deVine Thoughts

Author: Dirk Chan

Our special this week is the Flight of the Condor Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza, Argentina) – $16.99, regularly $21.49.

The majestic condors soar above the Andes Mountains capturing in their flight Argentina’s finest wine appellations. Each wine in the Flight of the Condor winery’s range shows varietally pure wines which excel in their region of origin.

Our feature of the week is their Cabernet Sauvignon grown in Mendoza with its consistent weather conditions in high elevation vineyards that produces wonderfully consistent reds. The grapes are selected for their balanced fruit profile. 4-5 days of cold soak was followed by 8-10 days of alcoholic fermentation and malo-lactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks. The wine spends 6 months in contact with French oak prior to bottling.

The wine has a vibrant, fresh fruit profile, and is varietally pure with a linear structure and nuanced complexity of well integrated light oak contact. Try with grilled red meats and aged cheddars.

Flight of the Condor Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza, Argentina) – $16.99, regularly $21.49.

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Bodega Ramon Ramos Tardencuba Crianza (Toro, Spain) – $27.49, regularly $34.99.

The Ramon Ramos is a 35 minute drive SE of Zamora in the NW Spain. The estate dates from the 13th-century, the cellar, had and still has all the necessary conditions for preserving and aging great wines. Combining modern technology with the wisdom passed down from their ancestors allows their wines to retain their timeless character while adapting to contemporary tastes.

Our weekly special this week is their Tardencuba Crianza made from 100% Tinta de Toro (Temperanillo) planted in vase-shaped containers in very poor sandy and stony soils with small production per hectare and harvested by hand. Intense red color with a garnet rim and very aromatic, with ripe red fruits with notes of black plum, and hints of cherries with a subtle and integrated touch of oak. Powerful and full-bodied yet smooth with a balanced entry, and a lingering aftertaste that shows some tannins but with fine acidity that invites another sip. Decant for 1/2 hour and definitely pair with grilled meats, game dishes, cured meats, smoked foods, and aged cheeses; it can also accompany chocolate desserts.

Prost everyone!

Bodega Ramon Ramos Tardencuba Crianza (Toro, Spain) – $27.49, regularly $34.99.

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Spier Field & Flutter Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon (Western Cape, South Africa) – $19.99, regularly $24.99.

The Spier winery and farm was founded in 1692. In that time, the winery has come a long way and still strives to follow traditional winemaking practices, but also to keep up with current technology. Nestled in the famed Stellenbosch wine region, the vineyards have borne witness to centuries of craftsmanship and dedication. It is also a wine farm that welcomes all with abundant picnics, child-friendly gardens, award-winning wine tastings, farm-to-table eateries & more. This award winning, true to terroir producer has consistently represented great price for quality ratio in every range of wines they produced.

Our weekly special this week is indeed special, a brand new arrival into Alberta just in time for Valentines is their Field & Flutter Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon, an organic blend of 7% Shiraz and 43% Cabernet Sauvignon. Ruby rich red colored with a nose of moss, cherries, mullberries, black currant and blackberries in a velvety and gentle package with medium body finishing with allspice and dark chocolate. Doesn’t that sound delicious?

Prost everyone!

Spier Field & Flutter Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon (Western Cape, South Africa) – $19.99, regularly $24.99

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Author: Dirk Chan

Valentines is coming up this weekend, so here are a few recommendations to treat your loved one for this special occasion. Included are some rec’s for bubbles, special whites, rosés, reds and dessert & chocolate pairings. Much more options are available, just drop in the store this week or send us an email for personal assistance.

