Bright raspberry red in the glass, this is lively with candied red fruits, grounded by a hint of cocoa. The flavors are broad and expansive, drawn out by an oak richness, the fruit vibrant and flavorful.

This deep purple colored Cabernet Sauvignon from Stonestreet opens with a black cherry and gentle oak bouquet with hints of stewed plum. On the palate, this wine is medium plus bodied, well-balanced and super smooth. The flavor profile is gentle blend of black currant and black raspberry, fine minerals and oak. We also detected hints of vanilla and loam mixed in. The finish is dry and its fine-grained tannins stick around for quite some time. The Panel would decant this Cab and pair it with Steve’s short ribs, chicken mole, or a flourless chocolate cake.

California whites under £30 / $30Slightly restrained nose with nice stone fruit and floral character underneath. Light lemon sherbet notes with toasted pineapple on the palate, pleasingly dry and youthful finish.

Fragrant and complex, red licorice and framboise mingle with blueberry and raspberry flavors. Candied violet and blood orange notes follow, with terrific precision and polish. Drink now through 2030.

Dark chocolate, chicory and sarsaparilla aromatics add complexity and a touch of richness to the dense blackberry, cassis and blueberry flavors. Hints of savory herbs, tobacco and cedar linger on the firming, dusty tannins. Drink now through 2035.

The emphasis at Hickinbotham is on Bordeaux varieties, but the Shiraz is a sleeper—and well-priced for the quality. The 2018 Brooks Road Shiraz includes 10% whole clusters and was matured in 30% new French oak. There was one new foudre, while the rest of the wine aged in 300-liter hogsheads. The nose is marked by scents of raspberries and vanilla, with some floral, herbal notes and hints of barrel char. In the mouth, it's medium to full-bodied and mouthwatering, with a long, silky textured finish. A completely satisfying drink, it's rich without being at all over the top.

Yarra Valley via the Rhone Valley. Sexton and Tarraford have the plantings of the forbidden varieties.Lush, slurpy red, all dark berries, cola, pepper and sage herbal character. Good perfume, good flavours, good texture which is sandy and swishes with sexy, silty tannins. Long too. The wine feels medium weight, come hither and easy appeal, but dials in some complexity alongside its drinkability. It’s charming from the get go. Very polished and prim in a way too. A very nice expression, all up, and ready to roll.

Intense, deep ruby color; ripe plum nose; silky and smooth with rich, toasty plum and toast, lush but modern in style, juicy and long. Jess Jackson's Bordeaux property, under the direction of the brilliant Pierre Seillan, is a lovely posthumous tribute to Jess's vision.

An easy-drinking but classically styled Syrah leading with aromas and flavours of black fruit, iodine, pie crust and white pepper. The silky palate is rich and broad, with zesty, cleansing acidity and an upright, precise finish. Drinking Window 2021 - 2031.

Concentrated and creamy but not overly showy, this wine is balanced, restrained and layered. It meshes an apple-tart flavor with subtle vanilla and nutmeg nuances whileunderlying acidity achieves excellent balance.

Not sure what happened to the 2019 vintage. We must have missed it. Anyway, here we are. A blend of Sexton, Applejack, Primavera, Tarraford Vineyards, with 40% whole bunch and 10% new oak. Small yields, high quality, is the message from the winery.Aromatic and spicy, charred red capsicum and red fruit, subtle biscuity oak. Bright, energetic, fine emery tannin, a slight smokiness to taste, fresh raspberries, soft but sure grip on a long finish. Light, but with a fair bit of concentration and extract. Easy to enjoy.

Lovely aromas of orange blossom, green apple and spice build to minerality and vibrancy on the snappy, refreshing finish. Drink now.

The GS welcome matt is rolled out with this wine!Juicy, bright citrus and stone fruit characters, licks of salty nuts and faint honeyed toast. Rolls around the palate with a sense of high refreshment and pristine, youthful, tight-skinned green grapines – you know, pluck a berry off the bunch straight out of the fridge and chomp. That kind of deal. Such a delight to drink, super easy to drink, a little polish and spit shine and we’re here! Nice one.

