1985 Diamond Creek - Volcanic Hill Cabernet Sauvignon (94 pts)

ℹ️ The wine is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with a bit of Petit Verdot from the Volcanic Hill single vineyard in Diamond Mountain AVA of Napa Valley, California. The vines were planted in 1968 on ashy soil of the south-facing hillside estate vineyard. The wines were aged in 💯 new French oak.

👁 Deep ruby color with a pale garnet rim. Incredibly youthful appearance.

👃 An expressive nose that didn't show its true potential until the end of a long evening. The nose started with ripe to overripe black fruit and pen ink, but with air showed rosemary, lavender, pen ink, sweet baking spices, and dried leaves.

👄 The palate is dry, high acidity, medium+ brawny tannins, moderate alcohol (12.5%), and medium+ body. The palate had a ton of primary fruit that was ripe but not jammy. Quite dense and mouth coating but quickly cut by the beautiful acidity. Medium+ length finish of black fruit, garrigue, and integrated oak spice.

🔔 When will the Diamond Creek wines from the 80s be ready? Well, no one really knows exactly. If you get a well-stored bottle like this one, don't be afraid to decant it or open it a day in advance. The Volcanic Hill started as my least favorite wine of the trio, and by the end of the night, it was challenging the Dominus. These wines are almost impossible to catch at their peak due to their backward nature. Yes, yes, it was beautiful, but the patience required to enjoy these wines in the modern era is almost inconceivable. I haven't had a young Diamond Creek in ages, but it seems like I should be drinking their wines from the 70s now.

 1985 Diamond Creek - Volcanic Hill Cabernet Sauvignon (94

ℹ️ The wine is 60% Obaideh and 40% Merwah, both indigenous grapes from Lebanon's Bekaa Valley. The vineyards are ingrafted and planted on the sea-facing slopes of Mount Lebanon at 1,200 meters above sea level. The vines are 50 to 90 years old. Fermented and aged in a combination of new French oak barrels and stainless steel vats for 9 months. The wine is then aged in bottle for 6 years before being released.

👁 Medium lemon color with a slight golden hue.

👃 Medium+ intensity on the nose. Aromas of honeycomb, candle wax, lemon verbena, orange blossom, oak, clove, peach skin, and hay.

👄 The palate is dry, medium+ acidity, medium alcohol (12.5%), and medium body. A good pithy texture on the palate. A medium- length finish of candle wax, hay, and orange peel.

🔔 Typically, I prefer Chateau Musar White wines with more age on them. These are not fruit-driven wines. Although there was a touch of fruit on the nose, the palate was all bottle-aged development. While interesting to check in now, I think this wine still has a metamorphosis to undergo in the cellar before it is ready. It is a bit like an adolescent that is slightly awkward after a growth spurt with a high-pitched voice.

 2012 Chateau Musar - White (90 pts) @chateaumusar ℹ️ The

🍷 What was the last wine where you thought wine critics missed the mark?

ℹ️ The wine is 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot, all from Napanook Vineyard in Napa Valley, California. The wine spent ~18 months in French oak barrels with 20% new oak. The wine was bottle aged an additional 2 years before being released.

👁 Deep garnet color with a pale rim. It was not showing as much age as I would have thought for 36 years of age.

👃 Very Express on the nose showing a combination of ripe and dried black cherry, blackcurrant, and blackberry. Loads of development showing sweet tobacco, well-worn leather jacket, cedar, and forest floor.

👄 The palate is dry, medium+ acidity, moderate ripe, chewy tannins, well-balanced alcohol (13.4%), and medium+ body. This wine is on another level on the palate with a silky smooth texture, wonderfully seamless from beginning to end, and a long lingering finish.

🔔 Only the third vintage of Dominus Estate, firing on all cylinders at 36 years of age. 1985 Dominus is now at its peak, but it should hang here for another decade. This wine blew away the top Châteaux in 1985 in our tasting, but 1985 is a better vintage in Napa than Bordeaux. This wine didn't see much critical acclaim when initially reviewed. To be fair, the wine must have been very tightly wound in its youth. Stunning wine! 👏👏👏

 1985 Dominus Estate (95 pts) @dominusestatewinery 🍷 What

2007 Billecart-Salmon - Cuvée Louis Salmon Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne (94 pts)

ℹ️ This wine is 💯 Chardonnay from 3 Grand Crus (Chouilly, Mesnil-sur-Oger, & Cramant) in the Côte des Blancs, Champagne, France. Half of the blend was vinified in oak without malolactic fermentation, while the other has was in stainless steel with malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged on the lees for 10 years. The dosage is 7 g/l.