Pictured:

NV Ruinart Brut Rosé (Champagne, France) – $169.99

Below are other recommendations suitable for enjoying a bottle with your special someone:

Champagne/Sparkling Wine:

NV Undurraga Sparkling Rosé Royal (Leyda Valley, Chile) – $26.49

NV Bellenda Treviso Prosecco Levis Extra Dry (Veneto, Italy) – $28.49

NV Barone Pizzini Franciacorta Animante Extra Brut (Lombardy, Italy) – $64.99

NV Champagne Monmarthe Secret de Famille Brut (Champagne, France) – $67.99

NV Champagne Ployez-Jacquemart Extra Quality Brut (Champagne, France) – $87.99

NV Champagne Valentin Leflaive Sigma 20 4.0 Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut (Champagne, France) – $124.99

2015 Champagne Gardet 130th Anniversary Extra Brut Millesime (Champagne, France) – $129.99

NV Billecart-Salmon Brut Le Rosé (Champagne, France) – $156.99

2008 Champagne Gardet Prestige Charles Gardet Brut Millesime (Champagne, France) – $189.99

2019 Champagne Agrapart Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Mineral (Champagne, France) – $299.99

2015 Moet & Chandon Dom Pérignon Brut (Champagne, France) – $389.99

Special Whites & Rosé:

2024 Huteau-Boulanger la Muse Sauvignon (Loire Valley, France) – $21.99

2022 Selbach Blue Fish Riesling (Mosel, Germany) – $24.99

2024 Veiga da Princesa Albarino (Rias Baixas, Spain) – $29.99

2024 Springfield Estate Miss Lucy White Blend (Robertson, South Africa) – $38.99

2020 Domaine Bailly-Reverdy Sancerre Chene Marchand (Loire Valley, France) – $47.99

2022 Rockford Local Growers Semillon (Barossa Valley, Australia) – $52.99

2021 Pievalta San Paolo Verdicchio Classico Riserva (Marche, Italy) – $69.99

2023 Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Spatlese #10 (Mosel, Germany) – $96.99

2022 Domaine Cottenceau Montagny Premier Cru Montuchot (Burgundy – Cote Chalonnaise, France) – $119.99

2023 Sadie Family Palladius (Swartland, South Africa) – $199.99

2024 Bruno Lafon Lucy in the Sky Rosé (Languedoc-Roussillon, France) – $22.49

2024 Château La Nerthe Tavel Prieure de Montezargues (Rhone Valley, France) – $34.99

Special Reds:

2023 Bodegas Canopy Ganadero Garnacha (Toledo, Spain) – $24.99

2023 Shelter Winery Lovely Lilly Pinot Noir (Baden, Germany) – $31.99

2023 Malivoire Small Lot Gamay (Ontario – Niagara, Canada) – $36.99

2021 Herdade do Mouchao Ponte (Alentejo, Portugal) – $42.99

2021 Agricola Querciabella Chianti Classico DOCG (Tuscany – Chianti, Italy) – $54.99

2021 Clos du Soleil Signature (BC – Okanagan, Canada) – $65.99

2014 Lopez de Heredia Vina Bosconia Reserva (Rioja, Spain) – $74.99

2020 Cotarella Montiano Merlot (Lazio, Italy) – $93.99

2019 Louis Jadot Clos des Couchereaux Premier Cru (Burgundy – Cote de Beaune, France) – $109.99

2020 Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino (Tuscany, Italy) – $139.99

2019 Domaine Tempier Bandol La Migoua (Provence, France) – $144.99

2011 Château Providence (Bordeaux – Pomerol, France) – $189.99

2016 Cordero di Montezemolo Enrico VI Barolo (Piedmont, Italy) – $229.99

2021 Château Calon-Segur (Bordeaux – St. Estephe, France) – $289.99

1998 Château Leoville Las-Cases (Bordeaux – St. Julien, France) – $609.99

Chocolates & Dessert:

2023 Michele Chiarlo Nivole Moscato d’Asti (Piedmont, Italy) – $30.99

Warre’s Otima 10 Year Old Tawny Port (Douro, Portugal) – 500mL – $32.99

2024 Stratus Riesling Icewine (Ontario – Niagara, Canada) – 200mL – $54.99

2018 Domaine des Fontaines Bonnezeaux Les Brunettes (Loire Valley, France) – $61.99

2021 Château Sigalas Rabaud Premier Cru Classé (Bordeaux – Sauternes, France) – 375mL – $69.99

2010 Hetszolo 5 Puttonyos Tokaji Aszu by Cos d’Estournel (Tokaj, Hungary) – 500mL – $74.99

2018 Domaine Huet Clos du Bourg Moelleux Première Trie (Vouvray, France) – $99.99

1979 Kopke Colheita (Douro, Portugal) – $239.99

2007 Dow’s Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $359.99

1994 Taylor Fladgate Vintage Port (Douro, Portugal) – $499.99

Do shop early for the best selection.

