Bright bubbles bring green apple, pear and melon, with blood orange lift and a light biscuit note in the background. This organic Catalonian sparkler feels brisk, uncomplicated and fruit-forward, finishing cleanly enough for aperitif pours, fried seafood, salty snacks or relaxed celebrations.
Gooseberry, grapefruit, lime and green apple drive this New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, joined by grass, lemongrass, melon and a little tropical fruit. The citrus is present without turning harsh, and a clean, slightly tart finish makes it easy with fried chicken, tofu bowls or happy-hour snacks.
Recommend decanting. A density of savoury and plum fruits with a hint of sweet vanilla and blueberry muffin. Dusted fine tannins gives this wine a lovely structure. Score - 94. (International Wine Challenge, 2025)
The 2023 vintage in Niagara was beautiful, warm and sunny throughout, but with very small yields. As a result, wines are very concentrated with great acidity. This elegant Chardonnay was vinified in concrete with ambient yeast and aged on the lees for nine months. Evoking pineapple, nectarine, lemon curd, orange blossom and wet stones, it'll pair well with lemon-roasted chicken or turkey.
From one of Niagara's most reliable premium producers, this characterful, consistent, charming Cabernet Franc is ripe and concentrated, with generous blueberry, black fruit, cassis, forest floor, roasted red pepper, savoury herbs, earth, coffee, and lifted mint tones. Polished and enjoyable, it's drinking beautifully now and will continue to evolve into the mid 2030s.
This Gamay is aged in American oak barrels for 10 months. The aromas of black cherries, plums, red currants, anise, smoke and pepper leap from the glass. It's juicy and bold with light tannins, bright red berries, pomegranate, a touch of spice and a tangy, lifted finish. Score - 91. (Rick VanSickle, winesinniagara.com, July 15, 2024)
Queylus Tradition Pinot Noir 2022 is slightly rustic in nature and opens with inviting aromas of cinnamon, cocoa, raspberries, and violets. The palate reveals a bright core with good concentration, carried by firm, rugged tannins. Red berries take the lead, framed by notes of liquorice root and a distinct blood-iron character. There's a savoury edge that adds depth, and the finish lingers with freshness and grip. Drinking window: 2025-2030.
Wood Post Vineyard is part of the Thirty Bench 'Small Lot' Riesling portfolio, and this 2021 edition is another top expression of Riesling from this property in Beamsville Bench. Gentle aromas of apple blossoms and lemons. Flavours of white peaches with lively acidity balance the off-dry style. The pleasing stoney character creates complex mineral notes with a long, lingering finish. Elegant and structured with discreet power. Drinking window: 2024-2032. Score - 94. (Magdalena Kaiser, decanter.com, Nov. 16, 2024)
Named for the limestone caves and mineral springs in their estate vineyard, Cave Spring has long been a go-to source for exceptional purity, precision and elegance in premium Niagara winemaking. Sourced from 36-year-old vines, this Chardonnay is a must-try paragon of elegance and refinement. It shows pear, apple, lemon, vanilla, a touch of marmalade, and a saline mineral character and will evolve into the mid-2030s+.
[Part of SOHO's White Collection line.] It's brilliantly expressed on the nose, showing feijoa, kaffir lime, green rockmelon and lemon sorbet aromas, followed by a lively palate that's filled with juicy fruit intensity. Splendidly styled with a lengthy exuberant finish, offering terrific drinking. At its best: now to 2027. Score - 93. (Sam Kim, wineorbit.co.nz, Aug. 2024)
For Garuma, winemaker Viviana Navarrete uses three blocks with different exposures in the El Maitén Vineyard, planted in the Leyda zone near the coast of central Chile in 2008. Fermented primarily in stainless steel, but with 15% barrel ferment to add texture, this is a creamy sauvignon, although it also has firm, almost lemon-juice acidity. Refreshing and crisp, to accompany grilled scallops. Score - 93. (Patricio Tapia, guiadescorchados.cl, 2024)
A fifty-fifty blend of the local Feteasca Regala with French-born international superstar Sauvignon Blanc, this lively wine evokes ripe apple, yellow plum, lemon and lime. Zippy acidity makes it a good choice for pan-fried trout, or pasta in pesto sauce.
Sweet black cherries with some blackberries, as well as cherry blossom in both the nose and palate. Medium to full body with firm tannins and a chewy finish, but it will soften and come together nicely with bottle age. Try after 2025 [into the mid-2030s]. Score - 94. (jamessuckling.com, Sept. 13, 2023)
... deeply coloured, purple-hued saperavi showing a billowing, almost perfumed nose of lilac, black cherry/blackberry jam, tea and light spice. It pours full, soft, medium sweet and thick. Not quite syrupy, but there is a ton of fruit here. Tannins are soft, the flavour depth is very good to excellent. Chill lightly. Tasted Oct. 2024. Score - 89. (David Lawrason, winealign.com)
A bright red with firm, integrated tannins that provide length and focus. It's medium-bodied with citrus and berry character and excellent length. I like it now, but give it two or three years to show its full potential. Same quality as 2019? Best after 2027. Score - 95. (jamessuckling.com, Sept. 24, 2024)
The blend is 42% Cabernet Franc, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot. This wine is from the best vintage in a decade, when the season delivered balanced and elegant wines. This wine begins with aromas of black currant, black cherry and spice. The flavours are intense, with dark fruits mingled with plum, blueberry, mint and chocolate. Generous in texture, the wine has long, ripe tannins. The finish persists. The 2020 Nota Bene delivers immediate pleasure but has the structure to deliver even more complexity as it is cellared over the next decade. [Drink till 2034+.] Score - 95. (johnschreiner.blogspot.com, June 23, 2022)
44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc. Ripe berries, sweet oak and dried herbs perfume the nose. The palate is deeper, with fig, cocoa, black plum and coffee. Score - 92. (Decanter World Wine Awards, 2025)
Sourced from vines aged 30 years, this wine is made from Merlot with a splash of Cabernet Franc. Ripe, generous and plummy, it will show its best now through 2033. Pair with braised brisket or black-bean burgers.[Concours International de Lyon did not include a tasting note.] Score - Gold. (Concours International de Lyon, 2024)
Opulent and gorgeously complex, the perfumed bouquet shows dark fruit richness, cake spice, toasty oak and dark chocolate characters, leading to a concentrated palate offering excellent depth and plush texture. Tannins are polished and beautifully infused, making it velvety and deliciously appealing. At its best: now to 2037. Score - 94. (Sam Kim, wineorbit.co.nz, Sept. 2024)
The 2020 Rioja Reserva, their flagship wine, comes from the 300 hectares of estate vineyards ... I loved the aromatics here - floral and elegant, more in the style of the 2018 than the 2019. It's lighter, more elegant, fine-boned and has a silky texture and very fine tannins. Both 2019 and 2020 are very good, but 2020 is more my style. It was bottled after 21 months in American oak barrels. Drink date: 2024-2034. Score - 94+. (Luis Gutiérrez, robertparker.com, Feb. 29, 2024)