2004 Ribera del Duero Viña Mayor Reserva, $28.99 WS93

HIJOS DE ANTONIO BARCELÓ
Ribera del Duero Viña Mayor Reserva 2004

Score: 93
Release Price: $25
Country: Spain
Region: Spain
Issue: May 31, 2010
Top 100: 2010, Rank: 38
Designation: Smart Buys

This red shows focus and depth, with admirable purity to its black cherry, mineral, tobacco and tar notes. Offers an excellent balance of firm, well-integrated tannins and clean acidity. Not showy, but rock-solid. Drink now through 2016. 10,000 cases made. –TM

BCLS:
VINA MAYOR RESERVA - BARCELO 2004
BC 663, Lower Mainland 452

2008 Schild Barossa Shiraz $24.99 WS94

2008 Schild Barossa Shiraz

Back in stock at the liquor store!

Polished, ripe and complex, this big, smooth wine offers roasted meat and walnut accents to the black cherry, blackberry, tobacco and licorice aromas and flavors. Lingers appealingly on the expansive finish. Drink now through 2020.

Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator, December 2010 94 Points

2006 Bordeaux Top Value picks

Saturday, October 3, 2009
While Supplies Last
Special Events at 39th & Cambie

Here are the Wine Advocate and Wine Spectator ratings of the 2006 Bordeaux bottles below $50.

Winery	Area		AVG	WA	WS
Château Malescasse	Haut-Médoc	$25	87	86	87
Château Marsau	Côtes de Francs	$25	88	88	87
Château Puy-Blanquet	Saint-Émilion	$25	82	-	82
Château Baret	Pessac-Léognan	$29	88	88	88
Château La Bernadotte	Haut-Médoc	$29	86	87	85
Château d’Escurac	Médoc	$29	87	87	-
Château Faizeau Vieilles Vignes	Montagne Saint-Émilion	$29	88	-	88
Château de Fonbel	Saint-Émilion	$29	88	89	86
Château La Prade	Côtes de Francs	$29	87	87	87
Château Rolland-Maillet	Saint-Émilion	$29	90	-	90
Château d’Agassac	Haut-Médoc	$35	85	-	85
Château Le Boscq	Saint-Éstephe	$35	87	-	87
Château Côte de Baleau	Saint-Émilion	$35	87	83	90
Château La Garde	Pessac-Léognan	$35	86	-	86
Château La Gurgue	Margaux	$35	89	-	89
Château Grand Corbin-Despagne	Saint-Émilion	$39	88	90	86
Château Labegorce	Margaux	$39	89	87	89-91
Château Moulin Haut-Laroque	Fronsac	$39	90	90	-
Château Moulinet	Pomerol	$39	45		89
Château Potensac	Médoc	$39	87	88	86
Château Puygueraud Cuvée George	Côtes de Francs	$39	87	83	90
Château la Serre	Saint-Émilion	$39	86	84	87
Château Soutard	Saint-Émilion	$39	83	84	80-84
Château Chasse-Spleen	Haut-Médoc	$45	89	-	89
Château Ferrière	Margaux	$45	87	-	87
Château de Fieuzal	Pessac-Léognan	$45	88	87	88
Château Fontenil	Fronsac	$45	89	88	90
Château La Grave	Pomerol	$45	84	80	88
Château Lafleur-Gazin	Pomerol	$45	86	86	86
Château Plince	Pomerol	$45	89	-	89
Château Poujeaux	Moulis	$45	89	89	89
Château La Vieille Cure	Fronsac	$45	90	90	-
Château Batailley	Pauillac	$49	89	91	87
Château Bourgneuf	Pomerol	$49	89	-	89
Château Cantemerle	Haut-Médoc	$49	89	90	88
Château Carbonnieux	Pessac-Léognan	$49	89	89	88
Château Gloria	Saint-Julien	$49	90	90	90
Château Grand Destieu	Saint-Émilion	$49	90	91-93	88
Château Haut-Bergey	Pessac-Léognan	$49	90	91	89
Haut-Carles	Fronsac	$49	90	91	88
Château Lynch-Moussas	Pauillac	$49	89	89	88
Château Pibran	Pauillac	$49	90	-	90
Château du Tertre	Margaux	$49	84	86	82
Château Carbonnieux Blanc	Pessac-Léognan	$49	90	91	88
Château Haut-Bergey Blanc	Pessac-Léognan	$49	91	90-92	91

