee, tobacco and just a hint or orange citrus. Dense and rich, yet only 13.5 per cent alcohol, it is neither jammy nor hot. There was no 2003 Bin 707 just as it was skipped in 2000, 1995, 1983 and 1970 to 1975 inclusive. Clearly attention to detail is what preserves the great labels. Well done. (AG-ST)
94 Ridge Montebello Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Santa Cruz Mountains, San Francisco Bay, California, United States
AB $150.00 fine wine shops, ON $110.00 Vintages, US $135.00 suggested retail
Big spicy, peppery, cassis, chocolate, licorice, vanilla, earthy, clove, briar aromas with a touch of coffee, very good aromatics. Round, supple, dry, slightly tannic entry but good finesse. Cedar, coffee, cassis, spicy, peppery, olive, tobacco, orange peel, mineral flavours with a smoky, licorice finish. Young with good concentration but slightly austere. Needs 5-7 years but will improve. One of the finest efforts from this vineyard. (AG-ST)
94 Ruffino Reserva Ducale Oro Chianti Classico Riserva 2003
Tuscany, Italy
BC $47.00 specialty listing, AB $110.32, AB $38.95 fine wine boutiques, NL $47.99, NS $56.99, ON $44.95 Vintages, ON $128.00 Vintages, QC $45.00, QC $128.00, SK $42.95
Ducale Oro is almost always an elegant red wine but it sometimes leaves you looking for a bit more heft and weight. Not in 2003. The nose is ripe with cherry, licorice and coriander notes. On the palate the entry is supple, the fruit dense and blanced with rich fine grained tannins. Smoke and pepper fleck the rich fragrant red fruit that is the hallmark of this wine. Fine intensity and sufficient acidity should point to many years of drinking pleasure to come. New clones and plantings at Ruffino's many estates are pushing the Ducale Oro, an 85/15 blend of sangiovese with merlot and colorino, to even greater heights. (AG-ST)
94 Warre's Vintage Port 2003 Touriga Nacional - Touriga Francesa - Tinta Roriz - Tinta Barroca
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, Portugal
BC $85.00 specialty listing, AB $70.00 fine wine shops, NF $85.00, ON $82.00 Vintages, QC $86.00
Intense inky, black cherry colour. Very spicy, gamey, licorice, spirity, black berry, rootsy, floral, mineral, peppery nose.; Rich, tannic, ripe, fiery and big yet has finesse with structure and acidity. Peppery, spicy, licorice, blackberry jam, black cherry, sweet fig and chocolate flavours with a bright fruit streak. Long, intense, sweet but balanced finish. A very fine effort, will require 12-15 years and hold much longer. One to acquire. (AG)
94 William Fèvre Les Preuses Chablis Grand Cru 2004
Chablis, Burgundy, France
BC $75.00 speculative - Grady Wine Marketing
The star of Fèvre's 2004’s and one to buy. Look for a melon, vanilla, lees, and lemon oil nose with butter, honey, smoky flint, chalk and anise. Round, rich, elegant, dry and fresh. Waxy, lees, lemon, lime, green apple, buttery, honey, floral, pear, juicy flavours. Long and succulent with good acidity and delicacy but full. Excellent, can age 3-7 years. (ST)
93 Achaval-Ferrer Finca Altamira Malbec 2004
La Consulta, Valle de Uco, Tunuyán, Central Region, Mendoza, Argentina2
BC $109.90 specialty listing, AB $89.00 fine wine shops, ON $99.00 Vintages
Intense dark cherry colour. Nice floral, spicy, peppery, chocolate, dark plum jam, vanilla, cedar, tobacco, savoury nose with a hint of olive and licorice root. Rich, full, round, elegant entry with grainy tannins. Cedar, vanilla, spicy oak with Bing cherry, peppery, spicy, violet, chocolate, tobacco flavours. Long, balanced finish with a bit of mocha and orange peel. Very fine balance with just a bit of acidity and youthful tannin showing. Will improve with 3-7 years in bottle. (AG-ST)
93 Cliff Lede Poetry Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California, United States
BC $165.00 speculative listing - Landmark Selections, ON $161.00 consignment - Halpern Enterprises
Chocolate, vanilla, black berry, licorice, violet, five spice, tobacco leaf, black olive, spicy, blackberry nose. Rich, round, dry, slightly tannic palate but elegant and full. Big coffee, spicy, peppery, cassis jam, black cherry, vanilla, cedar, menthol, black olive, licorice with some smoky saddle leather, resin and cigar on the finish. Very warm and full but has fine balance. Needs 3-5 years. (AG-ST)
93 Conterno Fantino Barolo Sorì Ginestra 2003
Montforte d'Alba, Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy
BC $115.95 speculative listing - Empson (Canada) Inc, AB $109.50 fine wine shops, QC $107.95
Recieves less oak than Vinga del Gris. Coffee, vanilla, cherry kirsch, balsamic, floral, licorice, tar nose. Ripe, rich, full and concentrated with ripe tannins but a bit warm. Cherry, strawberry, licorice, resin, vanilla, coffee, tar flavours. Long fruit finish with good structure and finesse but a bit hot. Has better balance and intensity than Gris with more future. Will be best in 5-8 years. (AG-ST)
93 Dr. H. Thanisch Berncasteler Doctor Riesling Spatlese 2005
Bernkastel-Kues, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany
BC $62.00 speculative listing - Authentic Wines and Spirits
Big mineral, green apple, slate, smoky, floral, peach pit aromas but a bit closed. Crisp, zesty, juicy, fresh palate. Big mineral, slate, smoky, green apple, lime, guava, honey flavours. Great verve and acidity, very long and taut. Will continue to improve for years. Great effort. (AG-ST)
93 Dr. H. Thanisch Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 2005
Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany
BC $44.80 speciatly
Vaseline, slate, apricot, floral, orange, red apple, honey, clove, pineapple aromas. Rich, crisp, elegant but concentrated with great acidity and sugar balance. Juicy apricot, red apple, slate, Vaseline and lime flavours with a bit of pineapple and mango on the finish. Long, good weight at 10% alcohol. Excellent effort. (AG-ST)
93 Frescobaldi Montesodi Castello di Nipozzano Chianti Rufina 2001
Tuscany, Italy
BC $54.95 Specialty, AB $48.00 Fine Wine Boutiques, ON $49.95 Vintages, QC $56.00, US $45.00 Retail
Big spicy, black cherry, black berry, vanilla, coffee, bay, tobacco, ash, meaty, licorice, waxy, black olive aromas with a touch of barnyard. Rich, round, concentrated palate with supple, grainy tannins. Full flavour intensity here with coffee, ash, mineral, orange peel, black cherry jam, plum spicy, peppery, tobacco and cardamom flavours. Great concentration of fruit in a long, persistent finish. Drinkable now but will improve for 5-10 years. Very fine, delicious sangiovese with ripeness and finesse. (AG-ST)
