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?

Medium to deep garnet-purple coloured, the 2010 Grenache is youthfully closed on the nose, revealing subtle hints of warm red berries over spice cake, black pepper and tree bark. Medium to full bodied, taut and packed with red berry flavour, it has a solid foundation of crisp acid andfirm grainy tannins, finishing long. It should drink best 2013 to 2018+.

Deep red/purple colour with a ripe plum and spice bouquet, rich and deep and layered. A full-bodied, solid wine with masses of firm tannins and the potential to reward keeping. (Off dry-grown vines planted in 1946. 50% whole berry and whole bunch)

Ultra-pale dusty pink colour. High-toned aromatics of candy floss, red apple, juniper and rosewater. The palate is brimming with musk, strawberry and sherbet. Incredible intensity of flavour, particularly on the front palate. Zippy and intense. Made from bush-vine grenache. Certified organic/biodynamic. Drink 2018 - 2019

Aromas of dark fruit with spices, dried herbs and eucalyptus. Medium-bodied with a round texture. Pure and juicy with vivid acidity and a flavorful finish. A blend of malbec, cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot. Drink now.

Plenty of earth on the nose but rather faint fruit, dark in color for a Pinot Noir. Really nice fruit, however, on the palate with nice balance and a bit on the sour side. Nice. Excellent.

Meaty, minty, a bit of truffle, black fruit and spice. This is distinctly savoury, kind of truffle and meat thing, with a sappy and slightly vegetal character, though does sport some cherry and banana fruit flavours. Finish is pretty grainy and firm, with a twist of amaro, and spiciness. It’s a wine of interest, for sure, and has no shortage of character.

This wine is elegant and austere in style, refined in tannin and blue fruit. The oak is subdued and adds spice to the other earthy notes of dried herb and clove.

From a cooler, slightly damp vintage “resembling the good old days” after a few in a row marked by drought and hot temperatures. One of the later harvests and so as a result we can expect this low, slow, long developed phenolic ripeness, layering of variegated fruit and a really unique set acidity and tannin. Pretty much the case in La Crema’s pinot noir, fruit of oscillating tones, some soprano, others baritone, all together in harmony and balance. Here a wine of great etiquette and respect, expressly varietal from Willamette if in the broadest sense possible. Drink 2022-2025.

La Crema is well known for its chardonnays (and pinot noirs) made in California’s Sonoma Coast appellation. From time to time, we see other labels from the portfolio, like this concentrated and inviting chardonnay from the Russian River Valley. Made in a medium-bodied and layered style, this offers attractive apple and citrus fruit with cream, toast and spicy accents. It has the generous nature you’d expect from California without losing focus or freshness on the palate. Drink now to 2025.

Garden herbs and wet stones sing in harmony with rich strawberry-watermelon fruit and orange peel notes. Juicy and soft in the mouth, despite just 2 g/L of residual sugar. Very good length. Not inexpensive for a rosé, by any means, but this is quite polished stuff.

If you or your guests like Chardonnay either a little or a lot, this wine should work perfectly. Seven months of barrel aging has imparted that traditional creamy toasty richness, while the fruit is a complex blend of cool-climate lemony citrus and tropical pineapple and mango. There’s sufficient weight here to handle the ensemble of a festive turkey dinner, but enough acidity and freshness to also enjoy the next sip or two on its own. I tend not to gravitate toward wines that are this commercially popular—it has been the best-selling Chardonnay in the U.S. for 10 years running—but I really love the balance of flavours, texture and freshness in this wine. Great value. And while I advocate for white wines to usually be given time to lose the cold of the fridge before serving, a fairly fresh chill will help offset an ever-so-subtle sweetness in this case.

Hmm, guess what? What? I think I like this better than the 2010.
Plenty of pepper and spice, dusty cupboards, aniseed, ripe blackberry, raspberry and vanilla perfume. Medium bodied, has the vintage signature of tangy rain washed acidity and lightly astringent tannin, but carries it off with aplomb. Clean bramble fruit, plenty of spice and a refreshing odd-vintage kind of appeal is the order of the day. There’s a lot of light and shade in this wine – it’s not heavy or raisiny – good things! Finish is spicy and brambly and encourages the next glass. Lovely spicy wine.

Pale straw in the glass with lemon curd and vanilla in the glass. Yum. The palate is similar, with plenty of fruit and that vanilla aspect, but there is also a boatload of acidity, which serves to hold it all together. Yes, Copain is now a part of a corporate conglomerate, but the wines continue to perform at a very high level. Very nice. Excellent.

Polished and juicy, with wild blackberry, blueberry and spiced plum flavors on a thick and velvety frame, plus details of Earl Grey tea, dried sage and toasted cumin. Reveals a hint of paprika on the finish. Drink now through 2032.