Kew Barrel Aged Blanc de Blanc 2017, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: From the Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment wine region in Ontario, Kew 2017 is a traditional method bubble produced from 100% Chardonnay that has been barrel-aged. This sparkler spent five years ageing on its lees in barrel giving the wine more character, richness and depth. Look for ripe pear, apple, nutty and citrus curd flavours on this toasty bubble with a fine perlage. Drink: 2024-2026. 438994 13% D 750 mL $32.95 Score: 90/100. December 14, 2024
Top Rated Sparkling Wine. Remarkable Roast Chicken Wine Full ReviewSan Pedro 1865 Tayú Pinot Noir 2024, Buhahueico, Malleco Valley, Chile: San Pedro 1865 Tayú is a medium-plus-bodied Pinot Noir from Malleco Valley, Chile, with a firm weight and dry profile, best served at room temperature. Winemaker San Pedro, in collaboration with the Mapuche community, crafts this wine from selected vineyards using oak, cement, and stainless steel fermentation, offering red cherry, forest floor, peppery spice, and stony mineral notes with pleasantly grippy tannins and a vibrant, fresh palate. At 13.5% alcohol, it has strong aging potential through 2032, gaining complexity and depth over time. Pair it with lamb chops to highlight its red fruit and spice, or roast Cornish game hens to complement its earthy, savoury character. This Pinot Noir reflects the Malleco Valley terroir and the unique cultural collaboration behind its creation. Drink: 2026-2032. 16628 13.50% XD 750 mL $23.95 Score: 94/100. December 6, 2025
Top Rated Red Wine. Luscious Lamb Wine Full ReviewLes Grandes Serres La Chevalière Rasteau 2023, Rasteau, Rhône, France: Les Grandes Serres La Chevalière is a full-bodied Grenache-Carignan-Mourvèdre-Syrah blend from Rasteau, Rhône, with a firm weight and dry profile, best served at room temperature. Winemaker Les Grandes Serres offers juicy red cherry, wild thyme, sandalwood spice, and stony mineral notes, supported by fine-grained tannins and food-friendly acidity. At 14% alcohol, it has moderate aging potential through 2028, developing additional complexity while remaining approachable. Pair it with veal Porterhouse to highlight its savoury depth, or roast chicken to complement its fruit and spice. This vintage was awarded gold at the 2023 Concours des Vins Avignon, reflecting the wine's quality and Rasteau terroir expression. Drink: 2025-2028. 18502 14% XD 750 mL $23.95 Score: 92/100. December 6, 2025
Top Rated Red Wine. Voluptuous Veal Wine Full ReviewDomaine du Crêt d'Oeillat Vieilles Vignes Régnié 2020, Régnié, Beaujolais A.P., France: From the Beaujolais wine region, Domaine Du Crêt D'oeillat 2020 Gamay is produced from Old Vines Régnié Gamay and is fragrant with red berry, cherry, pepper spice and fine herb flavours fresh and silky on the palate. Tannins are elegant and velvety. Lightly chill and enjoy it through 2028 with grilled chicken breasts or roast turkey. Drink: 2024-2029. 38088 13.20% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 90/100. December 14, 2024
Top Rated Red Wine. Terrific Turkey Wine Full ReviewFerraton Père & Fils Plan de Dieu Côtes du Rhône-Villages 2023, Côtes du Rhône, Rhône A.P., France: From Ferraton Père & Fils, Plan De Dieu 2023 is a full-bodied, vibrant Côtes du Rhône Villages produced from Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Carignan grapes sourced from the Southern Rhône wine region. Fresh and fragrant with pink florals, bright raspberry, dark chocolate, incense, herbs, spice, and ripe dark fruits on the palate, it is ready to drink now through 2026. Drink: 2024-2026. 74229 14.50% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 93/100. December 14, 2024
Best Value Red Wine. Glorious Game Wine Full ReviewLaurent Perrachon et Fils Roche Bleue Juliénas 2022, Juliénas, Beaujolais A.C., France: Laurent Perrachon et Fils Roche Bleue 2022 is a great value fruity and supple Gamay at $22. Zesty and concentrated on the palate with dark berry, raspberry, cherry fruit leather, cold tea and spicy flavours, it is a complex Gamay but so easy to enjoy. Tannins are medium and fine. The wine was so named after the bluestone soils in Juliénas wine region. Drink: 2024-2029. 487165 13.10% XD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 90/100. November 30, 2024
Top Rated Red Wine. Best Beef Wine Full ReviewE. Guigal Côtes du Rhône Blanc 2023, Côtes Du Rhône, Rhône A.C., France: From the Côtes Du Rhône wine region, Château d'Ampuis E. Guigal 2023 is an elegant and fragrant Viognier, Grenache Blanc and Roussanne white wine blend from one of the most trustworthy producers of Rhône wines from Côte Rotie to Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Dry, medium-plus-bodied and fresh with ripe stone fruit, soft citrus zest, ginger spice and minerally notes rich and silky from beginning to end, it finishes long and creamy. A beautifully balanced white wine from the Rhône! Drink: 2024-2028. 290296 13.50% XD 750 mL $22.95 Score: 90/100. November 30, 2024
Top Rated White Wine. Cool Creamy Cheese Wine Full ReviewFoss Marai Millesimato Guia Brut Valdobbiadene Superiore Prosecco 2023, Valdobbiadene, Prosecco D.O.C.G., Italy: From the Valdobbiadene, Prosecco D.O.C.G., Foss Marai Guia 2023 Millesimato Valdobbiadene Superior Brut is a fresh, elegant and lovely fizz produced from the Glera grape. To qualify as Prosecco Superiore DOCG, the wine must be from one of a handful of historic communes (Valdobbiadene) and meet strict quality benchmarks. Elegant with fresh pear, apple, soft citrus and minerally notes, this is a fine prosecco to chill and enjoy on its own or with grilled calamari. Drink: 2024-2025. 39641 11% D 750 mL $24.95 Score: 90/100. December 14, 2024
Top Rated Sparkling Wine. Sensational Shellfish Wine Full ReviewChurchill's Estates Grafite Branco 2023, Douro D.O.C., Portugal: Churchill's Estates Grafite from the Douro is a dry, medium-bodied white wine crafted from estate vineyards with south-facing exposure in the Mediterranean climate of Cima Corgo, revealing tropical fruit character with a charred edge from six months aging in new casks, while the long finish is underscored by pencil lead and mineral. Serve it chilled with grilled swordfish with lemon-caper butter, where the wine's charred notes and tropical fruit complement the meaty fish while its mineral finish cuts through the richness, or pair it with linguine with clams and white wine sauce as the wine's pencil lead character and long finish harmonize with the briny shellfish and aromatic broth. Winemaker Carlos Alves oversees production at Churchill's Estates, founded in 1981 by John and Caroline Graham who became the first British family to establish a new Port house in over 50 years, pioneering quality table wine production in the Douro alongside their acclaimed fortified wines. This mineral-driven wine can be enjoyed now or cellared through 2028. Drink: 2025-2028. 45408 13% XD 750 mL $20.95 Score: 90/100. December 6, 2025
Top Rated White Wine. Sensational Shellfish Wine Full Review