2006 Monte Antico Sangiovese-Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon Toscana WS90 $16.99

WS90 WA86 $16.99

Score: 90
Release Price: $12
Country: Italy
Region: Tuscany
Issue: Oct 31, 2009
Designation: Best Values

Bright plum, dried cherry and flowers on the nose. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and refined berry and cherry flavors. Drink now. 80,000 cases made. –JS

2006 Monte Antico Sangiovese Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon
A Proprietary Blend Dry Red Table wine from
Tuscany, Italy
Source Reviewer Rating Maturity Current (Release) Cost
Wine Advocate # 184
Aug 2009 Antonio Galloni 86 Drink: 2009 - 2011 $12 (12)
The 2006 Sangiovese-Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon offers up red cherries, game, oak and spices in a floral, mid-weight style. The wine shows good balance although some hard edges remain. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2011.

http://www.bcliquorstores.com/product/587113
Lower Mainland 203

2006 Jim Barry Shiraz The Lodge Hill $29.99 WA90 WS91

2006 Jim Barry Shiraz The Lodge Hill
Jim Barry

A Syrah Dry Red Table wine from
Clare Valley, South Australia, Australia
Source Reviewer Rating Maturity Current (Release) Cost
Wine Advocate # 181
Feb 2009 Jay Miller 90 Drink: N/A $15-$21 (20)
Value reds $20 and under .Tasted and recommended, but no tasting note given
Wine Advocate # 178
Aug 2008 Jay Miller 90 Drink: 2010 - 2018 $15-$21 (20)
The 2006 Lodge Hill Shiraz was aged for 11 months in seasoned French and American oak. Purple-colored, the fragrant nose reveals violets, mineral, spice box, and a hint of eucalyptus. This is followed by a full-bodied wine with gobs of savory fruit, plenty of spice notes, good depth, and a lengthy finish. Give it 1-2 years to evolve and drink it from 2010 to 2018.

JIM BARRY
Shiraz Clare Valley The Lodge Hill 2006
Bright and effusive, slipping a spicy note into the mix as the blackberry and red cherry flavors pop. Veers toward peppermint as the finish lingers with supple texture. Best from 2009 through 2014. 5,000 cases imported. –HS
Score: 91
Release Price: $20
Country: Australia
Region: Australia
Issue: Jun 30, 2008
Designation: Smart Buys

http://www.bcliquorstores.com/en/products/57646
Lower Mainland 162 , BC 290

2005 Kangarilla Road Shiraz Estate $24.99 WA90 WS89

Wine Advocate #178 Aug 2008

Jay Miller
90
Drink: 2008-2025
Current (release) cost $19-$25 ($22)

The 2005 Shiraz was aged in a mix of 25% new French and American oak. Opaque purple, it presents aromas of smoke, cedar, tar, grilled bacon, and blueberry. Full-bodied, the wine delivers gobs of youthful ripe fruit flavors modulated by excellent balance and enough structure to carry this wine for 5-7 years in the cellar. Drink it through 2025 accompanied by osso bucco or a dry-aged prime rib-eye.

