Danimi Votiva Campi Taurasini DOC is a red wine produced by Danimi winery in the Campania region of Italy. A Votiva is an offering to the gods. The figurine depicted on the bottles of Votiva are inspired by similar objects found in the heart of Irpinia where the ancients worshipped the Goddess Mefite and made offerings to appease her. This is the 'cru' line that represents the strength of the Irpinian territory and identity. Made from 100% Aglianico, the wine is a complex mix of floral and fruity notes such as violets and wild red berries along with spicy notes that recall scent of tobacco and leather. The mouthfeel is intense and concentrated, full-bodied with velvety tannins. 

Fritz Kupelwieser's Vernatsch/Schiava is a red wine with a ruby color and a bouquet of wild berries and violets. On the palate, it is light and fresh, with balanced acidity and soft tannins, making it a perfect pairing for roasted meats, pasta dishes, and aged cheeses. This wine is made from 100% Vernatsch/Schiava grapes grown in the Südtirol subregion of Alto Adige, where the unique microclimate and soil create ideal conditions for growing this variety. The vintage is a testament to the quality of this grape and the winemaker's skill in crafting a beautiful wine.

Greco Nero hails from Calabria, the "toe" of Italy's boot and is another red wine for Alberta drinkers! Full-bodied, thick and rich, if you left this on your counter for 4 days, it would still drink like a boss! Full of blackberry, dried plums, floral, roasted coffee, leather and spice, it's complex!

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.

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.

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.

100% Carignano, Santadi Carignano del Sulcis “Grotta Rossa” DOC is intense crimson color, lovely, fruity bouquet with a licorice finish, elegant palate, good depth, structure and texture.

from the famed Valdicava winery, this single vineyard wine is only produced in the most excellent vintages. 2007 was a stellar year with perfect conditions for ripening of the Sangiovese grape. Beautifully knit together, this wine has deep, concentrated notes of blueberries and blackberries, leather, and tobacco. Deeply textured, yet with smooth tannins, and layers and layers of flavour. This will undoubtedly just get better in the bottle. If drinking now, decant or hold until 2030-2035.

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. 

Attractive, sensual, balanced. A soft and persuasive Barbaresco. Velvety tannins and great body define this wine, that ends with a fruity finish and floral note.

The renamed Lunae winery located in Liguria produces this spectacular red wine with the DOC Colli Luini certification. This wine is made by 33% Sangiovese, Ciliegiolo and Canaiolo grapes. The Auxo Colli Luini DOC is an excellent quality wine, refined and prestigious suitable for convivial and representative moments and it is also round and soft. The cultivation method is the Guyot with a density of 4000 units per hectare according to the technical policy of production. The vineyards are located in Castelnuovo Magra and in little portion also in Ortonovo and Sarzana in the La Spezia province. The vineyards are around 30 years old. The manual grape harvest takes place in the second half of September. Firstly there is the fermentation in stainless steel tanks with 10 days on peels, then the racking off and late the malolactic fermentation always in steel tanks. Finally the aging period of 6 months in big oak barrels. In the first process the must and the wine are kept at 18°C.

The Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva (produced at the Tenuta Tignanello estate) is a prestigious, fruit-forward Tuscan red wine. Often referred to as the "baby Tignanello", it is a rich blend of predominantly Sangiovese with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon, prized for its silky tannins, vibrant acidity, and elegant flavor profile.

The Giribaldi Dolcetto d'Alba DOC is a vibrant, dry red wine from Piedmont, Italy, characterized by an intense ruby-red color with violet hints and aromas of violet, cherry, and blackberry. On the palate, it's full, fruity, and structured with soft tannins, offering flavors of raspberry and blueberry, finishing dry and clean, making it versatile for appetizers, meats, and local pasta dishes like agnolotti al plin.

Lamole di Lamole Chianti Classico is a vibrant, ruby-red Italian red known for its deep fruit (black cherry, plum, dark berries), floral notes (violets), and complex spice (sweet spice, sandalwood, tobacco), offering a fresh, savory profile with balanced acidity, fine tannins, and a long, fruity finish, reflecting its high-altitude Tuscan vineyards and often a blend of Sangiovese with small amounts of Cabernet/Merlot or organic grapes.

The Castelgiocondo Ripe Al Convento Brunello di Montalcino Riserva is a full-bodied, elegant, and complex Italian red wine known for its brilliant ruby color and long, persistent finish. On the nose, it presents a rich mix of fresh fruit (like black and red cherries, wild berries, and pomegranate), floral notes, and tertiary aromas such as graphite, tobacco, and coffee. It has a balanced, silky yet firm palate with well-integrated, fine tannins and a minerally or chalky undertone.

