El Meson Rioja Blanco, Bodegas El Meson 2009

If you're in search of a unique, refreshing, and outstanding value white wine, this is it!

Produced from the Viura grape, the most widely planted white grape variety in Spain's Rioja region, this wine is similar to a crisp and refreshing cool climate Sauvignon Blanc. The nose offers upfront citrus aromas with more subtle floral and woody notes. On the palate, it's light- to medium-bodied, vibrant, and smooth with a rounded texture and pure fruit flavour. Finishes crisp and dry with lingering grapefruit, lime and mineral notes.

Food Pairings

Perfect with turkey, chicken, tuna, halibut, and soft to semi-firm creamy cheeses such as brie.

Barbabelle, Marc Kreydenweiss 2006

Widely considered one of the best deals in Ontario, it's biodynamic and organic, extremely versatile, and absolutely delicious. The nose offers fragrant and complex aromas of dried red and dark fruits, earth, some spice, and a hint of vanilla. On the palate, it's smooth and medium-bodied with well-integrated tannins, and a nice balance between power and elegance. Finishes dry with lingering red and dark fruit flavours. Definitely worth ordering a case or two!

Food Pairings

This wine pairs well with shepherds pie or moussaka, goulash, sausages, vegetarian casseroles, wild mushroom dishes, chilli con carne, ratatouille and hard cheeses. A great barbeque wine.

Volpaiole Classico, Volpaiole 2006

The Classico is composed of 50% Sangiovese, 25% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2006 Classico is a full-bodied wine with a nice balance between the acidity and sweetness of the tannins. With a color of intense ruby and violet highlights the wine opens with aromas of dark forest fruits, vanilla and spices. The annual production is 3,000 to 4,000 bottles.

97 points - 2006 VINTAGE rating for Maremma, Tuscany, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Ready to drink by fall 2010 and will age well for up to 15 more years.

Volpaiole Classico, Volpaiole 2005

The Classico is composed of 50% Sangiovese, 25% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2006 Classico is a full-bodied wine with a nice balance between the acidity and sweetness of the tannins. With a color of intense ruby and violet highlights the wine opens with aromas of dark forest fruits, vanilla and spices. The annual production is 3,000 to 4,000 bottles.

93 points - 2005 VINTAGE rating for Maremma, Tuscany, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Ready to drink now and will age well for up to 7 more years.

Cotes Du Rhone, Chateau Rayas Fonsalette 2007

"Bright red. Black raspberry and floral aromas are complemented by Asian spices, anise and white pepper. Racy, finely etched red berry and cherry flavors stain the palate and become deeper and sweeter with air. Shows no rough edges and finishes with superb focus and sweet, sappy persistence. This puts most Chateauneufs in the shade."

93 points - Steven Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Jan/Feb 2010

Volpaiole Merlot, Volpaiole 2006

The 2006 Merlot has an intense ruby color and opens with a nose of plums, vanilla, and spices. The fruit is gently persistent, strong, balanced, rich, and resilient on the palate, compact and distinguished tannins, ending with black cherry and violets notes. The finish has a well-balanced acidity. The annual production is 1,200 bottles.

97 points - 2006 VINTAGE rating for Maremma, Tuscany, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Ready to drink by fall 2010 and will age well for up to 15 more years.

Volpaiole Merlot, Volpaiole 2005

The Merlot has an intense ruby color and opens with a nose of plums, vanilla, and spices. The fruit is gently persistent, strong, balanced, rich, and resilient on the palate, compact and distinguished tannins, ending with black cherry and violets notes. The finish has a well-balanced acidity. The annual production is 1,200 bottles.

93 points - 2005 VINTAGE rating for Maremma, Tuscany, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Ready to drink now and will age well for up to 7 more years.

Brunello di Montalcino (Magnum), Poggio Antico 2005

"The estate's 2005 Brunello di Montalcino impresses with its exceptional balance. Everything comes together beautifully in the glass, as expressive aromatics lead to a well-structured, chiseled expression of fruit. To be sure, this is a decidedly understated Brunello from Poggio Antico, but the wine’s overall balance and sense of harmony are superb. The wine spent four years in Slavonian oak, all of which it handles very well. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020. "

91 points - Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate issue #188, April 2010

Barolo Rüncot, Elio Grasso 2004

"The 2004 Barolo Riserva Runcot offers up an intriguing array of licorice, tobacco, spices, plums and prunes. The purity of the fruit here is beyond striking, and the wine shows great intensity as well as superb overall balance. The Runcot saw 45 days of maceration on the skins and spent 36 months in 100% new French oak, all of which it has absorbed with impeccable elegance. I imagine the 2004 Runcot will continue to gain weight in bottle, but even if it doesn’t, it is pretty special today. What a beautiful wine!"

96 points - Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate issue #187, Feb 2010

Brunello di Montalcino Altero (Magnum), Poggio Antico 2005

"The 2005 Brunello di Montalcino Altero is the estate's more modern-feeling Brunello as it is aged in 500-liter French oak barrels. The 2005 is another terrific wine from Poggio Antico. The balance and polish here are exceptional. The fruit is darker and richer than in the normal bottling, while the oak is felt mostly in the wine’s volume and depth. Smoke, tar and licorice add further shades of nuance and complexity on the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020."

91 points - Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate issue #188, April 2010