2026 WINTER SALE

This has hints of toast and chamomile to the apple and baked-pear aromas. It’s full-bodied, lightly nutty and toasty, but fresh, too. Drink now.

As with so many cabernets, lots of air and time to open up makes such a big difference. This appeared raw and closed at first, with raspy tannins. It then revealed cassis, leafy freshness, dark chocolate, herbs and menthol. A core of sweet fruit works in unison with the cedary oak and while more bottle aged is needed to smooth out the tannins, they are knitted into the body of the wine.

Wine Showcase Magazine: "Classic herbal, cassis cabernet aromas. A rich, ripe, well-structured wine with everything in perfect balance. Lovely fruit flavours, quality oak and nice acidity."

London Wine Competition: "Dark ruby with mint, floral and black fruit aromas, this bold yet approachable red delivers ripe berries and sweet spice on the palate with soft texture and a balanced, medium finish."

The Light Drinker: According to the Pentire website, Pentire Adrift has the highest rating of any non-alcoholic spirit on the Trustpilot ratings; they certainly have some very enthusiastic reviews and I agree with all of them.  This is a beautifully crafted drink, no bells or whistles or fancy tricks, just a strongly confident blend of superbly chosen flavours. There’s bright top notes of zesty grapefruit peel balanced by a strongly herbal muskiness of sage which round out the thinness of the citrus,  and the whole is enlivened with the freshness of sea salt and samphire.  It’s fabulous on the nose and, mixed with tonic, is rounded and satisfying, the aromatics performing just as they do in a good gin. There’s a slight sherbetiness in the finish, although there’s no sweetness in the mix, and the whole represents a superb mastery of blending.   If you only have one non-alcohol drink in your cupboard, it might as well be this one.

The Light Drinker: Pentire are an impressive performer in the non-alcoholic spirit range. They claim their original drink, Pentire Adrift has the highest rating of any non-alcoholic spirit on the Trustpilot ratings; and they have had some stellar reviews, including from the New York Times. This is their second drink, a zesty, breezy mix of pink grapefruit, sea buckthorn, sea rosemary and woodruff. It’s a grown-up drink: dry, and saliva-inducingly tangy adding layers and depth to a good tonic. Their ads often show people sitting on a headland in Cornwall enjoying the drink round a camp fire. It’s perfectly pitched: the herbal, citrussy flavours speak of short thymy turf and salty breezes. Absolutely delicious with a tonic.  

Moderately aromatic and showing some bottle development on the nose with aromas of apricot kernel, orange blossom, melon and spice. A luscious, soft style, sweet on the entry, perhaps a tad cloying but positive phenolics bringing some balance and the finish is clean.

Savory and racy, with bright citrus and subtle orchard fruit flavors. The palate is focused and lively, showing crisp acidity and a clean, moderate finish. Lightly textured and approachable, with gentle charm and balance. 

Slight reduction still hovers on this wine's nose but yeasty apple freshness awaits underneath. Yeasty finesse and bright freshness come together on the palate, making for a light-bodied, elegant and dry wine with yeasty resonance. 

 With ripe, red fruit and soft tannins, this is an generous wine. Its fresh acidity provides an welcome contrast and lift. Drink from 2026.

Tasted from magnum (the 750-milliliter bottle costs $285), the NV Brut (Gold) opens with lovely matured brioche, toast and ripe fruit flavors. Fresh, pure and elegant on the palate, with beautifully matured flavors and an elegant creaminess I don't find in the other cuvées, the Gold is a blend of 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Meunier as well as the vintages of 2009, 2010 and 2012. The wine reveals good grip and mineral tension and drinks well as an aperitif or with seafood and fish. Tasted from L09B8, April 2018.

The wine opens with a slightly floral aspect and a hint of pear tart with lemon overtones. There is a sense of levity, but more air introduces a more brooding, darker notion of candle wax. That lovely but full-flavoured lightness also characterises the palate with wonderfully bright tension. Again that darker, somehow earthy Meunier note adds a hint of waxiness that almost verges onto smokiness – especially on the finish – while the surface remains bright, light and lemony. The mousse is fine and the wine has a pleasant suppleness and this sense of lightness just begs for another sip.

