Sourced solely from the Jackson-owned W.S. Keyes Vineyard at approximately 1,800 feet above sea level, the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain features hints of mint, cedar and pine against a backdrop of blackberry and blueberry fruit. This is full-bodied, rich and concentrated, with a long, velvety and mocha-tinged finish. The tannins are broader and plusher here than in the Lokoya wines from the other mountains.

The 2021 Cardinale is a blend of 91% Cabernet Sauvignon from nine different AVAs, plus 9% Merlot from the Jackson Family's Keyes Vineyard on Howell Mountain. Scents of black cherries, cassis, graphite and crushed stone appear on the nose, while the full-bodied palate is rich, generous, concentrated and expansive, then tightens up and becomes more classically structured and dusty on the lingering, mouthwatering finish.

From volcanic soils at 2400 feet elevation, above the fog layer, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Christopher's Vineyard sports a youthful purple/black color and is aromatic with notes of black licorice, sweet tobacco, blackberry preserve, and forest floor. Fullbodied, it expands through the palate, with ripe, sweet tannins and a long, balanced, even finish. This powerful wine has a lot of elegance and never feels heavy. It’s a fantastic expression of Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma. Drink 2025-2045.

Last (but certainly not least) in the wide range of Pinot Noirs from Hartford Court, the 2022 Pinot Noir Arrendell Vineyard is from a site planted in 1975 with the heritage Martini clone, in one of the coolest and lowest yielding sites of the Russian River Valley. The oldest vines they have, the grapes in this vineyard struggle to ripen and are often harvested by Hartford Court well into October. The 2022 was aged for 14 months in 34% new French oak barrels and pours a youthful ruby red hue. On opening, it’s layered with aromas of cherry liqueur, cola spice, leather, toasted cedar, and incense. It reveals a good deal of complexity and has a weightless feel with a velvety texture, sweet tannins, and a clean, long finish with lasting notes of tea leaf. This highly impressive offering is going to show its best over the next 15 years.

A rich and opulent shiraz which has been made without the addition of pressings. It’s an approach to retain the life and effortlessness of the fruit while losing nothing in fruit power and intensity. Has slightly more oak than others yet the fruit intensity and concentration laps it up with ease. Grainy minerally mouth feel of perfect balance.

Destemmed, crushed and fermented in 1800L ‘cocciopesto’ (or opus signinum – a Roman ‘concrete’ that was used in bathhouses, cisterns and aqueducts) amphorae, with about 150 days on skins before pressing and returning, with 15 months' total time. Compared to the Ovitelli, this often shows a little more forward fruit and textural flex. In a year like 2022, where tannins and savouriness are turned up, that brighter pop gives this an earlier appeal, though it is no less equipped with mouth puckering grip and zippy acidity. Raspberry, pomegranate, redcurrant, rosehip, musk, anise, dried orange peel, the fruit impeccably framed on the nose, and bound by an intricate net of fine sandy tannin on the palate carrying incredibly long. It’s an exceptional release.

All fermented in 675L ceramic eggs, 52% of final blend on skins for 120 days, the remainder whole-bunch pressed, a further four months in egg after blending. The power of this release is somewhat of a statement, as is the synchronised harmony of fruit and structure. Power is not to be mistaken for heft, but rather a certain density of matter, an intensity of flavour that Is inextricably locked with a commanding drive of skin tannins and subtle but purposeful acidity. Spiced pear, dried lime, green almond, grippy heirloom apple, dried mint … flavour descriptors are inevitably clumsy, such is the individuality of expression. It’s even better on day two, promising a very bright future. It’s world-class stuf

Predominantly grenache blanc and roussanne with additions of grenache gris, bourboulenc and clairette. All varieties were fermented in ceramic eggs and matured after blending for 4 months. 59% of the final blend was skin contact. Pomelo segments, white nectarine and cucumber jelly. Almond syrup, halva and soft coconut flesh. Poached pear, frangipani and jonquil. A lick of salt spray salinity and white tea tannins. Remarkable how these varieties manifest into such purity. This wine reminds me of Mexican limestone cenotes. It's seemingly endless with crystal clear clarity and definition. Lemon zest unfurls on the finish. A suburb wine that attracts your attention and then captivates you in a beguiling stare. More wines like this, please, now and forever. Drink now with sliced pearl meat.