There’s a simmering intensity at the core of this red, with refined raspberry and hints of blueberry, crushed stone, violets and savory tea that finish with medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2029.

This deep purple colored Merlot from Howell Mountain opens with a musty blackberry jam and black plum bouquet with hints of black cherry, graphite, black tea leaves and dark chocolate. On the palate, this wine is full bodied with medium acidity. It is nicely balanced and smooth. The flavor profile is a tasty red currant and black raspberry blend with notes of crushed stone and a hint of anise. The finish is dry and its tannins build-up and stick around for quite some time. The Panel would pair this Merlot with a porterhouse steak or braised short ribs.

Deep purple color. Enticing and complex aromatic display of tobacco, eucalyptus, mint, rosemary and smoky pencil lead over top of tangy black and red currants. Full-bodied, fresh acid with structured tannins with rounded edges. Black currants and roasted fig fruit blend well with complex violets, tilled soil, leather and cigar shop, with coffee and cedar woven in well. Solid concentration but stays lively as well. This needs air or time or both, but it’s a beauty and brings a ton to the table for the price point. 100% Sangiovese.

Offers plush elegance and a fine structure, with geranium and other floral aromas accented by boysenberry and cherry, dusky spice and orange peel. Drink now through 2028.

Stainless-steel and concrete-egg fermented, this is a tight-grained, textured white, with nuanced complexity and elegance. Stony mineral elements boost a body of green apple, melon and Meyer lemon that make for a lovely, balanced expression of the grape.

USA, California, Napa Valley: More New 2018 ReleasesComposed of 98.5% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1.5% Petit Verdot, the 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate was aged for 20 months in French oak barrels, 38% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it delivers notes of warm cassis, baked plums and warm red currants with nuances of dried herbs, garrigue and pencil lead. Medium to full-bodied, it has a firm, grainy texture supporting the generous black and red fruits with beautiful freshness, finishing long with a lively lift.

USA, California, Napa Valley: More New 2018 ReleasesThe 2018 Pinot Noir Sevens Bench Vineyard was aged for 17 months in French oak barrels, 37% new. Pale to medium ruby-purple in color, it bursts with notes of red currant jelly, black cherries and mulberries plus exotic touches of cumin seed, cloves and cardamom. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is packed with red and black berry flavors, framed by grainy tannins, finishing long and spicy.

USA, California, Napa Valley: More New 2018 ReleasesThe 2018 Pinot Noir Land’s Edge Vineyards was aged for 10 months in French oak barrels, 31% new. Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, it bursts from the glass with bold expressions of black cherries, mulberries and wild blueberries plus suggestions of tobacco leaf, fragrant earth and lilacs. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is jam-packed with freshly crushed red and blue fruits, supported by grainy tannins and bold freshness, finishing on a lingering mineral note.

USA, California, Napa Valley: More New 2018 ReleasesThe 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford was aged for 27 months in French oak barrels, 64% new. Deep garnet-purple colored, it needs a little swirling to reveal notes of warm cassis, baked blackberries and garrigue with nuances of dried mulberries, bay leaves and tapenade plus a hint of fragrant earth. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has nice, bright, expressive black berry and savory flavors, supported by grainy tannins, finishing long and refreshing.

Supple and polished, with pretty raspberry and orange peel aromas that open to elegant dark berry, garrigue and crushed stone tones that persist toward fine-grained tannins. Best from 2022 through 2029.

Napa Valley’s Thrilling 2018s & 2019s, Part 1 The 2018 Merlot is a powerful, tightly wound wine. Black cherry, chocolate, spice, leather and licorice ride a wave of huge tannins. The Merlot has a lot of character, but it is a mountain wine, and needs time to fully come together.

Napa Valley’s Thrilling 2018s & 2019s, Part 1 The 2019 Sauvignon Blanc Naissance is a powerful, savory wine built on bright acids and a real sense of structure. The blend of fruit from Knights Valley, Coombsville and St. Helena yields a Sauvignon Blanc that is very much meant for the dinner table. Lemon confit, apricot, white flowers, sage and stony/mineral notes give the 2019 quite a bit of character and intrigue.