F NEGROAMARO shows a very deep and deep purple red color. The scent is rich and complex, with notes of spices, berries, and cherry jam. A full-bodied wine, soft and harmonious, rich in noble tannins, with a pleasantly persistent finish.

Querciabella Mongrana DOC Maremma is a vibrant, intense red wine from Tuscany that's certified organic and vegan. It's a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, featuring aromas of ripe fruit like morello cherry and blackberry, with notes of kirsch and herbs, and an intense ruby-red color. The palate offers a juicy, fresh sip with soft tannins and a long, savory, and mineral finish.

Poggio al Tesoro Mediterra IGT Toscana is a red wine blend of Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon, offering a fragrant and intensely fruity experience with notes of blackberries, plums, and cherries, underpinned by white pepper and herbaceous aromas.

The nose starts floral, with aromas of roses, vanilla and cherry, then turns earthy, before spiced undertones of cloves and bergamot float to the surface. The cherries return on the palate, with more bitter citrus and earth tones, while finely grained tannins tickle the back of your tongue.

Nose: Intense aromas of ripe red fruits, such as cherries and raspberries, with hints of floral notes and a touch of spice.

Taste: Rich and velvety on the palate, with flavors of blackberries, plums, and a subtle earthiness. Well-balanced acidity and smooth tannins.

Palate: Full-bodied and elegant, with a long and persistent finish. Notes of dark chocolate and a touch of vanilla add complexity to the wine.

Nose: Intense aromas of red cherries, raspberries, and violets, with hints of tobacco and earthiness.

Taste: Rich and velvety, with flavors of ripe red fruits, blackberries, and plums. Subtle notes of vanilla and spice add complexity.

Palate: Well-structured with firm tannins and a balanced acidity. The wine has a long, persistent finish with a touch of minerality.

Candied cherries, wild herbs and darker flowers, with subtle violet notes, create a very pretty aromatic profile. Well-structured, it showcases a great balance, with supple tannins and lifted acidity. While it can be enjoyed now, a bit more time in the cellar would be beneficial.

Guado Al Tasso is from the famous Antinori family from their estate in Bolgheri, the famed appellation on the upper coast of Maremma. The label features the crest and initials of the Della Gherardesca, former owners of the estate. Produced since 1990, the wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and occasionally a small amount of Petit Verdot to best represent the complexity and elegance of the Bolgheri terroir. The palate is intense and complex with captivating aromas of currants, blackberries and blood oranges followed by undertones of spices, tobacco, licorice, and roasted coffee. The palate is mouth filling and persistent, bursting with vibrant silky tannins. A powerful yet graceful vintage with outstanding aging potential.

This classic bottling showcases the variety with effusive red fruit, wild herb, and tar notes in both aroma and flavor, finishing with slight and elegant tannins!

This red shows a mild concentration of menthol, tobacco and ripe red cherry on the nose. The medium-bodied palate is more generous in nature, with pleasantly plump berry fruit studded with herbs, all balanced by bright acidity and hefty tannins. Alexander Peartree

Truffle, underbrush, new leather and chopped herb aromas slowly emerge in the glass. The bright, elegantly structured palate delivers tart cherry, licorice and tobacco alongside vibrant acidity and tightly wound noble tannins. It's still youthfully austere so give it time to develop. 

Showing its Etna pedigree and loaded with finesse, this gorgeous red has inviting aromas of camphor, crushed red berries, blue flowers and Mediterranean brush. Full-bodied but boasting an almost weightless elegance, the enveloping, delicious palate delivers raspberry compote, ripe strawberry and baking spice alongside a flinty mineral note that lends depth. Enveloping, polished tannins provide lithe support while fresh acidity keeps it balanced. It's already showing beautifully so there's no need to wait. Drink through 2029. Kerin O’Keefe

One of the original producers that grows Trebbiano Abruzzese, one of the few quality grapes of the Trebbiano group. There is not much of this exported and even fewer bottles of the Montepulciano. Francesco Valentini and his son are the only humans allowed in the cellar as Francesco never wants to introduce foreign microbes or yeasts to interfere with the ageing of the wine. These are some of the most ageable white wines in the world and in fact, could be considered “unicorns” as they are hard to find here in Canada.  Truly collectible.

Located in Loreto Aprutino in the province of Pescara, the Valentini winery boasts of a centuries-old winemaking tradition. Francesco Paolo Valentini is a more than well-known figure in the wine world. The winery covers 65 hectares of vineyards dedicated to the production of Trebbiano, Montepulciano and Cerasuolo d' Abruzzo. Annual production is around 50,000 bottles. It is not possible to identify the production method as Organic or Biodynamic since the approach in the vineyard is unique and artisanal. Montepulciano is a powerful and impetuous wine. It is characteristic of bewitching with its important body and intriguing bouqet of aromas.

