90+ POINTS

It is arrayed in an intense, bright garnet red hue flecked with purple. The charming and pleasant nose offers a lovely bouquet of red fruit and liquorice. The equally expressive palate combines aromatic freshness and fruity intensity, interpinned with a velvety texture. A succulent, elegant wine, smooth and well-balanced.

97 Points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: " Blended of 91% Merlot and 9% Cabernet Franc, the medium garnet-purple colored 2016 la Fleur-Petrus reveals stunning Black Forest cake, redcurrant jelly and wilted roses scents with underlying suggestions of pencil shavings, yeast extract, dark chocolate and cloves. Medium to full-bodied, the mid-palate possesses superb intensity and depth with layers of perfumed black fruits and loads of red fruit sparks framed by firm, ripe, grainy tannins and oodles of freshness, finishing on a lingering earthy note. (LPB)" (11/2018)

99 points - James Suckling

"The 2010 Pontet-Canet offers a very deep garnet color. Whoa—the nose explodes with a vast array of black fruit preserves and savory nuances: plum preserves, blackcurrant cordial, black cherry coulis and licorice with wafts of dried lavender, melted chocolate, charcuterie, black olives, truffles and camphor plus a hint of sandalwood. The full-bodied palate is completely filled with black fruits, exotic spices and earthy nuances with a firm foundation of ripe, grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing with epic length and depth. So much more expressive and seductive than a lot of 2010s at this stage, and yet it is still incredibly youthful! (LPB)" (5/2020) -100 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

100 points - James Suckling

98 points - Jeb Dunnuck

Blend: 52% Cabernet Sauvignon and 48% Merlot
Drinking Window: 1992-2030

Discover the timeless elegance of Château Lagrange 1982, a rare and celebrated Saint-Julien Grand Cru Classé. This iconic vintage has matured gracefully over decades, revealing layers of dark fruit, cedar, and subtle spice, with a silky texture and remarkable depth. Perfect for collectors and connoisseurs alike, it embodies the pinnacle of Bordeaux craftsmanship and is a prized addition to any wine cellar or special occasion.

94 Points - Wine Spectator.
“One of the sleepers of the vintage. Traditional and rich. Dark ruby-colored, with a slight garnet rim. Masses of berry, chocolate and raspberry character. Full-bodied and very tannic, packed with fruit. Lengthy finish. A youthful and concentrated wine; a relatively good value.”

Blend: 78% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc
Drinking Window: 2027-2045

97 Points - Vinous
"The 2024 Canon is superb. One of the standouts of the vintage, the 2024 possesses striking mid-palate depth to match its vertical personality. Chalk, white pepper, mint, lavender, rose petal, slate and blue/purplish fruit all stain the palate. There's gorgeous depth and density here, and yet the 2024 remains a super-classic wine from the property. This is a real stunner. That's all there is to it. Tasted four times."

Blend: 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 46.5% Merlot, 2.5% Cabernet Franc
Drinking Window: 2029-2049

97 Points - James Suckling
"As to the Grand Vin, the 2024 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou is based on 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot, resting in 100% new oak. Its deep purple hue is followed by a terrific 2024 that defies the challenges of the vintage. Pure cassis, darker currants, graphite, crushed stone, and sappy violet notes all emerge on the nose. It's medium-bodied, with a beautifully layered, concentrated mid-palate, ripe yet velvety tannins, and a great finish. This classic Saint-Julien will benefit from bottle age and is another brilliant effort from the team. It's one of the richer, more structured wines in the vintage, yet it remains balanced, precise, and never overdone."

Blend: 93% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot
Drinking Window: 2029-2055

98 Points - James Suckling
"Really impressive depth, concentration and perfume this year, with fine tannins. Lots of violets, red flowers, black cherries and currants. Full-bodied and seriously structured, with impeccable freshness and a very long finish. Dense and powerful for the vintage, with tension, vibrations, good concentration and a tannin framework."

Honour the Year of the Snake with Masi Costasera Amarone Lunar New Year Edition. Showcasing Masi’s expertise in the Appassimento technique, this collector’s bottle is crafted with Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara grapes, offering a rich and aromatic tribute to Chinese New Year traditions.

Vineyard notes: "Our new “Red Wine of the World,” this red blend is sourced from famed regions of southern Australia, the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale. Consisting of Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro with a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon."

