Results For Date Search ( 2005-01-09 to 2005-01-16 )

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85/100 Errazuriz Cabernet Sauvignon Estate 2002 Valle de Aconcagua, Region de Aconcagua, Chile
Minty, sappy, cassis, peppery, spicy nose. Soft, round and a bit chunky with some tannins. Smoky, peppery, spicy, minty cassis flavours. A bit tannic and dry but has good fruit flavours. Solid for the vintage
Tasted: 2005-01-16 by AG-ST Prices: AB $14.99 (750 ml) private wine shops; BC $15.20 (750 ml) general listing; MB $11.41 (750 ml); ON $13.55 (750 ml); QC $14.95 (750 ml) CSPC: 284125;   UPC: 089046777312 Producer: Vina Errazuriz Distributor: Philippe Dandurand Wines Ltd

84/100 Sunrise Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 Region del Valle Central, Chile
Typical earthy minty ‘inexpensive’ Chilean cabernet nose. Fairly soft entry with herbal cassis fruit flavours and dry chalky tannins. This is serviceable red wine for hamburgers or an inexpensive by-the-glass pour.
Tasted: 2005-01-16 by AG-ST Prices: AB $9.50 (750 ml); BC $10.40 (750 ml) General; MB $8.95 (750 ml); NB $9.99 (750 ml); NS $10.45 (750 ml); ON $8.80 (750 ml) CSPC: 047951;   UPC: 7804320349114 Producer: Vina Concha y Toro S.A. Distributor: Select Wine Merchants

84/100 Obikwa Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 Western Cape, South Africa
Nothing much complicated here. This is inexpensive, slightly vegetal cabernet sauvignon the slips down easily. A modicum of fruit, soft tannins and slightly elevated acidity mix to make this a solid mid-week sipper.
Tasted: 2005-01-16 by AG-ST Prices: BC $9.99 (750 ml) Specialty CSPC: 154906;   UPC: 6001108002846 Producer: Distell - Obikwa Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants

90/100 Gainey Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2003 Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United States
The style is fresh with mineral lemongrass and just a hint of orange peel. With 24 per cent sémillon in the mix the wine has a real citrus bent. The textures are clean the taste zippy. There’s still some transitional creaminess on the mid-palate but this sauvignon is headed for the refreshing, New Zealand style at top speed. The fermentation is 45 per cent tank fermented, and 55 per cent barrel fermented and it’s aged for seven months in only six per cent new oak.
Tasted: 2005-01-16 by AG-ST Prices: US $14.00 (750 ml) Retail Producer: Gainey Vineyard Distributor:

92/100 Bernardus Sauvignon Blanc Griva Vineyard 2003 Salinas Valley, Arroyo Seco, Monterey County, Central Coast, California, United States
The Griva vineyard in the cool windswept Arroyo Seco AVA is planted exclusively to the Musqué clone of Sauvignon Blanc. The fragrant clone seems to thrive in the sandy cobblestone soils issuing a first class sauvignon that’s simply delicious to drink. Look for mouth-watering lime rind and grassy/herbal notes that span a spectrum of fruit flavours from tight mineral/citrus to ripe melon and gooseberry. Great intensity but with balance. Well done.
Tasted: 2005-01-16 by AG Prices: US $20.00 (750 ml) Producer: Bernardus Winery and Vineyard Distributor:

89/100 Bernardus Sauvignon Blanc 2003 Monterey County, Central Coast, California, United States
Solid, straight up Monterey County sauvignon blanc with a clean fresh demeanour. Lime rind and grapefruit make you want to drink it immediately. Just enough sweetness in the back to entice a wide range of consumers. Long bright and fun to sip especially out-of-doors in warm weather.
Tasted: 2005-01-16 by AG-ST Prices: US $15.00 (750 ml) Retail Producer: Bernardus Winery and Vineyard Distributor:

85/100 Brander Sauvignon Blanc Cuvée Nicolas 2003 Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United States
Fresh citrus style on the nose with limon notes but the flavours are broad and sweet. There's 25 per cent sémillon in the blend but it all appears riper than normal - perhaps mimicking the warm growing season. With fifty per cent new oak and 25 per cent sémillon to broaden the palate it’s just too much in '03. Only 100 cases produced.
Tasted: 2005-01-16 by AG-ST Prices: US $25.00 (750 ml) Retail Producer: Brander Vineyard Distributor:

86/100 Wente Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2002 Livermore, San Francisco Bay, California, United States
The fruit for this wine comes off several Livermore Valley vineyards and is all fermented in stainless steel. This wine has aromas and flavours of green fig, windfall (bruised) apple and melon/mango. The finis is clean and fresh with just a touch of sour fruit. Solid everyday sauvignon. Just fewer than 11,000 cases made.
Tasted: 2005-01-16 by AG Prices: AB $16.95 (750 ml) Producer: Wente Vineyards Distributor: International Cellars Inc.

86/100 Parducci Sauvignon Blanc 2003 Lake County, California, United States
Parducci's sauvignon comes out of a winery-owned vineyard in Lake County, just east of Mendocino. The vineyard sits between 1,000 and 1,200 feet in elevation encouraging cool fruit that matures late in the growing season. Light stone fruit/herbal flavours with a pinch of citrus zest and melon finish just a touch sour. Good value. Oysters are the ticket here.
Tasted: 2005-01-16 by AG-ST Prices: US $8.99 (750 ml) Producer: Parducci Winery Distributor: Calibrium International

0/100 Grgich Hills Dry Sauvignon Blanc Fume Blanc 2003 American Canyon, Napa Valley, California, United States
Light and elegant, this “New World” ‘dry’ sauvignon is a delight to sip. The ’03 is the second estate-grown edition of Grgich Fumé Blanc and it’s exceptional. The grapes come off the winery’s American Canyon vineyard where the climate is cool and windy. The nose is awash in citrus fruit as is the clean fresh palate. Exceptional styling and balance with just a hint of barrel vanilla in the finish. Not quite New Zealand but a far cry from most California sauvignon.
Tasted: 2005-01-16 by AG-ST Prices: US $37.95 (750 ml) Producer: Grgich Hills Winery Distributor: AltoVin International

86/100 Benessere Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2003 Napa Valley, California, United States
At Benessere hand-picked fruit is is “whole-clustered pressed, cold settled for 48 hours, and then decanted off the pulp and solids. It’s fermented on native yeasts in stainless steel tanks. The wine is aged in neutral French oak barrels for four months. The nose is very sauvignon with grapefruit and lemon zest predominating but it finishes dry and somewhat simple.
Tasted: 2005-01-16 by AG-ST Prices: US $16.00 (750 ml) Retail Producer: Benessere Vineyards Distributor:

87/100 Beringer Sauvignon Blanc 2003 Napa Valley, California, United States
Fresh open ripe fruit style with spicy melon and vanilla scents. Fresh and light with ripe but simple sweet herbal fruit flavours. Round and well balanced it is a pleasant, soft, safe style sauvignon that will appeal to a broad audience.
Tasted: 2005-01-16 by AG-ST Prices: AB $14.75 (750 ml); BC $24.99 (750 ml) CSPC: 394353;   UPC: 089819005529 Producer: Beringer Napa Valley Vineyards Distributor: Beringer Blass Wines Estates; Foster's Wine Estates

89/100 Turnbull Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 2003 Oakville, Napa Valley, California, United States
Skellenger Vineyards is the source of most of the sauvignon used at Turnbull half of which is the sauvignon musqué clone and its lime-scented fruit. The blend gets an extra smattering of three to five per cent viognier and malvasia bianca both of which elevate the wines floral notes and a simialr hit of sémillon. This is delicious sauvignon that is consistently streaked with lime citrus notes and refreshing fruit flavours in the finish. Very fine.
Tasted: 2005-01-16 by AG-ST Prices: BC $29.95 (750 ml) Special Order - Vinterra Wine Merchants CSPC: 095026;   UPC: 793589067501 Producer: Turnbull Wine Cellars Distributor: Vinterra Wine Merchants

