On the Back cover
CHÂTEAU D'ARGADENS  2003
AC Bordeaux Supérieur  

Referred to by critics as one of Bordeaux's best kept secrets, Château d'Argadens' vineyards are currently planted to 55% Merlot and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon. The very hot 2003 vintage created a wine with aromas of chocolate, spice and black plum. It is dry and fruity. With softening tannins that give the wine a good balance. Drinking beautifully now with food, this wine is also a worthy candidate for short to mid-term cellaring (2-4 years).

681643    (XD)   750 mL    $17.95   

 

CHÂTEAU HAUT-VIGNEAU  2003
AC Pessac-Léognan  

Rich and plummy, this silky textured, fruity Bordeaux is well-balanced and ideally suited for those nights when you want a great value wine to serve with back ribs or even gourmet hamburgers.

29678    (D)   750 mL    $24.95   

CHÂTEAU LES CABANNES  2004
AC Saint-Émilion Grand Cru  
(Vign. Kjellberg, Prop.)

Toronto-born Peter Kjellberg is the owner/winemaker of Château les Cabannes, an exciting, up-and-coming St-Émilion property.

973727    (XD)   750 mL    $23.95   

VINTAGES Essentials
CHÂTEAU PEY LA TOUR (V)  
AC Bordeaux Supérieur, Réserve du Château  

Elegant and rich, this wine has raspberry and blackcurrant flavours with hints of mint and earth leading to a chewy medium finish. Primed for prime rib, it will continue to reward with two to five years of cellaring time. Formerly Château Clos de la Tour.

925859    (XD)   750 mL    $22.15   

CHÂTEAU ROLAND LA GARDE PRESTIGE  2003
AC Premières Côtes de Blaye  

Tasting Note: One of the stars of the Cotes de Blaye, Roland La Garde consistently produces serious, tasty, juicy, fruit-driven reds with increasing amounts of structure and wood as one moves from the Tradition, to the Prestige and Grand Vin. This 2003 exhibits ripe fruit, low acidity, high alcohol, and a generous texture. It can last 10-12 years or longer.  Score - 87-88.  (Robert Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, April 2004)

29652    (XD)   750 mL    $26.95   

VINTAGES Essentials
CHRISTIAN MOUEIX MERLOT (V)  
AC Bordeaux  
(J-P Moueix)

No one knows Merlot better than Christian Moueix, owner of the world famous, Château Pétrus. Year after year, Moueix wines epitomize Merlot. Soft and round with aromas of raspberry, cedar and blueberry this wine delivers. Ripe fruit, great balance and a medium long finish. It's magic with veal medallions and sautéed mushrooms, or baked pasta.

961227    (XD)   750 mL    $14.95   

DOMAINE DE LA SOLITUDE ROUGE  2004
AC Pessac-Léognan  
(Communaté Religieuse de la Sainte-Famille, prop.)

This Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated wine is an excellent companion to their white wine (031724, $29.95), also available in this release. The cassis, black cherry and earth aromas are nicely repeated on the palate. Medium full-bodied, it can be aged 2-5 years, but is also a fine match for rare steak or lamb.

31732    (XD)   750 mL    $32.95   

LA CROIX BONIS ROUGE  2003
AC St-Estèphe, Third Wine of Château Phélan Ségur  
(X. Gardinier & Fils)

A 'third wine' of Château Phélan Ségur in name only, this blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot is crafted with fruit from several of the best vineyard sites in St-Estèphe. After careful yield reduction, hand-picking and table sorting, only the very best grapes make it into the final blend. The hot 2003 vintage resulted in a forceful, fruity, yet nicely balanced wine with good structure, suggesting excellent ageing potential (3-5 years). Or decant it and enjoy tonight with a rare steak.

29686    (XD)   750 mL    $29.95   

LES FIEFS DE LAGRANGE  2001
AC St-Julien, Second Wine of Château Lagrange  

Made with young vines or from newly developed vineyard locations, Château Lagrange's second wine, Les Fiefs de Lagrange, is a soft, round and ripe wine with a lovely fresh berry/cherry character. Try it with lamb chops or filet mignon.

10504    (D)   750 mL    $37.95   

LES HAUTS DU TERTRE ROUGE  2004
AC Margaux  
(Second wine of Château du Tertre)

The classic estate of Château du Tertre is bordered on the north by Château Cantenac-Brown and Château Brane-Cantenac, and to the west by Château Giscours. It is a highly respected 5th Growth house whose second wine, Les Hauts du Tertre, combines all the power of the premium wine with the harmony and finesse of great Margaux. The blend is 54% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. The winery suggests enjoying this perfectly balanced wine with fried sweetbreads in balsamic vinegar with caramelised baby onions.