Happy Valentine’s everyone!

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Le Cellier du Pic Cos du Petit Jour Merlot “Cuvée Prestige” (Pays d’Oc, France) – $19.99, regularly $25.49.

The Cellier du Pic is a cooperative of one hundred winemakers located near Montpellier, Pic St. Loop in southern France started in 1989. Located in the villages of Assas, Baillargues, Claret and Saint-Gély-du Fesc, the growers share their expertise and good humor are always at the service of delicious, supple and authentic wines so that the terroirs of of approximately 700 hectares are showcased true to their terroir and are synonymous with pleasure and character.

Our weekly special this week is their Le Cos du Petit Jour Merlot “Cuvée Prestige”, a full-bodied, supple, and juicy red wine is made exclusively from Merlot grapes. After production, it is aged for several months in oak barrels, from which it acquires notes of vanilla and a lightly toasted undertone. The nose is immediately inviting and is dominated by an abundance of ripe red and black fruit, reminiscent of berries, strawberries, and cherries. The oak aging is also clearly visible, with a hint of laurel in the background. The palate is just as fruity as the nose and is therefore particularly juicy. The oak aging is responsible for the wine’s slightly coating, soft, and rounded character, and these impressions linger well into the tasty finish. This wine is excellent as an aperitif or with young, soft cheeses, roasted meats, (spicy) stews, and pork dishes..

Prost!

Le Cellier du Pic Cos du Petit Jour Merlot “Cuvée Prestige” (Pays d’Oc, France) – $19.99, regularly $25.49

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Author: Dirk Chan

Chateau Ksara is the oldest winery in Lebannon. Located in the Bekaa Valley, it is an hour’s drive SE of Beirut. The region has a semi-continental hot climate where winters are cold with moderate rainfall while the summers are hot and dry. All of Ksara’s vineyards are in the Bekaa Valley at an average altitude of 1000 meters.

Named after the ‘ksar’ or ‘fortress’, there is the Middle East’s first Observatory (with their white wine named after it) on site so that the Jesuit monks could record rainfall and seismic activity. There is also a Bell Tower (Le Prieure) which has a red wine named after it, being one of the estate’s most prominent monuments. The underground Roman caves are another stately feature of the estate.

The Blanc de L’Observatoire is made up of Clairette, Muscat and Sauvignon Blanc while the Le Prieure is made from Cinsault, Carignan, Mourvèdre and Caladoc (a genetic blending of Grenache and Malbec). Both can pair deliciously with grilled fish/seafood or grilled red meats.

Pictured left to right:

2022 Château Ksara Blanc de L’Observatoire (Lebanon) – $24.99

2021 Château Ksara Le Prieure (Lebanon) – $24.99

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Monte da Ravasqueira Encantado Red (Alentejo, Portugal) – $15.49, regularly $18.49.

Monte da Ravasqueira has been linked to the José de Mello family for several generations. Located in the municipality of Arraiolos, about an hour’s drive from Lisbon, the estate occupies a vast area of ​​typical Alentejo landscape.

The vineyards of Monte da Ravasqueira are carefully managed and monitored with the main objective of producing high quality wines. It comprises an area of 45 hectares, most of which are planted on clay-limestone soils with granite outcrops. Located in Alentejo, Monte da Ravasqueira offers a wide variety of wines resulting from 29 plots of vines. They are also engaged in a number or other activities involving the production of cork, olive oil and honey, as well as rearing fine cattle and fattening of black pig from Alentejo.

Our weekly special this week is their Encantado Red, a blend of Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Franca and Syrah vinified separately and then combined before aging in French oak barrels for 8 months prior to bottling. Nose of forest aromas with a lush mid palate displaying layers of black berry fruit, baking spice and licorice notes finishing on medium tannins and fine length. There is also a slight truffle note that is interesting and beguiling. Try with grilled meats.

Monte da Ravasqueira Encantado Red (Alentejo, Portugal) – $15.49, regularly $18.49.

