Steve Elder

Socré Barbaresco 2011, Docg

This is fine nebbiolo for the price, with lots of depth and great earthy complexity while staying well clear of da funk. Fruit is in the dried, pruney end of the specturm as expected, with really lovely tannins on the finish. Drinking nicely now and fairly evovled. Will likely hold a few years but not a cellar-dweller. Going back for more!

Il Molino Di Grace Chianti Classico 2015, Docg Tuscany

Muga Reserva 2012

Staring to show just a hint of pale red at the edge. Not as fruit forward as I recall other vintages, and more classically Rioja with wood spice to the fore. Med to full bodied and good complexity. But I feel I may have been better off opening this earlier, or leaving it another couple of years. Tannins are still fairly severe, but fruit has faded. Seems in a transition phase at the moment and not showing its best.

Schug Pinot Noir 2017

Nice ruby colour. Quite penetrating nose of fresh strawberries, with something minerally almost earthy beneath. Med bodied, bright berry fruit and good acid zing to keep it fresh. Lingering mineral finish. Highly drinkable and true to the variety. You can tell they aim for a classic, cooler climate PN vibe. This delivers.

Planeta Frappato Vittoria 2015

Hill-smith Estate Chardonnay 2015, Wild Ferment, Eden Valley, South Australia

This is a very fine Chardonnay in a lightly oaked style. Med to full bodied with ripe tropical fruit, excellent mouth feel and some persistence on the finish.

Tenuta Perano Chianti Classico 2016, Docg, Italy

Nice vibrant Chianti here, with ripe cherry inflected fruit and a wash of minerality and earthiness across the middle. Tart, snappy and quite long. Classic idiom. Drinking well now but will hold a few more.

Vicchiomaggio Agostino Petri Riserva Chianti Classico 2012, Docg

Theulot Juillot Vieilles Vignes Mercurey 2015, Ac

Pale ruby, with a hint of brown starting to develop; more evolved than you’d expect. But flavours are all in ripe red berry spectrum in a med-bodied package that is all about zip and zing. Descent mineral finish wth some persistence. Not the most profound PN you’ll come across, but very satisfying. Nothing weak or washed out here. Made for food and conversation.

Ken Forrester Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc 2018, Wo Stellenbosch