Matanzas Creek Winery has been making Merlot in Alexander Valley, Sonoma since 1984. This wine is a testament to their experience. This bottle is a blend sourced from its higher elevation sites. The nose is a bit shy but shows some cherries and maybe a hint of cassis. The palate is soft and supple with great fruit depth.

Now, this is something special. Setting the benchmark for the Western Cape (one of the oldest winemaking regions in the world), the ancient vineyards of Stellenbosch, Overberg and Robertson have come together to create this beautifully layered expression of the land. Pure, vivid citrus and rich minerality are the driving forces behind the liquid, carrying with them a typhoon of creamy tropical notes and electric zesty lemon on the finish. A true showcase of high-end chardonnay and the region.

Setting the benchmark for ‘Cali chard’, Brewer-Clifton is always reliable, and this Santa Rita Hills wine is seductively expressive and complex from the off. The winemaker’s fermentation and oak barrel ageing rounds off the profile satisfyingly. The bright lemon-gold pour opens up inviting ocean air and lemon notes, and a lemon curd flavour continues in the mouth. Joining it is sweet honey and pineapple, before the return of minerality with a savoury, somewhat salty, kick. The length goes on and on, showcasing the winemaking talent and terroir with every passing second, as salted butter appears to see us off. Lively, smooth and so much fun to explore.

Flush with mulberry and boysenberry pâte de fruit notes, this red is backed by melted licorice
and sweet spice accents on the caressing, flattering finish, which is sneakily long thanks to the
well-buried acidity. For the fruit-loving crowd. Drink now through 2033. 1,353 cases made.

This is the second vintage which sees Valadorna in its new guise as a 100% Merlot, sourced from two separate plots; one on limestone soils, and one on clay. Ripe, plummy dark berries and menthol lead to a warming palate with that 14.5% alcohol taking centre stage, dominating the rich dark fruits. Slightly drying, chalky tannins can't quite support the weight, and it initially feels quite top heavy but then, dried flowers, coffee, bitter herbs and balsam emerge on the mid-palate, instigating a fresher second half with bright acidity and a long, spicy finish. It will be interesting to see if this comes into balance with time.

Ripe and expressive, with crushed raspberry, cherry and mulberry notes that stretch out languidly,
flecked with tea, iris and singed mesquite hints along the way. Drink now through 2027. 10,121 cases made.

Soft and forward, with friendly notes of sassafras, cherry and mulberry that bring a touch of briary energy to keep the finish going. Drink now through 2025. 321 cases made.

Black tea and savory notes infuse an open-knit core of black cherry and blackberry fruit. There's a brambly edge to the finish. Drink now through 2026. 15,089 cases made.

Racy and fresh notes of raspberry and savory meld nicely through the sleek, lightly toasted finish.
Drink now through 2026. 650 cases made.

Strawberry and raspberry fruit is plump and direct in this red, which shows a light sparkle of
savory through the friendly finish. Drink now. 155,606 cases made.

Detailed and “of somewhere” (in this case, the cool hills of Clarendon in McLaren Vale), this beauty opens with heady aromas of raspberry coulis, beef jerky, Chinese five spice, mint chocolate and dried florals. It’s a powerful wine but a shapely one, slinking around the tongue—the spiced red-berry flavors fresh, silky and persistent, even within a frame of muscular, sinewy tannins. Drink now through 2040. Cellar Selection.

Lovely layers of rich Bing cherry, cinnamon, mace and bay leaf aromas waft through the inviting nose of this bottling. The palate lands with a body that’s somehow both enveloping and light on its feet, showing snappy fruit and warm spice flavors. 

This wine is opulent, with aromas of Black cherry, red currant compote, cinnamon spice, and fresh florals on the nose. The flavors on the palate are Bing cherry, blackcurrant confiture, vanilla lime cream interwoven with dried herbs, bittersweet chocolate, earth and a long silky finish. Hold or Drink until 2032 Pair with Lamb Shoulder 

This wine is deep, supple with aromas of boysenberry, red plums, spiced vanilla, toasted almond, and clove on the nose. The flavors on the palate are Red currant compote, red licorice, orange zest, interwoven with citrus vanilla cream, mineral and a juicy long dry finish. Decant and Enjoy with Duck Breast

This wine is concentrated, aromas of Black cherry compote, black strawberry, nutmeg, violets, and dried chicory on the nose. The flavors on the palate are Black currant confiture, Blood orange segments, interlaced with allspice, star anise, pomegranate, dried herbs, toasted walnuts, and a long supple finish. Hold or Drink 2030

This Chardonnay comes from a highaltitude single vineyard in Stellenbosch. The nose reveals lime, melon and vanilla cream and leads to a concentrated, yet balanced palate. It shows depth and tension through notes of citrus fruit, turmeric and vanilla bean, along with vigorous acidity. It has a soft mouthfeel and a delightful finish.

This wine is lively, vibrant with aromas of black plums, black cherry, dried herbs, violets, and earth on the nose. The flavors on the palate are red plum, Bing cherry, clove, interwoven with allspice, spiced vanilla cream, orange zest and finishing dry. Hold or Drink until 2030

This wine is bright, zesty, with aromas of baked Red skinned apple, raspberry, Lemon cream, dried herbs, and mineral on the nose. The flavors on the palate are pineapple, plum, Key lime cream layered with sedimentary rock, dried herbs and a long mouthwatering finish. This wine has no skin contact which is why is considered a White Pinot Noir. Pair with Sunshine and Friends. 

This brand’s current winemaker, Matt Revelette, is embracing and elevating the ripe yet fresh style mapped out by Adam Lee when he founded Siduri decades ago. This appellation cuvée pairs baked black cherry, chai and flower-petal aromas on the nose with a palate that’s fruity, spicy and chalky all at once. Editors’ Choice.

This blend of Chardonnay from eight vineyards across the Western Cape has multiple layers and enough acidity to balance its richness. Aromas of tropical fruit, cinnamon, ginger and vanilla shine on the nose. The palate is abundant in baking spices and offers light notes of stone fruit.

Dense aromas of black plum, violet, cherry and cola show on the nose of this bottling. The palate is bold and ripe with more black cherry getting doused in heavy clove, nutmeg and star anise spices. Drink up, as this one feels ready to go and may not last long.

Extroverted cherry and blackberry paste notes form the bulk of this offering, with a dose of anise-accented toast on the lightly brambly finish. Drink now through 2028. 402 cases made.

This red offers a burst of mulberry and cherry fruit up front to win you over, with hibiscus and anise accents filling in behind through the rounded, friendly, juicy finish. Drink now through 2029. 259 cases made.

Bright, floral-tinged raspberry and cherry fruit courses through, carried by a silky structure through the long, charming finish. Drink now through 2029. 237 cases made.

This exotic blend of Malvasia, Riesling, Gewurtztraminer (which dominates the nose) and a few other varietals is all fresh tropical fruit and rose petals on the nose. The palate is bright and lively, with pineapple, lychee, peach and honeysuckle flavors carrying through to a long finish