The 2014 The Revivalist Merlot is being released alongside the 2020 as a museum offering, and it is abundantly clear that it is really coming into its own now, at eight years old—there is very slow evolution, super impressive. The 2014 has gained in complexity, weight and polish over the years, but it has retained its leafy and detailed character. Very impressive, and given the arc of development, this has a long way to go yet.

The 2020 Hickinbotham Grenache was sourced from estate-owned bush vines (planted in 1962 at 225 meters in elevation) and was fermented and matured entirely in concrete egg shaped amphorae called "cocciopesto." Darker and denser than the Ovitelli, this shows a splay of blood, shaved deli meat, pink peppercorn and satsuma plum. It is heavier and more tannic too, delivering more intensity and gravitas, if that's what you're into. Another impressive release, it lingers long and fine.

The 2020 The Revivalist Merlot comes from vines that were planted 1971. The fruit here is leafy and decidedly pink in its fruit profile. Classic and elegant—the tannins are very soft, and the fruit is delicate. It is concentrated in a pure kind of way. Nicely done.

The wine is a succulent, shiny-plump, strawberry-ripe mouthful of juicy charm. It lights up in the mouth and the fruit floods every corner, bringing a squeeze of ripe orange, floral flavours and mace. Barely-there tannins and lifted, lilted acidity give it gentle structure. You could probably keep this a few more years, but I really don't see the point. It's just enchanting right now.

Stellar Sauvignon Blanc
Best of California

The 2020 Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay from California (Vintages Essential $21.95) offers something a bit rich and creamy. This medium-bodied, oakedChardonnay starts with the fetching fragrance of roasted nuts and baked apples with a touch of cream somewhere. The entry is slow, almost undulating and generous, lit with a lace of acidity that keeps each sip lively. Flavours unfurl with lemon curd and butter pastry, crème brûlée and toasted hazelnut and a subtle stroke of vanilla. Little wonder this bottle is a popular choice at the LCBO.

Stellar Sauvignon Blanc Best of California With fruit sourced mainly from Monterey, Lake County, Mendocino and Sonoma, this is a cross-Californian Sauvignon Blanc, uniting Pacific freshness and Golden State sunshine. The nose is subdued but fresh, it is on the palate that a zesty, almost pithy texture appears, showing this to be a rather gastronomic wine, benefitting from a little oak influence. This is wonderfully rounded but beautifully fresh at the same time.

Stellar Sauvignon Blanc
Best of California

Dark garnet color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of black pepper, currants, plums and black cherries. Flavors of Bing cherries, plums, raspberries and currants. Medium acidity, firm tannin, full bodied. Drink now with some air.

Promising mass appeal, this Sauvignon Blanc is as aromatic as it is tasty. It offersquiet fruit notes and has a creamy mouthfeel with just a hint of mineralityrunning through it. Priced under $30 and highly accessible, this wine is a steal!

Layers of citrus fruit; lemon, tangerine pith combine with zippy diced ginger notes on the finish.

The citrus in the wine is easy to fall in love with, as apple, pear and a little toasty oak swing in on the finish.

Winemaker Shane Moore loves acidity in white wines, and shows it off here. Iron-like minerality, lemon flavors and an oily texture.

From winemaker Greg Brewer, the 2020 Wine Enthusiast Winemaker of the Year, comes a refreshing white with mossy rock, sea salt, dried apricot and Meyer lemon.

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But if you come across the 2017 Capensis “Silene” Chardonnay, from a high-altitude vineyard, don’t hesitate to enjoy its juicy citrus, pineapple and creamy notes.

A welcome wonderful vintage from this excellent producer in Australia’s Yarra Valley. The cooler climate of the region makes for deliciously floral, refined Pinot Noir with plenty of ripe, smooth dark fruits.

Yellow color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of vanilla, cream, brandied yellow pears. Flavors of creme fraiche, yellow pears and yellow apples. Medium acidity, full bodied. Drink or hold.

It’s fair to say this wine is a crowd-pleaser: Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay is America’s No. 1 selling Chardonnay for 30 years and counting. Perfect for summer, it’s fruit-forward with flavors of pineapple, mango and papaya – coupled with aromas of vanilla and honey – and you may notice toasted oak and butter in the mix, too. Follow the principle of pairing white cheese colors with white wine colors. Here, this oaked Chardonnay is a blissful mouthful with creamy cow and sheep milk cheese. We especially love this Chardonnay when paired with cheese, dried fruit and dark chocolate as a post-dinner course.

A genuine "far out" Sonoma Coast pinot, grown a short hop from the Pacific on prized Goldridge sandy-loam soils, this blend of Dijon clones is a real beauty. It's surely fully ripe at 14.6% alcohol declared, but deftly steers clear of the surreptitious sweetness that plagues many California pinots, as well as the obtrusive oak, here aged all in wood of which 1/3 is new, but supremely well-integrated into the ensemble. I love the silky, pillowy texture and the juicy acids - it's a sheer pleasure to drink, inviting additional sips with its sapid, saliva-inducing qualities. Length and depth are excellent. Probably the finest pinot I've yet tried from La Crema, a reliable name in Sonoma County and beyond.