The 2020 L'Eglise Clinet is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. The Merlot was picked between the 11th and the 14th of September, and the Cabernet Franc was picked on the 16th of September. It has an alcohol of 14.4% and is aging in French oak barrels, 80% new. Displaying and opaque purple-black color, it needs a bit of swirling to reveal a fascinating array of earthy notes —black truffles, charcoal, mossy tree bark and fallen leaves—over a profound core of preserved plums, blackberry preserves and violets, with a waft of tapenade. The medium to full-bodied palate has exquisitely ripe tannins and bold freshness supporting the seductively ripe, black fruit layers, finishing on a lingering fragrant earth note.

Extremely floral with blackberry and blueberry character plus hints of violets. Full-bodied yet always in check and reserve with fine tannins and bright acidity that goes on for minutes. Limestone undertones. The finish is particularly long this vintage. Super Clerc. Try in 2021.

Harvest took place this year from 23rd September to 8th October. The wine was aged for around 12 months in two-thirds new oak. Medium brick-brown in color, the 1990 Ducru-Beaucaillou is quite evolved, offering notions of incense, tree bark, tilled soil and tobacco with nuances of preserved plums, kirsch, tapenade and leather. Medium to full-bodied, the palate still possesses a good amount of earth-laced savory fruit with a bit of chew to the texture and a stewed tea finish.

This is a prodigious effort. A blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance Merlot and Cabernet Franc (only 37% of the crop qualified for Las Cases), this dense ruby/purple wine has a stunningly pure bouquet of dark fruit, wet rocks, graphite, and subtle background toast/vanillin. Full-bodied, masculine, and very deep and concentrated, this titanic effort is at least 8-10 years away from its plateau of maturity. The Delon family have produced another legend. Anticipated maturity: 2023-2050+.

Spiced sandalwood, white pepper, saffron, cigar box, oyster shell salinity, orange peel, and still juicy blackcurrant and blueberry fruit, even as it heads towards 35 years old. Utterly gorgeous, effortless even, the word beguiling comes out of nowhere. Love this, and provides a glimpse into what this wine can acheive when you are lucky enough to catch it at the right moment. 50% new oak, Michel Delon owner. Harvest September 5 to 25, after a hot dry year.

Solluna by Cellers Fuentes (also known as Gran Clos) is a highly-rated, rich Spanish red wine crafted in the rocky, steep terrain of the Priorat DOQ region. It is a bold, complex, and fruit-forward blend that beautifully expresses the intense mineral characteristics of the area's famous llicorella (schist) soils.

Caymus Special Selection is always a selection of the best barrels that play to a style constantly pushing the limits of richness and concentration, in this case, clocking in at 16% alcohol. The nose is slightly cooked and raisiny with plenty of cassis, chocolate, and coffee spilling onto the palate. Blackberry jam, pipe tobacco and brown spices line a richly dark, dense tannin finish. It is only made in the best years, but I wouldn’t mind if this was throttled back a bit.

The Château Potensac 2006-09-10-15-16-18 Vertical Pack is a highly collectible 6-bottle vertical selection. It features six outstanding vintages of the highly-rated Médoc estate: 2006, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016, and 2018. Château Potensac is renowned for its classic, terroir-driven, and long-aging Bordeaux blends.

Echézeaux is fragrant, fine, full and silky and full of flavour. The 'Cuvée 49' is, as you might expect, from a single parcel of vines in the Echézeaux du Dessus lieu-dit, planted in 1949, so very special. Grands Echézeaux shows richness and opulence, in a plump softer style.

Domaine Fourrier Côte de Nuits-Villages "Le Préau" (often labeled Vieille Vigne or Vieilles Vignes) is a highly regarded Pinot Noir produced by Jean-Marie Fourrier in Burgundy, France. It is known for its purity, elegance, and concentration, representing a high-quality, entry-level offering from a top-tier producer of old-vine wines.

Domaine Fourrier Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru "La Perrière" is a highly elegant, aromatic Pinot Noir from a top producer known for purity. It typically shows intense red fruit (cherries, raspberries) with floral hints, underpinned by a distinct, chalky minerality. Known for its silky texture, fine tannins, and long finish, this wine is often described as precise and structured.

Culmina Hypothesis is the flagship Bordeaux-style red blend from Culmina Family Estate Winery in BC’s Okanagan Valley, designed as the "culmination" of their efforts to produce an iconic, terroir-driven wine. It is a rich, complex, and structured blend, typically featuring Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, aged in French oak to produce intense dark fruit, spice, and velvety tannins.

St. Francis Merlot is a,,classic, full-bodied Sonoma County red wine known for its smooth,,silky, and opulent style. It features rich,,layered flavors of dark cherry, plum, chocolate, and spice with soft tannins. This,approachable, often 100% varietal wine is aged in oak for a,long,,velvety finish.

Barón de Ley Gran Reserva is a premium, full-bodied Tempranillo-dominant red wine from Rioja, Spain, aged for at least 24 months in oak (often 50/50 French and American) and 36 months in bottle. It is known for its elegant, savory profile featuring ripe dark cherry, plum, tobacco, cedar, and velvety, silky tannins, perfect for pairing with roast lamb or beef.

Crafted with elegance and power, Chateau Haut-Brion 1999-920 offers a structured palate with notes of cassis, spice, and cedar —an exceptional wine that captures the soul of its vineyard with every sip.

Reflecting centuries of winemaking mastery, Chateau Haut-Brion 1998 offers rich aromas of ripe berries, dark cherries, and delicate floral hints —an exceptional wine that captures the soul of its vineyard with every sip.