31013    (XD)   750 mL    $28.95   

CASTELNAU DE SUDUIRAUT  2003
AC Sauternes  
(Château Suduiraut, Prop.)

The legendary Sauternes house, Château Suduiraut, produces this second wine, Castelnau de Suduiraut, from younger vines. The virtue here is that you get to sample great Sauternes from a classic house without paying first wine prices. Frequently, in vintages such as the hot 2003, the wines created are often on par with the flagship bottlings. This beautifully balanced, sweet wine is a great choice for blue-veined cheeses, foie gras or rich cheesecakes.

29694    (S)   375 mL    $24.95   

S DE SUDUIRAUT BLANC  2004
AC Bordeaux  
(Château Suduiraut, Prop.)

This top Sauternes house launches its first dry table wine with this attractive, peach- and grapefruit-scented blend of Sauvignon Blanc (60%) and Sémillon (40%). The fruit is hand picked ensuring top quality and the wine is barrel fermented and aged for six months with regular stirring of the lees. Elegantly balanced by the crisp acidity, this intensely flavoured wine should be enjoyed with herbed chicken or grilled pork.

29645    (XD)   750 mL    $39.95   

CHÂTEAU DUCLA EXPERIENCE XIII CUVÉE SANS NOM  2005
AC Bordeaux  
(Domaine Mau, Vign.)

Château Ducla acquired its moniker due to the distortion of Scottish lord Mac Douglas' name. During the 100 Years War in the 14th century, England controlled Bordeaux. Mac Douglas lived there and used one of the buildings on the property as a hunting pavillon. Over the centuries the name morphed from Douglas to Ducla. This Experience XIII is a zesty blend of 52% Sauvignon Gris and 48% Sauvignon Blanc. Enjoy this refreshing wine with seafood.

23853    (D)   750 mL    $19.95   

DOMAINE DE LA SOLITUDE BLANC  2004
AC Pessac-Léognan  
(Communate Religieuse de la Sainte-Famille, Prop.)

Domaine de la Solitude is appropriately named because it has been a nunnery for over 180 years. Their partner red wine is also available in this release (031732, $32.95). Made with 100% Sauvignon Blanc, this white wine displays a lively gooseberry, citrus and passion fruit aroma profile. It is a fine contemplation wine or match it with pasta in a white sauce.

31724    (XD)   750 mL    $29.95   

COSTE-CAUMARTIN POMMARD 1ER CRU LES FREMIERS  2003
AC  

Tasting Note: Dense and supple at once, this 2003 red evokes licorice, blackberry and plum notes. It shuts down with stiff tannins, which are ripe and well-integrated. A baby, this will evolve well with time. Best from 2009 through 2020.  Score - 92. (Bruce Sanderson, www.winespectator.com, May 15, 2006)

712281    (XD)   750 mL    $59.95   

DOMAINE DU PAVILLON ALOXE-CORTON 1ER CRU  2004
AC, Clos des Maréchaudes  
(Maison Albert Bichot, Prop.)


Tasting Note: Moderate reduction makes the earthy nose difficult to read with accuracy but the rich, full and sweet flavors offer good concentration and punch with a delicious, serious and balanced finish. This delivers good length and should age well for 5 to 7 years, perhaps a bit longer.  Score - 87-90.  (Allen Meadows, www.burghound.com, April 1, 2006)

29504    (XD)   750 mL    $54.95   

VINTAGES Essentials
LOUIS JADOT BEAUJOLAIS-VILLAGES (V)  
AC  

The most popular red wine in the Vintages Essentials Collection entices with its bouquet of smoke, cherry and fresh plum. Vivacious and fruity, this light- to medium-bodied Gamay has a succulent mouth feel. Serve lightly chilled with quiche, salmon or vegetarian dishes, or enjoy it on its own.

365924    (XD)   750 mL    $16.15   

BERNARD DEFAIX CHABLIS 1ER CRU  2004
AC, Côte de Lechet  

Tasting Note: An ultra pure and still rather reserved lemon lime and white flower-infused nose merges into round yet delineated flavors that offer good richness and plenty of sap as well as a wonderfully intense and superbly persistent and moderately austere finish. The elegance here is notable as is the balance and this should be capable of at least a decade of life, perhaps longer if well stored.  Score - 91.  (Allen Meadows, www.burghound.com, Oct. 1, 2006)

17541    (XD)   750 mL    $34.95   

VINTAGES Essentials
LA CHABLISIENNE CHABLIS LES VIEILLES VIGNES (V)  
AC  

'Vieilles Vignes' or 'Old Vines' yield less fruit but the quality of the grapes is much higher than in younger vines. This Chardonnay is consistently excellent with aromas of green apple, nectarine mineral and a hint of toast. Dry with very good fruit flavours beneath and a long, crisp finish. Serve it with lemon chicken or oysters on the half shell.

