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Almirante Marqués Del Real Tesoro Oloroso, Do Jerez

How do Sherry producers stay in business charging this kind of price for this kind of quality? Ah well, I guess you do what you must when you're out of fashion. As others have noted, this has classic nutty, figgy flavours, but I was impressed with how smooth and supple this Oloroso is. Lingers on the palate for a good minute. Wonderful stuff.

Bollig Lehnert Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Riesling Spätlese 2011

Spot on. Packed with stony, mineral flavours with a nice seam of acidity to balance the sweetness.

Hedges Family Estate Red 2011, Red Mountain, Yakima Valley

Medium ruby, just starting to fade. Ripe nose with penetrating cedar and spice. Very nice entry, with the fruit still quite ripe and lots of complexity. A bit hot, however on the finish and final oak notes a bit heavy for my palette. Not a finesse wine, and as such not much to my taste. Purchased on its first Vintages appearance for quite a bit less than the $40 of the second release.

Vineland Estates Elevation St. Urban Vineyard Riesling 2012, VQA Niagara Escarpment

J.L. Chave Crozes Hermitage Rouge Silène 2013

Verbena Brunello Di Montalcino 2009

Still quite deep ruby just ambering at the rim. Lovely nose of violets, spices and cedar -- almost exotic, maybe due to ripe vintage. True to its roots, however, with great savoury character that you look for in Sangiovese. Ripe and med-full bodied, with fine tannins and lots to chew on. Lingering finish. Enjoyable now but will hold for years. Very fair price for Brunello but can't help feeling that a top shelf Chianti comes close while leaving $10-15 in your pocket.

Messias Colheita Port 2005, Doc, Portugal

Flat Rock The Rusty Shed Chardonnay 2013, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula

Il Molino Di Grace Riserva Chianti Classico 2009, Docg

Classic Chianti, all savoury and umami-laden at this stage but still quite vital.

Gemtree Uncut Shiraz 2015, Mclaren Vale, South Australia