Fudge and apple-pie nose – rich and seductive. Yet much tighter and fresher in the mouth. The apple-pie and buttery flaky-pastry notes are cut with lime, under-cut by lime leaf and cobnuts. A lovely savoury underlay. And galangal: root, spice, tang, cool-heat. Lots of texture, like the tug of an old silk curtain. And edgy, baobab-tangy mouth-filling acidity. Seville oranges sewing in a fine seam of bitterness, fresh blanched almonds bringing cream and density. Complex, exciting, beautifully balanced, and beautifully refreshing. The perfect pork-roast wine (failing that, a packet of top-quality pork scratchings will do…). 

Bright, even, pale yellow with a light green hue. The bubbles are vibrant and consistent. The bouquet is full, creamy, underlying stonefruit, citrus, floral and yeasty elements. Medium-bodied, dry to taste, aromas of peach, apricot and lemon melded with ginger, bread dough and whipped cream. Chalky minerals cling to the side of the palate and leave a silky mouthfeel. The fruit shows purity and balanced ripeness; creamy features broaden the body and weight. This L'Ancestrale is well-made, shows excellent fruit and mineral details, and has a creamy, pleasing finish. Match with creamy chicken pie and white fish with beurre blanc over the next 2-3 years. 100% Chenin Blanc, made from Methode Ancestrale, 13% alc.

Bright, pale yellow, even colour throughout. This has a gentle, calming bouquet, with aromas of stonefruit, apple and citrus, underlying floral, minerals and lanolin. Medium-bodied, stonefruit, apple and lemon aromas are well-proportioned, melded with ginger, cardamom, honeysuckle, lanolin and minerals. The mouthfeel is voluptuous and unctuous, made of chalky minerals and ripe phenolics. Beautifully gentle acidity and a creamy texture carry the flavours and minerals to a lengthy finish. This is a textural Chenin Blanc shows excellent fruit, spice and minerals on a voluptuous palate. Match with smoked oysters and pork head terrine over the next 5-8 years. Estate vineyard, 100% Chenin Blanc, 30-50 y.o. vine age, handpicked, indigenous yeast fermented in amphorae and aged on fine lees for 6 months. 

Made from a unique clone of Gamay Noir known as "Saint Romain" from the northwest of Lyon. Ripe, rounded and soft with black cherry, cassis and savoury barnyardy hints.

Aromas and flavours of apples and fresh stone minerals, some white spice and lees complexities, lemon and white peach. There’s some fresh citrus and white fleshed orchard fruit qualities. Saline, dry, plenty of weight with a satin texture, fine tannins and elevated acid line. Well made, complex and lengthy with a floral saline finish. Best drinking from 2023 through 2029+.

Produced from roughly equal proportions of six varieties, co-fermented in stages, as each one is deemed ripe and picked, the 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc is atypically plush and ripe (it's close to 15% alcohol), marked by pineapple, white peach and tangerine notes. It's full-bodied and round, deceptively easy to drink yet concentrated and long on the finish.

Big and generous with a savoury oak backbone. The classic wine of Abruzzo in Italy, an italian red made from the Montepulciano grape variety. This wine is ripe and almost sweet with boysenberry, cassis, spiced plum, almond and leather. Medium to firm tannins. Hints of soy and truffle.

Dark salmon almost blood orange hues lead to a bouquet and palate filled with flavours of pink grapefruit and orange peel, there’s flavours of fermented plum then raspberry. Dry, satin-textured with a core of fruit and old roses, some mineral qualities and balanced, even finish. A distinctively different expression - worth exploring. Best form 2023 through end of summer 2025.

The Three Graces of Le Macchiole are Messorio, Scrio and Paleo (Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Franc, respectively). Of these three top-tier releases, my favorite is the 2017 Paleo. This is an upright and direct expression of the grape that carefully sheds some dusty or mineral aromas before opening the way for determined black fruit, charred meat, spice and cured tobacco or cigar. There is quite a bit of oak, but it works beautifully against the natural intensity and rich concentration of the hot vintage. More unexpected are those pretty tones of lilac, blue flower and aniseed that add to the detailed rendering and complexity of the bouquet. This wine won my heart. Drink 2022 - 2045. (31/10/2020).

The 2017 Paleo Rosso is superb. It is also the wine in this range that seems to have handled the rigors of 2017 best. Then again, that is the magic of Cabernet Franc on the Tuscan Coast. The aromatics alone are so alluring. Sweet pipe tobacco, mocha, dried flowers, mint, sage and cedar give Paleo its aromatic lift. Some varietal character has been baked out because of the heat of the year. In exchange, readers will find a Paleo Rosso that will drink well with just a year or two in bottle.