Kangarilla Road, over the past several vintages, has established a track record of turning out high-quality South Australian wines at consumer friendly prices. Founded in 1997 by Kevin and Helen O’Brien, andlocated 22 miles south of Adelaide, the estate consists of 30 acres and Kevin O’Brien is winemaker.The Kangarilla Road portfolio contains two Zinfandels, a relative rarity in South Australia.
-
Firm in texture, with a nice beam of dark berry and cherry flavors at the core, hinting at cinnamon and cedar around the edges. Finishes with persistence. Drink now through 2012. 6,000 cases imported. –HS
Score: 89
Release Price: $22
Country: Australia
Region: Australia
Issue: Oct 15, 2007

http://www.bcliquorstores.com/en/products/496729
Lower Mainland 440, BC 604

2007 Henry's Drive Pillar Box Red Padthaway $19.99 WA90

2007 Henry's Drive Pillar Box Red Padthaway

Henry's Drive

A Proprietary Blend Dry Red Table wine from
Padthaway, South Australia, Australia

Source Reviewer Rating Maturity Current (Release) Cost
Wine Advocate # 181
Feb 2009 Jay Miller 90 Drink: N/A $12 (12)
The 2007 Pillar Box Red, a blend of 65% Shiraz, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Merlot. Purple-colored, it exhibits an expressive nose of spice box, earth notes, blueberry, and black currant. Ripe, sweet, and layered, this nicely rendered red has exceptional balance and length for its humble price.

James Halliday says of Padthaway, “?It is on the way to nowhere. If you can pass through Coonawarra without noticing very much, you can pass through Padthaway without noticing anything at all.” Be that as it may, this is where the Longbottoms added grape growing to their other farming interests and began Henry’s Drive Vignerons. It quickly became clear that high quality grapes could be grown in Padthaway (they became the foundation of the Marquis-Philips line) and, subsequently, The Henry’s Drive, Parson’s Flat, and Pillar Box labels have gained significant traction in the USA market over the last ten years thanks to their superb price to quality ratio.

http://www.bcliquorstores.com/en/products/510248
Lower Mainland 638, BC 1144

2006 THORN-CLARKE Shiraz Barossa Shotfire $29.99 WS91

THORN-CLARKE
Shiraz Barossa Shotfire 2006

Aims for refinement and achieves a supple balance of ripe plum and currant fruit against a range of sweet spices and fine tannins. Lingers gently and expressively. Production was split between cork and screw-cap closures. Tasted from cork. Drink now through 2016. 15,000 cases made. –HS

Score: 91
Release Price: $22
Country: Australia
Region: Australia
Issue: Oct 15, 2007
Top 100: 2007, Rank: 57
Designation: Smart Buys

http://www.bcliquorstores.com/en/products/94342
Lower Mainland 169, BC 354

2006 Shiraz-Grenache McLaren Vale, Razor’s Edge $21.85 WS91

RAZOR'S EDGE
Shiraz-Grenache McLaren Vale 2006

Polished, round and expressive. A gorgeous mouthful of ripe blackberry, plum, cherry and exotic spices, with hints of leather and brown sugar nibbling at the edge. The finish rolls on and on against superfine tannins. Drink now through 2016. 5,000 cases imported. –HS

Score: 91
Release Price: $13
Country: Australia
Region: Australia
Issue: Jul 31, 2008
Designation: Smart Buys

http://www.bcliquorstores.com/en/products/755090
Lower Mainland 273, BC 572

Peter Lehmann Shiraz Barossa 2005 $24.99 WS91

PETER LEHMANN
Shiraz Barossa 2005

Round and generous. A lively mouthful of cherry, tobacco and earthy spice flavors, lingering impressively on the focused finish. A tinge of savory beet adds interest. Best from 2009 through 2015. 22,000 cases imported. –HS

Score: 91
Release Price: $15
Country: Australia
Region: Australia
Issue: Mar 31, 2008
Designation: Smart Buys

http://www.bcliquorstores.com/en/products/572875
Lower Mainland 735, BC 1,407

2007 Crossroads Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough $19.99 WS90

CROSSROADS
Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2007

Lithe and refined, with good intensity and balance to the lime, narcissus flower and grapefruit peel flavors highlighted by savory herb and crushed stone accents. Grass, graphite and a pretty peach note linger on the finish. Drink now. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 14,000 cases made. –DS