👃 Medium+ intensity on the nose. Aromas of toast, brioche, custard, meyer lemon, lemon pith, yellow apple, seashell, salted butter, and acacia.

👄 The wine is dry, high acidity, fine precise bubbles, medium alcohol (12.5%), and medium body. The palate is very creamy but at the same time delicate. A medium+ length finish of baked apple, lemon custard, and brioche.

🔔 2007 Cuvée Louis Salmon is in a fantastic spot at the moment. The nose shows the influence of the oak aging and adds a lot of complexity while staying in balance. The palate is singing on this wine with great tension of the acidity that is perfectly balanced with the 7 g/l dosage. This wine paired amazingly well with a mixture of seafood from oysters to grilled totoaba. Another fabulous Cuvée from Billecart-Salmon! 🥂👏🍾

 2007 Billecart-Salmon - Cuvée Louis Salmon Brut Blanc de

ℹ️ This wine is 💯 Viura (aka Macabeo) from the Rioja region of Spain. Monopole is the oldest white wine brand in Spain. Companiá Vinícola del Norte de España has produced this wine since 1915. Hand-harvested from bush vines in Rioja Alta. Gently pressed and fermented in stainless steel tanks.

👃 Medium- intensity on the nose. Aromas of ripe green apple, pear, acacia, white flowers, and citrus zest.

👄 The wine is dry, medium+ acidity, medium alcohol (12.5%), and medium- body. The palate has a steely texture. A medium- length finish of orchard fruit and florals.

🔔 The 2020 Monopole is fresh and crisp. It is straightforward and subtle, which would make an excellent aperitif wine. Considerably more interesting than most Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio wines at this price point.

 2017 CVNE - Monopole Blanco @cvnevino ℹ️ This wine is 💯

2013 Domaine Denis Bachelet - Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes (92 pts)

ℹ️ This wine is 💯 Pinot Noir from multiple old vine parcels planted in 1932 and 1937 in Gevrey-Chambertin, Burgundy, France. Domaine Denis Bachelet only has 3.85 ha under vine, with this Cuvée being the largest bottling. Hand-harvested, 💯 destemmed grapes, and using indigenous yeast fermentation. The wine is aged in French oak barrels for 16 months with 20% new oak.

👃 Medium intensity on the nose. Aromas of ripe dark cherry, black currant, raspberry, oak, star anise, earth, wet rock, roasted duck, and mint tea.

👄 The wine is dry, medium+ acidity, medium- fine-grained tannins, medium alcohol (12.5%), and medium+ body. The palate shows a depth of concentration and an excellent weight for a village-level wine. A medium+ length finish of dark berries, oak spices, and mint tea.

🔔 The 2013 Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes is another illustration of how a producer can punch above their village level status with great old vine vineyards. This wine was waking up on day two and should be held for a few more years as it should continue to improve. These wines have crept up in price over the last few years. That being said, they still deliver a lot of quality even at these prices.

 2013 Domaine Denis Bachelet - Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles

 has to be one of the premier Pinot vineyards in Australia. With the top of the range retailing for about $800, this one is far more budget friendly. At mid $40, it is their entry level but does it live up to the brand or is it just a means to sell 1000’s of bottles?

The 17k is named after the vineyard (which has 17000 vines). I’ve seen it has had mixed reviews but I loved it. Strong, powerful and an interesting profile. This is not an entry level pinot or some quick grab to sell some bottles. It is a very good pinot for the price. The problem is that this $40 bottle will end up costing me a lot more, as I’ll have to try the reserve and premium one now…simple…

Needs a decanter and time to open up for the full experience.

