"Deep, dark, very nearly opaque, purple red color. Aromas have toasty ripe red-plum fruit, tobacco-leaf hints & meaty touches. The palate is a vibrant marriage of red-fruit & chocolate with a silky texture. Tannins are very fine, chocolatey-smooth & underpinned by cedar notes. The mid-palate is of mid-weight & comprises concentrated, opulent cassis & ripe black-cherries. Alcohol is balanced & a long, lean finish combines graphite touches & high-ripeness black-fruit." - 04/22 DCAMW

The sweet chocolatey American and French oak influence is what's most prominent on this Riverina Shiraz. It's peppery, too. Dark-berry fruit, medicinal herbs and sap comprise the rest of the aroma profile. In the mouth, the fruit is cool and crisp and the herb and spice flavors pop, but the acidity feels a bit forced amidst austere tannins and layers of oak. Christina Pickard

Always one of the top performers in Margaux, this dense and concentrated wine has a bold, ripe character from the plum and berry fruits. It has the weight to develop. Drink from 2020.

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. Ths Saint-Amour Esprit de Séduction (the most northern Cru) displays an intriguing deep-ruby colour. The palate is round and balanced with seductive and aromatic black berries. A beautiful bouquet of fruit with complimentary spices.

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. The Fournaise vineyard of the Cote de Brouilly is located on the steepest hill of the Cru, where all the work has to be done manually, normally in very hot temperatures. The hill has an elevation of 480 m and is totally covered by 60-year old vines. The roots have to work hard to break through the blue volcanic rock. The resulting wine is powerful and it needs time to reveal its depth and minerality. The palate is full with an amazing concentration and an outstanding, complex finish.

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

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.

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 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.

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.

92 points James Suckling:
Outer quote mark This has aromas of blackberries, porcini mushrooms, tobacco and charred bark. It’s medium-bodied with fine, supple tannins. Savoury, with plenty of earth and mineral character. Fresh finish. Inner quote mark

Founded in 1942 by Désiré Rolet, Domaine Rolet stands as an iconic producer of Jura wines. Managed by Désiré’s children Eliane, Bernard, Guy, and Pierre, the estate expanded its vineyards across four Jura appellations - Arbois, Château-Chalon, Côtes du Jura, and Etoile. Since 2018, the winery has been under the direction of Cédric Ducoté. The estate's 65 hectares of vineyards predominantly grow Chardonnay, Savagnin, Poulsard, Trousseau, and Pinot Noir grapes, all harvested by hand for their production. This particular wine has benefited from several years of bottle aging, displaying a slightly evolved character. Its color is a light garnet red at the core, fading into a brickish tinge at the rim. Aromas of wild blackcurrant, kirsch, forest floor, tobacco, and mushroom dominate the nose. The wine's fine tannins and dried sour cherry flavors are well-balanced by its prominent acidity, leading to an earthy and light finish.

Displaying hues ranging from garnet to light purple, Copper Moon Shiraz presents a captivating bouquet of plum, black cherry, and licorice. This medium-bodied wine unfolds with smoothness on the palate, offering juicy flavors of plum and cherry. As it concludes, a medley of ripe berries and a hint of sweet spice lingers on the finish, creating a delightful sensory experience. Ideal for pairing with chili, spicy sausage, and hearty winter stews, this Shiraz complements a variety of robust dishes.

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!

Winemaker Steve Doerner, renowned for his work at Calera and Cristom, introduces Luke Jefferson, a new wine project named in homage to his son and Thomas Jefferson. Produced in minuscule quantities, it reflects Steve's personal vision apart from Cristom's style, with his spouse Irene also involved. This Pinot offers intoxicating notes of ripe raspberry, bright cherries, and fragrant spices, promising further development with five years of aging.

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

This biodynamic producer has hit in two consecutive vintages. The 2011 is a bit funky at first, so you may want to decant it before serving, but once some cabbage-like aromas dissipate, the wine delivers plenty of blackberry fruit, some garrigue notes and a touch of licorice. It's full bodied and creamy in texture, with a long, silky finish.

Color: Brilliant ruby Aromatic: Fully ripe wild berries with a spicy undertone, slightly roasted from the ageing which also brings out a complex bouquet of red flower floral notes. Palate: Fruit forward at the beginning with a balanced tannic structure showing later. Fresh and consistently aromatic finish.

The Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru La Toppe au Vert presents vivid red cherries and black plums on the nose, displaying focus alongside refinement and poise. With time in the glass, blue fruits emerge, adding depth to the aroma profile. On the palate, it is medium-bodied with fine tannins, initially displaying a subtle ferrous character. There's a fine grip in the mouth, with chalky tannins on the finish that provide a long and satisfying conclusion.

