Results For Date Search ( 2010-01-10 to 2010-02-09 )
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90/100 Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2006 Sonoma County, California, United States
Big cassis, dusty, coffee, cedar, vanilla, earthy, tobacco, blackberry jam, pruny, peppery, chocolate nose but very lifted and warm. Rich, smooth, round, unctuous palate with dry, grainy tannins and very warm. Intense cedar-y, peppery, smoky, coffee, resin, cassis jam, blackberry jam, tobacco, dried herb flavours. No lack of intensity here but the finish is very dry, hot, and somewhat bitter with acidity poking out. Needs two to four years. Best with meat and be sure to serve a bit cool to offset the lofty alcohol.
Tasted: 2010-02-06 by AG-ST
Prices: AB $49.99 (750 ml) fine wine shops; BC $64.99 (750 ml) specialty listing; ON $59.95 (750 ml) Vintages; US $40.00 (750 ml) retail
CSPC: 382325; UPC: 087512075283
Producer: Rodney Strong Vineyards Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants
90/100 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Unfiltered 2005 Napa Valley, California, United States
Intense cassis, cedar, tobacco, herbal, prune, leather, coffee, vanilla, floral, blackberry jam nose with a very spicy, white pepper and barnyard streak. Rich, ripe, round, full and warm palate but tight and somewhat tart with grainy, cedar-y tannins. Very rich cassis, coffee, cedar bark, tobacco, earthy, chocolate, black olive, resin, dried herb, barnyard, leather flavours. The finish is very warm and tart with tannins to shed. Like the fruit and complexity but not the balance and alcohol. This needs 3-5 years to shed the very dry, hard finish. A departure in style, almost Oz like.
Tasted: 2010-02-06 by AG
Prices: CDN $165.00 (750 ml) estimated retail
Producer: Robert Mondavi Winery Distributor: Vincor Canada - A Constellation Company
85/100 J. Bouchon Carmenere Syrah Reserva 2008 Valle del Maule, Region del Valle Central, Chile
Very spicy, sappy cassis, menthol, tobacco, meaty, roasted pepper, green olive nose. Round, full, supple palate with cassis, black cherry, cedar, menthol, tobacco leaf, green olive flavours. Finish is warm and a bit sweet and sour but balanced. The carmenère dominates at this point. Solid consumer wine.
86/100 Wyndham Estate Bin 515 Shiraz Viognier 2006 South Eastern Australia, Australia
Big black pepper, leather, licorice, rooty, spicy, garrigue, meaty, savoury, blackberry nose. Full, round, fresh, slightly warm and sweet with rosemary, resin, licorice, coffee, peppery, spicy, black plum, smoky leather flavours. The finish is very warm and slightly flat but there's lots of savoury aromatics and intensity to have with your grilled lamb or pork.
86/100 Man Vintners Shiraz 2007 Coastal Region, South Africa
Spicy, meaty, smoky, menthol, liquorice root, floral, black plum jam with a hint of tobacco and leather. Round, fresh, slightly warm and tart palate with blueberry, black berry jam, coffee, smoky, savoury, meaty, liquorice, vanilla cream flavours. Much more Oz in ripeness and styling and has solid fruit offering good value in the category.
Tasted: 2010-02-06 by AG-ST
Prices: AB $11.00 (750 ml) private wine shop; BC $12.00 (750 ml) specialty listing
CSPC: 139915; UPC: 06009669350444
Producer: MAN Vintners Distributor: Authentic Wine and Spirits Merchants
Liquorice, black cherry jam, tobacco, earthy, spicy, smoky, plum, sausage meat, floral nose. Round, dry, supple but grainy tannins with good juicy acidity but warm. Chocolate, peppery, black berry jam, black cherry, tobacco, liquorice, spicy, dried herbs and vanilla flavours. Good concentration and fruit if a bit warm and fresh on the finish. Well matched for pork or lamb and should improve for 2-3 years.
Tasted: 2010-02-06 by AG-ST
Prices: AB $35.00 (750 ml) fine wine shops; BC $39.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; ON $32.00 (750 ml) Vintages - August 30, 2008
CSPC: 199067; UPC: 08410113003416
Producer: Miguel Torres Spain Distributor: Pacific Wines & Spirits (1995) Ltd.
85/100 De Bortoli dB Petite Sirah 2007 South Eastern Australia, Australia
Peppery, boysenberry, black cherry, rooty, licorice, leafy, floral nose. Round, fresh palate with light, grainy tannins. Tobacco, boysenberry jam, black cherry, iodine, liquorice, coffee, earthy flavours. A bit sweet and sour on the finish but has good fruit and balance. Ready to drink.
Tasted: 2010-02-06 by AG-ST
Prices: AB $12.00 (750 ml) private wine shops; BC $12.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $12.00 (750 ml)
CSPC: 336750; UPC: 679940000427
Producer: De Bortoli Wines Distributor: Grady Wine Marketing
85/100 Deen De Bortoli Vat 8 Shiraz 2006 South Eastern Australia, Australia
Rooty, licorice, cola, meaty, peppery, tobacco, floral and blackberry jam aromas. Round, smooth, tart, slightly sweet palate with blackberry jam, plum, liquorice, coffee, vanilla, rooty, tobacco, floral flavours. Simple, easy, fruity tutti style with a crisp finish.
Tasted: 2010-02-06 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $16.49 (750 ml) specialty listing
CSPC: 010520; UPC: 9300752010366
Producer: De Bortoli Wines Distributor: Grady Wine Marketing
87/100 Little Yering Pinot Noir 2008 Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia
Strawberry, liquorice, smoky, black pepper, tobacco, celery root nose with a touch of barnyard. Soft, round, easy palate with juicy strawberry, spicy, licorice, orange, dried herb flavours. Solid, forward style with fruit for immediate appeal. A value proposition here.
