Sur de los Andes Cabernet Franc 2022, Mendoza, Argentina: The Sur de los Andes Reserva Cabernet Franc from Mendoza is a dry, medium-to-full-bodied red that draws you in with an aromatic nose of wild violet, crushed raspberry and dried thyme, while the palate unfolds with flavors of dark cherry, sun-dried fig and a savory hint of black olive, all carried by silky tannins and a lively, lingering finish. Fermented with native yeasts and aged in seasoned oak casks, the wine has a natural, unforced elegance that feels true to the land rather than the cellar. Serve it slightly below room temperature and enjoy now through 2032. Winemaker Pablo Durigutti, widely regarded as one of Argentina's most gifted young winemaking talents, was hand-picked by founder Guillermo Banfi when he launched the boutique Sur de los Andes label in 2005 after walking away from a successful career in international banking and finance to pursue his passion for wine. Pour it alongside a slow-braised beef brisket with roasted garlic and thyme, where the wine's earthy depth and dark fruit are an effortless match for the richness of the meat, or try it with a classic coq au vin made with pearl onions and mushrooms, where the wine's fruit and savory undertones weave beautifully through the dish. Drink: 2026-2032. 21992 13.90% XD 750 mL $16.80 Score: 90/100. March 21, 2026
Best Beef Wine Full Review 18 bottles available at Highway 7 & Weston (905) 851-2500
17 bottles available at Highway 27 & Innovation (905) 264-7366
16 bottles available at Cornwall & Trafalgar (905) 845-8100
15 bottles available at Bloor & Royal York (416) 239-3065
12 bottles available at Richmond & Kirkwood (613) 729-1735
Mascota Unánime Gran Vino 2022, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina: The Mascota Unánime Gran Vino from the high-altitude El Cepillo vineyards of the southern Uco Valley, Mendoza is a boldly structured red blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Malbec and 15% Cabernet Franc, sourced from carefully selected old vines planted at the foot of the Andes and aged 12 months in French oak, opening with a captivating nose of dark wild berry, crushed violet and a curl of warm tobacco, while the full-bodied palate delivers concentrated layers of ripe black plum, roasted fig and a savory thread of ground black pepper, all framed by firm, polished tannins and a breathtakingly long, spiced finish. It is bone dry and impressively structured, so serve it slightly below room temperature and enjoy now through 2032. Winemaker Rodolfo "Opi" Sadler, a third-generation vintner whose grandfather kept treasured bottles in a basement cellar that young Opi would sneak into as a child and which he describes as feeling like a great adventure, brings over 40 years of winemaking experience across Argentina, France, Chile and the United States to every bottle he crafts. In a remarkable early achievement, the Unánime took home the International Trophy for Best Red Blend in the World at the Decanter World Wine Awards in 2012, just two years after the winery's founding, and the estate went on to claim Argentine Wine Producer of the Year at the International Wine and Spirit Competition in 2014. Pour it alongside slow-braised beef short ribs with roasted garlic and a red wine reduction, where the wine's dark fruit and firm structure are a seamless match for the intensity of the dish, or serve it with a hearty venison stew fragrant with juniper and thyme, letting the wine's depth and complexity weave magnificently through every warming bite. Drink: 2026-2032. 466938 14.50% XD 750 mL $27.95 Score: 94/100. March 21, 2026
Best Beef Wine Full Review 68 bottles available at Front & Sherbourne (416) 214-0311
26 bottles available at Highway 7 & Weston (905) 851-2500
25 bottles available at Bloor & Royal York (416) 239-3065
20 bottles available at Southdown & Royal Windsor (905) 822-2281
18 bottles available at Carling & Woodroffe (613) 828-7145
Catena High Mountain Vines Chardonnay 2024, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina: Catena High Mountain Vines Chardonnay from Uco Valley reveals aromas of ripe apricot, Meyer lemon, vanilla bean and a hint of wet stone minerality. It's dry and medium to full-bodied with creamy texture balanced by bright acidity that gives the wine complexity and freshness through a long, satisfying finish. Serve it well-chilled alongside roasted chicken stuffed with herbs where the wine's richness and acidity complement the savory flavors, or pair it with seared scallops where the wine's subtle oak influence and mineral character balance the sweet, delicate shellfish. Chief winemaker Alejandro Vigil, who has led Catena