93 Gehringer Brothers Ehrenfelser Ice Wine Minus 9 2006
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
BC $50.00 specialty listing
Open waxy, dried apricot, marmalade, floral, spicy sausage, citrus nose. Rich, fat, round with big concentration. Big apricot, floral, spicy, buttery, citrus, waxy flavours. Good acidity and sugar balance on the finish if a touch warm. Wonderful expression of ehrenfelser. (AG)
93 Graham's Vintage Port 1994 Touriga Nacional - Touriga Francesa - Tinta Roriz - Tinta Barroca
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, Portugal
BC $140.00 specialty listing
Dark black cherry colour with a touch of brick on the edge. Spicy, floral, black licorice, peppery, plum jam, tobacco, resin and black tea aromas. Rich, ripe, round and sweet but with very good acidity and still some tannins. A bit spirity with peppery, very spicy, chocolate, licorice, plum jam, blackberry, menthol and resin flavours. Fleshy, warm, round slightly sweeter style, this is a big boy that needs 5-10 years further aging. (AG-ST)
93 Hartford Court Chardonnay Stone Côte 2004
Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, United States
AB $55.00
Peach, butter, floral, citrus, lees, pineapple, red apple, spicy aromatic nose. Round, rich, elegant palate. Butterscotch, creamy, pineapple, baked nectarine, citrus, guava, spicy cinnamon flavours. Fine concentration and length, like a fruit driven Corton Charlemagne but not too heavy or oily. Could use a touch more acidity but fine quality for drinking now and over the next 2-3 years. (ST)
93 Hartford Court Pinot Noir Fog Dance Vineyards 2003
Green Valley, Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United States
BC $71.49 speculative listing - Summit Fine Wines
Big spicy, vanilla, cherry, floral, compost, celery salt, smoky, orange peel aromas. Ripe, round, dry and supple with good finesse and elegance. Cherry, cola, celery, orange, licorice, compost and cumin flavours. More restrained but has fine acidity and alcohol balance. Will improve over the next five years. Bravo. (AG-ST)
93 Highland Estate Hawkeye Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States
BC $83.00 speculative listing - Summit Fine Wines, AB $65.00 fine wine shops, ON $60.00 Vintages, QC $60.00
Hawkeye Mountain is the spectacular signature KJ property on Alexander Mountain and home to owners Jesse Jackson and Barbara Banke. The 2005 is easily the best yet bathed in spicy black cherry, and tobacco scented fruit flecked with green olive, liquorice and cassis. Clone 4 and 7 cabernets, grown on steep hillsides and terraces provide a firm structure for this red wine to live a long life. An impressive savoury, made from small clusters of small berries sitting well above the valley floor at 900-2200 feet elevation. Buy and cellar for 5 to 7 years and beyond. (AG-ST)
93 Highland Estates Camelot Highlands Chardonnay 2006
Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United States
BC $49.95 speculative listing - Summit Fine Wines, AB $45.00 fine wine boutiques, ON $37.00 Vintages, QC $35.00
Block M is 100 per cent clone four chardonnay and it delivers on all levels. Sophisticated, rich, elegant and packed full of floral, pineapple, citrus, buttery fruit with flecks of orange and spice. Fresh toasted bread mixes with a creamy mid-palate and a long smouldering finish. Excellent finesse and length in a 100 percent barrel fermented (French) oak that is three quarters new. KJ is buying and ageing its oak before barrel assembly and it shows in the quality of the wine. (AG-ST)
93 Highland Estates Alisos Hills Syrah 2005
Arroyo Seco, Monterey County, Central Coast, California, United States
BC $60.00 speculative listing - Summit Fine Wines, AB $53.00 fine wine shops, ON $43.00, QC $43.00
Alisos is cool-climate syrah that is 100 per cent grown at Los Alamos in Santa Barbara County. Look for an intense red wine with smoky, floral, peppery red fruit aromas and flavours. On the palate, the wine is meaty with black raspberry, cherry cola flavours. The attack is round, the textures dense almost beefy with super ripe fruit. Alisos is becoming consistently good year in and year out. (AG-ST)
93 Kaesler Old Bastard Shiraz 2004
Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia
BC $132.95 specialty listing, AB $128.00 fine wine shops
Coffee, vanilla, mocha, blackberry, peppery, licorice, savoury, compost aromas. Rich, ripe, round and fat but with fresh acidity. Supple tannins with some heat but big vanilla, coffee, spice, blackberry jam, black raspberry, licorice, mineral, orange, savoury poultry spice flavours. Nice concentration and balance if somewhat warm and tart. Very good effort. (ST)
93 Michele Chiarlo Barolo Cerequio 2001
Piedmont, Italy
BC $89.95 speculative listing - Winspeer, AB $74.95 fine wine shops, QC $62.00
Gamey, smoky, peppery, tobacco, coffee, tar, black cherry, strawberry, black olive and leather aromas with a touch of licorice. Rich, ripe, round and supple but grainy tannins and structured. Big strawberry, cherry, licorice, peppery, tobacco, black olive flavours with good acidity balance at the end. Full, ripe, fresh with ripe tannins with good aging potential. Chiarlo says this shows best in first 5 years compared to Cannubi then shuts down, then after 10 years, emerges as better than Cannubi. (AG-ST)
93 Montes Alpha M “La Finca Estate” 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot - Cabernet Franc
Apalta Valley, Santa Cruz, Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, Chile
AB $75.00 fine wine shops, MB $86.44, QC $86.00
Impressive cassis, minty, plum, tobacco, olive, cardamom, coffee, leather aromas with a hint of licorice and cedar. Rich, round, supple palate but plenty of smooth tannins. Huge minty, sappy cassis, plum, coffee, peppery, vanilla, chocolate, cedar and black olive flavours. Very ripe Bordeaux-style, well structured, a bit warm but excellent concentration and intensity. Needs 3-5 years, but already suave in the mouth. Very fine effort. (AG-ST)
93 Montes Folly Syrah 2004
Apalta Valley, Santa Cruz, Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, Chile
US $65.00 fine wine shops
Chocolate, vanilla, white pepper, meaty, black cherry jam, tobacco, barnyard, kirsch aromas. Rich, round, warm, supple palate with light smooth tannins. Black cherry kirsch, plum jam, peppery, spicy, orange peel, tobacco, vanilla, smoky chocolate flavours. Young and very warm on the finish but has fine fruit intensity and tannin ripeness. Needs 3-5 years. Serve in the colder months slightly chilled. (AG-ST)
