750 mL
Poplar Grove 2012 Benchmark
Ripe plum, blueberry and dark cherry lead, with fruitcake and brown sugar bringing a mellow, developed sweetness to the aroma. The palate is dry and medium-full, with plush tannins, steady acidity and a measured frame of French oak. Mature but still fruit-led, it suits braised beef, roast lamb, lentils or firm cheese, with a short decant before serving.
Poplar Grove 2019 Syrah Okanagan Valley
Savoury blackberry and raspberry lead with clove, vanilla and cracked black pepper. The palate is bold and concentrated, balancing medium acidity with firm tannins and a clear oak frame. Dark fruit and spice carry the long, complex finish. Decant generously and serve with braised beef, grilled lamb, smoked mushrooms or hard cheese.
Le Vieux Pin 2020 Ava
Ripe stone fruit and warm spice lead a broad, inviting nose, with floral notes and restrained oak adding depth. The palate is full-bodied and dry, layering apricot and pear over a creamy, generously weighted texture. Fresh acidity keeps the richness in balance, while subtle vanilla and spice carry a long, polished finish.
Therianthropy 2022 Le Maillot Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc
Bright raspberry, tart cherry and crunchy pomegranate lead a light, silky red, with anise, fennel, thyme and earthy herbs bringing savoury definition. Whole-cluster carbonic fermentation emphasizes lift and immediacy, while juicy acidity keeps the fruit vivid. Fine texture carries the palate into a fresh, energetic finish that benefits from a slight chill.
Echo Bay 2021 Synoptic
Dark fruit comes first, followed by mineral and herbal detail that gives the wine a distinctly savoury edge. The tannins are polished yet still grippy, holding the fruit in a youthful, firmly structured frame. A lingering finish suggests useful cellar potential, though a generous decant will help now. Pair with roast lamb, grilled beef, braised mushrooms or firm aged cheese.
Domaine Roger Champault 2022 Côte de Champtin Sancerre
Juicy tropical fruit opens into a full, rounded palate shaped by bright freshness rather than weight. Gentle barrel texture and lees work bring savoury depth, while a fine hazelnut note gathers on the finish. The balance of ripe fruit, discreet richness and mineral poise suits roast chicken, grilled fish or creamy goat cheese.
Reichsrat von Buhl 2017 Riesling Sekt Brut
Bright straw in colour, with green apple, peach and flowers joined by dried fruit, lemon zest, toast and gentle spice. Dry and medium-bodied, the palate balances pear, lemon and grapefruit with light butter and brioche. Fine, persistent bubbles and lively acidity keep the texture crisp, fresh and composed through the finish.
Therianthropy 2021 Pinot Gris Pét-Nat
Light copper in the glass, with citrus pith, nectarine and peach tart lifted by floral notes and a gentle earthy edge. The palate is lively and textured, its delicate fizz carrying ripe orchard fruit through brisk acidity. A subtle peppery, savoury note adds definition to the clean finish, keeping the fruit bright and refreshingly composed.
El Enemigo 2022 Chardonnay
Salted lemon, sliced apple and a stony, seashell-like mineral note open with a discreet touch of oak spice. The palate is full-bodied yet tense, bringing richness into focus through bright acidity and a lightly saline texture. Toasty and subtly honeyed details add complexity without softening the line. Long, dry and refreshing, it suits roast poultry, richer seafood or mushroom dishes.
Julia Kemper 2012 Aragonez Dão DOC
Deep ruby with wild blackberry at the centre, edged by gentle spice and a cool, resinous hint of pine. The palate is dry and velvety, with fine-grained tannins keeping the ripe fruit composed. Elegant rather than forceful, it carries fresh acidity and a delicate savoury line into a clean, quietly persistent finish.
Viñadores de Gredos 2018 Cuesta del Tejar Garnacha Cebreros
Black raspberry and cracked pepper lead a dark, expressive nose, with violet and slate-like mineral notes emerging as the wine opens. The palate is intense yet silky, balancing power with delicate extraction and supple, nuanced tannins. Freshness keeps the fruit precise, carrying peppery spice and mineral depth into a long, quietly dramatic finish.
Diego Conterno 2023 Ferrione Barbera d’Alba
Lively red fruit and plum open with warm spice, giving way to a fresh, medium-bodied palate. Fine-grained tannins provide gentle shape, while good balance keeps the fruit clear and energetic through the finish. Polished and versatile, it suits grilled sausage, tomato-based pasta or slowly braised meat.
Markus Altenburger 2019 Neuburger betont.
Delicately cloudy orange-gold in the glass, with candied tangerine zest, fresh white tropical fruit and a touch of acacia honey. The palate is fine and mineral, balancing vivid acidity with a gently saline line and a long, composed finish. An expressive, textural white for roast squash, pork or firm cheeses.
Domaine Simha Paysan Fleur Sauvage Tasmania
Fresh flowers and waxy yuzu open an aromatic, amber-hued white. Extended skin contact brings a savoury, lightly grippy texture, while bright citrus and a fine line of acidity keep the palate energetic. Its combination of floral lift, gentle tannin and earthy depth makes it a versatile choice for roast poultry, mushrooms or spiced vegetables.
Mac Forbes 2023 Yarra Valley Pinot Noir
Red cherry and raspberry lead a vibrant, finely drawn profile, with a restrained note of spice and subtle oak in support. The palate is elegant and balanced, built on fine tannins rather than weight, and the finish lingers without excess. Polished but approachable, it suits salmon, duck, mushrooms or herb-roasted chicken.
Giant Steps 2023 Pinot Noir Yarra Valley
Ripe raspberry and black cherry lead, joined by wild herbs and crushed violet. The palate is silken and gently sappy, with concentrated fruit carried by bright natural acidity and fine tannins. Depth builds without heaviness, and the flavours remain persistent through a composed, savoury finish. A graceful match for duck, salmon, mushrooms or roast chicken.
Mendel 2020 Malbec
Black cherry, raspberry and blackberry lead a deep, generous profile, with violet, sweet oak, espresso, licorice and vanilla in support. The palate is full-bodied and dense, layering black raspberry and plum over roasted herbs and a silky, velvety texture. Rich but balanced, it suits ribeye, lamb, grilled vegetables or firm aged cheeses.
L’Esprit de Chacayes 2022 Malbec
Floral violet and fresh black cherry lead into a rich, mouth-filling Malbec. Crunchy cranberry and a lift of orange zest keep the fruit lively, while warm spice gathers through a savoury, complex finish. Its generous texture suits firm cheeses and slow-roasted meats, yet the bright fruit and freshness keep the palate composed.
Joh. Jos. Christoffel 2019 Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Spätlese
Bright and layered on the nose, with pear, strawberry, lime blossom, bee pollen and a gentle thread of spice over apple blossom. The palate is pure, medium-full and vibrant, carrying a generous core of fruit above fine slate minerality. Fresh acidity shapes a long, complex and beautifully balanced finish.
Robert Weil 2020 Riesling Trocken
Fresh citrus and a subtle slate note shape a precise, understated nose. The dry palate is vivid and well proportioned, with light-to-medium body and clean acidity giving the wine an easy sense of movement. Balanced and complete rather than showy, it finishes with calm mineral definition and suits shellfish, river fish or simple vegetable dishes.