Tasted: 2010-02-06 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $15.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; ON $18.95 (750 ml) Vintages
CSPC: 616110; UPC: 09316562001739
Producer: Yering Station Distributor: Select Wine Merchants
89/100 Yering Station Pinot Noir 2005 Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia
Celery salt, spicy, tobacco, herbal, cherry, cedar, rooty, strawberry aromas with a touch of barnyard. Round, dry, supple palate with fresh juicy acidity and a velvety texture. Warm with rhubarb, raspberry, tobacco leaf, dried herbs, licorice, celery salt, cedar and leather flavours. Good intensity with a slightly warm, tart finish but has good finesse and delicacy. Good value in mature, ready to roll pinot from down under.
Tasted: 2010-02-06 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $27.00 (750 ml) specialty listing
CSPC: 795898; UPC: 09316562001074
Producer: Yering Station Distributor: Select Wine Merchants
Spicy, plum, liquorice, cedar, tobacco, leather, cherry, meaty, resin, rooty, floral nose. Ripe, dry, round, slightly tannic palate with good finesse and fresh acidity. Plum, black cherry, resin, liquorice, meaty, tobacco, leather, earthy flavours. Good balance and intensity, just a bit short and dry on the finish. Will go well with grilled meats.
Tasted: 2010-02-06 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $20.00 (750 ml) specialty listing
CSPC: 113613; UPC: 8006030050819
Producer: Casa Vinicola Luigi Cecchi & Figli Distributor: Select Wine Merchants
87/100 Cecchi Chianti Natio 2007 Tuscany, Italy
Made from organic grapes, this offers up a spicy, peppery, floral, tobacco, smoky, meaty, dried plum, black cherry, liquorice and barnyard nose, good aromatics. Dry, elegant, slightly lean palate with light tannins but fresh and juicy. Black cherry, meaty, floral, liquorice, plum, peppery, leather flavours. A bit more austere style but has great fruit and some finesse for straight Chianti. Good value. Try with lamb or beef or a lasagne.
Tasted: 2010-02-06 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $16.00 (750 ml) specialty listing
CSPC: 106682; UPC: 08006030036660
Producer: Casa Vinicola Luigi Cecchi & Figli Distributor: Select Wine Merchants
85/100 Rosemount Chardonnay 2008 South Eastern Australia, Australia
Butter, baked peach, floral, citrus, apple, leesy aromas. Round, fresh, easy palate with some sweetness. Grapefruit, butter, melon rind, red apple, light lees flavours. Simple, easy, clean easy sipping style for current consumption.
Tasted: 2010-02-06 by AG-ST
Prices: AB $16.00 (750 ml) private wine shop; BC $16.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $15.00 (750 ml); NB $17.50 (750 ml); NF $16.00 (750 ml); NS $15.49 (750 ml); ON $14.00 (750 ml); QC $15.00 (750 ml); SK $17.00 (750 ml)
CSPC: 265132; UPC: 012894862312
Producer: Rosemount Estate Wines Ltd. Distributor: Southcorp Wines Canada
89/100 Cooralook Pinot Noir 2008 Victoria, Australia
An interesting blend of cool region fruit (Strathbogie [88] and Mornington Peninsula [12]) this offers a spicy, carrot top, cherry, strawberry, liquorice nose with bits of tobacco and rhubarb with a floral, meaty streak. The palate is dry and supple with juicy fruit flavours of strawberry jam and cherry and spicy, vanilla, tobacco, compost, liquorice and orange flecks. A bit warm on the finish but has good finesse and fruit with a pinch of tannins. Good now but will improve over the next 1-3 years. Very solid and fine value in pinot.
Tasted: 2010-02-06 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $21.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Renaissance Wine Merchants
CSPC: 004010; UPC: 009325301000216
Producer: Yabby Lake International Distributor: Renaissance Wine Merchants Ltd.
89/100 Tyrrell’s Vat 47 Hunter Chardonnay 2007 Hunter, New South Wales, Australia
Green apple, lime, butter, nutty lees, melon, vanilla, spicy, pear, nectarine aromas. Round, crisp, fresh, slightly oily texture and slightly austere yet a touch of sweetness. Lots of citrus, green apple, pear, melon, nutty lees and butter flavours with a vanilla, waxy, peach skin finish. Good finesse and elegance, will age 2-5 years.
Tasted: 2010-02-06 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $0.00 (750 ml) specialty listing
UPC: 0934522001473
Producer: Tyrrell's Wines Pty., Ltd. Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants
87/100 Bonterra Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 North Coast Region, California, United States
Look for a big four-square style of cabernet with some grip-py tannins on entry and on the palate. Expect intense, spicy, black fruit flavours with bits of cedar, cranberry and cassis. Somewhat chunky and rustic this certified, organic red will work best with a steak of braised beef ribs.
Tasted: 2010-02-06 by AG
Prices: AB $20.00 (750 ml) private wine stores; BC $22.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $20.00 (750 ml); ON $20.00 (750 ml) Vintages Essentials Collection; QC $20.00 (750 ml)
CSPC: 342428; UPC: 82896780402
Producer: Bonterra Vineyards Distributor: Charton-Hobbs
86/100 Inniskillin Okanagan Chardonnay Reserve 2008 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Spicy, floral, green apple, citrus, peach skin, honey, ginger and mineral aromas. Round, ripe, fresh, elegant palate with some sweetness and a touch of oiliness. Lemon, orange, honey, ginger, rose, spicy, baked peach, quince flavours. Good finesse and elegance, just finishes too sweet despite nice acidity balance. Similar to last vintage.
