"Bottled just one month before my tasting, Clape’s 2023 Cornas opens with a deep, introverted bouquet of cassis, mulberries and licorice mingled with carnal notes. Medium- to full-bodied, dense and structured, it’s built around a firm, somewhat austere palate with a good chassis of youthful tannins that lead to a spicy, lead pencil-inflected finish. Despite its brooding character, it should benefit from time in the cellar."

Wine Advocate 95/100
Review Date: 05/2026

Beautifully expressive, rich and opulent from an excellent growing season. Generous fruit concentration with a core of bright red and dark berry fruits balanced with freshness and a touch of spice and earthiness. Fine grained tannins sit in the background with the fruit and hints of savoury spice remaining.

Made from our organically managed vineyard at Bendigo, Central Otago with minimal filtration and no fining agents resulting in some natural sediment at the bottom of the bottle.

Vineyard
10-year-old vines, greywacke soil, cane pruned.

Winemaking
Machine picked, pressed off skins, cold settled, fermented cool for 15 days.

Aroma
Passionfruit, gooseberry, green capsicum.

Palate
Passionfruit, lemon, grapefruit, zingy acid.

Tapi Organic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is a small-batch, sustainably certified organic white wine from Marlborough, New Zealand, crafted by Altschwager + Kenneally. It features vibrant aromas of passionfruit, lime, and white peach, balanced by crisp textural acidity and a 13% alcohol volume

DILLONS POINT
Located near Marlborough's coast, is defined by deep young, mineral-rich alluvial silts, deposited on sand. Cooling afternoon ocean breezes extend the growing season, providing fruit concentration.

TASTING NOTES
This wine oozes ripeness, with intense passionfruit and blackcurrant flavours, that combine with a salty minerality unique to Dillon's Point. This wine is immediately expressive but will continue to drink well for the next three years.

VINTAGE REPORT & WINEMAKING
2025 was a vintage where patience was rewarded. Spring's warm weather created ideal growing conditions and abundant crop loads, which we carefully reduced to enhance fruit quality. January's cool temperatures extended the fruit ripening period, enhancing pallet weight and aromatic intensity. Benefiting from ideal weather, we commenced harvest in mid-March, methodically working block by block as each reached optimal conditions. Dillon's Point Sauvignon Blanc was harvested exactly when we wanted with ripe fruit characters, then gently pressed. We used a variety of yeast strains for fermentation in stainless steel, chosen to enhance palate weight. Warmer ferment temperatures are used, which enhances mouth feel and the trademark thiol characteristics unique to this sub-region. After fermentation, the wine was kept on light lees for three months, prior to bottling.

Lovely mid-depth colour with purple tints. Lifted red fruit and earthy notes on the nose. Ripe fruit and low oak impact on the palate, with the new oak providing a slight vanillin sweetness that compliments the berry fruit. The ripe fruit tannins are complemented by the natural fruit acidity, resulting in a very long finish for the wine. A stylistically typical medium-bodied Hunter Valley Shiraz from a very good year.

THE WINERY The Lindner family of Langmeil Winery has been immersed in the Barossa’s culture of farming, food, wine and community for six generations.  Their commitment to quality in all aspects is unwavering, and any wine that bears the Langmeil name represents the family’s pursuit of excellence in wine and community.  The family’s vision is to highlight the rare qualities of old vine Shiraz using hands-on winemaking techniques. Gentle destemming, open fermentation, basket pressing and two years' maturation in French oak barrels accentuate the natural fruit intensity and structure.   

WINEMAKER’S NOTES 2016 VINTAGE REPORT We are getting used to sampling earlier each year, and in 2016, for the first time, a parcel of Shiraz was nearly booked in for the end of January. Fortunately, timely rain and mild conditions delayed the start of vintage, allowing flavour and colour to catch up with sugar levels. With the dry winter and a slightly warmer spring, favourable flowering and fruit set, yields were generally little above average (except our Eden Valley vineyard which was hit by frost on 1 December, yes, December!). Followed by mild, late summer weather, both growers and winemakers were happy to see another solid vintage tucked away. By early March 70% of our harvest was complete and with another sprinkling of rain, vintage slowed, building flavour in the late-ripening varieties like Grenache and Mataro, as well as excellent results from our Eden Valley reds and whites. We finished harvest with our Eden Valley Cabernet Sauvignon on 15 April. This vintage highlights how tenacious and robust grape vines are, producing good yields and high quality in a dry season (but they cannot sustain dry conditions forever). Fortunately, a more normal winter this year with much-needed rain is refilling the soil and water resources. Bring it on!