Prost!

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Hugo Shiraz (McLaren Vale, Australia) – $20.99, regularly $27.49.

Hugo Wines is a family owned & operated winery in the foothills of McLaren Vale. The family focus on producing estate grown single vineyard wines from the Family Estate. Their passion is to make single site wines showcasing a unique sense of place with a direct connection to the land, while always being reminded of what’s truly important: family.

The original estate was purchased by John Hugo’s maternal great grandfather, George Sauerbier in 1860.

Our weekly special this week is their McLaren Vale Shiraz from two estate blocks planted in 1972 and 1988 respectively. Maturation took place in a mix of 75% French and 25% American oak hogsheads, 20% of which were new, for a period of 18 months. This is a rich and refined red with fine opulence. Impenetrable inky black in colour with a very deep dark purple black hue. Wafting from the glass is an intense bouquet of blackberry, liquorice and dark plum fruits which are followed by vanillin oak, a whiff of dark chocolate and peppered fennel like notes. Rich, full and opulent, lavish blackberry, dark plum and liquorice fruits are layered across the palate like silk sheets. Lurking beneath are elements of vanillin cedar, mocha and pepper. Excellent power with velvet smooth tannins and a long seductive conclusion. Try with grilled red meats.

Hugo Shiraz (McLaren Vale, Australia) – $20.99, regularly $27.49

Prost!

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Sottano Clasico Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza, Argentina) – $19.49, regularly $24.99.

Sottano was founded in 1890 by Fioravante Sottano who settled in Mendoza after moving from Italy. Situated in the foothills of the Andes Mountains, in Perdriel, in Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina, it covers over two hectares of land, including 15,000 square meters of landscaping using only native species.

The winery produces about 800,000 liters of wine annually. In a fully automated process, the wines are distributed in stainless steel tanks of different sizes, which allows us to maintain precise quality control. Their underground cellar stores their best wines during their aging in oak barrels and later in the bottle.

Our weekly special this week is their Clasico Cabernet Sauvignon– an intense ruby color and aromas of ripe coffee, cassis, black fruits, black pepper, cedar and vanilla. On the palate, it is full-bodied and structured, with firm tannins and balanced acidity, offering a rich and full-bodied persistent experience. Pair with grilled red meats.

Prost!

Sottano Clasico Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza, Argentina) – $19.49, regularly $24.99

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the San Felice Chianti Classico (Tuscany – Chianti, Italy) – $21.49 regularly $26.49.

Agricola San Felice is steeped in local lore and history. Named after a local early Christian Saint from the 18th century, the property was bought by the Grisaldi Del Taja family – the founding members of the Chianti Classico consortium. The family produced wine for several centuries until 1968 when the estate passed to Enzo Morganti, where he restructured and transformed this venerable estate, concentrating on high quality winemaking, systematic scientific research and thoughtful vineyard purchases, which included the Campogiovanni vineyard in Montalcino in 1984. Today the property includes a 1,853 acre resort, 445 acres of vineyards and a 44 acre parcel dedicated to experimental viticulture and genetic improvement of Sangiovese. The winery makes regular appearances in the Wine Spectator’s Top 100.

The San Felice vineyards are situated amongst the gently rolling hills of the Castelnuovo Berardenga area of Chianti Classico. The winery’s annual production is around one million bottles (1,025,000 of Chianti, 80,000 of Brunello, 40,000 of Rosso di Montalcino and 55,000 of Bolgheri), divided into 16 labels, made entirely from estate-owned grapes.

Our feature this week is their Chianti Classico, a delightfully aromatic (violets) Sangiovese based wine which includes some Pugnitello – an ancient Tuscan grape that was nearly extinct when San Felice began working with it in the late 1980s. This Chianti Classico is smooth, expressive, pure and characterful, with black cherry, raspberry, blackcurrant, earth, tobacco, and a precise minerality. Harmonious, dry and long with fine structure and fresh acidity – it’s ideal choice with charcuterie, roast turkey or grilled beef.

San Felice Chianti Classico (Tuscany – Chianti, Italy) – $21.49, regularly $26.49.

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