Intense red cherry colour, clean and bright. It displays intense notes to ripe fruit and spicy touches, well integrated with the oak ageing. Tasty, rounded in mouth with an intense and long aftertaste. From the family's first winery, established in Rioja in 1889, to their opening of their ultra-modern winery in 1985, Bodegas Valdemar have always been innovators in the region. All of their wines are made from estate-grown grapes and they have become renowned for their modern, attractive style of wines which have become a benchmark for the region.

The 2020 CVNE Real de Asùa Carromaza from Rioja, Spain is a wine that exudes elegance and sophistication. Its deep ruby colour catches the eye and promises a rich experience. On the nose, aromas of ripe red fruits, such as cherries and plums, mingle with subtle hints of oak and spices. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied with a velvety texture and well-integrated tannins. Flavors of juicy blackberries, dark chocolate, and a touch of vanilla dance on the tongue, leaving a long and satisfying finish. This vintage showcases the expertise of CVNE, a renowned winery based in Spain, and truly captures the essence of Rioja. Enjoy this wine with a hearty beef stew or grilled lamb for a truly elevated dining experience.

The Butchers Block is a traditional Barossa blend made with grapes selected from the Turkey Flat vineyards, including some from the original old vine plantings. It is a blend of Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvédre (Mataro). 'Part of the grapes come from the home vineyard that has some of the oldest vines in the Barossa, planted by Peter Schulz's great-grandfather Ernest Schulz. The wine has the drive, focus and intensity often missing from this Barossa blend; that said, there are both black and distinctly red fruit components, and the tannins are firm. Give it 10 years, then line it up with a top Rhone Valley example. Outrageous value' - Rating 94/100. - James Halliday.