Gray Monk Estate Winery Gewürztraminer 2013, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada: Classic BC gewurz with aromas of lychee, rose petal and baking spices. Full-bodied and delicious. The 2013 vintage of the Gray Monk Gewürztraminer has a lovely pale golden hue in the glass. Finishes with Asian pear, lychee and roses. Perfect for Asian dishes, curries and spicy dishes. Drink: 2015-2018. 321588 12.60% D 750 mL $21.95 Score: 91/100. May 16, 2015
Top Rated White Wine. Spectacular Spicy Wine Full Review
Inniskillin Montague Vineyard Chardonnay 2014, Four Mile Creek, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Lovely green apple, butterscotch and toasted almond on the nose and palate of this full-bodied Niagara white wine made from the classic grape Chardonnay. Pair with roast turkey or chicken. Drink: 2014-2019. 238642 13% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 90/100. January 26, 2017
Top Rated White Wine. Sensational Shellfish Wine Full Review
Reif Riesling 2015, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario VQA, Canada: A superb Niagara white wine made from the classic grape Riesling. Aromas of lime zest, lemongrass and chives. Ever so slight hint of natural fruit sweetness gives this wine an incredible range of flavours and versatility with food, from roast chicken to fresh seafood. It also makes for a lovely chilled aperitif by the deck or dock. Sip summer in a glass! Drink: 2017-2021. 111799 12% D 750 mL $13.75 Score: 93/100. July 8, 2017
Best Value White Wine. Full Review
Quails' Gate Estate Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC VQA, Canada: A robust, complex and layered BC red wine made from a Cabernet Sauvignon grape. Wild blackberry, spice and smoke on the nose. This will improve with some cellar time. Decant 1-2 hours and pair with grilled meats. Drink: 2016-2022. 639617 14% D 750 mL $26.99 Score: 92/100. October 30, 2017
Top Rated Red Wine. Full Review
La Chablisienne Grande Cuvée Chablis 2014, Burgundy A.C., France: So pretty! Juicy and mouth-watering with gorgeous lime-fresh acidity for shellfish and seafood. Green apple on the finish. Medium-bodied. Drink: 2017-2022. 685222 13% XD 750 mL $54.95 Score: 92/100. February 9, 2017
Top Rated White Wine. Sensational Shellfish Wine Full Review
Caves d'Esclans Whispering Angel Rosé 2010, Côtes De Provence, Provence A.C., France: Lovely pretty in pink French rosé with bone dry mouth-watering acidity. Aromas of field strawberries. Surprisingly robust for Provence which tends to be very light. Good balancing acidity and dry finish. Perfect for planked salmon. Drink: 2011-2013. 325076 13.50% XD 750 mL $26.95 Score: 92/100. April 12, 2012
Top Rated Rosé Wine. Scrumptious Seafood Wine Full Review
Miraval Rosé 2015, Côtes De Provence, Provence A.P., France: The 2015 vintage is even better than 2014, and I loved that one. This wine doesn't need to ride on the back of Brad and Angelina's celebrity: it stands alone as a terrific, refreshing rose with aromas of small field strawberries, orange zest and light spices. Should I add though that there's a hint of drama on the nose, with a surprise twist finish? Sure to be a box office hit at your liquor store. Bottled Hollywood style in a lovely, shapely vessel. Lovely ballet slipper pink hue. Finishes floral and elegant. Pair with oysters and movie night. Drink: 2015-2017. 342584 13% XD 750 mL $22.95 Score: 93/100. January 8, 2017
Top Rated Rosé Wine. Scrumptious Seafood Wine Full Review
Joseph Cattin Hatschbourg Grand Cru Gewurztraminer 2012, Alsace A.C., France: The 2013 vintage of this Hatschbourg Grand Cru seduces with lychee, rose petal and baking spices on the nose. Very distinctive and aromatic. Full-bodied with lots of layers. Luscious with a finish that leaves you longing for more. Highly recommended. Pair with mandarin and spice inflected dishes. Drink: 2013-2018. 259770 13% M 750 mL $26.95 Score: 93/100. March 7, 2015
Spectacular Spicy Wine Full Review
Castello di Gabbiano Chianti 2015, Tuscany DOCG, Italy: Savoury and juicy with attractive sour cherry notes. Supple and smooth and full-bodied. There's a lot to love in this wine. Racy acidity means this wine will dance with tomato sauce dishes, including pasta. Drink: 2016-2020. 78006 13% XD 750 mL $17.00 Score: 89/100. April 26, 2017
Best Value Red Wine. Full Review
Kim Crawford Small Parcels Merlot Cabernet 2014, Marlborough, Hawkes Bay, North Island, New Zealand: A rich, supple New Zealand red wine blend of merlot and cabernet sauvignon grapes grown on vines planted in warm region in the Hawkes Bay thus the more full-bodied and flavourful style. Perfect for grilled pork chops. Drink: 2016-2022. 447433 14% D 750 mL $29.95 Score: 92/100. November 7, 2018
Top Rated Red. Voluptuous Veal Wine Full Review
Curvos Loureiro 2015, Vinho Verde, Portugal: Peach blossom and apricot freshness. Light-bodied without a lot of acidity. Drink: 2016-2019. 471284 12% D 750 mL $14.95 Score: 89/100. August 5, 2017
Best Value White Wine. Full Review
Simonsig Chenin Avec Chêne Chenin Blanc 2009, W.O., Stellenbosch, South Africa: You MUST try this! Rock your world with apple blossom, peach forgetfulness and pleasure beyond limits. Full-bodied. Dive into it. Drink: 2012-2016. 282772 14% D 750 mL $28.95 Score: 95/100. September 29, 2012
Top Rated White Wine. Full Review
Robert Mondavi Winery Private Selection Bourbon Barrels Chardonnay 2016, California, United States: Rich and buttery and full-bodied Californian Chardonnay with aromas of of golden apple and pear and toffee. Pair with roast chicken. Drink: 2019-2022. 516450 14% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 89/100. October 31, 2017
Best Value White Wine. Full Review
Robert Mondavi Winery Private Selection Bourbon Barrels Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Monterey County, California, United States: Full-bodied Californian Cabernet with aromas of aromas of brown sugar and maple syrup. Pair with grilled meats. Drink: 2016-2021. 464149 15% D 750 mL $23.00 Score: 89/100. October 31, 2017
Full Review