Steve Elder

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.

Planeta Frappato Vittoria 2015

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.

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.

Frescobaldi Tenuta Di Castiglioni 2016, Igt Toscana

Good deep colour just starting to fade at the rim. Spicy, minerally nose with the fruit quite ripe but starting to shift into the dried spectrum. Med-full bodied, round, spicy, juicy with the tannins still quite firm. Just starting to enter it’s drinking window I’d say and will clearly hold for several more years.

Castello Di Querceto Chianti Classico Riserva 2007, Docg

Apr 2013. Colour is holding still, quite dark. Really lovely nose of spice & earth, with quite rich fruit. Med bodied, and a nice blend of of classic sangiovese character with moderm winemaking. Could go several more years, but really lovely right now.

Gekkeikan “horin” Ultra Premium Dai Ginjō, Kyoto, Kansai Region (300ml)

Paolo Conterno Anforti 2016, Igt Toscana

Arnoux Père & Fils Les Beaumonts Chorey-lès-beaune 2017, Ac, Burgundy

Lanciola Le Masse Di Greve Chianti Classico 2013, Docg

Traditionally styled Chianti marked by dried fruit and earthy flavours. Quite pale and ambering at this stage. At its peak and not for the long term. Found at bin end for $19 which seems a fair price. Would not have been happy to pay original $24.