Tasted: 2010-02-06 by AG-ST
Prices: AB $16.60 (750 ml) private wine stores; BC $14.00 (750 ml) specialty listing
CSPC: 558411; UPC: 620654558414
Producer: Inniskillin Okanagan Vineyards Inc. Distributor: Vincor Canada - A Constellation Company
87/100 Inniskillin Okanagan Pinot Blanc Reserve 2008 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Grapefruit, grassy, passion fruit, slate, melon, floral, lemon oil aromas, very fresh. Crisp, juicy, fresh and round palate with green apple, grapefruit rind, passion fruit, butter and melon flavours. More sauvignon blanc in character but a solid seafood white.
Tasted: 2010-02-06 by AG-ST
Prices: AB $17.00 (750 ml) private wine stores; BC $14.00 (750 ml) specialty listing
CSPC: 76125; UPC: 00620654011070
Producer: Inniskillin Okanagan Vineyards Inc. Distributor: Vincor Canada - A Constellation Company
87/100 Inniskillin Okanagan Pinot Blanc Dark Horse Estate Vineyard 2007 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Pear, floral, dry slate, quince, lemon oil aromas. Soft, round, dry, and warm with a slightly oily texture but fresh acidity. Green apple skin, slate, chalky, pear, floral, lemon grass flavours. Good intensity but a bit warm and austere on the finish.
Tasted: 2010-02-06 by AG-ST
Prices: AB $19.00 (750 ml) private wine stores; BC $18.00 (750 ml) specialty listing
CSPC: 558429; UPC: 620654558421
Producer: Inniskillin Okanagan Vineyards Inc. Distributor: Vincor Canada - A Constellation Company
87/100 Inniskillin Okanagan Discovery Series Marsanne Roussanne 2008 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Spicy, floral, green apple, citrus, peach skin, honey, ginger and mineral aromas. Round, ripe, fresh, elegant palate with some sweetness and a touch of oiliness. Lemon, orange, honey, ginger, rose, spicy, baked peach, quince flavours. Good finesse and elegance, just finishes too sweet despite nice acidity balance. Similar to last vintage.
Tasted: 2010-02-06 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $25.00 (750 ml) winery only
UPC: 00620654018376
Producer: Inniskillin Okanagan Vineyards Inc. Distributor: Vincor Canada - A Constellation Company
91/100 Rodney Strong Chardonnay Reserve 2007 Russian River, Sonoma County, California, United States
Floral, honey, citrus, nutty, toasty, melon, vanilla, creamy, baked green apple and pear aromas. Fresh, round, elegant, juicy palate with good acidity and finesse. Creamy, nutty, nectarine, toasty, honey, butter, citrus, vanilla and green apple flavours with a salty note. A touch warm on the finish but has fine balance and finesse with good, bright, cool fruit characters and juicy acidity. Solid value.
Tasted: 2010-02-06 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $50.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Mark Anthony Brands; US $37.00 (750 ml) estimated retail
CSPC: 805242; UPC: 0087512076624
Producer: Rodney Strong Vineyards Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants
87/100 Melini Chianti 2007 Tuscany, Italy
Peppery, spicy, black cherry, tobacco, rooty, meaty nose with a floral note. Round, dry, supple, full, fresh palate with plum, black cherry, licorice, tobacco, peppery, meaty, coffee flavours. Good fruit intensity, fine value in basic Chianti for meat or pasta.
Tasted: 2010-02-06 by AG
Prices: AB $12.25 (750 ml) private wine shop; BC $14.00 (750 ml) general listing; ON $13.00 (750 ml) LCBO; QC $14.00 (750 ml)
CSPC: 182030; UPC: 8000160623073
Producer: Melini Distributor: Authentic Wine and Spirits Merchants
87/100 Tormaresca Chardonnay 2007 Apulia, Italy
Peach, butter, floral, citrus, lime, nutty, gooseberry nose. Crisp, round, slightly oily palate but a bit austere and juicy. Green apple, peach pit, light butter, lime, grapefruit, smoky pear flavours. A cooler, fresher style for seafood and more elegant than the last vintages. Good value.
Tasted: 2010-02-06 by AG-ST
Prices: AB $12.99 (750 ml) private wine shop; BC $16.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Mark Anthony Wine Merchants; SK $14.19 (750 ml)
CSPC: 612028; UPC: 8026530000015
Producer: Tormaresca Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants
Open smoky, black cherry, meaty, liquorice nose with resin, pepper, floral, pruny, leather nose. Dry, round, slightly tannic and lean but elegant with fresh acidity and fruity cherry, coffee, liquorice cedar-y, tobacco flavours. The finish is a bit rustic and tight, needs 2-3 years to round out or serve with grilled meat now. A solid and balanced of what is a modern style sangiovese.
Tasted: 2010-02-06 by ST
Prices: BC $30.00 (750 ml) speculative - Vendemmia Group
CSPC: 212118
Producer: Castello di Bossi Distributor: Vendemmia Group Inc.
88/100 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
Gooseberry, grapefruit, light asparagus, kiwi, green apple, passion fruit aromas but somewhat less intense. Round, crisp, elegant, dry, slightly austere style. Canned asparagus, gooseberry, nettle, grapefruit, grassy, green apple and butter flavours. Very solid but seems to lack a bit of concentration and viscosity this vintage.
