Steve Elder

Foxen John Sebastiano Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015, Santa Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County

Fine PN. Medium ruby colour, shimmering at the edges. Lovely nose of small berry fruit with a hint of spice and cedar. Med to full bodied; a lot of heft for PN but no heaviness. Classic PN fruit across the palate with just a bit of tannic grip in the finish. Lovely stuff.

Château La Nerthe Châteauneuf Du Pape 2012, Ac

What a complete and compelling wine! Still quite full ruby colour, and nose is youthful too. Ripe berries, wild flowers, and incredibly delicious mineral notes on the mid-palate. Tannins are fully resolved and everything just works. Full bodied, but such energy and airiness. Not sure anyone but the French can make wine like this. Has reached a beautiful plateau that will last for many years.

Il Molino Di Grace Il Margone Gran Selezione Chianti Classico 2011, Docg

Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Meursault Genevrières Premier Cru 2006

Attractive golden colour at this point. Full, vibrant nose suggestive of appricots, underpinned by butter, almost caramel notes. Still suprisingly tarte and youthful on the palate, full bodied and very long. I would say this is still not at prime drinking stage, and will improve further. A wine that shows its best with food.

Urbina Reserva 1998, Doca Rioja

Such a vibrant and lively wine! Into secondary fruit flavours at this stage with nicely integrated oak. Classic and compelling.

Henschke Henry's Seven 2015, Barossa, South Australia

Bright shimmering ruby in colour. Nose is packed with flavour: cherry, herbs, spice. Lovely sweet-ish entry, and spreads across the palate to a long anise-inflected finish. Just enough tanin and acid to prevent it from being cloying. Fine stuff, and it will keep going for a good 5 years yet, me thinks.

Kacaba Cabernet Franc 2013, VQA Niagara Escarpment

Very impressed. Fine ripe cab franc with a lot of complex mineral flavours.

Delta Pinot Noir 2017, Marlborough, South Island

Juicy, vibrant PN here, with loads of ripe berries on the nose but with good balance of flavours from the mineral notes underneath. Mid-weight with enough acid crunch to keep it aligned and in character. Pretty solid stuff at the price.

Il Molino Di Grace Riserva Chianti Classico 2009, Docg

Classic Chianti, all savoury and umami-laden at this stage but still quite vital.

El Esteco 1947 Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Cafayate Valley, Salta