Medium purple. Incredibly floral and grapey without as much spice as I'd usually expect from a Zin, a coolness despite the 15.3% alcohol. Raspberry coulis, black cherry and fennel-seed sweetness. Incredible concentration and well-balanced high acidity that lengthens the finish. Fine-linen tannin. There is a lightness to this that the Zin blend doesn't have. Gorgeous.

Pale ruby in colour. Much plumper fruit profile than Seascape, Jennifer's or the Russian River blend. Toasty cinnamon, black-cherry and chocolate aromas. Powerful palate with light earthiness, cocoa dust and fine-grained tannin.

Pale ruby in colour. Much darker fruit than the Seascape – black cherry, savoury potting soil and a crushed-gravel note. A juiciness that the Seascape didn't have and a broadness, but still with that peat, moss, smoky-savoury quality. Brooding and lovely with high, mouth-watering acidity.

The 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva possesses rich fruit aromas of ripe plum, floral notes of honeysuckle and earthy hints of forest floor. An incredibly silky palate carries through the beautiful balance of fruit and earth flavors - like eating wild blueberries off the vine - with dominate notes of bright red cherries and dark chocolate. The finish is long and intriguing, showcasing classic notes of orange peel with undertones of cedar and tobacco. The vibrant acidity suggests the wine will age gracefully for years to come and that 2018 will be remembered as a great year.

The Cabernet Franc grapes that are used in this stunning Italian wine come from the estate’s L’Apparita and Belvedere blocks which are known for their sandy soils with ample clay deposits. The winemakers were very happy with the 2017 season and harvest because the grapes got to spend more hang time on the vine, which allowed for riper flavors and balanced acidity. This wine introduces itself with aromas of red raspberry, black plum, and whiffs of eucalyptus that lead to flavors of black cherry, red plum, cigar box, and anise. The tannins are rounded and there’s a note of freshly ground white pepper in the finish.

Rollicking yet savoury – and wild strawberry-stashed – this classic, upbeat pinot noir is from a top cool-climate spot.

This bottling offers a twist on the classic cabernet, with a streak of high-toned pomegranate running through its rich black fruit. It also has notes of mineral, cedar and leather in the mix. Jackson Family Wines now owns Freemark Abbey, which was founded in 1886 and was one of the first cabernet producers in Napa Valley.

Again, at this price, not everyone will appreciate the refinement of this Merlot from Mt. Veeder, whose underpinning of a seabed’s mineral-rich soils and cooler climate make this Merlot multi-dimensional with a delectably long finish. From winemaker Christ Carpenter, who established the Mt. Brave project in 2007, the berry flavors have concentration, not too tannic, and quite ripe for this vintage.

The Highwire Zinfandel is a much more serious bottling than the Russian River Valley Zinfandel. It retains a deep reddish purple color with heavenly aromas of holiday baking spices, cinnamon and clove. The mid-palate is lush with undertones of creamy blueberries, Oolong tea and savory earthy elements. There is a hint of sandalwood and a spice infused background. It all coalesces into a lengthy finish that ends on a youthful note suggesting it will stand the test of time in the cellar.

This is one of the most intriguing and appealing new-release Merlots (there’s also 5% Cab Franc and 5% Malbec) I’ve tasted in a long time. Balance, perfume, and depth coexist magnificently, and each sip is effusive with red currants, red and black raspberries and cherries, plums, a laser beam of graphite, and hints of tobacco and sandalwood before a finish with flamed orange oil nuances. The future for this wine is tremendous, and it promises to evolve for decades to come — though even now, it’s showing spectacularly

Toasty, rich, and brooding, this is a wine that will reward patience, and notes of blackberry liqueur, kirsch, cassis, purple plums, and cardamom promise to unfurl over the coming decade-plus. Graphite-like tannins find impressive balance and structure, and a dusting of singed laurel and cigar add further complexity.

This wine is a classic effort from winemaker Chris Carpenter, whose way with mountain-grown grapes is astounding. Age-worthy tannins open up with some air, allowing notes of licorice, granite, cacao nibs, blackberries, black figs, cured olives, and well-steeped tea to shine. Cardamom and violets linger through the long finish.

“Citrus, floral, and berry notes travel from the glass, touching on the aromas of strawberry, grapefruit, orange, and white fruits. On the palate, the citrus is bright with the notes of grapefruit taking center stage. Refreshing acidity and supporting, subtle, mineral notes bring character and structure to the wine. Previous vintages rated 94-95 points by Wine Enthusiast.”

Vibrant acidity (pH 3.4) with high quality if overt tannins. Generous red cherry fruit with earthy notes. Elevage in second-fill French oak. Only bottled in May ‘23, so needs time but will reward patience.

Aromas of oregano and mint, with a core of blueberries, dark chocolate and caramel. Dusty tannins and fresh acidity with richness and multiple layers of complexity. A magnificent wine with a lengthy life ahead of it.

A blend of different micro-crus helps give real complexity to this voluptuous wine, with its silky tannins. Structure from two-thirds new French oak, with glorious, intense plummy red fruit. Very long.

The faun statue on the estate inspired the label for this Bordeaux blend. Raspberry and strawberry aromas, with complex, concentrated black fruit on the palate. Chewy tannins with liquorice and tobacco on a long finish.

Powerful tannin structure with vibrant acidity. Low-yielding with fabulous concentration and length.

Herbal notes on nose with cranberry and a touch of orange peel. Racy acidity (pH3.35) with very attractive cherry fruit and strong tannins. A top-notch Chianti Classico Riserva from a classic year.

Enticing aromas of violet, blue flowers, forest floor and black pepper. Morello cherry notes with well-integrated tannins and fresh acidity. Begging to be drunk now.

Simple but refreshing, this wine has orange and grapefruit flavors.

Pineapple, citrus and white peach notes dominate this multi-layered, well-priced sauvignon blanc.

Ripe honeydew melons combine with citrus and nectarine to make for a nicely layered wine.

A big, buttery, beautiful trip down RRV’s more robust flavor spots.

Bright purplish crimson. Heady, rich, rewarding nose and subtle palate. Long and a hedonistically made wine. Pure pleasure! A wine that could be served at a wide range of temperatures. 14.5%
Drink 2023 – 2028