Vintage release: TDB 2023/24

90
Carmim Reguengos White 2022
DOC Alentejo, Portugal $12.95 12.5% alcohol
This is a blend of Portuguese indigenous grapes—siria and antão vaz—displaying fresh aromas of green grape, summer apple and lots of mineral character. Nicely rounded on the palate with lime zest, green apple and pink grapefruit flavours, it offers more texture with a touch of chalky minerality in the crisp finish. It is well balanced and drinks easily on its own or with light seafood dishes. (Louise Boutin)

89
Carmim Monsaraz Tradição White 2022
DOC Alentejo, Portugal $13.95 13.0% alcohol
Green apple, honeydew melon and white flower notes introduce this fresh blend of antão vaz, gouveio, aka godello and arinto grapes. Medium-bodied with sweet pineapple, pear and pink grapefruit flavours, followed with a balancing touch of almond bitterness and mineral note, it will pair perfectly with seafood tapas. (Louise Boutin)

92
Château La Cardonne 2015
AOC Médoc, France $27.95 (550244) 13.0% alcohol
This cru Bourgeois made of merlot and cabernet sauvignon with a splash of cabernet franc is gorgeous and complex on the nose with its tertiary aromas—leather, pencil shaving, forest floor—dry cherry, jalapeño and licorice. The palate is treated to a soft and bright flow of mature flavours, tart dry cherry leading the way and earthy character with a nice layer of fine-grained tannin softened over 30 months of French oak ageing. This medium-full bodied red is perfect for a well-seasoned beef tartare or duck confit. (Louise Boutin)

92
Château Grivière 2015
AOC Médoc, France $27.95 (469783) 13.0% alcohol
Twelve months of French oak maturation for this blend of merlot and cabernet sauvignon showing exquisite aromas of cassis, blackberry, gingerbread and forest floor. Packed with dense flavours of black fruit, including ripe blueberry, plus wild mushroom and baking spice, all wrapped in polished yet grippy tannin, this red is sure to please mature Bordeaux enthusiasts. Pour alongside braised beef shanks with root vegetable or mild sausage-stuffed Portobello mushroom. (Louise Boutin)

89
Carmim Reguengos Red 2022
DOC Alentejo, Portugal $12.95 13.5% alcohol
You may not be too familiar with trincadeira, aragonez aka tempranillo and castelão grapes, but you don’t have to to enjoy this young and fresh red blend bursting with sweet cherry, cola aromas and a hint of wet gravel. Bright and light on its feet, with delicious flavours of red berry a touch of earthiness and soft tannins, it’s the perfect dry summer red for your grilled gourmet sausages on a bun or red sauce pizza. (Louise Boutin)

91
Carmim Monsaraz Tradiçao 2022
DOC Alentejo, Portugal $13.95 14% alcohol
There’s a lot to like in this red blend of about equal parts of Alicante Bouschet, trincadeira and aragonez, including the price tag. Fragrant on the nose with crushed mixed berry and hints of rose petal, it carries on with exquisite flavours of ripe black plum, blackberry and cola, adding a nice layer of fine-grained tannin mid-way through and showing excellent integration of alcohol. Impress your guests at your next barbecue party with this very affordable and delicious medium-full bodied dry red. (Louise Boutin)

91 
3 Rings Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Barossa Valley, Australia $17.95 (36237) 14.5% alcohol
A very complex bouquet of eucalyptus and black pepper followed by cassis, ripe blackberry, tobacco and jalapeño make way to a mellow and cooling flow of blackcurrant, blackberry flavours and earthy notes with a persistent enjoyable peppery finish. The producer’s pairing recommendations include a kangaroo loin but lamb or beef will do just as well and might be easier to find! (Louise Boutin)

90 
Carmim Terra Lenta Premium 2021
DOC Alentejo $14.95 (646083) 14.5% alcohol
This classic Portuguese blend of hand-harvested Alicante Bouschet, trincadeira and aragonez aka tempranillo greets you with black plum, red cherry and dusty gravel aromas. Juicy on the palate with blackberry, a mix of red and black plum with a nice spiced layer and medium polished tannin. Quite balanced with the high-alcohol totally going under the radar, it is pleasant to sip or enjoy with lamb burgers or grilled gourmet sausages. (Louise Boutin)

92 
Roncolato ‘San Rocco’ Valpolicella Ripasso 2020
DOC Valpolicella Ripasso, Italy $26.95 (36676) 14.5% alcohol
Ripasso is often described as a baby Amarone and this single vineyard one, definitely fits the bill. It shows beautiful aromas of dry cherry, potpourri, balsamic reduction and spice on the nose. The palate offers red cherry flavours with a replay of balsamic and spiced character with a lovely savoury/earthy warming finish. This medium-full-bodied nicely textured classic red will be perfect with simmered beef short-ribs with root vegetables or wild mushroom risotto. (Louise Boutin)

90 
Valpanera Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso 2022
DOC Friuli, Italy $17.95 (10080) 13.0% alcohol
A fresh nose of red plum, Swedish Berries™ and violet, makes this stainless steel fermented 100% red stem refosco grape very attractive. Über juicy and soft on the palate with a mixed berry profile, followed with a spark of tart cherry acidity and dusty tannin, shape this medium- bodied, very refreshing red into an ideal partner for charcuterie boards or stuffed red bell peppers. (Louise Boutin)

92
Château D’Espeyran – La Cantatrice 2022
AOP Costières de Nîmes, France $17.95 13.5% alcohol
Delightful aromas of black currant, juicy Bing cherry and baking spice mingle freely with palate flavours of cassis, blueberry and © Ribena. This is an inspired multi-blend of 75% grenache noir / 15% Marselan / 10% syrah along with attractive and decorative flavours on the finish and that includes tang and plenty of pizzazz with good balance and mouthfeel and plenty of flavour throughout.. Give this a go with grilled backyard burgers and/or gourmet sausages. (Vic Harradine)

93
Château D’Espeyran – Réserve des Illustres 2021
AOP Costières de Nîmes, France $23.95 14.5% alcohol
This red blend is 90% syrah and 10% grenache that was matured for 14 months in oak barrels. Alluring aromas of savory herbs and plenty of mixed cherry/berry aromas will command your attention and then keep your attention when it pours over the palate with an underpinning of ripe tannin and a lingering finish and aftertaste that will be very consistent throughout the imbibing experience. This is a special wine that should keep you pleased that you purchased it. (Vic Harradine)

90 
Domaine Fond Croze ‘Serre de la Garde’ 2022
AOP Côtes du Rhône, France $17.95 (28545) 14.5% alcohol
This is a beautiful southern-Rhône blend of 70% grenache and 30% syrah macerated and aged in concrete tanks. Ripe dark cherry and plum aromas with a hint of moss and dust, it glides on the palate with ease and freshness, unfolding ripe flavours of plum wrapped in powdery tannins and finishing on a nice slightly warm peppery-strawberry note. Pair with gourmet sausages and artisan mustards. (Louise Boutin)

91 
Domaine Fond Croze ‘Romanaise’ 2021
AOP Côtes du Rhône Villages France $21.95 14.5% alcohol
Grenache in all its splendor with an aroma blend of dark fruit, dry orange peel and floral notes. The palate is silky with more earthiness than anticipated yet still offering excellent dark fruit concentration—blackberry, black current—with a powdery tannin finish and long fruit and spice replays. Aerate decant this full-bodied red one hour and serve with wild mushroom gnocchi or braised beef shanks with root vegetables. (Louise Boutin)

91
Domaine Fond Croze Cairanne 2021
AOC Cairanne France $21.95 15.5% alcohol
Here’s a blend of 60% grenache and equal parts of carignan and mourvèdre, hand-harvested from old vines and matured in stainless steel vats. A vigorous swirl reveals profound aromas of Kirsch liqueur, mixed berry compote with overlying notes of violet and cured meat. Expect a very silky palate with dense ripe berry flavour, morphing to a more textured and broad profile adding rosemary and spice in the pleasant slightly warm finish. Pair this full-bodied delicious red with grilled rack of lamb or ratatouille after one hour of aeration. (Louise Boutin)

91
Domaine Fond Croze Vieilles Vignes Rasteau 2022
AOP Rasteau France $22.95 15.5% alcohol
Eighty percent of grenache and the rest syrah and mourvèdre make up this beautiful red blend aged 12 months in 500-liter French oak barrels. The nose is inviting with fragrant cherry, black plum, a touch of lavender and herbal notes. The palate is full-bodied and silky with fresh flavours of blackberry, dark chocolate-drizzled cherry and a spark of acidity in the dry and savoury finish. Pour alongside chicken liver salad or eggplant parmigiana. (Louise Boutin)

90 
Provolo Costa del Monte Bianco Organic 2022
IGT Bianco Veneto, Italy $17.95 13.0% alcohol
This is a blend of 60% muller-thurgau and 40% chardonnay farmed organically, that presents with aromas of peach, rose petal, lime peel and flint. Medium-bodied with chalky mineral character showing right away on the palate along with high acidity of white grapefruit, yellow plum and a nice bitter bite trailing in the mineral finish. Pair with seafood antipasti or fried calamari dusted with sea salt. (Louise Boutin)

92 
Provolo Tenuta Ca’Nove Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore 2019
DOC Valpolicella Ripasso, Italy $18.20 (19650) 14.0% alcohol
There’s such a gorgeous intensity of balsamic reduction almost medicinal and botanical aromas as well as grilled plum and cedar in this Ripasso aged in barriques for 18 months. The palate is silky at first, transitioning to a more robust structure all in harmony with dry fruit and spiced flavours, finishing with a warm wave of delicious savoury notes. This calls for simmered, glazed beef short-ribs with roasted parsnips or a board of aged and smoked cheese. Incredible value at this price point. (Louise Boutin)

91 
Provolo Valpolicellia Organic 2022
DOC Valpolicella, Italy $17.95 (26250) 13.0% alcohol
This young, organic Valpolicella blend vinified and matured in stainless steel tanks screams freshness with its inviting red cherry, raspberry and red licorice aromas. The palate is smooth and vibrant at the same time with lots of red berry flavours and a nice herbal note developing in the delicious finish. Very well balanced and versatile at the table. Pop the cork with red sauce pasta or pizza. (Louise Boutin)

92 
Six Hats Shiraz 2022
W.O Western Cape, South Africa $14.95 (21193) 13.5% alcohol
This 100% shiraz from a fairtrade South-African winery is simply spectacular, especially at this friendly price. It’s generous on the nose with ripe black plum, mixed berry compote, freshly grated cinnamon and a lovely floral note in the background. There’s a cooling freshness on the palate that showcases the dark cherry and plum flavours with a hint of zesty orange beautifully. Tannins are fine and polished and the finish is fruit forward yet dry and slightly peppery. This is a great partner to lamb burgers or rich ratatouille. (Louise Boutin)