"One of the smart purchases this year is the 2022 La Dame de Montrose, a second wine that would embarrass numerous classified growths. Based on 71% Merlot, the Dame sees a more reductive élevage than the grand vin, which is perfectly adapted to this variety. Opening to reveal aromas of sweet cassis, cherries and berries mingled with hints of violets, spices and orange zest, it's full-bodied, deep and multidimensional, with a powerful but controlled profile."
William Kelley, March 2025, RobertParker.com

"The 2022 La Dame de Montrose has a very delineated bouquet that's more mineral-driven than previous vintages, featuring bright blackberry and boysenberry fruit tones. The palate is well balanced, fleshy and quite approachable, with smooth tannins and a lingering graphite-infused finish. It is one of the best second wines from Montrose in recent years."
Neal Martin, February 2025, Vinous.com

Commercial Description

This Pinot Noir is from our Ballochdale Vineyard, high in the Awatere Valley, Marlborough. This is the first wine Sir George made from this vineyard he acquired in 2023. The vineyard sits at 300m high and is one of the highest and most southerly vineyards in the Awatere Valley, Marlborough.

In Appearance : Deep ruby-red
On the Nose : a bouquet of cherries, red berry and Christmas cake spice with hints of vanilla and chocolate.
On the Palate : The palate has beautiful ripe, dried fruit and zest notes with a silky, fine structure. It has a brilliantly long finish from textured, mature tannins and bright acidity.

These Syrah grapes come from the iconic Cornerstone vineyard in the Gimblett Gravels region. 2024 vintage was a beautiful one in the region and winemaker Dave McIntosh has produced a wine with exceptional concentration and generosity, while maintaining great finesse and balance. 

The nose brings aromas of plum, blackberry and classic black pepper syrah spice. The palate has a juicy medium body with velvety, chalky tannins that are balances with bright acidity to produce great length,and structure. 

Last Bottles of our Inaugural 2021 vintage and the 2022 who took home BEST SEMILLON in Show at Barossa Wine Show 2024!

SALVIS GRATIA* (meaning 'Saving Grace') is a small-batch labour-of-love, carefully hand harvested from some of the last remnants of the Madeira Semillon clone in the Barossa, planted by the Fechner brothers in 1983. SALVIS GRATIA* is an exciting addition to our 'Barossa Nouveau' series joining our established Old Vine Grenache stars Pax Aeterna and Lux Venit* Rosé. This series is all about championing these remnant Old Vine varietals that have always been special, but have sometimes fallen off the radar as new varietal fads come and go. Like PAX and LUX, SALVIS is made in a minimal intervention style - hand harvested, gently whole bunch pressed, 25% completed ferment and matured in new sirugue french oak puncheon. SALVIS GRATIA* is a sublime, zesty, elegantly opulent expression of Barossa Semillon... it's an absolute ripper!

TASTES like: Lemon Curd / White Nectarine / Toasted nuts

SMELLS like: Beeswax / White Florals / Citrus

DELICIOUS with: Lemony Roast Chook / Delicate Salmon Sashimi / Creamy Lobster Risotto / Soft, Tart Goats Cheese

As always; unfined & vegan friendly. Only 493 dozen made

Winemakers: Daniel Chaffey Hartwig, Huon Fechner + Theo Engela
Varietal: Semillon
Alc/Vol: 13.2%
pH: 3.1
Acidity: 6.3

“The 2021 Barbaresco Riserva Rio Sordo marries finesse and power. Open-knit aromatics make a strong first impression. Layered and resonant in the glass, with tons of supporting structure, the Rio Sordo is going to need a few years to come into its own. Crushed rose petal, cedar, spice and tobacco lend notable finesse. The 2021 needs time, but it’s got the goods. The explosive, aromatic finish is sublime. Drink 2027-2041 

96/100 Vinous, Antonio Galloni

Rio Sordo is famous for its noble rusticity and silky quality in the mouth thanks to lower calcium levels in the soils of this vineyard. The wine develops gamey mushroom qualities over time that scream out for it to be served with a decent roast beast.

Rio Sordo is one of the great red wines of Italy and is made entirely from the great structured red grape, Nebbiolo; exceptional in taste, complexity and its ability to age for at least a decade, evolving into a silky delicious wine over this time. It's made by the Produttori del Barbaresco. This highly respected winery cooperative was founded in 1958 and now has 51 members who collectively own approximately 100 hectares of the entire appellation, which means they own approximately a seventh of the appellation. The single vineyard wines, such as this one, are only made in highly rated vintages (all of the grapes go into a blend in other years) and released after four years maturation in the riserva programme.

All single vineyard cru wines from Produttori del Barbaresco are fermented at 30°C and given 32 days of skin contact time before being pressed in large oak barrels for 36 months of maturation in wood followed by a further nine months aging in bottle, prior to release.

“The 2021 Pora Riserva is a stunning, generous wine, with great aromas and layers of delicious flavors including succulent raspberry, Morello cherry, star anise and blood orange. While it’s already immensely enjoyable, it also has a long life ahead. Drink 2028-2036.”
96/100 Kerin O’Keefe

Pora is located in a warm and fertile site on a beautiful hillside with west and south exposures nearer to the valley floor. The resulting style is generous with ripe velvety tannins and a certain smoothness.

We have secured small volumes of this age worthy, complex Barbaresco, which comes from the Pora Vineyard, one of nine single vineyard cru Barbarescos made only the best vintages by Produttori del Barbaresco. This wine is full bodied, bone dry and super concentrated with earthy, mushroom aromas tempered by rose petals and delicate red floral aromas. It's produced by one of Italy's and the world's highest quality minded wine cooperatives, which has 51 members who collectively own approximately 100 of the nearly 700 hectares in this appellation in Piemonte, north west Italy.

