Hickinbotham first planted dry-farmed vineyards near the hamlet of Clarendon in 1971 at the upper limit of McLaren Vale. The site’s climate is influenced by the coast, the Onkaparinka River gorge and the rolling hills offering different exposures and funnelling refreshing breezes. Almost opaque purple-black in colour, the wine has cassis, brambles and Christmas cake with tobacco and a hint of hedgerow and leather.

Dry, but sweetfruited, the wine’s flavours are balanced by crisp acidity and linen-textured tannins. Beautifully-defined with intriguing spices adding complexity, the wine will match rabbit simmered in white wine and chicken stock with onions and a bit of garlic.

showcases the region by delivering a full-bodied, richly concentrated wine with character. The dry red wine opens with layers of black fruit, including dried fig, plum, and cherry, that melds with toasted spice, woody herb, and a subtle smoked meaty quality that makes the wine incredibly food-friendly with anything you might throw on the grill. Pair with steaks, chicken, sausages, or fire-grilled vegetables. #Cheers

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!

Sourced from a special block (Flowers) of mostly 95 and 96 clones within the estate’s Fijnbosch vineyard at almost 600m altitude, only 100 cases were made in this vintage. The wine is refined, creamy and and sensuous. It reveals minerals with understated fruit and a broad, full mouth feel. While it sees a little more new oak (40-45%) than the regular bottling, it’s completely integrated with the fruit.

Silene is the “entry” level wine of Capensis, which suggests the very high standards of this winery. Aromatically, it shows sumptuous scents of citrus and orchard fruit kissed by hazelnut. Beautifully focused on the palate with a sense of minerality. A blend of Stellenbosch vineyards fermented in a variety of vessels and matured in 25-30% new French oak. 14% alc.

The pinnacle of pinot noir, La Crema has mastered the art of cultivating the varietal to a work of bottled art. Every sip of this sensation offers black fruit, yet it is tempered with ever-so-slight notes of pine, and its beautiful perfume fills the room, leaving a lovely, lasting impression.

The depths of winter can be a hard time for pinot noir lovers – 25 degree nights can call for something with more body and punch. But in a world growing more crazy for pinots, you better have a classic on hand all time. La Crema’s 2022 offering is pretty much the Platonic ideal of pinot noir. It’s elegant and unfussy, meaning it’s smooth but flavorful, fruity but not sweet, right for sipping alongside nibbles of roquefort or washing down a huge plate of eggplant parm.

Made solely from Cabernet Franc grapes, it possesses herbaceous aromas with hints of licorice and coffee powder. Textured and powerful on the palate, it concludes with a long and persistent finish, featuring both fruity and balsamic returns. Located near Castelnuovo Berardenga, the "capital" of the southernmost Additional Geographic Unit of the Chianti Classico denomination, Tenuta di Arceno is increasingly convincing. Owned by the American Kendall-Jackson Group, this estate produces well-focused labels of impeccable craftsmanship, from Chianti sangiovese, presented with a subtly modern style, to Bordeaux-style blends and purities, all executed with equal measure and sophistication.

This 2021 ‘Gary’s Vineyard’ is sourced from Pisoni clonal selection Pinot Noir vines. The Pinot Noir comes from a rocky site that is roughly one mile from the Rosella’s Vineyard. The dark fruit profile is very evident in this wine. Wild blackberry and black cherry tones mark the nose alongside wet gravel accents. The palate is smooth and soft with a voluptuous texture. Drink 2024-2040

Located in the Anapolis area, this vineyard is an 180 acre site that has older vines that ripen slowly. Stored in 40% new French oak the 2021 Pinot Noir offers crushed seashells on the nose alongside dense dark fruits and hints of black truffle shavings. This is a big, burly wine that has beautiful body and underlying verve. Finishing long with refined tannins, this dense and chewy Pinot Noir is drinking marvelously right now. Drink 2024-2040.

The 2021 Siduri ‘Van der Kamp Vineyard’ Pinot Noir comes from a site that was planted roughly in 1960. These are some of the oldest vines in Sonoma County. This wine comes from newer plantings, as the 25 acre site is set on volcanic loamy soils. This was given less new French oak than other Siduri cru wines (10%). Lovely volcanic soil profile greets you on the palate with an ebullient core of pomegranate seed, red raspberry and cranberry flavors alongside salty and stony accents. Soft and juicy, with a bright core of underlying freshness, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2024-2039.

The 2021 Siduri ‘Barbieri Vineyard’ Pinot Noir comes from a 20 acre site on Olivet Road. Damp earth and bright red fruits mark the nose alongside garrigue and shades of milk chocolate. The palate is soft and inviting with great tension and a great core of red and dark fruits. Bright and rich, this is drinking beautifully right now. Drink 2024-2040.