Embodying an iconic legacy, Chateau Haut-Brion 1999-919 offers rich aromas of ripe berries, dark cherries, and delicate floral hints —an exceptional wine that captures the soul of its vineyard with every sip.

Crafted with elegance and power, Chateau Haut-Brion 1979 offers silky tannins interwoven with flavors of blackberry, tobacco, and graphite —an exceptional wine that captures the soul of its vineyard with every sip.

Balancing complexity and finesse, Chateau Haut-Brion 1997 offers rich aromas of ripe berries, dark cherries, and delicate floral hints —an exceptional wine that captures the soul of its vineyard with every sip.

Embodying an iconic legacy, Chateau Latour 2013 offers aromatic intensity featuring truffle, plum, and subtle oak nuances —an exceptional wine that captures the soul of its vineyard with every sip.

Balancing complexity and finesse, Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2018-660 offers a full-bodied profile with vibrant acidity and layers of dark fruit —an exceptional wine that captures the soul of its vineyard with every sip.

Embodying an iconic legacy, Chateau La Mission Haut Brion 1999-653 offers a full-bodied profile with vibrant acidity and layers of dark fruit —an exceptional wine that captures the soul of its vineyard with every sip.

Embodying an iconic legacy, Chateau Margaux 1996 offers a structured palate with notes of cassis, spice, and cedar —an exceptional wine that captures the soul of its vineyard with every sip.

Crafted with elegance and power, Chateau Cheval Blanc 2005 offers aromatic intensity featuring truffle, plum, and subtle oak nuances —an exceptional wine that captures the soul of its vineyard with every sip.

Balancing complexity and finesse, Chateau Armailhac 2015 offers a full-bodied profile with vibrant acidity and layers of dark fruit —an exceptional wine that captures the soul of its vineyard with every sip.

Crafted with elegance and power, Chateau Clerc Milon 2018 offers silky tannins interwoven with flavors of blackberry, tobacco, and graphite —an exceptional wine that captures the soul of its vineyard with every sip.

A testament to its prestigious terroir, Chateau Armailhac 2010 offers a full-bodied profile with vibrant acidity and layers of dark fruit —an exceptional wine that captures the soul of its vineyard with every sip.

Balancing complexity and finesse, Chateau Calon Segur 2005-571 offers rich aromas of ripe berries, dark cherries, and delicate floral hints —an exceptional wine that captures the soul of its vineyard with every sip.

Reflecting centuries of winemaking mastery, Chateau Brane Cantenac 2016 1.5L offers a structured palate with notes of cassis, spice, and cedar —an exceptional wine that captures the soul of its vineyard with every sip.

Balancing complexity and finesse, Chateau Armailhac 2011 offers silky tannins interwoven with flavors of blackberry, tobacco, and graphite —an exceptional wine that captures the soul of its vineyard with every sip.

Balancing complexity and finesse, Chateau Leoville Poyferre 2016 6L offers aromatic intensity featuring truffle, plum, and subtle oak nuances —an exceptional wine that captures the soul of its vineyard with every sip.

Reflecting centuries of winemaking mastery, Chateau Ferriere 2016-347 offers a full-bodied profile with vibrant acidity and layers of dark fruit —an exceptional wine that captures the soul of its vineyard with every sip.

A wine with the complexity of an Estate, of two varieties and three vintages, which were made separately and aged in Bordeaux barrels, later to be blended in large 1,200-litre open barrels, or Fudres. There they were to remain for 16 months, allowing the wine to evolve, without tiring it too much due to its light contact with wood, respecting the essence of the Estate, gaining in complexity, and creating one of Finca Villacreces' most surprising wines.

This wine is full-bodied, with notes of dark red fruits, earth, cedar and touch of spice. An easy drinking style of wine that Usseglio believes is a great introduction to his wines. Pair with beef, mature cheese, or lamb.

The 2016 Barbaresco Manzola is a brilliant wine. Freshly cut flowers, sweet red berries, mint, chalk and white pepper all pulse through the 2016. A Barbaresco of energy and tension, the 2016 is a bit nervous in feel, and yet it also has terrific depth, not to mention exceptional balance. The 2016 is one of the finest Manzolas I can remember tasting. In this range, the Manzola is distinguished by its saline minerality and drive.

The Legacy Collection by Mission Hill Family Estate represents the pinnacle of Okanagan Valley winemaking, showcasing their unwavering commitment to quality. Hand-selecting the finest fruit from their estate vineyards, they craft small-lot wines coveted for their cellar-worthiness. Despite the region's relative obscurity in 1981, its glacier-formed valley offered ideal conditions for winemaking, inspiring Mission Hill's vision for the future of Okanagan wine. Today, as Canada's sole five-time winner of Winery of the Year, they continue to draw inspiration from the valley and their vineyards, embarking on an enduring journey of excellence. Their Bordeaux blend, a harmonious integration of soil, climate, and clone selection, exemplifies the unique terroir of the region, yielding elegant and luscious fruit.

Tobacco, leather and dark-spice aromas take center stage along with a pretty whiff of violet. The full-bodied, rounded palate shows dried cherry, licorice and ground clove while fine-grained tannins lend polished support. Drink 2021–2027. Kerin O’Keefe

Nose: Intense aromas of blackberry, cassis, and dark cherry, with hints of vanilla, cedar, and tobacco.

Taste: Rich and full-bodied, with flavors of ripe black fruits, plum, and blackcurrant, complemented by notes of chocolate, espresso, and baking spices.

Palate: Velvety and smooth, with well-integrated tannins and a long, lingering finish of blackberry jam and toasted oak.

Good intensity on the nose with savoury, inky, mocha notes. Full bodied yielding tannins and dry chewy finish.