 Bass Phillip Bin 17K Pinot Noir 2019 Rating: A- Price: $44

More about this beautiful wine in an upcoming review

 Happy International Pinot Noir Day …simple… More about this

Quin Wines 2016 Barossa Shiraz… what a cracking way to celebrate mid-week. 60 minutes in the decanter and this Shiraz was absolutely signing! Of course it’s on the young side, but there’s trademark Barossa fruit concentration and tightly woven savoury / spicy notes that make it bloody good drinking now. It’s an impressive wine, no doubt about it, wish I had a few more for the cellar!

 Quin Wines 2016 Barossa Shiraz… what a cracking way to

What’s your go-to red for under $30? This might just be my newest addition.... Pikes Eastside Shiraz from the Clare Valley, more specifically from Polish Hill River, is such an easy wine to drink. Plums and black cherry aromas, verging on blueberries after time in the glass. The medium bodied palate shows layers of black cherry and plum, with earthy undertones adding a savoury edge and structure. It’s a really well put together wine at a great price-point. The perfect cellar staple!

 What’s your go-to red for under $30? This might just be my

Block 6 at its magical 124 year old best. Dense, full, and effortless this is a Mclaren Vale shiraz of serious quality with a tannin structure and texture that’s a real standout. All in all, a beauty thanks to the strength of those ancient vines planted in 1892.⁣ ⁣

 Block 6 at its magical 124 year old best. Dense, full, and

Ochota Barrels 186 Grenache and Home Pinot Noir. Two wines in the collection I can’t wait to try! If you’ve tried either please let me know what they’re like!?!? -

 Ochota Barrels 186 Grenache and Home Pinot Noir. Two wines

I love finding new producers and quality Pinot Noir to try. Hence trying the 2017 Santolin 'Gruyere' Pinot Noir which, at first impressions, is a very attractive Pinot! It has a nose of fine red berries, black cherry, and raspberries with a whole bunch, slight funk note going on. On the palate, fruit forward flavours of strawberry, raspberry Allen’s frogs and concentrated black cherry adding depth. With medium acidity and super fine tannins it’s very smooth, and incredibly moreish. If you open it, it will get drunk! -

 I love finding new producers and quality Pinot Noir to try

It’s not every day you crack open a 19 year old bottle of the Claire Valleys finest produce. Wendouree wines are mysterious creatures, partly due to the ethos of the owners, which is fantastic and refreshing in today’s rapidly changing world. Simplicity at its best!

The wine... length epic, dried blackberry / mulberry, almost leathery flavors. Ever changing in the glass, such a treat and seriously good. 19 years young,

 It’s not every day you crack open a 19 year old bottle of

Tasmania is rapidly becoming my go-to region for great Pinot Noir and this Glaetzer Dixon Reveur 2013 is a perfect example of why. After a few years in the cellar it is a rich and complex medley of dark plums, black cherries, and spices on the nose. The palate is a concentrated and beautifully integrated harmony of dark cherries, velvety tannins and oak infused spice. Stunning length and texture make every sip a treat. Pinot Noir magic on a Monday, it doesn’t get any better!

 Tasmania is rapidly becoming my go-to region for great

This box tickingly banging Barossa Shiraz from

 that might be one of my new "go to" wines for under $25. Glass staining deep magenta, and violet on the swirl. Dark and brooding sitting in the glass. Very impressive nose, classic Barossa, of dark fruits and Xmas cake spices. Subtle oak too. Full bodied, rich, and luscious, smooth on the palate. Dark fruits give great volume and depth. The lovely oak and soft tannins adding balance perfectly. It's impressively long, took me by surprise to be honest, great drop!

 This box tickingly banging Barossa Shiraz from

What was the last wine you had that got you thinking? Or, got you doing a little digging into what it’s all about? 🍷🍇

For me it’s a fantastic wine from vintage of the decade in Piedmont. Bruno Rocca Langhe Nebbiolo 2016. Such an awesome expression of Nebbiolo that’s beautiful now and clearly going to evolve for years to come. It’s entry level for Bruno Rocca wines made from Barbaresco vineyards with younger vines, up to 15 years old. It packs an awesome flavour punch to complete with the bigger names and price tags for sure. I can’t wait to explore more of what they have to offer! This could easily become an addiction.... Glad I’m stocking up!! 🍷🍇

