Raymond Chan (100)

Full, even, black-hued ruby-red with youthful purple tints. The nose is very full with softly concentrated and layered aromas of rich, ripe, dark red berries and cherries along with nuances of dark red plums entwined with fragrant violet florals, fresh herb and spicy detail. The aromatics blossom to reveal notes of raspberry liqueur, earth and minerals. This exudes richness allied to elegance and finesse. Medium-full bodied, vibrantly succulent and lusciously sweet fruit flavours of dark red berry and cherry fruit are harmoniously melded with flavours of ripe dark plums and fragrant violet florals, dark herbs, spices and red licorice. The flavours are seamlessly mouthfilling and supported by refined, flowery tannin extraction, and enlivened by poised acidity. This has drive, energy and fine linearity, and the wine carries to a very long and sustained, rich finish of spiced cherries and raspberry liqueur. This is a beautifully rich and succulent, elegantly balanced and refined Pinot Noir with seamless-flowing, ripe flavours of dark berry and cherry fruit with complexing floral and herbal detail. Match with duck, pork, beef and lamb dishes over the next 7-10 years. Fruit from the oldest parcels, 40% Abel clone with the remainder clones 5, Dijon and 10/5, indigenous yeast fermented with 25% whole bunches to 14.0% alc., the wine spending 20-26 days on skins and aged 11 months in 35% new French oak barrels.

Vinous (89)

This is Sauvignon Blanc made in a host of ways, hence the name Raranga, which means “woven” in Māori. There were parcels fermented in tank and in barrels, while a small proportion was fermented on skins, and a splash was whole-bunch fermented. After a couple of years, this is starting to shed its primary fruit and taking on characters of lanolin and oatmeal alongside citrus, pear and lemon tart. It has good depth and concentration and offers some interest texturally. The finish is clean and zesty although a little brief.

Wine Advocate (89+)

Merlot has taken a beating in the world marketplace, but there is no question there are some good ones, and the 2005 Merlot John Zilm may turn out to be an outstanding example with another year or so of bottle age. Aged 16 months in 100% new French oak, it exhibits a deep ruby/purple color, good uplift, excellent definition, hints of sweet blackberries, plums, red currants, mocha, and coffee beans, a lovely texture, fine purity, and serious concentration. This delicious Merlot can be enjoyed over the next 7-10 years.

Raymond Chan (19.50)

Dark ruby-red colour with good depth. The nose has well-ripened dark-red and black berried fruits with nuances of dark red plums, unfolding an array of dark-red floral perfumes, and hints of dark herbs. A minerally edge is apparent to balance the fruit richness. Lovely detailing. Medium-full bodied, the palate features rich, sweet and plush fruit flavours of dark-red berry fruit and black cherries, along with notes of plums and liquorice. Some dark herb and floral lift provides elegance. The mouthfeel shows very fine-grained tannin extraction and excellent acid freshness and tension. The wine flows along a velvety line, carrying to a long, sustained, sweet fruited, bright finish with acid freshness. This is richer and more complete since last tasting. Fruit from the ‘Dry River Estate’, ‘Lovat’ and ‘Craighall’ sites, fermented with 30% whole clusters to 13.0% alc., the wine aged 12 months in 15% new 300 L and 350 L hogsheads.

Experience the rich heritage of Australian wine with the Fox Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 1998, an exquisite vintage crafted in the celebrated McLaren Vale region. The maestros at the award-winning Fox Creek Estates have meticulously cultivated this sumptuous varietal in the alluvial, nutrient-rich terrains, with emphasis on sustainable farming practices.

The Fox Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 1998 exudes a harmonious blend of blackberry, capsicum and violet aromas, complimented by bewitching notes of mocha and French oak vanillin stemming from the laborious 22 month barrel ageing process. This medium-to-full-bodied wine is bewitching on the palate with its perfectly balanced flavour profile and well-integrated tannins.

Offering a remarkable cellaring potential, the Fox Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 1998 captures the true essence of Australian winemaking, delivering an unwavering quality that has positioned it amongst the world's most sought-after wines.

