‘Tis the season once again for cooler weather and entertaining family and friends at home.

Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé Champagne, Champagne AC, France (LCBO #924670, $56.95): One of the most iconic and coveted rosé champagnes on the market. Billecart-Salmon must have a deft touch to produce this, since it is not a blend of red and white wines, but rather a carefully calibrated exposure of the fermenting grapes to the skins for exactly the right pigmentation and flavour. Stunning. Pair with fried chicken or oysters. Sweetness: extra dry. Drink: now–2019. Score: 93/100.

2012 Pahlmeyer Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast, California, United States (LCBO #147454 $89.95): Viscous and luscious, with a slippery character that’s easy to trust. Layered white citrus fruit, green apple and toasty oak, with butterscotch at the tail end. I wish I didn’t have to care about the price of wine…Where did my trust fund go?
Pair with roast chicken. Sweetness: extra dry. Drink: now–2020.
Score: 95/100.

2011 Marchand Tawse Meursault Pascal Marchand Chardonnay, Burgundy AC, France (LCBO #285866, $66.95): Absolutely sublime! Toasted almond and hazelnut, green-apple brightness and layered complexity. This Old-World Chardonnay hits you with all its charm and grace, and you wonder where the first glass went. Full-bodied but elegantly balanced. Want to taste “finesse”? Start here. Very versatile: Pairs well with both confessions and unapologetic celebrations. Pair with veal. Sweetness: extra dry. Drink: now–2024. Score: 96/100.

2013 Domaines Ott Château De Selle Coeur De Grain Rosé, Côtes De Provence AC, France (LCBO #74617, $46.95): Yes, they can actually charge $47 for a rosé—just watch them! Annoyingly, this is spectacularly great. (Why can’t I love the cheaper rosés more?) Dried herbs, savoury goodness, bone dry, complex. This is the Dom Pérignon of rosés from Provence. Pair with seared tuna. Sweetness: extra dry. Drink: now–2016. Score: 94/100.

2011 Albert Morot Beaune Les Teurons 1Er Cru, Burgundy AC,  France (LCBO #902833, $59.95): Fleshy black cherry presses up against your senses, then rolls seductively across your tongue.  There’s also a siren call of dark spice, mystery and intrigue on this satin-smooth, medium- to almost full-bodied Pinot Noir. Like slipping into cold silk lingerie. Try it with planked salmon. Sweetness: extra dry. Drink: now–2020. Score: 94/100.

2010 Bonaccorsi Cargasacchi Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills, California, United States (LCBO #329599, $53.95) A full-bodied, full-throttle Pinot Noir with mocha and black-cherry sundae aromas and flavours. Very smooth and supple. Pair with grilled pork. Sweetness: dry. Drink: now–2016. Score: 91/100.

2008 Bassermann-Jordan Deidesheimer-Hohenmorgen Auslese Riesling, Prädikatswein, Pfalz, Germany (LCBO #377515, $54.95): This lovely sweet Riesling in the Auslese style celebrates the essence of ripe tree fruit. Baking spices and Asian pear round out the finish. Pair with crème brûlée. Sweetness: sweet. Drink: now–2030. Score: 94/100.