The 2023 Le Volte Dell'Ornellaia is a saturated red/ruby color and is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot, raised in used barrels for around 10 months. Always a wine leaning into the fruity and approachable side of things, the nose is fruity and fresh with aromas of candied flowers, crushed raspberries, red apples, and fresh stony earth. Medium to full-bodied, it’s very elegant with a joyful ease. It’s a great snapshot into these wines, which are mighty tasty now and have a lot of character. Drink 2025-2035.

Dark berries and dried herbs, bell pepper, tobacco, blackberry and plum define the bouquet and palate. A classic style that is varietal and well made, firm and dry, with bold ripe tannins, a medium-plus acid line and core flavours that echo throughout. Fresh and expressive, with good weight, intensity and a lengthy finish. Best drinking from day of purchase through 2033.

From selected blocks in the Lowburn sub-region, this is crisp, tangy Riesling in an off-dry style with flavours that suggest lime, green apple, oyster shell, white flowers and apricot blossom. Deliciously tangy acidity balances a hint of sweetness to give the wine mouth-watering tension.

Mellow, medium-bodied merlot with cherry, berry, dried herb, cigar-box and subtle spicy flavours. Although fruit flavours are evident, the wine is more vinous than fruity with hints of leather, wood-smoke and liquorice. A satisfying red that offers good value at this price. 2021-2025. (17/03/21)

A blend of merlot, cabernet and cabernet franc grown in the Bridge Pa sub-region of Hawke’s Bay. Hand-picked in batches by variety and destemmed with 100% whole berries. Medium-bodied red with bright, fresh berry flavours and a seasoning of spick oak. Nicely structured with fine, peppery tannins. accessible now but should develop well with bottle age. (Screwcap)

A focussed, taut and varietal bouquet with an apple, lees and gentle white spice complexity, moments of quince and brown skinned pear. Youthful and enticing. Fantastic on the palate with a taut, precise touch, flavours of fresh apple and quince, baked apple and a fie lees quality, a whisper of spice and back bone of acidity. A delicious wine, well made and ready to drink from 2022 through 2030+.

Soft, ripe, and fantastic. Drink now. A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Spicy plum, raspberry, sandalwood, black cherry, fruitcake and a hint of bubble gum.

95 Points (5 Stars). Superbly complex and enticing, the bouquet shows grilled stone fruit, citrus peel, vanillin oak and brioche characters with a hint of butterscotch note. The palate delivers excellent concentration and plush mouthfeel, wonderfully structured by vibrant acidity. Multi-layered and delectably styled with a persistent refined finish. At its best: now to 2029. $30.00. NZ Distributor: Dhall & Nash Fine Wines. Dec 2022.

Lemon blossom, sliced apple, fresh pear and gooseberry on the nose. Some blanched almonds and herbs, too. It's medium-bodied with bright acidity. Juicy, with a mineral edge.

"Ripper Rosé" - Mostly syrah with viognier and mourvèdre. The blend has produced a bone-dry and perfectly balanced wine that can be enjoyed with or without food. Deliciously accessible now with floral and summer berry flavours. 2024–2027. (05 Mar 2024) 

In a funky 1 litre bottle. Made from hand-harvested indigenous baga grapes. Very approachable, soft and ripe at 11.5% ABV. Spice, poached plum, cherry almond and umami earthy mushroom. Would pass for a pinot noir in a blind tasting. Chill for summer sipping.

Made from a blend of 60% Shiraz and 40% Cinsault, the 2018 Le Rouge captures the essence and purity of each varietal. Aromas of black pepper, smoked herbs and roasted meats flutter with dusty dark fruit aromas from the Shiraz, whereas the high-toned and red-fruited nature of Cinsault adds notions of black raspberry, wild strawberry and cherry skin and a subtle hint of dusty, wild brush. Medium-bodied, the 13.5% alcohol wine shows true, displaying layers of red and black fruit mingling on the mid-palate with black spice and potpourri flavors. Showing a balanced structure with succulent tannins, the wine concludes with a slightly spicy finish, proving it's an instant success and should drink well for the next 7-8 years.