The Legacy Collection epitomizes the apex of excellence in the Okanagan Valley, representing our unyielding pursuit of quality. Each vintage, we meticulously hand-select the finest fruit from our estate vineyards to craft these small-lot wines, revered as our most esteemed and cellar-worthy offerings. Back in 1981, the Okanagan Valley was largely unexplored as a wine region, yet its potential was recognized amidst the region's stonefruit orchards. As grape growers dared to plant vines in uncharted terrain, the valley's glacier-formed landscape revealed varying soil profiles, basking in long, sun-drenched days and diverse microclimates, offering an opportunity for wines of unmistakable terroir. Fast forward to today, where Mission Hill Family Estate stands as Canada's sole five-time winner of Winery of the Year, with multiple international accolades for our varietals. Anchored in our profound connection to the valley and the meticulous care of our vineyards, we continue to embark on this enduring journey of winemaking excellence. In our winemaking philosophy, akin to a quatrain's harmony in verse, four harmonious grapes converge. Fermented in small French oak fermenters and aged in French oak barrels, each component contributes to the wine's elegance and purpose, with Syrah lending depth and character to the blend.

Named after the Roman emperor who restored vine planting in France, this wine has structure and a dense texture. It is balanced with a good freshness to it and a poise in its step.

The nose is a light lunch on a rocky beach, where the dusty stones contrast with the sanguinity of bresaola and the richness of sweet chili jam. The jam spreads onto the palate, but the meatiness doesn't go anywhere either, before a crackle of black pepper sets up a lingering finish.

This Sangiovese wine brings out the grape's most profound spectrum of aromas. The selection process begins directly in the vineyard, where only the finest bunches are chosen. These are then subjected to an extended drying process and meticulous vinification, resulting in a Sangiovese that is rich, bold, and brimming with flavors.

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. This is a wine of delicacy and finesse, with notes of berries, earth and oak in a silken texture.

Miner’s Cabernet Sauvignon Stagecoach Vineyard is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc that spent 21 months in 60% new French oak without being overly impacted by the wood. Scents of crushed stone, pencil shavings, cherries and sage mark the nose of this full-bodied effort, which comes across as tannic and even a bit rugged

Nose: Blackberry, black cherry, cassis, cedar, tobacco, vanilla
Taste: Dark fruit, plum, blackcurrant, chocolate, spice
Palate: Full-bodied, velvety tannins, balanced acidity, long finish

Nose: Blackberry, cassis, violet, cedar, and vanilla.
Taste: Dark cherry, plum, blackcurrant, tobacco, and baking spices.
Palate: Full-bodied, velvety tannins, balanced acidity, and a long, lingering finish.

Nose: Intense aromas of ripe red berries, cherries, and plums, with hints of dried herbs and spices.

Taste: Rich and full-bodied, with flavors of blackberries, black cherries, and dark chocolate. Subtle notes of tobacco and leather add complexity.

Palate: Well-structured with velvety tannins and a long, persistent finish. Balanced acidity and a touch of minerality contribute to the overall elegance of the wine.

Nose: Intense aromas of ripe blackberries, dried cherries, and plums, with hints of tobacco and leather.

Taste: Rich and full-bodied, with flavors of dark chocolate, blackcurrants, and figs, complemented by notes of vanilla and spices.

Palate: Velvety smooth tannins, well-balanced acidity, and a long, lingering finish of dried fruits and toasted oak.

Meat, soil and cherries create a rich nose, with softer cedar, vanilla and coconut peeking through. The palate has more cherries, plus plums, chocolate and a velvety texture reinforced by polished tannins. An acidic bite precedes a long, slightly bitter finish.

Made entirely from Sangiovese, this opens with enticing aromas of iris, black-skinned berry and Mediterranean herb. The structured, savory palate offers juicy wild cherry, star anise and black pepper alongside fine-grained tannins. Kerin O’Keefe

Little is known about this tiny family winery, but the wines are spectacular and true to Sangiovese from Montalcino. With only 7ha purchased in 2000, winemaker Jessica Pellegrini is a rising star in the area making elegant wines that are organic. The 2015 vintage was excellent and with lovely cherry nib, balsamic and tomato leaf, it is a wine for the ages that you will want to drink again and again.

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.

The family owns 18 hectares between La Morra, Serralunga d'Alba, Monforte d'Alba, including 4 Barolo Cru's: R56 (Brandini), Annunziata, Meriame and Cerretta. This Barolo is elegant and refined with notes of red fruit, floral notes and even a hint of mint. Being from La Morra makes it approachable even now. Gorgeous