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.
White Wine
Thirty Bench Triangle Riesling 2021, Beamsville Bench, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Thirty Bench Triangle Vineyard Riesling from Ontario's Beamsville Bench is an elegant, light to medium-bodied white offering aromas of tart citrus zest, ripe stone fruit, and hints of crushed oyster shell. It's off-dry with crisp acidity and concentrated minerality. Serve it well chilled with pan-seared scallops as the wine's zesty brightness and saline notes will enhance the seafood's delicate sweetness beautifully, or pair it with roasted chicken and lemon where the wine's vibrant fruit and mineral backbone will complement the savory herbs perfectly. Winemaker Emma Garner, who joined Thirty Bench in 2005 and was named head winemaker in 2010, has earned acclaim as Canada's Winemaker of the Year in 2015 and passionately champions Riesling as the Beamsville Bench's signature grape. This wine comes from vines planted in 1981 using the 21b clone on a triangular-shaped vineyard parcel, one of three historic estate Riesling blocks (along with Steel Post and Wood Post) that form the foundation of the winery established by Dr. Tom Muckle in 1980. Enjoy now or cellar for 7-9 years. Riesling food pairings: pan-seared scallops, roasted chicken with lemon and herbs, Thai green curry. Drink: 2026 - 2035 25031 11.5% D 750 mL $28.95 Score: 95/100. February 2026. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
Red Wine
Organized Crime Cabernet Franc 2022, Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada: Organized Crime's Cabernet Franc from Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment is a concentrated, medium to full-bodied red wine offering notes of morello cherry, wild raspberry, dried oregano and cracked pepper. This dry wine displays wonderfully herbaceous character and velvety tannins that will continue to develop over the next six years. Serve it at room temperature with grilled veal chops as the wine's Loire-like leafiness complements the tender meat, or pair it with chicken Kiev where the wine's dark iris aromatics balance the herb butter. Winemaker Greg Berti employs partial Appassimento treatment to add weight and richness, then ages the wine eighteen months in French oak to refine the structure to a polished finish. The wine's cedary oak spice and distinctively New World style create a unique expression of Ontario Cabernet Franc. This savory, elegant wine represents excellent quality and will drink beautifully through 2032. Cabernet Franc food pairings: grilled veal chops, chicken Kiev, roulade. Drink: 2026 - 2032 29048 14% XD 750 mL $24.95 Score: 90/100. February 2026. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart