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.
Sparkling Wine
Henry of Pelham Cuvée Catharine Carte Blanche Estate Blanc De Blancs 2018, Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Henry of Pelham Cuvée Catharine Carte Blanche Estate Blanc de Blancs from the Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment V.Q.A. is a dry, medium-bodied traditional method sparkling wine of remarkable elegance and persistence, made from 100% hand-picked estate Chardonnay with the best juice barrel-fermented (20%) before the wine undergoes a secondary fermentation in bottle and rests on its lees for a full 54 months, producing a wine of creamy, toasty depth with a nose of warm brioche, poached quince, preserved lemon curd, roasted hazelnut and a wisp of chalk minerality that leads to a silky, mouthwatering palate and an extraordinarily long, vibrant finish. This is a Blanc de Blancs, made from 100% Chardonnay, thus the moniker blanc de blancs, meaning white wine from white grapes. The Cuvée Catharine name honours Catharine Smith, wife of the original Henry of Pelham himself, and the Carte Blanche is the prestige vintage expression of that legacy, conceived by brothers Paul, Daniel and Matthew Speck to celebrate the estate's 25th anniversary of winemaking and since become one of Ontario's most acclaimed sparkling wines, earning gold at the Decanter World Wine Awards. Henry of Pelham's Short Hills Bench vineyard, with its clay and limestone soils on the Niagara Escarpment, produces Chardonnay of naturally high acidity that is ideally suited to this Champagne-method style. Serve it well chilled alongside freshly steamed shrimp and ripe avocado with a squeeze of lemon, where the wine's toasty depth and bracing acidity cut through the richness beautifully; it is equally impressive alongside a platter of fried oysters with aioli, the wine's minerality and effervescence refreshing the palate with each sip. Cellar through 2032. Blanc De Blancs food pairings: shellfish, fried foods, Asian fusion dishes, salad. Drink: 2025 - 2032 315200 11.9% XD 750 mL $49.95 Score: 96/100. April 2026. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
White Wine
Inviniti Sauvignon Blanc 2025, Marlborough, New Zealand: Inviniti Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand is a zesty, light-bodied white crafted from sustainably grown grapes that captures everything lovers of this iconic regional style adore, arriving at just 12.5% alcohol for a nimble, refreshing vitality that makes it endlessly sippable. The nose bursts with an exuberant bouquet of crushed kiwi, elderflower, and sun-ripened honeydew, while the palate delivers a juicy, mouth-filling wave of white cherry, tangy yuzu, and freshly snapped snap pea, all framed by a vibrant, cutting acidity and a cool wet-slate minerality that keeps the finish clean and invigorating. Marlborough's Wairau Valley, where this wine originates, sits at the northern tip of New Zealand's South Island and benefits from an exceptional combination of intense sunshine and cool nights that produces Sauvignon Blanc of extraordinary aromatic intensity and natural freshness. Best served well chilled and drinking beautifully from now through 2027, this is a wine built for immediate pleasure and effortless pairing at the table. Enjoy it alongside a vibrant chickpea and roasted bell pepper salad dressed with lemon tahini, where the wine's citrusy snap and herbal energy brighten every forkful, or serve it with a creamy Camembert and honey on a rustic charcuterie board, where its crisp acidity slices through the richness of the cheese with effortless grace. Sauvignon Blanc food pairings: chickpea and bell pepper salads, Camembert cheese, grilled asparagus, artichoke galette. Drink: 2025 - 2027 36907 12.5% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 90/100. April 2026. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart