Heather scored this wine: 94/100

Formula 1 sensation Daniel Ricciardo and St. Hugo’s chief winemaker team up once again to bring us this award winning 2021 D3R South Australia Cabernet Sauvignon. I decanted for the suggested one to two hours for reference. Aromas leap from the glass: ripe red and black berries, tobacco leaf, earthy, black plum, pencil shavings, baking spices and a wash of toasted oak. On the palate: youthful tannins, medium plus acidity, ripe cherry, black plum, cigar, hint of pepper, anise, fresh herbs. A lengthy warm alcohol and black cherry finish.. This wine comes complete in a sexy gift box. Perfect for your wine loving friends, boss, host, or Father’s Day. “The wine that Daniel makes for himself and his inner circle.” I grew up around wine, it’s in my blood. Along with my?Italian heritage and?my?family’s?love of sharing wine, my Dad is a bit of a hobby winemaker and I have been surrounded by the passion for wine since I was young. ?I’m quite a curious kid, I always love learning things, and wine is a true craft, and I want to get in and get my hands dirty and make really spectacular wine that provides a unique perspective on what fine wine is.” - Daniel Ricciardo

Heather scored this wine: 93/100

Wave the checkered flag! Formula One driver Daniel Ricciardo and St. Hugo Wines of Australia team up once again to create a delicious red wine blend crafted with southern Australian fruit. This is the Ric Red DR3 2021 and it does not disappoint. Full-bodied, smooth tannins, smoky cigar lounge, cologne, ripe berries and fresh herbs. The palate is a lovely surprise. Silky, soft perfume, black cherry, sweet dipped cigar, underbrush, vanilla and cloves. A sultry explosion of the senses as it crosses the finish line. This Secret Sauce may be locked up in a vault, but I think it’s a collaboration built on a passion for wine and a desire to win! Fire up the barbecue! Perfect Father's Day wine. Decanted 30 minutes.

Heather scored this wine: 95/100

What makes a wine truly memorable? I’ve experienced a handful of remarkable wines and they all have the same common denominators: Company, location, time, food, and - of course - ambiance. About last night: It was positively balmy for December, but harsh winds were howling outside. Safe indoors, we dined by candlelight aside a twelve-foot, aromatic Balsam Fir in all its twinkling splendour. Our entrée, roast beef, was a perfect medium-rare and begged for a red wine that would respect it’s weight class. Some earthy qualities would be perfect for the mushroom risotto side dish. Of course, I brought a Reif Estate First-Growth Merlot 2016 VQA Niagara River. A winery-only marque, this hundred-dollar vintage offered a beautiful deep ruby colour with thick, slow legs on the glass for a silky smooth, warm, alcoholic finish. The aromas were like ten Lords-a-leaping - ripe plum, cherry, chocolate, fresh red berries, blueberry, leather, baking spices, earthy, and cigar. This merlot was beautiful after decanting for an hour; though, it became memorable after ninety minutes! It paired perfectly with both roast and risotto for an elevated meal befitting the season. This is a wine - and an evening - for the books!

Heather scored this wine: 90/100

Summer of 2021 - you were hot! ???? As the sun goes down on this Labour Day weekend I’m enjoying another stellar Ontario wine. ???? In my glass: Thirty Bench Small Lot ‘Steel Post’ Vineyard Riesling 2008. VQA Beamsville Bench. Just 256 cases of this old vines Niagara Riesling and I have neighbours willing to share. Brilliant golden straw colour and exceptional aromatics on this thirteen year old wine. There’s no shortage of acidity on the palate or the characteristic Riesling aromas: petrol, lemon zest, blossoms, bees wax, blossoms, white peach and oxidized apple. Smooth and light at 10.5% abv. I’m not quite ready to let go of summer 2021 but I’m starting to look forward to the brigade of reds! ?????? Tasted: September 6th, 2021

Heather scored this wine: 90/100

Dinner under the stars with my sons. Gray Monk Pinot Gris 2019 VQA Okanagan Valley Medium-bodied and a pinch of sweetness. Smooth texture, and I detected a touch of viscosity. Notes of peach, apricot, apple, pear, florals, citrus and sweet spices. Easy sipping and a perfect pairing with chicken Alfredo and Caesar salad. At $16.99 it’s a bargain! This is a buy two wine! 13.4% abv #wine #winelover #instawine #sommelier #sommlife #winetasting #wineandfood #wineandfoodpairing #whitewine #pinotgris #okanaganwine #bcwine #bcwines #beautifulbristishcolumbia ,