The Parsons Vineyard is farmed by Tom and Kelly Parsons. Siduri has been sourcing from this site since 2007 and the wine has been a vineyard designate since 2009. Made from clones 777, Pommard and 115, this 2021 Pinot Noir offers good richness with damp loamy soils alongside wild blackberry, and sage accents. This is dense and delicious Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. Only 250 cases made. Drink 2024-2040.

Formerly known as Keefer Ranch Vineyard, the Dutton-Perry Ranch is farmed by the Dutton family. This site is set on Goldridge sandy loam soils. Mostly Dijon clone 114 and given roughly 15% whole cluster fermentation, the 2021 Pinot Noir opens with freshly tilled soils alongside boysenberry fruit aromatics with hints of cardamom. The palate is soft and refined with a silky texture. Cran-cola and orange rind flavors combine with beautiful richness and black rose petal water on the palate. Drink 2024-2040.

The ‘Seascape Vineyard’ is near Cobb’s Coastlands property and was first planted back in the early 1990s. Grapes from this site are very late ripening in this damp environment. Clone 777 is mainly planted there as well as Wadenswil 1a. Stored in roughly 30% new French oak this shows beautiful red florals alongside salty damp rock alongside bright red fruits. The palate is deep and concentrated with serious texture and wonderful salty undertones. Bright in terms of pure red fruits, this is drinking marvelously even now. Drink 2024-2040.

Juicy and fruit-driven now, displaying dark cherry and kirsch notes kissed with anise and apple wood. This plump, open and almost lush version shows finely beaded acidity that is inlaid seamlessly. Asserts itself slowly but surely through the finish, where a swirl of black tea weaves around an encore of griotte cherry and mulberry notes. Drink now through 2036.

The 2021 Siduri ‘Rosella’s Vineyard’ Pinot Noir comes from a slightly cooler site which has a strong fog influence. Peak daytime temperatures are usually around 1PM. Nothing was picked at this site until October. Gorgeous red florals mark the nose alongside tart red raspberry and kumquat rind accents, with loamy soil tones. The palate is plush with a bright underlying acidity and great sense of texture. Drink 2024-2040.

Light straw-yellow hue. Ripe pear, almond meal and north African spices all show on the nose and palate. A savoury and delightful wine that glides and flows through all the corners of the mouth. Finely structured, both acid and tannins working their magic to ensure great length and focus. It's very intriguing and evolves in the glass. A wine that is built for matching with food.

Very juicy, the 2021 Siduri ‘Russian River Valley’ Pinot Noir comes from three sites in the Russian River Valley. Tart cranberry and shades of cola with damp soils all combine on the palate. Nicely textured, with salty undertones, this is already drinking beautifully now. Drink 2024-2032

Kendall-Jackson may be most commonly associated with chardonnay, though its red blend of merlot, cabernet sauvignon and a hint of petit verdot has not only caught the attention of everyday shoppers, but also sommeliers and winemakers from all over the world. And at an average price of under $15 per bottle, it’s also a win for the pocketbook. Pair this one with practically every pork-based meal you can think of, which will highlight its red fruit-forward notes

Smooth? Check. Delicious year-round? Check. Priced affordably at under $25? Check. There’s nothing to dislike about La Crema’s pinot noir from Sonoma, which has emerged as a supermarket must-try in recent years. It’s elegant but approachable, distinct yet versatile and, most importantly, readily available to the masses. Enjoy the plushness of cherry, plum and pomegranate with a subtle hint of herbaceous tea leaf for a libation that tastes just as good on a neighbor’s porch as it does in a fancy restaurant.

The 2021 Pinot Noir Rosella's Vineyard was
matured for 10 months in 40% new French oak. It
has slowly unfurling aromas of wild berries,
Christmas spices, potpourri and mossy bark. The
medium-bodied palate offers concentrated layers of
spicy fruit framed by silky tannins and
mouthwatering acidity, and it has a long, dynamic
finish. 489 cases were made.

The 2021 Pinot Noir John Sebastiano Vineyard was matured in 40% new French oak for 10 months. It has pure, layered scents of raspberry, cranberry, Earl
Grey tea leaves, aniseed and saline. The mediumbodied palate offers powerful layers of spicy, perfumed fruit. It has abundant, finely grained tannins, energetic acidity and a long, nuanced finish. 446 cases produced.

The 2021 Pinot Noir Barbieri Vineyard was matured for 10 months in 40% new French oak. It has layered scents of red and black cherries, aniseed, potpourri and bitters. The medium-bodied palate is powerful and refreshing, with generous fruit, earth
and spice layers and a long, flavorful finish. 353 cases were made.

Matured for 10 months in 25% new French oak, the 2021 Pinot Noir Hapgood Vineyard has layered aromas of cranberries and blackberries with nuances of allspice, tea leaves, forest floor and spicy undertones. The medium-bodied palate features concentrated, crunchy fruit with generous yet integrated new oak character. It has a silky texture, mouthwatering acidity and a long, spicy finish. 353 cases produced.