Winemaker Chris Carpenter used native yeasts to produce a robust wine with a compact black-fruited profile, deep concentration and extremely powerful, fine-grained tannins. It shows the ripe, pure-fruit richness of the 2022 vintage balanced by the tension of higher-elevation, mountain-grown grapes.

‘There is so much diversity within Tasmania,’ says Melanie. Coal River is down south near Hobart, in a rain shadow from the west coast. It’s a dry, cold landscape. Three tributary valleys flow down into one central valley, and the best sites are on the east faces of these slopes, away from the frosty floors. They have been buying grapes from the Nocton vineyard since 2016. Supple, fine, elegant and pure with delicate red cherry and wild strawberry fruit. Such purity, balance and elegance with concentration but also finesse. Exotic but also elegant.

The single-varietal 2021 Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon, all from the estate-owned Keyes Vineyard, is deep garnet-purple in color. Quite closed to start, it requires a fair bit of swirling to bring out notes of blackcurrant jelly, plum preserves, and cedar chest giving way to hints of crushed rocks, charcoal, black olives, and anise. The full-bodied palate delivers concentrated black fruit layers with earthy accents and a firm, grainy texture, finishing with a refreshing lift and impressive length.

The single-varietal 2021 Diamond Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is all estate grown, coming from two different vineyards. Deep garnet-purple in color, it bursts with bold notes of baked plums, creme de cassis, and blackberry pie followed by nuances of menthol, cedar chest, and Chinese five spice with a hint of iron ore. The full-bodied palate is chock full of bright, black berry and earthy layers, supported by grainy tannins and plenty of freshness, finishing long and savory.

The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon has 6.5% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec, 4% Merlot, and 2.5% Petit Verdot in the blend. Deep garnet-purple in color, it needs a lot of shaking to wake up scents of blackcurrant preserves, plum pudding, and mulberries giving way to a fragrant undercurrent of licorice, charcoal, violets, and menthol. The big, rich, full-bodied palate is completely packed with black fruit layers supported by very firm yet ripe grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long with a spicy kick.

The 2021 Red Wine is a blend of 54% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc, 13% Petit Verdot, and 7% Malbec. Deep garnet-purple in color, it rolls out with notes of juicy black and red plums, fresh blueberries, and cedar chest leading to hints of violets, aniseed, and underbrush. The full-bodied palate is big, rounded, and plush, with expressive black and blue fruit layers and a long pepper-laced finish.

The 2021 Sycamore Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, with 4% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot in the blend, is deep garnet-purple in color. It needs a fair bit of swirling to bring out notes of redcurrant jelly, juicy blackberries, and blackcurrant jelly followed by hints of wild sage, crushed rocks, and mossy tree bark. The full-bodied palate is built like a brick house, with firm, ripe, grainy tannins and wonderful tension supporting the muscular black fruit preserves layers, finishing long and minerally. 1,500 cases were made.

The 2019 Upper Barn Chardonnay features youthful notes of lemongrass, preserved kumquats, lime cordial, and grapefruit oil plus hints of wet slate and coriander seed. The medium to full-bodied palate is packed with citrus and mineral layers supported by a satiny texture and racy backbone, finishing long and zesty. This is impressive! Part 97of the vineyard is planted to 1982 Old Wente clone vines on AXR rootstock.

Deep garnet-purple in color, the single-varietal 2014 Christopher's Cabernet Sauvignon bursts with bold, ready-to-go notes of creme de cassis, blueberry pie, and Morello cherries followed by hints of candied violets, tobacco leaf, and fallen leaves with a touch of red loam. The medium to full-bodied palate is rich and velvety, with bags of juicy black fruit and loads of earthy sparks, finishing long and layered.

