A serious Gamay that sets itself clearly in the "cru-style" category. Unapologetically perfect for your main course at Thanksgiving or any holiday meal, it's youthful, complex and juicy, with excellent depth and generous dark cherry, black raspberry, violets, forest berry, and integrated spice.
Lots of ripe fruit and no shortage of wood with a drying sensation on the palate. Lacks a bit of verve and extension, also elasticity. That said there is flesh and pulpiness to this substantial chardonnay. Drink 2024-2026. Tasted blind at NWAC 24, June 2024. Score - 89. (Michael Godel, winealign.com)
The Merlot for this blend was fermented in an open-top stainless steel tank while the Cabernet Franc was fermented in concrete. Both were aged 14 months in oak barrels before being blended and then bottled unfined and unfiltered. The result is a ripe, broad-shouldered wine with lifted floral tones atop cassis, blackberry, raspberry, savoury Cab Franc herbal notes, chocolate, and graphite-edged minerality. Drink through 2030.
Situated west of St. Catharines and the Welland Canal, the West Niagara appellation encompasses Beamsville Bench, Twenty Mile Bench, Short Hills Bench, Lincoln Lakeshore, Creek Shores and Vinemount Ridge. This wine blends fruit from a handful of renowned vineyards to create an elegant, mineral-laced Chardonnay with notions of lemon drop, ripe pear, pineapple and melon.
An old-school Bordeaux-inspired blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, this wine was matured for 15 months in French oak before bottling without fining or filtration. Darkly fruity and subtly earthy, it will make a good partner for mutton stew, eggplant pasta dishes, or stuffed peppers.
100% Grasevina. Perfumed with yellow apple, white flower and melon; palate is laced with white stone fruit, almond, lemon and a bright citrus finish. Score - 91. (Decanter World Wine Awards, 2025)
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 is immediately appealing on the nose, showing poached pear, rockmelon, lemon zest and white floral aromas, followed by a succulent palate that's wonderfully weighted and richly textured. Brilliantly framed by juicy acidity, making it delicious and lingering. At its best: now to 2028. Score - 94. (Sam Kim, wineorbit.co.nz, Aug. 2024)
This kosher Chilean Cabernet aged for three months in French and American oak. It has great body and structure, with notes of red fruit, coffee, and subtle hints of vanilla. Pair with grilled meats and roasted vegetables.
This wine comes from a family-owned operation in Chile and is a fruity, balanced example of Central Valley Chardonnay. It shows tangy citrus, tropical fruit, toasted almonds, vanilla, and oak spice. An excellent wine for fish or white meats.
This kosher Chilean Malbec shows red fruit and floral notes, touches of vanilla and toast, and a round, fruity, silky palate. Pair with pasta, chicken, pizza or empanadas.
Canaan Red is a blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Sirah. It is a medium-bodied red offering aromas of sweet cherry and plum on the nose, with generous fruit flavours on the palate enhanced by soft vanilla notes and black pepper. It pairs well with pasta, pizza and grilled meats. KPM
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)
100% Malagouzia. Crisp and elegant aromatics of white tea, peaches & nectarines linger with fresh layers of limestone salinity, basil and herbs. Score - 91. (Decanter World Wine Awards, 2025)
People rightly get excited about Adi Badenhorst's single parcel wines, but the man is also a master at producing value-for-money offerings like this Swartland Chenin Blanc from lowyielding vines. Pear, citrus and boiled sweet flavours are lifted by acidity from splashes of Semillon and Grenache Blanc. Drink date: 2024-2027. Best Value White of the Year. Score - 90. (timatkin.com, South Africa Special Report 2024)
Made using 100% Viura grapes, this refreshing white offers intense aromas of pear, stone fruit, and citrus, which are complemented by soft nuances of aromatic herbs and white flowers. Loaded with fruity flavours, the palate is delightfully fresh and well balanced. Enjoy it with fish, shellfish and pasta dishes. KP
A blend of Grenache Noir, Cinsault and Rolle grapes. From the makers of beloved Vintages favourites like Gold, Carte Noire and Malyse, this chic rosé shows hints of watermelon and strawberry with a zippy acidity that lingers on the finish.
The Valdemar family has been producing wines in Spain for five generations, this Tempranillo comes from their family-owned vineyards in Rioja Alavesa. Intense aromas of cherry and blackberry dominate the nose with soft red and dark fruit on the palate. Pairs well with charcuterie, grilled meats and pasta dishes. KP
The 2022 The Standish Shiraz is again providing me with the opportunity to assess bottles two days apart, and how different they are. The freshly opened bottle, as we would all experience upon our first opening, is tight and fresh, with cracked fennel seed, black peppercorns, cumin and ras el'hanout, then dried blueberries and licorice, hints of arnica and raspberry. It's cool and mineral, with a graphite finish. I cannot overstate how much better the wine tastes after two days. All of the edges smooth out, and it is composed and complete ... what a wine. Balance and harmony in a single swoop. It's savory, though. Super. 14.9% alcohol, sealed under natural cork and foil. Drink date: 2024-2047. Score - 98. (Erin Larkin, robertparker.com, May 9, 2024)
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)