MARK KOZAR

Taittinger Brut Réserve Champagne

LOVE this.
Wonderfully nuanced and complex. A more delicate but also more refined, mature Champagne, subtle yet with abundance of complexity; balanced. I really enjoyed this, going back for more while they last ... also, one of three Champagnes enjoyed by James Bond, and Ian Flemming's favourite bubbly of all.

Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut Champagne, Ac, France

I've had Bollinger NYE 2021, and what a way to usher in a year of hope...

Simply exquisite wine.

A heaven sent jewel of refinement, beauty. Such a joy to sip. A true portrait of what the majesty of champagne can be: its creamy texture, refreshing acidity, dreamy florality, touch of fruit and garrigue, blended with balanced artistry, all dancing throughout my palate on the wispiest of mousse.

Heaven.

Cave Spring Estate Blanc De Blancs, VQA Beamsville Bench

I can only echo John and Sara's comments, and add that the wine's well balanced, minerally fruit and toast froth, rich, mouthful of exquisitely blended chardonnay is truly a pleasure to drink, and I cannot think of a sparkling wine I've had that is better for twice the price.
Honestly a steal for such a fantastic sparkling wine, made here in Ontario.

San León Manzanilla, Do Manzanilla Sanlùcar De Barrameda

Dancing complexity, medium to long balanced finish, such a superbly enjoyable and satisfying dry sherry; can easily sip all evening. Fantastic value.

Eagle Rare Single Barrel 10 Years Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Kentucky

Alcohol up front recedes to reveal beautiful mouth watering notes of vanilla, bing cherry, smoke. Delicious, complex, mature, a fantastic example of a sophisticated and well balanced bourbon... this one doesn't ever last between friends once opened. A pure pleasure to drink.

Torres Floralis Moscatel Oro, Spain (500ml)

What a fantastic gem of a wine this is! Only wish the LCBO had brought in more... For a medium sweet fortified, it is impeccably balanced with a medium dry finish... up front the gorgeous elderflower Muscat grape aroma and flavour is encouraged by the slight sweetness, and then balanced out by the finish I mentioned... a very beautiful wine and an absolute steal at this price, better than a lot of Sauternes at twice the price or more

Christian Drouin Coeur De Lion Sélection Calvados, Ac, France (700ml)

Great aroma, though, with heavy alcohol and gasoline tones.

Same comes through on the palate. Very sharp, burny, for a wood fermented cidre based calvados.

Complexity is there, but too harsh to thoroughly enjoy. Definitely not one of the top calvados I've ever had.

Hennessy Black

Compared even to the VS, this seems to be the 'leftover' cognacs that had not been blended because of their lack of luster, then MARKETED as something special, flashy and cool... save your $$$ and get the VSOP, you can never go wrong with Henessy VSOP

Anthonij Rupert L'ormarins Cap Classique Blanc De Blancs 2013, Traditional Method, Wo Western Cape, South Africa

Absolutely exceptoonal bubbly for the price, as good as many $75-$100 Champagnes, I hope the LCBO get more

Piper Heidsieck Brut, Champagne

Tried for the first time (02/24) and received confirmation of the reviews placed here. A notably complex, interestingly nuanced (flavours) and yet refreshing Champagne without the slightest austerity. Lovely balance of fruit, florality, minerality and acidity. I like the description 'precision' John S uses, that's my perception. This Champagne has moved to the top of my list of favourites, just behind Taittinger, and well above the average.
Absolutely worth a try if you never have.