93 Ornellaia 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot - Cabernet Franc - P.Verdot
Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy
BC $150.00 specialty listing, AB $140.00 fine wine boutiques, NS $134.99, ON $139.95, QC $149.00, QC $139.00
Peppery, spicy, vanilla, cassis, tobacco leaf, coffee, black cherry, coriander, cardamom aromas with some black olive, Christmas cake and meaty notes. Rich, round, dry and supple with fine grained tannins. Good acidity if a bit warm at 14.5% alcohol. Spicy, peppery, licorice, coffee, vanilla, cardamom, cassis jam, black cherry, orange peel, olive and cranberry flavours. Good finesse, silky warm texture and concentration on the lengthy finish but there are some cool leafy aspects underneath. This needs 5-7 years to gain complexity and shed the herbal notes. The blend is 60/25/12/3/ cabenret sauvignon/merlot/cabernet franc/petit verdot. (AG-ST)
93 Penfolds RWT Shiraz 2004
Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia
BC $122.00 specialty, AB $110.00 fine wine boutiques, MB $199.99, NB $115.00, NF $115.00, NS $145.85, ON $118.00, QC $120.00, SK $114.00
The ‘anti-Grange,’ RWT is a single-region (Barossa) shiraz that is aged in 100 per cent French oak. In the case of the ’04 that’s 69 per cent new oak and 31 per cent one-year old hogsheads. The colour is nearly opaque. The nose an enticing mix of aromatic, dark red fruits with a blueberry undercurrent - a sure sign of high quality. On the palate the flavours are rich and saturated with vanilla cherry kirsch, floral, plum, licorice, smoky tobacco flavours and spicy, fine grained tannins. More finesse than power. This is a very fine RWT along the lines of the 2002. Seven years on from its first release and 10 years from the inaugural vintage RWT could be considered among the best red wine made at Penfolds. Made for the long haul. (AG-ST)
93 Pirouette Red Blend 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot - Shiraz - Petit Verdot
Columbia Valley, Washington, United States
BC $85.00 speculative listing - Mark Anthony Brands
Floral, spicy, licorice, cedar, tobacco leaf, cranberry, plum, vanilla and coffee aromas. Ripe, round, rich, supple and balanced. Very floral, black cherry, raspberry jam, spicy, white pepper, iodine, licorice, coffee and cedar flavours. Big warm and oaky for the moment but should settle down over the next 3-5 years. The blend is 49/27/13/11 cabernet sauvignon, merlot, petit verdot, syrah. (AG-ST)
93 Quinta Vale D. Maria Vintage Port 2003 Douro Mixed Vines
Rio Torto, Cima Corga, Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, Portugal
BC $66.00 specialty listing
Final blend sample. Very spicy, floral, tea, black cherry, licorice, smoky, garrigue aromas but quite fiery. Big, round, fat, concentrated with intense black cherry jam, orange, plum, peppery, licorice, spicy mint flavours. Very good acidity, warm, huge fruit, good tannins. Big potential. (AG)
93 Ridge Geyserville 2005 Zinfandel - Carignane - Petite Sirah - Mataro
Sonoma County, California, United States
AB $33.00 fine wine shops, ON $48.00 consignment - Rogers & Co., QC $51.00 consignment - LCC Clos des Vignes, SK $39.00
This is the 40th vintage of this complex blend of zinfandel, carignane, petite sirah and mataro. Look for huge black cherry jam, blackberry, spicy, floral, vanilla, briar, violet, tobacco and licorice aromas. Rich, round, ripe, slightly tannic palate with good concentration. Big peppery, briar, strawberry jam, blackberry, licorice, resin, spicy, cardamom and vanilla flavours. Young and concentrated with excellent fruit, this needs 3-5 years, but is delicious now. (AG-ST)
93 Ramos Pinto Vintage Port 2003 Tinta Roriz - Tinta Barroca - Touriga Franca - Touriga Nacional
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, Portugal
BC $87.49
Spicy, licorice, black berry, plum jam, black tea, floral, minty, cedar chocolate aromas with a bit of spirit showing. Rich, round, elegant style but not too sweet or fat. Some youthful tannins evident but balanced with peppery, black tea, warm orange, licorice, cedar, black plum and black berry flavours. Long, good finesse and complexity but quite young with a coffee finish. Needs 7-10 years more bottle age to fully develop. (AG-ST)
93 Taylor Fladgate 10 Year Old Tawny Porto N/V Touriga Nacional - Touriga Francesa
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, Portugal
BC $40.00 specialty listing, AB $30.00 private wine shops, MB $35.00, NB $40.00, NF $36.00, NS $47.00, ON $34.00 Vintages, PEI $37.00, QC $37.00, SK $33.00
Taylor's Ten Year Old Tawny Port is dessert in a bottle. Don’t let its pale, tawny colour fool you. This wine is bigger than it looks. After spending an average of ten years in wood the purple hues are gone and in exchange you get a mellow elegant sophisticated drink chock full of raisins nuts and chocolate but with lively acidity and a caramel honey finish. Serve slightly chilled and be prepared for your guests to rave about it. (AG)
93 Torres Mas La Plana 2003
Penedès, Catalunya, Spain
BC $50.00 specialty listing, AB $47.00 fine wine shops, MB $50.00, NF $45.00, ON $45.00 Vintages - March 15, 2008, ON $80.00 Vintages, QC $43.00, SK $38.00, US $50.00 retail
Mas La Plana is on a roll. The 29-hectare site in central Penedès region is really coming into its own. The nose is bright and fragrant flecked with coffee, black olive and smoky cranberries and saddle leather. Similar flavours of garrigue, cassis cranberries and with a savoury peppery finish. Very youthful red wine with finesse to spare. Any sort of game or meat dish will do here. (AG-ST)
93 William Fèvre Les Clos Chablis Grand Cru 2004
Chablis, Burgundy, France
BC $89.99 speculative - Grady Wine Marketing, AB $86.00 fine wine boutiques
Citrus, floral, light honey, waxy, pear, baked apple, flint, lemon lime nose. Round, fresh, rich, fresh acidity but good concentration. Fresh, juicy, succulent palate with green apple, lime, honey, light vanilla, lees, butter, flinty mineral flavours. Very good length and balance, will need time. Just a slight green edge when compared to Les Preuses. (ST)
92/100 Antinori Tignanello 2004
Tuscany, Italy
Smoky, meaty, peppery, black cherry, orange nose with flecks of menthol, cassis, tobacco and sweaty saddle leather aromas. Rich, round, dry, grainy tannin palate with some intensity. Vanilla, mocha, peppery, black cherry, cassis jam, tobacco, saddle leather, resin, minty flavours. Good concentration and balance with a long finish. A solid Tignanello that will require 4-7 years to fully mature.
