Vladimir Torres

Stratus Red 2010, VQA Niagara On The Lake, Niagara Peninsula

Sometimes reviewers (not naming anyone) are a tad generous in their assessment of local wines. With this one, it would be hard to exaggerate. The Stratus Red (2010) stands up to any red from anywhere. No condescending required. This is optimum stuff!

Domaine Anita Chénas Cuvée P'tit Co Les Brureaux 2021, A.C. Chénas

Château Mont Redon Châteauneuf Du Pape 2018, A.C.

Le Vieux Pin Syrah Cuvée Violette 2016, BC VQA Okanagan Valley

Another "wow"!
This has all the black fruit beauty of a Northern Rhone Syrah, and it's appropriately named Violette.
Paired beautifully with a roasted leg of lamb covered with a crust of almonds and Moroccan inspired spices.

Bench 1775 Semillon 2016, Okanagan Valley

Deliciously dry.

Donatella Cinelli Colombini Rosso Di Montalcino 2018, D.O.C. Rosso Di Montalcino

Funny how subjective wine appreciation can be. I loved this wine (part of a recent wine exchange case). It has beautifully enticing red fruit, cherry and strawberry greeting you from the word go, which are then joined in the mouth with leathery, and tobacco undertones, while fine tannins and nicely balanced acidity complete a picture of surprising depths of integrated layers. I found it to be of great value at its price, considering similar offerings around the same figure but in EUROS! Finally, if you have a bottle in your cellar, drink it now (January 2023)

Domaine Baud Cuvée Flor Côtes Du Jura 2020, Côtes Du Jura Aoc

Marqués De Cáceres Gran Reserva 2004, Doca Rioja

Bodegas Puiggros Exedra 2019, D.O. Catalunya

Ridge Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2009, Santa Cruz Mountains

So ready to be opened now (2019). Exquisite, no gimmicks here. This top notch cab sauv/merlot blend will make you feel closer to Bordeaux than California.