Zapata to receive six 100-point ratings from the world's most renowned wine critics and was named to Decanter Magazine's Power List in 2013, crafts this wine from hand-harvested grapes grown at altitudes between 950 and 1,450 meters above sea level in the Uco Valley, then ages 60% in French oak barrels for ten months with the remainder in stainless steel to preserve fruit purity while adding textural depth. Founded in 1902 by Italian immigrant Nicola Catena and now led by fourth-generation vintner Dr. Laura Catena, the family pioneered high-altitude viticulture in Argentina and revolutionized Malbec production, and in 2023 their Adrianna Vineyard was voted #1 World's Best Vineyard by a panel of 500 international food, wine and travel writers. Enjoy this elegant Chardonnay through 2026. 918805 14% XD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 93/100. March 21, 2026
Charming Grilled Chicken Wine Full Review 36 bottles available at Cornwall & Trafalgar (905) 845-8100
33 bottles available at Queensway & Highway 427 (416) 620-5390
30 bottles available at Dupont & Spadina (416) 922-7066
28 bottles available at York & Ridout (519) 432-1831
27 bottles available at Appleby & New (905) 639-0337
La Posta Pizzella Family Malbec 2024, Mendoza, Argentina: The La Posta Pizzella Family Malbec from Mendoza is a sustainably certified, single-vineyard red grown by Paula and Pablo Pizzella on their 10-hectare family estate in the cool-climate La Consulta area of the Uco Valley, opening with an inviting nose of ripe blackberry, crushed dark plum and a whisper of dried violet, while the medium-to-full-bodied palate delivers concentrated layers of wild mulberry, roasted fig and a savory thread of warm baking spice, all framed by round, velvety tannins and a long, juicy finish. It is bone dry and beautifully generous, so serve it slightly below room temperature and enjoy now. The wine is crafted by winemaker Luis Reginato, a third-generation viticulturist whose family has farmed the Uco Valley since the 1950s, working in close collaboration with the remarkable Dr. Laura Catena, a Stanford-trained emergency room physician, fourth-generation vintner and author who founded La Posta in 2000 as a tribute to the small family farmers of Mendoza, placing each grower family's name proudly on the label at a time when no other Argentine producer had done so. The Catena family's parent winery Catena Zapata was named the World's Best Vineyard in 2023, the first South American producer ever to claim that honour, and all La Posta wines carry the Bodegas de Argentina sustainability certification. Pour it alongside a beautifully seared beef tenderloin with a red wine and shallot reduction, where the wine's dark fruit and velvety depth are an effortless match for the richness of the meat, or serve it with lamb cutlets marinated in garlic, rosemary and olive oil, letting the wine's juicy fruit and warm spice weave through every tender, fragrant bite. 166298 13% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 91/100. March 21, 2026
Luscious Lamb Wine Full Review 119 bottles available at Innes & Tenth Line (613) 837-5527
101 bottles available at Yonge & Summerhill (416) 922-0403
101 bottles available at Eglinton & Laird (416) 425-6282
92 bottles available at Carling & Woodroffe (613) 828-7145
91 bottles available at Appleby & New (905) 639-0337
Lundy Manor 2024, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Lundy Manor Proprietor's Blend White from Niagara Peninsula reveals aromas of white peach, orange zest, pink rose and a touch of almond blossom. It's dry and medium-bodied with juicy texture and crisp acidity that gives the wine remarkable complexity and a long, refreshing finish. Serve it well-chilled alongside grilled chicken with lemon and herbs where the wine's bright acidity and stone fruit notes complement the savory flavors, or pair it with fish tacos topped with fresh salsa where the wine's fruity character and zesty finish balance the spicy, tangy condiments. Head winemaker Adam Kern, a certified sommelier who graduated from Niagara College's Winemaking and Viticulture program in 2007 and gained experience at top wineries in Niagara, Prince Edward County and New Zealand, crafts this unique blend of Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer from grapes sourced from select Niagara vineyards, using barrel fermentation for the Chardonnay component and skin fermentation for the Gewürztraminer to extract aromatic intensity and textural richness. Opened in 2018 on the historic Lundy's Lane where the Battle of Lundy's Lane took place during the War of 1812, Lundy Manor Wine Cellars is housed in a stately estate mansion reminiscent of an old-world château and represents Niagara Falls' only estate winery, producing wines that blend traditional winemaking methods with modern innovation. Enjoy this expressive blend through 2030. Drink: 2026-2030. 579961 12% D 750 mL $19.95 Score: 92/100. March 21, 2026