BC $96.00 specialty listing, AB $90.00 fine wine shops, ON $90.00 Vintages Essentials; ON $57.00 (375 ml) Vintages, QC $95.00, QC $209.00 (1500 ml)
92 Benziger Tribute 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon - Cabernet Franc - Merlot - Petit Verdot
Sonoma Mountain, Sonoma County, California, United States
BC $100.00 speculative listing - Winspeer - Trialto, AB $60.00 fine wine shops, ON $100.00 Vintages, QC $78.00
Open spicy, smoky, green olive, saddle leather nose with peppery, tobacco, orange peel, vanilla, coffee and cassis notes. The entry is round and supple, the palate elegant yet somewhat tannic and hot with huge concentration. Very spicy, clove, vanilla, coriander, chocolate, blackberry, peppery, mineral, licorice and black cherry flavours with a smoky, leather finish. Much more complexity in the mouth than showing on the nose. A bit alcoholic but should improve over the next 3-7 years. A first class bio-dynamic red. (AG-ST)
92 Catena Alta Malbec 2003
Mendoza, Argentina
BC $62.00 speculative listing - Calibrium, AB $59.00 fine wine boutiques
The latest Catena Alta malbec is 100 per cent malbec blended from three, high altitude Mendoza vineyards: Adrianna, Altamira and Angelica. The nose is extremely attractive offering fragrant, earthy undertones and bright fruit. The textures are suave. This is malbec at a very high level. The fruit is ripe, tasting of blackberries and black stone fruits flecked with spicy vanilla, mocha and tobacco. A big, sophisticated red by any standard. Will easily age a decade. (AG)
92 De Bortoli Syrah Reserve Release Yarra Valley 2004
Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia
BC $42.99 Speculative - Grady Wine Marketing, AU $53.00 winery direct
Made from the oldest vines, planted in 1971 at Dixons Creek. Big spicy, smoky, peppery, barnyard, leather, stewed prune plum, tobacco, and black cherry aromas with a touch of iodine. Round, dry, supple and smooth but a bit tight. Good concentration and acidity balance. Boysenberry jam, plum, licorice, vanilla, tobacco, peppery, orange juice and soy flavours. Long, good fruit, will age further, a slightly cooler style with more tannins. (AG-ST)
92 Domaine Christian Moreau Chablis Grand Cru Valmur 2005
Chablis, Burgundy, France
BC $59.99 specialty listing, AB $48.00 fine wine boutiques, MB $58.00
Mineral, sea shell, flinty, citrus, pear skin, buttery, slightly floral nose but slightly closed at this point. Dry, fresh, crisp but round and delicate. Butter, mineral, chalky, sea shell, green apple, lees, spicy, nutty, pear flavours with a finely delineated acid on the finish to keep the focus. Very fine but young with a buttery finish. A bit more austere and closed than the Les Clos at this point. (AG-ST)
92 Frescobaldi Mormoreto Castello di Nipozzano 2004
Tuscany, Italy
BC $51.00 specialty listing, AB $53.00 fine wine shops, ON $59.95 Vintages, QC $56.00, QC $2,820.00 (18000 ml), QC $130.00 (1500 ml), QC $272.00 (3000 ml)
A blend of 60 cabernet sauvignon, 25 merlot, 15 cabernet franc. Big smoky, cassis jam, blackberry, waxy, coffee, cedar, vanilla, black olive and spices. Rich, round, concentrated palate with fine, supple but full tannin structure. Very good acidity with cassis jam, spicy, peppery, coffee, orange, floral, tobacco, black berry and coriander flavours. Very good structure and potential but young, needs 5-7 years. (ST)
92 Frescobaldi Luce Brunello di Montalcino 2003
Montalcino, Siena, Tuscany, Italy
BC $93.00 specialty listing, AB $98.00 fine wine shops, MB $98.26, ON $100.00 Vintages, ON $240.00 Vintages, ON $500.00 Vintages, QC $99.00
The first release of this wine comes in etched glass bottles. Spicy, blackberry, black cherry jam, vanilla, meaty, licorice root, tobacco, mineral, resin and dried bay leaf aromas. Rich, full and round with good concentration but a bit alcoholic with fresh acidity and round tannins. Big, spicy, peppery, licorice root, resin, vanilla, coffee, gamey, orange peel, tobacco flavours with a black cherry, smoky leather finish. A bit too hot but this is very sangiovese and representative of the vintage. Needs 4-7 years to fully integrate. (ST)
92 Graham's Vintage Port 2003 Touriga Nacional - Touriga Francesa - Tinta Roriz - Tinta Barroca
Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, Portugal
BC $100.00 specialty listing, AB $95.00 fine wine shops, MB $97.00, ON $83.00 Vintages
Very spicy, minty, black cherry, plum, peppery, tea aromas. Fat, rich, sweet, tannic entry and very warm. Big juicy blackberry jam, spirity, chocolate, peppery, mineral, licorice flavours. A very rich, warm, sweet style that will need years to come around to soften the tannins and equilibrate. (AG-ST)
92 Highland Estates Camelot Highlands Chardonnay 2005
Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United States
BC $49.95 speculative listing - Summit Fine Wines, AB $36.00 fine wine boutiques
Mineral, citrus, floral, honey, pineapple, lees, earth, buttery nose with a hint of spicy Muscat. Ripe, round, good concentration and acidity with some viscosity. Butter, mango, mineral, vanilla, lees, citrus, creamsicle flavours. Good finesse and length, bigger style, just a touch hot. (AG-ST)
92 Highland Estates Seco Highlands Pinot Noir 2006
Arroyo Seco, Monterey County, Central Coast, California, United States
BC $60.00 speculative listing - Summit Fine Wines, AB $55.00 fine wine shops, ON $43.00, QC $43.00
The latest Seco Highlands pinot is another jump up in finesse and elegance. There is also more black cherry fruit this year and little less of the spicy, carrot top, and rhubarb flavours. Fine mid-palate weight and with smoky black fruit in the finish. Refined textures. It’s age 10 months in 100 per cent French oak and 50 per cent of that is new. Impressive. (AG-ST)
92 Highland Estate Taylor Peak Merlot 2005
Bennett Valley, Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States
BC $65.00 speculative listing - Summit Fine Wines, AB $63.00 fine wine shops, ON $49.00, QC $49.00
