Gawie du Bois' farm in Koelenhof is the source of this lightly wooded Chenin Blanc. Showing the concentration of a parcel planted in 1985, it has pear, lime and passion fruit flavours, subtle wood and a chiselled, tapering finish. Salty, pithy and complex. 2025-30

A significantly different beast that stands a good distance apart from its Giant Steps Yarra Valley Pinot Noir siblings. Sourced from the Nocton Vineyard in Tasmania's Coal River Valley, part of Giant Steps’ single-vineyard releases since 2017. There is richness and power from the mix of Pinot clones MV6, D5V12 and G8V3, which are treated differently – some whole bunches fermented in oak, others destemmed and cold-soaked in a mix of oak and steel fermenters. The resulting wine has a sensuous perfume with heavy black cherry and blueberry notes, while the palate is kept lean by stern acidity. It’s unyielding in its youth, with a tightly wound finish exaggerated by hard, gritty tannins that should relax after at least two more years.

A concentrated and brooding red, with deep blackberry and red currant flavors framed by toasty spice and mocha espresso notes as this builds tension toward broad-shouldered tannins. Needs time. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Best from 2026 through 2033.

Richly styled yet muscular in structure, with deep flavors of blackberry and red currant highlighted by espresso, cedar and mineral notes as this builds tension toward tightly wound tannins. Needs time. Best from 2026 through 2032.

A blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, and 1% Merlot aged 18 months in 47% new French oak. Grapes were sourced from two estate vineyards, one in Oakville and one in Calistoga, with additional sources from valley floor to benchlands and mountain sites, making this a real snapshot of Napa in any given vintage. Case production in 2021 was a little over 11,000, which is about half the production in typical years. Moving forward, production will hover between 12,000 and 15,000 cases. Something longtime collectors of Freemark Abbey will want to note is that under Melton's supervision, the wines are being made in a more fruit-forward style with careful attention to toasting barrels at lower temperatures for longer periods of time to broaden the tannins in the mid-palate, while elevating the spectrum of fruit character and layering it with more baking spice notes, as opposed to saturated, rich, toasty oak. Indeed, this is quite evident in 2021, which boasts a very pretty bouquet that is more subtle than in years past and less smoky and toasty, more in the light graham cracker and baking spice arena with red currant fruit, tinged with vanilla and sandalwood. Medium-bodied on the palate, with red currant and black cherry fruit along with very fine, gentle tannins that have excellent presence and length. A really wonderfully textured Cabernet with a nice grip and elegance of fruit, never overbearing, thoroughly nuanced and laced with fragrant dried herb notes throughout. Starting with the 2021 vintage, winemaker Kristy Melton reduced the number of months the Napa tier of Cabernet Sauvignon ages in oak from 24-30 months down to 18-20 months. Additionally, beginning with the 2022 vintage, all the single vineyard wines will be unfined and unfiltered.

Hightoned raspberry and tangerine aromas jump out of the glass of this Zin. The palate brings a slightly darker energy, with some blackberry, fresh loam and vibrant anise flavors with some grippy tannin and soft acidity to balance. This is brilliant stuff for ribs or roasts on the grill.

Punchy aromas of bright red raspberries, orange peel and clove waft and dance on the nose of this Zin. There’s loads of freshness and energy here, with cherry liqueur, cassis and licorice flavors anchoring a ripe and round midpalate before the fresh citrusy acidity lingers with lacy tannin on the finish.

This Pinot is fresh and vibrant, with a scintillating mélange of floral, earthy and dried cherry aromas on the nose. The palate has a nice balance of grippy tannins and juicy acidity, with flavors of Bing cherry, sandalwood, violets and black tea all the way through a long and winding finish.

This wine is bright and zippy, with aromas of green apple, peach, white tea and fresh herbs. The flavors are grapefruit, orange zest, green papaya and cinnamon, with good acidity and a dry finish. Pair with the beach, friends and snacks.

This wine is soft salmon hued, fresh and lively, with raspberry, citrus blossoms and fresh herbs on the nose. On the palate are youthful strawberry, Bing cherry, basil and orange zest, with a juicy, dry, mouthwatering finish. This is a delicious offering of low-calorie rosé. Pair with duck mousse, fresh berries and toasted bread.

