Somm4All scored this wine: 94/100

When Jack and Jamie Davies took possession of the old Schramsberg estate in 1965, their goal was to revive Napa’s first hillside winery and to produce world class Sparkling. Their dedication and dreams came to fruition during the Nixon era, when Schramsberg became official White House stock, served at official state functions to this day. And it is easy to understand why. The moment you lift your glass to your nose you are greeted with fresh aromas of strawberry, raspberry, lemon, per, with softness of biscuit, cinnamon and vanilla. Bright and dry on the palate, elegant fine bubbles dance around flavours of red cherry, red berry, red apple, lime zest and a little brioche. Produced via the Traditional Method with hand picked and gently pressed grapes, you can taste the care and quality involved in this 64% Pinot Noir, 36% Chardonnay blend. Dry, refreshing and clean – textbook finesse in a bottle. An outstanding Bubbly that pairs very well with seared salmon however it is lovely on its own anytime, with no “formal dress” code required ??.

Somm4All scored this wine: 91/100

Situated north of the city of Bordeaux, Pauillac is its own small subregion known for producing high quality grapes. Mother Nature was very kind to the area in 2015, allowing for the Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc used in this blend to all showcase true aspects of their character On the nose we find black cherry, cassis, a little dried prune and just a touch of vanilla. On the palate the cherry and cassis jump out intertwined with earthiness, eucalyptus, cedar, baking spices and vanilla. 12 months ageing in oak help to provide harmony on the flavours as well as silky tannins with an elegant finish of dark fruit and vanilla. Enjoy with a braised beef stew.

Somm4All scored this wine: 91/100

The Aconcagua region of Chile benefits from cooling influences from both the Andes Mountains as well as morning fog that blows in off the Pacific Ocean. Combined with complex soil characteristics this is a region that can produce very food wine. This Erraruriz is made from 100% hand picked Chardonnay grapes that were whole-cluster pressed and cold fermented in Stainless steel – done to preserve the fruit characteristics of the grape. On the nose we find lime, pink grapefruit, lemon, green apple, white flower and a little butter. We also notice a bit of “funk” (likely due to the partial wild yeast fermentation employed) as well as some mineral notes (which can be attributed to the slate/schist soil in which the grapes were grown). On the palate it is dry, bright and refreshing. Flavours follow the nose with additional hints of smoke, cedar, spice and caramel. 11 months spent in neutral French oak help provide a medium body mouthfeel along with good fruit and alcohol balance. The medium-plus finish encompasses harmonious interplay of butter, minerality, citrus and peach. Fantastic quality and at this price it is a multiple-purchase wine that you will go to again and again throughout the Summer. Impress your friends and enjoy with seared scallops and lemon/butter grilled shrimp.

Somm4All scored this wine: 91/100

While the Ribera del Duero region of Spain may not have been widely known before 1980, today it competes with Rioja as Spain’s top red wine areas – this 2006 Ardal Reserva is a prime example as to why. Ruby red in colour with intense aromas of fresh dark cherry, cassis, black plum and just a touch of both anise and tobacco leaf. On the palate, the dark fruit shines through while the 24 months of ageing in French and American oak not only refines the firm tannins, but also contributes notes of chocolate, cedar and whispers of vanilla. Composed of 80% Tempranillo and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon this is a full-bodied red wine blend with a bit of “oomph”, however it is remarkably balanced which in turn allows for an elegant and refined feel/finish. This quality at this price almost demands a multi-bottle purchase. Drink now or cellar for an additional 5 to 7 years - harmonious with a well marbled grilled rib eye.

Somm4All scored this wine: 91/100

Within 30 seconds of speaking with owner and winemaker Adam Lowy you begin to understand how deep his passion for Pinot Noir is. Adam’s boutique winery, Cloudsley Cellars, is situated in a very particular area of the Niagara region – Twenty Mile Bench to be exact, and that is by no accident. With a true passion for Burgundy’s most famous red grape, Adam choose the site due to the make-up of the soil, the availability of local high-quality fruit and is a perfect example of meticulous winemaking. This 2015 Homestead Pinot Noir is made from grapes sourced from a single vineyard, specifically chosen to produce this wine. Dry and light bodied, notes of vibrant cherry, a little plum combine with a little funk and wet earth tantalize the nose. The same flavors repeat on the palate along with kisses of vanilla, spicy black pepper and mouth-watering freshness. Painstaking care has been employed to ensure that no one component outdoes the other (which explains the 27% of new French oak used….not 26%, or 28%....27% is the magic number). So much attention to detail, so much joy in a bottle. Pair this with lightly grilled salmon on a warm afternoon and transport your palate to Bourgogne.