When the pinot geeks trashed merlot in the movie ‘Sideways’ it wasn’t the Taylor Peaks of the world they had in mind. This 100 per cent Bennett Valley red is as good as Sonoma ‘Mountain’ merlot gets. The powerful, mouth-filling red spends 13 months in 46 per cent new French oak. The result is a sophisticated mix of cool blueberry fruit flavours flecked with liquorice, tobacco and exotic bits or orange peel. Impressive ‘Right Bank’ Bordeaux styling with plenty of fine-grained tannins to take it the distance. Cellar through 2015. (AG-ST)
92 Highland Estate Trace Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Knights Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States
US $78.00 winery direct
Trace Ridge comes off the Kellogg Vineyard blonde soils (new and old blocks) some 400 - 1000 feet above sea level in Knights Valley. Still unknit the ’05 is tight and somewhat disjointed at the moment showing bits of spice and floral fruit and bold espresso notes but not much more. The structure is as you would expect firm and there is a fair load of tannin and more smoky angular coffee, vanilla and blackberry fruit in the aftertaste. A sleeper that will require revisiting in two to three years. Only 550 cases made. The name Trace stems from the vineyards position overlooking the original “Trace,” or settler’s path that linked Sonoma County to Lake County. (AG-ST)
92 J. Bookwalter Merlot 2004
Columbia Valley, Washington, United States
BC $46.95 speculative listing - Vinterra Wines
Another big dark, opaque red wine from Bookwalter. In 2004 the nose and flavours are less overtly sweet which is I hope part of the new direction. Bright plummy sappy fruit with plenty of vanilla and mocha notes underneath and with what is becoming a signature twist of orange in the finish. A merlot the “Sideways” boys never contemplated. The mix is 79/7/7/7 merlot, cabernet sauvignon, malbec and petit verdot. (AG)
92 John Duval Entity Shiraz 2005
Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia
BC $54.99 speculative - Mark Anthony Brands
Some 45 per cent aged in new French oak barrels, Entity boasts a peppery, bacon, smoky, meaty, floral, boysenberry, black berry nose. Ripe, round, supple and smooth with good finesse. Spicy, black cherry, licorice, gamey, vanilla, smoky, garrigue, and blackberry flavours. Good finish and length but a bit young and slightly tart on the finish. Needs two to four years more bottle time. Sourced from Stockwell, Light Pass, Krondorf and Marananga regions in Barossa Valley. (AG-ST)
92 Kaesler Old Vine Shiraz 2005
Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia
BC $65.55 speculative listing - Winspeer, AB $45.45 fine wine shops
Floral, spicy, cream vanilla, peppery, coriander, blueberry, blackberry, saddle leather nose. Ripe, round, supple and warm with slight acidity and sweetness. Lots of coffee, vanilla, blackberry, rootsy, orange, blueberry and licorice flavours. Long, warm, attractive style with good fruit intensity. (ST)
92 Kaesler The Bogan Shiraz 2005
Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia
BC $74.45 speculative listing - Winspeer, AB $60.00 fine wine shops
Black cherry, floral, vanilla, sweet blackberry, coriander, five spice, mocha, licorice nose - very aromatic. Ripe, round, fat, forward style with some warmth - only 15.9 per cent alcohol! Vanilla, orange, blueberry, black cherry, mocha, cola flavours. Good concentration and balance despite the warmth and very fruity. Drink now and over the next 2 years. (ST)
92 Laroche Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos 2004
Chablis, Burgundy, France
BC $142.00 speculative listing - Calibrium International, AB $127.00 fine wine shops
Lemon, light lees, floral, green apple, honey aromas. Delicate, light palate but balanced with green apple, grapefruit, butter, lees, honey flavours with a light garlic, nutty finish. Not huge intensity but very fine balance and delicacy. (AG-ST)
92 Louis Latour Chassagne Montrachet Les Caillerets 1er cru 2005
Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, France
US $75.00 estimated price
Chassagne-Montrachet is located just to the south of Puligny-Montrachet in what is considered the last great white wine appellation of the Côte de Beaune. This premier cru Caillerets has a floral, mineral, slate, buttery, earthy, lemon, quince, spicy lees aromas. Rich, full, fat but with very good acidity. Lots of spicy, lemon, quince, baked pear, butter and nutty lees flavours. Very good finesse, long with good acidity on the finish. Very fine, a buy. (AG-ST)
92 Luigi Einaudi Barolo Cannubi 2003
Dogliani, Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy
BC $111.95 Speculative - Empson Canada
Tobacco, coffee, black cherry, vanilla, plum, pepper, olive and prune aromas. Rich, round, good concentration with ripe grainy tannins. Good acidity but a touch hot. Smoky, black cherry, plum, balsamic, coffee, vanilla, tar flavours. More succulent, balanced and round than Costa Grimaldi, fine effort. (AG-ST)
92 Magdalena Toso 33 Barrels Selection 2005
Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, Argentina
BC $89.99 specialty listing
Big floral, spicy, plum, black cherry, savoury, poultry spice, vanilla, peppery, tobacco nose with a slightly port-y note. Rich, round, fresh and elegant with light, grainy tannins. Savoury, spicy, floral, black cherry, plum, mineral, vanilla, poultry spice, cumin flavours. Young but well balanced with good acidity despite the obvious ripeness. A showy, attractive style that should age well over the next 3-5 years. (AG-ST)
92 Michele Chiarlo Barolo Cannubi 2001
Piedmont, Italy
BC $91.15 speculative listing - Winspeer, AB $74.95 fine wine shops, QC $87.00
Smoky, spicy, tobacco, balsamic, tar, chocolate, anise and black cherry aromas. Dry, ripe, round, fat but with fine grained tannins. Ripe and concentrated with peppery, coriander, tobacco, strawberry, tar, anise, licorice and coffee flavours. Fine structure, intensity and finesse. Needs 2-7 years to come around but showing well. Generally a bit more austere vineyard. Made from a 1.4 hectare portion bought in 1985. Very steep slopes, now replanted in terraces with planting of grasses in rows with 1 meter high walls and no stones to maintain terroir and limit erosion. The wienry says it drinks best after about 7-8 years. (AG-ST)
92 Penfolds Cabernet Shiraz Bin 389 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon - Shiraz
South Australia, Australia
BC $37.00 specialty listing, AB $36.00 fine wine boutiques, MB $37.00, NF $41.00, NS $44.10, ON $36.15, QC $35.00, SK $35.00
Yet another notch above the very fine 2003 the 2004 ‘389’ is juicy plump powerful red wine with increased density and mid-palate weight. Penfolds wants to elevate this wine to its top end and the ’04 makes good argument. It’s packed full of vanilla, black pepper, cassis and chocolate without any green or leathery aspects. The finish is long with flecks of tobacco, smoky, black fruit and grippy tannins. Built for the long haul this should cellar easily for a decade. The mix is 53/47 cabernet/shiraz. (AG-ST)
92 Penfolds Magill Estate Shiraz 2004
Adelaide Plains, South Australia, Australia
BC $80.00 specialty listing, AB $74.99 fine wine boutiques, MB $76.00, NF $76.00, ON $75.00, QC $75.00, SK $75.00
Magill is an important single vineyard wine for Penfolds because it is the only wine grown on the original vineyard at the original winery site and of bit of it still makes its way into Grange. The blocks are so well delineated at Magill that the final wine is in fact a blend. As modern as it tastes the methods are as traditional as the site. The nose is a smoky mix of jammy fruit with cinnamon and clove notes, in part from the new French (60), old French (10) and new American (30) oak barrels. The palate is opulent in 2004 packed with fruit and mocha notes throughout. An impressive effort. (AG-ST)
92 Planeta Cometa 2006
Sicily, Italy
BC $49.00 specialty listing, AB $45.00 fine wine shops, ON $42.00, QC $35.25
At the other end of the white wine spectrum is Planeta Cometa 2006. The ‘comet’ is made with 100 Fiano and it’s a wow! wine. Intense, refreshing and packed with a wide spectrum of tropical floral flavours including peach, pineapple, apricot skin, and orange citrus. Perfect minerality with an undercurrent of Mediterranean garrigue. Elegant stylish. Bravo Italia. (AG-ST)
92 Planeta Moscato di Noto 2005
Sicily, Italy
BC $44.00 speculative listing - Winspeer, QC $38.25
Made from grapes picked and then dried for 40 days. Light gold colour. Huge spicy, ginger, floral, nectarine skin, dried pear, apricot and orange aromas. Ripe, round, fresh and elegant. Sweet but has excellent acidity balance. Big ginger, orange peel, mineral, apricot, green apple skin, spicy flavours. Excellent length and acidity. Worth trying. (AG-ST)
92 Ridge Lytton Springs Zinfandel 1999
Sonoma County, California, United States
QC $51.00 consignment - LCC Clos des Vignes, US $40.00 suggested retail
Spicy, leather, barnyard, black berry jam, chocolate, peppery, floral aromas. Rich, ripe, round, fat entry with some light tannins but very well balanced. Peppery, spicy, blackberry jam, black cherry, vanilla, violet flavours. Long rootsy, cedar, strawberry finish. Very attractive style. Ready now but will improve for a few more years yet. (AG-ST)
92 Ridge Montebello Chardonnay 2004
Santa Cruz Mountains, San Francisco Bay, California, United States
ON $53.00 Vintages, consignment - Rogers & Co., QC $90.00, US $60.00 suggested retail
Always a barrel selection of the best lots and it's not made every year. Spicy, citrus rind, ginger, honey, butter. White floral aromas with a touch of baked pear and muscat. Fat, rich, round, moderately elegant style with good acidity but a soft edge. Pear, honey, butter, vanilla, cedar, citrus, mineral, ginger flavours. Good finesse and length if a bit fat given its Burgundian mantra. (AG-ST)
92 Rocca della Macie Ser Gioveto 2003 Sangiovese - Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot
Tuscany, Italy
BC $44.99 speculative - Saverio Schiralli, AB $39.00 private wine shop, NS $52.89, ON $39.00 Vintages
Ser Gioveto mixes 80/10/10 sangiovese, cabernet sauvignon and merlot into a rich, round, fat red with fine concentration and ripe tannins. Look for licorice, spicy, black cherry, coffee vanilla flavours with bits of chocolate, tobacco and smoked meat. Warm and perhaps more concentrated due to the warm vintage but well balanced and it certainly will improve over the next 2-5 years. Impressive effort. (ST)
92 Rocca della Macie Roccato 2003 Sangiovese - Cabernet Sauvignon
Tuscany, Italy
BC $52.99, AB $46.00 private wine shop
In 2003 the nose mixes cigar ash, black cherry, coffee and coriander notes with flecks of vanilla and licorice. The palate is rich and round but with fine acidity and balance. Look for spicy, coffee, cassis, cherry, vanilla, peppery, tobacco flavours with some black olive, smoky, plum notes on the finish. There is ripe fruit but with some gripp-y tannins to shed over the next 3-6 years. Well done. (AG-ST)
92 Rubicon Estate Rubicon 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot - Cabernet Franc - P.Verdot
Rutherford, Napa Valley, California, United States
US $115.00 suggested retail
Spicy, vanilla, chocolate, tobacco, black cherry, pencil lead, earthy, floral nose. Dry, fat, ripe palate with lots of grainy, round tannins. Big cedar, coffee, vanilla, peppery, black cherry, cassis jam, mineral, tobacco, earthy, olive flavours. Very warm with a touch of acidity and good length. Needs 3-5 years to round out but also drinkable young with the smoother tannins. (AG-ST)
92 Santa Rita Triple C 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon - Cabernet Franc - Carmenère
Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, Chile
BC $49.99 specialty, AB $42.95, ON $49.95
