Wine Search Results

Displaying 14652 results. There are 235 tastings in progress that may show up in this search soon.

88/100 Blue Mountain Chardonnay 2008 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
A light vanilla/cream, nutty lees, baked green apple nose previews a somewhat lighter bodied chardonnay with a fresh elegant demeanour. Look for grapefruit, green apple, lemon, spicy lees, smoky, grassy vanilla flavours. The blend is 50 per cent barrel fermented and 50 per cent tank fermented to keep the fruit alive. Very crisp, citrusy style with a bit of toasted oak and lees. A perfect West Coast seafood wine.
Tasted: 2010-09-08 by AG-ST Prices: AB $25.00 (750 ml) fine wine shops; BC $21.00 (750 ml) winery direct, private wine shops CSPC: 350108;   UPC: 00626452101085 Producer: Blue Mountain Vineyard & Cellars Distributor: Keystone Fine Wines

88/100 Blue Mountain Pinot Noir 2008 Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
One of the better young pinot noirs in the valleys this ’08 really benefitted from warm days in August and September followed by cool evening. The vines range from 11 to 24 year old and include multiple clones of pinot noir that surely add to its complexity. Classic open top fermented, hand punch downs and lots of love and care reveal a wonderful mix of red and black fruit flavours with spice and vanilla throughout. The palate is dry and supple with fresh rhubarb, strawberry jam, barnyard and earthy, compost flavours. This will need time in the bottle to come about or you could serve t now with something like dick confit or roast turkey.
Tasted: 2010-09-08 by AG Prices: BC $25.00 (750 ml) winery direct, private wine shops CSPC: 329466;   UPC: 00626452501089 Producer: Blue Mountain Vineyard & Cellars Distributor: Keystone Fine Wines

90/100 Blue Mountain Chardonnay Reserve (Stripe Label) 2007 Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
A wonderful harvest has resulted in a terrific bottle of ’07 Reserve or Striped Label chardonnay. We love the bright fruit and underlying creamy leesy character that adds complexity to the blend. The vineyard is 18 years old and planted to a mix of four French clones. Look for a crisp, round, elegant palate with juicy acidity, baked apple skin, garlic, nutty lees and spicy, citrus, nectarine skin flavours. Much in the style of a premier cru Chablis with a bit more oak. Attractive style for food but that will age further. Solid value here.
Tasted: 2010-09-08 by AG Prices: BC $26.00 (750 ml) special order - Keystone Fine Wines CSPC: 714956;   UPC: 00626452351073 Producer: Blue Mountain Vineyard & Cellars Distributor: Keystone Fine Wines

89/100 Blue Mountain Pinot Blanc 2008 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
The pinot blanc, two French clones, is now 24 years old at Blue Mountain. The Mavety strategy is to put more or less half in old wood barrels for and half in stainless steel tanks to ferment thereby preserving its delicate fruit. The ’09 is positively swimming in bright fruit showing bits of peaches and apricots with flecks of citrus rind and green pear. Halibut, salmon, clams and even crab would be a wonderful fit here. One of the best pinot blancs in the valley.
Tasted: 2010-09-08 by AG Prices: BC $18.00 (750 ml) winery direct, private wine shops CSPC: 329441;   UPC: 00626990024958 Producer: Blue Mountain Vineyard & Cellars Distributor: Keystone Fine Wines

89/100 Poplar Grove Merlot 2006 Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Expect a lovely rich version of merlot here with plenty of sweet oak and bright fruit with a savoury dried herbs undercurrent. Big and form with a slightly lean undercarriage. Try now with roasted meats or wait three years to full maturity. All this needs is a bit more finesse. Well done.
Tasted: 2010-09-07 by AG-ST Prices: BC $30.00 (750 ml) winery direct, private wine shops CSPC: 629014;   UPC: 00626990076629 Producer: Poplar Grove Winery Distributor: Winery Direct

91/100 Van Westen Vineyards Vivre la Vie 2007 Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Open aromatic spicy, cedar, tobacco, meaty nose with bits of cherry, prune and floral aromas. Attractive round, dry, supple tannins but with fine acidity. More vanilla, chocolate, plum, cherry, cedar, tobacco and spicy coffee flavours. A bit warm and chunky with big tannins on the finish. Still a bit of a brute but with potential to improve over the next 2-5 years. Very good fruit and concentration. Bravo.
Tasted: 2010-09-07 by AG-ST Prices: BC $30.00 (750 ml) winery direct and private wine shops UPC: 00626990097266 Producer: Van Westen Vineyards Distributor: Winery Direct

92/100 Jackson-Triggs Shiraz SunRock Vineyard 2007 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
This wine continues to impress me each year. The grapes come off a single vineyard site that is tucked up against a rock face that acts like a furnace at night after heating up in the sun all day. The nose and flavours are an intense mix of white pepper, smoked meat and black fruit from back to front. Dense, rich, bright and glossy, it is a syrah style that will appeal to those who love the New World with a twist of France.
Tasted: 2010-09-07 by AG Prices: BC $35.00 (750 ml) specialty listing, winery direct CSPC: 365635;   UPC: 00063657013496 Producer: Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate Distributor: Vincor Canada - A Constellation Company

90/100 Desert Hills Syrah Select 2006 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Expect a wonderful, rich, white pepper nose that jumps from the glass while the flavours mix smoked meat and black fruit with bits of barnyard and savoury dried herbs in the background. Fresh acidity marks what is a mostly French palate with tar, resin and leather in the finish. Perfect for roast lamb.
Tasted: 2010-09-07 by AG-ST Prices: BC $35.00 (750 ml) winery direct CSPC: 094839;   UPC: 892499000094 Producer: Desert Hills Estate Winery Distributor: Winery Direct

85/100 Twisted Tree Six Vines 2008 Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Smoky, coffee, roasted bell pepper, barnyard nose with saddle leather, chocolate and Band-Aid aromas. Round, fat, soft palate with coffee, oaky/vanilla and confected cherry jam flavours flecked with green olive bits. Somewhat dirty and formulaic not up the usual quality we see form this winery.
Tasted: 2010-09-06 by AG-ST Prices: AB $22.00 (750 ml) fine wine shops; BC $22.00 (750 ml) winery direct CSPC: 791988;   UPC: 626990091738 Producer: Twisted Tree Vineyards & Winery Distributor: Renaissance Wine Merchants Ltd.; Winery Direct

86/100 Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Shiraz 2006 Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia
Spicy, blueberry, blackberry jam, mocha, peppery, licorice root, light cedar and juniper berry aromas. Dry, slightly tannic, hard entry and warm with blackberry jam, prune, tobacco leaf, blueberry, coffee, peppery, resin, vanilla flavours. Has fruit but is a bit hard and hot on the finish with some green edged tannins. Drink up.
Tasted: 2010-09-05 by AG-ST Prices: AB $22.00 (750 ml) Fine Wine Boutiques; BC $30.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 094342;   UPC: 00853065000115 Producer: Thorn-Clarke Wines Distributor: Renaissance Wine Merchants Ltd.

86/100 Zonin Primo Amore Sangiovese Merlot 2007 Sicily, Italy
Spicy, cherry jam, meaty, tobacco, floral nose. Soft, round, supple, easy palate with rooty, floral, tobacco, peppery olive and herb flavours. Simple, easy, forward style at a good price. Much like the previous edition.
Tasted: 2010-09-05 by AG Prices: AB $14.00 (750 ml) private wine shops; BC $13.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 412957;   UPC: 8002235000574 Producer: Casa Vinicola Zonin S.p.A. Distributor: The Bacchus Group Inc.

83/100 Two Oceans Shiraz 2009 Western Cape, South Africa
Smoky, meaty, earthy, rubbery, liquorice blackberry, resin, vanilla, tobacco leaf aromas. Soft, round, fresh, somewhat sweet and flat entry with blackberry, smoked meat, tobacco leaf, rubber, liquorice, prune and earth flavours. The burnt rubber will put most consumers off this red.
Tasted: 2010-09-05 by AG-ST Prices: BC $10.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 669249;   UPC: 6001108001085 Producer: Bergkelder, The (Distillers Corporation) Distributor: Peter Mielzynski Agencies

88/100 Pirramimma Shiraz 2006 McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
A slightly volatile (lifted fruit) nose that is warm and peppery with savoury, pruny notes and hints of cooked blackberry. Dry, warm, fresh palate with light tannins. Prune, blackberry jam, peppery, cola, bitter chocolate, vanilla, floral, licorice flavours with a touch of bacon. The fruit is full if pruny and somewhat cooked but with a finish that is a bit tart and lean.
Tasted: 2010-09-05 by AG-ST Prices: AB $26.00 (750 ml) fine wine boutiques; BC $30.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 607093;   UPC: 9315785000529 Producer: Pirramimma Distributor: AltoVin International

90/100 Thorn-Clarke William Randall Shiraz 2005 Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia
Made from the family's oldest vineyards planted in 1853. Chocolate, molasses, cooked blackberry, blueberry, spicy, vanilla, prune, savoury aromas. Rich, ripe, round, full, warm palate with some grainy tannins. Warm chocolate, vanilla, coffee, gamey, molasses, blackberry jam, prunes, tobacco, licorice and cardamom flavours. Very warm, somewhat over ripe style but has lots of intensity for those who like it big.
Tasted: 2010-09-05 by AG-ST Prices: AB $45.00 (750 ml) private wine shops; BC $51.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Renaissance Wine Merchants CSPC: 94045;   UPC: 0085306500009 Producer: Thorn-Clarke Wines Distributor: Renaissance Wine Merchants Ltd.

88/100 Aces Syrah 2007 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Dank earth, meaty, mercaptan, leesy, espresso, milk chocolate, vanilla, stewed prune, cooked blackberry, resiny, savoury aromas. Round, full, supple palate with chocolate, espresso, pruny, cherry cola, vanilla, stewed berry, tobacco leaf, black tea flavours with some light, green tannins on the finish. Somewhat formulaic style with big toasted oak to dominate the fruit. A good start but the price is unrealistic, particularly for the quality.
Tasted: 2010-09-05 by AG-ST Prices: BC $95.00 (750 ml) winery direct CSPC: 742262;   UPC: 00626990097099 Producer: Aces Okanagan Winery Distributor: Winery Direct

84/100 Santa Rita Merlot 120 2008 Region del Valle Central, Chile
Smoky, savoury cedar notes preview a soft, simple red with leafy/minty, earthy notes. It finishes dry with bits of chocolate and dried. A decent hamburger red for the price.
Tasted: 2010-09-05 by AG-ST Prices: AB $10.15 (750 ml); BC $10.00 (750 ml) general listing; NF $13.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 286179;   UPC: 089419007237 Producer: Viña Santa Rita Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants

87/100 Yalumba Barossa Patchwork Shiraz 2008 Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia
Spicy, leather, cedar, peppery, barnyard, minty, blueberry, savoury aromas. Dry, slightly hard, light palate but elegant. Earthy, meaty, savoury, floral, fresh plum, peppery, licorice, coffee flavours. Has finesse and ripeness but a bit on the austere side.
Tasted: 2010-09-05 by AG Prices: BC $26.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; NS $25.00 (750 ml); ON $22.00 (750 ml) Vintages; QC $21.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 596049;   UPC: 009311789001395 Producer: Yalumba Wine Company Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants; Negociants International

90/100 Domaine Christian Moreau Chablis 1er Cru Vaillon 2008 Chablis, Burgundy, France
Light vanilla, honey, ripe apple, pear, lemon, lees, and nectarine skin nose with hints of spicy butter. Fresh, round, dry, juicy, elegant palate with light spicy lees, mineral, lime, green apple, seashell, lemon, baked pear, vanilla flavours. Very good finesse and length with a juicy, creamy finish. Delicious. The Vaillon site is rich in fossil shells of a small oyster, a frequent occurrence in Chablis. These vines are 65 years old and the vinification and ageing is a 65/35 split done in stainless steel and barrels. The wood is 10 per cent new and 90 percent one, two and three year old barrels for six months.
Tasted: 2010-09-05 by AG-ST Prices: BC $40.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $40.00 (750 ml); QC $40.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 116863;   UPC: 089744423665 Producer: Domaine Christian Moreau Distributor: Authentic Wine and Spirits Merchants

88/100 Domaine Christian Moreau Chablis 2008 Chablis, Burgundy, France
Oyster shell, seashore, lime, green apple, oatmeal, matchstick, floral aromas. Fresh, crisp, delicate, juicy palate with green apple, pear, seashore, mineral, light lees, floral, chalky flavours. Nice ripe, cream acidity that will lend itself to any seafood dish. The vineyard is located in the village of Chablis on the left bank of the Serein River. The exposure is south-south east. The soil is Kimmeridgien/calcareous clay. The vineyard density is 6500 vines/ha; average age of the vines is 47 years. The winemaking and aging is all in stainless steel. The wine sits 10 months on its fine lees.
Tasted: 2010-09-05 by AG-ST Prices: BC $27.00 (750 ml) estimated retail Producer: Domaine Christian Moreau Distributor: Authentic Wine and Spirits Merchants

92/100 Domaine Christian Moreau Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos “Clos Des Hospices Dans Les Clos” 2007 Chablis, Burgundy, France
Nutty, sweat grapefruit, lees, seashell, seaweed, lime, green apple skin, vanilla, floral, lemon peel, honey aromas. Dry, tight, elegant palate with medium extract. Leesy, spicy, seashell, grassy, green apple skin, light garlic, grassy, dried herb flavours. Good finesse, fresh, drink now-3 years. A more linear style and vintage.
Tasted: 2010-09-05 by AG-ST Prices: BC $80.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Authentic Wines & Spirits Producer: Domaine Christian Moreau Distributor: Authentic Wine and Spirits Merchants

92/100 Domaine Christian Moreau Chablis 1er Cru Vaillon Cuvée Guy Moreau 2008 Chablis, Burgundy, France
Lots of lime, spicy, green apple skin, oyster shell, butter, lees, light garlic, grassy, pear aromas with a touch of vanilla. Fresh, crisp, dry, juicy, slightly austere palate with oyster liqueur, lime, green apple skin, lees, chalky, vanilla, garlic, honey, lemon flavours. A bit more austere but more intense on the finish than the regular cuvee. This will benefit from 2-4 years bottle age. Great acidity and fruit balance for aging. The Guy Moreau cuvée is made from a parcel of vines planted by Guy Moreau in 1934. The vinification and ageing is done in a 60/40 mix of stainless steel vats and barrels where 90 percent of the wood is one, two or three years old all aged for six months in wood.
Tasted: 2010-09-05 by AG-ST Prices: AB $35.00 (750 ml) fine wine boutiques; BC $43.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $37.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 116855;   UPC: 089744423528 Producer: Domaine Christian Moreau Distributor: Authentic Wine and Spirits Merchants

95/100 Domaine Christian Moreau Chablis Grand Cru Les Clos 2008 Chablis, Burgundy, France
Floral, light honey, light lees, lime, acacia, seashore, green apple, pear skin, slightly nutty lees aromas. Fresh, round, elegant, juicy, clean palate with honey, nectarine, nutty lees, spicy, lime, lemon, seashell, light butter, floral, vanilla flavours. Very long, juicy, ripe creamy acid finish with cool fruit. Chiselled but full. Drink now or keep for 3-7 years. The very rocky soil at les Clos is Kimmeridgien marl-calcium carbonate mixed with white, dense clays. Vine density is 7000 vines/ha., but the vineyard is only 10 years old. Some 65 percent is aged in stainless vats the remainder is in 10 per cent new barrels and 90 percent one, two and three year old barrels for six months.
Tasted: 2010-09-05 by AG-ST Prices: AB $55.00 (750 ml) fine wine boutiques; BC $67.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $65.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 116533;   UPC: 089744423672 Producer: Domaine Christian Moreau Distributor: Authentic Wine and Spirits Merchants

92/100 Domaine Christian Moreau Chablis Grand Cru Valmur 2007 Chablis, Burgundy, France
Nectarine, green apple, floral, spicy, light lees, seashell, butter, floral, mineral aromas. Dry, tight, elegant, slightly lean palate with fresh acidity. Seashell, citrus, green apple, nectarine skin, leesy, spicy, herbal, grassy, lemon flavours. Good length and intensity with a bit more extract and acidity than Le Clos but definitely on the greener acid edge. Will improve over the next 2-4 years. The vineyard density is 7000 vines/ha and the average age of the vines is 50 years. The vinification and ageing is a 55/45 split done in stainless steel and barrels. The wood is 10 per cent new and 90 percent one, two and three year old barrels for six months.
Tasted: 2010-09-05 by AG-ST Prices: AB $55.00 (750 ml) fine wine boutiques; BC $67.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $58.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 116517;   UPC: 089744423931 Producer: Domaine Christian Moreau Distributor: Authentic Wine and Spirits Merchants

81/100 Durbanville Hills Shiraz 2007 Coastal Region, South Africa
Reductive nose with smoked meat, peppery, blackberry, rooty, resin, gamey, saddle leather aromas. Dry, acidic, lean entry with a bitter note. Earthy, meaty, Band-Aid, saddle leather, dried prune flavours. No joy here.
Tasted: 2010-09-04 by AG Prices: BC $0.00 (750 ml) UPC: 6001495000470 Producer: Durbanville Hills Winery Distributor: Peter Mielzynski Agencies

88/100 Louis Latour Chardonnay Bourgogne 2008 France
Very citrusy, green apple, floral, matchstick, pear skin aromas. Fresh, dry, delicate, slightly skinny palate with a creamy acidity. Lemon, lime, slate, pear, apple skin, light butter and spice flavours. Good juicy palate if a bit austere. Solid food wine for the money. Nice improvement over the last decade. One wonders how much more of this wine could be sold if it was finished under screwcap. How can a delicate white Burgundy be hurt by an easy opening device that doesn’t scalp off the top 10 per cent of its best flavours.
Tasted: 2010-09-04 by AG Prices: AB $19.00 (750 ml) fine wine shops; BC $21.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $20.00 (750 ml); NB $23.00 (750 ml); NS $21.00 (750 ml); ON $18.00 (750 ml); QC $18.00 (750 ml); SK $21.00 (750 ml); YK $21.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 055533;   UPC: 00326861101175 Producer: Maison Louis Latour Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants

89/100 Quails’ Gate Late Harvest Totally Botrytis Affected Optima 2008 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Light gold colour. Big inviting honey, orange rind, butter, floral, lime, spicy, light sausage, apricot and lanolin nose. Ripe, rich, fresh, elegant palate with good sugar acid balance. Spicy, lychee, baked apple, honey, orange rind, waxy, apricot, lanolin flavours. Good juicy style with lots of fun fruit. Drink while young and fresh to retain the fruit. Delicious.
Tasted: 2010-09-02 by AG-ST Prices: AB $30.00 (375 ml) fine wine shops; BC $30.00 (375 ml) specialty listing; MB $30.00 (375 ml); ON $30.00 (375 ml); SK $30.00 (375 ml) CSPC: 390328;   UPC: 778856308099 Producer: Quails' Gate Vineyards Estate Winery Distributor: Appellation Wine Marketing; Vincor Canada - A Constellation Company

87/100 Emiliana Adobe Carmenere Reserva Orgánico 2009 Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, Chile
Very spicy, meaty, peppery nose with plum, menthol and sappy cassis notes. Ripe, round, supple entry, if slightly flat on the palate, with dried herb, menthol, peppery, cassis, minty, bay leaf, tobacco leaf and prune flavours. Solid styling for a T-bone or rib-eye steak.
Tasted: 2010-09-02 by AG-ST Prices: AB $14.00 (750 ml) private wine shops; BC $15.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 836353;   UPC: 007804320150604 Producer: Vinedos Emiliana Distributor: Diamond Estates Wines and Spirits Ltd.

87/100 Chiopris Pinot Grigio 2008 Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
Citrus, spicy, earthy, pear, floral and light lychee aromas. Fresh, round, slightly sweet entry but delicate with baked apple, pear, melon, honey, citrus flavours. A little sweet on the finish but has nice ripe fruit that most will enjoy.
Tasted: 2010-09-02 by AG-ST Prices: BC $17.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - The Seacove Group CSPC: 519918;   UPC: 08024650050132 Producer: Villa Chiopris Distributor: The Seacove Group Inc.

87/100 8th Generation Vineyard Pinot Gris 2008 Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Floral, melon, earthy, spicy, matchstick, pear, light butter and slate aromas. Ripe, round, full, somewhat sweet entry with baked red apple, citrus, pear, honey, lychee flavours. Good intensity and ripeness if a bit too sweet on the finish. Try this with spicy Pan Asian cuisine to best effect.
Tasted: 2010-09-02 by AG-ST Prices: BC $21.00 (750 ml) winery direct UPC: 626990092087 Producer: 8th Generation Vineyard Distributor: Peacock and Martin Wine Merchants; Quaff Wine and Spirits

86/100 Montresor Bianco del Nago 2008 Veneto, Italy
Tangerine, apricot, pear, red apple, spicy, grapefruit aromas. Ripe, round, fresh, somewhat sweet entry. Grapefruit, honey, apricot, tangerine skin, red apple and grassy flavours. Good intensity, fun for Thai food if a bit sweet. Good value.
Tasted: 2010-09-02 by AG-ST Prices: BC $14.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - The Seacove Group CSPC: 629477;   UPC: 8003503000210 Producer: Cantine Giacomo Montresor Distributor: The Seacove Group Inc.

90/100 Quinta do Crasto Late Bottled Vintage Port 2005 Cima Corga, Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, Portugal
Open spicy, savoury, floral nose with cedar, dried cherry, plum jam and liquorice notes all with a touch of menthol. Complex, ripe, rich, elegant, slightly tannic palate but with reasonably supple tannins. Warm chocolate, prune, peppery, spicy, dried fig, cherry, liquorice root, mint and tobacco flavours. Good finesse and length for near term consumption. Good value.
Tasted: 2010-09-02 by AG-ST Prices: AB $29.00 (750 ml) Fine Wine Boutiques; BC $27.00 (750 ml) Specialty; BC $15.95 (750 ml) Specialty (375 mL) CSPC: 605048;   UPC: 5604123002009 Producer: Quinta do Crasto (Sociedade Agricola da) Distributor: The Seacove Group Inc.

88/100 Stoneboat Vineyards Pinot Gris 2009 Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Ripe pear, floral, chalky, orange, grapefruit rind aromas. Ripe, round, full, slightly heavier palate with some sweetness. Juicy pear, melon rind, earthy, grapefruit rind, chalky, spicy flavours. Good intensity with an austere edge but has body to go with seafood or chicken.
Tasted: 2010-09-02 by AG-ST Prices: BC $19.00 (750 ml) winery direct CSPC: 565598;   UPC: 626990058991 Producer: Stoneboat Vineyards Distributor: Foremost Wine Domaines Inc.; Winery Direct

86/100 Poplar Grove Pinot Gris 2008 Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Spicy, baked apple, citrus, canned fruit, grassy aromas. Round, full, soft, slightly sweet entry with nutty, buttery, honey, canned grapefruit, and baked apple flavours. Very mature style. Drink up.
Tasted: 2010-09-02 by AG-ST Prices: BC $20.00 (750 ml) winery direct, private wine shops CSPC: 356048;   UPC: 00626990076674 Producer: Poplar Grove Winery Distributor: Winery Direct

88/100 Miguel Torres Santa Digna Carmenere Reserve 2009 Valle del Curicó, Region del Valle Central, Chile
Peppery, savoury, smoky, spicy, sappy cassis, meaty, bay leaf, resiny aromas. Full, ripe, rich, round palate with good acidity. Sappy cassis, smoky, plum, tobacco leaf, cedar, peppery, Oxo, meaty, minty, chocolate flavours. Good intensity and length for the money.
Tasted: 2010-09-02 by AG-ST Prices: BC $18.00 (750 ml) special order - Pacific Wines & Spirits UPC: 8410113005281 Producer: Miguel Torres Chile Distributor: Pacific Wines & Spirits (1995) Ltd.

87/100 Miguel Torres Las Mulas Carmenere Reserve (Organic Grapes) 2008 Valle del Curicó, Region del Valle Central, Chile
Very peppery, sausage meat, lees, tobacco leaf, sappy, spicy, green cedar aromas. Round, full, ripe palate with supple tannins and a touch of sweetness. Spicy, dried herb, savoury, meaty, peppery, tobacco, cedar, sappy cassis flavours with a touch of chocolate. Full style with intensity if a bit rustic.
Tasted: 2010-09-02 by AG-ST Prices: BC $18.00 (750 ml) special order - Pacific Wines & Spirits UPC: 841011300150 Producer: Miguel Torres Chile Distributor: Pacific Wines & Spirits (1995) Ltd.

84/100 Mistaken Identity Abbondante Bianco Organic 2009 Salt Spring Island, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
Floral, minty, spicy, herbaceous, matchstick, somewhat reductive nose with a bit of pear skin. Dry, elegant, somewhat austere palate with floral, spicy, minty, grapefruit, herbal, mineral flavours. Unusual blend but has some attractive notes.
Tasted: 2010-09-02 by AG-ST Prices: BC $18.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Vino Allegro CSPC: 170407;   UPC: 00626990103660 Producer: Mistaken Identity Vineyards Distributor: Vino Allegro Wine Imports Inc.

87/100 Mistaken Identity Charmela 2009 Salt Spring Island, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
A blend of organic chardonnay and heritage apples. Floral, minty, canned apple, honey, plasticene and citrus aromas. Round, soft, fresh palate with some sweetness but good acidity. Baked green apple, spicy, citrus, honey, mineral flavours. A well balanced, juicy fruit wine.
Tasted: 2010-09-02 by AG-ST Prices: BC $22.00 (375 ml) speculative listing - Vino Allegro CSPC: 570796;   UPC: 00626990103653 Producer: Mistaken Identity Vineyards Distributor: Vino Allegro Wine Imports Inc.

90/100 Tranchero Casot Moscato d'Asti 2009 Piedmont, Italy
A light frizzante style. Nice fresh floral, spicy, peach, nectarine skin, lime, honey aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy, slightly sweet palate with nice light fizz. Peach skin, honey, floral, green apple, nectarine, spicy, minty flavours. Good delicate picnic or dessert style with nice acidity and sugar balance. Solid value and fun.
Tasted: 2010-09-02 by AG-ST Prices: BC $20.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 001214;   UPC: 00335096910378 Producer: Tranchero Osvaldo Distributor: Vino Allegro Wine Imports Inc.

89/100 Carmen Gran Reserva Carmenere 2008 Apalta Valley, Santa Cruz, Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, Chile
Big spicy, black plum, cassis, floral, tobacco, peppery, chocolate, orange peel and bay leaf aromas. Ripe, round, supple, rich, smooth palate with chocolate, peppery, tobacco, plum jam, cassis, savoury, tea flavours. Very good fruit, balance and intensity for this grape. Excellent value for the price.
Tasted: 2010-09-02 by AG-ST Prices: BC $22.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 439166;   UPC: 00677758901240 Producer: Vina Carmen Distributor: Charton-Hobbs

88/100 Fonseca Bin No 27 Fine Reserve Port N/V Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, Portugal
Open nose with very peppery, spicy, licorice, black plum, chocolate, prune and cherry aromas with some black tea and licorice. Soft, round, full, easy palate with light tannins. Chocolate, pruny, licorice, cedar, tobacco, black cherry and dried fig flavours. Good sugar and acidity balance for any cool night.
Tasted: 2010-09-02 by AG-ST Prices: AB $24.00 (750 ml) fine wine shops; BC $23.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $20.00 (750 ml); NF $24.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 271585;   UPC: 005013521100451 Producer: Fonseca Guimaraens Distributor: Pacific Wines & Spirits (1995) Ltd.

86/100 Casillero del Diablo Carmenere 2008 Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, Chile
Very peppery, cedar bark, menthol, dried herbs, chocolate aromas. Dry, round, fresh palate with very light tannins. Cedar, chocolate, vanilla cube, herbal, rooty, spicy, eucalyptus flavours. Simple, easy style on the herbal side.
Tasted: 2010-09-02 by AG-ST Prices: AB $11.95 (750 ml); BC $14.00 (750 ml) general listing; MB $11.30 (750 ml); NS $11.54 (750 ml); ON $12.55 (750 ml) CSPC: 153270;   UPC: 7804320087016 Producer: Vina Concha y Toro S.A. Distributor: Select Wine Merchants

87/100 Herder Josephine 2006 Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Huge smoky, espresso oak, vanilla nose with floral, plum, tobacco leaf, green olive, savoury, spicy notes. Dry, somewhat tannic, hard entry with a fair bit of acidity. Dried herbs, espresso, vanilla, tobacco leaf, cranberry, minty, black olive, resiny, licorice flavours with a bit of smoky roasted tomato, floral and cherry on the finish. Retasted 2 years later and now shows its high alcohol and acidity with hard tannins but has concentration.
Tasted: 2010-09-01 by AG-ST Prices: BC $39.90 (750 ml) speculative listing - Landmark Selections CSPC: 786400;   UPC: 0814372000298 Producer: Herder Winery & Vineyards Distributor: Landmark Selections; Winery Direct

86/100 Sandhill Cabernet Franc Sandhill Estate Vineyard 2006 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Peppery, tobacco leaf, smoky, cranberry, olive, coffee and resin aromas. Dry, round, slightly tart palate. Cranberry, black olive, tobacco leaf, vanilla, mocha, coffee, resin and roasted flavours. Fully ready now with an oaky finish.
Tasted: 2010-09-01 by ST Prices: BC $20.00 (750 ml) specialty listing, vqa and private wine shops CSPC: 556035;   UPC: 058976500079 Producer: Sandhill Wines Distributor: Andrew Peller Limited

88/100 Van Zellers VZ Douro Branco 2008 Rio Torto, Cima Corga, Douro Valley, Northern Portugal, Portugal
Vanilla, honey, citrus, hazelnut, green apple, floral, quince, lemon oil and earth aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant but somewhat austere palate. Spicy, smoky, passionfruit, green apple skin, honey, cedar, lemon, grassy, nutty flavours. A lean style designed for wine aficionados and food like grilled squid.
Tasted: 2010-09-01 by AG-ST Prices: BC $45.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - The Seacove Group CSPC: 156471;   UPC: 5606545960080 Producer: Lemos & Van Zeller Distributor: The Seacove Group Inc.

84/100 Candido Devinis Primitivo Salento 2007 Apulia, Italy
Very meaty, rooty, roasted, prune, tobacco, peppery aromas. Dry, somewhat flat, warm palate with a bitter note. Prune, tobacco, cooked berry, liquorice root, resin and coffee flavours. Tart finish and warm with a cooked dried herb note.
Tasted: 2010-09-01 by AG-ST Prices: BC $17.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - PMA CSPC: 737176;   UPC: 8001148031156 Producer: Francesco Candido Distributor: Peter Mielzynski Agencies

89/100 Poplar Grove Cabernet Franc 2006 Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Tobacco, leather, cedar, coffee, cherry jam, vanilla, prune and violet aromas. Ripe, round, rich, dry palate with some light, grainy tannins. Cedar, coffee, cola, cranberry, tobacco leaf, floral, black cherry and tea flavours. Good structure and finesse, will improve over the next 2-4 years. Excellent.
Tasted: 2010-09-01 by AG-ST Prices: BC $35.00 (750 ml) winery direct, private wine shops CSPC: 326629;   UPC: 00626990076636 Producer: Poplar Grove Winery Distributor: Winery Direct

86/100 Poplar Grove The Legacy 2006 Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Cool cedar bark, menthol, cranberry, black olive, dried herb nose with pruny, cherry, iodine aromas. Very dry, round, warm palate with some light, grainy tannins that finish a bit chewy. Peppery, resin, coffee, cedar bark, cranberry, savoury, tobacco leaf, licorice, prune plum flavours and some green tea tannins. Somewhat rustic, older style but has some intensity. Needs a few years in bottle or a rare steak.
Tasted: 2010-09-01 by AG-ST Prices: BC $50.00 (750 ml) winery direct CSPC: 674580;   UPC: 00626990076643 Producer: Poplar Grove Winery Distributor: Winery Direct

87/100 Aces Pocket Kings Red Wine 2007 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Big smoky, green olive, tobacco, herbal, coffee, pruny, cranberry, Christmas cake, coconut aromas. Dry, round, full, supple palate with smooth tannins. Chocolate, coffee, prune, vanilla, dried herb, cassis, cherry kirsch, cola, tobacco, soupy cranberry flavours. Warm, oaky, easy style for near term consumption.
Tasted: 2010-09-01 by AG-ST Prices: BC $65.00 (750 ml) winery direct CSPC: 151571;   UPC: 00626990097105 Producer: Aces Okanagan Winery Distributor: Winery Direct

86/100 Carpene Malvolti Prosecco Brut N/V Treviso, Verona, Veneto, Italy
Abundant fine white, foamy mousse. Peach pit, green apple, light floral aromas with a touch of matchstick. Fresh, easy, foamy, quiet palate with peach skin, green apple, mineral flavours. Simple, muted style.
Tasted: 2010-09-01 by AG-ST Prices: BC $18.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 125682;   UPC: 8003095000094 Producer: Carpenè Malvolti Distributor: Stile Enterprises Ltd.

86/100 Fairview Cellars Cabernet Franc 2008 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Cool leafy, cedar, cranberry aromas with bits of tomato leaf, floral and peppery, dried herb notes. Fresh, elegant, dry palate with light tannins and herbal, black olive, resin, cranberry, sour cherry flavours. Good finesse but an herbal, tart style that needs more time in the bottle. If you drink it now make sure you served it with roasted or grilled meats.
Tasted: 2010-09-01 by AG Prices: BC $27.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Red Dog CSPC: 297184;   UPC: 00850104000747 Producer: Fairview Cellars Distributor: Red Dog

85/100 Van Westen Vineyards Voluptuous 2007 Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Cedar, pruny/ coffee, tobacco leaf nose with saddle leather and vanilla notes. Dry, elegant but tight palate with some lean, hard tannins. Peppery, prune, coffee, dried herb flavours with bits of black olive, resin, and cranberry and red liquorice root flavours. Has purity but the finish is too astringent and hard. Needs 2-4 years to soften.
Tasted: 2010-09-01 by AG-ST Prices: BC $30.00 (750 ml) winery direct and private wine shops march '06 UPC: 00626990042341 Producer: Van Westen Vineyards Distributor: Winery Direct

85/100 Flaio Primitivo 2007 Salento, Apulia, Italy
Good cherry colour. Peppery, smoky, black cherry, prune, spiced meat aromas. Soft, fresh, dry palate with prune, tobacco, meaty, earthy, sour cherry flavours. Simple, fresh style for barbecue ribs.
Tasted: 2010-09-01 by AG-ST Prices: BC $12.95 (750 ml) CSPC: 672444;   UPC: 6725020770118 Producer: Cantine Salvalai Distributor: Enoteca Bacco

88/100 Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio 2009 Valdadige, Pedemonte Valpolicella, Verona, Veneto, Italy
The best version yet we have tasted. Look for honey, pear, floral, spicy and quince aromas mixed into a fresh, crisp, dry, elegant palate. We love the earthy, spicy, floral, pear skin flavours flecked with quince and green apple. A more delicate, austere style that is perfect with West Coast cuisine. A screwcap would likely double its appeal overnight not to mention sales. Does the American market still hold sway over such a global brand?
Tasted: 2010-09-01 by AG-ST Prices: AB $19.00 (750 ml) private wine stores; BC $20.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; BC $13.00 (375 ml) specialty listing; NS $20.00 (750 ml); ON $16.95 (750 ml) Vintages Essentials; QC $17.90 (750 ml) CSPC: 106450;   UPC: 00632987111112 Producer: Santa Margherita S.P.A. Distributor: Saverio Schiralli Agencies Ltd.

87/100 Santa Margherita Syrah 2007 Sicily, Italy
Open fresh peppery, black cherry jam nose with liquorice, spice, tobacco leaf and meaty, floral aromas. Round, dry, fresh palate with light tannins and more cherry/prune, smoky, liquorice flavours with a hint of mocha and tobacco. Good fruit if a bit fresh on the finish. Solid effort
Tasted: 2010-09-01 by AG-ST Prices: AB $19.00 (750 ml) private wine stores; BC $20.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; ON $18.00 (750 ml); QC $18.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 131565;   UPC: 008003930065103 Producer: Santa Margherita S.P.A. Distributor: Saverio Schiralli Agencies Ltd.

88/100 Santa Margherita Brut Prosecco di Valdobbiadene N/V Veneto, Italy
Nice fine, medium foamy mousse. Good nose with floral, peach skin, earthy, mineral, pear, green apple and quince aromas. Fresh, off dry, foamy palate with mineral, citrus, earthy, peach pit, pear and nutty flavours. Fun, fresh style.
Tasted: 2010-09-01 by AG-ST Prices: BC $21.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 618546;   UPC: 00632987111396 Producer: Santa Margherita S.P.A. Distributor: Saverio Schiralli Agencies Ltd.

89/100 Rodney Strong Sauvignon Blanc Charlotte’s Home Estate Vineyards 2009 Sonoma County, California, United States
Finally, American white wine vintages are back in synch in this market. You want 2009 sauvignon, not ’08 or ’07 and tasting this delicious, Sonoma example you can see why. So fresh and bright and under screwcap this is home run restaurant wine list white and note the new price: $17. Look for grassy, lemon/lime rind,, passion fruit flavours all in a clean, fresh white made for local shellfish. Load up.
Tasted: 2010-08-31 by AG-ST Prices: AB $19.00 (750 ml) fine wine boutiques; BC $17.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Mark Anthony Brands; ON $18.00 (750 ml) Vintages Essentials CSPC: 545335;   UPC: 0087512943056 Producer: Rodney Strong Vineyards Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants

88/100 Francois Lurton Les Fumées Blanches 2008 Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, South of France, France
Is there a better wine at this price in British Columbia? The nose alone, a smoky mineral citrus affair is better than most wines at twice the price. So too is the palate. Enjoy the fresh bits of green melon/gooseberry and grapefruit all with a dash of grass. Clean, balanced and crazy value and all under screwcap which means every bottle is likely the same.
Tasted: 2010-08-31 by AG Prices: AB $10.99 (750 ml) private wine shops; BC $13.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; ON $10.95 (750 ml) general listing; QC $13.35 (750 ml) CSPC: 472555;   UPC: 00635335961957 Producer: Francois Lurton S.A Distributor: Diamond Estates Wines and Spirits Ltd.

90/100 Cuvaison Pinot Noir 2006 Carneros, Napa Valley, California, United States
Spicy, compost, orange peel, strawberry jam, celery, smoky, barnyard, vanilla aromas with a rooty note. Ripe, round, dry palate with light tannins and some elegance. Cherry, strawberry, smoky, celery salt, green tea, vanilla, licorice flavours. Two years later and this is fully ready, soft and forward with good fruit expression. Blended from 24 blocks.
Tasted: 2010-08-29 by AG-ST Prices: BC $45.00 (750 ml) speculative - Icon Fine Wine and Spirits CSPC: 622993;   UPC: 082148099924 Producer: Cuvaison Winery Distributor: Icon Estates; The Seacove Group Inc.

86/100 El Jamon Crianza Tempranillo 2006 Cariñena, Aragon, Spain
Big black cherry jam, tobacco, meaty nose with a peppery, spicy, raspberry jam note. Round, fresh, slightly tannic palate. Peppery, cedar, tobacco leaf, black cherry, oak cube, rooty flavours. Simple, straight up red for current drinking.
Tasted: 2010-08-29 by AG-ST Prices: BC $18.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 357194;   UPC: 00084279979274 Producer: Hugh Ryman + Bodegas San Valero Distributor: Whitefish Group

88/100 Laughing Stock Vineyards Blind Trust Red +10/10 2008 Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Warm peppery, cherry/coffee/chocolate nose with bits of black olive, vanilla, liquorice root and savoury aromas. The entry is fresh with light, grainy tannins that preview a smoky, vanilla, chocolate, espresso, cherry red with flecks of worsteshire, grilled meat, black olive and dried herbs. Solid but quite oaky and somewhat short in mid-palate concentration (young vines?). We like the price and quality and high merlot content and expect this wine will continue to gain in weight and power in the bottle. Theblend is 78/13/9 merlot, malbec and cabernet sauvignon.
Tasted: 2010-08-29 by AG-ST Prices: BC $29.00 (750 ml) winery direct CSPC: 492421;   UPC: 850451001305 Producer: Laughing Stock Vineyards Distributor: Winery Direct

90/100 Penfolds Cabernet Shiraz Bin 389 2007 South Australia, Australia
Big black cherry jam, cassis, plum, coffee, mocha, vanilla, licorice, peppery aromas. Ripe, round, moderately rich palate with some youthful tannin and fresh acidity. Chocolate, coffee, cassis jam, black cherry, vanilla, licorice, five spice, tobacco and black pepper flavours. Warm and youthful and a bit tart on the finish, should improve over the next 4-7 years in bottle.
Tasted: 2010-08-29 by AG-ST Prices: AB $38.00 (750 ml) fine wine boutiques; BC $41.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $40.00 (750 ml); NF $41.00 (750 ml); ON $38.00 (750 ml); QC $35.00 (750 ml); SK $38.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 309625;   UPC: 012354071209 Producer: Penfolds Distributor: Foster's Wine Estates; Southcorp Wines Canada

88/100 Penfolds Cabernet Sauvignon Bin 407 2007 South Australia, Australia
Chocolate, mint, cassis, black cherry, iodine, tobacco, peppery, vanilla, saddle leather aromas. Dry, tight, medium bodied palate with some youthful, grainy tannins. Tobacco, black olive, cassis, coffee, vanilla, dried herb and cedar flavours. A bit tart and grippy now but will be good with a steak.
Tasted: 2010-08-29 by AG-ST Prices: AB $30.00 (750 ml) fine wine boutiques; BC $35.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; ON $30.15 (750 ml) CSPC: 414987;   UPC: 012354071476 Producer: Penfolds Distributor: Foster's Wine Estates; Southcorp Wines Canada

86/100 Black Hills Nota Bene 2008 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Cranberry, crushed tobacco leaf, floral, black olive, peppery, cassis, dried herb, coffee vanilla oak aromas. Dry, tight, elegant but light bodied with light, dry tannins. A bit tart with cassis, cranberry, herbal, green olive, green bean, coffee, vanilla, chocolate, tobacco leaf and roasted meat flavours with some cedar bark notes. Simple, somewhat lean and green style that lacks concentration. Ploddingly ordinary.
Tasted: 2010-08-29 by AG-ST Prices: BC $53.00 (750 ml) winery direct and private wine shops CSPC: 708073;   UPC: 062990061533 Producer: Black Hills Estate Winery Distributor: Black Hills Estate Winery; Landmark Selections

84/100 Black Hills Carmenere 2008 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Dill pickle, green olive, tobacco leaf, riparian and chocolate aromas. Round, dry, soft palate with dill pickle, herbal, smoked tomato, olive and coffee aromas. Not much happening here and at a hefty $50 a bottle. Who is zooming who? Totally reliant on oak to cover up a lack of ripeness and concentration. Disappointing, given earlier examples.
Tasted: 2010-08-29 by AG-ST Prices: BC $50.00 (750 ml) winery direct and private wine shops CSPC: 380063;   UPC: 626990061540 Producer: Black Hills Estate Winery Distributor: Black Hills Estate Winery; Landmark Selections

86/100 Burrowing Owl Pinot Gris 2009 Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Floral, lime, grapefruit, honey, matchstick aromas. Round, sweet, fat entry. Candied apple, honey, lime rind flavours. Too sweet, too warm and too heavy to appeal to $20 pinot gris drinkers.
Tasted: 2010-08-29 by AG-ST Prices: AB $29.00 (750 ml); BC $20.00 (750 ml) winery direct CSPC: 510941;   UPC: 626990000096 Producer: Burrowing Owl Vineyards Distributor: Appellation Wine Marketing

86/100 Gray Monk Pinot Auxerrois 2009 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Peach, matchstick, green apple, pear, citrus aromas. Fresh, round, sweet entry with moderate acidity. Green apple, pear skin, honey, grapefruit flavours. Warm, sweet and sour finish. Easy-sipping, picnic-style white.
Tasted: 2010-08-29 by AG-ST Prices: BC $17.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 096222;   UPC: 778829119189 Producer: Gray Monk Estate Winery Distributor: Charton-Hobbs

85/100 Zonin Primo Amore Pinot Grigio 2008 Veneto, Italy
Pear, honey, matchstick, earthy, citrus aromas. Fresh, round, slightly sweet entry with baked pear, citrus, red apple and honey flavours. Simple, easy, read to drink style.
Tasted: 2010-08-29 by AG Prices: AB $14.00 (750 ml) private wine shops; BC $13.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 409797;   UPC: 8002235000864 Producer: Casa Vinicola Zonin S.p.A. Distributor: The Bacchus Group Inc.

90/100 Penfolds Cabernet Sauvignon Bin 707 2007 South Australia, Australia
Dark cherry colour. Coffee, vanilla, cassis, tobacco, cedar, prune plum, saddle leather, black olive, clove aromas. Ripe, round, full, dry palate with some grippy tannins and fresh acidity. Cassis jam, chocolate, espresso, tobacco leaf, cedar, black olive, meaty, vanilla, soy and licorice root flavour. Warm, somewhat tart finish but very good flavours. Needs 3-5 years to soften out and perhaps flesh out the slightly skinny mid-palate. Best with grilled beef or lamb.
Tasted: 2010-08-29 by AG-ST Prices: AB $145.00 (750 ml) fine wine boutiques; BC $150.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $160.00 (750 ml) private wine shops; NF $130.00 (750 ml); NS $120.00 (750 ml); ON $120.00 (750 ml); QC $110.00 (750 ml); SK $199.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 414995;   UPC: 012354071254 Producer: Penfolds Distributor: Foster's Wine Estates; Southcorp Wines Canada

93/100 Penfolds Grange Bin 95 Shiraz 2005 South Australia, Australia
Typically dark colour with a cool nose of red fruit aromas of cranberry mix with garrigue and spice and plenty of new American oak. At this early stage the ’05 Grange is a mix of flavours including blackberry grilled meat and spicy sweet dark plums with a healthy dose of rich, small-grained tannins. The grape mix in ’05 is just under 96% shiraz and a touch less than 4% cabernet sauvignon from the Barossa Valley (including substantial proportion of Kalimna Shiraz), McLaren Vale and Coonawarra. This needs a decade to find its feet and ultimate direction. A solid vintage somewhat unlucky to be stuck between the blockbuster years of 2004 and the 2006.
Tasted: 2010-08-29 by AG-ST Prices: AB $300.00 (750 ml) fine wine boutiques; BC $423.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $310.00 (750 ml); NF $298.00 (750 ml); NF $298.00 (750 ml); NS $296.00 (750 ml); ON $320.00 (750 ml); QC $300.00 (750 ml); SK $299.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 336388;   UPC: 012354071100 Producer: Penfolds Distributor: Foster's Wine Estates; Southcorp Wines Canada

88/100 Finca Decero Mini Edicion Petit Verdot Remolinas Vineyard 2007 Agrelo District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, Argentina
Peppery, spicy, savoury, floral, coffee, black olive, weedy, boysenberry aromas. Round, dry, supple but a bit thin on the mid-palate. Fresh, lighter, lean tannins with peppery, rooty, coffee, black plum, vanilla, savoury, boysenberry flavours. A bit skinnier and leaner than the prior vintage but good for young vines.
Tasted: 2010-08-29 by AG-ST Prices: AB $35.00 (750 ml) private wine shops; BC $40.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Appellation Wine Marketing UPC: 07798125585337 Producer: Finca Decero Distributor: Appellation Wine Marketing

90/100 Cuvaison Chardonnay 2008 Carneros, Napa Valley, California, United States
Spicy, citrus, green apple, light lees, floral, baked pear, honey and guava aromas. Ripe, round, fresh and slightly warm with a touch of sweetness and good viscosity. Vanilla, butter, orange, honey, guava, baked green apple and pear with a nutty, creamy finish. Ready to drink now. This chardonnay is 100% barrel fermented and made from 13 different clones. Delicious.
Tasted: 2010-08-29 by AG-ST Prices: AB $37.00 (750 ml) fine wine boutiques; BC $39.00 (750 ml) speculative - Icon Fine Wine; ON $29.95 (750 ml) Vintages CSPC: 527432;   UPC: 082148019823 Producer: Cuvaison Winery Distributor: Icon Estates; The Seacove Group Inc.