 What was the last wine you had that got you thinking? Or

Don’t let that light colour fool you, this is a flavour monster! Cherries, spices, feint gun smoke and rhubarb on the nose. The palate is full of red cherries and damsons, savoury oak edges, and baking spices. Clean acidity and chewy tannins wrap up proceedings. A gem of a Pinot Noir from Lyons Will in the Macedon Ranges, well played!! -

 Don’t let that light colour fool you, this is a flavour

 Nero D’Avola… couldn’t be more drinkable if it tried. Straight to the point, no messing, just quality dark fruits, berries, earthy notes and fine tannins. It’s a crowd pleaser, no doubt about it, and it has a gold medal under its belt to back it up! -

 @Sherrahwines  Nero D’Avola… couldn’t be more drinkable if

Wendouree’s Malbec varieties never fail to disappoint. These two, the Shiraz-Malbec 2000 and Cabernet-Malbec 2005, were absolutely bang-on. Only showing the first signs of age with the colour starting to shift. The fruit, still there in buckets, dark and brooding. Fine, slightly grippy tannins and good acid hold them  together and they finish long, very long. Plenty of life left in these two!⁣

 Wendouree’s Malbec varieties never fail to disappoint

Very excited to see this little gem hit the cellar. Bruno Rocca Barbaresco Rabajà 2015. 100% Nebbiolo that spends 12 month in French oak barriques followed by 12 month in French oak barrels. This wine excites me... too bad it’ll be in the cellar for a while! Possibly the most beautiful label I’ve seen for a long time as well. Screems class

 Very excited to see this little gem hit the cellar. Bruno

Perhaps the best value wine find of the year! The Calabria Family make some awesome wines, Old Vine Shiraz and the Saint Petri selection (check them out) two name a few, but this Nero D’Avola for sheer drinkability is a quality find at a fraction of the cost. Red berry fruit, earthy and herbal aromatics, fine grain emery-board like tannins on the finish. Sub $15, unbelievable really. A fun, super enjoyable drop that’s well worth trying, end of.

 Perhaps the best value wine find of the year! The Calabria

Top notch Barossa Shiraz goodness with a showstopper bottle as well. The complete package in my eyes. First produced in 1984 and granted Langston’s Exceptional status in 2005 this is a real quintessential Aussie classic. Love or hate its style it flys off the shelves and given time becomes a treasure, one of those “I remember when” wines! Some say it got 99 points 😳

 Top notch Barossa Shiraz goodness with a showstopper bottle

These box fresh Yarra Valley gems from Santolin Wines are looking bloody good to me. Who doesn’t love a Pinot Noir in the warmer months! 🙌🍷🙏

 Best Aussie region for Pinot Noir? - These box fresh Yarra

​The old faithful! When you just want a no nonsense, straight-up, Barossa Shiraz that’s not going to put a big hole in your pocket you’ll find it hard to beat this from Pirathon.⁠

Made from old, dry grown, vines producing low yields and super concentrated fruit. Traditionally open fermented, pumped-over by hand, and basket pressed before an 18 month stint in oak. ⁠

The result…Ripe, full bodied, and mouth-fillingly deep blackberry cassis flavours with touches of pepper and fruitcake spices. It’s hard to go wrong when you get all that and a big smile for $25!⁠

 ​The old faithful! When you just want a no nonsense

I’m a sucker for single vineyard, small batch, productions regardless of the variety and this

 Montepulciano, affectionately named “The Mob” is limited to 200 dozen and comes from a 1 hectare single vineyard in the Barossa. So with both boxes ticked, what’s it like? Black cherry in colour, impenetrable beginning to end. Sets the scene nicely for the dark cherry and red plum blast, twiggy herbals, and almost tarry edge all balanced nicely with chewy tannins and medium acidity. It’s a taste of Italy that’s had the Barossa treatment, and there’s nothing wrong with that!

 I’m a sucker for single vineyard, small batch, productions

Pretty glad I snagged a couple of these gems recently! Adding to the Chardonnay and Gamay  this Sorrenberg Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2018 is one of Australia’s best white wines you can get your hands on, shame there’s so little made! I’ll be tucking these away for 3-5 years to let them evolve before I see what all the fuss is about! -

This wine is a blend of 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Semillon. Most of the Sauvignon Blanc fruit had 8 hours skin contact prior to pressing. The Semillon component is crushed and pressed immediately after picking. This wine was 100% barrel fermented with predominantly larger barrels used. All went through natural yeast fermentation. The extended lees contact helps fill out the middle palate and gives this wine the extra dimension it is known for.

