I've tasted over 1000 Canadian wines in 2022, and shared many of the best ones with members in Carl's Wine Club.

Selecting my top 10 was a very difficult choice, since there were so many memorable wines. Below you'll find my list of my top 10 'wow' worthy wines as well as honourable mentions and top value wines.

I hope you enjoy these discoveries and keep an eye out on these producers. Often one great wine leads to another!

Cheers,
Carl

*** Top 10 Wines of 2022 ***

#1

2016 Rennie Estate “The Colleen” Adelaide’s Block Appassimento Cabernet Franc
Ontario, Niagara, VQA Beamsville Bench
100% Cab Franc | Off Dry wine (RS 3.0 g/L) | 16.5% ABV
96+pts Carl’s Wine Club

Elegance and complexity meet power and concentration. From an exceptional vintage in Ontario, this 100% Cab Franc appassimento wine was aged for 24 months in French oak barrels, half of which were new. From the get go, this wine is expressive and exuberant on the nose with aromas of black cherry, cassis jam, cherry cola, expresso coffee, dried cranberry, dried thyme, smoked meat and licorice. On the palate, this wine displays an incredibly soft texture, fantastic depth and a complexity that sets this wine apart from others in its category. Flavours of raspberry jam, macerated black cherry and blueberry pie open the symphony of “awesomeness” followed by a packed mid-palate with sweet tobacco, licorice, earthiness, savouriness and chocolate brownies. The finish exults with spices like anis, cardamom, cinnamon and white pepper. The tannins are now soft and well-integrated in this rare wine that required decanting for a couple of hours before consuming. This is truly one of a kind.

Pairings: beef wellington, venison stew
Drink now until 2035
Winery Price: $125.00 incl tax/dep | Sold Out

Members can access the 2020 The Colleen en primeur at a reduced price of $100/bottle! (20 cases available). 

Things to know about The Colleen:

🎯 The Colleen is ONLY made in exceptional vintages...in the 14 years of Rennie Estate Winery, The Colleen was only made in 2009, 2016...and 2020. 

🍇 The Colleen is an incredibly rich and complex wine, perfect for aging or special celebrations. Sourced from the exceptional Heron Pond Benchland Vineyard, cropped at 3 T/ acre and dried for 75 days to 29 Brix and 17% abv, losing 38% of volume. It was aged for 24 months in French oak barrels, half of which were new barrels.

🔥 This wine gains it's amazing CONCENTRATION and complexity through an ancient yet Niagara-infused appassimento process.

The 2020 Colleen is currently in barrel, and will be bottled and shipped in the Spring of 2023.

On release, this wine will be priced at $125/bottle...if there is any left, that is!


Shipping 6+ bottles: $25 ON QC | $35 rest of the country

Shipping less than 6 bottles: we will contact you with the shipping cost and options closer to bottling.
#2

2019 Bachelder “Wismer-Foxcroft Nord” Chardonnay
Ontario, Niagara, VQA Twenty Mile Bench
100% Chardonnay | Dry wine | 14.0% ABV
96pts Carl's Wine Club

A stunning blend of texture, minerality and complexity, this wine is an exceptional expression of the twenty Mile Bench. From an isolated parcel of the Northern part of a very sought-after vineyard, the Wismer Foxcroft “Nord” displays an incredible precision and a “world class” concentration. The nose offers a great deal of pear, green apple, Meyer lemon, flint and stone with wet crushed gravel, jasmine flower and almond cookie. The palate is tightly knit and showcases a serious personality like some of the Grand Cru Montrachet. Out of the gate, the minerality is evident with a touch of chalkiness on the texture. The mid-palate is filled with orchard fruits, citrus, and hazelnut, while the finish ligers forever and expresses a splendid saltiness at the very end. Easily a decade long potential. A truly unforgettable wine. (CWC, 27/12/22). 150 cases made.