91/100 St. Supery Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2004 Napa Valley, California, United States
Not your average California sauvignon or even above average this is great. Winemaker Michael Beaulac gets it when it comes to fresh, zippy sauvignon and the 2004 maybe the best yet. Look for all the right signs here: green lime, kiwi grapefruit and a dusting of gooseberry. Long and stylish but with a clean crisp finish. Very fine.
Tasted: 2005-01-16 by AG-ST Prices: BC $26.70 (750 ml) Producer: St. Supéry Vineyard & Winery Distributor: Pernod Ricard Canada

88/100 Cakebread Cellars Sauvignon Blanc 2003 Napa Valley, California, United States
Open bell pepper and mineral sweaty aromas streaked with jalapeño, lime rind and vanilla. This is always a fun-to-sip style with ripe, kiwi/melon fruit and a skinny undercurrent of green apple skin fruit. It's Napa but it's getting fresher and leaner and we like that.
Tasted: 2005-01-16 by AG-ST Prices: AB $43.95 (750 ml) Fine Wine Boutiques; BC $49.95 (750 ml) Specialty CSPC: 191429;   UPC: 84692479047 Producer: Cakebread Cellars Distributor: AltoVin International; Lifford Wine Agency

89/100 Codorníu Blanc de Blancs N/V Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, Penedès, Catalunya, Spain
The aroma has immediate mass appeal with its ripe, baked apple fruit nose. In the mouth it’s smooth, soft and creamy with a fine balance of acidity and a dry, nutty finish. A versatile, multi-dimensional sparkler to accompany fine food.
Tasted: 2005-01-15 by AG Prices: BC $15.95 (750 ml) Producer: Codorníu Distributor: Grady Wine Marketing

89/100 Onix Evolucio 2001 Priorato, Catalunya, Spain
Very ripe, pruny, peppery, spicy, coffee, stewed plum cherry jam nose with some vanilla and tobacco but a bit hot. Rich, round, dry and slightly tannic with good acidity. Very earthy, licorice, plum, cherry jam, tobacco flavours with a big vanilla, oaky, raspberry mineral finish. A bit disjointed at this stage, needs 1-3 years to integrate the varieties and oak.
Tasted: 2005-01-15 by AG-ST Prices: BC $29.75 (750 ml) Specialty CSPC: 113027;   UPC: 8423504000420 Producer: Vinicola del Priorat SCCL Distributor: Waldorf Wine Group Inc.

87/100 Vina Albali Reserva 1999 Valdepeñas, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain
Cherry, spicy, cigar ash, leather, vanilla, licorice aromas with a floral, violet note. Soft, round, dry and elegant with earthy, bright cherry, spicy, black raspberry tobacco flavours. Fresh finish, good fruit and ready to go. Good value.
Tasted: 2005-01-15 by AG-ST Prices: BC $13.67 (750 ml) Specialty CSPC: 342477;   UPC: 8410702000017 Producer: Vina Albali Distributor: Waldorf Wine Group Inc.

89/100 Vina Albali Gran Reserva 1997 Valdepeñas, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain
Aged 24 months in American oak. Tobacco, peppery, spicy, saddle leather, cherry jam and floral aromas with a strong streak of vanilla, ash and game. Soft, round, smooth and elegant but quite rich. Spicy, black cherry jam, earthy, licorice, tobacco and vanilla flavours with a meaty, smoky oak, maraschino finish. Very good intensity, stylish and ready to drink. Definitely value for your taste buds.
Tasted: 2005-01-15 by AG-ST Prices: BC $18.52 (750 ml) Specialty CSPC: 538934;   UPC: 8410702000062 Producer: Vina Albali Distributor: Waldorf Wine Group Inc.

