94 points-Vinous "Another sleeper from Saint-Estèphe, the 2016 Phélan Ségur is super impressive. An enticing bouquet laced with crushed rocks, graphite, iron, smoke, lavender, mint and inky blue/purplish fruit makes a strong opening statement. A wine of power, resonance and gravitas, the 2016 Phélan is remarkably expressive and also full of potential. (AG)" (1/2019)

"The 2014 Prieuré-Lichine is just as impressive from bottle as it was from barrel. Silky, perfumed and gracious on the palate, the wine exudes class. Sweet floral and spice notes meld into a core of red stone fruit, and silky tannins and vivid flavors lead into a creamy and inviting finish. I would prefer to cellar the 2014 for at least a few years, but it is quite beautiful and polished even at this early stage." (AG) (2/2017) -Vinous (94 points)

93 points - James Suckling

93 points - Wine Enthusiast

90-92 points - Robert Parker

"The 2016 Prieure-Lichine has a medium to deep garnet-purple color and a bold, intensely scented nose of warm blackcurrants, black raspberries and mulberries with hints of cedar chest, tobacco, dried herbs and iron ore. Medium-bodied, the palate has bags of class with lovely, vibrant black berries flavors and earthy sparks framed by ripe grainy tannins, finishing long and refreshing. (LPB)" (3/2019) -92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

94 points - Wine Enthusiast

93 points - James Suckling

The Château Prieuré-Lichine 2016 is a Margaux wine known for its elegant, floral, and silky character. It offers a medium-bodied palate with notes of black fruit, red fruit, and spices, complemented by a long finish with fine, grippy tannins. The wine is described as having a rich and velvety red color with deep violet reflections.

This underrated wine is made by the Chateau Cheval Blanc team, so it's no slouch. With 74% merlot, 14% cabernet sauvignon and 12% cabernet franc, this medium bodied wine is pure and balanced with cherry, plum, tobacco, leafy herb, and chocolate notes. Enjoy this wine now!

Chateau Quintus (St. Emilion) - With a good dollop of Cabernet Franc in the blend it gives it a dense, perfumed structured character. There is beautiful rich blackberry, violet, cassis, new leather and toasted spices on the nose and palate. The Chateau has made a considerable stride with this vintage. Drink now through 2026

94 points - James Suckling"Dark-berry and currant aromas with hints of spice. Medium body, firm and chewy tannins and a fresh and clean finish. Shows focus and seriousness for the appellation, as is usual from this producer. Better after 2022." (2/2019)

92-94 points - Robert Parker

Producer tasting notes: "Chateau Suduiraut 2002 presents a golden yellow colour with amber glints. The intense nose reveals aromas of nuts, such as hazelnut, with heather honey and candied citrus. The palate is both concentrated and light, combining unctuosity, fruit flavours and freshness. The finish is consistent, ending with mineral, minty and fruit notes." - Chateau Suduiraut

92/100 Wine Enthusiast

"This delicious, deeply colored sparkler has alluring aromas of violet and blackberry. On the dry, foaming palate, crisp acidity and refined tannins accompany ripe Marasca cherry, spiced blueberry and orange zest before a fennel finish. Kerin O'Keefe"

The Vigneto Cialdini is Cleto Chiarli's top-of-the-line Lambrusco Grasparossa. The vineyard is located in the heart of the Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro denomination, where this member of the Lambrusco family has been cultivated since time immemorial. The wine is made through a single fermentation under pressure, rather than the normal two-fermentation process of almost all other sparkling wines. This is in the brut range, with a slight sweetness detectable. Vigneto Cialdini is the name of the vineyard, dedicated to Enrico Cialdini, who was a famous general during the unification of Italy.

"Pronounced plum, blackberry, coffee, spice, soft tannins, lingering finish Floral, nice acidity, unique." - Gold, Sunset International Spirits Competition

Colpetrone's Sacer Montefalco Sagrantino is a rich and intense wine that embodies the unique character of Sagrantino grapes grown in the Montefalco area of Umbria, Italy. It has a deep ruby color and aromas of dark fruit, blackberry, and plum, complemented by hints of leather, tobacco, and spices. On the palate, it is full-bodied with firm tannins and a long, persistent finish. This wine can be enjoyed now or aged for several years to further develop its complexity and depth.

Medium rich, fruity and direct on the palate with orchard fruit flavours and tangy acidity on the finish.

94 Points-James Suckling
An entrancing nose of fresh violets, licorice, peppercorn, oyster shell, cloves, citrus and lavender. A very sleek palate follows with edgy, grainy tannins and so much zesty acidity and drive.

Colour: It has medium-high layer with a dark red background and red rim.
Nose: Intense and complex with notes of pine forest and aromatic herbs in the clearings of the pine forest. The plum and the cherry are the protagonists, and the blackberry stands out behind them. There are sensations of spices and moist earth and the notes of red and black fruits appear between them.
Palate: It is voluminous and full, filling the palate widely. There is a lot of expressiveness and complexity in his registers. The fruity notes come out together with the earth and the aromatic plants. The tannin is sweet and of very good quality, although it is still present, giving the whole an important structure. There is power and elegance at the same time, and leaves an imprint of freshness. It is a faithful representation of the 2017 vintage, a year of spring frost, with low production and concentrated wines, with a higher volume than usual in CORIMBO.

With 16 months in cask, the Ribera del Duero offers excellent wines made from Tempranillo. Elegant and refined, this will age well- another 15 years easily.

Winemaker Tasting Notes: 

Colour: It is very intense, almost impenetrable, with a very dark background and a deep red rim.

Nose: When you bring it closer to the nose, many layers appear superimposed. The black fruits stand out with the memory of perfectly ripe plums and blackberries. It has a large mineral component that gives depth to the wine with memories of the smell of Chinese ink. The smell of the humid earth and the aromatic herbs in the shade of the pines appeared. There is a huge balance in which oak accompanies in the distance.Delicate, long, suggestive and intense at the same time and topped with menthol notes of black cocoa.

Taste: Voluminous and full. With black fruit and cocoa, but also freshness. It remembers the landscape of the pine forest of La Horra with freshness after the rain.The tannins are of great quality and forge a feeling of power and elegance at the same time, being voluminous and aerial. A set of fruit, minerality, volume, length and freshness that forms a huge wine.

Excellent to have with meat dishes.

"Dark, brilliant ruby red. On the nose it is finely drawn, with nuances of ripe cherry, withered rose petal and some sealing wax, in the echo there are generous earthy tones and a touch of blackberry. On the palate it is gripping and profound, with clear, polished fruit and a good portion of tannin, in addition it is juicy and salty, currently still very young, put away." - 93/100, Falstaff

Chateau Montrose has a family history dating back to 1815, with three owners overall, now being operated by the Charmolue family. This 1855 classification isa 2nd growth located on the left bank appellation of Saint Estephe. The Dame de Montrose is the estate's second label, made to the same rigourous standards as the First Wine. The 2019 is a red blend made from 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. Atypical of blends from the left bank, there is a large percentage of merlot in these wines giving a juicy quality, yet still serious potential for ageing. Plum, blackberry, tobacco and eark earth notes dominate. It's medium bodied with a silky texture, light tannins and a beautiful finish.

For several generations, the Darroze family has scoured Gascony in the Grands Crus centre of the Bas Armagnac region. Thousands of centuries-old treasures are held in stock at the Darroze house. This diversity in crus, vintages, grape varieties and styles has allowed Marc Darroze to work on this range known as 'Les Grands Assemblages' (The Great Blends). Chosen for their complementary characteristics, the selected Armagnacs in each blend are of different ages. Each age on the bottle indicates the age of the youngest Armagnac in the blend.

Princes Blanc de Blancs NV is a non-vintage wine, meaning it is a blend of different vintages to achieve consistency in style from year to year. It is considered a brut style, which means it is dry with minimal residual sugar, making it a versatile wine that can be enjoyed as an aperitif or paired with a variety of foods.

For six generations, Domaine Noellat has been farming their 20ha of land. With entreprenurial spirit, the family was always looking to adapt to new technologies, whilst respecting the traditions handed down from one generation to another. The cellar was built in 1980, then in 2007 an ultra modern winery was erected with state of the art stainless tanks and a dedicated tasting space in the cellar. Cousins Sebastien and Sophie work closely together making strategic decisions based on the nature of each harvest. The pinot noir grapes are all hand harvested and 100% de-stemmed, stainless steel fermentation, then ageing for 16 months in 70% new barrels. The wine shows ripe cherries, red currant and earthy notes with medium body, and silky tannins. Great ageability on this wine; put this away for a few years yet. Drink to 2060.