Aromas of raspberry, juniper and freshly ground coffee emanate from this inky garnet colored wine. It has glossy tannins, with cooling herb flavors on the palate such as licorice, clove and menthol that are joined by black cherry and raspberry. Bright fruit notes overtake the sense of coolness on the drawn-out finish. Mike DeSimone

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

Taste: Rich and full-bodied, with flavors of ripe dark fruits, such as blackberry and plum, complemented by notes of spice, licorice, and dark chocolate.

Palate: Well-structured with velvety tannins, offering a smooth and elegant mouthfeel. The finish is long and lingering, leaving a pleasant aftertaste of black fruits and subtle oak.

The nose is striking with its floral hints of violet and rose accompanied by red fruits such as raspberries and sweet spices. In the mouth, the wine is balanced and elegant with an almost creamy texture supported by silky and well-integrated tannins. Spicy notes accompany the persistent finish.

COLOUR: Fawn with brick edge
AROMA: Intense and precise bouquet of fresh and grilled nuts, great depth with also aromas of dried fruits and candied fruits
PALATE: Elegant entry on the palate, dominated by nutty, dried fruits and caramel notes. The mid-palate is spicy, with cinnamon and nutmeg, the finish feels dryer with citrus notes, very long and elegant.

One of the wines of the vintage, the 2000 has barely budged in its evolution since it was bottled and released in 2002. After ten years in bottle, it still reveals a dense opaque purple color along with a potentially sensational bouquet of blueberries, black currants, graphite, asphalt and background oak. Extremely powerful, full-bodied and superbly concentrated with good acidity and high but round tannins, this massive La Mission-Haut-Brion should take its place among this estate's most hallowed vintages when it hits full maturity in another one to two decades. I was surprised by just how youthful this wine tasted at age 12. If tasted blind, I would have guessed it to be around 4 to 5 years old. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2050.

The FAY Cabernet Sauvignon displays vibrant red fruit fragrances accompanied by hints of black tea, olive, and baking spices. It features a harmonious texture that is well-balanced, and the mid-palate boasts a pleasant concentration of berry fruit that culminates in a finish of cinnamon and spices. This vintage is more opulent than previous ones, which is typical of the year's characteristics.

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.

Caparzo Rosso di Montalcino is a red wine produced by Caparzo winery located in Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy. The wine is made using 100% Sangiovese grapes, which are grown in the vineyards surrounding the winery. The wine is aged for a short period in oak barrels to enhance its complexity and depth of flavor. On the nose, the wine exhibits aromas of red berries, violets, and hints of spice. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied with a good balance of acidity and tannins, and flavors of cherry, blackberry, and earthy undertones. This wine is a great pairing with grilled meats, pasta dishes with tomato-based sauces, and mature cheeses.

Gulfi is a family-owned winery located in southern Sicily, with grand cru vineyards located in Pachino: 100% Nero d’Avola that grows in sandy soil close to the sea and has adapted to the hot climate. Here, the resulting wines are complex and elegant, and the benchmark for what these wines should taste like. Undoubtedly, one of the world’s greatest wine estates and producers of Nero d’Avola. Although one might think the wines taste the same, each single vineyard or ‘cru’ showcases the great terroir of Pachino and the subtleties of each area.

Maccarj is a dense and powerful wine with a perfumed nose of ripe black cherry, garrigue, iron notes and eucalyptus. The tannins are firm and powerful with lingering flavours of blackberry fruit and juniper along with a meaty, black olive quality, typical of this cru.

As the winery's most important and awarded wine, Sor Ugo represents the elegance and strength of Bolgheri. A "Super Tuscan" Bordeaux-blend created by the prominent enologist Tibor Gal, it is named after Ugo, the first Pellegrini family member who started to work with grapes and wines a century ago

A local red wine fully drenched with Veneto’s heritage; intense ruby with garnet refl ections, dry and austere taste when sampled, ripe red fruit notes supported by fresh acidity - the precious outcome of barrel ageing.

Teroldego is the most important red grape of Trentino in Northern Italy. Dark coloured and concentrated, this is a fruity wine, yet softly tannic and Albertans would love it! Try this as an alternative to Cabernet Sauvignon.