92/100 Cuvaison Pinot Noir Block F5 2006 Carneros, Napa Valley, California, United States
Spicy, floral, cherry jam, strawberry, barnyard, carrot top, compost, jasmine aromas. Ripe, rich, warm, full and velvety with light tannins and good acidity. Smoky, carrot top, strawberry jam, black cherry, licorice, compost, barnyard, dried herb and jasmine flavours. A touch warm but with fine fruit and concentration. For drinking over the next two years. Made from a single block site in Carneros.
Tasted: 2010-08-29 by AG-ST Prices: BC $70.00 (750 ml) speculative - Icon Fine Wine and Spirits CSPC: 694638;   UPC: 0821480500244 Producer: Cuvaison Winery Distributor: Icon Estates; The Seacove Group Inc.

90/100 Cuvaison Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder 2007 Mount Veeder, Napa Valley, California, United States
Open spicy, coffee/cassis jam, blackberry, menthol, garrigue nose with bits of barnyard, leather, liquorice root and floral notes. Very warm, round and dry on entry with some light, grippy tannins. Big cassis, spicy, minty, blackberry, coffee, peppery, leather, tobacco and barnyard flavours. Good acidity balance and finesse, drink now - 5 years.
Tasted: 2010-08-29 by AG-ST Prices: BC $50.00 (750 ml) speculative - Icon Fine Wine and Spirits CSPC: 954750;   UPC: 082148029723 Producer: Cuvaison Winery Distributor: Icon Estates; The Seacove Group Inc.

92/100 Brandlin Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 Mount Veeder, Napa Valley, California, United States
Cassis, blackberry jam, spicy, liquorice nose with bits of chocolate, saddle leather, tobacco, pepper, iron, pencil lead and cedar aromas. There is fine complexity in what is a ripe, full, warm, supple cabernet. Look for blackberry/cassis, coffee, tobacco, cedar and black olive flavours with a leather, mineral, black pepper finish. Although it finishes a bit hot, there is great fruit and texture here for current drinking or keep for 2-5 years. Has improved over the last 3 years in bottle.
Tasted: 2010-08-29 by AG-ST Prices: BC $94.00 (750 ml) speculative - Icon Fine Wine and Spirits CSPC: 6563550;   UPC: 082148027039 Producer: Cuvaison Winery Distributor: Icon Estates; The Seacove Group Inc.

90/100 Leopold Gourmel Cognac Bio Attitude N/V Cognac, France
Spent five years in barrel. Uncoloured and unsweetened, this offer up warm, cedary, vanilla, dried cherry, citrus, walnut, spicy, earthy aromas. Very dry, elegant, round, slightly hot palate with vanilla, peppery, spicy, walnut, dried orange, tobacco, cedar, cherry and smoke flavours. A bit fiery but has good flavour complexity and concentration. It is 100 percent certified organic.
Tasted: 2010-08-29 by AG-ST Prices: BC $75.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 272856;   UPC: 003502150001021 Producer: Leopold Gourmel Distributor: Dream Wines Corporation

88/100 Boekenhoutskloof The Wolftrap Viognier Chenin Blanc Grenache Blanc 2009 Western Cape, South Africa
Floral, honey, white peach, ginger, earthy, matchstick, citrus aromas. Round, soft, full, forward palate with ginger, honey, buttery lees, spicy, guava, baked citrus flavours. Good intensity but could use a bit fresher acidity. Try with Indian or Thai food.
Tasted: 2010-08-28 by AG-ST Prices: AB $13.00 (750 ml) private wine shops CSPC: 140582;   UPC: 006002039009355 Producer: Boekenhoutskloof Distributor: The Bacchus Group Inc.

85/100 La Posta Malbec Cocina Blend 2008 Perdriel District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, Argentina
Very spicy, resin, meaty, sausage, barnyard, coffee, savoury, sweaty saddle and black berry aromas. Dry, round, fresh palate with meaty, spicy, black cherry, cooked carrot, menthol, barnyard and Band-Aid flavours. Very rustic style and not up to the last edition.
Tasted: 2010-08-28 by AG-ST Prices: BC $18.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 779520;   UPC: 835603001396 Producer: La Posta Winery Distributor: Calibrium International

88/100 Nk'Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Meritage 2007 Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Solid round, dry, elegant palate with dark fruit aromas and light tannins. Coffee, savoury, liquorice, tobacco, earthy, black olive, resin and prune plum flavours. Good finesse and balance but still showing some savoury green elements that need to disappear so this wine can move to the next level.
Tasted: 2010-08-28 by AG-ST Prices: BC $30.00 (750 ml) vqa and private stores, winery direct CSPC: 206763;   UPC: 836909010600 Producer: Nk’Mip Cellars Distributor: Vincor Canada - A Constellation Company

88/100 Nk'Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Syrah 2007 Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Black cherry, savoury, peppery, meaty, vanilla, floral, herbal, black olive, leather and tobacco aromas with a touch of prune and mocha. Round, dry, elegant but leaner style palate. Savoury, licorice root, vanilla, dried herb, cherry, tobacco, black olive, rooty flavours. Well balanced and forward. Slightly riper fruit would perfectly complete the picture.
Tasted: 2010-08-28 by AG-ST Prices: BC $35.00 (750 ml) winery direct CSPC: 984773;   UPC: 836909004098 Producer: Nk’Mip Cellars Distributor: Vincor Canada - A Constellation Company

86/100 Pasqua Villa Borghetti Passimento Rosso 2007 Veneto, Italy
Meaty, tobacco leaf, chocolate, prune, menthol, peppery, cedar, floral, cherry nose. Round, dry, supple palate with earthy, rooty, cherry, smoky, prune and tobacco flavours with an herbaceous side. Well balanced and ready to drink now. Try this with grilled meat.
Tasted: 2010-08-28 by AG-ST Prices: BC $15.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 690420;   UPC: 08007880548808 Producer: Pasqua Vigneti e Cantine SPA Distributor: Charton-Hobbs

85/100 Rosemount Diamond Cellars Grenache - Shiraz 2008 Australia
Peppery, prune, spicy, coffee, black raspberry, rooty, floral nose. Soft, fresh, round and sweet entry with lots of black raspberry, plum, licorice, spicy, orange and tobacco flavours. Fun, warm, sweet fruity entry level consumer style for barbecue ribs.
Tasted: 2010-08-28 by AG Prices: AB $14.00 (750 ml); BC $14.00 (750 ml); MB $13.50 (750 ml); NB $15.50 (750 ml); NF $14.50 (750 ml); NS $16.00 (750 ml); ON $13.00 (750 ml); QC $15.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 476838;   UPC: 00012894150051 Producer: Rosemount Estate Wines Ltd. Distributor: Southcorp Wines Canada

88/100 Laughing Stock Vineyards Syrah +24/9 2008 Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Spicy, vanilla, mocha, peppery, barnyard, blackberry, savoury aromas. Round, smooth, dry, fresh and warm palate with light tannins. Coffee, coconut, vanilla, peppery, spicy, chocolate, blackberry, tobacco leaf, meaty flavours with a cedary, green tea note on the finish. Warm and well-balanced but very oaky at this point. Next step a little less winemaking and little more soul. Give this another year or two in bottle for best results.This is the first syrah release at LS using East Bench Osoyoos vineyard fruit. The blend is 92 percent syrah with 8 percent viognier.
Tasted: 2010-08-28 by AG-ST Prices: BC $34.10 (750 ml) winery direct CSPC: 123646;   UPC: 850451001312 Producer: Laughing Stock Vineyards Distributor: Winery Direct

89/100 Penfolds Shiraz Bin 128 2007 Coonawarra, South Australia, Australia
Peppery, blackberry jam, prune, floral, vanilla, meaty, tobacco, licorice root, saddle leather aromas. Warm entry with fresh acidity and some tight tannins. Cherry jam, coffee, vanilla, coconut, peppery, resin, rooty, mocha, blueberry flavours with a touch of tobacco leaf and olive on the finish. Nice finesse and grippy but a bit short on the finish and on the mid-palate.
Tasted: 2010-08-28 by AG-ST Prices: AB $35.00 (750 ml) fine wine boutiques; BC $41.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; ON $35.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 509919;   UPC: 012354071704 Producer: Penfolds Distributor: Foster's Wine Estates; Southcorp Wines Canada

90/100 Penfolds Shiraz Kalimna Bin 28 2007 South Australia, Australia
Spicy, smoky, graphite, licorice, chocolate, peppery, pruny, black cherry, saddle leather, light rooty, cola aromas. Ripe, rich, dry, tight palate with some youthful tannins and fresh acidity. Very warm with blueberry, blackberry, liquorice, vanilla, coffee, cola, rooty, graphite flavours. Finish has some black tea tannins at the end. Consistent with the last version with a somewhat light mid-palate. Needs 4-5 years to soften out. A classic with lamb chops.
Tasted: 2010-08-28 by AG-ST Prices: AB $35.00 (750 ml) fine wine boutiques; BC $41.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $40.00 (750 ml); NF $40.00 (750 ml); NS $38.00 (750 ml); ON $35.00 (750 ml); QC $30.00 (750 ml); SK $37.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 422782;   UPC: 012354071834 Producer: Penfolds Distributor: Foster's Wine Estates; Southcorp Wines Canada

88/100 Porcupine Ridge Syrah 2009 Coastal Region, South Africa
Very spicy, smoky, chocolate, meaty, peppery, coffee, barnyard, leather and blackberry jam aromas. Ripe, round, supple, fresh palate with velvety tannins. Blackberry jam, pruny, meaty, smoky, leather, floral, gamey flavours.
Tasted: 2010-08-28 by AG-ST Prices: AB $19.00 (750 ml) private wine shops; BC $18.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $17.99 (750 ml); ON $14.85 (750 ml) Vintages; SK $17.99 (750 ml) CSPC: 592873;   UPC: 746925000786 Producer: Boekenhoutskloof Distributor: The Bacchus Group Inc.

92/100 Penfolds Magill Estate Shiraz 2007 Adelaide Plains, South Australia, Australia
Big blackberry jam, floral, vanilla, licorice, mocha, meaty, marmite, tobacco, saddle leather, eucalyptus aromas. Ripe, full, warm, fresh palate with some grainy tannins. Coffee, mocha, coconut, vanilla, black cherry jam, licorice, Christmas pudding, blueberry, nutmeg, Oxo, five spice flavours. Good fruit intensity and concentration but very youthful. Needs 5-7 years to reach its peak.
Tasted: 2010-08-28 by AG-ST Prices: AB $74.99 (750 ml) fine wine boutiques; BC $80.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $76.00 (750 ml); NF $76.00 (750 ml); ON $75.00 (750 ml); QC $75.00 (750 ml); SK $75.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 731869;   UPC: 12354071506 Producer: Penfolds Distributor: Foster's Wine Estates; Southcorp Wines Canada

91/100 Penfolds St. Henri Shiraz 2006 South Australia, Australia
Big blackberry, black plum, licorice, spicy, coriander, savoury, cedar, blueberry, meaty aromas. Rich, smooth, round, velvety palate with fresh acidity and light, tight tannins. Blueberry, coffee, peppery, black cherry jam, floral, spicy, mineral, licorice flavours. Good finesse and length but young, needs 3-5 years to fully soften. Thriving under screwcap.
Tasted: 2010-08-28 by AG-ST Prices: AB $64.00 (750 ml) fine wine boutiques; BC $55.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $52.00 (750 ml); NF $55.00 (750 ml); NS $54.00 (750 ml); ON $64.00 (750 ml) Vintages November 8, 2008; SK $46.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 510875;   UPC: 012354071773 Producer: Penfolds Distributor: Foster's Wine Estates; Southcorp Wines Canada

88/100 Sandalford Classic Dry White 2009 Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia
Big grapefruit rind, grassy, artichoke, light asparagus, granny smith, lime rind aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy, slightly sweet entry. Passion fruit, grapefruit, lime rind, grassy, artichoke, granny smith and gooseberry flavours. Good intensity and balance although the finish is a bit light. Good oyster and sole wine.
Tasted: 2010-08-28 by AG-ST Prices: BC $20.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Red Dog CSPC: 318808;   UPC: 0093121755510019 Producer: Sandalford Wines Pty Ltd Distributor: Red Dog

86/100 St. Hallett Poacher’s Semillon Sauvignon 2009 Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia
Grapefruit, gooseberry, grassy, asparagus, floral, green apple nose. Tart, dry, elegant palate with grassy, gooseberry, grapefruit, lime, honey, floral, jalapeno flavours. A leaner style but has a touch of oiliness for palate viscosity. The leanest version yet; think oysters.
Tasted: 2010-08-28 by AG-ST Prices: AB $11.95 (750 ml) private wine shops; BC $14.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $11.95 (750 ml); NS $15.00 (750 ml); ON $14.15 (750 ml); QC $15.10 (750 ml) CSPC: 535963;   UPC: 9316920000329 Producer: St. Hallet Wines Distributor: Select Wine Merchants

88/100 Twisted Tree Syrah 2008 Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Meaty, peppery, sausage, spicy, garrigue, resin, tobacco, vanilla, espresso and tobacco leaf aromas. Round, soft but somewhat tart palate giving a touch of leanness. Warm with big espresso, coffee oak, vanilla, peppery, blackberry jam, meaty, floral flavours with a leafy note on the finish. Good savoury fruit notes but needs some additional texture and extract to balance the acidity.
Tasted: 2010-08-27 by AG-ST Prices: BC $25.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Renaissance Wine Merchants CSPC: 452623;   UPC: 626990091714 Producer: Twisted Tree Vineyards & Winery Distributor: Renaissance Wine Merchants Ltd.; Winery Direct

85/100 Long Flat White Semillon Sauvignon 2008 Australia
Grassy, lemon grass, asparagus, grapefruit, lime rind, green apple aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy style with a fair bit of sweetness. Jalapeno, asparagus, pink grapefruit, nettle, gooseberry, grassy flavours. Fun and fresh if a bit sweet.
Tasted: 2010-08-27 by AG-ST Prices: AB $13.00 (750 ml) private wine stores; BC $13.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 183715;   UPC: 009329694003038 Producer: Cheviot Bridge Wine Company Distributor: The Bacchus Group Inc.

89/100 Wither Hills Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Wairau Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
Green apple, gooseberry, passion fruit, smoky jalapeno aromas with a touch of asparagus and green melon. Fresh, crisp, juicy palate with good finesse and a touch of sweetness. Grapefruit, lemon nettle, passion fruit, jalapeno, gooseberry, granny smith and asparagus flavours. Very juicy, slightly herbaceous style with lots of intensity. Wither Hills is blended from 15 individual vineyard sites in Wairau Valley.
Tasted: 2010-08-27 by AG-ST Prices: AB $19.00 (750 ml) fine wine boutiques; BC $19.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $18.00 (750 ml); NS $25.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 493619;   UPC: 9418165002608 Producer: Wither Hills Vineyards Distributor: Select Wine Merchants

88/100 Bastianich Sauvignon 'B' 2009 Veneto, Italy
Passion fruit, gooseberry, nettle, grassy, grapefruit rind aromas. Fresh, juicy palate with a bit of sweetness. Nettle, lemon, light asparagus, grapefruit rind and gooseberry flavours. Good solid, balanced easy style for current drinking.
Tasted: 2010-08-27 by AG-ST Prices: BC $20.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 736272;   UPC: 008033638980279 Producer: Bastianich Distributor: Christopher Stewart Wines and Spirits Inc.

86/100 Llama Malbec Old Vine 2008 Agrelo District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, Argentina
Big spicy, savoury nose with bits of vanilla, tobacco, olive, roasted pepper and dark cherry aromas. Round, soft, easy, somewhat flat entry with peppery, tobacco, plum, earthy, savoury, cherry chocolate flavours. An attartcive easy drinking style red wine for assorted meat dishes.
Tasted: 2010-08-25 by AG-ST Prices: BC $15.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 544403;   UPC: 00091771062083 Producer: Belasco de Baquedano Distributor: AnaRona Wines

87/100 La Vieille Ferme Côtes du Ventoux Rouge 2008 Côtes-du-Ventoux, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, France
Peppery, leather, spicy, rooty, black cherry, liquorice, meaty aromas. Soft, round, velvety palate with earthy, black raspberry, peppery, liquorice root, spicy, orange peel and mineral flavours. Warm, clean and fresh but good solid fruit and style for current drinking. The Perrin Cotes du Ventoux is mostly grenache with small percentages of syrah, mourvèdre and cinsault. Love the value here.
Tasted: 2010-08-24 by AG-ST Prices: AB $13.00 (750 ml) private wine stores; BC $14.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $12.75 (750 ml); NF $14.00 (750 ml); ON $11.30 (750 ml) LCBO; QC $13.50 (750 ml); QC $13.30 (750 ml) CSPC: 263640;   UPC: 631470000018 Producer: Perrin et Fils Distributor: Charton-Hobbs

92/100 Chapoutier Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Bernardine 2007 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, France
Smoky, meaty, spicy nose of black cherry, tobacco, garrigue with licorice root, leather, plum jam, orange peel and chocolate notes. Ripe, round, rich, smooth, suave palate but warm with big extract. Kirsch, black cherry jam, meaty, leather, coffee, peppery, vanilla, tobacco, liquorice flavours. Great fruit and finesse in a warm, forward style. The blend is mainly grenache, with a lesser proportion of syrah and mourvèdre.
Tasted: 2010-08-24 by AG-ST Prices: AB $53.00 (750 ml) private wine shops; BC $49.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; QC $49.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 432385;   UPC: 003391181010733 Producer: M. Chapoutier Distributor: Pacific Wines & Spirits (1995) Ltd.

90/100 M. Chapoutier Domaine de Bila-Haut Occultum Lapidem 2008 Côtes du Roussillon, Roussillon, South of France, France
Peppery, smoky, meaty, black cherry, plum, leather, barnyard, garrigue, liquorice aromas. Ripe, round, dry, elegant palate with light tannins and good body. Smoky, meaty, peppery, Oxo, black cherry, plum, leather, coffee, spiced carrot flavours. Good complexity for drinking now and over the next year. The blend is syrah, grenache and carignan aged in 50 per cent oak and 50 per cent tank. Delicious now but no rush to drink this.
Tasted: 2010-08-24 by AG-ST Prices: BC $24.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 395699;   UPC: 03391181390439 Producer: M. Chapoutier Distributor: Pacific Wines & Spirits (1995) Ltd.

86/100 Mission Hill Five Vineyards Cabernet Merlot 2007 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Peppery, cassis, black olive, floral, rooty, coffee aromas with a touch of leaf and herb. Dry, round, elegant but lean and a bit austere. Earthy, coffee, peppery, rooty, minty, green bean, black olive, resin, cassis flavours. A slightly greener, austere style that is best with grilled meat.
Tasted: 2010-08-24 by AG-ST Prices: AB $17.00 (750 ml); BC $17.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $17.00 (750 ml); ON $15.00 (750 ml); SK $17.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 257816;   UPC: 776545985507 Producer: Mission Hill Family Estate Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants; Mission Hill Winery

89/100 Penfolds Shiraz - Mourvèdre Bin 2 2008 South Australia, Australia
Impressive rich blueberry/ black cherry nose with floral, liquorice root, spicy, pencil lead and black pepper aromas. Round, supple, smooth and rich on entry it there is plenty more smoky, spicy, black cherry jam, blueberry, chocolate, vanilla, mocha flavours. The style is fresh and even fruity with fine intensity and concentration. Good value and a nice jump up in quality to match the jump in price. The blend is 88 per cent syrah and 12 percent mourvèdre.
Tasted: 2010-08-24 by AG-ST Prices: BC $23.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 468629;   UPC: 012354071995 Producer: Penfolds Distributor: Foster's Wine Estates; Southcorp Wines Canada

88/100 Domaine de l'Auster Mosaïque 2008 Faugères, Coteaux du Languedoc, Languedoc, South of France, France
Very meaty, gamey, black cherry, spicy, liquorice, cocoa, cedar, floral, tobacco leaf aromas. Round, soft, rich and supple palate but very warm. Peppery, floral, sausage meat, black raspberry jam, kirsch, garrigue, liquorice candy and tobacco leaf flavours. Big intensity but also big alcohol. Drink it cool during the winter with a lamb stew. Made from vines grown at an elevation of just under 1000 feet on soils of schist and marble.
Tasted: 2010-08-24 by AG-ST Prices: BC $19.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 051912;   UPC: 03395941408488 Producer: Signatures du Sud Distributor: The Seacove Group Inc.

87/100 Delas Saint Esprit Côtes du Rhône 2008 Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, France
Floral, black cherry, liquorice, garrigue, peppery, plum aromas. Dry, round, supple and elegant but with lightly grippy tannins on the palate and fine acidity. Plum, black cherry, spicy, licorice, dark chocolate, peppery, rooty flavours. Good finesse and length but need a year to soften or try with lamb. We like the value here too.
Tasted: 2010-08-24 by AG Prices: BC $18.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 915470;   UPC: 00123215729938 Producer: Delas Distributor: David Herman & Son Ltd.

87/100 M. Chapoutier Chateau des Estubier Côteaux-du-Tricastin 2007 Southern Rhone, Rhone Valley, France
Very meaty, gamey, saddle leather, liquorice, prune, black cherry, rooty, orange peel, barnyard, tobacco aromas. Warm, round, dry and slightly hollow mid-palate with light tannins. Peppery, pruny, liquorice root, resin, meaty, tobacco, cooked carrot, earthy, black cherry flavours. Well made and fine quality but showing a bit backward at this stage. Give this one some extra time in bottle.
Tasted: 2010-08-24 by AG-ST Prices: BC $26.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Pacific Wines & Spirits; MB $26.00 (750 ml) UPC: 3391181350730 Producer: M. Chapoutier Distributor: Pacific Wines & Spirits (1995) Ltd.

88/100 M. Chapoutier La Ciboise Rouge 2009 Côtes du Lubéron, Provence, South of France, France
Big peppery, meaty, spicy, black cherry jam, smoky, leather, chocolate aromas. Ripe, round, supple, elegant palate with very light tannins. Black cherry jam, orange, chocolate, chalky, peppery, spicy meat, leather, garrigue flavours. Finish is fresh and fruity with a chocolate, grilled meat, black raspberry jam finish. Warm but not heavy and great fruit. Very good value here. The blend is 60/30/10 grenache/syrah/carignan-mourvèdre.
Tasted: 2010-08-24 by AG-ST Prices: AB $17.00 (750 ml) private wine stores; BC $16.00 (750 ml) special order - Pacific Wines & Spirits; NB $16.00 (750 ml) UPC: 3391182740936 Producer: M. Chapoutier Distributor: Pacific Wines & Spirits (1995) Ltd.