Tasted: 2010-02-06 by ST
Prices: AB $29.00 (750 ml) fine wine shops; BC $31.50 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $35.00 (750 ml); NB $35.00 (750 ml); ON $28.00 (750 ml); QUE $35.75 (750 ml)
CSPC: 304469; UPC: 9418408030214
Producer: Cloudy Bay Vineyards Limited Distributor: Charton-Hobbs
Year two for the ‘Fritz’ label comes with a snappy looking bright green screwcap that looks as fresh as the wine. The grapes are purchased from growers all with vineyards on the Roter Hang or famous red slate soils of the Rheinhessen. Again it is so eminently shippable and crammed full of juicy fresh peachy, apple fruit with a double hit of citrus and minerality. Perfect for Pan-Asian cuisine or even better with barbecued or pull pork dishes. It should keep well under screw cap all year and beyond. Great value and will be one of my go to wines all year.
Tasted: 2010-01-23 by AG
Prices: AB $17.00 (750 ml) fine wine stores; BC $17.00 (750 ml) specialty listing
CSPC: 320135; UPC: 04022642000749
Producer: Weingut Gunderloch Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants
86/100 Irony Pinot Noir 2006 Monterey County, Central Coast, California, United States
Big barnyard, light Band-Aid, earthy, pruny, stewed strawberry, tobacco aromas. Dry, round, supple, slightly flat palate with rhubarb, dried strawberry, compost, cedar bark, rooty flavours. Finish is somewhat hot and edgy with some stewed fruit.
Tasted: 2010-01-22 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $25.00 (750 ml) estimated retail
UPC: 0082242923439
Producer: Life's Strange Twist Wine Co. Distributor: Stile Enterprises Ltd.
88/100 Andeluna Malbec 2007 Tupungato, Central Region, Mendoza, Argentina
Savoury, poultry spice notes with black cherry and plums mark the nose along with barnyard, tobacco, meaty, coffee aromas. Round, full, slightly astringent palate but ripe with black cherry, plum, tobacco, black olive, savoury, dried herb, orange peel and coffee flavours. Good solid, ripe style with a bit of grip and acidity. Will improve with food or time in the bottle.
Big peppery, dried herb, tobacco leaf, meaty, rooty aromas. Round, dry, supple palate with light body. Earthy, coffee, resin, rooty, compost, tobacco, cherry, herbal flavours. A more herbal style but well balanced and would fine with roasted chicken dishes.
Tasted: 2010-01-21 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $15.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Mark Anthony Brands
CSPC: 018374; UPC: 008026849002083
Producer: Tenuta Villanova Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants
91/100 Henriot Rose N/V Champagne, France
Henriot champagnes traditionally boasts a high proportion of chardonnay in the blends which accounts for the freshness and lift in this wine but in the case of the rosé there is some pinot added for body. Interestingly the colour comes from the addition of the some still red wine from Mareuil sur Ay after the second fermentation. This is an elegant expression of the style with raspberries, earth and strawberries and sufficient acidity to offset all the fruit. Classy and fun to drink. The blend is 42% chardonnay, 38% pinot noir and 20% red wines for colour.
87/100 Fog Head Reserve Pinot Noir 2006 Monterey County, Central Coast, California, United States
Subdued nose with cherry, compost, tobacco, earthy, smoky, vanilla, licorice and a touch of cola and barnyard. Round, dry, elegant, slightly lean palate with tobacco leaf, compost, cola, earthy, rhubarb, strawberry, resin, smoky herb flavours. Solid style for food.
Tasted: 2010-01-21 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $25.00 (750 ml) estimated retail
UPC: 082242464031
Producer: Fog Head Distributor: Stile Enterprises Ltd.
84/100 Quarisa Johnny Q Brut Cuvee N/V Australia
Lots of foam then some decent mousse. Floral, candied apple, lemon, almond, melon rind, light toasty strawberry nose. Somewhat foamy with crisp acidity but lots of residual sugar and some bitterness. Candied lemon, artificial black cherry, nutty, slate, mineral flavours. Refreshing but pretty sweet style.
Tasted: 2010-01-21 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $15.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Whitefish Group
CSPC: 782573; UPC: 09337739000034
Producer: Quarisa Distributor: Whitefish Group
90/100 Tyrrell’s Vat 1 Hunter Semillon 2003 Pokolbin, Hunter, New South Wales, Australia
Floral, nutty, lemon, pink grapefruit, passion fruit, waxy, fresh nose. Dry, tight, round, zippy, fresh and elegant with grapefruit, nettle, lemon, lime, nutty, slate, passion fruit flavours. A bit more austere in style but has good intensity and balance. Will age for 20 years in Stelvin. Try with oysters or squid.
Tasted: 2010-01-21 by AG-ST
Prices: NB $58.00 (750 ml); US $35.00 (750 ml) estimated retail
UPC: 093452265974
Producer: Tyrrell's Wines Pty., Ltd. Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants
89/100 Tyrrell’s Vat 1 Hunter Semillon 1999 Pokolbin, Hunter, New South Wales, Australia
Showing maturity under cork with cashew, butter, honey, grapefruit, lime, creamy, cooked quince aromas. The palate is very dry and somewhat flatter with cedar, nutty, toasty, nettle, lime, grapefruit rind flavours. A more austere, mature bottle with a slightly tart, dry finish.
