Bob McDonald

9.5

Initially oaky notes which blew off after a while. Black and blue fruits, a gingery note with stacks of black pepper. A genuine cool climate Syrah - possibly NZ’s premium Syrah and certainly one of my favourite Syrahs. Black pepper and spice bordering on profound palate intensity. Very northern Rhone - excellent. I don’t know how available this is overseas but it’s worth seeking out. An interesting back story: The winemaker, John Hancock, who worked the harvest at Jaboulet in 1996 received Syrah cuttings from the Hermitage Hill as a gift from Gerard Jaboulet. Hancock planted them in 2001 and now, in good vintages, uses the fruit for Homage. Scents of potpourri, lavender and wild thyme “. I totally agree. — 14 days ago

Joshua Figg

9.2

Fruit forward, very smooth. — a year ago

Scott Kahn

9.0

Soft and well integrated wine with definite homage to the Cabernet Franc on the nose. Drinkable now, and quite enjoyably!! — 3 years ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.0

Ya gotta love #mendoza #chardonnay that punches weigh above its weight class. Subtle apple, pear aromas, comes alive on the palate with juicy tart green apple, lemon zest. Crisp texture and not at all weighty. — a month ago

Paul Fisher

9.1

Nice right out of the bottle. A new Malbec favorite. — 5 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

8.9

Cabernet Sauvignon from the Central Ranges of New South Wales Australia. Winemaker pays homage to his Great Great Grandfather, who was one of Australia’s early convict settlers. Dark/Black fruit aromas and flavors. Hint of a green quality and spice on the bitter finish. Tannins are a bit harsh. Revisited in July 2022. This bottle is not as bitter as the last time we had this one. Upgrading my rating. Thanks for bringing this one again Ron B. — 3 years ago

Joshua Figg

9.4

Spicy, smooth, a bit jammy. — 3 years ago

Joshua Figg

9.2

Subtle, slightly crisp. Strong aromas of apple and pear, balanced acidity. Easy drinker. — 2 months ago

Katie Journeay

8.9

Total Wine heights — 2 months ago

Vanessa

9.1

Cheers to old-vine Chenin Blanc from South Africa! 🇿🇦 In South Africa, Chenin Blanc also goes by the name “Steen.”

It’s such a versatile grape and wine, capable of producing beautiful sweet, dry, still, and sparkling wines.

This wine is still and dry. We’ve paired it with sushi and it’s a delightful duet.

The grapes for this wine were grown organically in the Citrusdal Mountain district, north of Cape Town, west of the Olifants River, on the Western Cape. The bush vines were originally planted in 1957 (old!!), contributing to an intensity and a concentration of primary aromas and flavors in the grapes.

Indeed, the nose and palate offer medium(+) aromas and flavors of ripe pear, yellow apple, white peach, vegetal, boxwood, white blossom, crushed stone, and aged cheese rind notes. Lively acidity gives it lift and balances the high alcohol and intensity of fruit.

This wine was produced by Ginny Povall, American-born proprietor and self-taught winemaker of Botanica Wines. I love the botanical images on her labels, each an homage to the flower farm on which she began her wine production journey in South Africa.   

Botanica Wines, Chenin Blanc (Mary Delany Collection), 2019, ABV 14%. — 2 years ago

with Deked1