Mount Veeder Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2015- timeless class Cabernet.

Mount Veeder Winery was the first on the mountain, sitting high above the fog line and receiving sunshine almost all day. It was started by Michael and Arlene Bernstein in 1970, planting Bordeaux rootstock. Later, they made history by being the first in Napa Valley to plant Petit Verdot and all five Bordeaux varietals onContinue reading “Mount Veeder Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2015- timeless class Cabernet.”

Penley Estate ‘Phoenix’ Cabernet 2021- worth drinking at least twice, or more.

This has always been a budget-friendly wine that over-delivers on great vintages, and 2021 was an excellent vintage. With a string of 92 Pt ratings, I was keen to get this in the glass and find out where this was up to, with 4 years under the belt. The name was conceived by Reginald LesterContinue reading “Penley Estate ‘Phoenix’ Cabernet 2021- worth drinking at least twice, or more.”

Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2018- one of the best I’ve tasted!

There are few things I look forward to more than a release of the new vintage of St Henri- one of my all-time favorite wines and most definitely my favorite Penfolds wine. I’ve been fortunate to have tasted 20 plus vintages and its like sitting down with an old friend you haven’t seen for aContinue reading “Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2018- one of the best I’ve tasted!”

Celeste Crianza Tempranillo 2020

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL. The vineyard’s location explains why this is such an enjoyable wine that most certainly over-delivers. The vineyards are in Fompedraza, Ribera del Duero, sitting approximately 895 meters above sea level, one of the highest vineyards in the northern hemisphere. The altitude combined with medium—to fine-textured soils rich in carbonate depositedContinue reading “Celeste Crianza Tempranillo 2020”

Taub Family Rutherford Cabernet 2018- Celebrate Christmas in style.

Taub Family Rutherford Cabernet 2018 The Taub Family wines continue to fly under the radar and produce impressive wines year in and year out. All this while staying the course and not giving in to what style is popular this year. This wine draws you in with enticing aromas of blackberries, dark cherries, and blackContinue reading “Taub Family Rutherford Cabernet 2018- Celebrate Christmas in style.”

Wirra Wirra RSW Shiraz 2013 – from the cellar.

Though it was about time I pulled a 2013 RSW Shiraz from the cellar, it has been a few years since I checked in on this stunning wine and I was more than curious to see how this wine has evolved. The wine was named after Robert Strangways Wigley, a noted South Australian eccentric andContinue reading “Wirra Wirra RSW Shiraz 2013 – from the cellar.”

A Red and A White for your consideration.

Tenuta Di Nozzole Chianti Classico Riserva 2020 The estate dates back to the 1,300’s and was acquired by the Folonari family in 1971. Perched on the top of a picturesque hill, this 385-hectare estate, consists of 90 hectares under vines and 15 hectares of olive groves. They also have a separate farmhouse with extensive gardensContinue reading “A Red and A White for your consideration.”

Heitz Cellar Cabernet 2017

This is old school Cabernet, knows its lane and does not disappoint, not even for a second. An excellent expression of Napa and all that it offers. Family owned since its beginnings in 1961 with pioneering vintner Joe Heitz cutting his teeth in Napa in the 1950’s. He is credited in ushering in a newContinue reading “Heitz Cellar Cabernet 2017”

Yangarra Kings Wood Shiraz 2020

This is elegant, restrained McLaren Vale Shiraz that is both seductive and appealing from the first sip. This is part of their single vineyard Premium release wines and was sourced from a 2.3hectare block 12 planted in 1999- a southeast facing vineyard planted on sandy and ironstone soil. 2020 was a tough vintage but someContinue reading “Yangarra Kings Wood Shiraz 2020”

Wittmann 100 Hills Dry Riesling 2022 – quality on a budget.

I hold the opinion, unpopular I might add, that Germany could not make a dry Riesling to save their life- this has only 6.0 grams/liter. I grew up drinking bone dry Rieslings from Clare Valley in Barossa in South Australia- my reference point.   This is a great example of what I consider to be,Continue reading “Wittmann 100 Hills Dry Riesling 2022 – quality on a budget.”