Nose: Rich caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak.
Taste: Smooth and velvety with notes of toffee, dark chocolate, and a hint of spice.
Palate: Full-bodied with a long, warm finish, showcasing flavors of molasses, dried fruits, and a touch of smokiness.

The Flying Dutchman Rum is the first rum made in Europe. It is distilled from a very nice molasses of sugarcane. Two types of yeast, fermented at a low temperature, give it a nice fruity character. The fermentation takes at least two weeks. This is exceptionally long but important for the development for the delicate flavor of this rum. After the long fermentation time, the rum is distilled three times in small handmade red copper stills. After the distillation process, the rum is filled into barrels and aged for a minimum of 36 months in former Port barrels.

Rich dark gold mahogany colour. Wonderfully intense nose of sweet raison, sultana and hints of tobacco and vanilla from the oak. On the palate intense with sweet honeyed fruit and spices giving a wonderfully balanced and complex rum.

If you're looking for Beaujolais Cru, look no further. Of the 10 Cru, CLS has wines from seven. Rather than sourcing the grapes from all across the Beaujolais region, each individual Cru has their own terroir and soil structure; all made with 100% Gamay with the resulting wines unique and set-apart from each other. This Chiroubles is an example of the new, organic/bio-dynamic philosophy that Arthur and Pierre, 5th generation family winemakers, introduced when they took over the estate in 2011. The grapes are harvested by hand to ensure that only healthy clusters are used. Natural yeasts are used for a spontaneous fermentation, following a partial carbonic maceration. A refreshing expression of Gamay with full berry flavours, a clean acidity, and soft tannins.

The red wine "Prugnolo" Valtellina Superiore from Cantina Rainoldi is named after the "Prunus Spinosa," a decorative shrub that grows near the vineyards and whose blue berries ripen in autumn, coinciding with the harvest period. Made from the noble Nebbiolo grape, "Prugnolo" is a structured and full-bodied wine, crafted from carefully selected grapes from the terraces of Valtellina Superiore. It undergoes a pre-fermentation cryo-maceration lasting about 60 hours, followed by controlled-temperature maceration with continuous pumpover. The wine then matures for approximately twelve months in small oak barrels previously used for Sfursat Fruttaio Ca' Rizzieri. Afterward, it is blended in stainless steel tanks and aged in bottle for at least 9 months before being released.

From the master himself, Mastroberardino, Campania's favourite winemaker, this might be considered "entry level", but with nothing lacking in flavour and quality. Made with a blend of aglianico and piedirosso, the aromas denote fruity sensations of plum, blackberry, raspberry, blackcurrant, strawberry and cherry with hints of cinnamon. On the palate it is medium bodied with rich notes of red fruits.

This is a beautiful wooden box with shimmery blue lettering that holds 3 different vintages - 2 each of 2008, 2011 and 2018. 

Valenciso (founded in 1998) may be young in years, but founders Luis Valentin and Carmen Enciso (who gave their surnames to the bodega) were already long in experience when they began. They had worked together for 28 years by the time they left Bodegas Palacio to start their own business. Valenciso seeks to make classically structured, subtle and elegantly fine wines using 100% Tempranillo grapes from low yielding old vines in the Rioja Alta. Winemaker Alicia Eyaralar uses exclusively French barriques, a third being new each year, to produce this terrific wine in very small quantities. In this box, there are two bottles each of 2008, 2011 and 2018, all scoring very high. Cherry deep colour, spicy nose, intense. There are some notes of leather, licorice and fountain pen ink, over a core of ripe berry fruit, with some spicy notes from the oak and a faint animal character. The palate is medium-bodied with some dusty, slightly rustic tannins and a dry finish.

Arnaldo Rivera was a local primary school teacher, mayor of his village for 36 years, and founder in 1958 of the Terre del Barolo winery, which still today is the only direct cooperative wine cellar in the entire supply chain in the Barolo production area. Verduno might be one of the 12 communes allowed to put ‘Barolo’ on the label, yet besides the great grape Nebbiolo, they are famous for the native Pelaverga grape, which you can find most locals drinking in caffes.

Rustic and slightly opaque on the nose, it is expertly worked to give complexity in addition to the floral matrix. Hints of wet geraniums, hot stone and ginseng root set the main scene. Medium body, soft little extracted tannins and vibrant acidity from the midpalate onward. Drink now.

