This vintage of Ironheart is particularly open and fruit-forward. Luscious blueberry and blackberry preserve aromas are in the fore, underpinned by cedar, spice and licorice. The rich palate is equally voluptuous with plush, silky fruit framed by powerful yet fine tannins and lovely acidity. There’s a raw spiciness that seems to come more from variety and site than the well-tucked oak. Drink now with decanter and a rich protein like roast beef, or cellar another 7-10 years. Jackson Family Wines. Cellar Selection. —C.P.

An evolving red, supple and boasting cherry, raspberry, vanilla, coffee and spice flavors. Fresh and harmonious, fluid on the palate, with fine tannins uplifting the long finish. Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Best from 2025 through 2038. 1,393 cases made, 983 cases imported.

The herbal side of Cabernet Franc is on display in this red -- in the best sense. Delivers grassy, bell pepper and rosemary notes that mingle with black currant, blackberry and licorice flavors. Balanced and long, with the fruit extending on the finish. Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2030. 1,744 cases made, 1,402 cases imported.

Silene is the lowest priced of Capensis’ three Chardonnays, but it's a pretty special white in its own right. Partnering fruit from three sites - two on the Helderberg and one in Banghoek - this is way less oaky than it used to be, showing taut, mouth-watering acidity, a dab of crème fraîche, very subtle wood spices and lots of energy, drive and citrus fruit flavours. 2023-29

The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Christopher's Vineyard was matured in 79% new oak for 20 months. Its aromas uncoil slowly from blueberry and blackcurrant to finer nuances of bitter chocolate, roasted coffee, cigars, thyme and violets. The full-bodied palate is surprisingly youthful and fresh with concentrated, nuanced fruit, gently softening tannins and a long, mineral-driven finish. 502 cases were made.

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is blended with 1.5% Petit Verdot and matured for 20 months in 35% new oak. It's bursting with gregarious blackcurrant, blueberry, mint chocolate and lilac plus touches of cigar ash, licorice and coffee beans. The medium-bodied palate is light on its feet despite its deep core of perfumed fruit, with a frame of grainy tannins and juicy acidity that calls you in for another sip. This is wonderfully easy to drink despite offering plenty of complexity. 8,028 cases produced.

The 2019 Chardonnay Upper Barn Vineyard, matured in 50% new oak for 10 months, is reticent on the nose, taking a lot of time to segue from flint to baked apples, panna cotta and toast. The light-bodied palate features savory flavors complemented by lively acidity, and it has an expansive, spicy finish. Give it another 2-3 years in the bottle. 802 cases were made.

This Gran Selezione comes from the fairly high-altitude (420-450m asl) La Porta vineyard, named after late owner Jess Stonestreet Jackson (hence Strada al Sasso), whose dream was always to produce a varietal Sangiovese here. Still very young, the 2021 shows some reductive meatiness over fruit that remains dark and compact, though ferrous notes and sweet violets gradually waft out. The entry is full of dark plum fruit, while the mid-palate has tender flesh clinging to a central pillar of tannins, which are already showing a pleasing elasticity. Drinking window 2023 - 2033

This was a preview of the new Campolupi Gran Selezione, a high-altitude site that’s more than 600m asl) at the northwestern end of the estate. It will be released in July 2024. Winemaker Lawrence Cronin was struck by the fact that the acidity was softer at these heights than from the lower vineyards. The overall impression is one of suavity and affability, even at this early stage. The colour is strikingly purple and opaque, likely a product of the Colorino in the blend as well as youth. The purple tonality continues on the nose, which offers violets and a little plumminess, along with some black olive brine and salted liquorice. The texture is fluid, losing (?) a winsome floral perfume on the front-palate. Chalky tannins appear midway back to form a rounded central presence, while acidity is present but diffuse. Drinking window 2025 – 2035

This far-coast wine has a scent of Crème de Violette introducing the fruit, then it hits a tannic wall and melts away into gentle richness. Long and lovely, polished and powerful, this will benefit from bottle age.- J.G.

Taking on a significant jump up in complexity and purity, the ruby-colored 2021 Pinot Noir Dropstone reveals aromas of wet gravel, black raspberry liqueur, and lifted notes of red fruit and blood orange. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a graceful mouthfeel and texture, it has good length and a clean finish. It’s attractive now and will have a solid 6-8 years of prime drinking.

The 2021 Pinot Noir Barbara's Clone 667 is a powerful, dense wine that is going to need a few years to soften. Black cherry, plum, spice, leather, cedar and blood orange fill out the layers nicely. Time in the glass brings out the wine's density and volume. The 2021 has a ton to offer. Its best days lie ahead.