Score: 90
Release Price: $15
Country: New Zealand
Region: New Zealand
Issue: May 15, 2008
Designation: Smart Buys

http://www.bcliquorstores.com/en/products/11601
Lower Mailand 283, BC 421

2005 Montirius Vacqueyras Le Clos $35.02 WS93

MONTIRIUS
Vacqueyras Le Clos 2005

This Rhône red is dark and really packed, but also seamless, with a round, juicy texture carrying the fig sauce, black licorice, Turkish coffee and iron notes. The long finish is filled with blackberry and mineral. Best from 2009 through 2013. 2,500 cases made. –JM

Score: 93
Release Price: $30
Country: France
Region: Southern Rhône
Issue: Oct 31, 2008
Top 100: 2008, Rank: 63
Designation: Highly Recommended

http://www.bcliquorstores.com/en/products/874065
Lower Mainland 177, BC 310

2006 Zenato Valpolicella Superiore Ripassa $29.99 WA93

2006 Zenato Valpolicella Superiore Ripassa

Zenato
A Proprietary Blend Dry Red Table wine from
Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy

Source Reviewer Rating Maturity Current (Release) Cost
Wine Advocate # 179
Oct 2008 Antonio Galloni 93 Drink: 2008 - 2014 $22-$44 (30)
The 2006 Valpolicella Classico Ripassa reveals lovely clarity and precision in its perfumed dark fruit. This vibrant, poised Valpolicella offers tons of depth and a long, refreshing finish. Zenato’s Valpolicella is made from 80% Corvina, 10% Sangiovese and 10% Rondinella, and is aged in small French oak barrels. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2014.

This is a superb set of wines from Zenato. Sadly, Sergio Zenato passed away earlier this year, but his children Alberto and Nadia, along with their mother Carla, are in good shape to provide continuity going forward.

http://www.bcliquorstores.com/en/products/456764
Lower Mainland 242, BC 430

2005 Binder-Mitchell Shiraz Gunslinger $28.99 WA90

Binder-Mitchell, A Syrah Dry Red Table wine from Barossa Valley,
South Australia, Australia.

eRobertParker.com # 173
Oct 2007 Jay Miller (91-94) Drink: N/A $40 (40)

The 2005 Shiraz “Gunslinger” was tasted from a barrel sample. It is aging in 60% American and 40% French oak, 80% new. Purple-colored, it offers up notes of pain grille, saddle leather, violets, blackberry, and blueberry compote. Plush and layered, there are gobs of spicy blue and black fruits, superb balance, and a long pure finish.
As the name subtly suggests, Binder-Mitchell is a partnership of two highly talented winemakers, Kevin Mitchell of Kilikanoon and the Clare Valley and Rolf Binder of the Barossa Valley and his own namesake winery.

http://www.bcliquorstores.com/en/products/831404
Lower Mainland 332, BC 449

2006 Barone Ricasoli Chianti Classico Brolio $29.99 WS90

Barone Ricasoli
Chianti Classico Brolio 2006

Dark-colored, with a meat, berry and dark chocolate undertone. Full-bodied, with a silky texture and lots of fruit. Long and rich. Almost decadent. Drink now through 2012. 37,500 cases made. –JS

Score: 90
Release Price: $24
Country: Italy
Region: Tuscany
Issue: Sep. 30, 2008

http://www.bcliquorstores.com/en/products/3962
Lower Mainland 242, BC 600

2001 Celler Marti Fabra Masia Carreras $49.95 WA94

2001 Celler Marti Fabra Masia Carreras
A Proprietary Blend Dry Red Table wine from
Ampurdan Costa Brava, Spain
Wine Advocate #159 Jun 2005
Reviewer: Robert Parker
Rating: 94
Maturity: Drink 2005-2015
Current (Release) Cost: $19 (19)

The profound 2001 Masia Carreras is an unfined/unfiltered, 300-case cuvee fashioned from a similar blend. From an outstanding vintage, it boasts a dense ruby/purple color in addition to full-bodied, powerful, blueberry, raspberry, blackberry, acacia flower, and crushed rock characteristics. Layered and multidimensional, with superb purity and a fabulous noble stature, this terrific 2001 will drink well for a decade. Wow! What a discovery broker Jorge Ordonez made with these terrific wines from a sub-appellation of Ampurdan in the Costa Brava. Could Costa Brava be the next Priorat?

