Pierre Sparr 2007 Gewurztraminer - 82pts

Pierre Sparr 2007 Gewurztraminer (Alsace) France

Availability: Widely available

Cost: $21.99

Alcohol: 14%

Date Tasted: September 22nd, 2009

Tasting Notes: This pale gold-straw coloured wine from Alsatian producer Pierre Sparr has an intense and aromatic nose but fails to deliver on the palate. Perhaps it was simple a bad vintage which has lead to an unbalanced wine.

On the nose you'll find youthful aromas of jasmine, soap, mandarin oranges and candied-lychee. The dry and medium-bodied palate offers flavours of starfruit and mandarin oranges that are overshadowed by the high alcohol. Combine that with medium-minus acidity and you get an unbalanced and short finish. Drink now. - LC

2006 Chateau Gaudrelle - 87pts

2006 Chateau Gaudrelle (Vouvray) Loire Valley - France

Availability: BCLDB Stores

Cost: $24.99

Alcohol: 12.5%

Date Tasted: September 22nd, 2009

Tasting Notes: The Loire Valley produces many diverse and satisfying Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc wines. The Vouvray appellation is a prominent producer of crisp and complex Chenin Blanc with strong minerality.

On the muted nose you get find aromas of green-apple and candied-dry apples with mineral notes. On the medium-bodied palate you will find youthful flavours of pineapple, lime stone and cooking spices with a slight underlying taste of chalk and high acidity. Subtle complexity increases with more time in the glass creating gentle aromatics on the nose. Well balanced and approachable now. Drink now through 2013. - LC

SKU 309567 UPC 3466600710041

Pfaffenheim 2007 Pinot Gris - 86pts

Pfaffenheim 2007 Pinot Gris (Alsace) France

Availability: Widely available

Cost: $19.99 (BCLDB stores)

Alcohol: 13%

Date Tasted: September 22nd, 2009

Tasting Notes: For an Alsatian wine this one has a bit more residual sugar than normal for the region. The nose of this medium-yellow gold coloured wine is light and subtle offering aromas of canned mushrooms, pears with notes of wet slate.

On the well-balanced palate the medium-bodied Pinot Gris offers youthful flavours of tangerines and melons with notes of residual lees from the barrel fermentation. The fruit aromas and flavours hold up to the alcohol well and the medium acid adds to a complex and refreshing wine that will pair well with medium-bodied fish with a creme and mushroom sauce. Drink now through 2011. - LC

SKU 616144 UPC 3185130071025

Rhodanienne 2006 Les Combelles - 84pts

Rhodanienne 2006 Les Combelles (Cote du Rhone) Rhone Valley - France

Availability: Widely available in BC

Cost: $13.49

Alcohol: 13.5%

Date Tasted: October 19th, 2009

Tasting Notes: This Rhone Valley red blend of Grenache and Syrah is an intense blood-red coloured, medium-bodied wine that will pair nicely with grilled meats.

The nose offers developing, medium-minus intense aromas of cassis, leather, plumbs, stewed fruit and licorice. On the medium-plus acidic and tannic palate are flavours of dark fruits with notes of toasted cedar. A medium length finish completes the experience. Drink 2009-2012.

Sku 759233 / UPC 3263810133581

Delas 2006 Domaine Des Grands Chemins - 87pts

Delas 2006 Domaine Des Grands Chemins (Crozes Hermitage) Northern Rhone - France

Availability: BCLDS stores

Cost: $26.99

Alcohol: 12.5%

Date Tasted: October 19th, 2009

Tasting Notes: This Northern Rhone Syrah is restrained yet full of character featuring a medium-plus intensity nose of vanilla, dark fruits, wet leaves and Fall spices. On the palate this inky-garnet coloured temptress offers flavours of berries, light oak, cherries and forest floor with medium-plus acidity and tannins. A long, balanced and very smooth finish complete the tasting experience.

Still developing, this wine should age well for another 5-6 years. Drink now through 2015. - LC

Deutz NV Brut Classic - 87pts

Deutz Non Vintage Brut Classic (Marne) Champagne - France

Availability: Widely available at private and BCLDB stores

Cost: $64.99

Alcohol: 12%

Date Tasted: October 5th, 2009

Tasting Notes: The Deutz Brut Classic is a quality Champagne with strings of fine pearl bubbles that offers aromas of cabbage, citrus, yeast and canned-mushrooms fried in butter. Made with the three permitted Champagne grape varietals, Chardonnay (1/3), Pinot Noir (1/3) and Pinot Meunier (1/3), each component adds texture or flavour to the wine. On the palate this light-gold coloured wine has a developed autolytic character with intense flavours of green banana, lemon peel, cabbage with toasty notes.

Despite aging for only 15 months on the lees, the autolytic flavours dominate the palate yet the wine offers layers of complexity that will endear it to many. Drink now. - LC

Sku: 56358 UPC: 3359952005005