88/100 Podere Guado Al Melo Bolgheri Rosso 2002 Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy
Open spicy, black olive, cassis, gamey, smoky, tobacco leaf aromas. Dry, round, soft palate with light tannins. Peppery, spicy, tobacco, earthy, coffee flavours with cherry, plum and cassis on the finish. Elegant but shows some dryness and acidity. Try with grilled meat or osso buco or age 1-2 years.
Tasted: 2005-01-15 by AG-ST Prices: BC $46.95 (750 ml) CSPC: 134601;   UPC: 8032764230005 Producer: Podere Guado Al Melo Distributor: The Seacove Group Inc.

87/100 Dominio de la Peseta Roble 2003 Alicante, Valencia and Murcia, Spain
Big peppery, black cherry, licorice, spicy, smoky black olive aromas with a meaty, floral note. Smooth, dry, round palate with light, rustic tannins. Lots of black cherry, plum, spicy, peppery, licorice flavours with a cola and game note. A touch dry and young with fine fruit intensity and length. Good value, worth trying.
Tasted: 2005-01-15 by AG-ST Prices: BC $14.99 (750 ml) Specialty CSPC: 174862;   UPC: 8437005096059 Producer: Dominio de la Peseta Distributor:

87/100 Serrata di Belguardo 2002 Maremma, Tuscany, Italy
Gamey, spicy, black cherry, peppery, vanilla aromas with a touch of coffee and saddle leather. Very dry, round supple palate with somewhat elevated acidity. Good spicy, cherry, plum, gamey, peppery flavours with a touch of coffee vanilla. Good fruit core but could use a bit softer acidity.
Tasted: 2005-01-15 by AG-ST Prices: AB $26.95 (750 ml) Fine Wine Boutiques; BC $29.95 (750 ml) Specialty; ON $19.95 (750 ml) Vintages CSPC: 066563 Producer: Marchesi Mazzei S.P.A. Agricola Distributor: AltoVin International

89/100 Tenuta Belguardo Poggio Bronzone 2002 Maremma, Tuscany, Italy
Ripe black cherry, plum jam, smoky peppery, spicy, tobacco aromas with a gamey, coffee, vanilla, olive streak. Rich, round, slightly tannic entry with a dry, slightly acidic finish. Good coffee, spicy, peppery, licorice, black cherry plum flavours with tobacco and vanilla at the end. Well made with elevated acidity, try in a year or so with rich meat dishes.
Tasted: 2005-01-15 by AG-ST Prices: BC $50.55 (750 ml) Specialty; BC $40.96 (750 ml) Specialty CSPC: 068478 Producer: Marchesi Mazzei S.P.A. Agricola Distributor: AltoVin International

90/100 Brander Sauvignon Blanc Au Naturel 2002 Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United States
The au Naturel moniker refers to no oak ageing and you smell and taste that right away. Tighter than the regular it has more obvious citrus notes with a touch of grass and orange peel. Bright vibrant and streaked with mineral notes in the finish. Very clean. Classic oyster wine.
Tasted: 2005-01-15 by AG Prices: US $30.00 (750 ml) Producer: Brander Vineyard Distributor:

87/100 Santa Barbara Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2003 Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United States
The Santa Barbara sauvignon contains two clones grown in two distinct meso-climates. The tropical fruit and cool citrus flavours of the Musqué clone planted at Lafond Vineyard are paired with the warm climate “Davis Clone 1” from Westerly Vineyard located some 16 miles inland to the east of Lafond where average temperatures are as much as 15 degrees warmer. The fermentation is done in half stainless steel; half neutral oak puncheons and there is 4 per cent viognier added for spice. The style is delicate with light grassy, herbal undertones. Lots of lime rind fruit marks the front end but it finishes light and a bit washed out. Simple summer sipper style.
Tasted: 2005-01-15 by AG Prices: US $12.00 (750 ml) Producer: Santa Barbara Winery Distributor:

84/100 Gainey Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc Limited Selection 2003 Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United States
The Limited Selection is a 50/50 blend of stainless steel and barrel fermented fruit with 9 per cent sémillon. It’s made in the fresh fruit style with mineral streaks but the overall the tone is too sour. Acetic notes round out a wine to avoid.
Tasted: 2005-01-15 by AG-ST Prices: US $0.00 (750 ml) Producer: Gainey Vineyard Distributor:

