Rolly Gassmann Riesling 2020
Buena Vista Sonoma County Zinfandel 2018
Buena Vista Sonoma County Zinfandel 2018 is a fruit-forward, medium-to-full-bodied Sonoma Zin, led by ripe blackberry, dark plum and raspberry flavours, with black pepper, baking spice and a touch of earthiness adding complexity. On the palate, it feels firm and slightly chewy, but the balanced acidity keeps it fresh and drinkable, and the wine finishes with a warm, gently spicy, lingering close. Overall, I’d describe it as a classic, approachable, well-made Zinfandel that delivers plenty of flavour and balance, even if it isn’t aiming to be a top-tier, collector-style bottle.
Ashbourne Sandstone 2024
A wine that is all about texture and tension rather than oak, this blend of Sauvignon Blanc,
18% Chardonnay and 16% Semillon was fermented and aged in amphoras, ceramic and
concrete eggs and older barrels. Herbal, structured and pithy, it has appealing aromas of
petrichor and fennel, flavours of citrus, tarragon and elderflower and an enticing bitter twist.
93 Tim Atkin MW South Africa 2025 Special Report
The 2024 Sandstone is a blend of 66% Sauvignon Blanc, 16% Chardonnay and 18% Sémillon, fermented mostly in amphora. It has quite a pungent bouquet that I really like, with touches of white asparagus and nettle and fine delineation. The palate is well balanced, with a touch of lemon and orange rind and just a hint of that asparagus again, with a lovely texture on the finish. It's not a crowd pleaser, but I like its uncompromising nature.
91 Neal Martin, Vinous, September 2025
Shannon Vineyards Oscar Browne Chardonnay 2021
The Shannon Vineyards Oscar Browne Chardonnay 2021 is a premium white wine from the Elgin Valley in the Western Cape of South Africa. Named after the estate's founder, it is recognized as a sophisticated, cool-climate Chardonnay.
93/100 (Tim Atkin MW, 2021 Vintage)
Tasting Notes & Character
Aroma: Features an enticing bouquet of apricot, peach, citrus/tangerine, and fragrant pear, with subtle hints of vanilla.
Palate: Full-bodied yet elegant and balanced. Flavours include ripe pear, lime zest, and creamy, buttery tones.
Structure: It has a "river stone" minerality, with a bold, complex, and layered profile.
Finish: Graceful, sustained, and fresh, with lingering acidity and spicy nuances.
Style: Buttery and complex.
Giant Steps Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2023
Giant Steps Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2023
This wine is very much a sum of its parts, with perfumed cherry characters coming from the Sexton Vineyard, Campari notes from Applejack and Tarraford's mocha and cocoa earthiness under pinning it. It has vibrant red and blue fruits but a lovely underlying earthiness, with white mushrooms, truffles, savoury spice and forest floor characters. An elegant wine with breadth, structure and viscosity on the palate.
Tenuta Luce Lucente 2021
Tenuta Luce Lucente 2021
Lucente 2021 shows a brilliant ruby red color. The nose is rich in black fruits such as blueberries and blackberries, accompanied by a light balsamic and pan brioché note. The palate is soft supported by a nice freshness, with enveloping tannins and a long fruity aftertaste.
91 WinesCritic
Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2024
Trinity Hill Hawke's Bay Chardonnay is a, vibrant, and, critically-acclaimed white wine from New Zealand, often noted for its refined, mineral-driven style with notes of stone fruit, lemon, and hazelnut. It frequently features barrel fermentation for a creamy, textured finish, with grapes sourced from the Gimblett Gravels and other Hawke's Bay sub-regions.
Valenciso Rioja Reserva 2019
Valenciso Rioja Reserva 2019
The 2019 Valenciso Reserva is highly regarded by critics, often praised for its balance between classic Rioja style and modern, elegant, and fresh characteristics. It is produced from 100% Tempranillo, typically aged in French oak for around 17–19 months.
