2008 Domaine Barmès Buecher Riesling Tradition

Clear, medium lemon-gold appearance. Clean, medium intensity citrus, spices, a hint of honey, and a bit of earthiness on the nose. Dry with a bit of residual sugar, medium body, and dominated by an intense acidity, the palate is almost all lemon and grapefruit; there is a bit of a yeasty or earthy/dusty quality as well. Good length. 12% alcohol. Overall very good; recommended if you’re in the mood for an austere Alsatian Riesling. $28 at Marquis Wine Cellars. See Barmès Buecher.

2008 Domaine Barmès Buecher Riesling

Pfaffenheim 2009 Pinot Gris

Clear, almost-medium gold appearance. Clean, medium intensity apple, citrus and floral nose. Dry with a hint of residual sugar; high acidity, medium body. Intense lemon, spice, and floral in the mouth; well-balanced and appealing. Medium length of lingering citrus acidity and the hint of sweetness. 13.5% alcohol. Recommended at the price: $24.50 at Steamworks Wine Thief. See Pfaffenheim.

Pfaffenheim 2009 Pinot Gris

Babich Black Label 2010 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

Clear, pale gold in the glass. Clean, intense nose of ripe tropical fruits—banana, pineapple, mango—and capsicum. Dry, high acidity, medium body, dominated again by tropical fruits, along with apple and a hint of the typical green vegetal qualities, all very nicely balanced. A real kick at 14% alcohol (though the winemaker’s notes claim 13.5%), and good length. Recommended. $27 at Kitsilano Wine Cellar. See Babich Wines.

Babich 2010 Sauvignon Blanc

Crowley Willamette Valley 2008 Pinot Noir

Clear, medium ruby colour. Clean, medium intensity aromas of black cherry, plum, and earth notes. Dry, medium-plus acidity and light bodied with light tannins. Many nicely mingled red fruits on the palate, with cherries and raspberries dominating; spice, tasteful oak, and again an earthiness round it out. Good length. 13.5% alcohol. Overall very good, really enjoyable; I definitely recommend this one. $36.90 at Marquis Wine Cellars. See Crowley Wines.

Crowley 2008 Pinot Noir

Obakki Gastown Closes

Is the Gastown business model failing?

L / 3 = s

(Monthly lease divided by three equals the retail price of a shirt)

Notice also how they don’t actually announce they’ve closed? I’ve noted this trend before. They didn’t fail: they are “100+ stores and counting” and “growing louder.”

Obakki Gastown