Tasted: 2010-01-21 by AG-ST
Prices: Australia $50.00 (750 ml) estimated retail
UPC: 093452265974
Producer: Tyrrell's Wines Pty., Ltd. Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants
90/100 Tyrrell’s HVD Single Vineyard Hunter Semillon 2004 Pokolbin, Hunter, New South Wales, Australia
Nutty, grassy, grapefruit, quince, lemon, passion fruit, slate, nectarine skin aromas. Fresh, crisp, delicate, round, slightly oily palate. Passion fruit, slate, grapefruit, nectarine, lime, nutty, lemon zest flavours. Fine delicacy and freshness with some bottle age with lanolin and cashew on the finish. A bit more texture than the young stuff.
Tasted: 2010-01-21 by AG-ST
Prices: Australia $30.00 (750 ml) estimated retail
UPC: 093452051003
Producer: Tyrrell's Wines Pty., Ltd. Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants
89/100 Mt. Boucherie Estate Collection Semillon 2007 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Grapefruit, light artichoke, gooseberry, grassy, nettle, passion fruit aromas. Ripe, round, elegant palate with pink grapefruit, passion fruit, grassy, nettle, asparagus, lemon, nutty flavours. Good fruit intensity and balance for seafood. Very impressive effort. Oysters anyone.
Tasted: 2010-01-21 by ST
Prices: BC $16.00 (750 ml) winery direct, VQA and private wine shops
CSPC: 110650; UPC: 812289000400
Producer: Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery Distributor: Winery Direct
86/100 Stoneleigh Pinot Noir 2007 Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
Strawberry, barnyard, compost, spicy, tobacco, carrot aromas. Round, dry, fresh, supple palate but slightly lean. Rooty, herbal, tobacco, rhubarb, strawberry, cola, and compost flavours. A simple, direct, food wine.
Tasted: 2010-01-21 by AG
Prices: AB $23.00 (750 ml) private wine shops; BC $23.00 (750 ml) Everything Wine; NF $24.00 (750 ml)
CSPC: 656579; UPC: 9414505394082
Producer: Stoneleigh Vineyards Distributor: Corby Distilleries Limited
86/100 Mirassou California Pinot Noir 2008 California, United States
Tasted: 2010-01-21 by AG-ST
Prices: AB $14.00 (750 ml) private wine stores; BC $16.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; NF $13.87 (750 ml); SK $16.00 (750 ml)
CSPC: 366880; UPC: 085000012277
Producer: Mirassou Winery Distributor: E. & J. Gallo Winery Canada, Ltd.
88/100 Duck Pond Pinot Noir 2008 Willamette Valley, Oregon, United States
Barnyard, cherry jam, cedar, carrot top, orange compote, compost aromas. Round, dry, supple, forward palate with cherry, rhubarb, compost, barnyard, herbal, licorice root, orange peel flavours. A dry style but juicy on the finish that adds some zip. Solid pinot styling and will age a bit too.
Tasted: 2010-01-21 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $30.00 (750 ml) specialty listing
CSPC: 427872; UPC: 768154231540
Producer: Duck Pond Fries Family Cellars Distributor: Lifford Wine Agency; The Bacchus Group Inc.
87/100 Jadot Beaujolais-Villages Combe aux Jacques 2008 Beaujolais, Burgundy, France
Nice spicy, strawberry jam, black cherry, liquorice nose with earthy aromas with bit of a floral edge. Classic light-bodied, smooth and round with black cherry, peppery, liquorice spicy flavours. A bit tart and firm on the finish but will go well with roast duck or lamb.
Tasted: 2010-01-21 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $20.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $19.00 (750 ml); ON $17.00 (750 ml) LCBO; QC $18.00 (750 ml)
CSPC: 469924; UPC: 03535921040004
Producer: Maison Louis Jadot Distributor: International Cellars Inc.; Lifford Wine Agency
85/100 Jackson-Triggs Esprit Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Deep dark colour. Very herbal, earthy, rooty, spicy, black cherry, barnyard, meaty, coffee, black olive, green bean aromas. Dry, somewhat lean, tight but full palate with green bean, black olive, rooty, herbal, coffee, smoky, resin, and liquorice flavours. Finish is tight with young, somewhat hard tannins and warm but solid. Simple bronze medal stuff.
Tasted: 2010-01-21 by AG
Prices: BC $11.00 (750 ml) specialty listing
UPC: 063657019047
Producer: Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate Distributor: Vincor Canada - A Constellation Company
88/100 Tyrrell’s Lost Block Semillon 2009 Hunter, New South Wales, Australia
Floral, passion fruit, lemon zest, anise, nectarine skin, nutty aromas. Light, dry, elegant, round style in a juicy palate but not tart or lean. Pink grapefruit, lemon zest, floral, spicy, melon rind, nectarine, slate flavours. Delicate, juicy, citrusy finish with some polish. Designed for seafood and drinking. More consumer oriented fruit style. Delicious.
Tasted: 2010-01-21 by AG-ST
Prices: AB $17.00 (750 ml) private wine shops; BC $17.99 (750 ml) specialty listing
CSPC: 117531; UPC: 093452402829
Producer: Tyrrell's Wines Pty., Ltd. Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants
85/100 Marquis de la Tour Vin Mousseaux N/V Loire, France
Open pear, grassy, green apple nose with pleasant bits of quince, almond and floral aromas. It’s bit foamy on the palate but crisp. The flavours mix Granny Smith apples, grassy, gooseberry, almond, honey and baked pear flavours. A simple, tart style bubbles best with kir or orange juice. A Loire Valley 50/25/25 blend of chenin blanc / chardonnay / sauvignon blanc.