Pairings: tuna tartar, salmon filet with cream sauce
Drink now until 2029
Winery price: $55.00 including tax & deposit 

#3

2016 Da Silva “Legado” Chardonnay
BC, Okanagan Valley, Naramata Bench
100% Chardonnay | Dry Wine | 13.3% ABV |
95+pts Carl’s Wine Club

The top Chardonnay tasted among 45+ Canadian Chardonnays on World Chardonnay Day in May. Fruits from two Naramata Bench Vineyards provided the perfect harmony between richness and mouth-watering acidity reflecting the great 2016 vintage. The nose is generous with orchard fruit aromas like ripe peach but also ripe lemon, white flowers and hazelnuts. The front-palate is bright and shiny with a mix of lemon, tangerine, peach and vanilla. I’m in love with the soft texture and the orange crème brulé aspect found in the mid-palate. The complexity brought by a good deal of minerality take this wine to the next level. The finish is extremely long with multiple layers of spice and caramel with an added touch of salinity. There is something sexy and suave to this wine, too bad that I can’t get more… I’m sure excited to try the next vintage. (CWC, 26/05/22). 98 cases made.

Pairings: poached halibut, chicken and pork liver pate
Drink now until 2026
Winery Price: $75.00 plus tax/dep | Sold Out :(
#4

2019 Mt. Boucherie “Original Vines” Cabernet Sauvignon
BC VQA, Similkameen Valley
92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot | Dry wine (RS 2.2g/L) | 14.8% ABV
93-95pts Carl’s Wine Club

You can add this Cabernet Sauvignon to the long list of exceptional reds made from BC’s 2019 vintage. In the bottle, this is truly and clearly Similkameen Valley, with a rugged, intense, and precise profile. The length and complexity is extremely impressive. An intense nose of graphite, cedar, cassis, and cigar box announce an Old World inspired wine. The palate is focused with flavours of cassis, blackberry, espresso coffee, dark raspberry, dry herbs, and tobacco leaves. This is a quintessential BC Cabernet Sauvignon and patience in cellaring will be rewarded big time. (CWC, 08/06/22).

Food pairing: grilled flank steak, lamb shank
Drink between 2024-2032
Winery Price: $49.99 plus tax/dep 

Available to Carl's Wine Club Members with free or reduced shipping!

Shipping 6+ bottles:
$10 BC | $20 AB | $21 SK | $22 MB | $25 ON QC | $35 NS NB NL PE | $50 NT YK
#5

2020 Bella Terra Cabernet Franc
Ontario, Niagara, VQA Four Mile Creek
100% Cab Franc | Dry wine (RS 3.0 g/L) | 14.9% ABV
94+pts Carl’s Wine Club

Wow!!! A potential “Top 10 Wine of the Year” candidate. The texture of this wine is absolutely incredible: soft, smooth, creamy, and feels like satin in my mouth. Very unique and special, just like the 2020 vintage conditions. The nose offers black cherry, red currant, raspberry, dark chocolate and roasted red pepper. The palate is rich, suave, long and complex and displays some of the very best attributes of the Cab Franc grape varietal: dark cherry, blackberry, red plum, black forest cake and chili pepper. The tannins are luxurious and velvety at the highest level, leading to a never-ending finish. Of the three new 2020 releases, this one is by far the most approachable and ready to drink. A 30min decanting is suggested. (CWC, 09/10/22).

Food pairing: veal ragout, venison steak
Drink now until 2030
Release price: $44.95 including tax/dep

Shipping 3-11 Bottles: Free Ontario | $15 BC AB SK MB QC PE NS NB NL YK NT

FREE SHIPPING FOR 12+ BOTTLES!
#6

2020 Black Hills “Ipso Facto”
BC, VQA Okanagan Valley
55% Cab Sauv, 45% Syrah | Dry Wine | 14.5% ABV
94+pts Carl’s Wine Club | 94pts, Platinum Medal WineAlign National Wine Award 2022

