Sophisticated and polished, this Monterey Pinot Noir is brimming with brambly red and black cherry, a hint of tobacco, clove and toast from oak. Features a slightly warming finish but overall very well balanced. Voluminous and with a luxurious feel created by supple but not understated tannins. Very good length. Best now to 2026. Tasted February 2023.

This is a plush and polished style of Merlot with oodles of cherry, cola, beets with their stems, green peppercorn and an olive savoriness. The palate is full figured; the tannins are a touch drying. Cut it with a steak knife, which you can then use on the steak beside it. But peek through the power and gloss to get at the balanced and site-expressive wine beneath. Drink 2024–2030.

A wine that’s been made since 1967, the 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley is a beautifully textured, medium-bodied, sweetly fruited charmer that has lots of cassis and redcurrant fruit, some spicy oak, ripe tannins, and the balance to evolve and drink nicely for a decade. I think it’s outstanding.

Deep red-purple colour with a sweetly ripe, charmingly fragrant bouquet, the palate backing up with good intensity of flavour and rather firm, taut tannins imparting a solid grip. A robust wine with a future. Right now, it needs some protein

In case you’re wondering, Siduri in literature is the bartender of the underworld. But winemaker Adam Lee’s Pinot Noirs are always otherworldly. The Oregon soils and climate give the wine aromas of cranberry and plum rather than strawberry. The acidity is bright, with a medium mouthfeel and very soft tannins. WW 91

An elegant white, with lush layers of poached quince and pear fruit, hints of honeysuckle, toast and pastry and minerally accents of graphite and saline. This has a succulent quality to the finely meshed acidity, which keeps this fresh through the long, lightly spiced finish. Drink now through 2026. 1,000 cases made, 800 cases imported.

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is bold, punchy and full of mountain character. There is some tannin that needs to resolve, but that should not be a problem in a few years' time. Blue/purplish fruit, graphite, lavender, spice and licorice are nicely pushed forward in this structured, mid-weight mountain Cabernet.

The 2020 Pinot Noir Skycrest Vineyard is a dark, racy wine. Black cherry, cloves, licorice, menthol and leather all run through this potent yet juicy Anderson Valley Pinot from Siduri. The Skycrest is not exactly subtle, but it does offer plenty of pleasure in an immediate, bold style.

The 2019 Syrah High Rock Ranch is dark, pliant and super-expressive. Ripe black cherry, plum, leather, spice and incense all take shape nicely. The High Rock offers
plenty of forward appeal. I would give the tannins a year or two to soften. Ultimately, though, this is a pretty accessible young Syrah.

The 2019 Pinot Noir Maggy Hawk offers up scents of dried cherry, cedar, tobacco, dried flowers, anise and orange peel. The flavor profile is distinctly Nebbiolo leaning, but with sweet Pinot tannins, naturally. All the elements are nicely balanced in this ethereal, understated Pinot.

The 2019 Pinot Noir Edmeades is laced with sweet dried cherry, mint, cinnamon, spice, blood orange and anise. Medium in body and gracious, the Edmeades offers plenty of up-front appeal in an easygoing style. Best of all, the 2019 can be enjoyed with minimal cellaring.

The 2019 Pinot Noir Côte Bannie is gracious, aromatic and nicely lifted. Crushed red berry fruit, mint, blood orange and sweet spice give this airy, perfumed Pinot tons of nuance. The 2019 will drink well right out of the gate.

The 2020 Sauvignon Blanc Pine Mountain is bright, airy and effusive. White flowers, mint, white pepper, sage and lemon oil are all nicely lifted. This is an especially aromatic, ethereal Sauvignon, but there is just enough textural depth to pull it all together. A mix of clones yields a Sauvignon Blanc of notable distinction. This is a terrific effort, especially for the year.

With attractive aromas of honey, white flowers and lime, this medium-bodied and complex white displays a mineral texture that carries bright flavors of apple and white peach accented by honey. The finish starts out with a hint of sweetness followed by delicious lime and saline notes

Here's a fine and flavourful well-balanced, savoury and gravelly, dark-fruited cabernet from Knights Valley, one of the top regions in Sonoma for the variety. I like the firm but not unyielding texture, the gritty palate promoted by tannins and acids in unison and balance, and the lingering finish. This wine confirms that quality California red comes at a price - you won't find wines at this level for much less. Drink or hold 4-6 years - no need for deep cellaring. Tasted January 2023.

This is from Knight's Valley, a small enclave in the hills between Napa and Alexander Valleys. It has proven to be fine cabernet country. This pours fairly deep ruby, with lifted almost piquant aromas of blackcurrant jam, pepper, cedary spice, vanilla and fine oregano herbality. It is full bodied, open-knit in that California way yet well balanced, with good density and fine tannin. Some heat in the midst as well. Excellent length. Should prove very satisfying to cab lovers of all stripe. For history buffs, Arrowood was originally a Sonoma start-up in the early 90s by renowned winemaker Richard Arrowood and Montreal born Alis Arrowood. Tasted January 2023.

Engagingly flavoured, dark fruit-dominated, gravelly and well-balanced cabernet here from the Alexander Valley and the ever-reliable and consistent Kendall Jackson Estates. Classic blackberry and black cherry, cassis flavours lead on a backdrop of integrated, high quality oak, while tannins are plush and velvety and acids ripe but juicy. Good length and depth as well. Drink now or hold up to a half dozen years comfortably, even if there's no need to wait too long. Tasted January 2023.

Medium to deep red colour with a trace of purple, the bouquet earthy, dusty and savoury, with intensity and refreshing high acidity. It’s lighter on its feet than the other High Sands vintages - less dense and fleshy, but still with abundant tannins. A very bright, focused, fine grenache.

Essency, slightly inky, concentrated plum juice aromas, the palate full-bodied and rich, deep and dense, with black fruit, spices and toasty, nutty overtones. It has some extractive thickness on the back-palate, and needs more time. (465 cases. 25% whole bunches, 50% whole berries. wild ferment) Drink 2020 - 2033

A fresh mix of blackberry, plum, spice and dark chocolate; carries 15° alcohol with a certain amount of grace. Screwcap.

The Yangarra reds are so fresh and juicy; they’re answers, not questions. Ready to go. Alive with flavour and scent. Fresh leather, dark berries, hints of citrus peel and fresh-cut fennel. Enough tannin to tether it all together but not enough to get in the way. A touch more oomph than the grenache of the same vintage, though not quite the delicacy. I would not be saying no to a glass of this.

Taut and snappy with fabulous vibrancy. It is tight, youthful, and all about the fruit. A modern, high-energy style with a vibrant red-fruit core

Rich and spicy, with good fruit concentration; sweet fruits and a little spice; good acid and fine-grained tannins; bright focused red fruit on the finish.

Rich and full to smell with plum, chocolate, earth and spice leading on to an equally rich and full bodied palate with the same plum, chocolate and pepper/spice flavours. It’s warmish and quite sweet but pulls it off with aplomb (and possibly a plum). Good texture, a hearty drinkability and a surprisingly dry finish round off an excellent wine.

A cuvee made exclusively for Dan Murphy's and BWS, the Woolworths Liquor arms. A real treat, attesting to the synergy of variety and region when it comes to grenache and the Vale. Scents of kirsch, orange zest and pomegranate, with a twine of herbal-clad tannin and saline freshness placating the teeming fruit. What's not to love?