Now benefiting from its own dedicated winery, the 2021 Le Carillon d'Angélus is no longer a "second wine" per se, but rather draws on some 25 hectares of dedicated vineyards, emphasizing Merlot from the cool terroirs of Saint-Christophe-des-Bardes, complemented by holdings in the gravelly Figeac sector and on clay soils near Angélus itself—with anything that doesn't make the cut relegated to the No. 3 d'Angélus. Exhibiting aromas of raspberries, plums, warm spices and nicely integrated new oak, it's medium to full-bodied, supple and polished, with lively acids, refined tannins and a long, penetrating finish. - William Kelley, Wine Advocate

A wine that transcends the vintage's challenges, the 2021 Figeac is performing brilliantly in bottle, wafting from the glass with aromas of raspberries and cherries mingled with striking top notes of violet, rose petal, iris and mint. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and suave, it's pure and vibrant, its enveloping core of fruit framed by ultra-refined tannins, concluding with a long, floral finish. Readers in the habit of drinking top grand cru Burgundy are liable to find themselves seduced by this immensely elegant, perfumed Saint-Émilion, a wine I'll definitely be adding to my own cellar. It's the result of gamble that paid off, as Figeac's team chose to wait to pick their Cabernet Sauvignon despite the menace of forecast rain—a menace that, in fact, scarcely transpired. The 2021 saw a somewhat shorter-than-usual élevage of 16 months in barrel without fining. Drink 2027-2050.

Offering up wild, exotic aromas of blackberries, cloves and Indian spices mingled with notions of rose petal, bruised orchard fruit and cherry pit that evolve rapidly in the glass, the 2021 Pontet-Canet is medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with a layered mid-palate and refined tannins that assert themselves on the firm, saline finish. Always one of the Médoc's most singular, idiosyncratic wines, it will be interesting to see how it performs in bottle.

The 2021 Pichon-Longueville Baron is showing very well in bottle, unwinding in the glass with notes of cassis, sweet berries and violets mingled with subtle hints of orange zest and cigar wrapper. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered, with good depth at the core, bright acids and sweet tannins that assert themselves on the gently structured finish, its serious, slightly reserved profile reflects the unusually high (89%) percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2021 concluded its élevage in large wooden vats for a month and a half, saw a touch less racking than normal, and was only fined with a small amount of gelatin, not egg white, as has been the rule at this address for several years now. Drink 2030-2060.

The remarkable 2021 Montrose gets my nomination for the title of "wine of the vintage" in the Médoc. Wafting from the glass with a deep bouquet of cassis and dark berries mingled with subtle hints of mint, orange, pencil shavings and spices, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a layered and multidimensional core of fruit underpinned by beautifully ripe, refined tannins. Concluding with a long, resonant finish, it entirely transcends the limitations of the year. This young classic, reminiscent of the estate's 1996 but far better, is a blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. Drink 2031-2065.

The purity of fruit here is terrific, with redcurrants, blackcurrants, licorice, lead pencil and hints of fresh basil—so aromatic—that follow through to a full body with creamy, round tannins and lots of volume and fluidity in the center-palate for the vintage. Very structured at the end. 87% cabernet sauvignon, 8% merlot, 3% cabernet franc and 2% petit verdot. Leave this for at least five or six years. Try after 2030.

The 2021 Léoville Las Cases has turned out beautifully in bottle and clearly numbers among the very finest wines of the vintage. Unfurling in the glass with aromas of dark berries and cassis mingled with notions of cigar wrapper, violets and pencil shavings, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated with a deep and multidimensional core of fruit framed by beautifully refined tannins and girdled by lively acids, concluding with a long, penetrating finish. Serious and structured without being austere, it's a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Cabernet Franc and a mere 5% Merlot. Drink 2031-2065.

Polished and refined with a firm, fine and linear tannin structure. Harmonious. Perfumed violets, roses and subtle licorice. All in balance here, with precise layers of black fruit, minerals and pencil lead. Rather seamless. Firm, yet fine and sleek to the end. Very classy. Fine-velvet texture. 96% cabernet sauvignon, 3% merlot and 1% petit verdot.

The 2021 Gruaud Larose has turned out very nicely in bottle, unfurling in the glass with aromas of sweet wild berries, plums, violets and cigar wrapper. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and velvety, it's polished and seamless, with good depth at the core, supple tannins and lively acids. Drink 2025-2045.

The 2021 Duhart-Milon has turned out beautifully, offering up incipiently complex aromas of dark berries and cassis mingled with notions of orange zest, burning embers, pencil lead and iris. Medium to full-bodied, suave and polished, with a layered core of fruit, supple tannins and a long, sapid finish, it will offer a broad drinking window. Drink Date: 2027 - 2045

The 2021 d'Armailhac has turned out beautifully, bursting with attractive aromas of minty cassis and blackberries mingled with notions of pencil shavings and sweet pipe tobacco. Medium to full-bodied, ample and polished, it's supple and seamless, with a fleshy core of fruit and a licorice-inflected finish. En primeur, I compared this to a modern-day version of the estate's immensely charming 1999, and anyone who remembers the 1999 will find that the 2021 delivers just as wide a drinking window. Drink 2026-2041.