This highly respected winery cooperative was founded in 1958 and now has 51 members who collectively own approximately 100 hectares of the entire appellation, which means they own approximately a seventh of the appellation. The single vineyard wines, such as this one, are only made in highly rated vintages (all of the grapes go into a blend in other years) and released after four years maturation in the riserva programme. 

All single vineyard cru wines from Produttori del Barbaresco are fermented at 30°C and given 32 days of skin contact time before being pressed in large oak barrels for 36 months of maturation in wood followed by a further nine months aging in bottle, prior to release. 

“The compelling 2021 Ovello Riserva from Produttori del Barbaresco opens with captivating aromas of dark culinary spice, underbrush, rose and mentholated notes. Delicious and full-bodied, the palate doles out ripe Marasca cherry, cranberry, star anise and ground clove. Firm, well-integrated tannins lend just the right amount of grip while fresh acidity keeps it bright and balanced.
Drink 2028–2036.”
97/100 Kerin O’Keefe

The Ovello site has more clay, and the resulting wines are plump and fruit forward meaning they often drink earlier, as well as being super age worthy too. Classic ripe cherry notes that develop autumnal qualities and  more of the tar and spice that Barbaresco is famous for with age.

Ovello is one of the great red wines of Italy and is made entirely from the great structured red grape, Nebbiolo; exceptional in taste, complexity and its ability to age for at least a decade, evolving into a silky delicious wine over this time. It's made by the Produttori del Barbaresco. This highly respected winery cooperative was founded in 1958 and now has 51 members who collectively own approximately 100 hectares of the entire appellation, which means they own approximately a seventh of the appellation. The single vineyard wines, such as this one, are only made in highly rated vintages (all of the grapes go into a blend in other years) and released after four years maturation in the riserva programme.

All single vineyard cru wines from Produttori del Barbaresco are fermented at 30°C and given 32 days of skin contact time before being pressed in large oak barrels for 36 months of maturation.

“You’ll find compelling aromas of rosemary, hay, camphor and crushed mint on the intensely fragrant and fabulous 2021 Muncagota. Full-bodied and loaded with energy, the savoury palate features ripe red cherry, black raspberry, citrus and dark spice as well as the rosemary note from the nose. Firm, well-integrated tannins provide support and give the finish grip. Drink 2029–2036.
98/100 Kerin O’Keefe

Muncagota is a rich style with body and tannin that is well complemented with floral undertones and herbaceous characteristics. The site is limestone and clay soils that lie across a narrow valley, where the warmth and shelter offsets the loss of direct afternoon sunlight. The result is a Cru that offers the balance and harmony of legendary Rabaja but at a slightly richer level of body. Refined and complex, this Muncagota will decant soon or cellar for ages.

Muncagota is one of the great red wines of Italy and is made entirely from the great structured red grape, Nebbiolo; exceptional in taste, complexity and its ability to age for at least a decade, evolving into a silky delicious wine over this time. It's made by the Produttori del Barbaresco. This highly respected winery cooperative was founded in 1958 and now has 51 members who collectively own approximately 100 hectares of the entire appellation, which means they own approximately a seventh of the appellation. The single vineyard wines, such as this one, are only made in highly rated vintages (all of the grapes go into a blend in other years) and released after four years maturation in the riserva programme. 

All single vineyard cru wines from Produttori del Barbaresco are fermented at 30°C and given 32 days of skin contact time before being pressed in large oak barrels for 36 months of maturation in wood followed by a further nine months aging in bottle, prior to release. 

“The Produttori del Barbaresco 2021 Pajè Riserva is a fantastic expression of the vintage and the cru, starting with its aromas of menthol, raspberry, forest floor and rose. Full-bodied and firmly structured but already delicious, the palate delivers juicy black cherry, truffle, blood orange and licorice accompanied by brooding tannins. More reserved than some of its siblings, it has great intensity and while full of flavor, it isn’t opulent thanks to its great energy and vibrancy. Drink 2028–2036.”
97/100 Kerin O’Keefe

Bright and energetic style, it retains its characteristic floral note and the freshness of the fruit typical of the terroir over time. The vineyard site provides a cooler microclimate due to its limestone soils and exposure to the river, delivering elegance and length with it's great acidity.

Paje is one of the great red wines of Italy and is made entirely from the great structured red grape, Nebbiolo; exceptional in taste, complexity and its ability to age for at least a decade, evolving into a silky delicious wine over this time. It's made by the Produttori del Barbaresco. This highly respected winery cooperative was founded in 1958 and now has 51 members who collectively own approximately 100 hectares of the entire appellation, which means they own approximately a seventh of the appellation. The single vineyard wines, such as this one, are only made in highly rated vintages (all of the grapes go into a blend in other years) and released after four years maturation in the riserva programme. 

All single vineyard cru wines from Produttori del Barbaresco are fermented at 30°C and given 32 days of skin contact time before being pressed in large oak barrels for 36 months of maturation in wood followed by a further nine months aging in bottle, prior to release.