Critic Ratings & Notes
Critics have awarded the 2019 Valenciso Reserva scores ranging from 92 to 94 points.
Tim Atkin MW (94 Points): Described the wine as "youthful, structured and vigorous," a "compact, serious, age-worthy red" with dark plum and blackberry fruit and a "balsamic undertone".
James Suckling (93 Points): Noted "ripe, racy aromas of dark plums, cherries, dark earth, walnut husks, dark mushrooms and graphite" and a "restrained and rather understated" style with a medium body and "fine-grained tannins".
Decanter (93 Points): Highlighted "fleshy black fruit" integrated with "subtle savouriness of thyme, wild oregano, macerated sage and mint".
Vinous (92 Points): Described a garnet hue with "red fruit, cherry and light jammy notes alongside gentle oak" and a "dry and juicy" palate with "firm, fine-grained tannins and good intensity".
General Characteristics
Reviewers note a perfumed aroma with violet, blackberry, and savoury spice. The palate is described as juicy and powerful, with "gentle" or "fine" tannins. The wine shows balanced acidity and a structure suggesting good aging potential. The overall style is often called "understated" and "elegant".
Pairing & Drinking Window
Recommendations for food pairings include roast lamb, game pie, strong cheeses, and grilled dishes. The wine is suitable for drinking now but has the structure for further aging, with suggested windows generally extending from 2024 to 2035.
These reviews detail the tasting notes and ratings for the 2019 Valenciso Reserva, highlighting its complex aromas, palate structure, and potential for aging.
Quinta da Fonte Souto Branco 2023
Initial aromatic impression of light smoke with a touch of gunpowder (flint),
followed by citrusy notes, peach, and apricot, as well as some vanilla and wild
white flowers in the background. On the palate, the complexity is highlighted by
the well-integrated barrel and some good bottle aging, which blend harmoniously
with the pronounced freshness from the good acidity. This is a stunning white
wine from the mountains, displaying poise, elegance, and generous amplitude.
Arinto (approx. 65-75%) and Verdelho (approx. 25-35%)
Prats & Symington Post Scriptum 2023
Prats & Symington Post Scriptum 2023 is a Portuguese red wine crafted from Touriga Nacional, along with Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz. From the esteemed Douro Valley, it exhibits a deep ruby hue and a bouquet of ripe red fruits, subtle spices and oak influences. The palate reveals a structured body, characterised by a moderate acidity and firm tannins, providing a savoury finish. Prats & Symington, established in 1998, is known for its commitment to sustainable practices, ensuring meticulous vineyard management and quality.
AA Badenhorst Secateurs Chenin Blanc 2025
The 2025 Secateurs Chenin Blanc opens with an inviting, crystalline bouquet of green apple, quince and white pear, underpinned by fragrant citrus blossom and hints of lemon zest and chalky minerality. Subtle notes of honeysuckle and flinty reduction add aromatic complexity without overpowering the fresh fruit core.
On the palate, the wine is bright and finely poised, with vibrant acidity that carries juicy orchard fruit and citrus flavours through a nervy, focused mid-palate. Layers of quince and tart apple are complemented by a fine thread of saline minerality and a touch of soft spice. The texture is crisp yet creamy, exhibiting a refined tension that leads to a long, refreshing finish with gentle herbal undertones.
Elegant and expressive, this Chenin Blanc balances fruit purity with structural precision — ideal for early enjoyment but with enough grip for gentle short-term development.
Bargylus Grand Vin de Syrie Rouge
The wine is as intense as you would expect from an emissary from the arid land of the crusades, with the fragrance of balsam and savoury spices plus a top note of some dried herbs, but it manages to remain wonderfully fresh and appetising on the finish too after intense, ripe, quite complex fruit. Eastern promise indeed! I really don’t think many people would be disappointed by what this wine has to offer. It is 14.6% alcohol but is chock-full of flavour. Jancis Robinson, (17)
Blend composition
~60% Syrah
~20% Merlot
~20% Cabernet Sauvignon
