Grown on Mt. Veeder, this is full of the classic crunchy tannins and acidity you’d expect from its origins. It’s a taut, coiled Cab from mountain-wine expert Chris Carpenter, and the cassis, mountain berries, and warm figs are lent immediate generosity by waves of dark chocolate pot de creme and cola spice.

Crafted by winemaker Sam Teakle from estate fruit grown on Pine Mountain - Cloverdale Peak, this explodes from the glass with crushed blueberries and huckleberries, dates, melted dark chocolate, and toasty cedar, all of which are sweetly spiced with cinnamon stick and grilled vanilla, finishing with a final pulse of candied violets. Even at six years of age, this is still youthfully exuberant, though it’s just beginning to show inklings of the savory maturity it has in store.

Very floral and bright with strawberries and flowers on the nose. Intense. Medium-bodied, very transparent, and brilliant with a ruby stone sort of beauty. Very citrusy. Interesting ripe watermelon undertone to it. Drink or hold.

Hibiscus, orange peel, and sliced strawberry aromas. Medium-bodied with a firm and juicy finish. Structured and solid. Impressive length. Layered and serious. Needs time to soften and come together.

A refined and layered red with dried strawberry, cherry and orange peel aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied. Medium velvety tannins, fresh and bright. Fruity yet energetic. Vivid. Drink or hold.

Aromas of dried strawberry, cedar, black chocolate and dust. Medium-bodied with creamy and refined tannins. Spicy and citrusy at the end. Drink or hold.

Dark strawberry, raspberry jam and light herb aromas make for a familiar and complex nose on his bottling. The palate is edgy in texture and brisk in flavor, showing red plum, pomegranate and rounded red-flower flavors, with pepper spice on the finish.
Editors’ Choice.

Giant Steps 2021 Applejack Vineyard Chardonnay (Yarra Valley). This is a mediumweight, fruit-and-toast driven Chard from the upper Yarra. High-toned aromas of lemon, apple peel, grilled white peach and musk are backed by cream and saline notes. It’s slippery in texture, balanced by a salty acidity, with length and poise. This vintage feels more reticent than previous ones, so cellar for a year or two then drink until 2031. Jackson Family Wines. Cellar Selection

This renowned Yarra Valley producer’s multi-vineyard Chardy neatly demonstrates the paradox between the variety’s power and freshness Down Under. Fleshy peach, citrus and ginger are underpinned by toasty, mineral, lactic nuances. The palate walks a similar tightrope between richness and vibrancy, with length and structure amidst heaps of tangy fruit and subtle oak. Sovereign Wine Imports.

A nose of baking spices offers cinnamon and vanilla guiding the senses to a fruit focused palate. Cranberry, cherry and red plum are accented by barrel-driven spices, adding pleasant sweet flavors. Moderate acidity provides balance while a light note of herbs freshens the finish. Sovereign Wine Imports.

Candied lemon, buttered apple and blanched-almond aromas show on the easy nose of this bottling. The palate is rich with lemon glaze and soft apple flavors, with caramel and beeswax elements that create a bolder finish.

A study in balance this Pinot from two blocks of the Zena Crown vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills delivers energy and depth with mastery. Inky sois bois aromatics flirt with hints of dark stone minerality and savoury green herbs. The palate has real verve and freshness, while blue and red fruits merge with soy, umami and balsamic notes, highlighted by fresh eucalyptus. The texture is fine, with elegance and richness fused in a lengthy, contemplative finish.

The dark crimson hue belies an enthusiastic and energetic Pinot Noir from Gran Moraine's Yamhill-Carlton estate. The aromatics hint at the site's cooler circumstances, teasing dried violet and crushed basalt stone mineral-focused notes surrounded by red and blue fruit aromas. The palate is fresh and alive. Flavours of black tea, eucalyptus and sappy early-season blackberry offer abundant structure and deliver you to a tangy Montmorency cherry finish.

A broad, creamy version, with flavors of fresh-cut apple, yellow plum, blanched almond, chamomile and honeycomb defined by mouthwatering acidity that pushes the flavor range, streamlining everything on the long, salty finish. Drink now through 2028. 200 cases made, 150 cases imported.

Rich, with butterscotch and apple butter notes as well as ripe peach flavors on a supple, creamy frame revealing fresh acidity and spiciness. Shows a wonderful sense of balance and elegance on the finish. Drink now. 217 cases made

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.

This is a bigger, riper Pinot Noir, a blend of barrels and parcels from the Willakenzie Estate. This wine is marked by dark fruit, plenty of structure, and oak influence—ample oak spice with clove and cherry cola aromas. The palate offers fleshy dark plum, Christmas spice and substantial structure—a riper example from the 2019 vintage.

Fresh and balanced, this medium-bodied white has a toasty overtone to a pretty mix of nectarine and apricot fruit. Reveals hints of heather, ground ginger and salted butter on the finish. Drink now. 550 cases made, 400 cases imported.

Offers a touch of salted caramel that mingles with peach, lemon curd and tangerine flavors on a juicy frame, with plenty of concentration and intensity on the finish. Drink now.

Supple and creamy, with notes of nutmeg and toasted, salted hazelnut that complement lemon curd, fresh peach and crisp Fuji apple flavors. Drink now.

A round and smooth version, offering peach, pear and baked apple notes that are elegant and refreshing, backed by a touch of green tea on the finish. Drink now. 41,000 cases made.

Crisp and mouthwatering, with fragrant Key lime, passionfruit and mango flavors. Pure and juicy on a light, sleek frame. Drink now. 100,000 cases made.

Apple, peach and pear flavors show an appealing, firm juiciness in this white, with a touch of almond skin on the finish. Drink now. 50,000 cases made.

A delicate Anderson Valley pinot, this is light in color, focused on a crisp line of red fruit that lasts. It’s not about complexity, but the wine’s freshness holds well as it continues to open with air. Easy to enjoy with a range of foods.

Offers a friendly mix of loganberry and damson plum allied to a bright, racy frame, with a nice piercing savory thread running through the finish. Drink now through 2028