The nose is nutty; aeration brings out some spice. The palate entry continues with the nut-fest; at midpalate the flavors of cocoa bean, café au lait, Brazil nut and Christmas spices take flight. Concludes chocolaty.

Baker’s bourbon offers a distinctive experience, with each barrel boasting its own unique character, much like the man it's named after. Patiently aged for at least seven years in charred oak barrels, the bourbon extracts rich vanilla notes from its surroundings in the distillery's rickhouses. Uniquely, each bottle is filled from a single barrel, ensuring a bold and nuanced bourbon with individual subtleties. On the nose, expect inviting aromas of fruit, vanilla, and caramel, while the palate delights with flavors of toasted nuts, fruit, and silky vanilla, culminating in a sweet, smooth, and medium-long finish.

Mango hue with hints of peach. Sparkling, limpid color. Expressive strawberry purée, with a light touch of white flowers. A play between peach and melon, with an amylic rather than thiolated profile. Sweet attack with a satiny mouthfeel. Return of crushed strawberry and redcurrant jelly aromas, consistent with ample volume. Slightly tannic finish.

Banfi Brunello di Montalcino typically presents as a ruby red with garnet hues, featuring aromas of blackberry, blackcurrant, and rose, with a full-bodied, powerful palate offering notes of cherry, spice, and a hint of vanilla, characterized by soft, smooth tannins and balanced acidity.

The nose starts salty and umami, then turns peppery, then finally finishes with the sweetness of black cherries and blackberries. On the palate, the fruit elements flourish, while the sweet and sour of balsamic vinegar and resurgent pepper on the finish maintain the complexity. Acid glitters around supple tannins.

On the palate, the wine is full-bodied with chewy tannins and a peppery acidity that harmoniously fills the mouth. Flavors of black cherry, blackberry, and licorice are complemented by notes of delicate springtime flowers and zesty citrus fruits.

Barbacan Sforzato 2018 is a red wine from the Valtellina subregion of Lombardy, Italy. Made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes (known locally as Chiavennasca), the wine undergoes a unique drying process for several months prior to fermentation, resulting in a concentrated and complex flavor profile. It has a deep garnet color and a complex aroma with notes of dark fruit, such as black cherry and blackberry, along with hints of spices and tobacco. On the palate, it is full-bodied and rich, with flavors of dark fruit, leather, and earth, and a long and persistent finish. The wine is typically paired with hearty meat dishes and aged cheeses.

Rhum Barbancourt Réserve Spéciale 5 Star 8 Year Old features a balanced profile, with notes of caramel, vanilla, and oak on the nose, and a palate of butterscotch, toasted almonds, and dried apricots. The finish is long and warming, with hints of baking spices, ginger, and a slight peppery kick.

Nose: The Bard Muhlenberg Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey opens with a rich and inviting aroma of caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak. There are hints of dried fruits and a subtle spice that adds complexity to the bouquet.

Taste: On the palate, this bourbon delivers a smooth and velvety mouthfeel. The flavors of sweet toffee, butterscotch, and dark chocolate dominate, accompanied by notes of ripe cherries and a touch of cinnamon. The taste is well-balanced, with the sweetness perfectly complemented by a gentle oakiness.

Palate: The finish is long and satisfying, leaving a warm and lingering sensation. The Bard Muhlenberg Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey showcases a harmonious blend of sweet and savoury elements, making it a delightful choice for bourbon enthusiasts seeking a well-rounded and flavorful experience.

Bardos Reserva is a Ribera del Duero red wine known for its high-altitude vineyards and elegant, powerful style. It is a blend of Tempranillo (Tinta del País) and Cabernet Sauvignon, with the Tempranillo often sourced from old, low-yielding vineyards. The wine is aged for 16 months in new French oak, contributing to its complexity and structure.

Winegrowers since 1860, Domaine Barge continues its family owned business with 5.7 ha in Cote-Rotie, 1 ha in Condrieu and 1.5ha in Saint-Joseph. A typical Cote-Rotie with 95% Syrah and 5% Viognier delivers a refined, classic nose of raspberries, pepper, and a touch of cedar and spice. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, with fine-grained tannins, balanced acidity and grip.This has the elegant profile one finds often in bottlings made exclusively from the Côte Blonde vineyard of Cote-Rotie.

Barnard Griffin Winery began in 1983 with borrowed grapes and a rented cellar, the dream of founders Deborah Barnard and Rob Griffin. It has since become one of Washington's most enduring and award-winning wineries. Along with their tasting room, they also have a tasting room in Woodinville, where one can taste many examples of Washington wine. The Cabernet delivers a cascade of opulent plum, cherry and raspberry fruit flavors framed with subtle notes of bittersweet chocolate and oak spice. A very rich, fruity, food-friendly Cab!

Head winemaker Rob Griffin arrived in the Columbia Valley four decades ago via UC Davis and the Napa Valley and is the longest-practicing winemaker in Washington State. This wine spent 17 months in oak barriques and shows the rewards of both skill and patience. Expect ripe, juicy cherry and plum fruit with subtle smoky shading, and pair with grilled meats.