This super-interesting blend from Liguria is made from Sangiovese, Merlot and the rarely seen Pollera Nera, native to Liguria. The wine is very aromatic, perfumed with wild berries, fresh herbs and dried flowers. The vibrant palate highlights classic Sangiovese tart-cherry notes and lively acidity. Merlot contributes a softer edge while the Pollera Nera adds background notes of herbs and spice.

Intense Ruby ​​red color with purple reflections, elegant and persistent perfume characterized by hints of cherry. On the palate it is dry, full and harmonious.

The enchanting Montepulciano d'Abruzzo casts its spell with a timeless blend of crushed rocks, violets, lavender, delicate hints of blood orange, and nuanced strawberry notes. Its textured, ripe wild berry flavors embrace the palate, leading to a delightful mineral essence that adds a satisfying crunch towards the finish. The wine maintains its elegance throughout, concluding with a lightly structured yet concentrated profile, accompanied by captivating floral aromas that linger astonishingly long. This is unquestionably a stunning and impeccably balanced Montepulciano. For optimal enjoyment

"Potazzine" refers to colourful and vivacious birds which inhabit the Tuscany countryside. The property is owned by Gigliola Giannetti who created the winery in 1993 upon the birth of her first daughter and further expanded it another 2ha three years later after the birth of her second daughter.  Potazzine is also a term of endearment given to children by parents and grandparents and it was Gigliola’s mother who affectionately gave this nickname to the two girls.  These prestigious wines are made using natural fermentation with indigenous yeasts, long macerations and ageing in Slavonian oak for 40 months resulting in wines with smooth tannins. The nose is fruity and floral with notes of red cherry, and violets, defined by savoury tomato leaf, balsamic and spice notes for a beautifully balanced wine.

From one of the only wineries located within the Parco Nazionale, this is the top wine of the Pasetti line. With six years of ageing combined with stainless steel, new oak and in bottle, this intense, complex, full-bodied wine is a stunning example of ripe red cherry, and plum, accompanied by hints of violet and dried red flowers. Further flavours of stewed cherries, plums, spice, licorice and coffee that gives great complexity, structure, depth and elegance. A truly fascinating wine.

It has a deep ruby color and aromas of dark fruit, spices, and vanilla. On the palate, it is full-bodied with firm tannins and a long finish. This wine is best paired with hearty meat dishes, such as grilled steak or roasted lamb. Overall, it is a high-quality wine that showcases the unique characteristics of the Refosco grape and the terroir of Friuli-Venezia Giulia.

On the nose, it has aromas of dark fruit, vanilla, and spice, while on the palate, it is full-bodied with flavors of black cherry, plum, and tobacco. The tannins are firm and well-structured, providing a long and elegant finish. This wine is a perfect pairing for hearty meat dishes, such as grilled steak or roasted lamb.

Passopisciaro is a small area (the name of a town) on Mt.Etna's north face on the property of the late Andrea Franchetti. Soils from this active volcano provides resulting wine with a vein of minerality that speaks of the terroir of this prestigious region. Rampante sits at 1000m asl and produces one of the finest, most aromatic of the volcano wines due to the sandy content in the soil. Dried flowers, smoke, sour cherries, and exotic spices dominate. It is the winery's most rarified and ethereal expression of Nerello Mascalese. Stunning.

This powerful "Super Tuscan" is a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot. Located in the heart of Chianti Classico, the passion for Bordeaux and its wines was the inspiration for creating these blends. Careful grape selection, ageing in French barrique and sure lie, gives these wines depth of character and rich and exotic textures. In the bottle you will find notes of blackberry, cassis, plum and violet wrapped up in spice, leather, and cedar. Decant for optimal experience or lay down for a few years. Stunning wine.

We don’t often think about Nebbiolo outside of Barolo or Barbaresco, but the northern region of Gattinara is a quality region growing points-worthy Spanna, as it is known here. Elegant with aromas and flavours of dried roses, raspberry jam and hints of toasted nuts and vanilla. If you’ve never tried Nebbiolo from Northern Piemonte, this is a good place to start. 

Mazzolino Pinot Noir Oltrepo Pavese DOC  is a medium-bodied red wine with a ruby red color and an elegant bouquet of red fruits, cherries, and spices. On the palate, it is smooth and balanced with a long finish. The grapes are carefully selected and harvested by hand before being fermented in stainless steel tanks. The wine is then aged in oak barrels for 12 months before being bottled. This Pinot Noir pairs well with roasted meats, game, and aged cheeses.