Red
Hedges Family Estate 2022 Red Mountain
Black raspberry and fig lead, layered with cocoa, rosemary, baking spice, toffee and vanilla. Full and lush on the palate, the wine combines generous fruit with a firm, grippy structure and bright acidity. The finish is savoury and composed, with mineral tension keeping the richness in balance. Serve with grilled lamb, braised beef, mushrooms or aged cheddar.
Black Hills 2021 Nota Bene
Fresh red and black fruit lead a silky, finely handled palate. Dense, sweet tannins give the wine depth without sacrificing finesse, while earlier picking and restrained new oak preserve freshness and detail. The texture is polished, the structure firm but approachable, and the fruit remains clear through the finish. Decant briefly and serve with grilled beef, lamb or mushrooms.
Las Moradas de San Martín 2018 Las Luces Vinos de Madrid
Cherry-coloured and aromatic, with wild berries, balsamic herbs, liquorice and grapefruit lifted by a clear note of thyme. Broad and unctuous on the palate, it carries the mineral stamp of dry-farmed granite soils without losing freshness. Excellent natural acidity balances the depth, leading to an elegant, persistent finish with a subtle bitter edge.
Wirra Wirra 2018 Vintage Bell Cabernet Sauvignon 750 mL
Blackcurrant, bramble and plum open the wine, followed by black olive, black pepper and liquorice. The palate is dense yet balanced, with cassis and dark chocolate carried by a smooth, composed texture. A lift of citrus peel keeps the fruit from feeling heavy, while floral detail adds freshness. The finish is long, savoury and quietly polished, with plum and spice lingering.
Château La Commanderie 2019 Saint-Émilion Grand Cru
Ripe blackberry, cassis and red berries lead the aroma, joined by spice and a gentle smoky note. Fresh acidity gives the palate lift and keeps the dark fruit clearly defined. Black and red fruit unfold in measured layers, with the spice adding depth through the middle. The finish is persistent and balanced, carrying cassis, red berries and a restrained smoky echo.
Château Tour Pibran 2019 Pauillac
Plum and sweet berry aromas lead, joined by loamy earth and a clear note of licorice. The palate is medium to full-bodied, ample and velvety, with polished tannins supporting a succulent core of fruit. Sweet berry and plum stay at the centre, while soil and licorice provide contrast. The final impression is generous and fruit-led, with the earthy notes remaining clearly defined.
BACA 2018 Double Dutch Dusi Vineyard Zinfandel Paso Robles
Roasted blueberry and blackcurrant open over wet stone, dust and a restrained pinch of thyme. The palate is rich and velvety, with black cherry, cassis and liquorice moving through a broad, polished texture. Wild herbs and prairie grass bring savoury contrast, carrying the ripe fruit into a smooth, persistent and quietly energetic finish.
Arrowood 2018 Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Plum and currant lead, with leather and a lightly toasted graham-cracker note adding savoury depth. The palate is dense and concentrated, framed by strong layers of tannin yet held in an elegant, restrained shape. Bold without feeling excessive, it carries graceful complexity and length. Decant and serve with grilled steak, braised short ribs, roast lamb or aged cheddar.
Mamete Prevostini 2017 La Cruus Valtellina Superiore Inferno DOCG
Cedar Creek 2021 Platinum South Kelowna Slopes Pinot Noir
Deep ruby in colour, with wild strawberry, cranberry and rosehip layered over subtle earth. The palate is bright and focused, combining lifted acidity with fine, integrated tannins and a poised, mineral edge. Red fruit lingers through a delicate, precise finish, giving the wine elegance without fragility. Serve slightly cool with roast duck, seared salmon or wild mushroom risotto.
Château de la Gardine 2021 Châteauneuf-du-Pape 750 mL
Dark cherry and blackberry open with espresso, leather and a subtle oak note. The palate is rich and rounded, with concentrated fruit held by smooth, powerful tannins. Savoury and earthy undertones add depth without crowding the wine's generous core, while the texture remains polished and composed. The finish is long and layered, leaving dark fruit, espresso, leather and a measured Rhône warmth.
Summerhill 2018 Spadefoot Sangiovese
Ripe red cherry and cranberry lead a bright, savoury palate, joined by dried herbs and a gentle earthy note. Lively acidity gives the fruit shape, while firm but well-judged tannins carry subtle spice through a persistent finish. Energetic rather than heavy, it suits tomato-based pasta, grilled vegetables or roast pork.
Artakama 2019 Pinot Noir Magnum
Delicate and floral, with fresh red blossoms woven through a gentle savoury note. The palate is smooth, round and immediately approachable, showing the sappy freshness that gives Pinot Noir its particular energy. Low tannins and bright acidity keep the generous texture light on its feet, with no sense of heat. Serve slightly cool with salmon, roast poultry or mushroom dishes.
Road 13 2020 5th Element
Lush, macerated dark fruit fills the palate, framed by desert scrub and generous oak. French and American barrels bring broad spice and polish, while firm structure keeps the richness in line. Built from six red varieties, this is muscular and still youthful, with a brooding character that will continue to knit together with time in bottle.
Elderton 2017 Ode to Lorraine
Black cherry, raspberry and blackcurrant lead the aroma, followed by blackberry and violet. Across the palate, those red and dark fruit notes remain clearly defined, with black tea providing a drier counterpoint. The sequence moves from bright raspberry toward deeper cassis and blackberry. The finish keeps the tea and violet notes in view, leaving fruit and florals closely aligned.
Castell d’Encus 2014 Quest
Peppery and herbal on the nose, with cassis, blackberry and a cool minty lift over restrained oak. The palate is silky and intensely savoury, its dark fruit carried by ultra-fine tannins and a fresh, poised line. Dark spice gathers through the finish, leaving an elegant mountain-grown red with concentration, clarity and remarkable composure.
Tiberio 2017 Archivio Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOP
Intensely aromatic yet composed, with smoky dark cherry and red cherry layered over spice, violet, rose and licorice. The palate is powerful but elegant, combining smooth texture with vibrant freshness and concentrated fruit. Fine structure gathers through the middle, while the finish remains long, poised and distinctly savoury rather than heavy.
Fattoria La Vialla 2013 Casa Conforto Chianti Riserva
Mature and savoury, with wild cherry and blackberry joined by violet, cedar and star anise. The palate is dry and firmly structured, yet the fruit remains clear through the tannic frame. Earthy spice and gentle oak carry into a composed, lingering finish. Decant briefly and serve with roast lamb, grilled beef, mushroom ragù or aged pecorino.
Castello ColleMassari 2014 Montecucco Rosso Riserva
Black cherry and ripe red berries open the nose, joined by dried herbs and warm spice. The palate shows notable depth and energy, with vibrant acidity lifting the soft, concentrated fruit. Sweet, polished tannins carry the wine through a focused, persistent finish that remains fresh, savoury and fruit-driven.