85/100 M. Chapoutier Belleruche Côtes du Rhône 2002 Côtes du Rhône, Rhone Valley, France
Cherry jam, mineral, earthy, light spice aromas with a strong carbonic fruit streak. Dry, round, slightly lean style with black cherry, mineral, licorice, cedar flavours. A bit lean but has some good fruit at the finish.
Tasted: 2005-01-12 by AG-ST Prices: BC $19.45 (750 ml) Specialty CSPC: 476846;   UPC: 3391181110235 Producer: M. Chapoutier Distributor: Pacific Wines & Spirits (1995) Ltd.

86/100 Château Val Joanis (Blanc) 2003 Côtes du Lubéron, Provence, South of France, France
Floral, melon, mineral, lemon oil aromas. Soft, round, dry palate with mineral, baked pear, spicy, buttery flavours with a touch of honey and flowers. Ready to drink.
Tasted: 2005-01-12 by AG-ST Prices: AB $16.95 (750 ml) Fine Wine Boutiques; BC $19.95 (750 ml) CSPC: 578369;   UPC: 3275810012100 Producer: Chateau Val Joanis Distributor: The Seacove Group Inc.

86/100 Château Val Joanis (Rouge) 2001 Côtes du Lubéron, Provence, South of France, France
Black cherry, raspberry, gamey, smoky resin aromas with a mineral, leather streak. Dry, round, elegant style with soft, light tannins. Good spicy, gamey, licorice, cherry mineral flavours. Solid red with a touch of acidity showing. Try with ribs and grilled meat.
Tasted: 2005-01-12 by AG-ST Prices: AB $16.95 (750 ml) Fine Wine Boutiques; BC $19.95 (750 ml) CSPC: 578377;   UPC: 3275810012087 Producer: Chateau Val Joanis Distributor: The Seacove Group Inc.

88/100 Château Val Joanis Réserve Les Griottes (Rouge) 2001 Côtes du Lubéron, Provence, South of France, France
Nice peppery, spicy, meaty, smoky, licorice nose with plum and black cherry jam. Dry and round with a fairly rich body and light tannins. Earthy, cedar, licorice, black cherry, raspberry fruit and a smoky, spicy finish. A bit dry but has good fruit intensity. Try with duck or grilled lamb sausage.
Tasted: 2005-01-12 by AG-ST Prices: AB $26.85 (750 ml) Fine Wine Boutiques; BC $31.90 (750 ml) Specialty CSPC: 563759;   UPC: 3275810004440 Producer: Chateau Val Joanis Distributor: The Seacove Group Inc.

88/100 Château Val Joanis Réserve Les Aubépines (Blanc) 2002 Côtes du Lubéron, Provence, South of France, France
Spicy, ginger, floral, honey, lees and melon aromas. Dry, round, elegant style with a slight oiliness. Mineral, citrus peel, ginger, honey, buttery quince flavours with a touch of marzipan and lemon oil. Well made but an unusual combination of flavours.
Tasted: 2005-01-12 by AG-ST Prices: AB $26.50 (750 ml) Fine Wine Boutiques; BC $28.95 (750 ml) CSPC: 613364 Producer: Chateau Val Joanis Distributor: The Seacove Group Inc.

86/100 Elephant Island Orchard Wines Apricot Dessert Wine 2003 Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Aromas of apricot – dried, fresh and canned with some egg yolk and mineral. Sweet, round, light bodied palate with high acidity. Fresh dried apricot flavours again with a green apple, mineral, slightly tinny canned note on the finish. Acidity is a bit high and crisp.
Tasted: 2005-01-12 by AG-ST Prices: BC $15.95 (375 ml) Winery Direct Producer: Elephant Island Orchard Wines Distributor: Peacock and Martin Wine Merchants; Winery Direct

