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 IGT Toscana Bianco white wine from Tuscany, Italy, blends Malvasia Bianca, Trebbiano, and Chardonnay from the I Colli Estate, located in Monteriggioni and Vagliagli, part of the Bindi Sergardi family’s historic estate, founded in the late 1400s. With a white paper color and golden reflections, it offers an intense bouquet of peach, melon, and pear. On the palate, it’s fresh, savoury, and well-balanced with good acidity, fermented and aged in stainless steel to maintain its vibrant character.

The Ramato style of Pinot Grigio has become very popular, this mutation of pinot noir giving off an orange/copper hue when the juice is in contact with the skins. The nose shows floral notes of wisteria, orange blossom, acacia flowers with ripe fruity hints of yellow peach, melon and tangerine, followed by a delicate mineral iodine note and hints of hay. The mouthfeel shows crisp acidity, yet perfectly balanced by its freshness and enveloping flavour.

The nose is spicy with hints of vanilla and a touch of licorice, offering both freshness and intensity. On the palate, fresh vanilla takes the lead, followed by subtle notes of white apricot fruits. The finish is slightly woody, yet refined and well-blended, showcasing a nice density of wine.

The Conde Vimioso range is a seal of historical legacy, whose wines assume their own identity. They use a combination of indigenous and international grape varieties gives birth to enriching experiences based on the character of the terroir. These wines are ambitious, innovative and 100% delicious.

The sommelier edition tinto is a blend of Aragonês, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Syrah. The wine has aromas of red fruits and jam, with slight nuances of spices from the wood. Soft tannins deliver a very pleasant and well-balanced wine of structure and elegance, ending with persistent notes of ripe black fruits. Try with grilled or roasted meats, sausages, patês and cheese.

Blue Canyon Estate Grown (Eg) Pinot Noir, primarily from Monterey/Arroyo Seco, is a medium-bodied, value-driven California wine. It features vibrant red fruit aromas (cherry, raspberry) mixed with earthy notes, sagebrush, and light oak spice, offering a silky, approachable texture with a crisp finish. 

Taylor Fladgate is one of the oldest of the founding Port houses (since 1692). It is dedicated entirely to the production of Port wine and in particular to its finest styles. The VVOP is the latest in a series of exclusive releases from Fladgate. It is made from a selection of rare lots that have been maturing in wood, some before the Second World War. The wine will be represented beautifully in a bespoke decanter and accompanying wooden case. Deep chestnut brown in colour, the age is evident upon first glance. The nose has a heady aroma of butterscotch, dried figs and ground coffee, intermingling with marzipan and sultana raisins. Underneath in the background, the aromas are lifted by orange peel and apricot. Hints of vanilla, cedarwood and cinnamon provide a subtle spicy note. The complexity of this port is simply astounding. The acidity is still bright, yet the flavours are mellow and will emerge on the seemingly endless finish. Very few ports retain such balance and finesse after so many years maturing in cask. This is surely a port collectors masterpiece. 

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!

As Moët & Chandon commemorates its 270th year as a prestigious Champagne house, the Rosé Impérial stands as a testament to its enduring excellence. Delicate in appearance, with a soft rose-petal pink hue accented by coral highlights and a fine, effervescent mousse, this champagne offers an aromatic bouquet and palate bursting with notes of ripe strawberry, fragrant rose petal, fresh pastry, and invigorating citrus. Dry on the palate, with a light to medium body and refreshing acidity that cleanses the palate, the Rosé Impérial is a true embodiment of elegance and finesse.

This is a surprisingly thin wine from this classic vineyard and stellar vintage. Flavors of strawberry, watermelon and cranberry seem dilute, and there is little backup as the wine trails out the finish. It's a pleasant and balanced wine, aged in 28% new French barrels that push out a toasty finish. Paul Gregutt

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. 

The aromas aren't particularly revealing. The palate is all about delicacy, with plump, lightly creamy-feeling red-fruit flavors with barrel accents. There's plenty of acidity around it all. Give it time in the cellar. Sean P. Sullivan

Larmandier-Bernier 'Latitude' Extra Brut is a distinguished Champagne that showcases the purity and expression of Chardonnay from the Vertus terroir. This extra brut style signifies a lower dosage, emphasizing the wine's natural vibrancy and clarity. It's crafted from biodynamically farmed vines, highlighting the winemaker's commitment to sustainability and terroir-driven winemaking. The 'Latitude' offers a fine mousse with a bright, clear appearance and exudes aromas of crisp green apples, citrus fruits, and white flowers, with a subtle hint of brioche due to extended lees aging. On the palate, it's marked by a laser-focused acidity, minerality, and a creamy texture that balances its inherent freshness. Flavors of lemon zest, almond, and a saline note reflect its chalky soil origins, leading to a long, elegant finish. This Champagne is an excellent choice for aficionados seeking a pure, expressive, and meticulously crafted bubbly, perfect for special occasions or as a sophisticated aperitif.

93-95 Barrel sample. The estate is American owned by the Adams family. The wine has concentration that will bring out dark fruits and structure, but it also has great freshness among all the richness.

Dr. Zenzen Queen of Grapes Black Riesling (SchwarzRiesling) is a red wine from Germany that glows ruby red in the glass. It features a fruity profile with distinct notes of dark berries and plums. This 11.5% ABV wine has a fine body and is considered a great companion for hearty dishes, including lamb, pork, or mild cheeses. 