Scrumptious Seafood Wine Full Review 20 bottles available at Qew & Fifty Rd (905) 643-4529
11 bottles available at Bayview & Sheppard (416) 222-7658
9 bottles available at Queens Quay & Cooper St (416) 864-6777
8 bottles available at Highway 11b & William (705) 789-2591
8 bottles available at Bloor & Royal York (416) 239-3065
Bachelder Wismer-Foxcroft Single Vineyard 32% Whole-Cluster Gamay Noir 2023, Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: The Bachelder Wismer-Foxcroft Single Vineyard Gamay Noir from the Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment V.Q.A. is a bone-dry, medium-bodied red vinified with 32% whole clusters in the tradition of the finest Beaujolais crus, drawn from a single parcel of dolomitic, magnesium oxide-tinted soils in Vineland that winemaker Thomas Bachelder has described as the wine that made him fall in love with Gamay Noir in Niagara. It opens with a captivating nose of Morello cherry, sun-warmed wild raspberry and a stony, iron-tinged minerality, while the palate delivers layers of tart red currant, ripe plum and a whisper of forest floor, all underpinned by a cashmere-soft tannic backbone and a long, lifted, savoury finish. Serve it lightly chilled and enjoy now through 2032. Thomas Bachelder is one of the wine world's most remarkably globe-spanning talents, producing wines simultaneously in Niagara, Burgundy and Oregon, making him the only winemaker in the world to have earned 90-plus scores from Wine Spectator for wines from all three regions in the same vintage. Pour it alongside baked veal-stuffed Portobello mushrooms drizzled with truffle oil, where the wine's earthy depth and bright red fruit echo the umami richness of the dish, or serve it with a three-pepper rubbed grilled steak, where its juicy acidity and fine tannins are a natural match for the char and spice of the meat. Drink: 2026-2032. 33994 13.50% XD 750 mL $33.00 Score: 92/100. March 21, 2026
Voluptuous Veal Wine Full Review 8 bottles available at Queens Quay & Cooper St (416) 864-6777
8 bottles available at Mavis & Britannia (905) 568-4064
8 bottles available at Tecumseh & Lauzon (519) 944-4014
8 bottles available at Yonge & Stouffville (905) 773-5275
8 bottles available at Leslie & Wellington (905) 751-0684
Praise Bistro Marsanne Viognier 2024, Pays D'oc, Languedoc I.G.P., France: Praise Bistro Marsanne-Viognier from Pays d'Oc is a refreshing, light to medium-bodied white offering aromas of ripe apricot, crisp green apple, and hints of sea breeze. It's dry with lively acidity and a silky texture. Serve it well chilled with pan-fried goat cheese as the wine's bright fruit and mineral finish will complement the tangy, creamy cheese beautifully, or pair it with Thai vegetable stir-fry where the wine's gentle salinity and fresh character will balance the aromatic spices perfectly. This wine is crafted by a team of dedicated winemakers from sustainably farmed grapes grown in the Minervois region that embrace organic farming principles and have obtained HVE3 (High Environmental Value) certification. Praise was founded with a mission to provide clean drinking water to those in need, donating 100% of profits to charity: water, an organization that brings safe and reliable water to people in developing countries, and each bottle purchased helps fund water projects worldwide. Enjoy now or cellar for 2-4 years. Drink: 2026-2030. 46876 13% XD 750 mL $18.95 Score: 89/100. March 21, 2026
Great Goat Cheese Wine Full Review 114 bottles available at Rideau & King Edward (613) 789-5226
96 bottles available at Bloor & Royal York (416) 239-3065
89 bottles available at Yonge & Summerhill (416) 922-0403
88 bottles available at Eglinton & Laird (416) 425-6282
82 bottles available at Avenue & Lawrence (416) 785-6389
