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.

Il Molino Di Grace Chianti Classico 2015, Docg Tuscany

Catena Zapata Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Mendoza

Trinity Hill Syrah 2021, Hawke's Bay, North Island

Planeta Frappato Vittoria 2015

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.

Queylus Tradition Pinot Noir 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula

Medium ruby. Nose runs to the spicy and earthy side of PN, with the fruit suggested mostly by the fairly rich mouth feel; seems quite extracted although not to the point of exaggeration. Nicely balanced, with hints of red candy intermixed with anise and other spice accents. Still quite firm, but evolving nicely. Will probably hit its stride in another year or so.

Studert Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese 2007, Prädikatswein

Soléna Domaine Danielle Laurent Pinot Noir 2012, Yamhill Carlton, Willamette Valley

Good colour, quite deep for PN. Fresh and appealing, with no heaviness in spite of the fairly high alcohol. A nice middle style, with lots of stuffing but balancing acidity to make it refreshing.

Willakenzie Estate Gisèle Pinot Noir 2013, Certified Sustainable, Yamhill Carlton, Willamette Valley