Emblem Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Michael Mondavi Family, Napa Valley, California, USA

Blackcurrant, blackberry, plums, liqourice and drying tannic finish. I was expecting it to be a bit more plush so I would recommend cellaring for two or three years and trying again. However, it is very drinkable right now. This would be great with a steak.

Mark: B

McManis Family Vineyards Viognier 2019, River Junction AVA, California, USA

Very fruity and fresh. Peaches, pears, pineapple, butter, lemon and a bit of spice.

Mark: B

Château Belgrave 2012, Vignobles Dourthe, Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France

Was expecting more for the price. Red fruits and plums, cedar and leather, and non existant tannins. Where are the blackcurrants? Would not guess that there was any Cabernet Sauvignon in this. A nice drop but just not what I was expecting.

Mark: C+

Samt & Seide Blaufränkisch Prellenkirchen 2017, Weingut Dorli Muhr, Carnuntum, Austria

Cherries, raspberry, plums, a little bit of leather, bright acidity.

Mark: B

Gamlitz Sauvignon Blanc 2019, Weingut Lackner-Tinnacher, Südsteiermark, Austria

Blackcurrant, lime, unsweetened tin peaches, leafy, minerals. Really refreshing and fruity.

Mark: A

Ringbolt Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Margaret River, Western Australia, Australia

Blackcurrant, blackberry, tobacco, vanilla, high fidelity acidic finish. Given the hype around this wine I was expecting more.

Mark: C+

Cicisbeo Rosso Veronese 2018, Le Tende, Italy

Blackberry, cherry, oak and spice. Excellent!!!

Mark: A-

Crognolo 2017, Tenuta Sette Ponti, Tuscany, Italy

Oak, tobacco, cherry, plums, a bit of leather in the finish. Very drinkable right now so why wait.

Mark: B

Schloss Gobelsburg, Ried Steinsetz Grüner Veltliner 2019, Kamptal, Austria

Lemon, mango, peach, white pepper and minerally finish.

Mark: B+

Saint Anthelme Chignin Bergeron 2016, Denis et Didier Berthollier, Savoie, France

Sharp. All lemon and minerals. Some slight peach and pineapple notes. I was expecting more from this.

Mark: C

Au Bon Climat Santa Barbara County Chardonnay 2018, California, USA

Oak, buttered toast, pear, pineapple,peach, spice on the finish.

Mark: B

Haardt Riesling 2019, Weingut Müller-Catoir, Pfaltz, Germany

Fruity and dry. Apples, lime, peach, minerals and honey on the finish.

Mark: B

Pegasus Bay Riesling 2017, Waipara Valley, North Canterbury, New Zealand

Petrol and honey with some lime, lemon, peach, and pear. Last year's vintage was better.

The grapes for this wine come from a vineyard is located within the Waipara Valley of North Canterbury, on free draining, north facing terraces. It benefits from being in the lee of the Teviotdale Range, giving maximum protection from the Pacific’s easterly breezes and thus creating a unique mesoclimate. The vines are over 30 years old, with a large proportion planted on their own roots. The soil is free draining and of low fertility, resulting in naturally reduced vine vigour. This produces low yields of optimally ripened, high quality, flavourful grapes, which fully express the qualities of this unique terroir. The vineyard has warm days, but the nights are amongst the coolest in the Waipara Valley, drawing out the ripening period of the grapes, while still retaining good natural acidity.

The growing season consisted of average conditions over flowering resulted in a moderate fruit set. The subsequent warm summer allowed the grapes to be picked a little earlier this season than usual.

Mark: B-

Beaujolais Villages Nouveau Nature 2020 Jean Loron, Beaujolais, France

Raspberries, blueberry, banana finish. Full bodied for a Nouveau. I would buy this again for sure.

This Gammay Noir has been fermented naturally, without the addition of sulphite, from the harvest, to the cellar and bottling.

Mark: B

Beaujolais Nouveau 2020, Pardon & Fils, France

Strawberry, cherries, blueberries, yeasty and spritzy.

Mark: C+

Château de Villeneuve Cabernet Franc 2018, Samur-Champigny, Loire, France

Raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, earthy, leather, slight liqourice on long finish, talcum powder like tannins.

Mark: B-

Chateau Rahoul 2017, Graves, Bordeaux, France

Lemon, asparagus, pear, peach, earthy, fruity.

The extremely mild winter favoured early budburst and very rapid growth of the vines. This was followed by good and even bunch set. The frost at the end of April spared the estate’s white grape varieties, which continued to develop well approximately three weeks ahead of schedule. Flowering was quick and even in the dry, sunny May weather. The summer, particularly August, will be remembered for hot days (but not too hot) and cool, damp nights, with the contrast promoting freshness and balance in the bunches during very early ripening. Determining optimum harvesting dates for the Semillon (dominant at Rahoul) and Sauvignon Blanc was crucial in this early vintage. The grapes were harvested only in the mornings, from August 28th to September 6th.

This wine is a blend of 59% Sémillon and 41% Sauvignon Blanc.

Mark: B-

Corbec Corvina Malbec 2016, Masi Tupungato, Uco Valley, Argentina

Super smooth, blackberry, blackcurrant, cherries, liqourice and black pepper finish.

Mark: B

Château Jean Faux Sainte-Radegonde 2014, Bordeaux, France

Red fruits and blackcurrant. Some tannins but not harsh. Cedar and oak floating in the background. Lacking concentration though. I was expecting more.

Mark: C+

Ritual Chardonnay 2018, Viñedos Vermonte, Casablanca Valley, Chile

Oaky, buttered toast, pineapple, orange blossom, lemon. Fruity and a nice refreshing acidic finish.

Mark: B-