A more delicate Haut-Bailly that is a blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. This is quite aromatic with notes of violets, cherry blossom and wild herbs. The palate opens with accents of sandalwood and a little white pepper before a lattice of fine-boned tannins clothed in red berry fruits floods the palate. A lot of energy and tension here, transporting the gravelly terroir with charm.

A powerful, serious 890 the 2011 comes a ripe year that shows impeccable balance. Opening with notes of dried mushroom, tobacco, leather and grilled meat this builds on the palate. With air notes of truffle and sweet spice come forward. The palate pulses with energy with ripe, resolved tannin, sweet dark fruit and hints of dried dill and brick dust. It is a vibrant and muscular Rioja that while ready to drink is surely for the long-haul.

A powerful, serious 890 the 2011 comes a ripe year that shows impeccable balance. Opening with notes of dried mushroom, tobacco, leather and grilled meat this builds on the palate. With air notes of truffle and sweet spice come forward. The palate pulses with energy with ripe, resolved tannin, sweet dark fruit and hints of dried dill and brick dust. It is a vibrant and muscular Rioja that while ready to drink is surely for the long-haul.

A powerful, serious 890 the 2011 comes a ripe year that shows impeccable balance. Opening with notes of dried mushroom, tobacco, leather and grilled meat this builds on the palate. With air notes of truffle and sweet spice come forward. The palate pulses with energy with ripe, resolved tannin, sweet dark fruit and hints of dried dill and brick dust. It is a vibrant and muscular Rioja that while ready to drink is surely for the long-haul.

Domaine Lafage, situated between Perpignan and the Spanish border in Côtes Catalanes, Roussillon, has been run by Jean-Marc and Eliane Lafage since 2001. The estate, with 7 generations and its two centuries of winemaking history dating back to 1798 prides itself on producing fine and elegant wines from the mosaic of vineyards in this dry, windy and rugged landscape. The 2024 Miraflors rosé is a blend of 30% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache Noir and 40% Grenache Gris. Grown on terraced plots along the coast and aged in concrete, it is decidedly Provençal in style. It is juicy, with pure strawberry, citrus and orange peel flavours. The wine has a distinct minerality, with a deliciously fresh, slightly spicy finish.

Domaine Lafage, situated between Perpignan and the Spanish border in Côtes Catalanes, Roussillon, has been run by Jean-Marc and Eliane Lafage since 2001. The estate, with 7 generations and its two centuries of winemaking history dating back to 1798 prides itself on producing fine and elegant wines from the mosaic of vineyards in this dry, windy and rugged landscape. The 2024 Miraflors rosé is a blend of 30% Mourvèdre, 30% Grenache Noir and 40% Grenache Gris. Grown on terraced plots along the coast and aged in concrete, it is decidedly Provençal in style. It is juicy, with pure strawberry, citrus and orange peel flavours. The wine has a distinct minerality, with a deliciously fresh, slightly spicy finish.

The 2021 season was cool, with plenty of cloud cover and rain. This wine bears the fruits of the diligent labor in the vineyards and is one of the shining lights in the region this year. There are notes of raspberry and seaweed, moss and iron and forest floor. This is a lighter style of Cabernet—and a lovely one at that.

Beautifully integrated tannins shape the palate on the 2022 Art Series Shiraz, while the fruit flavors and indeed length of flavor show an impressive completeness, leafiness and suppleness. This is very good, elegant.

Benchmark Australian Chardonnay from Margaret River, Leeuwin Estate 2022 is typified by its nuttiness and a distinct chamomile tea/white flower character. Skillful use of oak is matched seamlessly to the fruit. There are toasted nuts, yellow fruits, exotic spices and an open fan of acidity/phenolics through the finish.

A classic, vibrant and tense Montrose of subtlety and focus. It is a true classic, the opens with violet-tinged mineral notes of oyster shell and soy. Notes of smoked cedar, sandalwood, soy and kelp emerge too, shimmering from the core of dark cherry fruit. There is a firm, sinewy frame of tannins but this is not lacking in any elegance of detail. A real classic, with the highest ever portion of Cabernet Sauvignon, all from plots on the famous Terrace 4 soils.