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

Kooyong Haven Pinot Noir 2014… put simply, it’s stunning! Back up the truck I’ll take the lot!

It’s such an expressive, purposeful, wine with real identity and character. Opens with a nose of cigar smoke, fireworks, black cherries and earth. Buckets of complexity on the palate. Flavours ranging from raspberry to redcurrant, tobacco smoke and tar to reduced cherry-cola. Incredibly long. This is very much my kind of Pinot. Can’t recommend it highly enough!

 Kooyong Haven Pinot Noir 2014… put simply, it’s stunning!

Where Lazio and Umbria meet, dedicated to the native grapes found there.

Fully sustainable, certified organic and carbon neutral, members of FIVI, the Independent Winegrowers Italian Federation.

From a single vineyard, Vigneto Cerquabella, planted in 2010 with volcanic and alluvial soils. Spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts, skin contact, ageing in stainless steel.

Lime zest, lemon, basil, pignoli, sea salt, drizzle of wildflower honey flanked by light green tea tannins and citrus acidity. Citrus zest underscores the smoky mineral finish.

With Polpettine di ceci e menta and ricotta di bufala e miele al tartufo [chickpea and mint balls and buffalo ricotta with truffle honey]

 “Volcanic, independent, organic.” Where Lazio and Umbria

Interview with Giorgia and Luciano of Montaribaldi in Barbaresco. We discussed making wines from single vineyard sites across the Langhe Hills. All of the wines tasted were from Nebbiolo and a single vineyard. From the Rosato in Rio Sordo, to the Langhe Nebbiolo, to the Sori Montaribaldi Barbaresco.

 Interview with Giorgia and Luciano of Montaribaldi in

1989 Gaja -  Costa Russi Barbaresco (98 pts)

ℹ️ This wine is mostly Nebbiolo with a touch (~5%) of Barbera blended from the single vineyard site in the Barbaresco appellation of Piedmont, Italy. From 1996 to 2011, these wines were labeled under the Langhe appellation. Starting in 2013, the wines were once again labeled as Barbaresco wines with a renewed commitment to 💯 Nebbiolo.

👃 Medium+ intensity on the nose. Aromas of ripe and dried black cherry, red plum, sweet tobacco, cedar, thyme, lavender, dried flowers, dry anise, earthy, and slight black truffle.

👄 The wine is dry, high acidity, medium+ powdery tannins, medium+ alcohol (13.5%), and medium body. The palate is layered and silky, while the tannins build with each sip. An extremely long length finish of black cherry, tobacco, lavender, and earthy spices.

🔔 Gaja's single-vineyard bottlings are always world-class, but this is a monumental wine that still has so much more life ahead of it. The color is barely showing signs of age. The bouquet has a good mix of fresh fruit and developing aromas. The palate and texture is the star of the show. It is silky and elegant but firm and structured. The Costa Russi was allowed to develop in the glass and tasted over 8 hours like a conversation with an old friend you haven't seen in years. To sum it up in one word: WOW! 🤩🤩🤩

 1989 Gaja -  Costa Russi Barbaresco (98 pts) ℹ️ This wine is

Virtual single-vineyard tasting with Gary Farrell Winery

Exploring the Neighborhoods of the Russian River Valley.

 Virtual single-vineyard tasting with Gary Farrell Winery

Interview with Carlton McCoy, the President and CEO

. We talked about the recent sale of Heitz Cellar and how Carlton and his team are looking to maintain such an iconic and historic brand of Napa Valley. We tasted through four Cabernet Sauvignon wines: the Napa Valley, Lot C-91, Trailside Vineyard, and Martha's Vineyard. Thank you to Heitz Cellar and Carlton McCoy

 for their time and providing the wines·

 Interview with Carlton McCoy, the President and CEO

I know this wine won’t peak until 2030 but I had to open it. I had to try it. And without disappointment, it delivered. I can only imagine how good this wine will be in another 10 years.

But let’s focus on the the present not the future. How is it right now?

Picture a beautiful mountain road and your driving your dream car.

Twisting through the mountains, up and down with every corner perfectly engineered. The road is ultra smooth with not a bump in sight. It’s so beautiful, exhilarating and an experience you won’t forget.

