deVine Thoughts

Author: Dirk Chan

The popular American wine publication Wine Spectator reviews over 15,000 wines every year, and in mid November, they issue their Top 100 Wines of the Year amids much fanfare and hoopla. This has been an ongoing tradition since 1988.

The retailers follow closely and will bring in as many of the Top 100 as available. It gets harder every year to get a lot of wines, either because its not in Alberta, or it is the wrong vintage. We have five wines to offer this year so far so grab them while quantities last

Check out the available 2022 Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines..

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the 2020 Clos la Coutale (Cahors, France) – $18.49 (regularly $21.99).

Clos la Coutale is a great terroir with know-how handed down over six generations. From the Cahors winemaking region, home of the Malbec grape, their flagship red is one of a handful of wines that has been a staple on deVine’s shelves for all 17 years of the store’s existence! – a testament to this winery’s excellence and consistency.

The 100 hectares of vines of Clos la Coutale are located in the heart of the appellation in southwestern France on alluvial soils composed of gravel and clay-limestone silica. Protected from the extreme cold with a southwest exposure, this land is particularly suitable for vine growing.

Clos La Coutale is a blend of Malbec and Merlot around 80-20, with an average yield of 45hl allowing for good maturity (one year in wood casks) and a regular quality over the years. Its meatiness and rustic aromas of coffee and ripe black fruit give this rouge a rugged appeal with fine balance between tannins and fruit. Pair with a hearty beef stew, it can even stand short-term cellaring for further improvement.

2020 Clos La Coutale Cahors (Cahors, France) – $18.49 (regularly $21.99)

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Author: Chad Gascho

As we all know Santa has that big ol’ bowl full of jelly, it’s always Jiggling and bouncing around whilst he spreads his cheer. Now, you may ask yourself; how does he maintain that wonderful Christmas physique? Although cookies may be his mainstay, and we certainly know he indulges in many other tempting holiday desserts, not so many people are aware of the other reason for him being so ‘Jolly’ around the edges – BEER! This year deVine Wines has combined some of Santa’s favorite treats and beer styles to bring you this year’s edition of our Santa’s Surprise Sack! This little bag of goodies is for all the beer lovers on your list – whether they’ve been good or not! Featuring four hard-to-find, festive-style, seasonal beers, all by the craft brewers that you love. Chosen for you by our own in-house beer chap, this sack is exclusive to deVine Wines & Spirits, so get yours before they’re gone. We’re thinking you won’t be able to wait too long before you open yours!

Open the postcard..

2022 Santa’s Surprise Sack (Alberta, Canada) – $27.99

Mark your calendar – deVine Days – Friday, Dec 16 through Sunday, Dec 18 is a three day weekend affair this year – our annual “Thank You!” for your ongoing support and patronage.

deVine Wines will be offering our customers a 10% discount* on all in-store items (yes, including wine, beer, spirits and vintage keeper, vintage room products). No rain-checks and does not apply to products already discounted (cases of the month, bin-ends and weekly online offer). For your shopping convenience, you can also shop online during that weekend as our entire inventory is available via our website that is available to you 24 hours a day. Enjoy shopping in the comforts of your own home. Note you won’t see the 10% discount when you order online in the system generated confirmation but rather it will be applied by us in the backend and you will see it on our second email confirmation when your order has been processed.

You can also visit us in the store during our regular store hours .

In addition to the sale, do take advantage of our free delivery within Edmonton city limits option with a minimum $50 purchase – we deliver monday through fridays in the afternoon.

This is our biggest sale of the year to give everybody some much needed cheer! Shop early for best selection. Don’t miss out, its a great opportunity to do all your Xmas and New Year needs.

At this time of year, please remember those in need. Please bring a package for the Edmonton Food Bank or drop some money into the cash box by our till if you’re coming into to the store. For those taking advantage of our free delivery within Edmonton city limits, you can hand over a care package to our driver. Thank you in advance.

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Michael and David Phillips Petite-Petit (California – Lodi, United States) – $23.49, regularly $29.49.

Lodi’s Michael and David Phillips Winery goes way back to the 1860’s where they have been farming this soil for a very long time, cultivating wine grapes since the early 20th century. The founders, brothers Michael and David Phillips, are 5th generation grape growers who have raised their families in the vineyard, and now the 6th generation has joined the team, Mike’s son Kevin and daughter Melissa.

One of the largest producers in the region, the sheer number of releases is mind-boggling – their Freakshow, Earthquake, Inkblot and Reserve lines are huge.

Alas, one of the standalone releases and long time bestsellers at deVines, their Petite-Petit is our feature this week – it is a huge red. Like elephants whose size is imposing. A blend of 85% Petite Sirah and 15% Petit Verdot, this wine offers a joyous explosion of color and fun. It is a substantial, dense, full-bodied, whopper style of wine loaded on the nose with pure black fruit, summer berries, bing cherr, vanilla, and worn leather. On the mouth coating palate, there is remarkable richness of plum, boysenberry and dark chocolate. This is a dark, robust and satisfying red. Pair with bbq meats.

Michael and David Phillips Petite-Petit (California – Lodi, United States) – $23.49 (regularly $29.49)

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the 2020 Viña Carmen Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva (Maipo Valley, Chile) – $16.99, regularly $20.99.

Vina Carmen is the oldest winery in Chile, founded by Christian Lanz back in 1850, naming the winery after his wife. In the Maipo Valley, with its high-altitude and Mediterranean climate which allows for cool nights and warm days, the grapes flourish in this ideal and idyllic enviroment perfect for red wines in particular.

Nowadays, Carmen winery is a very modern building with state of the art technology and is owned by Santa Rita after becoming part of the Grupo Claro in 1987, which also owns Doña Paula in Argentina. Its broad portfolio of wines is overseen by talented renown young winemaker Emily Faulconer.

The feature this week is their Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva, with strong aromas of cherry and black plum. Complex aromas and flavours from prolonged ageing in barrels, giving notes of vanilla, toast, a smoky edge, and traces of fruits such as raspberry and plum; great body and length, balanced acidity, and pleasant, rounded tannins.

2020 Viña Carmen Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva (Maipo Valley, Chile) – $16.99 (regularly $20.99)

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Author: Dirk Chan

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