Arpepe Sassella Stella Retica  is a red wine with a ruby red color. It has a complex aroma with notes of red fruit, such as cherries and raspberries, and hints of spices, such as cloves and cinnamon. On the palate, it is medium-bodied, with a good structure and balance, and firm tannins. The wine has flavors of red fruit, with a hint of earthiness, and a long and persistent finish. It is a perfect match for roasted meats, game, and aged cheeses.

A fleshy cuirassier with notes of licorice, spices, and dark fruits. Cherry, currant, and blueberry blend harmoniously, creating a velvety and sweetly ripe taste with splendidly integrated tannins. San Rocco exudes great power and austerity, with an incredible aging potential. A pure complexity and strong character, this wine is monumental.

Tangs of struck flint and lime zest introduce this richly concentrated yet zesty Chardonnay sourced from vineyards adjacent to the Grand Cru of Le Montrachet. Flavors of lemon and tangerine are opulent and piercing, softened by hints of vanilla, cream and smoked wood. Moderately full bodied but bold in presence, the wine should improve through 2035.

The Rosé de Giscours is a refreshing and elegant wine with a pale pink color. On the nose, it offers aromas of red berries and citrus fruits, with a hint of spice. On the palate, it is dry, crisp and well-balanced, with a lively acidity and a long, fruity finish. This wine is made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot, grown in the Margaux appellation of Bordeaux.

Château des Quarts was created in 2012 through a joint partnership between two old friends, Dominique Lafon and Olivier Merlin.

For over a decade, Olivier had tasked himself with sourcing and making wine from the best sites within Pouilly-Fuissé and bottling them under his own label. After buying grapes from Clos des Quarts for several vintages, he was first approached with the news that it was for sale. Having been already convinced of the terroir's integrity he jumped on the opportunity.

The vineyard is located in Chaintré, the southernmost village of Pouilly-Fuissé. At just over 2 hectares, the oldest vines are almost a century old and are planted on clay-limestone soils.

Pairs well with: Grilled chicken, Summer salad and Turkey

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. 

Rock Angel has a more complex and structured taste profile than Whispering Angel bringing it into a more premium realm, giving rosé lovers a bigger and richer wine. If you like the minerality of a Sancerre, you will love this wine.

Aroma: Delicate red berry aromas with mineral notes, along with floral hints and a subtle spice.

Palate: Rock Angel is rich and racy on the palate. The use of partial oak aging adds a creamy feel and texture to this wine, and the flinty minerality embues it with another layer of complexity.

Finish: Powerful and elegant. Firm acidity with a long and silky finish.

"Lush fruits of black cherry, blackberry and red plum. Rich notes of freshly turned earth, magnolia flower and sweet touches of white chocolate. Young round silky tannins provide a long finish. These soil series were born from the volcanic eruptions of the Blue Mountains 15 million years ago, which created basalt islands that still sit on the top of Northern Willamette Valley hills. This representation of those volcanic soil series is specifically from the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. Ken Wright has been working with their Estate vineyards in the Eola-Amity Hills since the late 80s and they are now firmly tapped into the volcanic basalt parent material. This mother rock is what gives wine true character and identifiable regional complexities of this Volcanic AVA." - Ken Wright Cellars

Take Ancestor Vines (planted in 1894), a great vintage, experienced winemaking. Add 30 months of aging in American and French oak, resulting in the stunning 2018 Command Single Vineyard Shiraz. Boasting fabulous density and concentration, this full-bodied effort is still almost embryonic in its development, with tarry, mocha, yet lifted notes accenting intense blackberry fruit; a rich, supple yet structured mouthfeel, and a long, mouthwatering finish. Once it hits its stride in a few years, it should drink well for 20 years or more.

Pairs well with: Beef & Venison

The renowned Piper-Heidsieck champagne house was established in 1785 by Florens-Louis Heidsieck. Following his passing, the company was renamed Piper-Heidsieck when Henri-Guillaume Piper partnered with Christian Heidsieck, the founder's nephew. Piper-Heidsieck is recognized as one of the most dependable and consistent expressions of champagne, with their Piper-Heidsieck Rare taking the top spot in FINE Champagne magazine's Best 100 Champagnes list in 2011. The Head Winemaker, Regis Camus, has taken the quality and reputation of Piper-Heidsieck's expressions to an extraordinary level of excellence.