This wine is that road. Designed with Mother Nature to deliver every twist and turn of flavours with structure and transition without any sharp corners or unexpected bumps.

This was a complimentary bottle and thank you to

_consulting for the opportunity to taste this beautiful wine.

 Hutton Vale Farm Eden Valley Shiraz 2016 Rating: A Price:

Recommendation: Buy a couple. One for now and at least one for the cellar

I don’t usually cut and paste comments but after reading the description from winery, I had too.

“With every great story, comes a memorable chapter. One that excites yet supports. One that provides fulfillment, but leaves you wanting more”

This a great Shiraz from the foot of the Pyrenees ranges of Victoria.

Intense, dark and a little pepper towards the end. Great level of alcohol which plays nicely at the back of the throat.

🗺 Pyrenees Ranges, Victoria, Australia

🔐 Cellar: Can see great development in 5+ years but. Will last 10+

 Ranahan’s Vineyard Chapter 16 Shiraz Rating: A- Price: $35

You are at your favourite place, you close your eyes and just feel the light cool breeze on your face. You take a second, you breathe and feel nothing else but that gentle breeze.

You feel alive, almost pure and at peace.

That’s the moment, the feeling this wine delivers.

Elegant and sophisticated. Subtle flavours with only touches of oak. Without question made with the upmost respect.

 Jackson Brooke AT Chardonnay 2019 Rating: A- Price: $48

I know I’m only 13 days into a new year but I think I’ve found a finalist for wine of the year.

I had the pleasure of drinking this paired with a beautiful dinner at

I don’t usually review restaurants but Labart restaurant at

 has a great wine list. I have no affiliation with either the winery or the restaurant. Just a honest review.

 Timo Mayer Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2019 Rating: A Price:

Rating: Strong Buy 🥂  2013 Tyrrell’s Stevens Hunter Semillon. Summer in glass during winter. Lime and a little 🍋. Just elegant and soft...simple...

 Rating: Strong Buy 🥂  2013 Tyrrell’s Stevens Hunter

Rating: Strong Buy 🍷  2016 After Five Wine Co Shiraz made by Purple Hands. Thick, luscious and strong are the first words that come to mind. Starts off slow but then BANG, its good, really good. Made from Barossa Shiraz and you can tell. It tastes older than it actually is and after the first sip, I want more. That to me is the difference between a good wine and a great wine. You want more, you need more. You just want to taste that again. Before I know, the bottle is finished. I need more. I want more.

I hadn’t heard of this winery before. A quick google and the inspiration of the name is clear "(After Five Wine Co.) reflects the time and place where many of our ideas begin –  after five and with a glass or two of wine." I know that feeling, some of the best times and best ideas are after five (but after 10 is a different story) This is about two mates making wine. I'm jealous. I love supporting

 wine and people chasing their dream https://www.purplehandswines.com.au/after-five-wine-co/

Cheers...simple... Received 95 from Halliday and I can understand why. .

 Rating: Strong Buy 🍷  2016 After Five Wine Co Shiraz made

Reviews of their 2016 Single Vineyard reds will be premiering soon...simple...

 An extra special delivery from @huttonvalefarm Reviews of

2018 Rosehill Shiraz: This wine recently won 5 trophies 🏆 at the Hunter Valley Wine Show including best red wine, beats Shiraz and best one year old Shiraz. Some serious trophies. Can wait to try this one. Anyone had it yet? Thoughts💭 🍷

2014 Elizabeth Semillon: Cellar release. Elizabeth ages beautifully especially for the price. 🍷

2018 Elizabeth Semillon: Current release of the Elizabeth. Have you had it yet? Thoughts...💭

 Just a little delivery 📦 🍷 Couple of wines from

What a great innovation and innovative where you can taste 6 wines across the Jericho Family Wines. $35

I know I recently raved about the GSM  and previously had the Tempranillo and S3 Shiraz but this way I can taste them all in one sitting and really enjoy some gems 💎 from Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale.

Includes 6x 100ml glass bottles, which allows you to taste;

All wines are available to purchase online

All wines will be reviewed in the next couple of days. I love this idea...simple...