Tasted: 2010-01-20 by AG-ST
Prices: AB $12.00 (750 ml) private wine stores; BC $14.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $12.25 (750 ml) private wine shops; QC $13.00 (750 ml); SK $12.65 (750 ml)
CSPC: 140418; UPC: 3258316030229
Producer: Remy Pannier Distributor: The Bacchus Group Inc.
Peppery, dill, tobacco leaf, black olive, dried herb, coffee, saddle leather aromas. Dry, somewhat lean palate with light, cedar-y tannins. Fresh with smoky, espresso oak, herbal, tobacco, sappy cassis, olive, tomato leaf, roasted pepper flavours. Has some finesse but finish is very oaky and somewhat green. Lacks ripeness and extract.
Tasted: 2010-01-20 by AG-ST
Prices: ON $24.00 (750 ml) winery direct
UPC: 048162011724
Producer: Thirty Bench Wine Makers Distributor: Andrew Peller Limited
88/100 Laughing Stock Vineyards Portfolio 2007 Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Peppery, espresso, smoky oak, black olive, tobacco leaf, floral, dried savoury herbs, cassis aromas. The entry is round and dry but this year it’s a bit tart too. The rest of the palate is super smooth with warm smoky coffee scented flavours flecked with vanilla, tobacco leaf, pepper, dill and black olives. The texture is the best yet but the finish is very oaky and warm. It will improve with time but we want more pristine Okanagan fruit and less French wood.
Tasted: 2010-01-20 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $40.00 (750 ml) winery direct
CSPC: 836700; UPC: 8504510011060
Producer: Laughing Stock Vineyards Distributor: Winery Direct
Peppery, meaty, black cherry, tobacco, licorice aromas. Fresh, smooth, round palate with black raspberry, tobacco, meaty, peppery, rooty flavours. A bit light but good value again.
92/100 Rubicon 2005 Rutherford, Napa Valley, California, United States
Warm spicy, cedar, tobacco nose with blackberry, cassis, dried herbs, vanilla, coffee and pruny, roasted earth aromas. Rich, ripe, dry, smooth, full bodied palate with some grainy tannins. Smoky, peppery, vanilla, coffee, cassis jam, blackberry, pruny, cedar, tobacco, milk chocolate, licorice flavours. The finish is very warm with lots of vanilla, espresso and tobacco leaf. Good finesse but needs 2-4 years to fully integrate and round out. Classic Napa.
Tasted: 2010-01-20 by AG-ST
Prices: AB $185.00 (750 ml) fine wine shops; BC $199.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Calibrium International; ON $178.50 (750 ml); QC $190.00 (750 ml) private import; US $125.00 (750 ml) srp
CSPC: 119313
Producer: Rubicon Estate Distributor: Calibrium International; Lifford Wine Agency; Pacific Wines & Spirits (1995) Ltd.
90/100 Rubicon Estate Cask Cabernet 2005 Rutherford, Napa Valley, California, United States
Big black berry jam, balsamic, earthy, peppery, vanilla, cola, pruny, cedar, tobacco aromas. Rich, round, dry, warm palate with light grainy tannins. Coffee, smoky, vanilla, cedar, tobacco, pruny, peppery, cassis, blackberry jam, resin flavours. Finish is very warm, fresh and ripe with some structure to age. A big, ripe style. The Cask Cabernet farmed organically from 130 acres within the 235 acre Rubicon Estate.
Tasted: 2010-01-20 by AG-ST
Prices: AB $100.00 (750 ml) fine wine shops; BC $99.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Calibrium; ON $107.00 (750 ml) consignment - Lifford; QC $92.00 (750 ml); US $75.00 (750 ml) srp
CSPC: 767913
Producer: Rubicon Estate Distributor: Calibrium International; Lifford Wine Agency; Pacific Wines & Spirits (1995) Ltd.
83/100 J. P. Chenet Fresh and Fruity Rose N/V France
Light orange ruby colour with lots of moose. Floral, nutty, cherry, licorice, tobacco, candied apple aromas. Sweet, round, foamy palate with candied cherry, tobacco, herbal, Kool-Aid, earthy, spicy flavours. Sweet and sour style.
Tasted: 2010-01-20 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $13.00 (750 ml) specialty listing
CSPC: 580449; UPC: 3500610034442
Producer: J. P. Chenet Distributor: Mark Anthony Wine Merchants; The Kirkwood Group
88/100 Tamaya Winemaker's Selection Carmenère 2006 Limari Valley, Chile
This is the real deal carmenère with soft, supple, peppery black fruit with touch of leafy earth and chocolate. It’s richer and fatter than its price might indicate and completely ready to take on the heartiest of winter dishes. Try this with a classic roast beef and mashed potato dinner.
Tasted: 2010-01-20 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $25.00 (750 ml) specialty listing
CSPC: 940635; UPC: 7808731000398
Producer: Vina Casa Tamaya Distributor: Stile Enterprises Ltd.
86/100 Inniskillin Okanagan Discovery Series Chenin Blanc 2007 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Butter, quince, floral, pineapple, melon, grapefruit aromas, very tropical. Round, full, slightly viscous and sweet entry but medium acidity. Waxy, pear, pineapple, buttery, quince, baked apple flavours. Finish is warm but lots of texture. Drink now.
Tasted: 2010-01-19 by AG
Prices: AB $17.00 (750 ml) private wine stores; BC $17.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; MB $16.00 (750 ml) private wine stores
CSPC: 273573; UPC: 620654014630
Producer: Inniskillin Okanagan Vineyards Inc. Distributor: Vincor Canada - A Constellation Company
90/100 Cuvaison Pinot Noir 2007 Carneros, Napa Valley, California, United States
Black cherry, floral, licorice, tobacco, compost, coffee, carrot top aromas with a touch of barnyard. Round, supple, elegant palate with soft acidity. Smoky, coffee, carrot, tobacco, green tea, spicy, herbal, black cherry and vanilla flavours. Good solid, forward style for current drinking with duck, goose, chicken - you name the fowl.
