Wine Reviews and Food Pairings

Paid Members of my site can access all 92 wines that I've reviewed for December 14, 2025, with my scores, food matches and the stock for each wine in their closest stores.

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Note: This batch of wine reviews is not part of the bi-weekly Vintages Releases. Instead, this is a collection of wines outside the Vintages section in store (general list) or wines sent to me directly from wineries that may not yet be available in stores. Click on the Winery or Wine Agency link to get more information.

Please note that our reviews are based on a variety of sources: samples sent to our team, those we purchase in store, tasting events, those tasted in restaurants and while traveling domestically and internationally.

Other Wines/Drinks

El Dorado 12 Year Old Rum, Guyana: The El Dorado 12-Year-Old Rum is pure decadence with aromas of caramelized toffee, molasses, and a hint of dark spice. I’d pair it with island delight – imagine jerk pork ribs caramelized on the grill, the sweetness of the meat mingling with smoky char, served with a side of grilled pineapple. The rum’s deep caramel tones balance perfectly with the sweet heat of the ribs. Most rums put the year of the oldest vintage in their blend. But El Dorado puts the youngest, so you’re tasting a rum that’s much more complex from blending vintages that are older than 12 years. The El Dorado distillery has been making rum since the 17th century and has the world’s oldest stills, like their double wood and coffee wood stills. The blends have been perfected over hundreds of years and are still done in small batches. This is not factory-scale rum but rather a handcrafted, artisanal rum made from the finest demerara sugar. Drink: 2024 - 2040 60608 35% S 750 mL $51.95 Score: 94/100. December 2025. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart

Red Wine

Hester Creek Estate Winery Undici 2022, Osoyoos East Bench, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: Hester Creek Estate Winery Undici is a bold, expressive red blend with enticing aromas of blackberry, dark cherry and plum, layered with notes of cassis, cedar and subtle spice. The palate is medium to full-bodied, dry and structured, showing concentrated dark fruit, elegant tannins and lively acidity that lead to a long, polished finish at about 14.5% alcohol. This wine reflects thoughtful blending and cool-climate intensity, offering both power and finesse. Fascinating fact: Undici means “eleven” in Italian, and this flagship red blend often includes a mix of eleven barrel types or varietals in its maturation, celebrating complexity and harmony in every bottle. Serve it at cool room temperature. Food pairings: grilled ribeye steak, lamb chops, wild mushroom risotto, aged cheddar. Drink: 2026 - 2035 13.7% D 750 mL $59.99 Score: 94/100. December 2025. Top Rated Red Wine Full Review Add to Shopping Cart