http://www.bcliquorstores.com/en/products/378208
Lower Mainland 224, BC 282

2003 Philippe Delesvaux Coteaux Du Layon St. Aubin Clos De La Guiberderie Delesvaux $29.00 WS92

Philippe Delesvaux
Coteaux Du Layon St. Aubin Clos De La Guiberderie

Quite open-knit, but with lush apple, fig, persimmon and marzipan notes and a long, sweet, honeyed finish. Outstanding for its exotic range of flavors, though I'm not convinced it has the spine for long-term aging. Drink now through 2008. 750 cases made. –JM

Score: 92
Release Price: $24
Country: France
Region: Loire
Issue: Dec. 15, 2004

http://www.bcliquorstores.com/en/products/372342
Lower Mainland 248, BC 299

2005 Domaine de Mourchon Seguret Grande Reserve $32.95 WA91+

Domaine de Mourchon
A Proprietary Blend Dry Red Table wine from
Seguret, Cotes du Rhone Villages, Southern Rhone, Rhone, France
Wine Advocate #175 Feb. 2008
Reviewer: Robert Parker
Rating: 91+
Maturity: Drink 2008-2023
Current (Release) Cost: $25-$30 (25)

The top cuvee for most vintages is the Grande Reserve, which is often a blend of about 55% Grenache and the rest Syrah. Yields are very small, in the 20-25 hectoliters per hectare range. The 2005 is stunning, inky bluish/purple to the rim, with a beautiful nose of creme de cassis, licorice, a touch of pepper, and roasted meats. It is dense, full-bodied, moderately tannic, and will benefit from 2-3 years of cellaring and keep for 12-15 years. It is an ambitious and brilliant Cotes du Rhone.

This is the best estate today in Seguret, and they continue to take the quality of their Cotes du Rhone to an exciting level. Of course, Grenache is the base for these wines. They are gorgeously made, pure, rich, beautifully textured, savory, and everything a wine in Provence should be. All of this can be attributed to Englishman Walter McKinlay, who purchased 40+ acres in 1998. It is amazing how quickly he has become a superstar in Seguret. The aging process here is relatively simple, with the wines kept in both concrete vats and oak casks. There is 100% destemming.

http://www.bcliquorstores.com/en/products/19513
Lower Mainland 168, BC 296

2005 Chateau Du Trignon - Cotes Du Rhone Villages Sablet $24.95 WS90

Chateau Du Trignon
Cotes Du Rhone Villages Sablet 2005

Really solid, with a muscular core of boysenberry and linzer flavors surrounded by notes of bittersweet cocoa, mesquite and licorice. Nice minerality works on the almost loamy finish. Drink now through 2009. 4,000 cases made. –JM

Score: 90
Release Price: $20
Country: France
Region: Southern Rhone
Issue: December 31, 2007

http://www.bcliquorstores.com/en/products/24018
Lower Mainland 114, BC 177

2004 Pratesi Toscana Locorosso $17.99 WS90 WA87

PRATESI
Toscana Locorosso 2004
Ripe and rich, with a solid core of fruit and ripe tannins. Lots of pepper, berry and chocolate character. Medium- to full-bodied, with fine tannins and a long, long finish. Sangiovese. Best after 2007. 2,000 cases made. –JS
Score: 90
Release Price: $19
Country: Italy
Region: Tuscany
Issue: Oct 31, 2006

2004 Pratesi Locorosso IGT
A Proprietary Blend Dry Red Table wine from
Tuscany, Italy
Wine Advocate # 165 Jun 2006 Robert Parker 87
Drink: 2006 - 2009
$12 (12)
Aged in new and used oak barrels, this deep ruby-hued blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot offers abundant amounts of red and black currant scents along with hints of graphite, charcoal, and spice. It is a medium-bodied, well-made Italian red to consume over the next several years.