This is a first Syrah release under the Dalkeith label, sourced from one of the most famous vineyards in the Swartland. Structured, grippy and intense, with 15% whole bunches adding some extra perfume and spice, this is a serious, incense-perfumed red with notes of steak tartare, blackberry and thyme and the backbone to age. 2025-30

This elegant Chardonnay from vineyards in Stellenbosch offers a bouquet of citrus spices and lime. The delightful palate delivers integrated and balanced flavors of lime and linden tea that blend with oak spices.

Purchased from Adi Badenhorst's farm in the Swartland, this is very much a granitic style of Chenin Blanc. Fermented and aged in a combination of neutral barrels, amphoras and ceramic eggs, it has quince, apple pie and citrus fruit flavours and an earthy finish. 2024-30

Zena Crowne is a fullerbodied Pinot Noir that leads with aromas of loamy soil and blackberry jam spread on toast. That theme continues on the palate, with brawny tannins standing tall with flavors like blackberries, espresso and figs so rich, you’ll look around for Newton.

My favorite Warrior Princess since Daenerys Targaryen leads with red apple and spicy zucchini bread aromas that I found quite appealing. The light and elegantly textured palate is a bit of a 180, with tart tangerine and not-quite-ripe pineapple flavors joined by a savory, saline and smoky note reminiscent of seared scallops. Look for acidity as crisp as dragon’s breath.

Tightly wound on the nose, almost like a Chab2023lis, this bottling pops with aromas of lemon sour cream, piney herb and toasted pine nut. The palate is firm and zippy, showing tangerine rind and baked lemon flavors that play against a warm pecan note.

This wine is clean and crisp, with aromas of apple, guava, citrus blossom and dried herbs. The flavors are papaya, kumquat, white grapefruit and chervil, with a savory dry finish. Pair with oysters.

The 2022 Ovitelli Blanc comprises 57% Grenache Blanc, 24% Roussanne, 8% Grenache Gris, 6% Bourboulenc, 5% Clairette. Portions of the Grenache Blanc and Roussanne were destemmed and crushed to ceramic egg for an extended 120 days on skins. This component is, as I see it, the defining factor of the finished wine, which has notes of crushed flowers, beeswax, cheesecloth, white tea, white pepper, ash and torched straw. It has taken me some time to get my mind and heart around this wine; I can't decide if I find it to be a work of genius or just deeply unexpected. It is textural and chewy, which I love. It is also spicy and edgy and even a little tart, which is the skin contact component, I am sure. It adds bitter almonds and saltbush to the mix. The wine is overly subdued and long, and yet what I know of the Yangarra vineyard practices and winery resources, there will be no stone left unturned in the making of this wine, from every possible angle. So, over to you. I can't quite put it down. 12.5% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

What’s not to love about an aromatic combination of Bing cherries, cheesecake and a bittersweet dark chocolate? Things flip on the palate, with tarter red cherries and cacao nibs dueling with spicy nutmeg and balsa for flavor supremacy. Fortunately, a muscular set of tannins is up to the task of standing up to all that fruit.

A darker and more savory style of Pinot Noir, this wine shows aromas of shiitake, black cherry and fresh herbs and earth on the nose. The palate gives a streak of raspberry-lemon acidity to balance some grippy tannins and cola spice flavors on the finish.

Toasted aromas of seared marshmallow, apricot jam and caramelized pecan show on the nose of this bottling. The palate is creamy in texture with more marshmallow, vanilla and brioche flavors.

Richer aromas of guava, melon-laced spa water and tropical shampoo draw the nose into this bottling. The palate is smoother in texture, offering coconut and plumeria flavors that align with the tropical nose.

Tart and vibrant, with brisk cherry and raspberry flavors accented by dusky spice notes. Finishes with snappy tannins. Drink now through 2030. 11,382 cases made.

This wine showcases Kelli Anne Vineyard, one of La Crema’s prizes on the banks of the Russian River. It gets bright sunny days and foggy mornings which produces crisp, bright Chardonnay. It’s sunny but icy, with delicate notes of white flowers and pear balanced out by a backbone of brioche. $55

One positive feature about merlot is its approachability and ripeness that blends so well with autumn fare, particularly grilled meats. This dandy has excellent structure, floral aromas and fresh plum flavors with a hint of cedar and sage.