Who is afraid of warm years? Hardly the Port elite. Aromas of tropical woods, black cherry and Assam pepper, allspice, poivre long. Short softness, firm acidity, then a gripping, dry but ripe tannin. With air contact, the port becomes increasingly floral and slate-spicy. (A bottle of this port was also the first Port in Space!)

A sweet fortified red made from a blend of wines aged for an average of 30 years in oak casks before being bottled. Complex in its aromas and flavors, it shows ripe, jammy fruit followed by floral notes, herbs and sweet spices and dried fruit, plums and licorice, all supported and balanced by refreshing acidity and a firm, creamy texture. Alcohol 20%.

Once past the opening bouquet of white flowers and dried roses, you find plums, black cherries, black raspberries, mint and cigar wrapper nuances. The palate provides a lush, opulent, vibrant, energetic backdrop for its wealth of deep red fruits and oceanic influences. The finish has a touch of salty chalk that adds complexity to its wealth of silky, ripe, red fruits.

Rocas de Seña is named in tribute to the rocky soils of the Aconcagua Valley, which impart unique characteristics to the wine. The large volcanic rocks in the vineyard reflect the holistic landscape. This second wine from Seña continues the exploration of the terroir's expression, blending selected blocks from the Seña vineyard with Mediterranean varieties that thrive in the region. The result is a wine that delivers both elegance and youthful freshness. A lively blend of 38% Malbec, 25% Syrah, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Grenache & 8% Petit Verdot that has subtle aromas of
coffee and Asian spices with a touch of mocha from the oak which creates a very deep and
complex nose. The palate is vibrant and tense with good density and shows multiple
layers of fresh fruits, spices, and balsamic notes with a hint of smoke. This is a very elegant and
splendidly youthful wine, yet will age for a decade or more. 

"A custom Cuvee created by importer Eric Solomon, the IGP Cotes Catalanes Novellum is a smokin’ value that’s made from 100% Chardonnay that spent three months in a tank (on Viognier lees) followed by three months in barrel. Tasting like it cost three times the price, it offers lots of orchard fruits, white peach, honeysuckle and a hint of vanilla to go with a medium to full-bodied, crisp, yet still textured and mouth-filling style on the palate. You can’t go wrong at the price and this is a terrific wine to enjoy over the coming year or two." Wine Advocate

This wine boasts a distinctive coppery hue, achieved by leaving the must on the skins overnight! Aromas of ripe pear, apricot, and floral notes are enriched with hints of almonds and a touch of spice. Its complexity and depth make it highly versatile, pairing beautifully with cold cuts, charcuterie boards, seafood risotto, delicate white meats, and even Lobster Mac and Cheese. The grapes are manually harvested and fermented in stainless steel under temperature control, with minimal intervention to preserve the wine’s natural character and unique style.

One of the two most commercially important red grapes grown in Greece, Agiorgitiko is a light, lively variety that does especially well in the Pelopponese, where Papagiannakos is located. This wine exhibits a nose of playful spice and appetizing flavors of red berry and black currant. Mellow and balanced, it will pair well with heartier meat dishes as well as tomato-based pastas and poultry.

Aromas of raspberry, juniper and freshly ground coffee emanate from this inky garnet colored wine. It has glossy tannins, with cooling herb flavors on the palate such as licorice, clove and menthol that are joined by black cherry and raspberry. Bright fruit notes overtake the sense of coolness on the drawn-out finish. Mike DeSimone

Located in Normandy along the Cider Route in the heart of Pays d’Auge, the Pierre Huet family estate has been producing and selling Calvados, Pommeau de Normandie, and Cider for five generations. Their 30 hectares of orchards feature more than 25 varieties of cider apples, grown on both tall apple trees and low stems. The Crème Pierre Huet is best enjoyed chilled (between 8 and 10°C), either on ice or neat, as an aperitif or after dinner, much like a whisky or rum cream!

Crafted by the Daucourt family from Angoulême in the heart of the Cognac region, this single malt is made using French spring barley and aged in a mix of Limousin oak, cherrywood, and acacia casks! Signature tangerine notes blend beautifully with vanilla fudge and spiced dried apricots. Warming flavors of preserved orange and honey create a buttery-smooth sip, with a growing spiciness from the French oak. It all leads to a tongue-tingling spicy finish. Vive la révolution!