Spicy, floral, cedar, minty, cassis, earthy, cigar, waxy, iodine, peppery, orange peel nose with a coriander and black olive streak. Round, dry, rich and supple with grainy tannins and good grip and concentration. Big cassis, plum, minty, peppery, cedar, olive, vanilla, and coffee flavours with a tobacco and milk chocolate finish. Long, rich, hot but good balance with very good complexity. Maipo mint but not too aggressive. Needs 3-7 years. (AG-ST)
92 Saggi 2004 Sangiovese - Cabernet Sauvignon - Syrah
Columbia Valley, Washington, United States
BC $70.00 speculative listing - Mark Anthony Brands
Spicy, tobacco, meaty, black olive, chocolate, cassis, resiny, vanilla aromas. Rich, round, supple but grippy tannins. Floral, smoky, black olive, coffee, vanilla, black cherry, cassis, licorice, meaty flavours. Good fruit intensity and balance with some finesse. Needs 3-6 years to mature and soften a bit further. (AG-ST)
92 Sequel Syrah 2004
Columbia Valley, Washington, United States
BC $84.49 speculative listing - Mark Anthony Brands, US $55.00 retail
This Long Shadows project involves former Stimson Lane head Allan Shoup and former Penfolds (Grange) chief winemaker John Duval. Tobacco, chocolate, vanilla, sausage meat, spicy, white pepper, floral, black cherry jam, licorice, light barnyard aromas with a bacon streak. Rich, ripe, round, elegant but full palate with smooth tannins. Smoky garrigue, black pepper, meaty, spicy, orange peel, black plum, cherry, tobacco, mocha flavours. Fine integration of tannins, oak and fruit with a touch of youthful acidity, alcohol and tannins poking through on the finish. Needs 3-7 years. (AG-ST)
92 Simonnet-Febvre Chablis Les Clos Grand Cru 2005 Chablis, Burgundy, France BC $68.95 estimated price
92 Smith Woodhouse Vintage Port 2003 Rio Torto, Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, Portugal BC $78.00 specialty listing, MB $74.00, NF $75.00, ON $74.00, QC $75.00
92 Torres Salmos 2005 Grenache - Syrah - Cabernet Sauvignon Priorato, Catalunya, Spain BC $43.00 specialty listing, AB $35.00 fine wine shops, ON $32.00 Vintages
92 Valdespino Solera 1842 Oloroso VOS 20 Anos Sherry N/V Palomino Fino - Pedro Ximénez Sherry Jerez - Manzanilla, Spain BC $30.13 specialty listing
92 de Venoge Brut Millésimé 1996 Pinot Noir - Chardonnay - Pinot Meunier Champagne, France BC $250.00 (1500 ml) estimated - The Seacove Group
92 William Fèvre Bougros Chablis Grand Cru 2004 Chablis, Burgundy, FranceBC $64.00 specialty listing
91 Achaval-Ferrer Quimera 2004 Malbec - Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon - Cabernet Franc Mendoza, ArgentinaBC $49.90 specialty listing
91 Albert Bichot Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2005 Aloxe-Corton, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, France BC $135.00 speculative listing - Mark Anthony Brands
91 Brancaia Ilatraia Maremma 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon - Sangiovese - Petit Verdot Maremma, Tuscany, Italy BC $87.00 speculative listing - Calibrium International, AB $79.00
91 Carm Douro Grande Escolha 2003 Touriga Nacional - Tinta Roriz - Touriga Franca Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, Portugal BC $40.15 specialty listing
91 Château Pesquié Côtes-du-Ventoux Quintessence Rouge 2003 Syrah - Grenache South of France, France BC $29.99 specialty listing, AB $0.00, QC $25.60
91 Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 Stags Leap District, Napa Valley, California, United States BC $80.00 specialty listing, ON $65.00 consignment - Halpern Enterprises
91 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Don Melchor 2004 Puente Alto, Valle del Maipo, Chile BC $59.95 specialty listing, AB $49.95 fine wine shops, MB $52.49, QC $52.00
91 De Bortoli Shiraz Yarra Valley 2003 Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia BC $34.99 speculative listing - Grady Wine Marketing
91 Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Echezeaux Grand Cru 2004 Côtes de Nuits, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, France BC $149.00 Speculative - Grady Wine Marketing
91 Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Meursault Genevrières 1er Cru 2004 Meursault, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, France BC $89.99 Speculative - Grady Wine Marketing
91 Domaine Carneros Le Reve Carneros Sparkling 2000 Carneros, Napa Valley, California, United States BC $59.95 specialty listing, AB $59.95 fine wine shops
91 Frescobaldi Castelgiocondo Lamaione Merlot 2004 Tuscany, Italy BC $49.95 specialty listing, AB $62.00 fine wine shops, ON $46.00 Vintages, QC $55.00 fine wine shops
91 Frescobaldi Luce della Vite 2004 Montalcino, Siena, Tuscany, Italy BC $93.00 specialty listing, AB $98.00 fine wine shops, MB $98.26, ON $100.00 Vintages, QC $99.00
91 Frescobaldi Montesodi Castello di Nipozzano Chianti Rufina 2000 Tuscany, Italy BC $54.95 Specialty, AB $48.00, ON $49.95 Vintages, QC $56.00, US $37.00 Retail
91 Frescobaldi Montesodi Castello di Nipozzano Chianti Rufina 2003 Tuscany, Italy BC $56.00 specialty listing, AB $48.00, ON $59.95 Vintages, QC $55.00, US $35.00 Retail
91 Hartford Court Pinot Noir Seascape Vineyard 2003 Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County, California, United States BC $72.99 speculative listing - Summit Fine Wines, AB $64.99
91 Highland Estate Napa Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot Mount Veeder, Napa Valley, California, United States CDN $80.00, US $45.00 Winery
91 Highland Estates Alisos Hills Syrah 2004 Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United States BC $59.95 specialty listing, AB $58.00 fine wine shops
91 Highland Estates Seco Highlands Chardonnay 2005 Arroyo Seco, Monterey County, California, United States BC $49.95 speculative listing - Summit Fine Wines, AB $36.95
91 Highland Estates Seco Highlands Chardonnay 2006 Arroyo Seco, Monterey County, Central Coast, California, United States US $30.00 retail
