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Cave Spring Estate Grown Chardonnay 2023, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Sustainable

Very delicate barrel influence and the merest hint of yeasty-lees, featuring instead bright, fresh citrus and apple, pear and lemon yoghurt flavours with above average depth and flavour density, also length. Really an excellent value, drinking well now, comfortable surely in the cellar into the late '20s or early '30s.

Susana Balbo Signature Barrel Fermented Torrontés 2024, Uco Valley

Floral and peach on the nose, sweet creamy peach early then a long grapefruit finish. Very nice - thumbs up from K. Great with Moroccan rice (cumin).

Stéphane Aviron Julienas 2022, Ap

Domaine Des Deux Roches Mâcon Villages Tradition 2022

Planeta Plumbago Nero D'avola 2021, D.O.C. Sicilia

Earthy & acidic, not a sipper with a lot of fruit but was excellent with beef short ribs. Prob best 2027+

Marynissen Heritage Collection Pinot Noir 2021, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara On The Lake

Kittling Ridge Icewine & Brandy (375ml)

Karas Red 2022, Armenia

Frescobaldi Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Riserva 2019, Chianti Docg

Domaine De Bel Air Les Granits Bleus Beaujolais Villages 2022, Ap

Light and fruity, a bit tart on the palate.

Granits Bleu refers to the blue granite soils prominent in Beaujolais. It has the jammy strawberry/plummy fruit aromas of gamay, along with subtle pepper and red rose. But compared to many Beaujolais it is quite firm and rigid, not soft or soupy. That structure is due to the soil, adding a dimension that many Beaujolais don't have. But you need to aerate this wine to allow the fruits and florals to emerge. The length is very good to excellent.