AMAZING - Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste 2022 Lacoste Borie (France)

 

 

If somebody tells you the 2022 Bordeauxs are great, believe them - even the 2nd wines are spectacular, like this one ... today it's the Chateau Grand-Puy-Lacoste 2022 Lacoste Borie

ENTICING - Orma Winery 2021 Orma (Italy)

Here's something exciting from Bolgheri (not Bulgari or Bulgaria) what is that excitement you might ask? Well let me tell you about it ... Today it's the Orma Winery 2021 Orma

BREATHTAKING - Capezzana 2021 Ghiaie della Furba (Italy)

 

While the real story here should be the 100-year old wine I tasted at a dinner Capezzana hosted; there was no way I was going to put my hands on one of those. What I did find, was a bottle of red that blew my hair back; or at least showed exceptionally well. Today it's the Capezzana 2021 Ghiaie della Furba

BRILIANT Feudi di San Gregorio DUBL - Edition III (Italy)

 

Sparkling wine from the south of Italy? Does it sound like a good idea to you? I was iffy on the subject until I tried this wine - now I'll double down and tell you about it ... also, check out my new hat. Thoughts? Today it's the Feudi di San Gregorio DUBL - Edition III

AWESOME - Chateau la Fleur de Bouard 2022 Lalande de Pomerol (France)

 

Time to talk Bordeaux, I spent the better part of a month there in January 2025 and the wines bearing the date 2022 are spectacular. This is just another one of those finds: Chateau la Fleur de Bouard 2022 Lalande de Pomerol

 

DISTINCT - La Gironda 2021 Le Nicchie, Nizza (Italy)

 

I've talked about Nizza before, and I'm about to do it again. Nizza is Cru Barbera, I'll tell you more about it in this video, which was shot in the north of Italy. Today I'm looking at the  

La Gironda 2021 Le Nicchie, Nizza

INVITING- Le Clos Jordanne 2021 Jordan Village Chardonnay (Ontario)

 

Le Clos Jordanne is back baby, yes it has been for a bit now; but it has a new home, a real brick and mortar building, with a cellar and everything. It's not exactly the winery they conceived all those years ago, but it does give the wine a new home. Today I'm looking at the Le Clos Jordanne 2021 Jordan Village Chardonnay

IMPRESSIVE - Domaine de Bel-Air 2022 Les Granits Bleus Beaujolais-Villag...

 

Oh baby, I am a big fan of the Gamay grape, especially when it is done well, here this Domaine de Bel-Air 2022 Les Granits Bleus Beaujolais-Villages is a well-crafted, beautiful bottle of BoJo that hits all the right marks. Let me tell you about it.

 

INAUGURAL - Chateau St Jean 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Knight's Valley (USA)

 

Here in Canada, many are pining for the day they can put a California Cab in their glass. The good news, there are wines like this Chateau St Jean 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Knight's Valley that could use the extra time in bottle to get to where it will be at its best

REMARKABLE - Prunotto 2022 Bansella Nizza (Italy)

 

In my time discovering Nizza and Barbera and what makes the whole thing tick, I learned so much from my time with Emanuele at Prunotto. He brought things into focus; he relayed a ton of information, and he brought me in touch with some of the great minds behind where Nizza Monferrato is going (over lunch) - he also showed me this wine ... Today, it's the Prunotto 2022 Bansella Nizza

FABULOUS - Il Falchetto 2023 Pian Scorrone (Italy)

 

During my visit to Piedmont in December 2024, I tasted a lot of Barbera, people said, "why did you not focus on Barolo while you were there?" Because I wanted to find wines like this ... Today, it's the 

Il Falchetto 2023 Pian Scorrone

AMAZING - Dievole 2021 Vigna Sessina, Gran Selezione (Tuscany)

 

Gran Selezione, the top of the Chianti Classico food chain (so to speak). This is a single vineyard Sangiovese that cuts to what makes Gran Selezione such a special wine ... Today, it's the  

Dievole 2021 Vigna Sessina, Chianti Classico - Gran Selezione

 

INCREDIBLE - Pillitteri 2020 Caretto Cabernet Franc (Ontario)

 

You've heard that 2020 was an outstanding vintage in Ontario, if not from me, you can read it or hear it somewhere else ... but what happens when a vintage is so good you only make one wine in at entry-level estate series level? And how good is that wine? ... Today, it's the Pillitteri 2020 Caretto Cabernet Franc

 

TANTALIZING - Austin Hope 2021 Cabernet (California)

 

 

As a Canadian, it is unfashionable these days to promote a wine from the US; especially because the majority of our country can't buy them. But I've had this one locked and loaded for a long time, and I am sure there are a few others on my list to come. They cannot remain there indefinitely, so I'm just going to have to break some norms ... Today, it's the Austin Hope 2021 Cabernet

 

SPECIAL - La Gironda 2019 Ago Nizza Riserva (Italy)

 

If you do not know what Nizza is, you have not been paying attention. Last month I posted 5 reports from the area, and I have done a few videos about these wines. Going forward, you will be seeing more from me about Nizza Monferrato; for now, all I can say is that if you are a fan of Barbera from Piedmont, listen up - this is going to be your "jam" ... Today, it's the La Gironda 2019 Ago Nizza Riserva

 

REFRESHING - SOHO Winery 2024 Peggy Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand)

 

New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc hits the right Savvy B notes for me - I find it refreshing, light, easy to drink and perfect for a hot summer day. I know there are fans of the other versions from places like the Loire and California, but for me ... Today, it's the SOHO Winery 2024 Peggy Sauvignon Blanc

 

TIME TO TELL - Hillick & Hobbs 2021 Estate Dry Riesling (New York)

 

I know, as a Canadian, I am not supposed to be promoting American alcohol, but I have been sitting on this video for almost a year. Over the summer I opened a bottle of this, sitting on a dock at a lake, and it was super inspiring - and now it's just time to let the cat out of the bag ... 

Today, it's the Hillick & Hobbs 2021 Estate Dry Riesling

FRESH Mario Rivetti 2023 Langhe Nebbiolo (Italy)

 

This past year I have recommended some eye-opening wines. Wines I tasted because I happened to be at the right place at the right time. This is one of those wines. I was at a wine fair in Bologna with an Italian friend, Fabrizio Timpanaro, a director of a restaurant, QuartoPiano. He pulled me aside and said that I must try a wine. Not only did I try the wine, I went and visited the winery a month later ... Today, it's the Mario Rivetti 2023 Langhe Nebbiolo

 

HONEST Vinchio Vaglio 2022 Vigne Vecchie 50 Barbera D'Asti (Italy)

 

Old vines wines are so super cool, especially when they are used to great effect. This old vines Barbera is amazing and worth trying ... Today, it's the

Vinchio Vaglio 2022 Vigne Vecchie 50 Barbera D'Asti

STUNNING Tenuta Sette Ponti 2022 Oreno (Italy)

 

Super Tuscan wines have a great reputation. It's a name everyone seems to know. People are always excited to try them. And it's got Tuscany in the name - somewhere everybody wants to go - even if it is just for a few minutes at a time, in a glass. Today, it's the Tenuta Sette Ponti 2022 Oreno