This Chateau in St. Emilion was purchased in 2011 by Clarence Dillon, and renamed to Chateau Quintus. The 'V' as used in Quintus is the Roman numeral 5 that characterises the slopes and plots of the vines facing four cardinal points and bowing before the sky, yet also depicting the 5th winery owned within the Domaine Clarence Dillon family. The dragon statue with a 6-metre wingspan that sits atop the promontory, has become a symbol for the estate and is depicted on all the bottles of Chateau Quintus. The 2015 was warm and sunny and with this ideal weather, has become one of the greatest vintages of the Right Bank. A red wine blend of 76% Merlot and 24% Cabernet Franc, the nose has a rich, complex bouquet of blackberries, currants and spicy plums with a touch of graphite. Perfectly balanced with plush tannins, stony minerality and a long finish. Ready to drink, but can be aged for another 10-15 years.

Droin Chablis Valmur Grand Cru is a white wine made from 100% Chardonnay grapes grown in the Valmur Grand Cru vineyard in Chablis. It has a bright, pale gold color and a complex aroma that combines mineral, citrus, and floral notes. On the palate, it is full-bodied, with a rich texture and flavors of ripe citrus fruit, green apple, and a subtle hint of honey. The wine has a long, elegant finish with a refreshing acidity and a lingering minerality. 

Duckhorn in Napa Valley is always synonymous with quality. Their Cabernet always receives critical acclaim as it's well balanced and full bodied without being overly oaked.

Duckhorn Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a red wine blend made from a selection of five Bordeaux grape varieties. The wine is primarily composed of Cabernet Sauvignon (85%), with smaller amounts of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. This wine has a deep ruby color and aromas of blackberry, cassis, vanilla, and spice. On the palate, it is full-bodied, with flavors of ripe black fruit, dark chocolate, and espresso. The tannins are firm and well-structured, providing excellent balance to the fruit flavors. The wine has a long, lingering finish, with a touch of oak and spice. It is a classic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, offering power, elegance, and complexity. 

Varietal Composition: 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Cabernet FrancWinemaker Notes:The Discussion is a majestic and elegant wine that immediately demands attention with alluring aromas of black cherry compote, chocolate-covered blueberry, fig and cinnamon. As it opens up, hints of clove, toasted hazelnut and espresso bean emerge. On the palate, juicy blueberry, raspberry and pomegranate flavors meld with creamy oak to create a generous palate structure, with focused tannins and hints of sage and savory spice adding complexity to a long, stately finish.

Located in Nuits-Saint-Georges, the Dufuoleur family has been steeped in Burgundian winemaking and culture for more than 400 years. Their property of 30ha runs from the village of Fixin in the north to Santenay in the south. Whilst mostly Pinot Noir is planted, this very small vineyard of Chardonnay where only 1100 bottles are made. Wines are aged in French oak barrels, a third of which are new. The finished wine has an expressive nose of lemon chiffon, honey and fine herbaceous nuances. As the wine ages, it will develop a toasty, nutty aroma and flavour.

In the commune of La Morra, Sergio Molino vinifies wine from only 2.5 ha of Nebbiolo vines. The Molino family vineyards, bottled under the Ernesto Molino label is an homage to Sergio's father. Like many micro-wineries, it's a "hands-off" approach, allowing the terroir to speak for itself. Cranberry, violet, hints of vanilla and even an iron note, put this one away for a while to let those austere tannins settle down. Best after 2027.

Its aromas are intense and elegant. Cabernet Franc brings sweet spices, black pepper and light notes of eucalyptus and thyme. Malbec brings notes of ripe black fruits, blackberries and black cherries. The oak aging gives a touch of chocolate and vanilla to blend. 

SPECIAL NOTE:  The 100 Point 2019 vintage will not be available in Alberta. The next vintage we get will be the 2020, in mid to late 2025.

92 Points - James Suckling " From the high-altitude vineyards at the foot of the Andes, this rich Malbec has a deep reddish-purple colour and aromas of ripe black fruit and red plum. Smooth and concentrated tannins in the mouth result in a long and firm finish with minor hints of oak."