Tasted: 2010-01-18 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $40.00 (750 ml) specialty listing
CSPC: 622993; UPC: 082148099924
Producer: Cuvaison Winery Distributor: Icon Estates; The Seacove Group Inc.
85/100 Tinhorn Creek Vineyards Kerner Late Harvest 2008 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Baked pear, apple, cooked peach, floral, citrus aromas. Round, somewhat sweet but very soft and easy drinking with citrus, honey, baked apple, canned peach, pear skin flavours. Lacks vibrancy for a late harvest wine but easy drinking for current consumption.
Tasted: 2010-01-18 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $13.00 (200 ml) winery direct, VQA and private wine shops
UPC: 626802991034
Producer: Tinhorn Creek Vineyards Distributor: Renaissance Wine Merchants Ltd.
85/100 Robin Ridge Chardonnay 2007 Keremeos, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Butter, pear, citrus, matchstick, candied apple aromas with a touch of honey. Round, soft, somewhat sweet entry with spicy, butter, baked pear, peach skin and apple sauce flavours. Very simple, sweeter consumer style, a clone of the prior vintage.
Tasted: 2010-01-18 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $19.00 (750 ml) winery direct
CSPC: 072637; UPC: 0626990068181
Producer: Robin Ridge Winery Distributor: FarmGate Quality Wines; Winery Direct
89/100 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Napa Valley, California, United States
Spicy, tobacco, cassis, cedar bark, peppery, earthy, blackberry, licorice, smoky aromas with a touch of chocolate and dried herbs. Round, dry, fresh, supple palate with light, grainy tannins but warm. Cassis, blackberry, tobacco, rooty, licorice, peppery, resin, cedar bark flavours. Finish is very warm and slightly tart with light tannins to shed. Drink now-4 years while the balance and fruit are still good and before the 15% alcohol shows.
Tasted: 2010-01-18 by AG-ST
Prices: AB $38.00 (750 ml) fine wine shops; BC $39.99 (750 ml) specialty listing; ON $39.95 (750 ml) Vintages Essentials Collection; QC $39.25 (750 ml)
CSPC: 255513; UPC: 0086003051843
Producer: Robert Mondavi Winery Distributor: Vincor Canada - A Constellation Company
84/100 Di Majo Norante Cabernet Sauvignon Terra degli Osci 2007 Molise, Italy
Spicy, peppery, black olive, meaty, cassis, tobacco leaf aromas. Dry, slightly lean and fresh palate with earthy, cedar bark, tobacco, olive, resin, herbal, cassis flavours. Simple, somewhat rustic style cab ready for beef.
Tasted: 2010-01-18 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $15.00 (750 ml) specialty listing
CSPC: 869263; UPC: 8011315000113
Producer: Di Majo Norante Distributor: Stile Enterprises Ltd.
86/100 Irony Chardonnay 2007 Napa Valley, California, United States
Pear, citrus, red apple, floral, minty, light butterscotch aromas. Round, rich, very warm, fat style with a bit of sweetness and oiliness on the palate. Butterscotch, buttery, baked apple, melon, bitter grapefruit rind flavours. It's a bit old style but with little, if any oak so the wine is fresher.
Tasted: 2010-01-18 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $22.00 (750 ml) speculative listing - Stile Wines
CSPC: 160499; UPC: 0082242921039
Producer: Life's Strange Twist Wine Co. Distributor: Stile Enterprises Ltd.
84/100 Gallo Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 California, United States
Cola, rooty, resin, cassis, black pepper, cedar, tobacco nose. Round, slightly tannic, full with fresh acidity and a touch of sweetness. Cedar, licorice, cola, resin, tobacco leaf, cassis flavours. Simple, pasta and pizza wine.
Tasted: 2010-01-18 by AG-ST
Prices: AB $10.00 (750 ml) private wine stores; BC $10.00 (750 ml); MB $10.00 (750 ml); NS $9.00 (750 ml); ON $9.00 (750 ml); SK $10.00 (750 ml)
CSPC: 223552; UPC: 85000005002
Producer: Gallo Family Vineyards Distributor: E. & J. Gallo Winery Canada, Ltd.
86/100 Le Vieux Pin Petit Blanc 2008 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Floral, spicy, peach, grassy, nectarine, grapefruit rind aromas. Round, slightly soft palate but warm, juicy and somewhat austere. Chalky, citrus rind, floral, grassy, nettle, granny smith, lees, quince and butter flavours. Finish is a bit warm and austere but will be good for lighter seafood like squid.
Tasted: 2010-01-18 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $20.00 (750 ml) Winery direct or Christopher Stewart
UPC: 805755006007
Producer: Le Vieux Pin Distributor: Christopher Stewart Wines and Spirits Inc.
88/100 Le Vieux Pin Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Passion fruit, melon, gooseberry, grapefruit, nettle, floral, canned asparagus aromas. Round, fresh, juicy but somewhat austere palate. Lemon, nettle, passion fruit, grassy, grapefruit rind, butter, lees and jalapeno flavours. Finish is long but a bit austere and tart with a hard edge and some green notes. Good solid expression but best with grilled fish.
Tasted: 2010-01-18 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $35.00 (750 ml) Winery Direct or Christopher Stewart
UPC: 805755005390
Producer: Le Vieux Pin Distributor: Christopher Stewart Wines and Spirits Inc.