91 John Duval Plexus 2005 Syrah - Grenache - Mourvèdre Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia BC $49.99 speculative - Mark Anthony Brands
91 Kaesler WOMS 2004 Shiraz - Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia BC $74.45 speculative - Winspeer, AB $60.00 fine wine shops
91 Kaiken Malbec 2005 Mendoza, Argentina AB $17.00 private wine shops, US $10.00 suggested retail
91 Kendall-Jackson Merlot Grand Reserve 2005 Sonoma - Napa, California, United States BC $46.00 speculative - Summit Fine Wines, AB $43.00, ON $37.00 consignment - Summit Fine Wines, QC $37.00
91 Kendall-Jackson Stature Red 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot - Petit Verdot Napa Valley, California, United States BC $169.00 speculative listing - Summit Fine Wines, AB $170.00 fine wine shops, ON $107.00, QC $109.00
91 Laroche Chablis Grand Cru Les Blanchots 2004 Chablis, Burgundy, France BC $100.00 speculative listing - Calibrium International, AB $90.00 fine wine shops
91 Laurent Perrier Cuvée Rosé Brut N/V Champagne, France BC $95.00 specialty listing, MB $99.00, ON $90.00 Vintages Essentials, QC $97.00
91 Le Macchiole Messorio 2002 Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy BC $159.99 speculative listing - Liquid Art, ON $127.00 consignment - Halpern Wine
91 Louis Latour Chateau Corton Grancey Grand Cru 2003, Côte de Beaune, urgundy, France BC $110.00 speculative listing - Maxxium Canada, AB $100.00, QC $108.00
91 Louis Latour Chateau Corton Grancey Grand Cru 1999 Aloxe-Corton, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, France BC $110.00 estimated price
91 Louis Latour Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 2004 Aloxe-Corton, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, France BC $149.95 specialty listing
91 Louis Latour Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 2003 Aloxe-Corton, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, France BC $149.95 specialty listing
91 Louis Latour Meursault Goutte d’Or 1er cru 2005 Meursault, Côte de Beaune, Côte d'Or, Burgundy, France BC $62.99 specialty listing
91 Louis Roederer Brut Premier Champagne N/V Pinot Noir - Chardonnay Champagne, France BC $64.95 specialty listing, AB $57.00 fine wine boutiques, ON $63.95 Vintages Essentials, ON $259.95 (3000 ml), QC $62.00
91 Luigi Einaudi Barolo Costa Grimaldi 2003 Dogliani, Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy BC $99.95
91 Marques de Griñon Dominio de Valdepusa El Rincon Syrah & Garnacha 2003 Syrah - Grenache Castilla-La Mancha, Spain BC $36.99 speculative listing - Mark Anthony Brands, QC $40.00
91 Mas des Aveylans Syrah Fruitée 2005 Le Gard, Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, South of France, France BC $27.70 speculative listing - Vino Allegro
91 Michele Chiarlo Barolo Tortoniano 2000 Piedmont, Italy BC $64.95 speculative listing - Winspeer, AB $55.95 fine wine shops, QC $43.00
91 Mitolo Savitar Shiraz 2005 McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia BC $73.99 speculative listing - Liquid Art
91 Montes Folly Syrah 2003 Apalta Valley, Santa Cruz, Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, Chile US $65.00 fine wine shops
91 Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Rosé N/V Champagne, France BC $64.00 specialty listing, AB $58.00, ON $48.00 Vintages, QC $56.00
91 Ostatu Crianza Rioja Alavesa 2003 Rioja Alavesa, Rioja, Spain BC $24.77
91 Pascual Toso Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon Pedregal Vineyard 2004, Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, Argentina BC $59.99 suggested retail
91 Penfolds Cabernet Shiraz Bin 389 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon - Shiraz, South Australia BC $37.07 specialty listing, AB $36.00 fine wine boutiques, MB $35.99, NF $38.99, NS $39.99, ON $35.95, QC $37.00, SK $33.99
91 Penfolds Shiraz Kalimna Bin 28 2004 South Australia, BC $35.99 specialty listing, AB $29.99 fine wine boutiques, MB $35.00, NB $36.00, NF $33.98, ON $30.15, QC $29.95, SK $32.00
91 Planeta Syrah 2005 Sicily, Italy BC $49.00 specialty listing, AB $43.00 fine wine shops, QC $36.00
91 Poderi Marcarini Barolo Brunate 2003 La Morra, Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy BC $84.95 speculative listing - Empson ( Canada) Inc, AB $78.00 fine wine shops, QC $79.95
91 Primovolo 2001 Sangiovese - Barbera - Merlot Italy BC $50.10 speculative - Saverio Schiralli, AB $45.00 private wine shop, ON $33.30 Vintages
91 Ridge Geyserville 1999 Zinfandel - Carignane - Petite Sirah - Mataro Sonoma County, California, United States US $0.00 winery direct
91 Rocca della Macìe Tenuta Sant’Alfonso Chianti Classico 2004 Sangiovese - Canaiolo Nero - Merlot Florence, Tuscany, Italy QC $25.00
91 Rodney Strong Chardonnay Chalk Hill 2005 Sonoma County, California, United States BC $29.99 Specialty, AB $22.99, ON $24.45 Consignment - Mark Anthony Wine Merchants, US $19.00 retail
91 Rodney Strong Chardonnay Reserve 2005 Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United States BC $50.00 speculative listing - Mark Anthony Brands, AB $31.00, ON $19.95
91 Ruffino Modus 2004 Sangiovese - Cabernet Sauvignon - Merlot Tuscany, Italy AB $50.89 fine wine shops, ON $59.00 Vintages, QC $59.00, SK $52.95
91 Santa Rita Cabernet Sauvignon Casa Real 2003 Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, Chile BC $89.00 specialty listing, ON $50.00 Vintages
91 Santa Rita Floresta Apalta Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 Apalta Valley, Santa Cruz, Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, Chile BC $54.99 specialty
91 Santa Rita Pehuén Carmenère 2004 Apalta Valley, Santa Cruz, Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Chile CDN $60.00 speculative listing - Mark Anthony Brands
91 Taylor Fladgate Special White Port N/V Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, Portugal BC $21.95 specialty listing, AB $18.95 fine wine shops, QC $16.50, SK $22.55