One of my top BC wines so far from the 2020 vintage. The Cabernet/Syrah blend is so well suited for the South Okanagan. Stylistically this can be a game changer. This wine has come together already and shines with power, richness and depth. The nose offers aromas of cassis, blackberry, blue plum, fresh sage, cocoa and pencil shaving. The palate is dense and powerful offering multiple layers of dark fruits like blackberry, black currant, ripe raspberry and macerated dark cherry. The mid palate is packed with dark chocolate, vanilla, licorice, espresso coffee and the herbaciousness comes in and brings a lifted sense of freshness which takes the experience to the next level. The finish is long, loaded with toasty spices, creamy cappuccino and the lingering effect of black cracked pepper. The tannins are polished, round, suave and tenacious, defining this wine as a South Okanagan Masterpiece! (CWC, 11/09/22).

Pairings: roast beef, baby back ribs
Drink now until 2030
Winery Price: $56.68 incl tax/dep

Available to Carl's Wine Club members with free or reduced shipping!

Shipping 3-6 Bottles:
$15 BC | $20 AB | $30 SK MB | $35 ON QC | $40 NB PE NS | Based on Shipping Quote for NL NT YK

FREE SHIPPING FOR 12+ BOTTLES!
#7

2015 13th Street “Premier Cuvée” Traditional Method
Ontario, VQA Niagara Peninsula
60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir | Dry wine (RS 4.0 g/ltr) | 12.5% Alc.
94pts Carl's Wine Club | Platinum, 2021 All Canadian Wine Championships | 93pts Decanter World Wine Awards | 94pts WineAlign

This is quite possibly the best wine I have ever tasted from 13th Street. The terroir and Jean-Pierre Colas' talent are on full display with this wine. It's Champagne in a bottle, with all of Niagara's best attributes. It all starts with a creamy, luscious, lasting and tenacious mousse leading to a lengthy and complex experience. Aromas of butter croissant, almond cookie, green apple, and orange. The palate is defined by green apple, lime, lemon, lemon zest, and salty minerality. The precision and length are fantastic. I would pay $65 for this wine, no questions asked! (CWC, 2/04/22). 280 cases made.

Food pairing: oysters, smoked salmon
Drink now until 2027
Winery price: $39.95 incl tax/dep | Sold Out 

The 2017 vintage is available to Carl's Wine Club members with free or reduced shipping!

Shipping 3-11 Bottles: 
FREE ON | $11.30 QC | $22.60 BC AB SK MB NB NS PE NL YK NT

FREE SHIPPING FOR 12+ BOTTLES!
#8

2019 Maverick Estate “Bush Vine” Syrah
BC VQA, Okanagan Valley
100% Syrah | Dry wine (RS 0.80 g/ltr)
94pts Carl’s Wine Club

Wow… we are starting the New Year with a BANG! What an incredible Syrah… a classic full body & spicy South Okanagan style. The richness and the complexity are beyond fantastic for a wine of this price-point. The nose offers lots of black plum, blueberry, cassis, a tad of smoked bacon and violet. On the palate you sense many similarities with the aromas but also more subtle nuances of fresh ground coffee, creamy mocha, fresh herbs and black tea. The texture is soft and silky, the tannins are powerful but accessible and the acidity helps to bring a spark of freshness. (CWC, 01/2022). 580 cases produced.

Food pairing: ratatouille, beef tenderloin
Drink now until 2028
Winery price: $34.58 including tax/dep | Sold Out 

The 2020 is available to Carl's Wine Club members with free or reduced shipping!

