Red
Poplar Grove 2015 Benchmark Okanagan Valley
Dark berries and bramble rise with leather, black plum and a touch of dry spice. Full and generous on entry, the palate is grounded by firm but polished tannins and a savoury line that keeps the ripe fruit from feeling heavy. The finish is long and quietly earthy. Decant briefly and pair with lamb, steak, sausages or grilled mushrooms.
Poplar Grove 2014 Benchmark Okanagan Valley
Ripe plum and Bing cherry lead with subtle vanilla and a quiet savoury note. The palate is rounded and generous, balancing dark fruit with fresh acidity and supple tannins that keep the profile approachable. A lightly spiced finish adds enough structure for the table. Serve with grilled beef, roast pork, tomato-braised lentils or a mushroom burger.
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.
Castello di Perno 2020 Langhe Nebbiolo
Savoury, woodland and autumnal aromas open slowly, joined by florals, sliced orange and a balsamic lift. The palate is light and fresh, with transparent red fruit, orange rind and dried lemon peel carried by delicate tannins. Woodland spice and a subtle nutty note emerge on the clean, distinctive 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.
Ferran 2019 Pessac-Leognan
A fresh Bordeaux red with a full, versatile palate and an easy sense of balance. Merlot brings rounded fruit and breadth, while Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot add structure and savoury definition. The finish is composed rather than heavy, making it a dependable match for roast beef, grilled lamb, mushrooms or firm cheeses.
Pontoise Cabarrus 2019 Haut Medoc
A Cabernet-led Haut-Médoc with fresh blackberry and blueberry over toasty vanilla spice. The palate is rich but balanced, with dark fruit carried by firm structure and a measured oak note. Give it a little air, then serve with roast beef, grilled lamb, braised dishes or mushrooms; the finish is warm, polished and savoury.
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.
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.
Dufaitre 2018 Brouilly
Bright cranberry and red cherry set a lively tone, joined by bruised strawberry, dried herbs, cedar and a subtle savoury note. The palate stays light on its feet, with fresh acidity and medium tannins carrying the red fruit into an earthy, characterful finish. Serve lightly cool with roast chicken, charcuterie, grilled pork or mushroom dishes.
Mas Gabinele 2020 Faugeres
Wild berries, rockrose and rosemary open into a warm, stony mineral note. The palate is rounded and smooth, with dark fruit carried by a savoury blend of Syrah, Carignan, Mourvedre and Grenache. Schist-grown freshness keeps the generous texture composed, while herbal detail lingers through the finish. Decant briefly and serve with lamb, cassoulet or grilled sausages.