87/100 La Stella Vivace Pinot Grigio 2008 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Floral, pear, canned grapefruit, peach, gooseberry, quince aromas. Fresh, crisp, dry, juicy palate. Grapefruit, gooseberry, granny smith, lemon, quince and light lees flavours. The finish is a bit tart, light and warm but clean with some bitter citrus rind notes. Very solid food style, try with mussels.
Tasted: 2010-01-18 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $25.00 (750 ml) Winery Direct or Christopher Stewart
UPC: 808755005475
Producer: La Stella Winery Distributor: Chilean Wine House Ltd.; Christopher Stewart Wines and Spirits Inc.
85/100 Inniskillin Okanagan Pinot Noir Reserve 2008 Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada
Medium light ruby colour. Peppery, leafy, compost, rhubarb, gamey, celery salt, mocha, cola aromas. Round, supple, smooth but very dry palate, somewhat lean. Rooty, savoury, coffee, stewed rhubarb, peppery, compost, herbal, tea flavours. Simple, easy style but lacking in fruit elegance.
Tasted: 2010-01-17 by AG-ST
Prices: AB $19.00 (750 ml) private wine shop; BC $19.00 (750 ml) specialty listing
CSPC: 624767; UPC: 620654624768
Producer: Inniskillin Okanagan Vineyards Inc. Distributor: Vincor Canada - A Constellation Company
85/100 Familia Deicas Don Pascual Reserve Tannat 2008 Region Jaunicó, Uruguay
Medium ruby colour. Spicy, earthy, peppery, chocolate, garrigue, prune, tobacco nose. Dry, light, slightly lean and tannic palate with earthy, spicy, meaty, tobacco, dried herb and prune flavours. Designed for food but lacks overall concentration and ripeness. Best with beef.
Tasted: 2010-01-14 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $16.00 (750 ml); QC $13.00 (750 ml)
CSPC: 865386; UPC: 007730135000462
Producer: Familia Deicas Distributor: Charton-Hobbs
86/100 Bodega del Desierto Cabernet Sauvignon 25/5 2006 Alto Valle del Rio Colorado, La Pampa, Argentina
Blackberry, savoury, peppery, jammy, floral, coffee, tobacco, meaty, leather aromas. Full, dry, warm, slightly tart and austere palate. Cola, resin, peppery, blackberry jam, tobacco, earthy, meaty, vanilla, dried herb flavours. A bit too hot and austere on the finish but fine for grilled meats.
Tasted: 2010-01-14 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $25.00 (750 ml)
CSPC: 068965; UPC: 007798126790235
Producer: Bodega de Desierto Distributor: Dream Wines Corporation
Meaty, peppery, tobacco, black cherry, black plum, garrigue, savoury, floral nose. Round, rich, moderately dry palate with light tannins but good acidity balance. Spicy, chocolate, plum, black cherry, tobacco, licorice flavours with some vanilla streaks. A bit rustic on the finish but has good fruit and balance. A great value here. Buy this one by the case and enjoy with a variety of meats and cheese.
Tasted: 2010-01-14 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $12.00 (750 ml) specialty listing
CSPC: 494765; UPC: 008437002764869
Producer: Bodegas Arúspide Distributor: The Seacove Group Inc.
Tobacco, cherry, floral, meaty, barnyard, leather, chocolate, olive, gamey aromas. Dry, round, fresh, soft palate with medium to lighter body. Peppery, earthy, cherry, tobacco, smoked meat, rooty, saddle leather and cooked carrot, dried herb flavours. More forward, easy style Chianti to drink now. Much like the prior vintage.
Tasted: 2010-01-14 by AG-ST
Prices: BC $24.00 (750 ml) specialty listing; ON $22.00 (750 ml); QC $22.00 (750 ml)
CSPC: 130187; UPC: 08003015700363
Producer: Carpineto Distributor: International Cellars Inc.
86/100 Xanadu Next of Kin Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia
Spicy, tobacco, rooty, resin, cassis, black pepper, cedar bark, cola aromas. Round, dry, tart, warm palate with cassis, blackberry, resin, cola, cedar, tobacco and black olive flavours. A bit tart and warm on the finish but solid fruit for the money.
83/100 Delicato Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 California, United States
Cedar bark, cola, rooty, tobacco, earthy, saddle leather nose. Round, soft, somewhat sweet entry with cola, earthy, cedar bark, cherry, dried herb and leaf flavours. Finish is very cedar-y. A basic red.
Tasted: 2010-01-14 by AG
Prices: BC $15.00 (750 ml) estimated retail
UPC: 082242010436
Producer: Delicato Family Vineyards Distributor: Stile Enterprises Ltd.
83/100 McWilliam's Hanwood Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 South Eastern Australia, Australia
Peppery, resiny, smoky, herbal, vanilla, tobacco, blackberry, sappy cassis nose. Fresh, somewhat sweet entry with some light, cedar-y tannins. Cassis, cherry, vanilla cola, tobacco, herbal, cedar bark flavours. Finish is warm and somewhat sweet and sour. Very simple, commercial style.
Tasted: 2010-01-14 by AG-ST
Prices: AB $15.00 (750 ml); BC $16.00 (750 ml) general listing; MB $16.00 (750 ml); NS $14.00 (750 ml); ON $15.00 (750 ml) general listing; SK $15.00 (750 ml)
CSPC: 214577; UPC: 085000011782
Producer: McWilliam’s Wines Distributor: E. & J. Gallo Winery Canada, Ltd.