Shipping 6-17 Bottles:
BC $14.18 | AB $18.90 | SK $24.15 | MB $19.95 | ON QC $22.58 | NS NF $25.20 | $31.50 PEI NB | $39.38 NT YK NU

FREE SHIPPING FOR 18+ BOTTLES!
#9

2020 Fogolar “Finite X” Sparkling Riesling Icewine | 375ml
Ontario, VQA Niagara Peninsula
100% Riesling | Dessert Wine | 8.1% Alc.
94pts Carl’s Wine Club

A rare and exciting expression of Icewine. A challenging process with amazing results. Riesling Icewine juice fermented part way in a Charmat tank before being sealed to create the carbonation. The fermentation was arrested to keep alcohol and sugar in balance, then filtered and bottled to preserve freshness. The nose offers classic icewine and Riesling aromas including baked gala apple, pineapple lemon, caramel and dried mushroom. On the palate, the mousse is riche, unctuous, soft, thick and incredibly satisfying, exulting a stunning balance sweetness and acidity. Flavours of mango, apricot, mandarin, apple crumble and “tire sur neige” develop slowly offering a very unique sensory experience. This was by far my top dessert wine of the year. (CWC, 08/04/2022).

Pairing: blue cheese, strawberry shortcake
Drink now until 2026
Winery Price: $49.95 including tax/deposit for 375ml

FREE SHIPPING FOR 3+ BOTTLES!
#10

2021 Seven Directions “Tractor and Vines” Pinot Noir Rosé
Wine of British Columbia
100% Pinot Noir
Dry (RS 2.1g/L) | 13.5% Alc.
93+pts Carl’s Wine Club

I have been looking forward to this Rosé release since last year’s Rosé season! For a second year in a row, Tractor & Vines Pinot Noir Rosé is the pinnacle amongst Canadian Rosés. A sexy, alluring, perfumed nose of peach, blood orange, and red apple awakens your senses for an amazing experience. The palate is rich and creamy and feels like biting into a ripe peach. The mid-palate expresses tones of raspberry, ripe strawberry and a hint of pink grapefruit sorbet. The finish has mouth-watering, lengthy and persistent notes of red apple and salty minerality. Beautiful. The 2021 heat dome likely led to this bolder and more textural expression, and yet Daniel Bontorin has maintained a juicy acidity that shines in this very elegant wine. This single-vineyard wine is a true expression of the Summerland Tractor & Vines Vineyard. (CWC, 04/2022). 223 cases designed by hand.

Pairing: summer salad, seared scallops
Drink now until 2024
Winery Price: $28.85 including tax/deposit

This wine is sold out however the winery has made a few cases available to us!

Shipping 6+ Bottles: $20 BC | $24 AB | $32 SK MB ON | $36 QC NL NB NS PE YT NT

*** HONOURABLE MENTIONS ***

2020 Westcott “Butlers’ Grant” Chardonnay
Ontario, Niagara, VQA Twenty Mile Bench
100% Chardonnay | Dry wine (RS 3.0 g/ltr) 13% ABV
94pts Carl’s Wine Club

This was one of my highest rated Westcott wines, while visiting Niagara in the fall of 2021 and again when visiting this last summer. Low intervention, low sulfur, wild ferment and malolactic fermentation, barrel fermented and aged 9 months in French oak, of which only 12% was new. These very precious grapes were meticulously sourced from 30 year old vines at Butlers’ Grant Vineyard. Flavours of sweet Meyer lemon, pear and honeydew on the front palate, this generous wine has no limitations in terms of concentration and complexity. This is richness, balance and complexity at its best. The spectacular finish brings caramel and white pepper to a spectacular bottle of Chardonnay. (CWC, 06/2022).

Pairing: filet of halibut, shrimp paella
Drink between 2023 and 2028
Winery price: $47.99 including tax/deposit

This wine is a wine club member exclusive wine, not normally available.

