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Staff Picks
| Product: | Quails Gate Pinot Noir 2009 (January 2012) |
| Who liked it: | Leah |
| Reason: | Outstanding value in this world-class Pinot Noir. Winter calls for roasted chicken and beef stew and this wine is perfect. Nice weight on the palate, really creamy and ultra smooth. $25 |
| Product: | Quails |
| Who liked it: | |
| Reason: | |
| Product: | Lake Breeze Meritage 2009 (January 2012) |
| Who liked it: | Leah |
| Reason: | David's pick for mid-week pour last week showed me how fabulous a $20 Meritage can be. All about berries on the palate. If you took home a few bottles to age for a year or two you'd be the smartest in your neighbourhood. $20 |
| Product: | Fort Berens Cabernet Franc 2009 (January 2012) |
| Who liked it: | Irene |
| Reason: | Distinct aromas of blackberry and black pepper. Extreme flavours of ripe plums and black currant. If you've never tried a Cabernet Franc, be adventurous and try this one. $25 |
| Product: | Calliope Figure Eight 2010 (January 2012) |
| Who liked it: | Irene |
| Reason: | A blend of 78% Syrah and 22% Merlot give way to juicy flavours of raspberry, pepper and spice. Aromas of custard, coffee and liqueur chocolates. Well incorporated oak with soft round tannins. Prime rib now! $20 |
| Product: | Monster Vineyards Monster Cabs 2009 (January 2012) |
| Who liked it: | David |
| Reason: | For a Cab Franc/Cab Sauv blend, this wine is extremely approachable. Bold yet smooth, this one is an easy drink at an easy price. Will keep well under screw cap so stock up before it sells out. $20 |
| Product: | Stags Hollow Syrah 2009 (November 2011) |
| Who liked it: | David |
| Reason: | Another hit from Stags Hollow! Deep fruit concentration, medium to full bodied and perfect weight and balance. If you haven't tried a Syrah yet, make this the first! |
| Product: | Eau Vivre Pinot Noir 2008 (November 2011) |
| Who liked it: | Irene |
| Reason: | Out of a small winery in Cawston, this Pinot Noir is very nicely balanced. It bears a cranberry and cherry nose integrated with leather and soy. The tannins take the acidity long into its finish. Pairs well with turkey, duck or salmon. An excellent Noir for under $20. $19 |
| Product: | Summerhill Foch 2007 (October 2011) |
| Who liked it: | Amber |
| Reason: | Intense rich flavours of dark plums, ripe beets, berries, coffee and spice. $20 |
| Product: | La Stella Allegretto 2007 (October 2011) |
| Who liked it: | Sheila |
| Reason: | A masculine Merlot! Earthy and rich with sturdy tannins. Enjoy with your Sunday roast or cellar up to seven years. $45 |
| Product: | Arrowleaf Late Harvest Vidal 2010 (October 2011) |
| Who liked it: | Irene |
| Reason: | This is a very dense Late Harvest with lively acidity. It bears intense apricot, tropical fruit with honey and caramel flavours. Delightful to have with apple pie or pumpkin pie. Ahhh! $20 |
| Product: | Cassini "Red Carpet" Pinot Noir 2010 (October 2011) |
| Who liked it: | Leah |
| Reason: | Incredible value! The perfect Pinot Noir for under $20. Cherry, cherry on the nose. The mouthfeel is spot on - lush and smooth. No tannins, just gorgeous fruit. Priced to enjoy any day of the week. Should be stock-piled for upcoming turkey feasts. $18 |
| Product: | Cedar Creek Platinum Meritage 2007 (October 2011) |
| Who liked it: | Leah |
| Reason: | A five varietal Meritage dominated by Merlot, Cab Sauv and Malbec is a pleasure to smell - exotic spice and deep, dark stewed fruit. On the palate is so luxurious - chocolate espresso. Hurry and get some as none was produced for the 2008 vintage. $40 |
| Product: | Quinta Ferreira Viognier 2010 (October 2011) |
| Who liked it: | David |
| Reason: | I'm not sure I've ever had a white wine with so much spice flavour. Aromas of nutmeg and peaches with flavours of cinnamon and apricot. Uniquely delicious. $20 |
| Product: | The View Riesling 2010 (Sept 2011) |
| Who liked it: | Leah |
| Reason: | I'm still loving Riesling - so delicious, so versatile. This one has lovely, soft aromas of apples and a bit of spice. Crisp, clean on the palate with a nice amount of residual sugar. Would be great with some pork dumplings! $18 |