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

Maison Louis Jadot is one of the most trusted and revered wine houses in Burgundy’s Côte d’Or. Frédéric Barnier, Jadot’s esteemed winemaker, and his team balance tradition and technology, focusing on the purest expression of each wine’s terroir.  Founded in 1859, the house now owns 528 acres of vineyards, including 280 acres of the Cote d’Or’s most prestigious Premier and Grand Cru plots. The origin of Chambertin comes from one of the owners whose name was Bertin and who had the idea to plant vineyards close to the climat used by monks. Chambertin comes from Champ de Bertin. The Chambertin vineyard is situated on a chalky soil in the depth and clayey at the surface, which makes the wine both powerful and round. It boasts impressive body and depth, showcasing the true character of this esteemed Grand Cru vineyard. The flavors are intense and vibrant, with a remarkable hint of minerality.

The Oculus, a Bordeaux blend cultivated organically in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley, seamlessly combines opulence and elegance, showcasing serious New World fruit with refined sophistication. Aromatically, it unveils layers of complexity and florality, with notes of strawberries and balsamic intertwined with dried violets, savory anise, and gravelly dust. On the palate, its construction is exquisite, with tannins and freshness in harmonious interplay. Fresh mint and pine bough complement flavors of strawberries, clove, and smoke, while well-integrated wild mountain berries, pencil lead, and hints of evergreen add depth. This wine exemplifies a perfect balance of freshness, ripeness, and structure

Plush and softly textured, this modern expression of Brunello boasts generous tones of black fruit, cherry, tobacco, leather and cola with smooth, silky tannins. You could age this wine many more years, or drink it sooner thanks to the inherent softness here.

This 'classic' Margaret River wine exemplifies ease of drinking and purity, boasting a delightful crunchiness and fruit-forward character. It offers a lip-smacking dryness, balanced by crisp acidity, culminating in a clean and refreshing finish that leaves the palate invigorated.

The Grand Cru is a powerful wine with a structure similar to Côte de Nuits wines. The vineyard orientation allows to elaborate a wine with silky tannins and harmonious acidity. Les Grèves is a South east exposure vineyard based on a siliceous soil. This gives power and delicacy to the wine.

Coastal Region wine, from 1980s vineyards in Stellenbosch and Pearl. A deeply coloured, powerful wine, plenty of substantial presence, slightly meaty nose, a touch of green-tinged dry and ashy character, with lots of sweet fruit, touched with a leafy, savoury character in the finish. The blend is 30/70 Alicante and Tempranillo.

This semi-sweet, easy-drinking sparkling red wine is a delightful choice for everyday enjoyment, yet it retains a sense of preciousness. Crafted from the finest grapes of our region, it showcases how an added touch of freshness can serve as an excellent complement to diverse international cuisines, making it not just an enjoyable drink but also a versatile partner for a wide array of dishes.

This California Cabernet Sauvignon breaks away from the typical profile, offering a lush and velvety experience. Rich flavors of black cherries and sugar plums dominate the palate, accented by a subtle hint of vanilla, creating a luxurious and indulgent tasting sensation.

From bush vines planted in 1956, this was whole bunch pressed, only the free run juice was used for natural fermentation in 3rd-fill French oak barrels. Natural style, with that hint of funk and light earthiness, lightly nutty. Lots of sour and juicy apple. Very nice fruit that becomes sweet like Mandarin and even nectarine, fully ripe, but that dry savoury acidity punches through and balances beautifully.

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.

Raw red-fruit aromas are cheesy and lead to a narrow palate with high acidity and raw tannins. Salty plum and red currant flavors border on tart, while this Cab Franc finishes lean and tight, with mild heat and peppery notes.

Cherry-red in appearance, the nose develops a fresh, light, subtly spicy aroma of white pepper. Dominantly fruity, with cherries and strawberries. This dominance is echoed on the palate, with a round, fruity attack and light tannins. The finish is supple, in keeping with the ensemble. An accessible wine with generous fruit.

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.

The celebrated Ruffino estate in Tuscany enters the popular Prosecco category with this brand-new wine. An Extra Dry expression with a tiny hint of sweetness, this bright sparkler delivers pear, honey and sweet peach.

Nose: Intense aromas of blackberries, cherries, and plums, with hints of dried herbs, lavender, and black pepper.

Taste: Rich and full-bodied, with flavors of ripe dark fruits, including blackberries, black cherries, and plums. Notes of licorice, garrigue, and spices add complexity.

Palate: Velvety and well-structured, with smooth tannins and a long, lingering finish. Balanced acidity and a touch of minerality contribute to the overall elegance of the wine.

This wine is in peak condition. The tannins and the secondary flavors dominate this ripe leather-textured wine. The fruit is all there as well: dried berries and hints of black-plum skins. It is a major wine right at the point of drinking with both the mature flavors and the fruit in the right balance.

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.

Appearance: garnet red colour with variable intensity depending on the vintage. Bouquet: the grapes come from different vineyards and this gives them a broad and variable spectrum of perfumes, ranging from tempting spicy notes to those of a sweeter, floral and fruity nature. Flavour: a variety of sensations, with a full-bodied, classic and well structured wine which ages well and perfectly represents the important character of our land. It is best to decant and serve it at temperatures between 18-20°C. It achieves its best expression when served with red meats, particularly game, and with dishes dressed with truffle. It is also excellent with fresh egg pasta and meat sauce, and with risotto, as well as medium-mature cow’s milk and goat’s milk cheeses.

Tobacco, cigar wrapper, wet earth and red fruits lead off the wine. On the palate, the wine is soft, medium bodied, forward and finishes with smoky fruit and a hint of dust in the tannins. You can drink this elegant wine young or age it. 90 Points