 Pretty glad I snagged a couple of these gems recently!

.wines Heathcote Shiraz, Sangiovese and Yarra Valley Chardonnay delivered before work, perfect timing! As a huge supporter of trying wines from new producers I can’t wait to get into these! -

 Fresh out of the box. @mt .wines Heathcote Shiraz

​⁠That nervous feeling when your boss says "order the wine" and this rocks up. It's easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission right? Especially when this beaut puts a smile the size of a house on your face. Highly recommended! ⁠

 ​⁠That nervous feeling when your boss says "order the wine"

From a small, 72 year old, single vineyard in the Blewitt Springs sub-region of the McLaren Vale this Grenache from Longline Wines has everything going for it. Combine that with 20% whole bunch, time in a concrete egg and seasoned French Oak puncheons and the end product is a wine you just want to savour. Lovely crunchy red berry fruits, red currants and raspberries with spices and earthy undertones. Crisp acidity and fine grained tannins wrap up this medium bodied package. It’s a gem of a wine with interest and complexly, and did I mention it’s only $26.....? You can’t buy better than that, end of. -

 From a small, 72 year old, single vineyard in the Blewitt

2017 Catena Zapata - Malbec Argentino (93 pts)

ℹ️ This wine is 💯 Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina. The label is stunning and reflects four female figures that embody different landmarks in the Malbec grape's history. The grapes come from two vineyards, the Nicasia Vineyard (San Carlos Region) and Angélica Vineyard (Maipú Region). The Nicasia Vineyard is planted at 1,095 m, and the vines are ~20 years old. The Angélica Vineyard is planted at 920 m, and the vines are ~90 years old. Native yeast fermentation in barrels with 20% whole cluster for 30 days. The wine is aged in French oak barrels for 18 months.

👁 Deep purple color with heavy staining.

👃 Pronounced intensity on the nose. Aromas of ripe blueberry, boysenberry, raspberry, red plum, oak, vanilla, clove, coriander seed, licorice, violets, pen ink, and balsamic reduction (VA).

👄 The wine is dry, medium+ acidity, medium+ ripe tannins, high alcohol (14.1%), and full body. A long length finish with layers of black and blue fruit, licorice, and baking spices.

🔔 Malbec Argentino is a fist full of flavor that punches you in the face. 😝🥊

 would give this 💯 points for sure. 🤣This bottle is very layered and complex but on the indulgent and opulent side of red wine. I don't talk about labels often, but this label is a piece of art. For a bit more money, I think the Adrianna Vineyard River Stones Malbec is a more compelling expression of terroir for my palate. Both of those wines show the nobility of the Malbec 🍇.

 2017 Catena Zapata - Malbec Argentino (93 pts) @catenawines

2019 Big Table Farm - Pinot Gris (90 pts)

ℹ️ This wine is 💯 Pinot Gris from Rivenwood Vineyard in the Willamette Valley, Oregon. Pinot Gris, as the name implies, actually has quite a bit of skin color (grayish-blue). They fermented this wine on the skins for ten days that looks more like a rosé than a typical skin contact white wine (aka orange wine). The wine went through complete malolactic fermentation and spent ten months in neutral French oak. The wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered.

👃 Pronounced intensity on the nose. Aromas of Earl Grey tea, rosewater, ripe persimmon, peach skin, candied orange, kumquat, elderflower, and cherry blossom.

👄 The wine is dry, medium acidity, faint tannins, medium alcohol (13%), and medium+ body. A medium length finish of persimmon, Earl Grey tea, and rosewater.

🔔 The best way to describe this wine is a "swanky candle" from a fancy store in liquid form. You know those candles that smell so good you want to try and eat them? Enjoyable floral and herbal flavor profile. The fruit is so concentrated that I thought there might be some residual sugar, but it is bone dry and has some heft to it on the palate. Pinot Gris makes compelling skin contact wines, and anyone that likes this style of wine should check this out. I slightly prefer the 2019 over the 2018.