The 2019 Chardonnay Stature offers a rich perfume of yellow peaches, musk, honeysuckle and herbal undertones. The palate is flavorful and fresh, with a touch of anchoring texture and a long, perfumed finish.

The 2019 Chardonnay Sable Mountain Vineyard features scents of baked apples, lemon, cream, cashews and jasmine. The medium-bodied palate is perfumed and fresh, with a long, mineral-driven finish.

The 2020 Chenin Blanc Jurassic Vineyard comes from vines planted in 1982 at an elevation of 1,000 feet. It was fermented in barrel, with full malolactic conversion, and matured 10 months in used French oak. It has dynamic aromas of preserved lemon, lime peel, steel wool and beeswax with exotic herbal undertones. The energetic, medium-bodied palate balances intense California fruit with earthy bass tones and shimmery mineral character, while a good balance of tangy acidity and phenolic texture drive the long finish. This has potential to unfurl in bottle over the next 5-7 years or more.

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Pine Mountain comes from vines planted at an elevation of about 2,900 feet. It is blended with 5% Merlot and matured for 20 months in 40% new French oak. Deep ruby in color, it has broody aromas of blackcurrants, graphite, pipe tobacco, cedar and fried thyme. The medium to full-bodied palate is firm, fresh and savory, with integrated freshness and a spicy finish.

The 2018 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec, and 1% Cabernet Franc, predominately sourced from Oakville with some fruit from Rutherford, Yountville, Oak Knoll, Atlas Peak, and Howell Mountain. Deep garnet-purple in color, it leaps with bold expressions of blackberry preserves, cassis, and wild blueberries, plus hints of menthol and forest floor with a spicy waft of cinnamon stick. Medium-bodied, the palate is bright and crunchy with impressive intensity and nice ripe, grainy tannins, finishing with a minty lift.

The 2020 Napa Valley Chardonnay sings of ripe, juicy pears, warm peaches, and apple pie, plus suggestions of baking bread and allspice. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has a satiny texture and plenty of freshness to lift the concentrated spiced pears flavors, finishing with great length.

Raspberry, redcurrant and toffee apple. Fine-boned and hi-toned with lush red fruits. Vibrant with a nice interplay of acid and tannin driving the finish.

Crisp black raspberry, lavender and damp earth aromas show on the nose of this bottling. The palate is both savory and refreshing, with fruit punch, red flower blossom and dried meat flavors.

This superreliable, full-bodied wine boasts toast and butter aromas, ripe black cherry flavors and a full, rich mouthfeel backed by moderate tannins.

Warm and honeyed aromas of salted almonds and white peach show on the rich nose of this bottling. There’s a viscosity to the palate that comes across as bold and attention-grabbing, with flavors of smoked peach, Meyer lemon and butter completing
the picture.

Very crisp on the nose, this bottling by Greg Brewer pops with tropical flowers and fruits of jasmine, plumeria and guava on the nose, with a crushed seashell minerality. The tropical character rides through the palate, offering more plumeria and guava flavors in a balanced approach.

Made from pinot noir grapes grown in Monterey County, this expressive dry rosé offers berry and melon flavours with mouth-watering acidity that contributes to its refreshing character. Bright and juicy, this is an elegant pink wine that’s pleasurable on its own or accompanying a meal. Drink now.

Prior to 2018, the Chardonnay never underwent malolactic fermentation, but winemaker Kristy Melton introduced the technique to add roundness. The result in 2020 is a lovely wine with a bright nose of citrus kissed by oak. Melton has also upped the percentage of new oak, from between 15%-25% to 40%-45%, and it is evident (though not overpowering) in splashes of coconut and crème brûlée. Fresh lime and rich tropical fruit underscore a saline mid-palate and sweet oak spices round out the finish.

This pale gold colored Chardonnay opens with a mild lemon verbena and vanilla bouquet with hints of florals pineapple, and dill. On the palate, this wine is medium plus bodied with medium acidity. The mouthfeel is balanced, soft, oily, and gentle. The flavor profile is a white peach, saline, and chalky minerality blend with notes of subtle oak. We also detected hints of honeydew melon, kiwi, and almond. The finish is dry and its flavors fade away nicely. The Tasting Panel would pair Chard with poached sea bass or with an asparagus risotto.

A bit of clarity in labelling. You don’t have to declare grape ingredients below 15% on a label under Australian wine rules but here it’s noted there’s 8.5% Central Otago Pinot Noir as well as the majority Yarra Valley. Kudos for rigour. Sort of apposite to the last Fairbank post as the winemaker has made the move from there to here. Doubly so as both wines that seem to be honest, no fiddling expressions of grapes, season and place. Perhaps this hasn’t the weight and charm of that lovely 2015 vintage. Here there’s mint, a lick of Oz forest, sappy stems and wild strawberries. Some lifted perfume, almost incense or joss stick like. Darker fruit emerges. Just enough flavour to buffer the slightly green stem and acid structure which dries things up enough to warrant another sip or bite of food. Must say I do enjoy Yarra Pinot when it’s young and fresh. Maybe with a bit of Otago richness too? Again a good drink not trying too hard to impress.

This deep gold colored Chardonnay opens with a new oak and Bosc pear bouquet with hints of toasted coconut, butter cream, brioche, and gentle florals. On the palate, this wine is medium plus bodied with integrated acidity. The mouthfeel is balanced, delicate, and creamy. The flavor profile is a gentle pineapple and chalky minerality blend with notes of oak and Anjou pear. We also detected some hints of lemon and peach pit. The finish is dry and its flavors drift away nicely. The Tasting Panel would pair this versatile Chard with coquille St. Jacques.

A steal for the price, this is zin in a rich and round mode, with a scent of warm, bursting berries in the sun and briar in the background. The flavors are generous and plenty grippy, just as you'd want them for barbecued ribs.

With a subtle nose of camomile, white peach and wet stones, this is smooth and creamy with bright acidity. Delicate, nuanced, with just a hint of saline minerality on the long finish. Smart stuff.

This strikes a balance between ripe, generous flavors and a thread of savory elements, with lanolin, toasted sesame and sea salt details to the core of lemon curd, mango and peach flavors. A note of nutmeg lingers on the finish. Drink now through 2032.

Soft approachable style. Raspberry and ripe strawberry, some mint and spice, a light sappiness, all sweet spiced strawberry, balanced acidity, gentle powdery tannins on a cool mint/red fruited finish of solid length. Affable, easy going, and good drinking. Kind of Pinot 101, but in a nice sort of way.

Aromas of ripe strawberry, raspberry and a hint of sage. Medium-bodied with earthy and mineral undertones. Red-fruited and lightly savory. Drink now.

A savory pinot, showing dark raspberries and earthy berries, orange peel and hints of mushrooms and walnuts. A juicy, medium-bodied pinot with juicy fruit and a smooth, supple mouth-feel. Drink now.

Peach pits, apricots, butter, milk and broad beans on the nose. Full-bodied with a round, creamy and leesy palate, with lingering yoghurt and milk character. Drink now.

The 2019 Malbec Mt. Veeder features almost candied blackberries and black cherries on the nose, yet there's also a loam-like earthiness to steer the wine toward savory. Medium to full-bodied, with a silky texture, this bottling isn't that long or complex, but it offers something a bit different and fun.

La Jota's 2019 Merlot Howell Mountain includes 11% Petit Verdot and 7% Tannat. It boasts plummy black cherries and hints of herbs on the nose, while the palate is medium to full-bodied and silky but not that deep or rich. Supple and charming yet not unstructured, this mouthwatering Merlot may be enjoyed on the young side, but it should drink well through at least 2030.