The nose is a teenager's exhilaration on a summer night out, as the innocent aromas of vanilla, lemon and toasted nuts are left behind in favor of cigarette smoke, leather jackets and hot pavement. On the palate, however, childhood refuses to be left behind entirely, as afternoon snacks of apples and almonds lead into a finish that's deep and toasty, like the feeling of falling asleep in the car and knowing your parents will carry you in. At first blush, could pass for Burgundy. Score - 95. (Danielle Callegari, Wine Enthusiast, March 1, 2024)
For 400 years, the Tedeschi family has been crafting wines based on the Valpolicella blend. A recent foray into other signature grapes of the Venezie region has proven quite fruitful, as evidenced by this brisk, easy-drinking Pinot Grigio offering aromas of lemon zest, cantaloupe, and crushed stone.
The distinctive design of each Caruso & Minini label is the result of a collaboration between the winery and the Zanzara Lab, which is an NGO based in Turin that promotes the social inclusion of people with disabilities. Made from Frappato grapes harvested by hand on a hinterland hillside in western Sicily, this effortlessly elegant pink wine delivers bright strawberry and cherry fruit.
Light green-yellow, silvery reflections. Delicate floral, subtle tropical fruit, a hint of pear, and a touch of orange. Good complexity, fine fruit sweetness, mineral-salty, balanced, subtle acidity, lingering, some blossom honey on the finish, showing length. Score - 94. (Peter Moser, falstaff.com, June 30, 2025)
This small-batch Riesling comes from the estate vineyards of Back 10 Cellars, which are planted with clones 21-B and 239 in the heavy red clay soil of Lincoln Lakeshore. It's a fine, lifted Niagara Riesling, with driving acidity, citrus, grapefruit, apple, and a characterful mineral note. A wonderful sipper, it will pair well with mildly spiced seafood.
A very young but impressive shiraz with a spicy, mulberry bouquet with hints of plums and a tight elegant palate. Score - 94. (Winestate, Sept./Oct. 2022)
Pale and polished, this Veneto rosé leans into peach, strawberry and grapefruit with a clean mineral edge. The texture is smooth and lightly rounded, balanced by mouthwatering acidity. It works as a versatile aperitif and also suits tapenade, salads, seafood and lighter Mediterranean dishes.
A precise, succulent and textural Saumur with notes of apples, ripe pears and sweet spices. Medium-bodied with fresh acidity. Bright and agile, with fine bubbles and a focused finish of excellent length. Drink or hold. Score - 92. (jamessuckling.com, Nov. 18, 2024)
A little reserved at first, it hints at grilled stonefruit, lemon curd and toasted nuts. There is a real harmony of fruit and tension on the palate that is quite charming. A perfectly ripe mid palate, restrained oak presence and solid length confirm its quality and finesse. Highly drinkable yet not unrefined. Score - 91. (Brent Muller, winealign.com)
A blend of Petit Verdot, Malbec, Syrah and Italian Merlot. Deep purple in colour; cedary, spicy, black fruit nose; medium-to-full-bodied, dry; savoury blackberry flavour with well-integrated oak, mellow tannins and a lively spine of acidity. A well-balanced wine. Score - 92. (tonyaspler.com, Nov. 19, 2024)
For the 2023 Red Twisted, the winemakers envisioned a Twenty Mile Bench marriage of single-vineyard Wismer sourced Cabernet Franc (60%) with single-vineyard Merlot (40%) from a parcel 500 meters away from the Flat Rock winery. The components were vinified separately, brought together and aged in a combination of French and American oak. It has a rich and savoury nose of brambly raspberries, dark cherries, black currants, anise, toasty vanilla and spices. With the ripe tannins on the palate adding structure, the melange of savoury red and dark berries shines through in spades, with a lovely splash of herbs [and] spices on a vibrant finish. Good value red blend chock full of personality. Score - 89. (Rick VanSickle, winesinniagara.com, Oct. 22, 2024)
An aromatic, ripe, richly textured wine, with rosewater, lychee, lemon, honey and ginger. This vibrant, precise Niagara Gewürztraminer hits all the marks. Riding on the cusp of dry and off-dry, it's perfect for pairing with spicy Asian dishes and will drink through 2033.
A bright, perfumed grenache, shiraz and mataro blend from a vineyard on Seppeltsfield Road in the Barossa Valley. There's a raspberry edge to the fruit this year. Under that you'll find satsuma plum, blueberry and boysenberry with layers of spice and hints of biltong, dried citrus rind, citrus blossom, gingerbread, char siu and warm earth. Medium bodied with a savoury lean to the pure, ripe fruits, plenty of spice, fine, sandy tannins and abundant energy and zip. Drink from: 2025. Drink by: 2042. Special Value. Score - 94. (Dave Brookes, winecompanion.com.au, March 23, 2025)
An oldie but a goodie, as they say. This wine first made its appearance on Vintages shelves in the summer of 2000 and has been a regular fixture since 2003. It shows cherry, peach, lemon and strawberry, with characterful Rhône garrigue notes raising the bar. A fun, cheerful wine that will be great as a sipper, with brunch, or with anything off the barbecue.
Sensations: from every sensorial point of view its fruit is splendid. The color, unoxidated and purple as new. The scent: intensely powerful of vanilla blackberry, of flower and caressing jasmine sap. The palate: creamy, silky, majestically soft and enveloping. A great wine, due to top viticulture and oenology. Score - 96. (lucamaroni.com, 2025)
Classic Marlborough markers are easy to spot: lime, grapefruit, gooseberry, passion fruit and green mango mingle with cut grass, asparagus, pear and elderflower. The wine feels crisp and aromatic without becoming overly aggressive, finishing zesty enough for warm days, salads, shellfish or lighter seafood plates.
Brightly fruited and delightfully fragrant on the nose, showing honeydew melon, fig, crunchy apple and lemon zest aromas. The palate delivers excellent fruit intensity combined with fine texture and juicy acidity, making it flavoursome and highly enjoyable. At its best: now to 2026. Score - 91. (Sam Kim, wineorbit.co.nz, April 2024)
A Champagne that came from a selection of wine that was regarded as so exceptional, so unexpected (as the name suggests) that it was bottled separately. It is an impressive wine, rich, now mature with a strong touch of toast. It is ready to drink. Cellar Selection. [Drink through early 2030s.] Score - 96. (Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast, Sept. 1, 2023)
Dark cherry, blackberry, plum and raspberry give this Chianti Classico Riserva a generous fruit core, while cedar, leather, tobacco, mushroom, pepper and chocolate build a traditional frame. It is dry and fairly full, with tannin and acidity suited to beef, meatballs or short rib.
Sour cherry, red currant and plum sit at the centre of this Chianti Riserva, framed by oak, tobacco and a light smoky note. Bright acidity and fine tannins keep the Tuscan profile firm, dry and food-friendly.