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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

De Vilmont Grand Reserve Brut Champagne Premier Cru is a well-structured, NV (non-vintage) blend of 50% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Noir, and 25% Pinot Meunier, aged for 3 years. It is characterized by a limpid, golden-copper color, fine perlage, and a complex bouquet featuring notes of citrus, green apple, white flowers, and brioche. This creamy, medium-bodied Champagne offers a balanced, dry, and fresh finish.

The family owns 18 hectares between La Morra, Serralunga d'Alba, Monforte d'Alba, including 4 Barolo Cru's: R56 (Brandini), Annunziata, Meriame, Cerretta. Annunziata is a Cru with a 6200 bottle production. The wine is elegant, yet with great concentration. Notes of red fruits, roses and sweet tobacco on the nose, with a silky, refined tannic finish.

"Subtle and profound aromas of blackberries, wet earth and sweet tobacco. Hints of spice, too. Full-bodied and so deep. It's incredibly vertical and long. Just like looking down a well. Firm and powerful tannins, yet polished and balanced. Goes on for minutes. One of the greatest ever. Try after 2025." ---James Suckling

Blend: 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot 94 Points- Wine Enthusiast A solid effort, this is a wine with great fruit and firm structure to support it. Ripe and full in the mouth, it’s a firm and complex wine with a delicious juicy aftertaste.

93 Points- Wine Spectator This offers beguiling aromas of bergamot, roasted sandalwood and black tea, before giving way to a well-endowed core of plum, blackberry and raspberry reduction notes. The structure is remarkably fine-grained, showing seamless integration through the long finish. A really great showing.

93 Points -Robert Parker's Wine Advocate The 2012 Cantenac Brown, one of the most impressive Margaux I tasted, is the complete package – from the initial attack to the layered, rich finish. Dense ruby/purple-hued with notes of licorice, mulberries, black currants, asphalt and spring flowers, this medium to full-bodied, concentrated, rich effort does not reveal an excess of rusticity or astringency.

92 Points-James Suckling This is very intense for the vintage in the Médoc with blueberry, mineral and blackcurrant character. Full and chewy. Needs two or three years to soften but already there.

Benefiting from the same care as Château de Camensac, it is blended from carefully selected batches, specifically for the second wine, in accordance with its identity. Soft tannins, ripe fruit, elegance, and always excellent value! Château de Camensac's second wine is predominantly Merlot, subtly complemented by Cabernet Sauvignon.

The fruit is highlighted and offers an elegant aromatic palette.When young, the wine develops a crisp density that becomes patinated with a beautiful complexity as the years pass.

Bright violet color. Black berries with flowery scents and red fruit, complicated by peppery top note.

Soft and velvety in the mouth, concentrated with textured and complexity. Finishes fresh and long.

Winemaker Notes Intense, fresh and elegant nose, of vine peach, acacia blossom and honeysuckle mixed with mineral and smoky notes (quartz, silica). Delicately creamy and rich palate despite a good acid tension. Exquisite concentration, energy and radiance of fruity taste. Good volume without heaviness. Great long finish.

98 Points-James Suckling This has a complex nose of dried apple, green mango, grapefruit zest, dried honeysuckle and crushed almonds. It's full-bodied with bright acidity and a dense, phenolic texture. Vivid and layered with fantastic precision. Very, very long. This needs time. Better from 2026.

A third growth in the 1855 Classification, Chateau Desmirail is located in the Margaux appellation on the left bank of Bordeaux. The name of this Chateau is unique as the property does not bear the name of its original owner, Marguerite Rauzan du Ribail, but rather that of her husband, Jean-Baptiste Desmirail. It is also one of the few chateaux with an ancient "Medocain" system - a gravity operated vat room that is still well-preserved. The red blend consists of 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Merlot and 5% Petit Verdot and this 2014 is attractive and ready to drink now.

