First Creek are really winning over a lot of new fans, especially wine drinkers who may have previously not given the Hunter Valley its fair dues. In the glass: Deep garnet to purple. On the nose: Black and blueberry fruit, and spice. On the palate: Medium to full-bodied with luscious texture and soft tannins. Showing black cherry, blueberry and vanilla alongside red liquorice notes. Long and moreish.

Easy drinking and very approachable. Smooth oak from some barrel fermentation gives this wine backbone and longevity, rather than dominates. Some crisp citrus and stonefruit characters remain at the fore, keeping it fresh.

Tasting Notes: A complex, balanced wine that is ageing very well, white gold in colour with aromas of vanilla and tropical fruits, the palate is packed with ripe stonefruit and a lingering oaky finish from barrel fermenting and ageing in new French oak hogsheads. - Analysis: - Alcohol: 13.0% - pH: 3.27 - TA: 6.8.