89/100 M. Chapoutier Petit Ruche Crozes-Hermitage 2008 Crozes Hermitage, Northern Rhone, Rhone Valley, France
Big black pepper, liquorice, garrigue, meaty, leather, cherry, blackberry, tobacco and herb aromas. Dry, round, supple, elegant palate, a much understated style with good acidity. Leather, meaty, spicy, cherry, tobacco leaf, roasted pepper, prune and licorice flavours. A lighter style for near term consumption but good finesse for dinner drinking. Good value.
Tasted: 2010-08-24 by AG-ST Prices: BC $24.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Pacific Wines & Spirits UPC: 03391181070836 Producer: M. Chapoutier Distributor: Pacific Wines & Spirits (1995) Ltd.

89/100 M. Chapoutier Rasteau Côtes du Rhône Villages 2008 Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, France
Big white pepper smoky, liquorice, thyme, black cherry, saddle leather and prune aromas. Round, dry, elegant, slightly tannic palate but good concentration. Black raspberry, meaty, carrot, smoky, garrigue, leather, tobacco and resin flavours. A bit pruny on the finish but has good structure for the next 2 years.
Tasted: 2010-08-24 by AG-ST Prices: AB $23.50 (750 ml) fine wine shops; BC $22.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Pacific Wines & Spirits CSPC: 443671;   UPC: 03391181120838 Producer: M. Chapoutier Distributor: Pacific Wines & Spirits (1995) Ltd.

88/100 M. Chapoutier Domaine de Bila-Haut 2009 Côtes du Roussillon, Roussillon, South of France, France
Spicy, peppery, black licorice, leather, black plum and smoke aromas with a floral note. Dry, slightly tannic, full palate but a bit austere with good acidity from the carignan. Black plum, dark chocolate, meaty, peppery, earthy, spicy flavours. Good youthful, tight style for drinking with rabbit or lamb or keep a year or two. Excelelnt value here.
Tasted: 2010-08-24 by AG-ST Prices: BC $15.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Pacific Wines & Spirits CSPC: 395699;   UPC: 03391181390439 Producer: M. Chapoutier Distributor: Pacific Wines & Spirits (1995) Ltd.

87/100 The Rhoning Stones 2007 Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, France
Pruny, black cherry, leather, dried fig, peppery, resin aromas. Dry, round, supple, slightly warm palate with spicy, peppery, resin, liquorice, black plum, orange, floral flavours. Good intensity on the palate but very warm finish with a pruny, flat edge. Drink now.
Tasted: 2010-08-24 by AG-ST Prices: US $12.00 (750 ml) srp UPC: 00084279979120 Producer: Distributor:

87/100 Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States
Classic Sonoma with that peppery, tobacco leaf earthy nose with red fruits underneath. The entry is elegant on the palate with a spicy olive, dill, cedar flavour streaked with bits of roasted coffee bean. Simple styling with some elevated acidity and cedar in the finish. Ready to drink now. Try it with grilled meats. Simple, forward style for current consumption with light tannins.
Tasted: 2010-08-23 by AG-ST Prices: AB $28.00 (750 ml) fine wine boutiques; BC $30.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Mark Anthony Brands CSPC: 833376;   UPC: 087512929685 Producer: Rodney Strong Vineyards Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants

85/100 Long Flat Pinot Grigio 2009 Australia
Not a lot of aroma on the nose here but subtle hints of green apple skin and pear. The palate is crisp and clean with bits of green apples and citrus but lacks intensity. Simple clean style white wine that lacks a little soul.
Tasted: 2010-08-23 by AG-ST Prices: BC $13.00 (750 ml) general lisiting CSPC: 880229;   UPC: 009329694003175 Producer: Cheviot Bridge Wine Company Distributor: The Bacchus Group Inc.

86/100 Porcupine Ridge Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Coastal Region, South Africa
Refreshing clean well made style with notes of gooseberry, citrus and mild grassy notes. On the palate look for more tropical fruit notes with a grassy, zesty, finish. A simple but well made sauvignon that is perfect for most shellfish dishes.
Tasted: 2010-08-23 by AG-ST Prices: AB $14.00 (750 ml) private wine shops; BC $15.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 592881;   UPC: 00746925000939 Producer: Boekenhoutskloof Distributor: The Bacchus Group Inc.

91/100 Stags' Leap Petite Syrah 2007 Napa Valley, California, United States
Thirty year old estate vineyards on deep, rocky soils are at the heart of this blend. You can taste the intense small berry fruit right up front with bits of mocha and dark chocolate. The blend also contains a selection of syrah, mourvèdre, grenache, carignane, peloursin and viognier to add balance and complexity. Expect a rich, intense, black fruit flavoured red that will stand up to and roasted meats.
Tasted: 2010-08-23 by AG-ST Prices: AB $45.00 (750 ml) fine wine shops; BC $50.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; NB $46.00 (750 ml); ON $45.00 (750 ml); QC $55.00 (750 ml); SK $48.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 533052;   UPC: 00089819045853 Producer: Stags' Leap Winery Distributor: Foster's Wine Estates

91/100 Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Napa Valley, California, United States
California cabernet has this hedonistic soft underbelly that gives it so much appeal among red wine drinkers. This sensible, “new’ label from Beringer is cabernet pulled from Beringer’s many vineyard sites across Napa Valley. Expect bright, cassis-scented fruit with bits of wild plums and cedar and traces of lead pencil. The palate is soft and fat with rich, dark, red fruit and bits of chocolate. Classic Napa cabernet that is ready to drink.
Tasted: 2010-08-22 by AG-ST Prices: AB $45.00 (750 ml) fine wine shops; ON $40.00 (750 ml); QC $35.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 724268;   UPC: 00089819772506 Producer: Beringer Napa Valley Vineyards Distributor: Beringer Blass Wines Estates; Foster's Wine Estates

87/100 Beringer Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Napa Valley, California, United States
Winemaker Laurie Hook continues to hone a fresher cooler, modern style of sauvignon that has wide appeal. Expect a wine with a light, grapefruit/honey nose and aromas with a delicious, juicy appealing aftertaste. Perfect for grilled prawns.
Tasted: 2010-08-22 by AG-ST Prices: AB $20.00 (750 ml) fine wine shops; BC $25.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; ON $22.00 (750 ml) Vintages October 2010; QC $25.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 394353;   UPC: 00089819005529 Producer: Beringer Napa Valley Vineyards Distributor: Beringer Blass Wines Estates; Foster's Wine Estates

87/100 McWilliam's Hanwood Pinot Grigio 2009 South Eastern Australia, Australia
Another fine value Oz pinot grigio from McWilliams now under screwcap that is brimming with freshness and delicacy with bright grapefruit and orange aromas and flavours throughout. Bright stone fruit nuances. Food-friendly and affordable.
Tasted: 2010-08-22 by AG Prices: AB $16.00 (750 ml) private wine stores; BC $14.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $14.00 (750 ml); NF $17.00 (750 ml); NS $17.00 (750 ml); SK $15.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 139659;   UPC: 085000017029 Producer: McWilliam’s Wines Distributor: E. & J. Gallo Winery Canada, Ltd.

86/100 Flat Roof Manor Pinot Grigio 2009 Stellenbosch, Coastal Region, South Africa
What do you do when you like the wine but it doesn’t really taste like pinot gris. If anything, this thin lemony crisp white is more grigio than gris but if you tasted it blind it is more sauvignon blanc than pinot gris. Try this with shellfish and enjoy the flavours for what they are.
Tasted: 2010-08-22 by AG-ST Prices: BC $13.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 90936;   UPC: 006001108015457 Producer: Flat Roof Manor Distributor:

88/100 Van Westen Vineyards Vino Grigio 2009 Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Three years in a row constitutes consistency and this Naramata pinot grigio has it. Love the bright floral, spicy, ginger and peach fruit that spills onto the palate with bits of lemon oil, green apple skin, light lees and nectarine flavours. Solid fruit expression with balance just a whisper of that oily Alsace body and heat. Well done.
Tasted: 2010-08-22 by AG-ST Prices: BC $19.00 (750 ml) winery direct and private wine shops UPC: 006269900055273 Producer: Van Westen Vineyards Distributor: Winery Direct

88/100 El Escondido de Don Domenico Bonarda 2005 San Juan, Argentina
It’s easy to like this wine with its mature bottle flavours, fruity nose and harmonious palate. Look for a sweet, round, plummy/jammy fruit with fairly prominent acidity and a long, soft finish punctuated with bits of vanilla and pepper. Delicious drinking right now. Perfect for rib-eye steaks.
Tasted: 2010-08-22 by AG-ST Prices: BC $25.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Patagonia Imports Ltd. CSPC: 486225;   UPC: 007798109890167 Producer: Bodega Don Domenico Distributor: Patagonia Imports Ltd.

92/100 Cobos Bramare Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, Argentina
Winemakers Paul Hobbs and Luis Barraud are making blockbuster New World style cabernet from young vines at the Marchiori property at Perdriel, Mendoza. The wine is tightly wound with rich muscular fruit and power throughout its considerable length. Plums chocolate and spice mark the palate, while soft grainy tannins mark the finish. Cellar this one for another five years and then get out the steaks.
Tasted: 2010-08-10 by AG-ST Prices: BC $43.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 771592;   UPC: 812884010118 Producer: Vina Cobos Distributor: Authentic Wine and Spirits Merchants

87/100 Twisted Tree Tempranillo 2008 Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Open spicy, sage, savoury nose with cherry, leafy, clove, poultry spice, liquorice and meaty, floral aromas. Ripe, round, supple, warm and fresh palate but a bit hard and green in the tannins. Savoury, spicy, vanilla, liquorice root, tobacco leaf, black tea, cherry jam and coffee flavours. Good solid effort with what has been a tough variety for the Okanagan.
Tasted: 2010-08-09 by AG-ST Prices: BC $28.00 (750 ml) winery direct CSPC: 931006;   UPC: 00626990069911 Producer: Twisted Tree Vineyards & Winery Distributor: Renaissance Wine Merchants Ltd.; Winery Direct

86/100 Las Moras Tannat 2007 Valle del Tulum, San Juan, Argentina
Peppery, meaty, gamy, black berry, spicy, rooty, chocolate aromas. Ripe, round, dry, slightly tannic palate with some warmth. Smoky, liquorice, savoury, chocolate cherry, meaty, blackberry, resin, sappy flavours. Warm and slightly tart on the finish. Should be perfect with lamb or meat stews.
Tasted: 2010-08-09 by AG-ST Prices: BC $14.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 104018;   UPC: 007791540090387 Producer: Finca Las Moras Distributor: Diamond Estates Wines and Spirits Ltd.

86/100 Blue Mountain Gamay Noir 2008 Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Peppery, earthy, spicy, black cherry, riparian nose with smoky, savoury, gamey aromas. Round, dry, elegant palate but the style is a bit tart and lean. The palate is a mix cherry, spicy, meaty, tobacco flavours flecked with herbal, peppery, riparian flavours. A rustic gamay for game birds.
Tasted: 2010-08-09 by AG-ST Prices: BC $21.00 (750 ml) winery direct, private wine shops CSPC: 389882;   UPC: 00626452401082 Producer: Blue Mountain Vineyard & Cellars Distributor: Keystone Fine Wines

85/100 Henry Fessy Saint Amour 2008
Meaty, black pepper, spicy, licorice root, somewhat dirty lees, mercaptan, cranberry aromas. Dry, light, tart, somewhat lean entry with cranberry, earthy, peppery, tobacco leaf, wild cherry, licorice flavours. A delicate, leaner's style but with some off aroma issues.
Tasted: 2010-08-09 by AG-ST Prices: BC $25.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 367649;   UPC: 003433221004163 Producer: Henry Fessy Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants

87/100 Pavillon Arnaud Minervois 2008 Minervois, Languedoc, South of France, France
Nice spicy, liquorice nose with black cherry, floral, rooty, clove and cardamom aromas. Ripe, round, full, fresh palate with ripe tannins. Big black raspberry, plum, spicy, peppery, licorice, orange peel flavours with a touch of olive. Great fruit intensity if a bit too fresh. Will go well with pork or turkey dishes. Solid value here.
Tasted: 2010-08-09 by AG-ST Prices: BC $14.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 346791;   UPC: 003045710019253 Producer: Jean D'Alibert Distributor: Waldorf Wine Group Inc.

84/100 Domaine La Lieue Chardonnay 2009 Provence, South of France, France
Perfumy, lemon oil, candied apple, pear, mineral aromas. Round, oily, sweet entry with candied apple, floral, spicy, almond, lemon oil and honey flavours. Fun but very sweet and sour style, not quite the wine it was last time out.
Tasted: 2010-08-09 by AG-ST Prices: BC $14.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; QC $15.55 (750 ml) CSPC: 410159;   UPC: 3760015200037 Producer: Domaine La Lieue Distributor: Charton-Hobbs

83/100 Rosemount Diamond Cellars Shiraz Cabernet 2008 South Eastern Australia, Australia
Spicy, cola, licorice, tobacco leaf, olive, black cherry, and resin aromas. Round, slightly tannic entry with a sweet edge. Black olive, tobacco leaf, black plum, herbal, spicy, rooty flavours. Finish is a bit bitter and leafy. Simple stuff.
Tasted: 2010-08-09 by AG Prices: AB $13.00 (750 ml) private wine shops; BC $14.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $14.00 (750 ml); NB $15.00 (750 ml); NF $14.50 (750 ml); NS $16.50 (750 ml); ON $12.00 (750 ml); PEI $16.00 (750 ml); SK $15.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 214270;   UPC: 012894868017 Producer: Rosemount Estate Wines Ltd. Distributor: Southcorp Wines Canada

86/100 Hugel Pinot Blanc “Blanc de Blancs” 2006 Alsace, France
Honey, petrol, buttery, baked peach, baked apple and pear skin aromas. Dry, full, elegant palate but a bit flat with mineral, earthy, butter, nutty, honey, apple skin flavours. A bit mature for 2006 but solid.
Tasted: 2010-08-09 by AG-ST Prices: BC $21.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 086264;   UPC: 3300370140038 Producer: Hugel et Fils Distributor: Select Wine Merchants

86/100 Stoneboat Vineyards Pinot Blanc 2009 Oliver, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Ripe pear, floral, apple skin, buttery, earthy, grassy, nettle aromas. Round, delicate, juicy, slightly oily palate with a bit of sweetness. Floral, melon, honey, pear skin, green apple, grapefruit, mineral flavours. Simple, fresh, elegant style for light seafood.
Tasted: 2010-08-09 by AG-ST Prices: BC $18.00 (750 ml) winery direct CSPC: 630293;   UPC: 626990058977 Producer: Stoneboat Vineyards Distributor: Foremost Wine Domaines Inc.; Winery Direct

86/100 Falesco Umbria Merlot 2007 Umbria, Italy
Meaty, saddle leather, peppery, earthy, sausage, iodine, tobacco, cherry, resin, olive aromas. Rich, round, full, somewhat fresh palate with light, dry tannins. Cherry, tobacco, cedar, peppery, herbal, olive, meaty, saddle leather, resin and vanilla flavours. Finish is very dry and rustic with some tannins to shed. Needs some time to settle down but it will always be a bit wild.
Tasted: 2010-08-09 by AG-ST Prices: BC $26.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 494351;   UPC: 00098709201323 Producer: Azienda Vinicola Falesco Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants

87/100 Dominique Piron Domaine de la Chanaise Beaujolais-Villages 2009 Beaujolais, Burgundy, France
Good colour with a carbonic cherry, peppery, licorice, spicy, gamy, dried herb, savoury nose. Dry, fresh, elegant, slightly tight palate with light tannins. Mineral, earthy, cherry, spicy, licorice root, smoky, slightly meaty flavours. Good finesse in a lighter, more austere style for food.
Tasted: 2010-08-09 by AG-ST Prices: BC $17.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 131557;   UPC: 00493399100913 Producer: Dominique Piron Distributor: Red Dog

86/100 Pascual Toso Malbec Rosé 2009 Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, Argentina
Spicy, mineral, citrus, cherry, apple, currant aromas. Round, off dry, fresh palate with an earthy, spicy, cherry, tobacco, spicy, currant palate. Good intensity with some extract to offer pairings with food.
Tasted: 2010-08-09 by AG-ST Prices: AB $13.00 (750 ml) private wine shops; BC $14.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; QC $14.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 250761;   UPC: 00718742003097 Producer: Pascual Toso Distributor: Authentic Wine and Spirits Merchants

86/100 Masi Modello Rosato delle Venezie 2009 Verona, Veneto, Italy
Floral, strawberry, light cherry, marzipan, citrus aromas. Clean, light, zippy palate with green apple, leafy, dried herb, citrus, rhubarb flavours. An easy, fresh style for summer.
Tasted: 2010-08-09 by AG-ST Prices: BC $13.00 (750 ml) one time buy CSPC: 124750;   UPC: 8002062001706 Producer: Masi Agricola Distributor: Authentic Wine and Spirits Merchants

83/100 Olivares Jumilla Rosado 2009 Jumilla, Valencia and Murcia, Spain
Cherry, leafy, somewhat volatile, bruised apple, stewed rhubarb aromas. Fresh, slightly austere palate with a bit of sweetness. Apple skin, herbal, spicy, cherry, rhubarb flavours with a leafy, strawberry jam and bitter note.
Tasted: 2010-08-09 by AG-ST Prices: BC $14.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 803841;   UPC: 008437001433148 Producer: Bodegas Olivares Distributor: Christopher Stewart Wines and Spirits Inc.

89/100 Mission Hill S.L.C. Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2007 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Gooseberry, hay, grapefruit, lemon grass, smoky, passion fruit aromas with a bit of grassy, minty, vanilla, butter notes. Fresh, dry, crisp style with a note of austerity. Elegant with juicy green apple, passion fruit, grapefruit, grassy, waxy, lemon, butter, vanilla, herbal, bell pepper flavours. Good acidity and balance with finesse. Not a showy wine but a great seafood match. Fine effort and value again.
Tasted: 2010-08-09 by AG-ST Prices: AB $25.00 (750 ml) fine wine boutiques; BC $22.00 (750 ml) winery direct, VQA and private wine shops CSPC: 426775;   UPC: 776545995032 Producer: Mission Hill Family Estate Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants; Mission Hill Winery

85/100 Ganton & Larson Prospect Winery Trutch Map Rosé 2009 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Floral, cherry, spicy, leafy, citrus, grapefruit aromas. Round, moderately sweet, fresh palate with strawberry, leafy, rhubarb, peppery, citrus flavours. Simple, easy, fresh picnic style rosé.
Tasted: 2010-08-09 by AG-ST Prices: BC $15.00 (750 ml); MB $18.00 (750 ml); NF $19.00 (750 ml); ON $15.00 (750 ml) UPC: 776545400086 Producer: Ganton & Larsen Prospect Winery Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants

89/100 Clos l'Esquirol 2007 Minervois la Liviniere, Minervois, Languedoc, South of France, France
Big black liquorice, black plum, savoury, spicy, peppery, meaty, coffee, vanilla, smoky, wild herb aromas. Ripe, round, rich, full but elegant palate with fresh acidity. Intense black cherry, black raspberry, meaty, rooty, liquorice, savoury, herb, fig and sausage flavours. On the wild fruit side with countryside and fresh acidity but offers a ton of fresh fruit flavours. Lamb stew or pork loin and rosemary. Worth trying and good value.
Tasted: 2010-08-09 by AG-ST Prices: BC $19.75 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 849596;   UPC: 3045710028668 Producer: Jean D'Alibert Distributor: Waldorf Wine Group Inc.

87/100 Nk'Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Merlot 2007 Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Cedar, chocolate, leather, savoury, meaty, cassis, minty, sappy, bay leaf and cranberry aromas reminiscent of Maipo Valley, Chile. Round, dry, supple, elegant palate with light tannins. Spicy, peppery, black cherry, olive, cedar, minty, meaty, coffee, resin and leather flavours with a minty, sour cherry, black tea finish. Warm and a bit rustic on the tannins, needs a year or two to soften.
Tasted: 2010-08-09 by AG-ST Prices: BC $26.00 (750 ml) specialty listing, vqa and private stores, winery direct CSPC: 206672;   UPC: 836909011423 Producer: Nk’Mip Cellars Distributor: Vincor Canada - A Constellation Company

86/100 Rolling Shiraz 2008 Central Ranges, New South Wales, Australia
Typical cedar soup nose with bits of blueberries and spice. The entry is soft and round with ripe warm peppery fruit flavours and some acidity poking through the back end. The finish is soft warm with some sweet liquorice and chocolate notes. Simple, ordinary Oz shiraz.
Tasted: 2010-08-08 by AG-ST Prices: AB $16.00 (750 ml) private wine stores; BC $17.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 797886;   UPC: 9334463000125 Producer: Cumulus Wines Distributor: Authentic Wine and Spirits Merchants

93/100 Kendall-Jackson Stature Red 2005 Napa Valley, California, United States
As in previous editions Stature mixes rich mountain fruit cabernet sauvignon (85) and malbec (5) now with 10 percent merlot off Jackson Park in Sonoma’s Bennett Valley. The nose is a mix of sweet vanilla and deep dark berry fruit notes with lots of spicy and fine grained tannins. Dark rich glossy and youthful this wine needs another five years to mature in bottle before it can begin to reveal its future. It is aged 17 months in French and American oak of which 87 per cent is new. Only 238 cases were made.
Tasted: 2010-08-08 by AG-ST Prices: AB $170.00 (750 ml) fine wine shops; BC $169.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Summit Fine Wines; ON $107.00 (750 ml); QC $109.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 401414;   UPC: 081584000044 Producer: Kendall-Jackson Vineyards and Winery Distributor: Summit Fine Wines

88/100 Kendall-Jackson Syrah Vintner's Reserve 2007 California, United States
The KJ syrah is super ripe with lush fruit flavours of peppery boysenberry and blackberry jam with bits of meaty spicy gamy notes. The fruit comes off an amazing array of sites in Mendocino County, Santa Barbara County, San Luis Obispo County and Sonoma County. The fruit is impressively rich and dark but with that California sweetness. It is all aged ten months 70/30 mix of French and American oak. Well made and improving every year.
Tasted: 2010-08-08 by AG Prices: AB $22.00 (750 ml) fine wine shops; BC $25.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Summit Fine Wines; ON $23.00 (750 ml) consignment - Summit Fine Wines; QC $23.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 597682;   UPC: 81584131557 Producer: Kendall-Jackson Vineyards and Winery Distributor: Summit Fine Wines

89/100 Tapiz Torrontés 2009 Mendoza, Argentina
A carbon copy of the last vintage this is Torrontés you can depend on. Expect a fragrant sweet aromatic nose with simply delicious juicy ripe peachy pear, tropical fruit with green apple and litchi bits. Full flavoured and balanced with lively acidity and fruit it will work with myriad menu items. Try it solo before dinner with appetizers or with main course roast chickens or turkey.
Tasted: 2010-08-08 by AG-ST Prices: AB $18.00 (750 ml) private wine stores; BC $17.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Renaissance Wine Merchants CSPC: 012245;   UPC: 7798116200133 Producer: Tapiz Distributor: Renaissance Wine Merchants Ltd.