The Colpetrone Antica Chiusina Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is a full-bodied red wine that offers intense aromas of dark fruit, leather, and spice. On the palate, it is rich and complex with flavors of black cherry, blackberry, and plum, as well as notes of tobacco and oak. The tannins are firm yet well integrated, providing structure and balance to the wine. This is a wine that can be enjoyed now, but will also age beautifully over the next several years.

Little is known about this tiny family winery, but the wines are spectacular and true to Sangiovese from Montalcino. With only 7ha purchased in 2000, winemaker Jessica Pellegrini is a rising star in the area making elegant wines that are organic. The 2015 vintage was excellent and with lovely cherry nib, balsamic and tomato leaf, it is a wine for the ages that you will want to drink again and again.

Little is known about this tiny family winery, but the wines are spectacular and true to Sangiovese from Montalcino. With only 7ha purchased in 2000, winemaker Jessica Pellegrini is a rising star in the area making elegant wines that are organic. The 2015 vintage was excellent and with lovely cherry nib, balsamic and tomato leaf, it is a wine for the ages that you will want to drink again and again.

The Giacomo Fenocchio Barolo is a full-bodied and elegant red wine produced from 100% Nebbiolo grapes grown in the Barolo subregion of Piedmont, Italy. It offers a deep ruby color and aromas of dark cherry, rose petal, licorice, and tobacco. On the palate, it is rich and complex with notes of red fruit, leather, and spice, balanced by firm tannins and bright acidity. The finish is long and persistent. This wine has received 93 points from Wine Spectator, which praises its "intensity and harmony," calling it "a modern-style Barolo, but still maintains its integrity and typicity." It is an ideal pairing with hearty meat dishes, aged cheeses, or simply enjoyed on its own. 

Since 1902, Ferrari Trento DOChas been the first house of classic method bubble. This historic label is made with 100% chardonnay and has a fresh and intense bouquet, with fruity notes of ripe golden apple, white flowers and a delicate fragrance of yeast, with 20 months ageing in the bottle to showcase the brioche and bread flavours.

Bobal is a red wine grape variety that is primarily grown in the Utiel-Requena region of Spain. It is known for producing wines that are deep in color, with high acidity and tannins. The grape is often blended with other varieties, such as Tempranillo and Garnacha, to create complex and balanced wines. Bobal is also used to produce rose wines, which are light and refreshing with notes of red fruit and floral aromas. The grape is resistant to disease and can thrive in hot and dry climates, making it a popular choice for winemakers in the region. Overall, Bobal is a versatile grape that produces wines with a unique character and flavor profile.

this cuvée is distinguished by its aromas of quince, pear and mirabelle plum, and its beautiful balance on the palate despite its sweetness, its precision, and its aromas of candied fruits. a very nice sweet vouvray, with great ageing potential.

Frescobaldi Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Riserva is a red wine produced by Marchesi de' Frescobaldi winery located in Tuscany, Italy. The wine is made using a blend of Sangiovese, Malvasia Nera, and Colorino grapes, which are grown in the vineyards surrounding the winery. The wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged in French oak barrels for 24 months, followed by bottle aging for an additional 3 months. On the nose, the wine exhibits aromas of black cherry, ripe plum, and a hint of spice. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, with firm tannins and a good balance of acidity. Flavors of dark fruit, leather, and a hint of tobacco are present. This wine is a great pairing with roasted meats, pasta dishes, and aged cheeses.

A wine with a bold, modern style. The black grapes explode in fruitiness and deliciousness, while the Chardonnays expose their minerality with magnificent acidity.

Appearance: Brilliant yellow-gold in colour, with fine, abundant bubbles.

Aroma: Lemon and pastry notes (lemon meringue pie). Yellow fruits (peach, apricot), white flowers. Herbal and flinty notes.

Taste: Aromas of squeezed lemon; hints of brioche and vanilla. White flowers and orange zest. Mineral finish and presence of tannins.

Pairs well with: Canapés, cheese, fish and seafood

Gerard Raphet and now with his daughter Marion, farm the small plots of nearly 100-year-old Pinot Noir vines in Morey St. Denis and surrounding area. Raphet is shy and prefers to let the majesty of his Pinot Noir wines do the talking. Clos de Vougeot is a highly regarded appellation with over 80 producers owning very small plots. As such, the wines vary considerably in both style and quality. Raphet's wines are amongst some of the best wines produced here, with grapes coming from 60-80 year old vines. The rsulting wine is structured, yet suave with notes of raspberry, black cherry, earth and baking spices.