87/100 Wine Enthusiast

"An attractive, young blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon, this fresh wine is also rich with acidity. It has a light zesty character and a creamy aftertaste. Roger Voss"

Color: Brilliant golden yellow with green reflections and silver rim.
Nose: The bouquet of the 2020 Chablis Grand Cru Blanchot from Domaine l'Enclos is delicate and mineral, its aroma gaining additional expression with oxygen contact. Fruity hints of apple, lemon, lemon zest, honeydew melon, vineyard peach and a hint of wild strawberry combine with lime blossom, heather and anise as well as freshly churned butter and brioche. Its elegant and multi-layered attack invites you to enjoy it.
Palate: Juicy, playful on the palate, its fine acidity, pronounced fruitiness and fine tannin make you think of grapefruit and lemon peel. A truly great Burgundy that still seems a little shy on the palate, a real long-distance runner with a chalky orientation. The patient connoisseur will be rewarded if he puts a few bottles aside, because the fineness will clearly catapult forward with further maturity. The impatient will best forget it opened for a few days in the fridge before drinking it with classics of French cuisine.
Be sure to decant. Bellied Burgundy glasses let it win additionally.

The Tollot-Beaut family is a based at Chorey-Les-Beaune with vineyards located in Beaune, Savigny, Aloxe-Corton and a small holding in Corton Charlemagne. The 2020 Corton Grand Cru, which comes from Les Combes as usual (though not on the label), has a lovely nose with brambly red fruit, black truffle and subtle pencil box aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannins, very fine tension and an almost sorbet-fresh, quite mouth-coating finish. It will require time in bottle...but this Corton will be worth the wait.

Clean mineral notes, spice, dried flowers, menthol and graphite all run through this potent yet super-refined Barbera that cries for cold weather and bold, lusty food on the table. When I think about what Asti Barbera should be, the Bionzo often comes to mind."

Mocha and dark chocolate with dark spice on this robust Italian red wine made from the Appassimento method of drying the grapes for great concentration of flavour. Pair with grilled meats. Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico food pairings: pasta with a tomato sauce, roasted venison, beef and veggie stew, leg of lamb.

Similar to its growing season, this wine projects harmony and evenness with an underlying current of something a little thrilling. The 2020 Dundee Hills Pinot Noir is structured and dense, while earth and spice abound with unfolding notes of dark fruits and floral highlights. Fresh acidity lengthens the attack and expands these flavors across the palate.

The 2008 vintage of Roberto Voerzio La Serra Barolo is known for its complex aroma, with scents of rose petals, dried cherries, leather, and spices. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and rich, with flavors of ripe red fruit, licorice, and tobacco, balanced by firm tannins and good acidity. The wine is typically aged for several years in oak barrels before release, which contributes to its structure and complexity.

Wines from Puligny-Montrachet are typified by aromas and flavors of green apple and lemon and tend to be tauter and firmer on the palate compared to wines from neighboring villages. Aging in a small percentage of new French oak barrels lends accents of toast and vanilla. Structured white wines with high acid and grip, Puligny-Montrachet is destined for long aging.

Michel Chapoutier is known for crafting terroir-driven fine wines that deliver astonishing value at all price points. His entry-level offerings, such as this vibrant, racy blend of Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris and Macabeu, offer some of the greatest values you can find anywhere, and their quality is never in doubt. This example shows ripe orange citrus, peach, mineral, spice, and a gorgeous texture. Perfect for seafood.

Surrounded by three seas, father and son Nini and Michele work side by side on the Salento Peninsula, the sun-drenched heel of the Italian boot. As they could achieve ripe fruit in their sleep, the family’s real artform lies in control – watching, waiting, and harvesting before grapes overripen, allowing them instead to showcase Puglia’s spectacular terroir.

Colour: Straw yellow with greenish hues
Nose: Lime leaf, tangerine, and mint oil
Palate: Tangyandbold, with layers of warm citrus
Finish: Refreshing, fun medium finish