Very pale. Light nose of citrus, sharp minerality (shells), lanolin. Vivid acidity, very light body, refreshing mouthfeel, simple flavour and a clean finish. Drink now.
The smoky nose shows an eclectic range of leather and charcuterie, then opens up to thick and rich dark fruits, black peppercorns, vanilla and savoury spices. This is serious Syrah on the palate: dark, dense and concentrated with a silky feel. An array of fruit flavours — cassis, currants and plums — followed by tobacco, leather, grilled meats and pepper, all carried on a bed of fine tannins.
Nobody makes bigger Chardonnays in California than Ed Sbragia. Clocking in at 14.8% alcohol, this is a wine for heroes: yellow straw in colour, it has a spicy nose redolent of the forest floor and green pineapple. Full-bodied; you get fleshy, rich flavours of tropical fruit mixed with spicy oak and a long finish.
Great value here. Deep ruby colour with a nose of black cherries, chocolate and vanilla oak. Full-bodied, dry and firmly structured – an easy-drinking wine.
Ruby red core with garnet red rim. Complex bouquet of cherry, prune, spice, tobacco, pencil lead and balsamic notes. Well structured, elegant and harmonious, yet bolstered by ripe, powerful tannins. Cellar 5‒10 years and then open for contemplative conversation.
Unmistakable Sauv Blanc nose: fresh-cut lawn, asparagus, nettle, passion fruit and a whiff of smoke. Assertive acidity on the dry, medium-bodied palate, with mouth-puckering flavours of sour lemon drops, tangy grapefruit and mandarin orange. Minerally lemon-zest finish. Poised for asparagus dishes.
Chardonnay Musqué is an aromatic clone of Chardonnay, a grape that Cave Spring Cellars has made its own. The 2015 vintage is bright straw in colour with a Muscat-like nose of ripe apples. Medium-bodied in weight, it’s dry with apple and green melon flavours that finishes on a lemony note.