Blanc de Noirs, white Champagne only from red grapes, produces wines with some weight, as here. It makes for a rich, full-blooded Champagne, packed with red fruits while also cut through with intense acidity. The fruitiness gains shape from a zesty texture.

Color: light ruby red Bouquet: hints of wild strawberry, nectarine and cinnamon Taste: full-bodied and round, ginger and green tea notes shaping soft yet decisive tannins. The finish is full and precise.

Made with the traditional 50% of Nero d'Avola and 50% Frapatto, the wine shows a beautiful deep hue with young highlights. Intense fruity nose accented with ripe redcurrant and cassis. The same aromas recur on the palate where freshness fuses with lovely substance. It pairs well with white meat, tuna and other elaborate fish dishes.

The structure on this wine, which comes from vines planted in 1984, keeps it tight and stony after many days of being opened, indicating longevity in the cellar. Aromas of lemon sauce, crusty brioche and flinty rocks on the nose lead into a tense palate of orange peel and wet stone. Drink now–2040.

Nose: Fresh red berries, hints of citrus, and floral notes.

Taste: Vibrant acidity, red currants, raspberries, and a touch of brioche.

Palate: Crisp and lively, with a creamy texture, fine bubbles, and a long, mineral-driven finish.

Nose: Aromas of dried roses, orange peel, and spices.
Taste: Rich and complex flavors of dark chocolate, dried fruits, and herbs.
Palate: Full-bodied with a balanced sweetness and a long, lingering finish.

Balsamic aromas of camphor mingle with French oak, coconut and purple flowers. Medium-bodied and assertive, the linear palate offers dried cherry, prune, vanilla and roasted coffee bean framed in close-grained tannins that grip the close. Kerin O’Keefe

Aromas of ripe wild berry, blue flower and forest floor mingle with a balsamic whiff of camphor. Full-bodied and firmly structured, the palate offers ripe black-skinned berry, raspberry compote, licorice and menthol alongside tightly knit, fine-grained tannins. Kerin O’Keefe

Erbaluna has crafted an interesting aromatic wine that shows sweet jammy fruit, licorice and violets. It still seems young, and has the structure to benefit from a few more years of bottle age, but it drinks well now.

The nose puts cherries front and center, intertwined with roses with heavier tar and graphite, before umami flavors of mushroom, balsamic vinegar, seaweed and soy slowly emerge. On the chalky palate, dark chocolate pushes up against the showboating cherries before a kick of spice sets up a long, energetic finish.

The aromas are forward, with notes of dark raspberry, fruit rollup, cedar, tar, dark plum and a whiff of mesquite smoke. The flavors are palate coating, showing depth, intensity and impressive freshness, with tart acidity. There's plenty of tannic structure around it all. It's beautiful. Sean P. Sullivan

Produced in Colombia, this delicious Solera rum from Dictador, aged for between 8 and 14 years, with an average age of 12 years. The rum is diluted to bottling strength with demineralised water which is added in drops over a period of 28 days.

A truly delicious and harmonious wine. Pale gold color, very bright. The aromas bring to mind honey, almond and lemongrass (citronella). As the wine matures, intense flavors of grilled hazelnut and almonds are in evidence

Bold and beautiful, this powerful Zin has a deep, dark color that's practically black but with a brilliant ruby rim. Brooding aromas suggest wood smoke, black pepper and boysenberry. There is an impressive density in texture, as firm tannins and acidity support the rich array of flavors.

The nose of this whisky offers a delightful blend of fresh summer hay, malty cereal, creamy toffee, and honeyed heather, complemented by sweet oak and barley sugar. On the palate, a smooth and creamy sweetness prevails, accompanied by fruity notes, malty honeyed spiciness, and subtle vanilla undertones. The finish is crisp and satisfying, with a lingering hint of cloves that gently fades away, leaving a lasting impression of balance and complexity.

Canada's Best Vodka, recipient of the prestigious 2019 Artisan Spirits Awards, is a testament to meticulous craftsmanship and exceptional quality. Crafted in small batches, this Single Grain Vodka undergoes a rigorous process from milling and mashing to fermentation and distillation, ensuring unparalleled excellence. Made from 100% single grain hard red wheat, sourced a mere 23 kilometers from our distillery, it offers a uniquely smooth taste with subtle hints of vanilla and a delightful, sweet finish. Whether savored neat or mixed into cocktails, it promises a memorable drinking experience.

This does, in fact, attack the palate with a burst of raw wood that sharpens up the mouthfeel. More time in bottle and plenty of aeration will help to smooth that out. Vinified in a brand new foudre, the Dijon 76 clone fruit is polished and mixes apple, pear and peach with a touch of fruit skin.

~Paul Gregutt

Madre Ensamble Espadin - Cuishe Mezcal is a finely crafted spirit that blends the distinct characteristics of two agave varieties: Espadin and Cuishe. This ensamble approach creates a complex and layered mezcal, showcasing the diverse terroir and artisanal methods of Oaxaca, Mexico. The mezcal presents a clear and bright appearance, with an aroma that intertwines the sweet, fruity notes of Espadin with the herbal, earthy tones of Cuishe. On the palate, it delivers a harmonious mix of flavors, from the soft sweetness of cooked agave to hints of green vegetation and a subtle smokiness, achieved through traditional pit roasting. The finish is smooth, with a lasting complexity that reflects the skillful blend of agaves. Madre Ensamble is an invitation to experience the depth and breadth of mezcal, ideal for sipping slowly to appreciate its intricate flavors.

A brick-red appearance with some light orange tinges leads into a fine slightly smokey aroma with hints of dried fruits. The palate is refreshing, with wonderful acidity and hints of dried apricots and crystallised fruit, leading to a lengthy mellow spirit driven finish.

The final cornerstone of Douglas Laing’s Remarkable Regional Malts range, this blended malt celebrates the best from the Islands. The peat smoke finds harmony with the nose of pine, lemon curd, dewy lawns, and vanilla fudge. This is gloriously full-flavored; the peatiness certainly delivers, but there is a pleasant nip of saltiness too. The black pepper finish leads to a long lasting salty smack on the lips. Make this your hipflask essential for bracing excursions along the shoreline.