| Product: | Laughing Stock Blind Trust 2009 (Sept 2011) |
| Who liked it: | Leah |
| Reason: | I was curious to taste this wine - fairly new in our store. A lovely rich, deep easy to drink blend of Merlot, Cab. Sauv and Malbec. Super drinkable. Perfect for the upcoming fall and winter. $29 |
| Product: | Sumac Ridge Stellars Jay Magnum 2006 (Sept 2011) |
| Who liked it: | David |
| Reason: | This wine recently won the coveted Lieutenant Governors Award for Excellence. A 750 ml bottle sells for $27 but this Magnum is $35 - only $8.00 more for twice as much! Great value. Great for parties, Christmas Day and in my opinion, one of B.C.'s best sparkling wines. $35 |
| Product: | Desert Hills Mirage 2006 (Sept 2011) |
| Who liked it: | David |
| Reason: | Tis the season to be drinking your 2006's! There aren't too many left on our shelves but they are drinking beautifully. This silky Cab Sauv heavy blend features silky flavours of cherries, currants, chocolate and spice. $35 |
| Product: | Intrigue Ten 2010 (August 2011) |
| Who liked it: | David |
| Reason: | This Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Muscat blend is showing aromas and flavours of nectarine, spice with a squeeze of lime. Reminds me of Hardy's Riesling-Gewurztraminer but not as sticky sweet. Great value for $15 |
| Product: | Hester Creek Reserve Cabernet Franc 2008 (August 2011) |
| Who liked it: | David |
| Reason: | Hester Creek continues to improve their quality and it shows in this medium bodied Franc. Beautiful aromas of plum and juniper berries lend to flavours of fresh raspeberries and a peppery finish. Food pairing possibilities with this wine are endless. $27 |
| Product: | Dirty Laundry Hush 2010 (August 2011) |
| Who liked it: | Irene |
| Reason: | 50% Cabernet Franc, 30% Pinot Noir, 9% Pinot Blanc, 5% Cab/Merlot and 6% "Hush Hush."
Raspberrish and black currantish! Award winner - Peoples Choice Gold! Enjoy with East Indian dishes or by itself when doing your laundry!!! $19 |
| Product: | Ace Seven Deuce 2009 (August 2011) |
| Who liked it: | Irene |
| Reason: | A very complex red of Merlot, Cab and Shiraz. Full flavours of wildberries, chocolate and vanilla. Impressive! Very under priced. $19 |
| Product: | Joie Rose 2010 (August 2011)) |
| Who liked it: | Leah |
| Reason: | I like my Rose to be a nice balance of fruit to acidity and this one, for me, is the best this year. Lots of flavour, not too sweet, not too dry. Great with food - chorizo sausage, spot prawns with chilis. $21
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| Product: | Tantalus Riesling 2010 (August 2011) |
| Who liked it: | Leah |
| Reason: | "Perfection" is the word to describe this wine. Fruity aromas get the palate ready for citrus, apple and a hint of flint. Almost sweet until the acidity kicks in to sweep the sugar away and leaves a long, yummy finish. $23 |
| Product: | Camelot Chardonnay 2009 (July 2011) |
| Who liked it: | Irene |
| Reason: | Fermentation in oak barrels gives this Chardonnay hints of grapefruit. Love its creamy texture and zippy finish. $23 |
| Product: | Mission Hill Five Vineyards Rose 2009 (June 2011) |
| Who liked it: | David |
| Reason: | This rose is done right! Dry, up front and finishing with an explosion of fresh strawberries. $15 |
| Product: | Quails Gate Merlot 2008 (June 2011) |
| Who liked it: | David |
| Reason: | I took one sniff of this wine at the winery yesterday and I thought they poured me a glass of raspberry jam! Upon tasting, this wine has all the structure and complexity that we expect from Quails Gate wines. $25 |
| Product: | Moon Curser Border Vines 2009 (June 2011) |
| Who liked it: | Leah |
| Reason: | The Bordeaux style Meritage blend combines six of the allowable Meritage grapes with such style. Hats off to a perfectly balanced, approachable juicy red. Expect tons of fruit flavours and chocolate. $25 |
| Product: | Perseus Cabernet/Shiraz 2009 (June 2011) |
| Who liked it: | Irene |