88/100 Sebastiani Sonoma Chardonnay 2008 Sonoma County, California, United States
A lot has been said and written about no oak wines and wines showing little or no oak in the mouth but sometimes when it is done right California chardonnay can be fun oak and all. Sebastiani has always done a great job managing the oak with plenty of honey and butter and a fresh undercurrent of lees. The ’08 edition with its slightly oily palate is awash in tropical fruit, vanilla, spicy baked apple fruit with a touch of honey and butterscotch in the finish. There is good acidity and palate lift to handle all the flavours. Try this with lobster or fresh Dungeness crab.
Tasted: 2010-08-08 by AG-ST Prices: AB $18.00 (750 ml) private wine stores; BC $20.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; ON $18.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 361634;   UPC: 088232002627 Producer: Sebastiani Distributor: Select Wine Merchants

86/100 Vina Maipo Carmenère 2008 Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, Chile
Fine dark colour previews a leafy spicy nose with bits of chocolate and cran-cherry. The palate follows suit with a smooth but peppery red fruit flavour. Pretty good carmenère character for not a lot of money. Think hamburgers, grilled flank steak ribs even meaty pasta dishes. Great for parties. Decant for 30 minutes to get the best out of this bottle.
Tasted: 2010-08-07 by AG-ST Prices: BC $13.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 891994;   UPC: 007804320130118 Producer: Vina Maipo Distributor: Select Wine Merchants

87/100 Pascual Toso Syrah 2008 Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, Argentina
Smoky animal meaty nose with bits of liquorice and blackberry. The entry is spicy with more smoky glossy, vanilla and red fruit. Totally fun for the price and ready to drink. Back up the truck and start the barbecue.
Tasted: 2010-08-07 by AG-ST Prices: AB $12.00 (750 ml) exclusive to Liquor Depot; BC $13.60 (750 ml) specialty listing; QC $13.25 (750 ml) CSPC: 251074;   UPC: 718742000249 Producer: Pascual Toso Distributor: Authentic Wine and Spirits Merchants

0/100 Twisted Tree Tannat 2008 Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Corked try another...
Tasted: 2010-08-07 by AG-ST Prices: BC $28.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Renaissance Wine Merchants CSPC: 407213;   UPC: 626990091790 Producer: Twisted Tree Vineyards & Winery Distributor: Renaissance Wine Merchants Ltd.; Winery Direct

89/100 Herder Meritage 2008 Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Attractive open, fresh, floral nose with plums, green olives and spicy savoury notes. Similar fresh notes on the palate with cran-cherry fruit and deftly handled tannins – hooray. This is the style we do best and one the world will welcome. Drink now with roasted meats or cellar for three to five years.
Tasted: 2010-08-07 by AG-ST Prices: BC $20.00 (750 ml) winery direct CSPC: 455824;   UPC: 00814372001004 Producer: Herder Winery & Vineyards Distributor: Landmark Selections; Winery Direct

87/100 Santa Julia Organica Malbec Cabernet 2009 Mendoza, Argentina
Adding cabernet to the malbec mix freshens up the mix. Spicy, mocha, black cherry notes with more floral undercurrents and the rich soft underbelly of the malbec is stiffened by the cabernet. Rich savoury tasty barbecue red with a soft jammy liquorice finish. Another fine effort that punches well above its price range again.
Tasted: 2010-08-07 by AG-ST Prices: BC $15.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - The Bacchus Group UPC: 77917280118141 Producer: Familia Zuccardi Distributor: The Bacchus Group Inc.

87/100 Sileni Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand
It’s hard to find any New Zealand wine at this price point so it is a delight to sip sauvignon blanc at $15. Expect a mix of tropical notes and gooseberry fruit flavours all in a fresh package. Lemon herbal buy no asparagus notes makes this a winner at this price point. Drink it with mussels and clams for a home run.
Tasted: 2010-08-07 by AG-ST Prices: BC $15.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 160325;   UPC: 009421003813205 Producer: Sileni Estates Distributor: The Kirkwood Group

86/100 Mouton Cadet Rouge 2007 Bordeaux, France
The ’07 seems more approachable than previous offerings. Expect a nice mix of soft red and black fruit with smooth tannins. The blend is merlot dominated with about 35 per cent cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc picked across several Bordeaux appellations. It is ready to drink now. Try it with grilled flank steak.
Tasted: 2010-08-06 by AG-ST Prices: AB $13.00 (750 ml) private wine shops; BC $15.00 (750 ml) general listing; BC $7.99 (750 ml) 375 mL; MB $15.00 (750 ml); QC $16.00 (750 ml); SK $16.30 (750 ml) CSPC: 000943;   UPC: 0839601444014 Producer: Baron Philippe de Rothschild - France Distributor: Select Wine Merchants

87/100 Pétales d'Osoyoos 2007 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
The current Pétales, edition No. 4, is tight and restrained with resiny, cherry, black olive aromas with dried herbs and coffee in the back end. Similar resin and dry tannins mark its palate which while elegant remains tight and closed with peppery, cranberry fruit. Surprisingly tight for a second label, it needs another three to five years in the bottle.
Tasted: 2010-08-06 by AG-ST Prices: BC $25.00 (750 ml) private wine shops CSPC: 343103;   UPC: 871610004005 Producer: Osoyoos Larose Distributor: Vincor Canada - A Constellation Company

90/100 Wakefield Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia
Inviting smoky, spicy, cassis nose with bits of cedar and black olive. The entry is soft with ripe blueberry/ black fruit flavours and smoky vanilla and oak with a touch of coffee chocolate in the finish. It has some cabernet firmness but with a glossy undertone to soothe the palate. Bring on the lamb roast.
Tasted: 2010-08-06 by AG-ST Prices: ON $17.00 (750 ml) Vintages UPC: 9311659000626 Producer: Wakefield Wines Pty Distributor: Vinterra Wine Merchants

89/100 Bogle Vineyards Merlot 2008 Lodi, Central Valley, California, United States
A mix of fruit from Clarksburg, Lodi, Monterey and El Dorado all barrel aged in American oak has spawned a soft, glossy generous red with textbook plum and cherry fruit flavours. Attractive style merlot with fine intensity and length. Try it with soft cheeses, pork or tomato pasta dishes.
Tasted: 2010-08-05 by AG-ST Prices: AB $18.00 (750 ml); BC $20.00 (750 ml) specialty listing Producer: Bogle Vineyards Distributor: Free House Wine & Spirits Ltd.

89/100 Three Winds Syrah 2008 Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, South of France, France
Spicy savoury smoked meat nose with bits of tar, violets black pepper and earth. Tightly wound firm mid-palate with peppery, meaty, spicy, juicy black cherry, plum and licorice root flavours. A delicious syrah at a great price; it is the essence of the competition. Serve with lamb chops or grilled beef.
Tasted: 2010-08-05 by AG-ST Prices: BC $14.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 847608;   UPC: 3760143270353 Producer: Domaine Gayda Distributor: Stile Enterprises Ltd.

89/100 Pascual Toso Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Las Barrancas Vineyards 2008 Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, Argentina
Tobacco, peppery, coffee, chocolate, black berry, saddle leather, iodine, licorice root aromas. Dry, round, full, fresher palate with light tannins. Cassis, chocolate, iodine, floral, spicy, peppery, tobacco, mushroom and earth flavours. Good intensity and expression but needs a year or two to full maturity. Will be good with grilled lamb or beef. Good value and quality.
Tasted: 2010-08-02 by AG-ST Prices: AB $17.00 (750 ml) private wine shops; BC $20.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Authentic Wines and Spirits CSPC: 238329;   UPC: 718742000225 Producer: Pascual Toso Distributor: Authentic Wine and Spirits Merchants

86/100 Robin Ridge Merlot 2007 Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Very dark colour. Spicy, vanilla, chocolate, cherry jam, peppery, tobacco leaf, rooty, tapenade aromas. Very warm, dry, fresh palate with light tannins and extract. Smoky, peppery, cherry, savoury, meaty, vanilla, sour plum with some cedar and tobacco leaf. The finish is alcoholic and slightly tart but shows potential. Best with rich meat dishes to tame the ending.
Tasted: 2010-08-02 by AG-ST Prices: BC $24.00 (750 ml) winery direct, VQA and private wine shops UPC: 0626990084518 Producer: Robin Ridge Winery Distributor: FarmGate Quality Wines; Winery Direct

90/100 Mud House Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
Big canned asparagus, jalapeno, grapefruit rind, passion fruit aromas with a lemon and nettle streak. Rich, full, creamy, fresh, elegant palate with juicy acidity. Passion fruit, gooseberry, smoky jalapeno, asparagus, lime and melon flavours. Good intensity and balance with a long finish. Delicious example of Kiwi sauvignon.
Tasted: 2010-08-02 by AG-ST Prices: AB $22.00 (750 ml); BC $20.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; NS $22.32 (750 ml); QC $18.50 (750 ml) UPC: 9421018070013 Producer: Mud House Distributor: Renaissance Wine Merchants Ltd.

87/100 Kendall-Jackson Cabernet Sauvignon Vintner’s Reserve 2007 California, United States
Muddy, tobacco leaf, prune, blackberry, riparian, black olive, cedar, leather and five spice aromas. Dry, fresh, elegant but slightly tannic palate. Cedar, earthy, tobacco, black olive, green bean, cassis, spicy, coffee, dried herb and leather flavours. Solid, slightly rustic style to go with grilled meats.
Tasted: 2010-08-02 by AG-ST Prices: AB $22.00 (750 ml) fine wine stores; BC $24.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $22.00 (750 ml); ON $23.00 (750 ml) Vintages; QC $22.00 (750 ml); US $18.00 (750 ml) retail CSPC: 427153;   UPC: 081584013174 Producer: Kendall-Jackson Vineyards and Winery Distributor: Summit Fine Wines

90/100 Kendall-Jackson Cabernet Sauvignon Grand Reserve 2007 Napa - Sonoma, California, United States
Smoky, peppery, cedar, chocolate, tobacco, roasted meat, liquorice root, earthy, cassis, and menthol aromas. Ripe, round, supple, elegant palate with light, dry tannins. Cassis, chocolate, vanilla, peppery, black olive, green bean, meat, tobacco, mineral, licorice, earthy, tea flavours. Somewhat tight, austere finish that should soften over the next few years.
Tasted: 2010-08-02 by AG-ST Prices: AB $45.00 (750 ml) fine wine shops; BC $45.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Summit Fine Wines; MB $52.00 (750 ml); ON $40.00 (750 ml) Vintages; QC $40.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 433763;   UPC: 081584013211 Producer: Kendall-Jackson Vineyards and Winery Distributor: Summit Fine Wines

89/100 Kendall-Jackson Merlot Grand Reserve 2007 Sonoma - Napa, California, United States
Spicy, peppery, black cherry, light coffee, tobacco, black olive, vanilla, barnyard aromas with a touch of plum, orange and carrot top. Round, dry, supple, fresh palate with light tannins. Cherry, tart plum, chocolate, peppery, cedar, tobacco, orange, meaty, licorice root flavours. Good finesse and fruit but with a bit of a tart note on the finish.
Tasted: 2010-08-02 by AG-ST Prices: AB $43.00 (750 ml) fine wine boutiques; BC $42.00 (750 ml) speculative - Summit Fine Wines; ON $37.00 (750 ml) consignment - Summit Fine Wines; QC $37.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 982827;   UPC: 081584013099 Producer: Kendall-Jackson Vineyards and Winery Distributor: Summit Fine Wines

91/100 Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay Grand Reserve 2008 Monterey - Santa Barbara, California, United States
Winemaker Randy Ullom hits all the right notes with this delicious floral, spicy, green apple, peachy melon nose flecked with guava, vanilla, light lychee, lime and a dusting of nutty lees. The palate is fresh and crisp with elegant styling, juicy acidity and rich minerality. Baked green apple, floral, spicy, mango, pineapple, honey, buttery, vanilla, nutty, lime and melon flavours. Good complexity and balance in a brighter style than in the past. Drink now or over the next few years. This wine really deserves a better name than ‘Grand Reserve.’
Tasted: 2010-08-02 by AG-ST Prices: AB $34.00 (750 ml) fine wine boutiques; BC $34.00 (750 ml) Speculative - Summit Fine Wines; ON $32.00 (750 ml) consignment - Summit Fine Wines; QC $32.00 (750 ml); US $24.00 (750 ml) srp CSPC: 372474;   UPC: 0815840132211 Producer: Kendall-Jackson Vineyards and Winery Distributor: Summit Fine Wines

88/100 Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay Vintner’s Reserve 2008 California, United States
Spicy, melon, floral, butter, vanilla, mango, guava, light lychee aromas. Round, soft, off dry palate with somewhat juicy acidity. Buttery, spicy lees, melon, honey, lychee, mango and vanilla flavours with a creamy finish. Riper, tropical style that offers good intensity and balance with some finesse.
Tasted: 2010-08-02 by AG-ST Prices: AB $21.00 (750 ml) fine wine stores; BC $24.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $21.00 (750 ml); ON $20.00 (750 ml) Vintages; QC $21.00 (750 ml); US $15.00 (750 ml) srp CSPC: 296566;   UPC: 081584013105 Producer: Kendall-Jackson Vineyards and Winery Distributor: Summit Fine Wines

86/100 Kendall-Jackson Merlot Vintner’s Reserve 2007 Sonoma County, California, United States
Peppery, spicy, prune, tobacco, cherry jam, cedar bark, chocolate, black olive aromas. Round, dry, somewhat tart, light palate. Herbal, tobacco, cedar bark, cherry, resin, leather flavours with a prune note. A bit tired.
Tasted: 2010-08-02 by AG-ST Prices: AB $22.00 (750 ml) fine wine stores; BC $24.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $22.00 (750 ml); ON $23.00 (750 ml) consignment - Summit Fine Wines; QC $23.00 (750 ml); US $18.00 (750 ml) retail CSPC: 366955;   UPC: 081584131526 Producer: Kendall-Jackson Vineyards and Winery Distributor: Summit Fine Wines

88/100 Catena Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Mendoza, Argentina
Peppery, cassis, tobacco, coffee, coriander, cedar, black cherry, vanilla, meaty, leather aromas. Rich, full, vibrant palate with slightly linear tannins but good balance. Smoky, herbal, black olive, tobacco, cassis, licorice root, savoury, roasted pepper flavours. Cooler, tighter intellectual style with vibrant acidity that should improve in the next year or two. Great with food.
Tasted: 2010-08-02 by AG Prices: AB $22.75 (750 ml) fine wine boutiques; BC $23.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; ON $20.00 (750 ml) Vintages; QC $21.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 427849;   UPC: 007794450002570 Producer: Bodega Catena Zapata Distributor: Calibrium International

87/100 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot 2006 Columbia Valley, Washington, United States
Spicy, prune, cherry, cedar, chocolate, vanilla, meaty, leather and barnyard aromas. Round, soft, supple palate with very light tannins. Coffee, vanilla, chocolate, pruny, cherry, meaty, resin, leather, spicy flavours. A bit rustic but ready to go with fruit.
Tasted: 2010-08-02 by AG-ST Prices: AB $18.00 (750 ml) private wine stores; BC $20.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; US $13.00 (750 ml) winery direct CSPC: 263418;   UPC: 088586402845 Producer: Columbia Crest Winery Distributor: Charton-Hobbs

87/100 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Columbia Valley, Washington, United States
Peppery, tobacco, earthy, cedar, meaty, animal, cassis, black cherry, saddle leather aromas. Dry, fresh, slightly tannic, lean palate. Coffee, prune, tobacco, leather, meaty, cassis jam, riparian, olive, vanilla cream flavours. Drink now with grilled meats.
Tasted: 2010-08-02 by AG-ST Prices: AB $20.00 (750 ml) private wine shops; BC $20.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; US $13.00 (750 ml) winery direct CSPC: 240093;   UPC: 00088586401848 Producer: Columbia Crest Winery Distributor: Charton-Hobbs

82/100 Columbia Crest Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Columbia Valley, Washington, United States
Big mocha, chocolate, meaty, barnyard, peppery, earthy, tobacco aromas. Sweet, round, supple, fresh palate with pruny, animal, barnyard, leather, stewed prune, Band-Aid and roasted pepper flavours. Very rustic, meaty, Bretty style.
Tasted: 2010-08-02 by AG-ST Prices: BC $13.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 332320;   UPC: 00088586000720 Producer: Columbia Crest Winery Distributor: Charton-Hobbs

84/100 Columbia Crest Merlot 2005 Columbia Valley, Washington, United States
Prune, soupy, cherry, tobacco, leather, olive aromas with a bit of barnyard and Brett. Round, soft, light, supple palate with some sweetness. Chocolate, cedar, tobacco, olive, pruny, cherry, meaty, herbal flavours. Very mature, ready-to-drink style.
Tasted: 2010-08-02 by AG-ST Prices: AB $15.00 (750 ml) private wine stores; BC $15.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; ON $13.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 062422;   UPC: 00088586001109 Producer: Columbia Crest Winery Distributor: Charton-Hobbs

86/100 Columbia Crest Two Vines Unoaked Chardonnay 2008 Columbia Valley, Washington, United States
Pear, green apple skin, light butter, citrus, floral nose. Round, warm, fresh, slightly sweet entry with light tropical, baked apple, citrus and pear skin flavours. Simple and fresh with a tart, juicy finish. Finally under screwcap and it is working.
Tasted: 2010-08-02 by AG-ST Prices: AB $15.00 (750 ml) private wine stores; BC $15.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; ON $13.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 306670;   UPC: 00088586003059 Producer: Columbia Crest Winery Distributor: Charton-Hobbs

91/100 Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
Nice passion fruit, lime, grapefruit rind, jalapeno, light asparagus with a light floral, waxy, melon note. Ripe, round, elegant, full palate with creamy, mineral acidity but also a touch austere. Gooseberry, smoky, asparagus, passion fruit, lime and grapefruit flavour with a touch of honey and orange with a nettle finish. Good concentration and acidity. The label Greywacke takes its name from the river stones in Kevin Judd’s (Cloudy Bay fame) vineyard in Rapaura. The wines are made at Dog Point Vineyard in the lower Brancott Valley. Can’t wait to taste the pinot noir.
Tasted: 2010-08-02 by AG-ST Prices: AB $27.00 (750 ml) fine wine stores UPC: 009421901925017 Producer: Greywacke Vineyards Distributor: Pacific Wines & Spirits (1995) Ltd.

87/100 Poplar Grove Chardonnay 2008 Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Inviting, butter, light lees, pineapple, grapefruit, baked apple aromas with a nutty/bread, note. Round, ripe, soft, light-bodied style with an oily touch in the finish. Guava, leesy, buttery, pineapple, grapefruit rind and green apple flavours with a light nutty, bitter citrus note. Classy mid-weight chardonnay for chicken and seafood dishes.
Tasted: 2010-08-02 by AG-ST Prices: BC $22.00 (750 ml) winery direct, private wine shops CSPC: 750083;   UPC: 00626990076667 Producer: Poplar Grove Winery Distributor: Winery Direct

92/100 Penfolds Yattarna Bin 144 Chardonnay 2007 Tasmania, South Australia, Australia
Nice fresh lemon, buttery, nutty lees, toasty, pear, baked apple, lime, salty, waxy aromas. Fresh, crisp, delicate palate with juicy acidity in a more austere, linear style. Lime, grapefruit, nutty, spicy lees, light garlic, creamy vanilla, green apple flavours with a touch of seashore, butterscotch and chalk. Good balance and finesse in a fresh, tarter style that should age well over the next 3-5 years. The fruit is mostly from Tasmania 49 the remainder is picked at Adelaide Hills, Henty (Drumborg).
Tasted: 2010-08-02 by AG-ST Prices: AB $90.00 (750 ml) fine wine boutiques; BC $94.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $86.00 (750 ml); NF $90.00 (750 ml); ON $90.00 (750 ml); QC $90.00 (750 ml); SK $100.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 717512;   UPC: 12354072251 Producer: Penfolds Distributor: Foster's Wine Estates; Southcorp Wines Canada

91/100 Mission Hill Perpetua Chardonnay Osoyoos Vineyard Estate 2008 Osoyoos, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Green apple, citrus rind, light melon, orange, grapefruit aromas with a touch of vanilla and pear. Fresh, crisp, juicy, dry palate with ample acidity. Grapefruit, mineral, green apple, spicy lees, light vanilla, butter and nectarine flavours. Finish has a bit of lime and floral notes. Good finesse in a fresher style that should age well over the next few years. Bravo.
Tasted: 2010-08-02 by AG-ST Prices: AB $35.00 (750 ml) private wine stores; BC $35.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; ON $35.00 (750 ml) consignment - Mark Anthony Brands UPC: 7765455555625 Producer: Mission Hill Family Estate Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants; Mission Hill Winery

87/100 Painted Rock Chardonnay 2009 Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Mango, butter, vanilla, lees, canned grapefruit aromas with a touch of fruit cocktail and baked green apple. Dry, crisp, somewhat austere entry with light extract. Light lees, vanilla, butter, grapefruit, passion fruit, green apple skin flavours and a touch of cedar. Finish is waxy with a very buttery, tart, austere edge. All headed in the right direction it just needs a bit more fruit intensity to absorb the rest of the wine.
Tasted: 2010-08-02 by AG-ST Prices: BC $30.00 (750 ml) winery direct, private wine shops UPC: 00626990105862 Producer: Painted Rock Estate Winery Distributor: Winery Direct

85/100 Mouton Cadet Blanc 2008 Bordeaux, France
Grassy, gooseberry, light bell pepper, floral and citrus rind aromas. Round, fresh, easy palate with grassy, grapefruit, mineral, gooseberry, light asparagus flavours. Simple, clean, slightly herbaceous, zippy style.
Tasted: 2010-08-01 by AG-ST Prices: BC $14.00 (750 ml) general listing CSPC: 002527;   UPC: 0839601444045 Producer: Baron Philippe de Rothschild - France Distributor: Select Wine Merchants

89/100 Pascual Toso Malbec Reserve Barrancas Vineyards 2008 Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, Argentina
Deep black cherry colour. Aromatic nose with smoky, leather, licorice, black cherry jam, meaty, vanilla, tobacco, savoury nose with a bit of poultry spice. Rich, ripe, round, supple and suave palate. Black cherry jam, licorice, spicy, vanilla, savoury, cedar, tobacco flavours with a plummy, chocolate finish. Great textures and balance for this price. Fine value in a very sexy, glossy red.
Tasted: 2010-08-01 by AG-ST Prices: AB $17.00 (750 ml) private wine shop; BC $20.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 447888;   UPC: 718742001918 Producer: Pascual Toso Distributor: Authentic Wine and Spirits Merchants

88/100 Cobos Felino Malbec 2008 Mendoza, Argentina
Black cherry, spicy, tobacco, earthy, meaty, rooty, poultry spice aromas. Ripe, round, suave and supple palate with good acidity. Chocolate, vanilla, plum jam, black cherry, tobacco, licorice root, waxy, roasted mushroom flavours. Finish is suave, warm and fresh with good fruit. An elegant, ready to drink style with light tannins to age a year or two. Good value.
Tasted: 2010-08-01 by AG-ST Prices: AB $20.00 (750 ml) private wine shops; BC $20.00 (750 ml) specialty listing (January 2009) CSPC: 334789;   UPC: 897941000974 Producer: Vina Cobos Distributor: Authentic Wine and Spirits Merchants

85/100 Voga Pinot Grigio 2008 Veneto, Italy
Cooked green apple, marzipan, nectarine skin, honey aromas. Round, flat, easy style with light sweetness. Ripe apple, pear, nutty, honey, lemon oil flavours. Simple, easy consumer style.
Tasted: 2010-08-01 by AG-ST Prices: AB $17.00 (750 ml) private wine stores; BC $15.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $15.00 (750 ml); NS $16.00 (750 ml); ON $14.00 (750 ml); QC $16.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 248518;   UPC: 00021893795088 Producer: Enoitalia Spa Distributor: Renaissance Wine Merchants Ltd.