The 2021 Pinot Noir Mesa Terrace soars out of the glass with myriad floral and savory top notes. Crushed flowers, herbs, mint, spice, cedar and pipe tobacco are nicely lifted throughout. This gracious, expressive Pinot Noir is a joy to taste.

The 2021 Chardonnay Katherine's Vineyard is notable. Bright and chiseled, the 2021 bristles with tension. Citrus peel, chamomile, white flowers, mint and tangerine oil are some of the notes that grace this exquisite Santa Maria Chardonnay. Partial aging in steel keeps the flavors bright.

The 2021 Chardonnay Fogtide is fabulous. Bright and expressive, with tons of nuance, the Fogtide is a superb Santa Maria Chardonnay. The Fogtide is done entirely in tank, but the oak is not at all missed. White pepper, chalk and mint brighten up the finish nicely.

The 2021 Chardonnay Hapgood shows all the exotic beauty that is typical of Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnays. Ample and rich, the 2021 has gorgeous density and depth. Floral top notes lift the finish. The combination of Hyde clone Chardonnay planted on sand in a cold pocket yields a wine of tremendous distinction and class. I loved it.

The 2021 Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills) is such a beautiful wine. The appellation Pinot is often one of my favorite wines in this range, as it is again this year. The purity and exuberance of this fruit is compelling. Floral and savory nuances develop in the glass, but earlier bottling and a bit less whole cluster influence work well to accentuate the textural presence and intensity of the fruit. This is such a gorgeous wine.

The Hickinbotham wines are
routinely classy expressions
from the eponymous
vineyard in Clarendon, in
McLaren Vale, planted 1971.
This 2021 Mr Grant Malbec
leads with peppercorns,
purple flowers (lavender,
violet, etc.), cinnamon sticks,
star anise and blackberry pip.
In the mouth, the tannins
wrap around the fruit, the oak
is sweet and dusty (good,
like cocoa power), and the
draw of flavor across the
palate is long and deep. This
is an excellent wine. It is
poised, rocky and mineral,
with some graphite and brick
dust. Very impressive. 14%
alcohol, sealed under screw
cap.

There is a lighter touch to this than in past vintages, although it's still a dense, compact and richly flavoured wine. A stellar vintage and a gentle extraction (20 days) on skins in oak foudre helped. Pointed northern Rhône-like aromas of blueberry, violet, white pepper, dried nori, black olive and clove. An undercarriage of briar and hedgerow imparts a welcome savouriness. The sinewy tannic mettle suggests this will age well and grow with stature in time.

Ripe cherries, mulberries, creme de cassis and a hint of asphalt and tar on the nose. Medium to full body on the palate with fine, velvety tannins and a long and juicy finish that goes on and on. Drink or hold.

At $39, a steal of a wine. Greg Brewer, a former French Literature teacher, has been influenced by Japanese art and Buddhism. He says he is motivated by “negative space” and a “dread of the explicit.” This is a silk-meets-satin Pinot with notes of violets, blood oranges, and spices, plus a lovely saline whoosh at the end.

The 2020 La Muse, a blend of 95% Merlot and 5%Malbec, was harvested September 9-16 and matured for 15 months in new French oak. It's youthfully coiled and requires plenty of time to open its aromas of cherry pie, desiccated violet, tobacco, coffee and aniseed. The full-bodied palate is velvety and seamless, with restrained, mineral-driven fruit. It's very shy and will require plenty of time to come around.1,100 cases were made.

One of the more up-front, perfumed, and complex
releases, the 2021 Pinot Noir Hapgood Vineyard
has great cherry, mulberry, and framboise notes
as well as some sappy herb, floral, and subtle iron
and marine nuances. I love its palate as well as it's
medium-bodied texture, and it has a silky, elegant
mouthfeel, fine tannins, and a great finish.

Lastly, the 2021 Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard offers a translucent medium ruby hue as well as a rocking nose of lifted cranberries, mulberries, peppery herbs, and orange blossom. It's one of the bigger, richer wines in the lineup and is medium to
full-bodied, has a round, layered mouthfeel, and a great finish. Drink bottles over the coming 7-8 years.

Moving to the single vineyards, the 2021 Pinot Noir 3D is slightly deeper hued yet is still translucent ruby in color. Savory red and black fruits, baking spices, toasted nuts, and baking spice notes all define the aromatics, and this beauty is medium to full-bodied, with a pure, layered texture and outstanding length. It shines for its incredible complexity as well as its texture.