Famille Perrin Les Cornuds Vinsobres 2022, Rhône A.O.C., France: The Famille Perrin Les Cornuds Vinsobres from the Rhône A.O.C. is an organically farmed, equal-parts Grenache and Syrah blend grown on steep terraced hillsides at nearly 1,000 feet elevation in the most northerly vineyard of the southern Rhône, with the Syrah aged entirely in large oak foudres and the Grenache rested in stainless steel to preserve the purity of each variety before blending. It opens with a brooding, complex nose of dark blackberry, dried violet and a curl of warm garrigue, while the medium-to-full-bodied palate delivers concentrated layers of earthy black cherry, toasted spice and iron-tinged mineral, all carried by firm, chewy tannins and a focused, persistent finish that rewards patience generously. It is bone dry and impressively structured, so serve it slightly below room temperature and cellar through 2029 before opening, enjoying through 2037. The wine is crafted by the fifth generation of the Perrin family, the same dynasty behind the legendary Château de Beaucastel, whose Châteauneuf-du-Pape is among the most coveted and collected wines in the world, and brothers Jean-Pierre and François Perrin were named among the most influential wine personalities of the last 20 years by Wine Spectator for their tireless championing of organic viticulture and natural winemaking across the southern Rhône. Pour it alongside a slow-roasted leg of venison with a rich juniper and red wine reduction, where the wine's dark fruit and earthy depth are a seamless match for the gamey richness of the meat, or serve it with roast duck glazed in honey and thyme, letting the wine's firm structure and warm spice weave beautifully through every fragrant bite. Drink: 2029-2037. 566844 14% XD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 92/100. March 21, 2026
Glorious Game Wine Full Review 32 bottles available at Rideau & King Edward (613) 789-5226
30 bottles available at Blair & Ogilvie (613) 745-9906
29 bottles available at Highway 17 & Tupper (613) 632-2121
27 bottles available at Mcneely & Highway 7 (613) 257-1646
23 bottles available at Steeles & Hwy 410 (905) 454-7980
Thymiopoulos Young Vines Xinomavro 2023, Macedonia P.G.I., Greece: The Thymiopoulos Young Vines Xinomavro from Macedonia P.G.I. is a biodynamically farmed, unoaked red fermented with native yeasts and aged eight months in concrete, coaxing a vibrant, medium-bodied wine with an aromatic nose of pomegranate, fresh cranberry and a wisp of dried tomato leaf, while the palate unfolds with flavors of tart red plum, wild strawberry and a savory thread of dried Mediterranean herbs, all supported by lively acidity, gentle tannins and a clean, mouthwatering finish. It is dry and refreshing, so serve it slightly chilled, as you would a Beaujolais, and enjoy now through 2028. Winemaker Apostolos Thymiopoulos, affectionately nicknamed the Greek Godfather of Xinomavro by wine lovers around the world, was the first in his family to bottle rather than sell their grapes when he returned home after studying oenology in Athens and founded the winery in 2003, growing the family holdings from just 4 hectares to 42 hectares of certified organic and biodynamic vines on the slopes of Mount Vermio. Decanter honoured him with their prestigious Rising Star Award in 2022, recognizing his remarkable achievement in transforming this once-overlooked grape and region into an internationally celebrated wine destination. Pour it alongside a slow-roasted Cornish game hen with lemon, garlic and fresh thyme, where the wine's bright acidity and herbal notes mirror the dish's savory aromatics, or serve it with a rich tomato tarte topped with caramelized onions and goat cheese, where the wine's earthy, tangy character plays beautifully against the sweetness of the tomatoes. Drink: 2026-2028. 466474 14.50% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 91/100. March 21, 2026
Best Beef Wine Full Review 63 bottles available at Coxwell & O'connor (416) 423-5213
42 bottles available at Danforth & Brdview (416) 469-4724
41 bottles available at Highway 7 & Weston (905) 851-2500
37 bottles available at Bloor & Royal York (416) 239-3065
32 bottles available at Victoria Park & Finch (416) 497-2253
Cavino Historoots Assyrtiko 2024, Peloponnese P.G.I., Greece: Cavino Historoots Assyrtiko from Peloponnese is a refined, medium-bodied white offering aromas of ripe stone fruit, white blossom, and hints of crushed oyster shell. It's dry with energetic acidity and a lean texture. Serve it well chilled with steamed mussels as the wine's mineral depth and saline character will enhance the briny shellfish beautifully, or pair it with pan-fried trout where the wine's crisp finish and bright citrus will complement the delicate fish perfectly. The winemaking team at Cavino, founded in 1958 by Konstantinos Anastasiou and Ioannis Douskas and now managed by the Anastasiou family, crafts this wine from Assyrtiko fermented in stainless steel and aged for two months on the lees. The Historoots line celebrates Greece's classic grape varieties with a modern approach, and Cavino was named Best Greek Winery by the prestigious International Wine & Spirits Competition UK in 2009 and now exports to over 50 countries worldwide. Enjoy now or cellar for 3-6 years. Drink: 2026-2032. 47650 12% XD 750 mL $15.95 Score: 90/100. March 21, 2026
Sensational Shellfish Wine Full Review 67 bottles available at Bloor & Royal York (416) 239-3065
62 bottles available at Erin Mills & Eglinton (905) 607-7900
56 bottles available at Danforth & Brdview (416) 469-4724
56 bottles available at Coxwell & O'connor (416) 423-5213
45 bottles available at Yonge & Summerhill (416) 922-0403
Illustrata Nero D’Avola 2023, Sicilia D.O.C., Italy: Illustrata Nero d'Avola from Sicily is a bold, modern red wine showcasing notes of blackberry, black plum, and crushed pepper with hints of dark chocolate and subtle tobacco leaf. It's dry and full-bodied with smooth tannins and vibrant acidity that carries through to a lengthy, warming finish. Serve it at room temperature with braised beef stew as the wine's rich fruit and structured tannins will complement the hearty dish beautifully, or pair it with portobello mushroom burgers where the wine's earthy character and spicy notes will enhance the umami flavors. The winemaking team crafts this wine from Sicily's most important indigenous red grape variety, which takes its name from the small coastal town of Avola in the island's southeast. Nero d'Avola was believed to have been introduced to Sicily by the Greeks in the 8th century BC and has thrived on the island's volcanic soils for centuries, earning recognition as one of Italy's most exciting modern red wines. This wine drinks beautifully now or can cellar for 3-5 years to develop additional complexity. Drink: 2026-2030. 47923 13.50% XD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 90/100. March 21, 2026
Best Beef Wine Full Review 49 bottles available at Rideau & King Edward (613) 789-5226
41 bottles available at Highway 27 & Innovation (905) 264-7366
40 bottles available at Highway 7 & Weston (905) 851-2500
38 bottles available at Yonge & Summerhill (416) 922-0403
37 bottles available at Avenue & Lawrence (416) 785-6389
Casale del Giglio Bellone 2023, Lazio I.G.T., Italy: Casale del Giglio Bellone from Lazio is a vibrant, medium-bodied white offering aromas of ripe honeydew melon, white blossom, and hints of toasted hazelnut. It's dry with lively acidity and a silky texture. Serve it well chilled with steamed clams as the wine's bright citrus and mineral character will enhance the briny shellfish beautifully, or pair it with pan-seared scallops where the wine's crisp finish and layered complexity will complement the sweet, tender seafood perfectly. Winemaker Paolo Tiefenthaler, who joined the estate in the 1980s during its pioneering research project testing over 60 grape varieties, crafts this wine from 100% Bellone, an ancient variety cited by Pliny the Elder and cultivated since Roman times. Founded in 1967 by Dino Santarelli and now led by his son Antonio, Casale del Giglio has championed the revival of this nearly-forgotten indigenous grape, sourcing from phylloxera-free vines over 60 years old grown on sandy coastal soils near Anzio where Mediterranean breezes temper the warm climate. Enjoy now. 45845 12.50% XD 750 mL $19.95 Score: 90/100. March 21, 2026
Sensational Shellfish Wine Full Review 51 bottles available at Highway 7 & Weston (905) 851-2500
31 bottles available at Cornwall & Trafalgar (905) 845-8100
27 bottles available at Bloor & Royal York (416) 239-3065
26 bottles available at Highway 27 & Innovation (905) 264-7366
15 bottles available at Appleby & New (905) 639-0337
Auntsfield Sauvignon Blanc 2025, Southern Valleys, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Auntsfield Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc from Southern Valleys, Marlborough displays aromas of white peach, tangerine, elderflower and a hint of flint. It's dry and medium-bodied with concentrated fruit intensity and vibrant acidity that gives the wine remarkable depth and a long, mineral-driven finish. Serve it well-chilled alongside smoked whitefish on baguette where the wine's bright acidity and complex layers complement the rich, smoky fish, or pair it with asparagus and goat cheese quiche where the wine's herbaceous character and zesty finish balance the creamy, savory filling. Winemaker Luc Cowley, working alongside his brother Ben who serves as viticulturist, crafts this single-vineyard wine from hand-harvested grapes grown on their family's 65-hectare estate planted on north-facing glacially carved slopes of Greywacke rock overlaid with fine Loess clay soils, then ferments it in stainless steel at cool temperatures with minimal intervention to preserve the wine's purity and terroir expression. Established in 1892 by David Herd as Marlborough's first commercial vineyard and winery over a century before the region gained international fame, Auntsfield was resurrected by the Cowley family in the early 2000s after generations of different land uses, and a statue of David Herd was recently erected in Marlborough as tribute to the father of Marlborough's wine industry. Enjoy this expressive Sauvignon Blanc through 2029. Drink: 2025-2029. 663286 13.50% XD 750 mL $21.95 Score: 93/100. March 21, 2026
Scrumptious Seafood Wine Full Review 109 bottles available at Eglinton & Laird (416) 425-6282
102 bottles available at Richmond & Kirkwood (613) 729-1735
96 bottles available at Bloor & Royal York (416) 239-3065
90 bottles available at Appleby & New (905) 639-0337
80 bottles available at Danforth & Brdview (416) 469-4724
Whitehaven Greg Sauvignon Blanc 2023, Awatere Valley, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Whitehaven Greg Reserve Sauvignon Blanc from Awatere Valley displays aromas of ripe guava, ruby grapefruit, wild thyme and a touch of crushed oyster shell. It's dry and medium-bodied with powerful fruit concentration and vibrant acidity that gives the wine remarkable intensity and a long, mineral-driven finish. Serve it well-chilled alongside grilled whitefish with herb butter where the wine's bright acidity and saline character complement the delicate flavors, or pair it with vegetable stir-fry where the wine's herbaceous notes and zesty fruit balance the savory, umami-rich sauce. Chief winemaker Peter Jackson, who previously worked on Whitehaven's white wine team from 2008 to 2011 before returning in 2020 to lead the winemaking program, crafts this single-vineyard 100% Sauvignon Blanc from hand-harvested grapes grown in the cool, windswept Awatere Valley where dramatic diurnal temperature swings and stony soils create wines with distinctive minerality and concentrated fruit expression. Named in honor of founder Greg White who passed away in 2007, this Greg Reserve range represents small-parcel, hand-crafted wines that showcase the exceptional terroir of Marlborough's subregions, and the wine earned 95 points from both Sam Kim and Master of Wine Bob Campbell, with the 2017 vintage winning the Trophy for Sauvignon Blanc at the prestigious Air New Zealand Wine Show. Enjoy this expressive Sauvignon Blanc through 2030. Drink: 2026-2030. 325944 13% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 95/100. March 21, 2026
Venerated Vegetarian Wine Full Review 32 bottles available at Yonge & Summerhill (416) 922-0403
28 bottles available at Bloor & Royal York (416) 239-3065
27 bottles available at Cornwall & Trafalgar (905) 845-8100
26 bottles available at Richmond & Kirkwood (613) 729-1735
22 bottles available at Eglinton & Laird (416) 425-6282
Babich Black Label Pinot Noir 2023, Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand: Babich Black Label Pinot Noir from Marlborough displays aromas of ripe red cherry, cranberry, cinnamon and a touch of earthy leather. It's dry and medium-bodied with smooth, fine-grained tannins and bright acidity that makes this red wonderfully versatile with food. Serve it slightly below room temperature alongside roast turkey with herb stuffing where the wine's delicate structure and bright fruit complement the lean meat and savory flavors, or pair it with grilled portobello mushroom burgers where the wine's earthy notes echo the umami richness while the acidity cuts through any toppings. Chief winemaker Joe Babich, who was inducted into the New Zealand Wine Hall of Fame alongside his brother Peter and earned Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit honors for his contributions to the industry, crafts this sustainably-grown 100% Pinot Noir from grapes sourced from the Wairau and Waihopai Valleys, then ages it for seven months in French oak barrels with 25% new oak to add complexity while preserving the wine's fruit-forward character. First produced in 2014, the Black Label range was specifically developed as food-friendly wines, and this family-owned winery celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2016, making it one of New Zealand's oldest continuously operating wine estates since Croatian immigrant Josip Babich planted his first vines in Henderson in 1912. Enjoy this approachable Pinot Noir through 2032. Drink: 2026-2032. 465963 14% XD 750 mL $26.95 Score: 92/100. March 21, 2026
Voluptuous Veal Wine Full Review 66 bottles available at Bloor & Royal York (416) 239-3065
46 bottles available at Avenue & Lawrence (416) 785-6389
42 bottles available at Yonge & Summerhill (416) 922-0403
34 bottles available at Rideau & King Edward (613) 789-5226
30 bottles available at Front & Spadina (416) 598-1482