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

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

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

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

 

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

 

CELEBRATORY Castell D'Or NV Cava Brut (Spain)

 

Looking for something worthy of a celebration, but won't break the bank? 

Today, it's the Castell D'Or NV Cava Brut

UNIQUE - Zambartas 2022 Maratheftiko (Cyprus)

 

 

There are many reasons to like the wines made from Maratheftiko, I highlight a few of them in this video; but you'll next guess my favourite. Also, I let you know why you don't see more wines from this grape. Today, it's the Zambartas 2022 Maratheftiko

https://youtu.be/D-IRtWuAQoo 

ASTONISHING Leaning Post 2020 Chardonnay, Clone 96 (Canada)

 

Coming off the i4C (International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration) this past weekend, reminded me of how good the Chardonnays in Ontario are; none has rattled my cage most in the last year than this Leaning Post 2020 Chardonnay, Clone 96

EYE-OPENING Chateau Clos de Sarpe 2022 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classe (B...

 

In January, I spent 25 days in Bordeaux. Going in depth to discover the wines from first and second growths to places like Fronsac and Pomerol. It was, to say the least, an eye-opening experience. To me, nothing beat the wines from the 2022 vintage. What a watershed moment to taste those wines and be awed by the balance, the fruit, the ... oh hell, all that is for the article. Let me dive into this bottle of  

Chateau Clos de Sarpe 2022 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classe

ADMIRABLE Tawse 2021 Robyn's Block Chardonnay (Ontario)

 

With one of the preeminent events in Ontario approaching, Cuvee, it's time to take a look at the caliber of wines shown at that event - today it's the Tawse 2021 Robyn's Block Chardonnay

TERRIFIC Zambartas 2021 Margelina (Cyprus)

 

Another wine from my Cyprus adventure in 2024 - I hope you folks with Wine-der-lust are getting the idea that you need to go and visit this newly-re-emerging jewel of the wine world - today it's the

Zambartas 2021 Margelina

IMPRESSIVE - Perez Cruz 2021 Piedra Seca Cabernet Sauvignon (Chile)

 

Sure you've had Cabernet Sauvignon before, but this is a different kind of Cab. This is not just a single vineyard, it's a designer, and designed, single vineyard; but at a price that's affordable for all. 

Today, it's the Perez Cruz 2021 Piedra Seca Cabernet Sauvignon

A BIG DEAL - Volcanic Hills 2020 Gidda Family Estate Zweigelt (Canada)

 

Zweigelt? Really? For those of you who have tried Zweigelt, you know there is so much potential in this grape, and yet ... If you have tried a good one, you are already salivating at the thought of what I am about to say. For the rest of you, let me tell you about a wine, made from a grape that gets very little respect, for good reason - but deserves so much more, from both the winemakers that use it and the consumers to try it. 

Today, it's the Volcanic Hills 2020 Gidda Family Estate Zweigelt

HAPPY-MAKER - Kir-Yianni 2022 Akakies Sparkling (Greece)

 

Sometimes you taste a wine with absolutely no preconceptions and sip after sip you find you are blown away by what it has to offer. This was the case when I tried today's wine:

Kitma Kir-Yianni 2022 Akakies Sparkling

NEAR PERFECT - Hidden Bench 2020 Terroir Cache (Ontario)

 

Back to Ontario we go. And this time I'm showcasing a red blend from a vintage that will be remembered for decades to come from a relatively young winery known for taking their time, creating buzz, and making iconic wines - but in their own camouflaged? No. Disguised? No, again. Masked kinda way? Anyway, today, it's the Hidden Bench 2020 Terroir Cache

SURPRISING - Chateau des Charmes 2017 Sparkling Rose (Ontario)

 

According to my rough count, this is video 950 and so it is time to celebrate this milestone with a little bubbly. Today, it's the Chateau des Charmes 2017 Sparkling Rose, a sparkling wine with a surprise under the caged-cork.

 

HAPPY 2025 - 13th Street Winery 2021 Gamay - Blanc de Noir (Ontario, Can...

Ringing in the New Year with this awesome, yet rare, for Ontario, take on Gamay : 

13th Street Winery 2021 Gamay

SIDEREAL San Pedro 2021 Sideral (Chile)

This wine makes its second appearance (three years apart) 

and it's another beauty from Chile: 

San Pedro 2021 Sideral

AMAZING Domaine des Ruaults 2021 Les Deux Croix (France)

I'm giving away a big secret this week - 

Saumur Puy Notre Dame is a region to watch if you are a Cabernet Franc fan

Domaine des Ruaults 2021 Les Deux Croix