86/100 Elephant Island Orchard Wines Crabapple Wine 2003 Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Very pale orange rose colour. Minty, mineral, honey, spicy, apple aromas. Round, elegant, slightly sweet style with good acidity balance. Zingy green apple, mineral, baked pear and nalgene flavours. Crisp finish keeps it bright..
Tasted: 2005-01-12 by AG-ST Prices: BC $15.95 (375 ml) Winery Direct Producer: Elephant Island Orchard Wines Distributor: Peacock and Martin Wine Merchants; Winery Direct

88/100 Carmen Reserve Petite Sirah 2002 Valle del Maipo, Region del Valle Central, Chile
Very strong cassis, spicy, vanilla, cedar, cherry, peppery, minty nose with some licorice and saddle leather. Rich, round, dry and supple with spicy, vanilla, cedar, licorice, cassis, minty flavours and smoky, cherry, tobacco finish. Good structure and intensity but a bit green on the fruit. Like a cross of cab, merlot and carmenère.
Tasted: 2005-01-12 by AG-ST Prices: AB $23.50 (750 ml) Fine Wine Boutiques CSPC: 713073;   UPC: 677758901530 Producer: Vina Carmen Distributor: Charton-Hobbs

85/100 Carmen Carmenère 2002 Valle del Rapel, Region del Valle Central, Chile
Big minty, leafy, smoky, dill, weedy cassis nose. Dry, round, soft palate with minty, dill, green olive, spicy, smoky cherry flavours. Good balance and supple but very leafy, cool style.
Tasted: 2005-01-12 by AG-ST Prices: AB $13.50 (750 ml) Fine Wine Boutiques CSPC: 638536;   UPC: 677758901554 Producer: Vina Carmen Distributor: Charton-Hobbs

92/100 Castello di Fonterutoli Chianti Classico 2000 Tuscany, Italy
Plum jam, prune, gamey, tarry, vanilla, chocolate, saddle leather aromas with some spicy, pepper, cherry streaks throughout. Ripe, rich, round and dry with good smooth tannins. Well balanced with chocolate, tobacco, smoky vanilla, gamey, rootsy black cherry flavours. A fine wine that should improve for 3-5 years more. Has finesse and fruit.
Tasted: 2005-01-12 by AG-ST Prices: AB $69.00 (750 ml) Fine Wine Boutiques; BC $69.95 (750 ml) Specialty CSPC: 512483;   UPC: 8016118111004 Producer: Marchesi Mazzei S.P.A. Agricola Distributor: AltoVin International

88/100 Brander Sauvignon Blanc 2004 Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara County, Central Coast, California, United States
The regular Brander has a small amount of barrel fermented juice and a small amount of sémillon blended in to better craft its traditional style. The nose is a mix of mineral and citrus fruit with just a hint of spice. Cool green apple skin. The flavours are green apple skin and a touch of sweetens round out the finish. Very solid.
Tasted: 2005-01-10 by AG-ST Prices: US $12.00 (750 ml) Producer: Brander Vineyard Distributor:

86/100 EOS Sauvignon Blanc Brothers Ranch Vineyard 4 Block 8 2003 Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo County, Central Coast, California, United States
Soft attractive spicy fruit nose. Quite a rich buttery mid-palate and finish but far too much wood for contemporary sauvignon blanc drinkers and in the end it is simply one dimensional. There's nothing wrong with the wine but it's old school and not really built for food.
Tasted: 2005-01-10 by AG-ST Prices: US $18.00 (750 ml) Producer: EOS Winery Distributor:

87/100 Justin Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2003 Edna Valley, San Luis Obispo County, Central Coast, California, United States
The warmest winter since 1996 mark the beginning of the 2003 vintage and early bud was followed by more warm weather in spring and summer and an early harvest in mid-September. The majority of the fruit comes out of the Edna Valley. The style is tight and grassy but we found it lacking intensity of fruit flavour. There are mineral lees and grassy notes but it’s a little to dry for most palates.
Tasted: 2005-01-10 by AG-ST Prices: US $18.00 (750 ml) Producer: Justin Vineyards and Winery Distributor: Free House Wine & Spirits Ltd.

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