The 2021 Cos d'Estournel is one of the denser, more muscular wines of the vintage, wafting from the glass with aromas of dark berries, cassis, charcoal, sweet cigar wrapper and subtle hints of smoked meats, framed by a touch of toasty new oak. Medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, it's rich and quite concentrated for the vintage, with a chassis of sweet, generously extracted tannin and a long, lusty finish. Drink 2026-2045.

The wine has perfumed Cabernet Franc aromas with violet, spice and touches of black-fruit tannins. Smoky with tannins, a serious, dense structure and succulent richness, the wine is powerful, impressively rich, ready to drink from 2028.

Like many of the more historical wineries of Canada's Okanagan Valley, more attention is being made to "terroir" - the idea that certain plots are better suited for specific grape varieties. Pinot Noir likes cooler climates and it thrives in the North Okanagan climate with its glacial soils. 'Aspect' refers to the direction that the vineyards face, giving those extra hours of sunlight the grapevines need. This serves to set apart these single block wines: dynamic, aromatic and vibrant. This Pinot comes from 22 year old vines, and spends 14 months in French oak barriques (of which 23% are new). The wine is dense and structured yet with a great typicity of red plums, blueberries, and nuances of mushroom and forest floor. A Canadian wine designed for ageing.

Lirac Charles I, a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, is sourced from both the estate's vineyards and selected terroirs. It has a bright ruby color and a lively aromatic profile with notes of raspberries, currants, black cherries, licorice, and spices. On the palate, it is fruity and full-bodied, with firm yet well-integrated tannins and a long, mineral-infused finish. This wine pairs well with game birds or grilled red meat and, while ready to drink now, it can evolve beautifully with a few years of cellaring.

Traditii Feteasca Neagra, or Black Maiden, is a semi-dry wine offering a delicate sweetness balanced by fresh acidity. It showcases flavors of black fruits like plums and blueberries, complemented by nuanced notes of chocolate and vanilla. This ruby wine with purple reflections greets you with aromas full of personality, ranging from grassy notes and chocolate to spices and strong fruity scents of blackberries, blackcurrants, and black cherries. With an alcohol content of 12.5%, it's best served between 15 to 18 degrees Celsius. It pairs beautifully with veal, beef, lamb, dry sausages, fattier fish, spicy cuisine, and mature cheeses, making it a versatile and delightful choice for any meal.

The Aldegheri family has been in operation since 1956. Love for nature and extreme attention to the vineyards whilst keeping to traditions of the regions, yet not afraid to use modern technology, the family strives to improve day after day. Now in the 2 nd generation, they are proving to be around for a very long time to come. The Pietramara follows all the same principles of Amarone, yet at a fraction of the price.

This wine presents marked aromas of cherry and marasca cherry, which stand out in its complex bouquet, creating a pleasurable first impact. This is followed by the perfect harmony of its full, robust body. While the color, bouquet, and intensity of flavor suggest a wine suitable for aging, its fruitiness, roundness, and overall harmony make it highly enjoyable for immediate drinking as well.

Jean-Louis Denois established his sparkling winery just 20 miles beyond Champagne's boundaries, offering him the freedom to curate exceptional cuvées from both northern and southern vineyards. This salmon pink rosé boasts delicate bubbles, an aromatic bouquet bursting with red fruit notes, and a soft, inviting palate. Finishing with a subtle touch of sweetness, it undergoes natural fermentation in vats and ages for a minimum of three months. Enjoy it as a delightful aperitif or pair it with a luscious red berry crumble.

Made entirely from Grenache, this lively rosé promises to add vibrancy to your table. It offers a complex palate featuring peach, apple, strawberry, tropical fruit, and savoury herb notes, all balanced by a crisp and elegant mouthfeel. This poised and generous wine pairs beautifully with Tuscan-style grilled trout, showcasing its buoyancy and balance.

With its intense pink hue and vibrant red glints, this exceptional Tavel displays inviting aromas of raspberry, strawberry, and subtle peppery notes. On the palate, it offers a balanced and flavorful experience, with a long finish characterized by caramel undertones. Versatile and gastronomic, it pairs seamlessly with every course of a meal, from appetizers to desserts. Ideal companions include barbeque, red meat, desserts, and fruits. Crafted from a blend of 50% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 15% Clairette, and 10% Cinsault, it exemplifies the best of Tavel's winemaking tradition.

Dense impenetrable core. Elegant nose, layered with tobacco, spice box, fine wood, dark berries and violet, young but with an approaching complexity. The palate is dense and concentrated with moderate extraction, grainy tannin, layers of spice, elegant dark fruit and some meaty notes. Long and fleshy finish, digest and rounded yet with power and persistence, good!