Barbera is a rare gem in South Africa, with only 50 hectares planted, making winemaker Reenen Borman's work with this variety particularly exciting. Expect fresh nuances of cherries, blackberries, and a hint of cranberry, with a touch of violets and a finish of clove and pepper. This wine makes an excellent patio sipper and is best served slightly chilled to enjoy all the crisp and juicy berry flavours.

Crafted from a secret blend of 40 botanicals collected from all over the world, Montenegro Amaro boasts a history since 1885. The flavour is so rich and versatile that it can be enjoyed in a variety of ways: straight or on the rocks but also for revisiting classic cocktail or crafting innovative drinks.

Bacardí Aguardiente offers robust fruity notes of ripe banana, caramelized pineapple, and molasses, with a rich caramel flavor and a smoky oak finish. Aged for 3 years in heavily charred oak barrels and lightly filtered to preserve its distinctive character, this flavorful rum stands out with its complex, well-rounded profile.

Made with the same grapes and care that go into the Leitz award-winning “regular” Rieslings and Pinot Noirs, the wines are de-alcoholised through a low temperature vaccuum distillation process to ensure alcohol is removed without removing the all important natural aromas and remarkable properties of the terroir. The wine is clean and fresh with notes of lime and citrus; surprisingly rhubarb and a little hint of red apples on an underlying mineral base. The finish is dry and relatively long.

Temperance Chérie is a comfort beverage, as welcome as a warm hug on a cold day. Ripe cherry notes mingle with the best of British Columbian apples to create a sparkler that hints of orchard blossoms kissed by the sun.

“Colibri” is Italian for hummingbird and considered a symbol of freedom. From a well-known region of Italy, from family-owned vineyards, the wines are not just non-alcoholic, but certified organic. This spumante has a beautiful coral pink colour. On the nose, it reveals scents of small red berries, honey and apple. Crisp palate with citrus character mixed with cranberries and raspberries. Good texture from the bubbles, and pleasant acidity that brings freshness and a firm finish.

The Armagnac Castarede hails from the historic Castarede family, who have been producing Armagnac in France since 1832. This expression offers a rich nose of stewed fruits, cedary oak, pecans, honey, plums, and a touch of white pepper. Over time, the aromas evolve into sweeter notes of vanilla, sticky dates, and old muscat. On the palate, it's silky and elegant, showcasing dried fruits, bread pudding, toffee, and baking spices, complemented by gentle fine tannins on the finish. The result is a refined Armagnac with great finesse and a surprisingly delicate character for its age.

Piekenierskloof's mountain vineyards, located near the Cederberg Wilderness Area, are renowned for producing exceptional Grenache from dry land bush vines. Neil discovered the oldest Grenache vineyard in the country that each year yields a limited amount of grapes. The vineyard produced consistently award winning Grenache since 2007. The alcoholic fermentation is initiated in stainless steel tank with the malolactic fermentation being completed in French oak barrels. The wine is aged for 14 months in a combination of new, 2nd and 3rd passage larger French oak barrels.The wine has inviting red berry and creamy strawberry flavours, complemented by a creamy texture and silky tannins. The oldest of these vines, planted in 1966 on their own roots, remain un-grafted and disease-free, contributing to the wine's elegance, finesse, and sweet fruit character. The region's extreme temperature variations, with hot days and cold nights, along with its Table Mountain sandstone and shale soils, further enhance the distinctiveness of the Grenache from this area. Light in colour, and although high(er) in alcohol, the wine is well-balanced. Put a slight chill on it for optimal flavour. Another great Neil Ellis wine. 

In a deep crimson hue, this wine exudes lifted aromas of fresh dark chocolate, mocha, dark cherry, blackberry, and panforte, accompanied by subtle notes of liquorice and aniseed. On the palate, it offers a superb balance with abundant dark chocolate and blackberry fruits, supported by firm graphite tannins and a rich mid-palate. Well-integrated mocha and espresso oak notes add depth, leading to a long, chocolaty finish. This expressive wine showcases fruit complexity, oak integration, and density, making it a brilliant successor to the esteemed 2018 vintage. Comprising 97% Shiraz and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon, it was matured for 19 months in 100% new American Hogsheads across Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Coonawarra, and Clare Valley. Best enjoyed from 2028 to 2060.

