Estate-grown, 50% whole berries, 25% whole bunches cold soaked, open-fermented, wild yeast, matured in French oak (25% new) for 13 months. Everything falls into place, the design of the jigsaw puzzle taking shape post haste. McLaren Vale fruit essence, with black fruits and potent dark chocolate looking as much to the sky as the earth, the whole bunch elements adding a twist to the main design, eloquent tannins also making a significant contribution.

Hand-picked from selected estate blocks, destemmed whole berries twice sorted then crushed to open fermenters, cold soak, wild fermentation, 10 days on skins; no additives of any kind, but filtered. I assume the wine has not seen oak, nor the addition of SO2. Vivid, deep purple; typical of the adventurous and skilled Peter Fraser, with a rumbling tsunami of black fruit flavours. Bring on a large T-bone steak, and I'll happily do battle.

Normally reserved for GSM, but in best years a small parcel made as a single varietal. Very attractive purple and red fruits; great flavour and supple mouthfeel.

Hand-picked, basket-pressed, wild fermentation and 7 months maturation in French oak (10% new). At the dawn of its life; chalky acidity.

Estate-grown, 1 tonne/acre, hand-picked, basket-pressed, fermented in stainless steel, matured for 4 months in used French oak. The decision to use the basket press was presumably directed to limit the pressings to free-run juice and possibly oxidise some of the phenolics. Regardless, this is a juicy viognier with light chalky acidity.

This is a good-time wine that's superrich and fruity. It's easy to drink and enjoy, uncomplicated and jammy in flavor and soft in texture.

...and the very rich, fully extracted **NOVY Garys’ Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands 2014 is sure to bring smiles to every devotee of the variety.

This clean and relatively crisp wine has mild fruit-salad flavors and lively acidity. It's medium-bodied, not too assertive and should please a crowd.

Sticky tar, dense blackberry, leather, soy and lilacs combine for a thick nose on this well-priced, widely available bottling. Beef char, dense purple flowers, blackberry jam and tar consume the palate, which is chewy with a strong tannic structure.

A big, boisterous wine, the 2013 offers notable intensity and energy in its dark cherry jam, raspberry compote, grilled herbs, smoke, licorice, dried flowers, gravel and spices. Firm mountain tannins shape the tightly wound, savory finish.

The 2013 Pinot Noir is one of the most expressive wines in the La Crema range. Succulent black cherry, smoke, leather, licorice and menthol are all fused together in the glass, while firm beams of supporting tannin give the wine its energy and overall sense of proportion. The is a real overachiever, not to mention one of the gems in this set of terrific new releases from La Crema.

Surprisingly, this is the producer's first blended Cabernet from the appellation, though it has long made vineyard-designates there. Combining fruit from the Bosche and Sycamore sites, it opens expansively in sizable tannin and dusty oak, before interweaving spicy black pepper, leather and soft infusions of blackberry and cherry.

From several vineyard sites and combining all five red Bordeaux varieties, this wine is fermented in stainless steel before it rests over two years in both French and American oak. Powerful, it retains an elegance amid a tannic, grippy entry of toasted oak and black cherry, and a rich textured finish accented in cinnamon and chocolate.

The 2014 Sauvignon Blanc Les Pionniers presents a more powerful, phenolic expression of Sauvignon than that found in the Tradition. Orchard fruit, mint, white flowers and lime abound, but it is the wine's energy, delineation and finely sculpted personality that stand out most. This is very nicely done.

This wine is inky dark in color, potent in flavor and huge in structure. The aromas are like smoke, dried herbs, and blackberry, the flavors are concentrated in black currant, while the texture is saturated with fine tannins that make it almost chewy. This is full bodied, dry, and needs either time to mellow out or some juicy protein alongside.

Pliant, open-knit and expressive, the 2013 is a super-classic Russian River Pinot built on exuberant fruit and pure raciness. Sweet red plum, cherry jam, spices and pomegranate are all pushed forward. Even with all of its up-front intensity, the 2013 retains plenty of energy and focus throughout. The 2013 is expressive and very nicely done.

La Crema's 2013 Chardonnay Nine Barrel is an attractive, open-knit wine. White flowers, orchard fruit, pear, brioche and a slight note of reduction are all laced together in a very pretty Chardonnay that speaks to understatement. A kiss of French oak adds sweetness and nuance without overpowering the wine. This is a delicate, understated Chardonnay by California standards, with all the elements in the right place.

Kendall-Jackson's 2014 Syrah Vintner's Reserve is an attractive, fruit-forward wine to drink over the next 2-3 years, while the fruit retains its juiciness. Dark blue and purplish stone fruits, sweet spices and leather are front and center. This is an especially succulent style. The 2014 benefits from a little air, so I would open it in advance.

Smooth and juicy with clean, fresh fruit and lively acidity; tangy and balanced, long and crisp.

The Pinot Noir Nine Barrel offers lovely brightness and focus throughout. This is a relatively restrained, mid-weight style for the Russian River. Hints of red cherry, plum, spice and rose petal meld into the plump, juicy finish. Drink the 2013 over the next few years.

The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Vintner's Reserve is absolutely delicious. Raspberry jam, mocha, dark spices and leather flesh out in a juicy, succulent Cabernet Sauvignon to drink now and over the next handful of years. This is a superb Cabernet for the money, especially considering the size of the production.

Straw yellow in color, this widely available wine offers vanilla, lemon curd, honeysuckle and a touch of browned butter on the nose. Once sipped, seared lemon and yellow apple show first, settling into a vanilla cream groove and finishing on a touch of marshmallow.

The 2013 Pinot Noir from Champ de Reves is forward, supple and juicy, all qualities that make it a good drink over the next few years. Although the 2013 is an attractive wine, my impression is that something more is possible in this Anderson Valley site. It will be interesting to see what the winemaking team strives for in the coming years. These vines were planted only in 2006.

Captûre's 2014 Sauvignon Tradition is laced with apricot pit, peach, wild flowers and chamomile. The expressive floral, aromatic top notes give the Tradition much of its distinctive, exotic personality. Best of all, the 2014 is a terrific value.

This is a round and fruity wine, offering pretty flavors of cherry and hints of darker berries. There are notes of earth and anise also, and just a twinge of plastic lingering in the aftertaste.