Sangiovese, aka Brunello is grown all over Italy, but most prevalent in Tuscany. Valdicava wine estate produces some of the highest quality wines in the world by showing different expressions of this opulent grape variety. Located in the valley of Montosoli, to the north of Montalcino, the winery only produces two wines: a Rosso and Brunello, with the single vineyard, Madonna del Piano only produced in the very best vintages. This 2016 has attractive aromas of cherry nib, violet, tomato leaf, walnut, and orange rind. Full bodied with dusty tannins and a long, linear finish. 

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.

Produced from 314 plots totaling nearly 28 hectares (75 acres) of vineyards. Ao Yun vineyards range in altitude from 2,200 to 2,600 meters, enabling the cabernet sauvignon grape to express the full refinement of this unique terroir. Local farmers have worked these lands for centuries, adapting their farming techniques to the steep mountainsides. To respect time-honoured local tradition, the grape harvest and winemaking are done entirely by hand. The Ao Yun terroir enjoys exceptional climatic conditions, with temperatures similar to those of Bordeaux

Domaine Jacques Prieur has the rare claim to fame of owning property in some the greatest appellations in Burgundy including Chambertin, Musigny, Clos Vougeot, Echézeaux, Corton, Meursault and Montrachet. Not many Domaines can boast that. History of the Domaine dates to 1868. Owned now by the Labruyère Family, supported by Prieur Family's heirs, they passionately promote and defend the great terroirs of Burgundy worldwide. The Beaune Greves Premier Cru sits on 1.17ha overlooking the city of Beaune. This 100% pinot noir offers notes of fresh red berries, evolving into cherry pit and spicy vanilla notes. Elegant, fresh, and fruity, the wine has balanced tannins and acidity with a smooth finish.

Beautiful, resolved nose, a touch of delightful oxidation, coffee and chocolate but still that cherry ripe red fruit clarity. In the mouth it is silky and dense, a flood of quite meaty and fleshy black fruit, super ripe tannins and lovely plum and cherry skin acidity giving length. A beautifully resolved and complete wine.

Le Petit Mouton de Mouton Rothschild is a Second Wine from the famed First Growth, Château Mouton Rothschild, that offers an opportunity for oenophiles to experience its sensuous winemaking style at a great value. Château Mouton Rothschild was initially ranked as a Second Growth during the Official 1855 Classification, and in 1922, the estate was acquired by Baron Phillippe de Rothschild, a true renaissance man who added his name to the label. The Baron was a successful winegrower, a playwright, a screenwriter, a theatrical producer, a poet, and a Grand Prix racecar driver. He also referred to Château Mouton Rothschild’s Second Growth classification as a “monstrous injustice.”

Pairs well with: Beef, Lamb and Venison

Chateau Margaux has a vast history, five centuries in the making. Most know this wine as just "Pavillon Rouge", but with its full name, the origins are clear: This is the 2nd wine of Chateau Margaux, one of the 1855 Classification 1st growths. The flavours and quality are close, yet with the ability to drink a little earlier than its big sister. Typically this wine represents 30% of the grapes harvested for a vintage. The 2019 is comprised of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc. With this warm vintage, there is more body in the wine, yet still well balanced. Loaded with black fruit, pencil shavings, tobacco and spices, it is elegant and velvety on the palate with plenty of structure, yet still fresh and fruity. Touted as one of the best vintages for this wine and worth the purchase.

The Brut NV represents the epitome of the Piper-Heidsieck style: a classic, well-structured, and fruit forward champagne. Piper-Heidsieck carefully selects fruit from more than 100 of Champagne's crus to blend the Brut NV. This adds great complexity and dimension to the wine and allows the bold Piper-Heidsieck style to shine through. A majority blend of Pinot Noir provides structure to the composition while Pinot Meunier expands the wine with its brilliant fruit expression and fleshiness and Chardonnay bring elegant tones and acidity. The precious reserve wines create a consistent flavor profile year after year.
This Champagne teases and allures us with its festive, light-drenched, pale gold shimmer and joyful display of neat, lively bubbles. Notes of almond and fresh hazelnut accompany the precise ascent of its bubbles. It is lively, subtle and light, leaving a deliciously incisive sensation of smoothness, marked by the pureness of fresh pear and apple and a delicate hint of citrus fruits. A harmonious mixture of bright, crunchy pomelo, blonde grapes and juicy white fruits creates the delightfully surprising sensation of lightness embraced by the structure and depth from the Pinot Noir; all beautifully balanced.