Halliday Wine Companion (94)

Dense stygian colour; top example of a full-bodied McLaren Vale loaded with blackberry fruit and dark chocolate, yet not hot or heavy; good extract and oak.

The Real Review (96)

Really pale and youthful in the glass with plenty of steely green hues. Slatey and minerally on the nose, there's also citrus blossom, lime zest and a touch of melon skin. Flavours are focused and precise, there's lashings of lemony, limey goodness, a lick of wet stone along with a bright and crunchy acidity that gives great drive and length to the wine. A super expression of riesling.

James Suckling (92)

This youthful sauvignon has attractive lime-leaf and fresh-herb aromas with passion fruit and a succulent, fine and fresh lime finish. Immediate enjoyment here. Drink now. Screw cap.

Vinous (92)

This Sauvignon is neither flamboyant in its aromatics nor firm in its structure, but quietly understated, like its maker – and it is all the better for it. The pure and delicate flavors include apple and elderflower. The aromatic intensity has had the volume turned down to a pleasing hum thanks to 20% wild fermentation. Light in body, displaying lovely balance and poise.

Decanter (95)

Seductive bouquet of wild flowers and minerals, a fine leesy complexity and fresh aromas and flavours of citrus, peach tea and sweet hay. Crisp, refreshing, fruity and dry with fine texture. Just enough concentration of flavour to contrast the fresh herb notes and salivating acidity. Well made and long.

The Real Review (95)

Struck flint reductive notes introduce the bouquet, and there is richness and excellent depth of fruit in the mouth, underlined by a little apparent sweetness, all resolved on the nicely balanced finish. Superb flavour: gooseberry, kiwi-fruit, passionfruit and other tropical fruits, and a long and satisfying aftertaste.

Decanter (97)

The flagship wine from renowned winemaker Kevin Judd, who founded this winery with wife Kimberley in 2009 after 25 years at Cloudy Bay. Sourced from sites across the region, it is fermented using wild yeasts in old French oak barriques where it rests on lees for six months. Roger Jones: Stylish balance of fruit to herbaceous notes, multi-layered with a crunchy texture, mellow yellow summer field flowers. The elegance at the end is quite remarkable. Freddy Bulmer: Attractive and clean on the nose, plenty of primary fruit but also a nice amount of savoury character from the oak. Well balanced and really quite a serious wine. Cat Lomax: Expressive, punchy nose. Great concentration, tonnes of luscious Sauvignon fruit supported by very smart use of oak. Tastes like pricey white Bordeaux. Delicious.

Jancis Robinson (18)

Subtle and layered. Really exciting already because of the density. Tense but the fruit extract means you could actually drink it now.

Decanter (98)

The clean, fresh aromas of just-picked citrus fruits belie the enormous power of lime juice and rich lemon pith that immediately fills the front palate on this latest vintage. There’s poise in addition to the power though, with multiple layers of rounded citrus and mineral flavours enjoying a luxurious textural roll through the mid-palate. Perfect integration of fresh citric acid carries the pure fruit qualities through extraordinary length to a crisp, lip-smacking finish.

Vinous (92)

(63% shiraz, 18% cabernet sauvignon, 10% merlot and 9% cabernet franc) Saturated red color. Black raspberry, boysenberry, cherry-cola and Asian spices on the nose, with gentle oak spiciness adding further complexity. Plump and juicy, offering luscious dark berry, cherry-vanilla flavors and succulent herb flavors, with silky tannins providing frame. Firm minerality lends focus to an impressively long, juicy finish, which leaves anise and baking spices behind. Suave and sweet, with the balance to age but the sex-appeal to drink now.

The Jane Eyre Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir 2019, eloquently epitomises the ideal terroir of its Australian homeland. Both structured and elegant, it is an expressive, intricately layered wine where sun-kissed red and dark berries coalesce with savoury undertones, culminating in a characteristically long, lithe finish.