88/100 Cooralook Pinot Gris 2008 Upper Goulburn Valley, Goulburn Valley, Victoria, Australia
Light lees, spicy, earthy, cooked apple, nutty, pear and citrus aromas. Ripe, round, full, slightly fat entry with a touch of sweetness. Canned grapefruit, ripe pear, baked apple and melon flavours. A full, riper style with good length. Ready to drink.
Tasted: 2010-08-01 by AG-ST Prices: AB $17.00 (750 ml) private wine stores UPC: 9325301000155 Producer: Cooralook Distributor: Renaissance Wine Merchants Ltd.

85/100 De Angelis Rosso Piceno 2008 Marche, Italy
Big meaty, leather, black cherry jam, licorice root, peppery, barnyard, lifted aromas. Ripe, round, rich, somewhat rustic palate with leather, peppery, barnyard, black olive, black cherry, Band-Aid, meaty, smoky medicinal flavours. Very rustic, full style.
Tasted: 2010-08-01 by AG-ST Prices: AB $14.00 (750 ml) private wine stores; BC $15.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 632141;   UPC: 8032505970047 Producer: Tenuta De Angelis Distributor: WineQuest Wine and Spirit Brokers

84/100 White Bear Pinot Blanc 2008 Canada
Floral, candied gooseberry, grapefruit rind, apple skin aromas with a touch of matchstick. Round, fresh, delicate palate with a light sweet and sour entry. Similar flavours with a bit of cooked green apple on the finish. Simple, well-made commercial white wine.
Tasted: 2010-08-01 by AG-ST Prices: BC $12.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 416156;   UPC: 00776545300065 Producer: Artisan Wine Company Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants

0/100 Le Bombarde Cannonau di Sardegna 2008 Sardinia, Italy
Corked, try another
Tasted: 2010-08-01 by AG-ST Prices: BC $17.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 571323;   UPC: 8001487001148 Producer: Cantine di Santa Maria La Palma Distributor: WineQuest Wine and Spirit Brokers

85/100 Santa Eco Malbec 2008 Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, Argentina
Big black cherry, dark plum jam, spicy, peppery, tobacco leaf, earthy aromas with a floral note. Round, supple, slightly tart and sweet palate with juicy cherry, plum fruit with an earthy, licorice, tobacco finish. A more tart, fruity-tutti style but has good intensity for new consumers to malbec.
Tasted: 2010-08-01 by AG-ST Prices: BC $13.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - International Cellars UPC: 07790762050124 Producer: Bodegas Santa Ana Distributor: International Cellars Inc.

88/100 Graffigna Centenario Pinot Grigio Reserve 2009 San Juan, Argentina
Light spicy, green apple, pear skin, hay, nutty, melon and lemon aromas. Ripe, full, round, elegant and creamy palate. Ripe melon, mango, grapefruit, baked apple and lime flavours. Finish is crisp and juicy with good fruit. Good value.
Tasted: 2010-08-01 by AG-ST Prices: BC $14.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 915918;   UPC: 00852832105565 Producer: Bodegas Y Vinedos Santiago Graffigna Distributor: Corby Distilleries Limited

87/100 Ruffino Lumina Pinot Grigio 2008 Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
Melon, almond, floral, lemon aromas. Fresh, round, slightly austere palate with good acidity. Juicy pear, green melon, lemon, grapefruit and light buttery lees flavours. Juicy, zippy, elegant finish. Very solid styling for food.
Tasted: 2010-08-01 by AG-ST Prices: AB $14.00 (750 ml) fine wine boutiques; BC $14.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $14.00 (750 ml); ON $13.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 102764;   UPC: 8001660197156 Producer: Tenimenti Ruffino Distributor: Charton-Hobbs

89/100 King Estate Pinot Gris Signature Selection 2008 Willamette Valley, Oregon, United States
Spicy, lime, floral, pear, mandarin peel and green apple aroma. Ripe, full, elegant, fresh, juicy palate with a touch of sweetness and good acidity. Melon, grapefruit, lime, light lees, pear and butter flavours. Good intensity and balance, a fine example.
Tasted: 2010-08-01 by AG-ST Prices: BC $23.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 419671;   UPC: 00768675960127 Producer: King Estate Distributor: Chalone Wine Estates; Charton-Hobbs

86/100 Finca Flichman Malbec Roble Oaked Aged 2009 Mendoza, Argentina
Spicy, black cherry jam, earthy, tobacco, roasted mushroom, licorice root aromas. Fresh, round, dry, slightly tight palate with peppery, earthy, tobacco, licorice, grilled meat, black cherry, savoury, smoky flavours. Good solid meat wine at a great price.
Tasted: 2010-08-01 by AG Prices: AB $10.00 (750 ml) private wine stores; BC $11.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; QC $9.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 612176;   UPC: 7790470080222 Producer: Finca Flichman Distributor: Charton-Hobbs

85/100 Rosemount Diamond CellarsTraminer Riesling 2009 South Eastern Australia, Australia
Slate, light matchstick, petrol, spicy, lemon oil, ginger, red apple and lychee. Ripe, round, juicy, somewhat sweet entry with orange, lime, spicy, honey, light lees, baked apple flavours. Good fruit and juicy if a bit sweet. Finally under Stelvin this has possibilities on Pan Asian wine lists.
Tasted: 2010-08-01 by AG Prices: AB $12.50 (750 ml) fine wine boutiques; BC $13.50 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $13.00 (750 ml); ON $12.00 (750 ml); SK $14.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 244301;   UPC: 012894891113 Producer: Rosemount Estate Wines Ltd. Distributor: Southcorp Wines Canada

88/100 Pierre Sparr Gewürztraminer 2008 Alsace, France
Reborn under screwcap this is a delicious example of gewürztraminer with spicy, lychee, floral, green apple, melon, light sausage and citrus nose. Fresh, juicy, clean, somewhat sweet entry with ripe apple, nectarine skin, buttery, lychee, flora, melon rind flavours. Good fruity, juicy style if a bit on the sweet side. Good value and style. Serve with spicy food.
Tasted: 2010-08-01 by AG-ST Prices: BC $21.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; ON $16.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 022822;   UPC: 003263530020802 Producer: Pierre Sparr et Ses Fils Distributor: Pacific Wines & Spirits (1995) Ltd.

88/100 Cave de Pfaffenheim Steinert Pinot Gris Grand Cru 2005 Alsace, France
Light yellow gold colour. Cooked apple, spicy, plasticene, slightly nutty, citrus rind aromas. Round, full, somewhat fat and sweet palate. Buttery, honey, baked pear and apple with some nutty, citrus aspects. Better acidity on the finish but definitely your heavy, warmer style here.
Tasted: 2010-08-01 by AG-ST Prices: BC $34.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; QC $26.80 (750 ml) CSPC: 147280;   UPC: 3185132177466 Producer: Cave Vinicole de Pfaffenheim & Gueberschwihr Distributor: Charton-Hobbs

88/100 Albert Mann Gewurztraminer 2008 Alsace, France
Leesy, nutty, light sulphur, lychee, ginger, green apple skin, slate aromas. Ripe, round, elegant, soft palate with some sweetness. Slightly nutty, leesy, buttery, ginger, citrus, dried lychee, melon flavours. Nice finesse and intensity but could be a bit cleaner.
Tasted: 2010-08-01 by AG-ST Prices: AB $29.00 (750 ml) private wine stores; BC $32.00 (750 ml) private wine shops UPC: 34859780800013 Producer: Albert Mann Distributor: Terrarosa Imports

86/100 De Bortoli DB Traminer Riesling Family Selection 2009 Australia
Ginger, slate, matchstick, nectarine, green apple, floral aromas. Ripe, round, fresh, sweeter entry with melon, ripe apple, floral, peach, spicy flavours. Fun, easy, fresh and juicy style for the patio, picnic or Thai food. Good consumer value.
Tasted: 2010-08-01 by AG-ST Prices: BC $11.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 952580;   UPC: 9300752030463 Producer: De Bortoli Wines Distributor: Grady Wine Marketing

86/100 Mission Hill Five Vineyards Pinot Blanc 2008 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Gooseberry grassy, passion fruit, grapefruit, granny smith aromas. Fresh, crisp, slightly austere style with mineral, pear, chalky, passion fruit, grapefruit flavours.
Tasted: 2010-08-01 by AG Prices: AB $19.00 (750 ml) private wine stores; BC $14.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 300301;   UPC: 776545995001 Producer: Mission Hill Family Estate Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants; Mission Hill Winery

88/100 Marques de Casa Concha Chardonnay 2007 Limari Valley, Chile
Butterscotch baked green apple, honey, spicy, garlic, nutty, anise aromas with a grassy and tropical streak. Rich, round, crisp but dry with salty garlic, buttery, baked pear, apple skin, honey, grapefruit and lime flavours with some vanilla on the finish. Good complexity for the money all it needs is a bit more texture and extract to really excel. Fine value.
Tasted: 2010-07-31 by AG-ST Prices: AB $20.00 (750 ml) private wine shops; BC $20.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; NF $22.00 (750 ml); NS $24.50 (750 ml) CSPC: 342857;   UPC: 07804320411149 Producer: Vina Concha y Toro S.A. Distributor: Select Wine Merchants

87/100 Marques de Caceres Vendimia Seleccionada Crianza 2005 Rioja, Spain
Dry meaty, peppery, cherry nose with earthy, barnyard undercurrents. Round, dry, soft, supple palate with cherry jam, spicy, meaty, rooty, tobacco flavours. Approachable, simple style tempranillo with some rustic edges. Pair this with grill lamb.
Tasted: 2010-07-31 by AG-ST Prices: BC $22.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; NF $20.00 (750 ml); ON $21.00 (750 ml); QC $19.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 345108;   UPC: 08410406311006 Producer: Marqués de Cáceres Distributor: Grady Wine Marketing; The Bacchus Group Inc.

88/100 Marques de Caceres Reserva 2002 Rioja, Spain
Open spicy, meaty, cedar nose with bits of black cherry, prune and floral aromas along with some vanilla, leather and coconut. Dry, fresh, round and slightly tannic on entry with fine acidity. While on the palate it is peppery, tobacco, cedar, cherry, orange and prune with bits if barnyard and leather flavours. Solid tempranillo with elegance.
Tasted: 2010-07-31 by AG Prices: BC $35.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 341651;   UPC: 008410406211054 Producer: Marqués de Cáceres Distributor: Grady Wine Marketing; The Bacchus Group Inc.

86/100 Penfolds Koonunga Hill Chardonnay 2007 South Eastern Australia, Australia
Buttery, spicy, baked green apple, floral, citrus aromas with a bit of roast garlic lees. Round, fresh, elegant palate with buttery, pear, citrus rind, mineral, salty garlic and vanilla flavours. Solid all round white.
Tasted: 2010-07-31 by AG-ST Prices: AB $15.00 (750 ml) private wine shops; BC $15.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; NB $15.30 (750 ml); NF $15.50 (750 ml); NS $14.00 (750 ml); ON $15.00 (750 ml); QC $16.00 (750 ml); SK $16.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 321943;   UPC: 012354071339 Producer: Penfolds Distributor: Foster's Wine Estates; Southcorp Wines Canada

86/100 WhiteWire 2008 Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand
Almond, leesy, light butter, pear, floral, spicy, lychee aromas. Fresh, crisp, slightly sweet style with red apple, nectarine skin, butter, honey, spicy, baked pear and grapefruit flavours. Simple. Fresh, summer style.
Tasted: 2010-07-31 by AG-ST Prices: BC $17.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Vino Allegro Wine Imports CSPC: 888354;   UPC: 009421022607007 Producer: Mount George Vineyards Distributor: Vino Allegro Wine Imports Inc.

85/100 Stone Paddock Chardonnay 2008 Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand
Nutty, light garlic, green apple, pear, salty mineral, peach aromas. Soft but somewhat austere palate with a hint of sweetness and oiliness. Lean apple, honey, garlic, nutty, cooked peach, citrus and butter flavours. Very dry, buttery, popcorn finish. Solid but a strange amalgam of styles.
Tasted: 2010-07-31 by AG-ST Prices: BC $20.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Vino Allegro Wine Imports CSPC: 916585;   UPC: 009421022600091 Producer: Paritua Vineyards Distributor: Vino Allegro Wine Imports Inc.

84/100 Bardosa Tempranillo Garnacha 2007 Cariñena, Aragon, Spain
Black cherry, peppery, tobacco leaf, smoky, licorice root, meaty, incense aromas. Fresh, somewhat tart acidity and warm with light tannins. Cherry kirsch, orange, blueberry jam, tobacco, licorice flavours. Tart, hot and hard, a replica of Oz wines but made in Spain.
Tasted: 2010-07-31 by AG-ST Prices: BC $14.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 922120;   UPC: 008437006190602 Producer: Bardosa Distributor: Vino Allegro Wine Imports Inc.

83/100 Ciao Chardonnay Organic (Grapes) Tetra Pak N/V Apulia, Italy
Marzipan, peach skin, floral, apple skin aromas. Fresh, somewhat light and austere palate with pear, mineral, peach skin, floral, bitter grassy flavours.
Tasted: 2010-07-31 by AG-ST Prices: BC $0.00 (1000 ml) speculative listing - Stile Wines UPC: 008033116400145 Producer: Cantine Sgarzi Luigi Distributor: Stile Enterprises Ltd.

85/100 Line Shack Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 San Antonio Valley, Monterey County, Central Coast, California, United States
Toasted coconut, smoky liquorice, vanilla, coffee, leather nose with bits of barnyard, black cherry jam aromas. Round, tart, sweet and somewhat astringent on entry with more coffee, coconut, tobacco leaf, black olive, cassis, herbal meaty flavours. Hot, sweet and tart finish; never a good combination at this price.
Tasted: 2010-07-31 by AG-ST Prices: BC $25.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 262185;   UPC: 00189582000087 Producer: Line Shack Winery Distributor: Vino Allegro Wine Imports Inc.

87/100 Domaine de Mayrac Blanquette de Limoux Demi-Sec Organic N/V Limoux, Languedoc, South of France, France
Lots of white, foamy mousse but fairly fine bubbles. Light grapefruit, nutty, pear, green apple, lemon zest, leesy, garlic aromas. Fresh, crisp, foamy mousse palate with some good acidity to balance the light sweetness. Baked green apple, light garlic, pear, honey, nutty, lemon flavours. Fresh, easy style for any occasion.
Tasted: 2010-07-31 by AG-ST Prices: BC $27.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 212274;   UPC: 003760050550258 Producer: Domaine de Mayrac Distributor: Vino Allegro Wine Imports Inc.

87/100 Joie Muscat 2009 Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Big intense floral, spicy, soapy, ginger, orange, nectarine skin aromas with a touch of lychee and grapefruit. Crisp, fresh, easy palate with light intensity. Ginger, soapy, floral, grapefruit, mineral, lime flavours. The finish is surprisingly light and slightly tart given the intensity and upfront flavours. Enjoy this on the patio.
Tasted: 2010-07-31 by AG-ST Prices: BC $23.00 (750 ml) winery direct, private wine shops CSPC: 167239 Producer: JoieFarm Distributor: JoieFarm

84/100 Arrogant Frog Ribet Red 2008 Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, South of France, France
Incense, somewhat reduced nose with tobacco leaf, cedar bark, sappy cassis, herbal aromas. Dry, lean entry with herbal, black olive, savoury, cassis, earthy, tobacco leaf flavours and a touch of dry tannin in the finish. A rustic, country style for grilled meats or cheese.
Tasted: 2010-07-31 by AG-ST Prices: BC $14.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 384628;   UPC: 03760040421377 Producer: Domaines Paul Mas Distributor: Charton-Hobbs

83/100 Veo Grande Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, Chile
Sappy cassis, cedar bark, menthol, herbal, tobacco leaf, meaty aromas, more like carmenère than cab. Round, tart, somewhat lean palate with light tannins. Olive, resin, peppery, menthol, cedar bark, cassis, meaty, salty leather flavours. Very rustic and herbaceous style.
Tasted: 2010-07-31 by AG-ST Prices: BC $12.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 885772;   UPC: 00084279975122 Producer: Vinedos Errazuriz Ovalle Distributor: Whitefish Group

84/100 Jean Bousquet Cabernet Sauvignon (Organic Grapes) 2008 Mendoza, Argentina
Somewhat herbaceous, volatile nose with meaty, barnyard, olive, cassis, sweaty saddle, tobacco, chocolate aromas. Round, soft, somewhat sweet and sour entry with coffee, meaty, leather, licorice, Band-Aid, cassis and cherry flavours. Very commercial, sweet finish.
Tasted: 2010-07-31 by AG-ST Prices: BC $16.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 233502;   UPC: 00879716000037 Producer: Domaine Jean Bousquet Distributor: Landmark Selections

82/100 Veramonte Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2009 Valle del Colchagua, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, Chile
Reduced nose with tobacco leaf, herbal, black olive, green bean, meaty, cedar bark, resin, rubber aromas. Dry, round, supple but slightly lean with herbal, tobacco leaf, meaty, animal, cassis, menthol, coffee, barnyard and leather flavours. Unusual effort for this winery bets to wait for the next vintage.
Tasted: 2010-07-31 by AG-ST Prices: BC $15.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 494427;   UPC: 083085630294 Producer: Veramonte Estate Distributor: Landmark Selections

85/100 Stag’s Hollow Estate Merlot 2006 Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Coffee, plum jam, cedar, tobacco leaf, incense, herbal aromas. Dry, somewhat austere palate with dry tannins. Cedar, coffee, peppery, plum, meaty, tobacco, rooty flavours with some leather and vanilla. A bit too severe at this point but perhaps it will soften out in a few years.
Tasted: 2010-07-31 by AG-ST Prices: BC $25.00 (750 ml) winery direct CSPC: 550087;   UPC: 626990032823 Producer: Stag's Hollow Winery and Vineyard Distributor: Free House Wine & Spirits Ltd.

87/100 Stag’s Hollow Merlot Renaissance 2006 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Peppery, meaty, rooty, coffee, vanilla, tobacco, black cherry, olive aromas. Rich, full, somewhat lean and tart entry with dry, hard tannins. Coffee, tobacco leaf, black olive, resin, meaty, leather, vanilla, black cherry flavours. Finish is very warm with some tea tannins to shed. Good potential here if they can eliminate the last of the green tannins.
Tasted: 2010-07-31 by AG-ST Prices: BC $30.00 (750 ml) winery direct and private wine shops CSPC: 540757;   UPC: 626990025962 Producer: Stag's Hollow Winery and Vineyard Distributor: Free House Wine & Spirits Ltd.

88/100 Stag’s Hollow Merlot Renaissance 2007 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Coffee, spicy, mocha, vanilla, black cherry, savoury, liquorice, incense, tapenade, meaty aromas. Ripe, round, dry, slightly austere style but good finesse. Cedar, tobacco, coffee, smoked meat, peppery, vanilla, black cherry, licorice, savoury flavours. A bit warm and oaky with some green tea tannins but has solid core of fruit and the ability to improve over the next 2-4 years in bottle. Well done.
Tasted: 2010-07-31 by AG-ST Prices: BC $30.00 (750 ml) winery direct and private wine shops CSPC: 540757;   UPC: 626990025962 Producer: Stag's Hollow Winery and Vineyard Distributor: Free House Wine & Spirits Ltd.

84/100 Stag’s Hollow Heritage Block 1 Cabernet Merlot 2006 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Coffee, resin, cedar, tobacco, meaty, black cherry, green olive, herbal, savoury, medicinal nose. Dry, somewhat lean and tart palate with light, cedar-y tannins. Peppery, meaty, barnyard, leather, Band-Aid, earthy, saddle leather flavours. Solid but very rustic and Bretty.
Tasted: 2010-07-31 by AG-ST Prices: BC $25.00 (750 ml) winery direct and private wine shops CSPC: 115972;   UPC: 626990083122 Producer: Stag's Hollow Winery and Vineyard Distributor: Free House Wine & Spirits Ltd.

82/100 Stag’s Hollow Cabernet Sauvignon Renaissance 2007 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Green cassis, tobacco leaf, herbal, green olive, green bean, smoky, spicy, meaty aromas. Light, thin, tart palate with green, cedar-y tannins. Green olive, briny, sour cassis, meaty, leather, coffee flavours. Very green tannin, lean finish. Not much here.
Tasted: 2010-07-31 by AG-ST Prices: BC $23.00 (750 ml) winery direct and private wine shops CSPC: 406033;   UPC: 626990083139 Producer: Stag's Hollow Winery and Vineyard Distributor: Free House Wine & Spirits Ltd.

85/100 Quails' Gate Chasselas - Pinot Blanc - Pinot Gris 2009 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Green apple, pear, floral, buttery lees, mineral, citrus aromas. Fresh, round, somewhat sweet palate with floral, soapy, green apple, pear, grapefruit and honey flavours. Simple, fresh patio wine.
Tasted: 2010-07-31 by AG-ST Prices: BC $18.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 585737;   UPC: 77856108057 Producer: Quails' Gate Vineyards Estate Winery Distributor: Appellation Wine Marketing; Vincor Canada - A Constellation Company

88/100 Quails’ Gate Riesling Icewine 2008 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Super crisp style with that bright almost piercing acidity that keeps the sweetness in check. The flavours are a mix of intense floral apricot, orange cut with ripe tropical fruit notes. The finish is bracingly acidic, some might say tart but it does make you want to keep sipping. Not for the faint of a heart. The winery suggests you pair it with citrus crème brûlée.
Tasted: 2010-07-31 by AG-ST Prices: AB $35.00 (200 ml) fine wine shops; BC $35.00 (200 ml) specialty listing; MB $35.00 (200 ml); ON $35.00 (200 ml); SK $35.00 (200 ml) CSPC: 851337;   UPC: 778856308174 Producer: Quails' Gate Vineyards Estate Winery Distributor: Appellation Wine Marketing; Vincor Canada - A Constellation Company

87/100 Quails' Gate Chenin Blanc 2009 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Floral, nutty, grapefruit rind, mineral, grassy aromas. Fresh, crisp, juicy, off dry palate with lots of grapefruit rind, gooseberry, chalky, mineral, pear flavours. A fresh, rind-y, juicy style for the summer.
Tasted: 2010-07-31 by AG-ST Prices: AB $19.00 (750 ml); BC $19.00 (750 ml) winery direct, private wine shops; MB $19.00 (750 ml); ON $19.00 (750 ml); SK $19.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 391854;   UPC: 778856108033 Producer: Quails' Gate Vineyards Estate Winery Distributor: Appellation Wine Marketing; Vincor Canada - A Constellation Company

87/100 Cuvée du Haut-Censy Muscadet Sevre et Main Sur Lie 2008 Muscadet, Pays Nantais, Loire, France
Floral, pear skin, granny smith, nutty, lemon aromas. Dry, fresh, delicate, juicy palate with a nutty, pear, grapefruit, lemon, granny smith and mineral flavours. Not big but more finesse for warm or cool seafood.
Tasted: 2010-07-31 by AG-ST Prices: BC $16.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 635573;   UPC: 5023438123498 Producer: Domaine du Haut-Censy Distributor: The Seacove Group Inc.

88/100 Domaine du Clos du Bourg Chenin Blanc Demi-Sec 2008 Touraine, Loire, France
Citrus, pear, read apple, chalky, floral mineral, honey aromas. Ripe, rich, fresh, succulent but somewhat sweet with good acidity. Honey, red apple, baked pear, lemon, green apple skin flavours with a leesy, bready finish. Good flavours and balance for spicy Chinese food or to accompany fruit. Good value.
Tasted: 2010-07-31 by AG-ST Prices: BC $15.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 126508;   UPC: 03481730002002 Producer: Domaine du Clos du Bourg Distributor: Red Dog

0/100 Sélection Delas Viognier 2008 Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, South of France, France
Oxidized, try another bottle.
Tasted: 2010-07-31 by AG Prices: AB $14.00 (750 ml); BC $17.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - David Herman CSPC: 620492;   UPC: 1232153400034 Producer: Delas Distributor: David Herman & Son Ltd.