http://www.bcliquorstores.com/en/products/682633
Lower Mainland 170, BC 420

2005 Podere Sapaio Bolgheri Volpolo $39.99 WS90

PODERE SAPAIO
Bolgheri Volpolo 2005
Aromas of marjoram, rosemary and currant follow through to a full-bodied palate, with silky tannins and a caressing finish. Balanced and refined. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Best after 2010. 2,650 cases made. –JS
Score: 90
Release Price: $45
Country: Italy
Region: Tuscany
Issue: Oct 31, 2007

http://www.bcliquorstores.com/en/products/265835
Lower Mainland 175, BC 204

2004 La Croix de Saint-Jean Lo Paire $37.99 WA91

2004 La Croix de Saint-Jean Lo Paire
A Proprietary Blend Dry Red Table wine from
Languedoc Roussillon, France

Wine Advocate # 173 Oct 2007 David Schildknecht 91 Drink: N/A
A new collaboration between photographer Fabrice Leseigneur and Minervois area grower Michel Fabre, La Croix de Saint-Jean is – from the initial taste of it – going to be grabbing future headlines. (Their labels are certainly head-turners.) The 2004 Lo Paire (Grenache with 35% Syrah and vinified part in tank, part in barrel) is more serious in its aspirations – and successful! The aromas are like lamb roasted over rosemary and smoldering embers, with a cherry and mole sauce. With liqueur-like, palate-coating sweetness of black cherries augmented by faintly bitter chocolate and roast coffee, clove, black pepper and rosemary, this finishes with real richness and thrust, managing to be both torrefactive and juicy, sweetly-fruited yet complexly meaty and herbal. (Around 500 cases were produced.)

http://www.bcliquorstores.com/en/products/925784
Lower Mainland 228, BC 287

2006 Chateau Pesquie Cotes du Ventoux Cuvee des Terrasses $17.99 WA90

2006 Chateau Pesquie Cotes du Ventoux Cuvee des Terrasses
Chateau Pesquie
A Proprietary Blend Dry Red Table wine from
Cotes du Ventoux, Southern Rhone, Rhone, France
Wine Advocate # 178 Aug 2008 Robert Parker 90
Drink: 2008 - 2013
$11-$12 (15)
The unfined/unfiltered 2006 Les Terrasses Rouge, a custom cuvee made for American importer Eric Solomon, is a blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah. Its deep ruby/purple hue is accompanied by a lovely bouquet of black currants, black cherries, licorice, smoke, roasted herbs, and melted licorice. Deep and full-bodied with velvety tannins, good acidity, and a long finish, this is a heck-of-a wine to drink over the next 4-5 years.

This is the benchmark estate for fabulous wine in the Cotes du Ventoux. Even with the weak American dollar, it can still be purchased for a song.

http://www.bcliquorstores.com/en/products/708750
Lower Mainland 1,265, BC 1,942

2006 Perrin & Fils Vacqueyras Les Christins $26.99 WS91

PERRIN & FILS
Vacqueyras Les Christins 2006
Very racy, with lots of red and black currant fruit backed by a great graphite spine. Offers nice hints of licorice, spice and iron on the finish. Drink now through 2012. 4,580 cases made. –JM
Score: 91
Release Price: $28
Country: France
Region: Southern Rhône
Issue: Jun 15, 200

http://www.bcliquorstores.com/en/products/585315
Lower Mainland 421, BC 771

2005 Chateau Roquetaillade la Grange $26 WS90

CHÂTEAU ROQUETAILLADE LA GRANGE
Graves 2005
Offers aromas of crushed blackberry and light spices. Full-bodied, with lots of fruit and layered, ripe tannins, with just the right hint of new wood. Needs time. Best after 2010. –JS
Score: 90
Release Price: $NA
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Issue: Jun 30, 2008

http://www.bcliquorstores.com/en/products/193102
Lower Mainland 434, BC 574