Eminently renowned winemaker, Jane Eyre, sources her grapes from select, low-yielding vineyards, exclusively found in the cool-climate region of Mornington Peninsula. Her intimate hands-on approach, featuring traditional Burgundian winemaking techniques, ensures each vintage retains the unique intricacies of the terroir. Fermented with indigenous yeast and nurtured for 16 months in French oak barrels, the Jane Eyre Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir 2019 exudes finesse.

This wine is an immaculate testament to Eyre's expertise in Pinot Noir pronunciation, marrying the purity of fruit with complex undertones. Savour this captivating tipple as a standalone treat or paired with your favourite gourmet gastronomy. The Jane Eyre Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir 2019 exceeds expectations in the realm of fine Australian wine.

Wine Advocate (93)

Kaesler’s deep ruby/purple-tinged 2004 Shiraz Stonehorse (100% Shiraz aged in a combination of French and American oak) exhibits a big, sweet nose of blackberries, cassis, pepper, and spicy oak. Its opulent, richly fruity, full-bodied, yet well-balanced style suggests it will drink well for 10-15 years.

Halliday Wine Companion (94)

The equally deep colour has a better hue than Old Bastard; produced from estate vineyards planted in 1899 and 1965; aromas of licorice, boot polish and black fruits are followed by a distinctly savoury, spicy palate, oak and tannins playing a support role. Shiraz.

Wine Advocate (94)

Sourced from vines planted in 1899 and 1965, Kaesler's 2015 The Bogan Shiraz aged 15 months in 25% new oak. It's a full-bodied but balanced Shiraz, with big blueberry and blackberry flavors but also savory hints of wood, grilled meat and dried spices. Plush and almost creamy on the palate, it moves easily into a long, velvety finish that picks up hints of plum and licorice. Flattering now, it should still be going strong in a decade or more.

Vinous (92)

The 2013 Coddington Chardonnay has one of the most Burgundy-like aromatics of recent years, well defined with touches of smoke and granite. The balanced palate offers a saline entry, moderate acidity, hints of tangy marmalade and clementine and a nicely poised, lightly spiced finish. Very fine. Tasted at the Kumeu River Chardonnay vertical in London.

Vinous (94)

The 2014 Coddington Chardonnay has an attractive, slightly waxy, yellow flower and peach skin bouquet that takes time to unfold, but it is worth the wait. The palate is fresh and well balanced with a fine line of acidity and gorgeous white peach and Japanese yuzu notes toward the mineral-driven finish. An outstanding release from Kumeu River. Tasted at the Kumeu River Chardonnay vertical in London.

Wine Advocate (91+)

The 2015 Coddington Chardonnay is youthfully muted with subtle suggestions of lemon curd, lime leaves and grapefruit peel plus a yeasty, toasty, cedary waft. Light to medium-bodied, fine, fresh and delicate in the mouth, it delivers good citrus and yeasty notes.

Wine Advocate (92)

The 2015 Estate Chardonnay is more open-knit and less taut than the single vineyard wines, with an expressive nose of ripe nectarines, pink grapefruit and guava, plus underlying notes of baking bread and ginger. Medium-bodied, it offers richness and good depth in the mouth with a an approachable, refreshing backbone and great harmony.

Vinous (94)

The 2014 Hunting Hill Chardonnay has a beautifully defined bouquet of mineral-soaked citrus fruit, flint and white flowers, subtle but extremely focused. The well-balanced palate offers a fine bead of acidity, discreet touches of apricot and ginger and superb depth toward the finish. A spicy residue lingers long after the wine has departed. This is yet another brilliant release from Kumeu. Tasted at the Kumeu River Chardonnay vertical in London.

Wine Advocate (94+)

The 2015 Mate's Vineyard Chardonnay is a cracking example of this vineyard/vintage, starting with a youthfully reticent nose of lemon curd, grapefruit juice and peach blossoms with hints of crushed stones, lime leaves and brioche. The medium-bodied palate is tightly wound with an electric backbone of freshness supporting the intense citrus and mineral flavors, finishing with great length. It needs another 3-4 years in bottle to really get into its groove.