Wines & Spirits recently tasted this excellent wine and wrote a glowing report:

This starts off cool and spicy, the mineral tannins not supporting the weight of the black raspberry fruit. Give it time and the minerality grows more complex, the fruit shifting from heavy to heady, firm and bold. It is a powerful zin with a lot going on. Rutherford Ranch, St. Helena, CA

Back to top

Innovative BC garagiste winery is a small family owned winery in New Westminster who have a fierce passion for developing excellent small-lot, handcrafted wines. They source grapes from all the best wine growing regions of California, Oregon, Washington and B.C. Since opening in March 2007, they have won more than 50 International Medals, including five Best of Class awards. A true Canadian success story!

Back to top

Already well established as the No. 1 in Argentinean wine Europe, Argento is also fast growing within Eastern Canada and is within the top 5 Argentinean wines. Argentine wines have been the fastest growing wine category here in Alberta for a while now, and latest figures show the reds up by 53% and whites by 38%. This is well ahead of the market which is up 5%. Very competitively priced for wines of such excellent quality from the Mendoza region, the range includes: The Classic Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Grigio for $9.97 With the Reserva Malbec and Cabernet Suavignon at $11.97 Created in 1999 by one of the regions most respected vignerons, Argento embodies the unique Argentine spirit. Try a real taste of Argentina.

Back to top

Dry Creek wines from California have long had a reputation for producing exceptional wines, and the latest review from The Wine Enthusiast for their 2006 Mariner confirms they are still producing top class performers.  They comment Mariner shows the edgy tannins that Dry Creek red wines invariably display, with a sandpapery texture. That makes the wine, which is a Bordeaux blend of five varieties, a little rustic. But the dryness and bite are a nice alternative to the riper, softer Napa style, and more versatile at the table. Good now, and should slowly develop in the bottle for years. Try one soon and see for yourself how good it is.

Back to top

Producer of exceptional wines from the Colchagua Valley terroirs, including the Microterroir Carmenere Los Lingues 2006 which scored 93 pts. This was also chosen as the Best Carmenere of the World. Wine & Spirits recognized Casa Silva due to the exceptional consistency, quality and unique style of its wines.

Back to top

Recently tasted by Wine Spectator, they commented...A toasty Champagne, with a wooly texture, firm acidity and flavours of biscuit, smoke, straw and citrus zest. There is a minerally vein throughout and good balance overall. Drink now through 2015.

Back to top

Tinhorn Creek are Canada's first carbon neutral winery, and are running a Get Sustainable contest where customers can win up to $2500 towards a sustainable project or product via on-line entry.  Customers simply have to submit a 50 word entry via Tinhorn website as to how they will make the world a greener place. See http://www.tinhorn.com/page.php?pageID=178&parentID=137&newsID=108 for details.  Retailers also can run an in store contest where customers can win a Messenger Bag & On the Go Water Bottle.  Simply contact your rep or call 4032960176 for details.  Tinhorn Creek Merlot & Chardonnay is also on LTO with savings of $24 per case until Oct 7th.

Back to top

Organized by Wine Access, Canada's leading wine magazine, four of Thorn Clarke's Australian wines scooped the Judge's Choice in the International Value Wine Awards, recognizing the excellent quality and taste of the wine provided to Canadian consumers at an exceptionally good retail price.  Awards as follows: 89 pts Thorn-Clarke 2008 Shotfire Quartage $22 : Judges Choice - Red Blends 88 pts Thorn-Clarke 2008 Terra Barossa Shiraz $17-20 : Judges Choice - Syrah/Shiraz 87 pts Milton Park 2008 Shiraz $13-15 : Judges Choice - Syrah/Shiraz 87 Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Shiraz $25 : Judges Choice - Syrah/Shiraz

Back to top

Gismondi the well known wine critic writes in the Vancouver Sun... "...the Mud House Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009 presents a delicious example of proper New Zealand sauvignon. Look for jalapeno, grapefruit rind, passion fruit aromas with a lemon and nettle streak. Rich, full and creamy, the palate is fresh and elegant with juicy acidity and plenty of passion fruit, gooseberry, smoky jalapeno, asparagus, lime and melon flavours. There is fine intensity and balance with a long finish. Try this with mussels." Anyone with a good mussels recipe out there?  Please post it. Retails around $21 at good wine stores Score 90/100 In Alberta ask for CPC 726882 / In BC UPC 9421018070013

Back to top

Back to top

the famous LAGEDER northern Italian wine family has recently released a new Pinot Grigio. This stylish and refreshing wine is sourced from a wider range of mountain vineyards giving the family access to more potential volume and better pricing. The packaging follows the family's commitment to local arts and culture with unique images by famous European artists. The new 2007 wine is now packaged in cases of 12 x 750ml bottles and is priced attractively at $16.49.

