Reviews

(£24.50) 13.5% alcohol. Ripe and juicy in a fruit-forward style with nice density. Has sweet cherry fruit with spicy overtones. Stylish stuff. 90/100

Light ruby in colour; toasty, black raspberry nose with oak notes; medium to full-bodied, dry, red plum and raspberry flavours; well-balanced, lovely mouth-feel. 

Located in Sonoma County, Buena Vista winery was founded in 1857 and is now owned by the Boisset family, which operates a growing number of estates in its native Burgundy and California. This polished and concentrated cabernet sauvignon is made with grapes grown in Napa Valley. The style is rich and flavourful, offering layers of fruit, spice and earthy notes, with serious structure and a lingering finish. Fans of bold reds should appreciate this style. Drink now-2028. Available in Ontario at the above price, various prices in Alberta.

Tarot 2018 is a supple, medium-plus-bodied red blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot with the balance in Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Lovely on the nose with ripe red berry, cherry, dark plum, cassis dried herbs, chocolate and toasty oak spice flavours silky on the palate. Tannins are fine-grained. Enjoy with striploin steaks from the grill. 1/7/22

Rich, luscious aromas of mocha, bramble berry, ripe Bing cherry and mineral notes waft easily from the glass. It envelops the palate with of surge of pure ambrosia made up of dried cherry/berry fruit, black plum compote, mulberry and crème de cassis. This glides over the palate with good texture, good mouthfeel and plenty of charm and appeal. This is medium-full bodied and showcases fine-grained, polished tannin that gives structure and body to the wine. Pour with a premium cut of beef or lamb, grilled medium-rare. 12/7/21

A rich expression of a coastal wine, this tastes of pear, banana and pie crust, the floral earthy intensity. Tight-grained tannin and oak form around baking-spice and vanilla undertones. Virginie Boone

With a floral entry of jasmine and fennel, this is an earthy, balanced wine with ample complexity and a spicy center of Gravenstein apple and baking spice. The oak is well integrated and present. Virginie Boone

Shades of dark fruit flavors—black cherry and black berry—are accented by floral, mineral and oak spice notes in this smooth red. Ripe, with ample acidity and refined tannins. Fine overall balance and length. Best from 2023 through 2035. 574 cases made, 37 cases imported. — BS

Strikes a wonderful balance between juicy, fresh fruit flavors and chewy, ripe tannins. Offering red licorice, maraschino cherry, dried herb and black tea notes, with spicy tobacco details lingering on the finish. Valdiguié, Charbono, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2030. 95 cases made. — MW

This starts out sleek, evoking macerated cherry, berry, mineral and tobacco flavors. The dense tannins exert themselves on the finish, which is long and complex. Fine balance, but this needs time. Best from 2024 through 2037. 409 cases made, 36 cases imported. — BS