This Port Explorer Gift Pack includes the following four bottles Quevedo Port in 375ml form:

1x Quevedo Special Reserve Tawny Port
1x Quevedo 10 Year Tawny White Port
1x Quevedo 2007 Colheita Port
1x Quevedo 2017 Late Bottled Vintage Port

375ml

Light and fun, this pineapple wine is sweet, yet finishes with nice acidity and fruity freshness. Bursting with tropical flavors, this wine is fruit-forward and fun. A splash of Hawaii in every glass.

Bordering with British Columbia at the northwestern tip of the United States, Washington State is gradually stepping out of the shadows of its neighbours with expressive and well-defined cuvées. Wrapped around flavours of blueberry jam, this Syrah adds accents of vanilla, chocolate and black fruits to its already exuberant and very ripe profile.

Barnard Griffin Winery began in 1983 with borrowed grapes and a rented cellar, the dream of founders Deborah Barnard and Rob Griffin. It has since become one of Washington's most enduring and award-winning wineries. Along with their tasting room, they also have a tasting room in Woodinville, where one can taste many examples of Washington wine. The Cabernet delivers a cascade of opulent plum, cherry and raspberry fruit flavors framed with subtle notes of bittersweet chocolate and oak spice. A very rich, fruity, food-friendly Cab!

Barnard Griffin Winery began in 1983 with borrowed grapes and a rented cellar, the dream of founders Deborah Barnard and Rob Griffin. It has since become one of Washington's most enduring and award-winning wineries. Along with their tasting room, they also have a tasting room in Woodinville, where one can taste many examples of Washington wine. Vibrant and tangy, the crisp apple and tropical fruit notes with highlights of minerality delight the palate. A perfect summer wine suitable to pair with shellfish.

The white grape of Verdicchio makes a surprisingly delicious sparkling wine! Made in the Martinotti method (tank), the wine is finished as extra brut and is dry in the mouth with fine bubbles and notes of lemon curd, sweet almond and sponge toffee.

Francois Mikulski was born to a Burgundian mother and a Polish father. He spent many summers in Burgundy falling in love with the vineyards and the lifestyle. In 1992 he inherited his first vineyard in Meursault and since then has been pursuing his passion for producing authentic, pure, and elegant wines that are non pretentious. He uses only natural yeasts and 20-30% new oak to ensure he lets the purity of the Chardonnay shine through. Jasmine, honey, white peach, poached pear and citrus, makes this wine with a creamy, mouth coating palate that is truly unforgettable.

1/2022: bright yellow color. The nose expresses, with almost violence, powerful smoky aromas, gun flint, crushed volcanic rocks… The Rangen is very present in this wine! The palate is intense, broad and the wine is already superbly expressive. It is difficult to explain the energy of this wine through numbers or words, but it is present, especially on the finish. Very long, this Rangen makes you salivate and becomes very enticing thanks to a synergy between the salified acidity and beautiful bitterness, typical of Rangen’s volcanic greywackes.

Rich blackberry and plum on the nose with notes of aniseed. Full-bodied with dark bramble fruit and well-coated tannins on the palate. The long finish reveals layers of black licorice and dried sage. MB (4/22)

Saint Joseph in the Northern Rhone is only authorized for 100% Syrah. Black pepper, warm spice, black cherry, and iron minerality, it would be best to put this away and let the tannins settle down, or open for several hours before serving to open. Classic Rhone Valley Syrah.

This low acid, full bodied grape can be hard to make wine from, as it can be flabby if grapes are not harvested enough to maintain the acidity. The Paul Mas Viognier offers typical Viognier qualities of stone fruit and floral notes. Elegant and balanced, it is a solid option for grilled pork or chicken.

Aromas of sweet cherries, currants, loamy soil and espresso roast introduce the 2017 Pommard 1er Cru Clos de Verger, a medium to full-bodied, supple and open-knit wine that will drink well out of the gates. The character of the vintage emphasizes the charm that wines from this site often display. -WA