| Reason: | A rich and spicy blend with luscious blackcurrant, blueberry, mocha and white pepper flavours. A delightful pairing with grilled meats. $20 |
| Product: | Neck of the Woods Cabernet Merlot (May 2011) |
| Who liked it: | Leah |
| Reason: | Super easy to drink, soft and fruit forward. If barbeque season ever arrives, this is the wine to have on hand. Great price! $19 |
| Product: | Black Hills Chardonnay 2008 (April 2011) |
| Who liked it: | Irene |
| Reason: | For all the Chardonnay lovers, this one is a thriller! Fresh, a ton of creaminess, apple and citrus. Enjoy with lobster, crab or prawns. Yummy! $30 |
| Product: | Jackson Triggs Meritage Black Label 2006 ( April 2011) |
| Who liked it: | David |
| Reason: | This Meritage has finally softened in the bottle and is showing deep flavours of black cherries, raspberry, spice and vanilla. Under synthetic cork this wine will hold up well in your cellar, but at $20, this 2006 Meritage won't be on our shelves too much longer. $20 |
| Product: | See Ya Later Ranch Ping 2007 (March 2011) |
| Who liked it: | Leah |
| Reason: | An exploration of wines not tasted in a long time led me back to Ping - an under $30 Meritage style red wine. Time in the bottle has calmed the acidity and left a beautiful, rich full-bodied explosion. Won't wait too long to try it again! $28 |
| Product: | Mt. Boucherie Zweigelt 2009 (March 2011) |
| Who liked it: | Irene |
| Reason: | Full of raspberry and dried cherry flavours. Balanced well with lean tannins and bright acid. A must with vegetarian pizza. $18 |
| Product: | Tin Horn Creek Chardonnay 2009 (March 2011) |
| Who liked it: | David |
| Reason: | This has to be Tin Horn Creek's best Chardonnay to date. Only 23% of this wine was oaked making it very crisp and almost refreshing. Expect bright notes of apple and pear. Exceptional with roasted chicken. $17 |
| Product: | Howling Bluff Sin Cera 2008 (March 2011) |
| Who liked it: | David |
| Reason: | A blend of 80% Merlot, 16% Malbec and 4% Cabernet Franc. Very low cropping brings dark rich cherry flavours, mingling with smooth notes of chocolate and vanilla. Needs to be decanted but this is a great Meritage blend from a relatively new winery. $29 |
| Product: | Le Vieux Pin Petit Blanc 2009 (February 2011) |
| Who liked it: | David |
| Reason: | Tons of fruit expression for a dry white blend. Flavours of apple, pear, peach and nectarine with a refreshing finish. A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc. New reduced price of $20 |
| Product: | Mission Hill Reserve Pinot Noir 2008 (February 2011) |
| Who liked it: | David |
| Reason: | This Pinot is silky and plush with natural elegance and a complex structure. A toasty vanilla nose, juicy cherry/raspberry and nutmeg flavours make this one of my favourite Pinot Noirs. $25 |
| Product: | Cedar Creek Syrah 2007 (February 2011) |
| Who liked it: | Leah |
| Reason: | Grapes sourced from one of the hottest spots in B.C., combined with one of the best wine makers in the province, make for one glorious Syrah. Fruit in the forward but not jammy, this wine has layers of berry flavours and a lush mouthfeel. The oak is perfectly integrated to deliver a dry and lengthy finish. $25 |
| Product: | Neck of the Woods Blanc de Noir Bru NV (February 2011) |
| Who liked it: | Irene |
| Reason: | Tiny, fine bubbles with a nice zest and a crisp mineral finish. Affordable bubbles!! $20 |
| Product: | Clos du Soleil White 2007 (January 2011) |
| Who liked it: | Leah |
| Reason: | This white Meritage is a 95% Sauvignon Blanc, 5% Semillon blend. Super fresh, crisp and lemony - like a sunny winter day. We enjoyed a bottle with fresh Dungenese crab with butter and, of course, lots of lemon! Perfecto! $28 |
| Product: | Nk'Mip Mer'r'iym 2008 (January 2011) |
| Who liked it: | Leah |
| Reason: | The first five-varietal blend from genius Winemaker, Randy Picton. Primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is the epitome of restraint, structure and balance. Mer'r'iym means marriage, the perfect union of varietals and is worth every penny of its steep price tag. $50 |
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