Shipping $190+: Free ON | $20 BC AB SK MB QC NL NB NS PE
Shipping less than $190 | $20 ON | $40 BC AB SK MB QC NL NB NS PE
2016 Intersection Axiom
BC VQA, Okanagan Valley
34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Franc
Dry wine (RS 0.27g/ltr) | 14.8% ABV
94pts Carl’s Wine Club

The 2016 Intersection Axiom is the rock star bottle of this pack, and clearly a candidate for my top 10 wines of 2022, following the 2015’s footsteps. A rich, complex, dense, voluptuous wine filled with surprises and intricacy. This wine is a full sensory experience on its own. Big and bold yet full of finesse and complexity, this is a good reflection and marriage of grapes from the sought-after Golden Mile and Black Sage Bench. The nose is very expressive offering aromas of crème de cassis, dark plum, raspberry jam, fresh sage, graphite, black forest cake, and leather. On the palate, the oak is perceptible, but very well integrated with the dark fruit flavours like blackberry, black currant, black plum, dark chocolate, and espresso coffee. The extensive and evolving finish takes you to flavours of pepper to baking spices like cloves and nutmeg and cinnamon. The tannins are omnipresent but round and soft, showing a great description of the warm 2016 vintage. One of the best red blends from the South Okanagan! (tasted 05/22). 180 cases produced.

Pairings: lamb shank, filet mignon
Drink now until 2028
Winery Price: $52 | $59.90 including tax/deposit

Shipping 6+ Bottles: $18 BC | $30 AB | $35 SK | $40 MB ON | $50 QC | $55 NB NL NS PE | $45 YK NT
2019 Leaning Post “Senchuk Vineyard” Chardonnay
Ontario, Niagara, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore
100% Chardonnay | Dry wine | 13% ABV
94pts Carl’s Wine Club

This Chardonnay is right up there with the very best in the country. It truly demonstrates the talent and passion of winemaker Ilya Senchuk and his knowledge of their home vineyard. On the nose, I find a mix of wet stone, lemon meringue pie, orange, chamomile, and citrus. The texture after decanting opened up tremendously and developed a creaminess that takes this wine to a new sensual level. Textural, creamy, sensual…yet it also explodes with freshness: you won’t find anything heavy here. This medium-body Chard offers a palate of ripe lemon, kefir lime, peach, orange blossom and apple crumble, alongside a very amazing wet stone, flinty minerality as well as a salinity that sticks with you for several minutes. The finish is long and evolves for a minute or so, and leaves you wanting more. (CWC, 09/01/22). 160 cases produced.

Pairings: crab legs, lobster pot pie
Drink now until 2030
Winery Price: $50.20 including tax & deposit
2016 Muscedere Syrah
ON, VQA Lake Erie North Shore
100% Syrah
Dry (RS 4.1g/L) 13.3% Alc.
94pts Carl’s Wine Club

This Syrah was my #3 among 35 Canadian Syrahs on International Syrah Day 2022. A soft, smooth and silky wine, perfectly showcasing the LENS terroir. The oak influence from 18 months in barrels is very well integrated in the wine at this point and it is entering the prime window of drinkability. Finesse, elegance and complexity are the three descriptors that stand out when tasting this wine. Aromas include blueberry, earth, and blackberry, while the palate stands out with precise expressions of plum, cassis, blueberry, cedar, and smoked meat. The finish is long and left a lasting impression in my tasting memory. (CWC, 02/18/22). 120 cases made.

Pairing: beef brisket, BBQ chicken
Drink now until 2026
Winery Price: $41.95 incl tax/deposit | Sold Out :(
2020 Code “Clone Dijon 777” Pinot Noir
BC, VQA Okanagan Valley
100% Pinot Noir | Dry wine | 13.5% ABV
92pts Anthony Gismondi | 93pts John Schreiner
93pts Carl's Wine Club

This is a Rockstar Pinot Noir, and a great reflection of what the Okanagan Falls terroir can deliver at a very high level. The Dijon 777 Clone is very well balanced between earthiness, minerality and purity of fruits. The nose opens up with classic aromas of forest floor, violet, red currant, strawberry and cigar box announcing a serious wine with roots and purpose. The flavours of raspberry, red currant and cranberry jam are generous and suave on the first waves leading the way to a long and textural endeavor. The mid palate is packed with dark cherry, minerality, licorice and savouriness while the finish is extremely long, complex and spicy. I can put this wine side by side with serious Burgundian Pinot Noir at double the price and be confident that you’ll be impressed with it…a very impressive wine. (CWC, 24/11/22). 22 cases made.

