Steve's Hot Picks
Wines/Spirits highly recommended that are heavily discounted in the period.
March 2026
FINE DINING WITH MEATS OR CHEESE
Mazzei Ser Lapo Chianti Classico Reserva 2022 Tuscany, Italy $22.95 was $24.95
90 I am delighted that this is now a Vintages Essential. Great price for a very correct Chianti Classico Riserva. The 2022, like recent vintages, is well balanced with ripe fruit, a smooth palate and lovely vibrant acidity. The nose shows lifted aromas of red cherry with plum, raspberry and pomegranate fruit. It is toned by well integrated oak spice with some dried leaves and baked lemon notes. The palate is full bodied, dry and fruity with firm tannins and mild lemon acidity. Very good length with some grip from tannin on the finish. Drinking well now it will gain in complexity with another two to four years in the cellar, but there is no need to wait.
FINE DINING WITH SEAFOOD
Vina Leyda Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2025 Leyda Valley, Chile $12.50 was $15.00
89 This is a lightweight to medium bodied very juicy sauvignon with lots of flavour balanced by mouthwatering grapefruit acidity similar stylishly to sauvignons from Marlborough in New Zealand. Expect aromas of tropical fruit with hints of ginger spice and white flowers. The palate is very smooth with soft acidity plus some structure from, I suspect, extended skin contact with ripe skins. It is finely balanced with a little sweetness to balance the acidity. Very good length and focus. Enjoy on its own lightly chilled or with oysters or other delicate seafood.
APERITIF OR THAI CUISINE
91 2023 is another fine vintage of this riesling from one of the oldest riesling vineyards in Canada. Expect a mineral fresh nose of apple pear fruit with lemon and floral complexity. It is midweight with only 9.5% alcohol and is very juicy with oceans of soft acidity balanced by fruit sweetness. This is the style of riesling I love, you can enjoy it on its own as an aperitif or with roast chicken and a mildly spicy Thai dish. Delicious.
February 2026
SEAFOOD, CHICKEN OR GOAT CHEESE
Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc 2025 Marlborough, New Zealand $16.95 was $19.95
90 The 2025 vintage is similar to recent vintages except it is less sweet and the aromas are more herbal and less citrusy. The nose shows dried apple with hay, ginger spice, and mint with grapefruit and mineral tones and hints of grape skin. Complex and sophisticated aromas that give the wine a classy feel. The juicy palate is firm with lively mouthwatering grapefruit acidity and midweight richness. Good focus, fresh and clean with very good length with a peppermint tone to the finish. Try with seafood, roasted poultry and goat cheese dishes.
FINE DINING WITH MEAT OR CHEESE
Vina Leyda Reserve Pinot Noir 2024 Leyda Valley, Chile $13.95 was $15.95
89 The cool coastal Leyda Valley has been known for Sauvignon Blanc for a while but it is gradually gaining a reputation for soft fragrant pinot noir like this wine. It is lightweight but full of flavour and appealing aromas of strawberry and pomegranate fruit with oak spice and sweet herbal notes. The fruit is ripe but not overripe with soft lemony acidity and fine tannin for balance. Good to very good length. Chill lightly and enjoy with mildly spiced meats or mature cheese.
SMOKED FISH OR MATURE CHEESE
Bowmore 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Islay, Scotland $65.95 was $75.95
92 Bowmore is the oldest distillery on the island and the most visited. They have their own malting floor which gives them 38% of current needs at between 25 and 30 ppm smoke. The closeby Port Ellen malting facility is not able to supply the balance so they source this from Simpson's Malt in Berwick-on-Tweed. It is matured 6 years in Bourbon casks followed by 6 years in a mix of sherry casks. It is not as smoky as some on Islay with gentle aromas of honey, oak, pineapple, vanilla and salt mixed in with the smoke and floral notes. It is midweight to full with a round palate with a mild salt tang and is a lovely delicate sipper. Balanced with very good length.
January 2026
CHICKEN, VEAL OR CHEESE
Chapoutier Belleruche White 2024 Cotes du Rhone, France $15.00 was $18.00
89 This is a lovely rich flavourful unoaked white. It is made from a blend of Rhone white grapes and has a fresh nose that shows apple and yellow plum fruit with grapefruit and floral notes. It is midweight with a good depth of flavour, and is well balanced by firm acidity. The finish is long and focused. Very good length. Try with sauteed pork or veal or crispy fried chicken.
FINE DINING WITH MEAT OR CHEESE
Cathedral Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 Western Cape, South Africa $16.95 was $19.95
91 This wine has been great value every vintage since I first tasted it 20 years or so ago. It is textbook Cape cabernet with classic Cape minerality which, with the vibrant acidity, lightens the palate and brings freshness to the nose. It shows good varietal character in a wine that is well balanced and dry with ripe fruit aromas and flavours. It is full bodied and smooth with aromas of blackberry and black cherry fruit, black olive with some floral and herbal notes. Very even palate with excellent length. The 14.5% alcohol is so well tamed that there is no hint of heat on the finish. For fine dining. Try with a steak or roast game.
SMOKED FISH OR MATURE CHEESE
Auchentoshan 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Scotland $61.95 was $69.95
91 This rich golden single malt is triple distilled which is rare among single malts. It is matured in a mixture of ex-sherry and bourbon oak casks. Expect an oaky nose of caramel, floral, baked lemon and vanilla aromas with hints of spice and oatmeal. The palate is midweight and super smooth and round with a rich oily texture. Flavours of baked peach and apple mingle with the oak, caramel and vanilla. Intensely flavoured finish. Powerful and intense.