89/100 M. Chapoutier Domaine de Granges de Mirabel Viognier de l’Ardèche 2009 Côtes du Roussillon, Roussillon, South of France, France
White peach, marmalade, ginger, honey, floral, sappy aromas. Ripe, round, full bodied but elegant with mineral, ginger, light sausage, butter, peach skin, honey and butter flavours. A bit on the austere side but has good intensity and will age another three to five years in bottle.
Tasted: 2010-07-31 by AG-ST Prices: BC $23.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Pacific Wines & Spirits UPC: 03391182340938 Producer: M. Chapoutier Distributor: Pacific Wines & Spirits (1995) Ltd.

85/100 Monte Xanic Chenin Blanc Colombard 2008 Guadalupe, Baja California, Mexico
Nutty, spicy, light lees, pear, apple skin aromas with a touch of maraschino cherry. Rich, round, fairly sweet entry with baked apple, lemon rind, honey, nutty, buttery flavours. Finish is warm and somewhat tart and rind-y. Simple summer wine.
Tasted: 2010-07-31 by AG-ST Prices: BC $18.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Ramirez Investment Group CSPC: 778290;   UPC: 00656676010043 Producer: Monte Xanic Distributor: Ramirez Investment Group

88/100 Saumur Lieu-dit Les Pouches 2008 Saumur, Loire, France
Grapefruit, green apple, floral, light honey and slate aromas. Fresh, crisp, elegant, juicy and ripe palate with a hint of sweetness but good acidity. Green apple, pear, honey, grapefruit, spicy and chalk flavours. Good elegant and juicy wine for salmon. The price increase would be easier to take if the winery switched to screwcap ensuring the freshness of every bottle.
Tasted: 2010-07-31 by AG-ST Prices: BC $18.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 284968;   UPC: 00185961000075 Producer: Alliance Loire Distributor: Waldorf Wine Group Inc.

88/100 La Face Cachée de la Pomme 2007 Quebec, Canada
Canned apple, touch of plasticene, spicy, mineral aromas. Ripe, rich, sweet entry but also very crisp with mineral, baked apple, cinnamon, light honey flavours. Fun iced-dessert style apple wine you can serve solo or with a variety of light fruity desserts.
Tasted: 2010-07-30 by AG-ST Prices: BC $25.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 114512;   UPC: 841125075074 Producer: La Face Cachée de la Pomme Distributor: Charton-Hobbs

88/100 Summerhill Pyramid Riesling Icewine 2007 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Slightly tired nose of backed apricot, with smoky, mineral orange fruit flavours. Fine mid-palate acidity in what is a slightly tighter skinnier version than past efforts, which is probably a good thing. Good balance of sugar and acidity but this one needs drinking now. The grapes were estate grown at Summerhill's certified organic vineyard in East Kelowna.
Tasted: 2010-07-30 by AG-ST Prices: BC $55.00 (200 ml) speculative listing - Renaissance Wines CSPC: 645945;   UPC: 779000448487 Producer: Summerhill Pyramid Winery Distributor: Renaissance Wine Merchants Ltd.

87/100 Summerhill Pyramid Pinot Noir Icewine 2007 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Rooty bizarre smoked bacon nose and flavours. Herby, sweet rhubarb and strawberry flavours with more smoky bacon highlights. Different is the best thing I can say about this wine that may be past its prime, at least in this bottle size. The price is crazy.
Tasted: 2010-07-30 by AG-ST Prices: BC $65.00 (200 ml) speculative listing - Renaissance Wines CSPC: 179689;   UPC: 779000448388 Producer: Summerhill Pyramid Winery Distributor: Renaissance Wine Merchants Ltd.

88/100 Boutari Santorini White 2009 Aegean Islands - Santorini, The Islands, Greece
Taste something different. Open nutty, chalky, floral, spicy, lemon and quince aromas with a grassy note. Dry and rich with a fresh, slightly oily and juicy palate. Lemon oil, butter, nutty quince and apricot flavours with a chalky, pear note. Similar to last vintage made in a rich and juicy style for seafood. Again, very unique style that is well worth investigating
Tasted: 2010-07-30 by AG-ST Prices: AB $17.00 (750 ml) private wine stores; BC $20.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $18.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 270017;   UPC: 5201022565217 Producer: J. Boutari & Sons Wineries S.A. Distributor: The Bacchus Group Inc.

84/100 Serafino Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
At 14.5 percent this cabernet is both warm and skinny with a pronounced acidic and tart character on the palate and throughout the finish. Intense cedar, plum and smoky ash flavours with more acidity poking through the finish. Awkward, hollow, acidic, unpleasant cabernet.
Tasted: 2010-07-30 by AG-ST Prices: BC $26.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Patagonia Imports CSPC: 093575;   UPC: 009329743003002 Producer: Serafino Wines Distributor: Burrows and Luongo & Associates Inc.

84/100 St. Hubertus Chasselas 2008 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Floral, pear, leesy, lemon aromas. Soft, round, tart palate with leesy, citrus, green apple, soapy floral flavours. A basic, clean fresh summer sipper for light foods.
Tasted: 2010-07-30 by AG-ST Prices: BC $16.00 (750 ml) winery direct, VQA and private wine shops CSPC: 436717;   UPC: 625259101072 Producer: St. Hubertus Estate Winery Distributor: Harvest Select Wines; St. Hubertus Vineyard

88/100 Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Puente Alto, Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, Chile
Consistently rich and savoury with a pronounced thyme aroma streaked with coffee, liquorice, smoke and ash. The attack is warm and full with jammy black liquorice fruit and plenty of soft dry tannins in the back end. Ripe fleshy hedonistic style with balance and length. Good value cabernet that would be best with grilled meat now, or another two to three years in bottle. Great new lower price too.
Tasted: 2010-07-30 by AG-ST Prices: AB $23.00 (750 ml) private wine shops; BC $20.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; NF $24.00 (750 ml); NS $25.00 (750 ml); ON $20.00 (750 ml) Vintages Essentials CSPC: 337238;   UPC: 07804320333175 Producer: Vina Concha y Toro S.A. Distributor: Select Wine Merchants

87/100 Norton Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2006 Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, Argentina
Warm open nose of ripe cabernet with ripe blackberry fruit, cassis and a touch of stewed strawberries. The palate is warm and soft with peppery liquorice red fruit flavours and just a dash of tannin. Decent value. Serve it with hamburgers and simple grilled meat dishes.
Tasted: 2010-07-30 by AG Prices: BC $19.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 201152;   UPC: 007792319678003 Producer: Bodega Norton Distributor: Peter Mielzynski Agencies

87/100 Katnook Founder's Block Cabernet Shiraz 2006 Coonawarra, South Australia, Australia
Coffee, peppery, black olive, cassis, tobacco leaf, cedar, slightly rubbery aromas. Dry, fresh, suave palate but a bit austere with cassis, coffee, peppery, leafy, tobacco, resin, cedar flavours. Solid effort for current consumption. Best with beef.
Tasted: 2010-07-30 by AG-ST Prices: AB $21.00 (750 ml); BC $20.00 (750 ml); NB $21.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 263830;   UPC: 636662041220 Producer: Katnook Estate Pty Ltd Distributor: Charton-Hobbs

86/100 Katnook Founder's Block Shiraz 2006 Coonawarra, South Australia, Australia
Peppery, liquorice, leather, leafy, tobacco, blackberry aromas with a bit of olive and blueberry. Round, fresh, ripe palate but dry with coffee, tobacco, black cherry kirsch, vanilla, coconut, resin and sausage flavours. Finish is dry and a bit cedar-y with blueberry and light tannins.
Tasted: 2010-07-30 by AG-ST Prices: AB $21.00 (750 ml); BC $20.00 (750 ml); NB $21.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; NF $21.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 274464;   UPC: 636662042623 Producer: Katnook Estate Pty Ltd Distributor: Charton-Hobbs

92/100 Mission Hill Reserve Riesling Ice Wine 2008 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Whenever conditions are right MH seems to hit a home run with its riesling icewines. In this case a vibrant acidity sets off the creamy floral, nectarine aromas and flavours offering up a fresh elegant icewine that would be a delicious dessert in itself. Big sweet attention grabbing icewine with enough acidity to make you want more than just a glass. Well done.
Tasted: 2010-07-30 by AG-ST Prices: AB $60.00 (375 ml) private wine shops; BC $60.00 (375 ml) winery direct and private wine shops CSPC: 240127;   UPC: 776545995216 Producer: Mission Hill Family Estate Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants; Mission Hill Winery

86/100 Trio Barrel Aged Chardonnay - Verdejo - Airen 2009 Castilla-Leon, Spain
Melon, floral, nutty, rose petal, lemon oil, honey and peach skin nose with a buttery note. Dry, fresh, elegant but somewhat austere style. Lemon oil, pear, nectarine skin, melon, rose and passion fruit flavours. Good solid dry white for any type of seafood. Good value.
Tasted: 2010-07-30 by AG-ST Prices: BC $12.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - The Seacove Group CSPC: 557348;   UPC: 008437010128141 Producer: Bodegas Arúspide Distributor: The Seacove Group Inc.

88/100 Château Gaudrelle 2007 Vouvray, Touraine, Loire, France
Floral, cooked pear, spicy, red apple, honeyed nose. Fresh, crisp, juicy, creamy palate with some sweetness. Quince, honey, floral, orange, green apple, pear, peppery flavours. Good finesse and fruit for current consumption. Fun and fresh.
Tasted: 2010-07-30 by AG-ST Prices: BC $25.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; ON $23.00 (750 ml) consignment - Hobbs & Co. CSPC: 309567;   UPC: 3466600710041 Producer: Château Gaudrelle Distributor: Hobbs & Co. Wine Merchants Inc.; The Seacove Group Inc.

88/100 Jean Leon Magnolia Chardonnay 2009 Penedès, Catalunya, Spain
Quince, citrus, floral, spicy, white peach, chalky, melon aromas. Round, fresh, crisp, juicy palate with spicy, floral, citrus, lemon oil, melon, and green apple flavours. Good fresh fruit and balance for seafood. Solid value here.
Tasted: 2010-07-30 by AG-ST Prices: BC $18.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Pacific Wines & Spirits UPC: 0008422864317056 Producer: Miguel Torres Spain Distributor: Pacific Wines & Spirits (1995) Ltd.

87/100 Quinta da Aveleda Vinho Verde 2008 Vinhos Verde, Northern Portugal, Portugal
Pear, chalky, melon rind, citrus, nutty aromas. Fresh, crisp, light palate with juicy acidity. Green melon, pear, quince, lemon, green apple, zesty flavours. Not big but very elegant with flavours matched to summer seafood. Solid value.
Tasted: 2010-07-30 by AG-ST Prices: BC $14.00 (750 ml) Everything Wine; NF $12.00 (750 ml); NS $12.00 (750 ml); ON $10.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 114223;   UPC: 5601096227309 Producer: Quinta da Aveleda Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants

87/100 Canti Estate Gavi 2009 Piedmont, Italy
Fresh almond, citrus, floral, pear, nectarine skin with a touch of honey. Fresh, crisp, round, off dry entry with lemon, honey, grapefruit, nutty, mineral, quince and pear flavours. Good freshness and balance for current drinking. Good value here. One can only imagine how it would perform under Stelvin because making us pull a piece of tree bark out of the neck of this bottle seems incredibly old school.
Tasted: 2010-07-30 by AG-ST Prices: BC $15.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 861708;   UPC: 008005415044191 Producer: Canti Estate Distributor: Authentic Wine and Spirits Merchants

0/100 Torres Mas Rabell 2006 Catalunya, Spain
Corked, try another but very mature vintage.
Tasted: 2010-07-30 by AG Prices: BC $14.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Pacific Wines & Spirits CSPC: 252916;   UPC: 8410113001337 Producer: Miguel Torres Spain Distributor: Pacific Wines & Spirits (1995) Ltd.

86/100 Fess Parker Viognier 2008 Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United States
Barrel fermented nose with lees, vanilla, coconut, canned pineapple, honey, candied ginger nose. Fat, round, soft, somewhat sweet entry with vanilla cream, honey, butter, tropical, canned fruit flavours. Very heavy and sweet controversial wine style. Some will love it; others will be less than thrilled.
Tasted: 2010-07-29 by AG-ST Prices: AB $30.00 (750 ml) UPC: 718038555781 Producer: Fess Parker Winery and Vineyard Distributor: Pacific Wines & Spirits (1995) Ltd.

85/100 Cycles Gladiator Syrah 2008 Central Coast, California, United States
Tobacco leaf, rooty, menthol, cola, blackberry, blueberry and barnyard aromas. Round, soft, supple palate with fresh acidity but very suave. Herbal, coffee, vanilla, resin, leather, blueberry flavours. Warm and leafy but smooth and glodsy in the backend.
Tasted: 2010-07-29 by AG-ST Prices: BC $17.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $15.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 197483;   UPC: 086788333578 Producer: Cycles Winery Distributor: Landmark Selections

87/100 M. Chapoutier Domaine de Granges de Mirabel Viognier de l’Ardèche 2008 Côtes du Roussillon, Roussillon, South of France, France
Honey butter, five spice, orange, ginger, sausage, butter, mineral aromas. Round, ripe, slightly fat entry with a bit of sweetness. Ginger, honey, butter, mineral, sausage, cooked peach and orange flavours. Solid fruit but a bit too heavy and fat.
Tasted: 2010-07-29 by AG-ST Prices: BC $24.00 (750 ml) specialty listing UPC: 03391182340839 Producer: M. Chapoutier Distributor: Pacific Wines & Spirits (1995) Ltd.

86/100 Inycon Estate Fiano 2009 Sicily, Italy
Orange, floral, spicy, honey, pear and quince aromas, very attractive fresh fruit aromas. Ripe, round, rich, slightly sweet entry with honey, orange, mineral, butter, citrus rind, baked pear flavours. Good intensity and ripeness if a sweet and heavy. The synthetic cork has to go.
Tasted: 2010-07-29 by AG-ST Prices: BC $14.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 169946;   UPC: 008000254001749 Producer: Domaine Inycon Distributor: Grady Wine Marketing

88/100 Yalumba Y Series Viognier 2008 Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia
Good fresh nectarine skin, baked orange, ginger, honey, light butter and mango aromas. Rich, round, off dry, slightly austere palate with buttery, orange, honey, mango, marmalade flavours. Rich and warm with good fruit but a bit heavy. Back to solid form along with a very smart new looking package.
Tasted: 2010-07-29 by AG-ST Prices: AB $19.00 (750 ml) fine wine shops; BC $18.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; NF $18.00 (750 ml); ON $14.95 (750 ml) Vintages; QC $17.00 (750 ml); SK $18.00 (750 ml); YK $18.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 624502;   UPC: 9311789475974 Producer: Yalumba Wine Company Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants; Negociants International

87/100 San Lorenzo Chenin Blanc Chardonnay & Colombard 2009 Mexico
Nutty lees, spicy, honey, butter, baked pear, orange and peach skin aromas. Round, fresh, off dry, full with ripe pear, red apple, honey, nutty, butter, creamy, waxy, lemon flavours. Good overall intensity for chicken or seafood. A big improvement here in Mexican whites.
Tasted: 2010-07-29 by AG-ST Prices: BC $18.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Ramirez Investment Group CSPC: 123927;   UPC: 007503002087251 Producer: Casa Madero Distributor: Ramirez Investment Group

93/100 Mission Hill S.L.C. Riesling Icewine 2005 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Recently retasted and still fabulous. Pear, light apricot, orange, butter, and green apple aromas in an elegant, crisp, fresh icewine that is sweet but not cloying. The palate is awash orange, lime, apricot, butter and peach skin flavours. Finesse and elegance in a super-rich package and ageing well.
Tasted: 2010-07-26 by AG-ST Prices: AB $80.00 (750 ml) fine wine boutiques; BC $80.00 (375 ml) specialty listing; ON $80.00 (375 ml) private order - Mark Anthony; QC $80.00 (375 ml) CSPC: 444794;   UPC: 776545995650 Producer: Mission Hill Family Estate Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants; Mission Hill Winery

90/100 Beringer Chardonnay 2008 Napa Valley, California, United States
The last time I tasted this wine (the 2005) I called it “Ed Lite” in homage of Ed Sbragia and the fine work and style transformation going on at Beringer under winemaker Laurie Hook’s watch. The ’08 is even better playing all the right leesy, nutty, green apple notes with bits of pear and peach and creamy, spicy textures. The finish is equally balanced with some exotic orange flecks. Make no mistake this is Napa chardonnay but all dressed up and ready for prime time. love the new 'bargain' price too.
Tasted: 2010-07-26 by AG-ST Prices: AB $25.00 (750 ml) fine wine shops; BC $25.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $35.00 (750 ml); NF $30.00 (750 ml); ON $25.00 (750 ml); QC $27.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 348342;   UPC: 00089819072965 Producer: Beringer Napa Valley Vineyards Distributor: Beringer Blass Wines Estates; Foster's Wine Estates

92/100 Pintia Toro 2005 Toro, Castilla-Leon, Spain
It is year five for this muscular, 100 per cent tempranillo, owned by Vega Sicilia but grown in the warmer climes of Toro. Big and rich on entry this heady red comes with a palate full of black fruit, chocolate and vanilla. Still smothered under young and somewhat obvious oak flavours you could drink it now with a steak or even roast lamb, otherwise lay this down for another five years minimum.
Tasted: 2010-07-25 by AG-ST Prices: BC $70.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; BC $185.00 (1500 ml) speculative listing - Mark Anthony Brands; ON $65.00 (750 ml); ON $169.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 675306;   UPC: 008436028610297 Producer: Bodegas Vega Sicilia Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants

87/100 Campo Viejo Reserva 2005 Rioja, Spain
A selection of vineyard lots, the ‘reserva’ contains all three Rioja grapes tempranillo, mazuelo and graciano. The entry is almost sweet with ripe cherries, bits of vanilla, toasted oak, spice and mushroom. The finish is warm and slightly acidic but with some polish. Beef and rice would be a good match. The wine is aged 18 months in oak and 18 months in bottle. Ready to drink.
Tasted: 2010-07-25 by AG-ST Prices: BC $17.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $20.00 (750 ml); NB $20.50 (750 ml); NF $21.50 (750 ml); NS $22.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 190629;   UPC: 8410302106300 Producer: Campo Viejo Distributor: Charton-Hobbs

85/100 Oak Bay Vineyard Marechal Foch 2008 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
No big surprises here. Look for a smoky, grapey, meaty, coffee aromas with a hint of tomato leaf. The attack is rich and smooth with aggressive meaty, smoky, tobacco, black cherry, and black olive flavours. Will have appeal for foch fans. Best with hearty stew dishes or cassoulet southern France style.
Tasted: 2010-07-25 by AG-ST Prices: BC $19.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 462507;   UPC: 625259206074 Producer: St. Hubertus Estate Winery Distributor: Harvest Select Wines; St. Hubertus Vineyard

85/100 Oak Bay Vineyard Pinot Meunier 2008 East Kelowna, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Aromatic herbal, spicy, compost nose with a bit of black cherry and celery salt. The entry is lean and sharp with leafy black cherry fruit, pomegranate and black olives. Try this with grilled chicken or mushroom risotto.
Tasted: 2010-07-25 by AG-ST Prices: BC $16.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 436766;   UPC: 625259208085 Producer: St. Hubertus Estate Winery Distributor: Harvest Select Wines; St. Hubertus Vineyard

89/100 Marques de Casa Concha Merlot 2007 Puemo, Valle del Cachapoal, Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, Chile
Open warm, minty nose with chocolate, cherry and dried herbs. Almost identical entry with sweet soft round red fruit with a peppery savoury dried herb mid-palate and chocolate cherry cinnamon finish. Good length and gloss and fine extract. A riper cleaner version than we have seen in years. Very attractive and ready to drink. Perfect for roast beef. Love the value here.
Tasted: 2010-07-25 by AG-ST Prices: AB $23.00 (750 ml) private wine shops; BC $20.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Select Wine Merchants; NF $22.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 706747;   UPC: 07804320253480 Producer: Vina Concha y Toro S.A. Distributor: Select Wine Merchants

88/100 Penfolds Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2008 South Eastern Australia, Australia
Kudos to Peter Gago and crew for resurrecting this brand over the years. He should be running Fosters and making the beer too. Love the pure fruit here and the spicy liquorice, black cherry, cassis notes. Expect a solid red blend that will perform well with myriad food possibilities.
Tasted: 2010-07-25 by AG-ST Prices: AB $16.00 (750 ml) fine wine boutiques; BC $17.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $16.00 (750 ml); NB $18.50 (750 ml); NF $17.50 (750 ml); NS $18.00 (750 ml); ON $16.50 (750 ml); PEI $12.50 (750 ml); QC $18.00 (750 ml); SK $18.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 285544;   UPC: 012354071445 Producer: Penfolds Distributor: Foster's Wine Estates; Southcorp Wines Canada

88/100 Skillogalee Basket Pressed Shiraz 2006 Clare, Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia
Hand-picked, dry-farmed, basket-pressed the fruit comes off vineyards at 450m above sea level. Expect a soft, dark, peppery, cedar-y fruit with a spicy minty streak thorough out. This is warm shiraz with a long spicy finish and a just a tweek of acidity poking through. Best with grilled lamb.
Tasted: 2010-07-25 by AG-ST Prices: BC $28.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Vino Allegro CSPC: 112557;   UPC: 09331634000878 Producer: Skillogalee Wines Distributor: Vino Allegro Wine Imports Inc.

87/100 Morandé Pionero Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, Chile
A bright mix of sweet tropical fruit with green fruit streaks and a dash of pepper on the nose. The palate is similar with aromatic fruit flavours of citrus and lime with gooseberry and a pinch of dried herbs. Typical fresh, Casablanca, cool fruit style perfect for grilled scallops or lemon chicken.
Tasted: 2010-07-25 by AG-ST Prices: BC $14.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Stile Wines CSPC: 074088;   UPC: 7804449104038 Producer: Viña Morandé Distributor: Los Vinos Merchants Ltd. / Stile Wines

84/100 Vina Maipo Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, Chile
Dry grassy citrus aromas and flavours that lack any serious fruity character. The palate has feint hints of gooseberry but the dryness and the grass overtake the palate in the finish. Simple sauvignon that lacks real character. The price is fair but for anther dollar or tow you have myriad choices from South Africa, New Zealand and Chile.
Tasted: 2010-07-25 by AG-ST Prices: BC $13.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 097634;   UPC: 007804320064949 Producer: Vina Maipo Distributor: Select Wine Merchants

87/100 Nederburg Twenty Ten Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Western Cape, South Africa
From a multitude of sources and grapes planted as early as 1969 and as late as 1998. The grapes are picked at a fresh 21 to 22 brix and fermented in all stainless steel with yeast contact. Look for a fresh yellow green colour with a bright grassy citrus nose and clean tropical fruit flavours with a dry grassy finish. Great with goat cheese summer pasta salads and grilled chicken.
Tasted: 2010-07-25 by AG Prices: AB $14.99 (750 ml) private wine shops; BC $16.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $14.99 (750 ml); ON $15.99 (750 ml) UPC: 06001108049780 Producer: Nederburg Wines (Pty) Ltd. Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants

88/100 1884 Reservado Malbec 2009 Mendoza, Argentina
A wine list stalwart in Vancouver the 1884 is classic malbec with its intense colour, peppery savoury fruit and plush character. I’m happy to report this version is drier than previous efforts making it easier to get through the bottle. Crazy value at $18 and works well the most anything on the barbecue. Still young and fresh with some gritty tannins but they will dissipate going forward.
Tasted: 2010-07-25 by AG-ST Prices: BC $17.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 770925;   UPC: 00722358070008 Producer: Bodegas Escorihuela Gascon Distributor: David Herman & Son Ltd.