 Jericho Family Wines Tasting Pack What a great innovation

Schwarz Wine Co. Nitschke Block Shiraz 2017

Rich, powerful and intense Barossa Shiraz. Dry grown, basket pressed and not filtered. 3 of my favourite things.

 (no affiliation) which represents ridiculous value.

 and it lives up to all expectations. It all works and by the end of the bottle, you end up wanting more. It think that is the best recommendation, I want more...simple...

 Schwarz Wine Co. Nitschke Block Shiraz 2017 Rating: A

On the slopes of the active volcano Teide in the the northern part of Tenerife, Jonatan Garcia Lima is dedicated to preserving his 11 hectares of old, ungrafted vines.

Low intervention, organic and sustainable practices are used in both the vineyards and cellar.

Grapes are from a single vineyard, El Ciruelo [named from the ancient plum tree at its center], under a hectare in size, facing north and at 480-520 meters in elevation. Vines are over 80 years in age, ungrafted, cordon trenzado trained and in “volcanic soils with some sandy loam”. Whole bunches fermented with native yeasts in concrete vats with 25 days maceration. Aged in used 500-liter French oak barrels for 11 months.

Dark ruby red in colour, with aromas of smoky earth, black cherry and candied rose petal.

Raspberry, black cherry, pomegranate and grilled herbs are framed by silky, firm tannins and fresh acidity.

Wildflowers, cherry, wild strawberry, black pepper and a wisp of smoke linger on the satin finish.

Refined, genteel, an elegant synthesis of flavours.

Suertes del Marqués ‘El Ciruelo’ Valle de la Orotava DO 2017

 On the slopes of the active volcano Teide in the the

Hillersden Single Vineyard Riesling Wairau Valley Marlborough 2015

Subtle petrol notes are ensconced with bright citrus, apple and honeysuckle flavours. The zippy, flinty mineral driven finish completes the refreshing character. Light, lively and changeable, it will disappear from your glass rather swiftly.

 Hillersden Single Vineyard Riesling Wairau Valley

’Magma’ is Frank Cornelissen’s “Grand Vin” and only produced in the best vintages.

The Barbabecchi vineyard is located at 910 meters in elevation, facing north/northeast.

Planted in 1910, the old vines are ungrafted.

Fermentation begins with a pied-de-cuve with indigenous yeasts and skin contact for about 60 days.

Aged in neutral epoxy tanks from 1200 liters to 2.500 liters, unfined.

Dark garnet in colour, with aromas of pine forest, balsamic, black cherry, smoky earth, golden raisin and star anise.

Smoke spirals around black cherry, blackberry, pomegranate, black pepper and a suggestion of licorice. Grippy tannins and fresh acidity fuse with orange rind, raspberry, iron earth minerality and black pepper on the lengthy finish.

Frank Cornelissen ‘Magma’ Terre Siciliane Rosso IGP 2015

 ’Magma’ is Frank Cornelissen’s “Grand Vin” and only

Light on its feet with sweet apple, peach and honeysuckle flavours balanced by bright acidity and an herbaceous streak. Fun, perky fizz carries thru to the clean mineral finish. Refreshing and light, a fun change of pace from Prosecco or Cava.

Hillersden Single Vineyard Legacy Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2015

 Light on its feet with sweet apple, peach and honeysuckle

Organic and from a single vineyard? Yes please!!!

Aromas of strawberry, cherry, watermelon, candied violet, along with a bit of mint and thyme. Strawberry, watermelon and cherry are highlighted by clean minerality and fresh acidity. Finishing with a savoury streak over fruit on the crisp, dry finish. Fresh and gluggable, a spectacular value!

Di Giovanna ‘V.5 Vasca Cinque’ Rosato di Nero d’Avola Sicilia DOC 2017

 Organic and from a single vineyard? Yes please!!! Aromas of

Turley ‘Bechthold Vineyard’ Cinsault Lodi 2016

Aromas of rose, black cherry and wisps of sweet smoky mesquite. Bright raspberry and cherry run alongside a streak of concentrated black cherry. Silky tannins compliment the clean fruit finish. Well balanced and super easy drinking, this is fantastic on its own or with a wide variety of dishes.