The single-varietal 2019 Bear Point Cabernet Sauvignon is deep garnet-purple in color. It sashays out with notes of kirsch, fresh blackberries, and mulberries plus suggestions of graphite, lavender, and black olives. The medium to full-bodied palate has a rock solid structure of firm, grainy tannins and fantastic tension to support the generous yet bright black and red berry layers, finishing with great length. Yum! 504 cases were made.

The 2022 Warrior Princess Chardonnay jumps from the glass with notes of juicy pears and honeydew melon giving way to an evocative undercurrent of struck flint, grapefruit oil, and allspice. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers jaw-dropping tension juxtaposed with a creamy texture, finishing with an impressively persistent and refreshing steeliness. This is gorgeous! This wine was barrel fermented and aged in French oak. Native strains were used for alcoholic and malolactic fermentation and the wine is unfined and unfiltered. It is sourced from a block within the Zena Crown vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills, planted to Dijon clone 95.

The 2022 Jennifer's Chardonnay pops from the glass with vibrant notes of fresh pineapple, honeydew melon, and lemongrass with suggestions of wet pebbles and fresh ginger plus a waft of lime blossom. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers amazing tension, with super-intense tropical and citrus fruit flavors, finishing long and zesty. This wine was barrel fermented and aged in French oak. Native strains were used for alcoholic and malolactic fermentation and the wine is unfined and unfiltered. Jennifer’s Chardonnay is sourced from a dramatic, steep-sloped vineyard in the windy and very cool Sebastopol Hills neighborhood of the Russian River Valley AVA. The block was planted to Old Wente selection Chardonnay in 2005.

The 2022 Highwire Zinfandel Old Vines is medium to deep garnet-purple in color. It comes barreling out of the glass with notes of baked cherries, black truffle, juicy blueberries, and spice cake with hints of oolong tea and mossy tree bark. The full-bodied palate is lively and fine-grained, with earth-laced black and red berry layers, finishing long and earthy. The vines are more than 100 years old, with half of the plot head-trained and half trained on a high wire.

Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, the 2022 Dinas Old Vine Zinfandel flies from the glass with notes of charcoal, wet rocks, and black truffle leading to a core of baked blueberries and stewed plums plus wafts of sandalwood and tree bark. The full-bodied palate has a seriously racy backbone of acidity and velvety tannins supporting the generous earth-laced blue fruit layers, finishing with epic length. This comes mostly from head-trained vines planted over 100 years ago.

This is about as fine as shiraz can get in the Vale, boasting filigreed tannins and such a natural sense of freshness that it whets the palate and makes one hungry at first sip. Northern Rhône-like scents of grilled meats, cloves, lilacs and Damson plums. A gentle cascade across the spicy framework to a long, immensely refined finish. All foudres vats, Austrian and French. Despite the full body, the wine is almost ethereal in the best sense, making for effortless drinking despite the profundity in the glass. This has such delicacy and cooler climatic tension to it that it is truly startling. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

Deep, pure bright yellow. The grapes are sourced from 4 different vineyards across the Cape, fermented in a range of vessels (oak, ceramic, stainless) and matured in in oak barrels of diverse sizes and ages. The resulting wine is magnificent, elegant with excellent structure and complex, interwoven flavors. Chalky minerals run throughout the wine and mark the finish. A truly exceptional Chardonnay. Not inexpensive (even in South Africa) but great value!

What a stunning wine, and although still vibrant and concentrated, it is at a gorgeous moment to drink, really opened up with rose petal aromatics, mouth wateringly juicy and supple tannins, along with rosemary and sage spice wound through damson and blueberry fruit. Harvest 6 September through 1 November, after a relatively cool growing season, with very few days topping 100 degrees (38C), even in the warmest locations. This gave it a measured reception on release, but at this point showcases the beauty of Cardinale, where it can maintain its signature punch while leaning in to the cooler fruit character of the vintage. Throwing some deposit at this point, make sure you carafe. Christopher Carpenter winemaker, bottled unfiltered and unfined.