87/100 Doña Paula Los Cardos Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Tupungato, Central Region, Mendoza, Argentina
Marlborough or Mendoza? It is priced like Mendoza but tastes like New Zealand. Bright yellow grapefruit, intense gooseberry and light mineral, bell pepper aromas. Fresh juicy entry with nettle, grassy gooseberry fruit and just a squeeze of citrus and asparagus. Grilled chicken anyone. White wine for wine drinkers.
Tasted: 2010-07-25 by AG-ST Prices: AB $14.00 (750 ml) private wine shops; BC $15.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Mark Anthony Brands; NF $15.00 (750 ml); NS $15.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 026161;   UPC: 00836950000087 Producer: Doña Paula Estate Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants

87/100 Caliterra Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2008 Valle de Casablanca, Region de Aconcagua, Chile
Classic nettle, passion fruit, lime rind and with a dash of ripe red apple. The entry is round with a touch of sweetness followed by citrus, passion fruit, nettle, honey grassy flavours. The finish is crisp and juicy with a touch of dryness in the end. Think light seafood dishes or shellfish. Fine value in what is essentially a single appellation label from Chile. Take that all you commercial blends.
Tasted: 2010-07-25 by AG-ST Prices: BC $12.45 (750 ml) specialty listing; QC $11.75 (750 ml) CSPC: 275909;   UPC: 00610444017030 Producer: Vina Caliterra Distributor: The Bacchus Group Inc.

87/100 Montalto Nero d'Avola Organic 2008 Sicily, Italy
It is no surprise Montalto is a family-run winery. Located in the west of Sicily most of what they produce hits the mark for quality and value. This néro is made with organically grown grapes sitting on average 300 meters above sea level. Hand harvest the wine has a wholesome quality with ripe almost sweet red fruit flavours a whack of liquorice and a smooth glossy textured finish. A versatile summer barbecue wine or winter fireplace red.
Tasted: 2010-07-24 by AG-ST Prices: BC $15.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 029645;   UPC: 008030423002192 Producer: Barone Montalto Distributor: Select Wine Merchants

83/100 Veo Grande Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Valle del Lontué, Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, Chile
A simple soft style sauvignon that lacks varietal character. Warm dry grassy entry and similar grassy warm notes on the palate. Simple dry finish. Lacks fruit and sauvignon definition.
Tasted: 2010-07-24 by AG-ST Prices: BC $12.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 833897;   UPC: 00084279976723 Producer: Vinedos Errazuriz Ovalle Distributor: Whitefish Group

88/100 Martin's Lane Riesling 2009 East Kelowna, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
An initial release based on collaboration between Mission Hill's owner and winemaker Anthony von Mandl and John Simes and well known Pfalz winery owner and winemaker Fritz Hasselbach. Expect a mineral, sea breeze, oyster shell nose with quite a soft-friendly palate with plenty of red apple/peach fruit flavours streaked with bits of orange and mineral. Solid, if a bit safe, for the first release.
Tasted: 2010-07-24 by AG Prices: BC $25.00 (750 ml) winery direct UPC: 776545995858 Producer: Mission Hill Family Estate Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants; Mission Hill Winery

86/100 Two Oceans Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Western Cape, South Africa
I’ve said it before and I will say it again South Africa has a flair for sauvignon and you can see it even in the bargain bottles. Two Oceans over delivers from its blend of vineyards and fruits across the Cape. Fresh, bright green fruit nose with bits of honey and an undercurrent of grass. Love the balance and fruit not to sweet not to bitter and the light passion fruit finish. Delicious easy drinking introductory sauvignon that over delivers for the price.
Tasted: 2010-07-23 by AG-ST Prices: BC $10.50 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 340380;   UPC: 6001497600616 Producer: Bergkelder, The (Distillers Corporation) Distributor: Peter Mielzynski Agencies

87/100 Fairview Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Grassy fresh, sea breeze, honey nose with bits of vanilla. The entry is round and soft with sweet lime fruit, butter, melon, ripe grapefruit flavours. Still a bit too woody for oysters but this is g but Good solid fruit core and balance if a touch oaky on the finish. Good stuff. Love to see it a bit drier and more austere.
Tasted: 2010-07-23 by AG Prices: BC $19.90 (750 ml) winery direct, restaurants CSPC: 188037;   UPC: 00850104000785 Producer: Fairview Cellars Distributor: Red Dog

87/100 Trivento Reserve Syrah 2008 Mendoza, Argentina
Another home run for Trivento. Rich almost dense meaty peppery, fruit with a full twist of liquorice and spice. Warm rustic, round and affordable this will tame most steaks and almost anything else grilled on the barbecue.
Tasted: 2010-07-21 by AG Prices: BC $13.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; NF $15.95 (750 ml) CSPC: 051219;   UPC: 07798039590434 Producer: Trivento Bodegas y Vinedos S.A Distributor: Select Wine Merchants

88/100 Trivento Cabernet Malbec Reserve 2008 Mendoza, Argentina
This wine seems to always over deliver beginning with its white pepper nose and fresh black berry jam aromas. Soft fat savoury fruit with bits of mocha, liquorice and black cherry jam and a dry peppery finish. Bring on the ribs and the hamburgers. Crazy value.
Tasted: 2010-07-21 by AG-ST Prices: AB $12.00 (750 ml) private wine shops; BC $13.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $12.00 (750 ml); NF $14.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 50948;   UPC: 7798039590137 Producer: Trivento Bodegas y Vinedos S.A Distributor: Select Wine Merchants

86/100 Pascual Toso Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Maipú, Northern Region, Mendoza, Argentina
Fresh kiwi, melon, and grassy mineral nose that is equally fresh and clean on the palate. Fresh, soft and round on entry with more melon, grapefruit, mineral and grassy flavours and a dry finish. Simple well-made affordable sauvignon blanc.
Tasted: 2010-07-21 by AG-ST Prices: AB $13.00 (750 ml) exclusive to Liquor Depot; BC $14.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; ON $13.00 (750 ml) LCBO; QC $14.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 135897;   UPC: 00718742001901 Producer: Pascual Toso Distributor: Authentic Wine and Spirits Merchants

87/100 Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc Private Bin 2009 Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
Classic passion fruit, oyster liqueur with bits of jalapeno and capsicum. Round, delicate and fresh on entry with kiwi, tinned asparagus, passion fruit and jalapeno flavours. Classic citrus herbaceous style that is made for mussels.
Tasted: 2010-07-21 by AG-ST Prices: BC $19.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 342350;   UPC: 009414416305528 Producer: Villa Maria Estate Ltd. Distributor: Peter Mielzynski Agencies

89/100 Finca Decero Cabernet Sauvignon Remolinas Vineyard 2008 Agrelo District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, Argentina
I’m always impressed with most Argentine cabernet sauvignon and the Decero is equally beguiling. The Remolinos (little whirlwinds) vineyard is 3500 feet above sea level. Love the spicy, pure mineral, floral, plummy/black cherry fruit flavours here. A lovely ripe style of cabernet with fine structure, bright acidity and lovely depth. Impressive red wine for the price.
Tasted: 2010-07-20 by AG-ST Prices: AB $21.00 (750 ml) private wine shops; BC $26.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Appellation Wine Marketing UPC: 00812105012204 Producer: Finca Decero Distributor: Appellation Wine Marketing

91/100 Finca Decero Mini Edicion Petit Verdot Remolinas Vineyard 2006 Agrelo District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, Argentina
A great vintage yields a small amount of hand made especially selected petit verdot that does not make it to the blend. Expect an inky dark colour in your glass. The entry has a strong mineral and cassis fruit character. The style is fresh and clean the tannins are rich but soft. Needs five years but you can drink it now with steak or roast lamb.
Tasted: 2010-07-20 by AG-ST Prices: AB $35.00 (750 ml) private wine shops; BC $40.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Appellation Wine Marketing UPC: 07798125585337 Producer: Finca Decero Distributor: Appellation Wine Marketing

89/100 Schloss Reinhartshausen Riesling Dry QBA 2008 Rheingau, Germany
Fairly tight skinny fresh, floral, green apple aromas with bits of lime and peach pit notes. The palate is super dry and crisp with delicate citrus and green apple skin flavours flecked with chalk and mineral and green fruits. Fine balance and intensity that will work well with a variety of foods.
Tasted: 2010-07-20 by AG-ST Prices: BC $20.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 219147;   UPC: 004005055007819 Producer: Weingut Schloss Reinhartshausen Distributor: Vino Allegro Wine Imports Inc.

92/100 Finca Decero Amano Remolinas Vineyard 2007 Agrelo District, Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, Argentina
The Amano Remolinos Vineyard is a 60/30/3/2/ malbec/cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot and tannat and boasts the same fresh, mineral, floral highlights as the cabernet and even the petit verdot. Rich, sumptuous and mouth-filling plummy fruit that you can drink now with grilled meats or cellar for three to five years.
Tasted: 2010-07-20 by AG-ST Prices: AB $60.00 (750 ml) private wine shops; BC $70.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Appellation Wine Marketing UPC: 00812105010101 Producer: Finca Decero Distributor: Appellation Wine Marketing

85/100 De Bortoli Emeri Pink Moscato N/V South Eastern Australia, Australia
Typically showy nose of floral fruit with hints of candied strawberry and ripe peach. The palate is similar with a persistent bead of mousse that helps to lighten the wine across the palate, but the finish is sweet. A fun aperitif style sparkler you can serve well chilled or that could double up with fresh fruit for dessert.
Tasted: 2010-07-20 by AG-ST Prices: BC $17.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $16.00 (750 ml); NF $16.00 (750 ml); QC $18.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 588392;   UPC: 9300752220086 Producer: De Bortoli Wines Distributor: Grady Wine Marketing

83/100 Cono Sur Tocornal Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Chile
Simple straight-up grassy grapefruit nose with bits of nettle and citrus. Green fruits and just a hint of sweetness dot the palate with refreshing acidity in the back end. Pretty solid value for the price and available in 1500 ml screwcap bottles for under $16.
Tasted: 2010-07-20 by AG-ST Prices: AB $15.00 (750 ml) private wine shops; BC $15.00 (1500 ml) speculative listing - Authentic Wines & Spirits; ON $14.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 306472;   UPC: 007804320355054 Producer: Vina Cono Sur Distributor: Authentic Wine and Spirits Merchants; Select Wine Merchants

83/100 Cono Sur Tocornal Chardonnay 2009 Chile
Simple fresh commercial well made chardonnay with soft apple/melon tropical fruits with a pinch of butter in the aftertaste. A party pleaser for the casual wine drinker. Serve with creamy pasta dishes.
Tasted: 2010-07-20 by AG-ST Prices: AB $15.00 (750 ml) private wine shops; BC $15.50 (750 ml) general listing; MB $16.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 376855;   UPC: 007804320357058 Producer: Vina Cono Sur Distributor: Authentic Wine and Spirits Merchants; Select Wine Merchants

84/100 Cono Sur Tocornal Cabernet Shiraz 2009 Chile
Simple, commercial red blend of cabernet and shiraz that slightly fatter and richer than its sister merlot blend. Think of this as the ultra-affordable hamburger red that can serve a crowd.
Tasted: 2010-07-20 by AG-ST Prices: AB $15.00 (750 ml) private wine shops; BC $15.50 (750 ml) general listing; ON $14.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 154617;   UPC: 007804320148960 Producer: Vina Cono Sur Distributor: Authentic Wine and Spirits Merchants; Select Wine Merchants

83/100 Cono Sur Tocornal Cabernet Merlot 2009 Chile
At $15.50 a magnum, or $7.25 a bottle, I guess all you can hope for is the wine doesn’t hurt you. In this case the earthy bell peppers, cassis and dried herbs are rustic but ready for anything coming off the grill. Lamb sausages are the tickets and pizza. Simple straight-up inexpensive red wine.
Tasted: 2010-07-20 by AG-ST Prices: AB $15.00 (750 ml) private wine shops; BC $15.50 (750 ml) general listing; MB $16.00 (750 ml); ON $14.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 257170;   UPC: 007804320345055 Producer: Vina Cono Sur Distributor: Authentic Wine and Spirits Merchants; Select Wine Merchants

86/100 Claar Cellars White Bluffs Riesling 2008 Columbia Valley, Washington, United States
Straight up, old-style, off-dry riesling with a candied, floral, citrus nose and a relatively flat texture. On the palate the attack is sweet with ripe, honeyed fruit flavours with bits of peach, pineapple and sweet melon. Serve it well chilled to combat the sugar or use it with spicy Pan Asian food stop tone down the heat.
Tasted: 2010-07-20 by AG-ST Prices: BC $23.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Vino Allegro Wine Imports CSPC: 232421;   UPC: 635552110176 Producer: Claar Cellars Distributor: Vino Allegro Wine Imports Inc.

87/100 Villa Maria Riesling Private Bin 2008 Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
A blend of fruit from Marlborough’s higher plains of the Awatere Valley and the old river bed of the Wairau Valley. Floral limey citrus aromas mixed with similar flavours with a dose of petrol and peach pit in the finish. Fresh, crisp and moderately dry serve this with a range of Pan Asian dishes or tries it with your favourite cheese.
Tasted: 2010-07-20 by AG-ST Prices: BC $17.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 067736;   UPC: 009414416216015 Producer: Villa Maria Estate Ltd. Distributor: Peter Mielzynski Agencies

86/100 Intrigue Nine (9) 2009 Lake Country, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Nine named after the vintage “’2009,” Nine is a blend of riesling, gewürztraminer and a touch of sémillon. Expect a high toned floral aroma with floral litchi, citrus fruit with a pinch of tropical fruit in the finish. Bright summery fresh and ready to drink. Try this with pork kebabs.
Tasted: 2010-07-20 by AG-ST Prices: BC $15.00 (750 ml) winery direct, VQA stores, private wine shops CSPC: 585364;   UPC: 627843005742 Producer: Intrigue Wines Ltd. Distributor: Winery Direct

90/100 8th Generation Vineyard Riesling 2008 Summerland, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Lovely zesty white fruit aromas with mineral, peach and apricot notes. The palate is lively and elegant and still quite youthful with red apple, lime, mineral, nectarine flavours that finish long. Amazing wines that speak to the 8 generations of knowledge gathered by this family.
Tasted: 2010-07-20 by AG-ST Prices: BC $20.00 (750 ml) winery direct CSPC: 328013;   UPC: 62699002070 Producer: 8th Generation Vineyard Distributor: Peacock and Martin Wine Merchants; Quaff Wine and Spirits

91/100 8th Generation Vineyard Riesling Classic 2009 Okanagan Falls, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Made from 20-plus year old vines, this classic style riesling has 9 per cent residual sugar but you barley detect it with the acidity so bright and fresh. Crisp crunchy citrus fruit with a dash of red apples this is a wine with endless food possibilities. A B.C. riesling for grownups. Well done.
Tasted: 2010-07-20 by AG-ST Prices: BC $20.00 (750 ml) winery direct UPC: 626990102069 Producer: 8th Generation Vineyard Distributor: Peacock and Martin Wine Merchants; Quaff Wine and Spirits

86/100 Arrogant Frog Ribet White Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, South of France, France
A lean dry crisp, grassy citrus nose previews a similar palate of passion fruit, citrus, lime rind and mineral. Super crisp and dry it would be perfect with most shellfish, particularly oysters. Finished under screwcap. A solid backyard white for the summer.
Tasted: 2010-07-20 by AG-ST Prices: BC $14.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; ON $13.00 (750 ml) consignment - The Yorkville Wine Company; QC $14.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 914002;   UPC: 3760040425009 Producer: Domaines Paul Mas Distributor: Charton-Hobbs

87/100 Codorníu Pinot Noir Brut N/V Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, Penedès, Catalunya, Spain
Fine open, fruity nose with bits of earthy, toasty mineral, raspberry black cherry aromas. Expect a dry entry with fresh, citrus, mineral black raspberry flavours. Well-made, delicious style rose sparkler that will work well with turkey, and light meats.
Tasted: 2010-07-20 by AG-ST Prices: BC $18.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $19.00 (750 ml); NF $20.00 (750 ml); ON $17.00 (750 ml) Vintages CSPC: 104034;   UPC: 08410013993626 Producer: Codorníu Distributor: Grady Wine Marketing

89/100 Domaine Mersiol Riesling 2006 Alsace, France
Surprisingly cool restrained elegant Alsace riesling with plenty of citrus and mineral highlights on the nose and in the flavours. This wine is both balanced and well-structured and will be a fine accompaniment to both light meats and seafood dishes. The vines are a minimum 20 years old grown on decomposed granite.
Tasted: 2010-07-18 by AG-ST Prices: BC $30.00 (750 ml) Producer: Domaine Mersiol Distributor: Liberty Merchant Company

87/100 JoieFarm Riesling iv 2009 Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Floral litchi, green apple skin, candied nose. The palate is fresh and soft with a sweet entry and mid-palate and fairly pronounced acidity and slightly sour finish. The flavours are a mix of peach/melon/grapefruit and ginger with a touch of oiliness in the finish. A simple, tasty style for summer sipping or try with spicy Pan Asian cuisine.
Tasted: 2010-07-17 by AG-ST Prices: BC $23.00 (750 ml) restaurants, private wine shops CSPC: 071233 Producer: JoieFarm Distributor: JoieFarm

88/100 CedarCreek Riesling 2009 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Floral, red apple, lanolin, honey, peach, citrus aromas. Fresh, round, easy style with a bit of sweetness. Good spicy, nectarine, lime, grapefruit, honey flavours with a bit of petrol and slate. Good intensity and fruity, juicy style but a bit too sweet and warm on the finish. Friendly for all.
Tasted: 2010-07-17 by AG-ST Prices: BC $18.00 (750 ml) winery direct, VQA wine shops CSPC: 217166;   UPC: 778913029028 Producer: CedarCreek Estate Winery Distributor: Free House Wine & Spirits Ltd.

88/100 Selbach S Riesling 2008 Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany
A carbon copy of last year featuring green and nectarine skin with bits of peach, slate and honey. If anything this version is cleaner with creamy bright acidity and just a hint of sweetness and delicious peachy red apple and pear fruit flavours with a slice of lemon squeezed over it. Perfect for most summer salads.
Tasted: 2010-07-17 by AG-ST Prices: BC $16.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 023242;   UPC: 00717215002582 Producer: J & H Selbach Distributor: Waldorf Wine Group Inc.

89/100 St. Urbans-Hof Riesling Qualitatswein 2008 Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany
This is always an elegant wine with crispy, crunchy fruit and that wonderful mix of acidity and smoky fruit that makes your mouth water. Bright fresh dry and succulent with a touch of slate in the background, it is a wine that will make you sing. Best of all it will pair well with a wide variety of foods.
Tasted: 2010-07-17 by AG-ST Prices: AB $18.00 (750 ml) private wine stores; BC $20.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 597997;   UPC: 004013231000066 Producer: Weingut St. Urbans-Hof Distributor: Renaissance Wine Merchants Ltd.

85/100 Bree Riesling 2008 Pfalz, Germany
You can’t miss the Bree bottle that looks more like a modern spirits container. This is modern cheap riesling that just a bit too sweet for its structure. Bubble gum and candy mix with sour fruit and a touch of lemonade. Chill this one right down and serve it on the patio before dinner.
Tasted: 2010-07-17 by AG-ST Prices: AB $16.00 (750 ml) private wine shops; BC $16.50 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 210807;   UPC: 084279979816 Producer: Peter Mertes Distributor: Renaissance Wine Merchants Ltd.

86/100 Deinhard Green Label Riesling 2008 Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany
The perfect introductory riesling for those wanting to move from the sweet version to off-dry and drier version. Expect the Mosel characters, freshness and fruit to dominate the palate along with citrus and lime with just a touch of mouth-watering sourness. Easy simple drinkable and fun all with lovey low alcohol. Try it with grilled asparagus and halibut. Great value in Ontario.
Tasted: 2010-07-17 by AG-ST Prices: AB $13.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; BC $15.00 (750 ml) Specialty; ON $12.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 008094;   UPC: 4003310654914 Producer: Deinhard KG Koblenz Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants

88/100 Finca Iscorta Rioja Riserva 2003 Rioja Alta, Rioja, Spain
Smoky, saddle leather and prune aromas mix with vanilla, tobacco, earthy, coconut and Oxo aromas. Ripe, round, supple and warm palate with good concentration and acidity. More pruny, smoky leather, cherry jam, vanilla, coffee, tobacco and rooty flavours with a bit of olive and garrigue on the finish. A bit warm and oaky but has a solid core of fruit. Best with grilled lamb or rabbit.
Tasted: 2010-07-16 by AG-ST Prices: BC $20.00 (750 ml) Producer: Señorío de P.Peciña Distributor: Waldorf Wine Group Inc.

87/100 Old Vines Garnacha de Fuego 2008 Calatayud, Aragon, Spain
Black cherry jam, liquorice, chocolate, smoky, menthol, peppery, slightly reduced nose. Round, ripe, supple and fresh palate with black cherry, black plum, peppery, orange spice, clove flavours with a licorice and tobacco finish. Fresh and plush with fruit to go. Serve with pork or poultry dishes.
Tasted: 2010-07-16 by AG-ST Prices: AB $14.00 (750 ml) private wine stores; BC $16.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 255745;   UPC: 08437005068131 Producer: Bodegas Ateca Distributor: Christopher Stewart Wines and Spirits Inc.

90/100 Atteca Old Vines Vieilles Vignes 2008 Calatayud, Aragon, Spain
Big black liquorice, smoky, garrigue, spicy, floral, black cherry jam, plum slate and black pepper aromas. Ripe, rich round and dry with a warm, fresh palate with light tannins. Smoky, garrigue, menthol, ash, peppery, black cherry jam, black plum, savoury flavours with an orange and spice finish. A bit young and warm at this stage but has good fruit and finesse. Drink now or over the next three years. Solid value here.
Tasted: 2010-07-16 by AG-ST Prices: AB $14.00 (750 ml) private wine stores; BC $26.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 815688;   UPC: 08437005068230 Producer: Bodegas Ateca Distributor: Christopher Stewart Wines and Spirits Inc.

87/100 Vina Zaco Tempranillo 2006 Rioja, Spain
Tobacco, black pepper, cherry, leather, vanilla, smoky, Oxo, Band-Aid aromas. Round, fresh, supple palate with cherry jam, orange spice, black pepper, tobacco, meaty, barnyard flavours with a bit of coffee and leather. Warm but good fruit in a slightly rustic style.
Tasted: 2010-07-16 by AG-ST Prices: BC $19.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 537399;   UPC: 008411543115014 Producer: Bodegas Bilbainas Distributor: Grady Wine Marketing

86/100 Chook Shed Shiraz 2008 Barossa Valley, South Australia, Australia
All Barossa fruit is the attraction here along with its dark, inky colour code. Expect a ripe raspberry, black cherry nose with blueberries underneath and plenty of liquorice and spice. The finish is warm and oaky with more spicy, jammy fruit. Try this with pulled pork or other barbecued meats.
Tasted: 2010-07-15 by AG-ST Prices: BC $15.00 (750 ml) CSPC: 011114;   UPC: 009335173000016 Producer: Rosedale Winery Distributor: Christopher Stewart Wines and Spirits Inc.

86/100 LoTengo Malbec 2009 Luján de Cuyo, Northern Region, Mendoza, Argentina
Typical Lo Tengo: medium bodied, fresh, savoury smoky red with a touch of sweet, spicy, red fruit underneath. The textures are soft, the style approachable if predictable. Try this with beef or lamb sausages grilled on the barbecue.
Tasted: 2010-07-15 by AG-ST Prices: BC $14.00 (750 ml) specialty listing CSPC: 080986;   UPC: 07792319676269 Producer: Bodega Norton Distributor: Peter Mielzynski Agencies