Paxton is Australia's leading producer of biodynamically farmed grapes, managing 300 acres of vines across McLaren Vale. Dark plum, cassis, potent anise, leather, black raspberry, twine and mustard seed herbaceousness fill this juicy, generous blend of Shiraz and Grenache. Lifted acidity brightens, while McLaren Vale's classic dark cocoa powdered tannins support. Dark florals linger on the warming finish.
Opaquely deep garnet. Nose reminiscent of Armagnac: stewed fruits with a dark caramel sauce. In perfect balance now, the acidity is fresh and so is the cherry and raspberry fruit, ending on a bitter almond finish. Will last another few years.
An archetypal Chablis — straw-coloured with a minerally, green-apple and lemon nose with a chalky note; medium-bodied, crisply dry with apple and lemon flavours. Lots of energy here and great length.
Based in Washingtonville, NY, in the Hudson River Valley, it’s a blend of Riesling grapes from both there and the Finger Lakes area to the northwest. Sports golden apple, floral and peach notes, a juicy, off-dry palate and a fruit-cocktail finish. A gulpable summer sipper.
Clear deep plum red. Medium-intensity, grapey nose with blackberry and raisin. Medium-bodied, tannins still very high, concentrated dark berry flavours. Should improve for another couple of years.
One of the Fabulous Wines series, Dialogo is enjoyed around the world (Branco and Tinto) under many different names. The line was begun in 2004 when Dirk wanted an appealing Douro label for the German market. Working with his designer, they devised a whole comic storyboard label called FABELHAFT. After the success in German markets, Dirk developed labels for many other countries including Canada (Dialogo), Drink Me (UK) and Twisted (USA). As you can expect with such a global spread, this is a bright, accessible wine. Youthful raspberry, blackberry, wild blueberry and thorns ride a juicy and jubilant palate, brought back to earth by earthy, savoury and youthfully fierce, fine tannins. Based on Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Amarela and Tinta Barroca, the destemmed grapes fermented in stainless, where 95% remained for a year (the remainder in older French oak barrels). This achieves enough savoury seriousness while achieving juicy drinkability ― no small feat.
The colour is so dark it’s almost black. The nose has great finesse and complexity. Hard to describe, it remains fresh and makes you want to keep breathing it in. Eventually you take a sip; it has a silky feel, very full, fresh and perfectly balanced. It literally caresses the palate. Oak seems already well integrated; the finish is very long and intense. Simply superb.