Pairings: mushroom risotto, wild stuffed red pepper
Drink now until 2028
Winery price: available when purchased in the 6-bottle Clone Collection only ($214+tax/dep). 

*** TOP VALUE WINES ***

2020 Vineland Cabernet Franc
Ontario, VQA Niagara Peninsula
95% Cab Franc, 2% Pinot Meunier, 2% Cab Sauv, 1% Merlot | Dry (RS 10.6 g/L) 12.5% ABV
91+pts Carl’s Wine Club | 92pts Rick VanSickle

In my mind, Cab Franc rhymes with Brian Schmidt, the vigneron at Vineland Estates. His passion for the varietal has transcended our frontier. This is another incredible value wine, perfectly showcasing the quality and the power of the 2020 ‘vintage of the century’ in Niagara. The nose explodes with aromas of dark berries, dark cocoa, vanilla, licorice and cigar box while the palate reflects your first sensory perceptions. In addition, the texture is rich and creamy, the tannins are present but not offensive, the length is very impressive while the finish evolves from dark fruits to coffee, all the way to a loaded spice box. I still can’t believe they are charging less than $16 (including tax) for this wine. WOW! (CWC, 17/10/22).

 Pairing: Cheeseburger, lamb gyros
Drink now until 2028

Winery Price: $15.95 including tax/dep

This wine is SOLD OUT however we have access to the 2021 vintage while supplies last.

FREE SHIPPING with $130+ in Ontario and $200+ elsewhere.

Shipping $130 - 200: FREE ON | $20 BC AB SK MB QB | $25 NB NS NL PE YK NT

Shipping less than $130: $20 BC AB SK MB ON QB | $25 NB NS NL PE YK NT
2019 13th Street “Expression Series” Cabernet-Merlot
Ontario, VQA Niagara Peninsula
53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Franc | Dry Wine (RS 3g/l) | 13.5% ABV
91pts Carl’s Wine Club | 90pts WineAlign, Silver Medal

This Cab Merlot is in the running for the best value wine this year. Dry, fruity and bold, this wine perfectly reflects the union of these 3 grape varietals in the context of the fantastic 2020 vintage. The Cab Sauv brings cassis, graphite and a backbone to his wine while the Merlot brings juiciness, softness, herbaciouness and plummy flavours. The Cab Franc brings flavours of raspberry, red pepper, dark chocolate and a fine spicy finish. Great length, great complexity and pretty much impossible to do better for a red at this price point. (CWC, 09/16/22). 783 cases made.

Food pairing: pizza, beef kabob
Drink now until 2025
Winery Price: $17.95 incl. tax/dep
2021 Domaine de Grand Pré Tidal Bay
Nova Scotia, Annapolis Valley
Slightly off dry wine (R.S. 12g/L) | 11% ABV
43% L’Acadie Blanc, 26% Vidal Blanc, 13% Ortega, 10% New York Muscat, 8% Seyval Blanc | 89+pts Carl’s Wine Club

If you like Sauvignon Blanc and Gewurztraminer, you will probably appreciate this blend of rare varietals. Tidal Bay is the pride of the Annapolis Valley and the appellation wine of Nova Scotia, regulated by the Winery Association of Nova Scotia. The goal is to protect the tepicity of the region’s signature product and the unique grapes that grow in this area. The nose includes orchard fruit, jasmine, orange, and green apple. The wine features great acidity and a classic burst of Nova Scotia minerality. The palate offers apricot, peach, lemon peel, candied ginger, and a refreshing minty and floral finish. The founder of Domaine de Grand Pré was at the forefront of the creation of the Tidal Bay blend, now bringing together over a dozen Nova Scotia wineries. A must-try Canadian wine! (CWC, 06/04/22).

Food pairing: oysters, fresh steamed mussels
Drink now until 2024
Winery Price: $19.83 plus tax
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