For Garuma, winemaker Viviana Navarrete uses three blocks with different exposures in the El Maitén Vineyard, planted in the Leyda zone near the coast of central Chile in 2008. Fermented primarily in stainless steel, but with 15% barrel ferment to add texture, this is a creamy sauvignon, although it also has firm, almost lemon-juice acidity. Refreshing and crisp, to accompany grilled scallops. Score - 93. (Patricio Tapia, guiadescorchados.cl, 2024)
The nose is perfumed and inviting, with aromas of blood plums, dark cherries and licorice. The palate is medium- to full-bodied with notes of boysenberries, dried herbs and baking spice framed by a well-structured tannin profile. Very giving and lush. Delicious. Drink or hold. Score - 93. (jamessuckling.com, Oct. 16, 2024)
Fresh and creamy notes of pie crust, lemon curd and toast. Bright, juicy and elegant on the palate with a fluid, lengthy finish. A very good value here. Drink now. Score - 93. (Zekun Shuai, jamessuckling.com, Feb. 4, 2024)
An outlier of the range, moving away from the spiritual Hunter turf. Ancient Cambrian soils, the oldest in the world. This wine was once a behemoth. Today, tidily compact and eminently drinkable despite the fuller weight, sweeter brood of fruit and the reductive ode to tension. Tapenade, blue fruit, iodine and a hint of menthol. A little gritty across the edges, but will placate those on the hunt for richer, slightly throaty styles. Drink or hold. Score - 92. (Ned Goodwin, MW, jamessuckling.com, Sept. 12, 2023)
This wine was mostly fermented and aged in stainless steel, but 20% was fermented in neutral Canadian oak barrels, imparting additional complexity and depth. It's lively and crisp, with tangy, buoyant citrus, crunchy pear, gooseberry and spice. This has the potential to evolve through 2028+.
Sourced from cool-climate vineyards in Clare Valley and Limestone Coast, this is a classically structured Cabernet Sauvignon matured in French oak. It delivers rich blackcurrant, subtle spice and cedar notes and will pair beautifully with rack of lamb.
This wine was aged on the lees in underground tanks for 12 months and a further year in bottle. It has a refined complexity and a generous, caressing texture, with chamomile tea, apple, pear, and saline-infused minerality. Pair it with spiced grilled scallops, or soy-cream-and-dashi tortellini with black truffles. This has the potential to cellar through 2030.
Excellent, benchmark-quality Rioja crianza that shows the spicy side of the vintage. Peppery, juicy and bright, with a medium body and a nice chew of fine-grained tannins. Quite long. A smart buy. Drink or hold [into the mid-2030s]. Score - 93. (jamessuckling.com, Aug. 8, 2024)
Pristine and gorgeously aromatic, the wine shows white flesh nectarine, lemon peel, green tea and fresh herb notes on the nose, followed by a wonderfully flavoursome palate offering terrific power and persistency. Delectably appealing and highly enjoyable. At its best: now to 2026. Score - 94. (Sam Kim, wineorbit.co.nz, May 2023)
Albariño is the flagship white wine for Garzón and was actually the first variety planted on the property. The grape thrives in Maldonado, where the region's soil and its proximity to the sea are similar to those of Albariño's home in Spain's Galicia region. The wine offers lovely stone fruit with a mineral undertone.
Fino is a dry, elegant style of Sherry that in the Jerez region of Spain is made from Palomino grapes. This stunningly refined example is crafted from 100% Palomino and aged an average of six to seven years. Evoking wildflowers on the nose followed by green olives and freshly baked bread on the palate, it will pair beautifully with tapas or your favourite appetizers.
Cabernet sauvignon (72%), malbec (18%), petit verdot (6%) and merlot (4%), aged for 12 months in French oak, 25% new. Salt and pepper, blueberry and blackcurrant, cloves and minerally/ferrous characters. This is a seriously good wine. It's characterful, balanced, lengthy and interesting, its dark-berried fruit flavours sunk deep into the palate, its freshness maintained, and its finish as convincing as everything that came before. Special Value. Drink by: 2040. Score - 96. (Campbell Mattinson, winecompanion.com.au, Aug. 7, 2024)
Produced in Katzrin. Galilee is the most northern and most respected winemaking region in Israel. The grapes for this wine were sourced from vineyards in Israel's prestigious Golan Heights. This volcanic plateau rising from 1,300 to 3,900 feet is ideal for cool-climate varieties such as the Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier that lead the way here. Look for citrus, melon, apple, and tropical fruit in this wine.
Available at select Vintages locations. Produced in Katzrin, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc has nice depth, with black cherry, raspberry, cassis, and black pepper. Approachable, but with enough tannin supplying support to pair with grilled meats or a beef brisket.
The brightness and purity of fruit is so beautiful here, showing flowers and currants. Very aromatic. Lots of finesse and focus on the medium-bodied palate with super-fine tannins and a lovely finish. Lively. 65% merlot, 25% cabernet sauvignon and 10% cabernet franc. Why wait on this? [Drink into the mid-2030s.] Score - 95. (jamessuckling.com, July 23, 2024)
[This is not the same lot number reviewed by Craig Pinhey, but it will reflect comparable character and quality.] Nice, although subtle, autolytic lees note, typical of Charmat method, along with citrus and a hint of apple. Medium mousse. Good balance and very clean. A nice, off-dry all purpose sparkler. Score - 89. (Craig Pinhey, winealign.com, July 20, 2019)
A balanced, structured Nebbiolo with red fruit, spice, and savoury herbs.
This is extremely aromatic, with roses, black fruit and mahogany as well as seaweed and umami character. It's medium-bodied with very fine tannins and a fresh and vivid finish. Refined and clear. Drink or hold [until 2030]. Score - 92. (jamessuckling.com, March 6, 2024)
Aromas of citrus, tang and pizzazz take hold on the palate flavours of white grapefruit, lemon and Key lime with notions of blood orange and passionfruit. This is a delightful experience from twist top to last drop ... accredited as sustainable winemaking under Sustainable Winemaking Ontario. Pour alongside spicy Asian food like General Tso's Chicken or Chicken Tikka Massala. Drink or cellar. Exceptional Value! Score - 94. (Vic Harradine, winecurrent.com, Jan. 8, 2024)
This wine has subtle but engaging notes of dark fruit, with quite intense red floral tones. The palate is balanced and fruity, with delicate tannins.