Bright, medium yellow with depth, a slight green hue, and even colour throughout. The nose is full, with underlying power, aromas of ripe stonefruit, melon interweave smoke, flint and minerals. Full-bodied, aromas of melon, papaya and ripe stonefruit melded with smoky flint, clay minerals and spice. There is a savoury element that contributes to weight. An unctuous mouthfeel added volume. This is a weighty, powerful Chenin Blanc with ripe fruit, minerals and flint on a savoury, textural palate. Match with roasted turkey and pork over the next 3-5 years. Fruit from Swartland, 100% Chenin Blanc, dry farmed, average vine age 40 y.o., handpicked, whole bunch pressed, wild yeast fermented to 13% alc, 3 g/l RS. Fermentation and aging took place for nine months on its fine lees in stainless steel tanks (40%), wooden tank (40%) and 500-litre new French oak barrels (5% new wood). Vegan friendly. 18.5-/20 pts (92 pts) Sep 2022 RRP $45

Shows a lightly honeyed edge, with beeswax and paraffin notes lining the core of lemon curd, white peach, meringue and sunchoke. The long, floral-filled finish is lacy and alluring.

Mid straw. Much older and more rancio than most Manzanillas. A strong statement! Fairly low acid but with masses of character. A food Manzanilla rather than an aperitif. Lots of chew. Medium persistence.

Lightly pungent, with salted caramel, hazelnut husk and toasted almond notes that are fuller than most finos, backed by a briny edge on the bone-dry finish.

Orangey straw colour. Broad and smoky. Seriously tangy. Obviously quite concentrated in cask. Really refreshing – like a poke with a stick! Bready sensation on the end.

“What’s spellbinding about this wine is the acidity and the freshness. Yes, it’s Priorat and it’s a big wine, but so nimble and full of tension. Packed with redcurrant and raspberry, hints of cacao and woodsmoke. Impressively fruit focused.” - The Morning Claret, Simon J. Woolf, Wine journalist

Intensely fruity, fine-grained and very balanced. It will age well, but is already perfect for drinking now.

A pale, peach-hued orange with subtle fizz introduces this thirst-quenching ‘pétillant naturel.’ The fruity citrus notes meld with the botanical edge the sauvignon blanc lends to this blend. A beautiful nose of quince, orchard fruits and white florals. Long, refreshing and highly textured palate that would sing at a summer garden party.

Best Buy. Rich and enticing Danish pastry aromas lead to ripe fruit and spices on the palate of this plush-textured, softly balanced wine. Vanilla, butter and hints of cinnamon give it the confectionary effect.

Awarded Best in Class. "Bogle Family Vineyards 2021 California Chardonnay: The Bogle family hits the rare Chardonnay trifecta with its 2021 take on the varietal, seizing suggestions of all three fruit groups generally associated with the wine - tropical, citric, apple. While soft and easy-going, this Chardonnay has the structure to hang with fried chicken and the subtle layering that keeps it interesting even when sipped on its own as aperitif."

From the Duckhorn Portfolio, Decoy 2022 Zinfandel is a dry, full-bodied and fresh Zin, generous and juicy with pomegranate, dark berry and ripe cherry flavours rich and generous on the palate. Enjoy it with ribs and burgers from the grill.

Full, deep ruby-red with a purple hue, lighter on the rim. The nose is lush and full, with ripe blackberry, dark plum, Kirsch and spice aromas. Full-bodied, blackberry, dark plum aromas are ripe, unfolding Kirsch, nutmeg, and cedar. The wine is bold with dark fruit and alcohol power; the ripe fruit is melded with ripe tannins and lends a rich, dry finish. Match with lamb burger and smoked brisket over the next 3+ years. 14.5% alc. 18+/20 pts (91 pts) July 2023

Unmistakable on the nose, the 2019 Syrah The Deal Sundance Vineyard offers aromas of black fruit, roasted plums, hints of black pepper and smoked meat while roasted herbs and wilted red flowers sway out of the glass. Medium to full-bodied, the wine displays balance and a delightful texture before revealing fine-grained tannins over the mid-palate. The 100% whole-cluster Syrah lingers with a long finish and is not overcomplicated by excessive oak usage, allowing this Syrah to conclude with a burst of floral and succulent fruit essences.

Black tea, blackberry, redcurrant and sage on the nose. Full-bodied with fine, tight tannins. Bright acidity lifts up the dark-fruit profile and brings energy and drive to the lengthy palate. Ground spice and dark chocolate turn the experience savory by the end. Well structured. Excellent depth of flavor. 

The 2020 Syrah Grand Estates impresses with a dusty mix of dried flowers, blackberries and sage. It's silky and round on the palate, traversing both savory and sweet with mineral-tinged black fruits and hints of licorice. This finishes lightly structured with round tannins while tapering off with pretty violet florals and hints of licorice. There's a lovely balance as the 2020 really aims to please.