The aromas bring notes of fruit leather, cherry and wood spice. Smooth, medium-bodied dark-fruit flavors follow, with a tart finish. It all seems a bit dried out. Sean P. Sullivan

Barnard Griffin Winery began in 1983 with borrowed grapes and a rented cellar, the dream of founders Deborah Barnard and Rob Griffin. It has since become one of Washington's most enduring and award-winning wineries. Along with their tasting room, they also have a tasting room in Woodinville, where one can taste many examples of Washington wine. The bright and concentrated personality of this delicious, six-vineyard, Cab-based red blend is filled with racy cherry, orange zest and cranberry flavors. Juicy acidity augments the lengthy, fruit-filled finish. Well suited for everyday enjoyment and well priced, for making this a great pizza wine.

Beautifully crafted, juicy, bright and flavorful. Bucket loads of strawberry, melon and pineapple flavors practically leap out of the glass. Dry with racy, vibrant acidity. Discover the amazing versatility of this refreshing, food-friendly Rosé.

Barnard Griffin Winery began in 1983 with borrowed grapes and a rented cellar, the dream of founders Deborah Barnard and Rob Griffin. It has since become one of Washington's most enduring and award-winning wineries. Along with their tasting room, they also have a tasting room in Woodinville, where one can taste many examples of Washington wine. Vibrant and tangy, the crisp apple and tropical fruit notes with highlights of minerality delight the palate. A perfect summer wine suitable to pair with shellfish.

Bordering with British Columbia at the northwestern tip of the United States, Washington State is gradually stepping out of the shadows of its neighbours with expressive and well-defined cuvées. Wrapped around flavours of blueberry jam, this Syrah adds accents of vanilla, chocolate and black fruits to its already exuberant and very ripe profile.

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

Taste: Rich and concentrated flavors of blackcurrant, black plum, and ripe blackberry, complemented by notes of dark chocolate, espresso, and tobacco.

Palate: Full-bodied with velvety tannins and a smooth, lingering finish. Well-balanced acidity and a touch of minerality add complexity to the wine.

Elegant, yet still brimming in meaty tannins, this wine offers deftness on entry, diving deeper into blueberry cobbler and baked bread as it goes. On the nose, roses and cinnamon entice, while mid-weight oak and licorice pull in more savory directions.

Rich in red and blue flowers giving pleasure in the notes of lavender, passionflower, magnolias and gardenias. A lot of citrusy hints describe the secondary scene. Medium to full bodied, extremely light, gentle tannins of very fine grain and a harmonic, balanced finale with a smooth, progressive closure.

Margaux shows us the elegance and feminine side of Bordeaux. This second label of Chateau Brane Cantenac, a Second Growth of Bordeaux is a blend of 65% Merlot, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3% Cabernet Franc. Already silky and very promising, it expresses black fruit aromas of blackberry and fleshy cherry mixed with elegant toast, smoke, and vanilla. The tannins are refined and balanced and is absolutely in the drink window.

This wine displays a clean, bright straw yellow color with golden edges. The aroma is complex, featuring notes of passion fruit, mint, and subtle hints of honey. On the palate, it offers a fresh experience with an excellent balance of acidity, alcohol, and sugar. The hint of sweetness is always a pleasant surprise, and the eye-catching label makes it even more appealing.

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

Fresh, balanced and with fine but compact tannins, this Rioja is chiefly made up of Tempranillo. It seduces thanks to its aromatic profile evoking roasting, coconut and cherry. It comes from a cellar in Mendavia famous for its complex and intense wines.

Fragrant on the nose with dominant red fruits, floral, and balsamic notes, this wine is fresh, unctuous, and fruity with a balanced mid-palate. Made with 100% garnacha, this wine is also VEGAN for those looking for that alternative. 

Colour: Cherry. Nose: sweet spices, scrubland, ripe fruit. Palate: spicy, balsamic, good acidity, fresh.

This ripe and mature wine offers a delightful interplay of spice and acidity, complementing the nuanced flavors of vanilla and white fruit. Crafted from a blend of all three main Champagne grapes, it presents a fine and balanced profile. With its harmonious character, this wine is perfectly poised for enjoyment, inviting you to savour its complexities.

Another little gem from the oldest family winery in Italy. Since 1141, Ricasoli has been producing wines of great character and quality. Made from 95% Sangiovese and 5% Colorino, the wine is aged for 9 months in used tonneaux.

The nose begins with floral and fruity notes, gradually transitioning to umami with hints of balsamic vinegar and tar, blending with violets, roses, figs, and plums. The palate combines juiciness and earthiness, with gritty, almost sandy tannins enhancing the earthy profile.

Intense brown colour with reddish hues. A rich and perfumed bouquet of red berries. In the mouth it is creamy, smooth and with impeccable structure. A perfect balance of flavours, which extends into an enduring and delicious finish.

This wood-aged wine is still full of its ripe, jammy fruits. They combine well with the wood aging and the rich dried fruits and dense texture. The wine, showing plenty of black fruit, is ready to drink. Roger Voss