Back to top

in Robert Parker Jr's THE WINE ADVOCATE we have some great new scores to report on --- the 'Red Baron' Shiraz is a particularly satisfying report, [caption id="attachment_202" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="fox creek scores"][/caption]  since it represents extremely good value as well (something that we can all appreciate today).

Back to top

This article hit yesterday in the San Francisco Chronicle in which our wonderful winemaker, Nick deLuca, was recognized as being a top winemaker to keep an eye on in 2009. Indeed, how one guy could make a Top 100 Cabernet (San Francisco Chronicle) a Top 100 Pinot Noir (Wine Spectator) and a Top 100 Syrah (Wine & Spirits) in the same year is truly amazing. We are very proud of him and his winemaking. We see this as yet another message to the trade that our brand is exciting and dynamic with compelling quality.

> Click here to read the article

Back to top

The Abbona brothers craft some of most interesting Piedmont wines we've tasted. Especially delicious is their new Dolcetto di Dogliani 2007 with it's fragrant and vinous aroma. Deeper, richer and more tannic are the 2003 Barolo wines and the deceptively powerful 2004 Barbaresco. These are world class wines at surprisingly affordable prices.

Back to top

We think all of our suppliers wines deserve special accolades from the Press! But we are biased. It is especially gratifying though to be amongst the top 100 wines from the famous wine magazine The Wine Spectator. This year we had two wines awarded - Nik Weis' fantastic 2007 St. Urbans Hof Estate Riesling from the Mosel (#56). At about $15 retail this wine might be one of the best value wines on the planet. The other one - Dierberg Estate Pinot Noir (#49), is a great new Santa Barbara property, owned by Jim and Mary Dierberg retailing at about $50.

Back to top

The meteoric rise of VOGA to the top of the Pinot Grigio charts last year (2007) was quick and not at all a surprise. The consistent quality and fantastic packaging captured the imagination of wine lovers everywhere. The white was quickly followed with an award winning red wine called QUATTRO (made from a blend of four grapes; Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Pinot Noir). Now, we have just received a shipment of VOGA sparkling Pinot Grigio. Look for this in the coming days at your favourite liquor store in Alberta.  

Back to top

Jim and Mary Dierbergs' Star Lane Ranch produces an exciting new California Cabernet Sauvignon. From a warm microclimate called 'Happy Canyon' just outside Santa Barbara, not known for Cabernet Sauvignon, the Dierbergs have turned some heads with their delicious new wine. Now, to further turn up the heat the family has released 2005 'Astral' which is a reserve Cabernet Sauvignon selection from this exciting new source. 'Astral' will be available in limited quantities in western Canadian wine shops and restaurants.

Back to top

Alois Lageder produces some of the most stylish white wines from northern Italy. His wines faithfully reflect the true character of the vineyards and the unique climate that is the 'South Tyrolean Alps'. As Pinot Grigio continues to set sales records all over North America there is increasing pressure on the availability (and price) of the best Lageder wines. Fortunately, Alois has had the foresight to look at neighbouring areas for additional grapes to satisfy Pinot Grigio lovers. Lageder's RIFF 2007 Pinot Grigio (from the Veneto region) is our new source of this classic grape available in quantities that will satisfy our biggest customers and at a price that doesn't hurt too much!

Back to top

Tinhorn Creek Estate Winery has just released their 2007 vintages (white wine) for sale. All four wines; Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer and 'Two Bench' blended white will be available soon in wine shops and restaurants across western Canada. In addition, Summerhill Pyramid Estate Winery has also released their latest 2007 white wines; Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer and Ehrenfelser. Perfect wines for the summer season – clean, fresh and easy to enjoy with a wide assortment of food.

Back to top