942243    (XD)   750 mL    $22.95   

VINTAGES Essentials
LOUIS JADOT BOURGOGNE CHARDONNAY (V)  
AC  

From the geographical headquarters of the Chardonnay grape comes this wonderfully versatile wine. The main aromas are baked apple, citrus, cinnamon and a hint of vanilla. It's creamy, ripe and balanced with a medium-body and a lingering finish. Tantalizing with freshwater fish or vegetable stir-fry.

933077    (XD)   750 mL    $20.15   

On the Back cover
LOUIS JADOT POUILLY-FUISSÉ  2005
AC  

As a highly respected négociant, Louis Jadot has a charmed capacity for pulling in great fruit from many Burgundy regions and making smashing wines with them. Here is a Pouilly-Fuissé that is a perfect example of that. This Chardonnay is crisp and apple-fresh with a lively mineral core and fulfilling finish. Match it to grilled chicken or lobster dishes.

732917    (XD)   750 mL    $34.95   

FRANÇOIS DE TOURNON SAINT-JOSEPH  2003
AC  
(Delas Frères)


Tasting Note: Lots of crushed blackberry and plum aromas and flavours, with a ripe, dusty finish. Not as tense or plush as the top 2003s, but still has delicious fruit and good structure. Drink now through 2010.  Score - 90.  (James Molesworth, Wine Spectator Insider, Feb. 22, 2006)

17525    (XD)   750 mL    $32.95   

VINTAGES Essentials
PERRIN & FILS CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE LES SINARDS (V)  
AC  

Jean-Pierre, François and Pierre Perrin created Les Sinards as an homage to their late grandfather. With some of the grapes sourced from their famous Château de Beaucastel estate, this is a classic Châteauneuf with cocoa, blackcurrant, cherry and leather aromas. It's dry, medium- to full-bodied and packed with rich fruit flavours, as well as earth and smoke notes. With such great structure, this big wine needs char-grilled steaks or rack of lamb.

926626    (XD)   750 mL    $38.95   

VINTAGES Essentials
PERRIN RÉSERVE (V)  
AC Côtes-du-Rhône  

This wine will transport you to the South of France. Five generations of Perrin winemaking culminate here as you breathe in aromas of candied cherries, plum, spice, and earthy tones. There's volumes of juicy cherry flavours surrounded by good ripe tannins on the medium-bodied palate. Gourmets can savour it with chicken or lamb tajine.

363457    (XD)   750 mL    $14.15   

YANN CHAVE CROZES-HERMITAGE  2005
AC  

Though not officially organic, Chave is still recognized as a true steward of the land. Among other things, they fertilize with natural compost, use only indigenous wild yeast and reduce yields to ensure the vines and soil are not overtaxed. The results are clear in the bottle as its vibrant fruit literally jumps out of the glass. Enjoy with organic beef or cellar for 2-4 years.

18812    (XD)   750 mL    $24.95   

MAS DES BRESSADES CUVÉE TRADITION BLANC  2006
AC Costières de Nîmes  
(Cyril Mares, Prop.-Récolt.)

The Marès family began making wine in Algeria during the early 20th century. They moved back to France, creating the Bordeaux house Château Puy Castéra. The restless Marès patriarch then acquired land in the Costières de Nîmes, where he established this renowned winery. His son, Cyril, took over after stints in Chile and elsewhere in France. Today, their Grenache Blanc/ Roussanne 'Cuvée Tradition' is a floral, Muscat-like wonder that matches the cheeses of the Rhône, such as Sérac and Saint-Marcellin.

701094    (XD)   750 mL    $12.95   

DOMAINE DE BEAUMALRIC MUSCAT DE BEAUMES-DE-VENISE  2005
AC, vin doux naturel  
(Isabelle et Daniel Begouaussel, Vign.)

Made with one of the greatest white grapes in the wine world, Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains, this sweet, fragrant dessert wine is an excellent partner for lemon custard or key lime pie.

459560    (S)   375 mL    $15.95   

DOPFF AU MOULIN GEWURZTRAMINER  2003
AC Alsace, de nos domaines de Riquewihr  

An expressive, explosive Gewurz dominated by lychee, passion fruit, grapefruit rind and spice aromas. It is dry, very rich, with a hint of residual sweetness. Try this long-finishing wine with spicy curries or even fresh fruit cocktails.

28100    (D)   750 mL    $24.95   

PIERRE SPARR PINOT GRIS RÉSERVE  2004
AC Alsace  

Pinot Gris finds its ultimate expression in the vineyards of Alsace. The combination of terroir and superior winemaking has led to the c