On the nose, black raspberry fruits with hints of smoky tobacco. The palate follows with densely packed, plush red fruits with lashings of all spice and white pepper. Tannins are soft and sleek. Lively, raspberry, spicy. Picked between 13.5 14.5 Baume. 7-day ferment on skins, then gently pressed. Malolactic fermentation in stainless steel. Storage in oak for 6 months combination of 1 to 3-year-old French and American oak then, blended and bottle. Shiraz South Australia's first vineyards were established in the 1830's. Enjoying a wide range of climates including the cool temperatures of the Adelaide Hills, to the hot summer weather of the Barossa Valley, South Australia is arguably Australia's most diverse wine producing state.It is from these wonderfully diverse regions that winemaker Marty O'Flaherty selects the best varietals to produce Mojo wines. Marty's resounding philosophy is "wine should tell a story about the terroir in which it's grown, needing lots of love but minimal handling by allowing the growers to do what they do best."

Domaine Pierre Usseglio et Fils is located in the village of Châteauneuf du Pape, has built a solid reputation over the years as producing rich, ripe red wines, so it's interesting to see that Thierry Usseglio and his son, Gregory, are experimenting with the use of whole bunches and an entirely new wine style that combines a large proportion of white grapes and use of amphorae. Domaine Pierre Usseglio et Fils Lirac 2020 vintage is produced with 50% Grenache, 25% Mourvèdre, 20% Syrah. The fruit selected is from 40 year old vines. They harvested manually and completely destemmed. The fermentation is followed by thermoregulation, lasting about 20 to 30 days. The wines are then aged in concrete and demi-muids vats over a period of 12 months. Loads of black raspberry and spice, medium to full body and a lush, ripe, yet seamless mouthfeel.

Excuse My French is a great introduction to the unpretentious, joyful wines France has to offer. One of our greatest discoveries of the past year, the entire Excuse My French range, packs huge drinkability and interest into the bottle at ridiculously affordable prices. The 2020 Excuse My French Pinot Noir is yet another winner; red & black berries on the palate with a hint of vanilla and a delicious richness. The tannins are soft and silky with an enjoyable juicy finish. Hugely satisfying wine that you will struggle to put down after one glass.

Unico Zelo is the project of winemaking couple Brendan and Laura Carter. In their words, their aim is to create “Italian-inspired, textural and site-expressive wines” and “Australian examples of Mediterranean varieties in an approachable and jovial fashion.” There is a bit of a shift this year for Pastafarian, with the inclusion of Sangiovese! The ultimate pasta variety, it must be said. Ask Brendan, Unico Zelo has long been critical of Sangiovese’s future in Australia, but after some recent encounters with other producers' expressions of the variety, they’ve jumped on the bandwagon. Lucky for the winery, it wasn’t far from home, as the fruit is from the lovely Polish Hill River Vineyard. Still, this wine is Nebbiolo through and through, and it’s the perfect marriage with Slovenian Oak for a perfumed, blue fruited and savoury structured Langhe-style Nebb. A touch of Merlot and Nero to add somebody (and a nice little spice too!). Top shelf here, finding an identity all of its own. Great wine.

Jasper Hill and Ron Laughton are true pioneer's and icons in the central Victorian wine region of Heathcote. Georgia's Paddock Nebbiolo lives up to and exceeds all expectations. A giant of a wine. A powerhouse.

The Pooley's planted their first vineyards over 35 years ago in the Coal River Valley of southern Tasmania. In 2013, after working in some of the best wineries around the world, Anna Pooley became the 3rd Generation winemaker of the family business, propelling the estate to critical acclaim. Their vineyards are set on excellent sites that receive very long sunlight hours for optimum ripening while producing fruit with finesse thanks to the close proximity to the cool Tasman Sea. The Butcher’s Hill ‘Oronsay’ Pinot Noir is produced from 20-year-old vines (MV6 clone) on a north-facing slope at 30-100m above sea level. Following a 100% whole bunch fermentation of 21 days, the fruit was pressed to French oak barriques, 40% being new barrels, for 14 months of elevage. Expect a lively acid profile with chalky yet ripened tannin, pronounced weight, aromas of wild cherry, and an underlying savoury character.

Vietti is a winery with a rich history spanning almost 150 years. Founded by Carlo Vietti in the late 1800s in the heart of the Langhe, on the highest point of the medieval village of Castiglione Falletto, the winery was transformed into a high-quality wine producer by Carlo's son, Mario Vietti, upon his return from living in the United States in 1917. In the 1950s, Alfredo Currado, oenologist and art lover, brought new intuitions to the winery, intertwining wine knowledge with art and culture. Vietti produced one of the first Barolo Crus in 1961 and the first vinification of Arneis in 1967. The wines were accompanied by Art Labels starting in 1974, making the Vietti brand an icon and standard-bearer of important revolutions. The winery's commitment, vision, culture and passion have contributed to its growth and recognition as one of the best Italian wine labels. The Krause Family purchased Vietti in 2016 and decided to extend the winemaking properties with new, renowned crus in the denomination of Barolo and Barbaresco. In 2023, the Heritage was taken over by the Krause Family, already owner of the Cellar since 2016 and standard-bearer of the new future of the Vietti brand. Vietti maintains its founding values and looks towards the future with even more promising and stimulating prospects, with each wine being the result of artisanal work and the profound understanding and interpretation of each individual terroir. Since 1974, Vietti wines have been adorned with specially-designed original works inspired by the wine of that particular vintage. These works include lithographs, xylographies, etchings, silkscreens and linocuts. The print run is the same as the number of bottles produced and the first hundred labels are signed by the artist. Each work is only used once, just for the wine of that vintage. Since the presentation of the 1982 Barolo Villero in 1988, the artist’s labels have been dedicated exclusively to the wines grown on this great vineyard. The idea for these unique labels was conceived by Alfredo Currado and a group of artist friends over a bottle of Barolo Rocche. They believed that wines like these deserved to be graced with labels unlike any other and the idea began to take shape the following day. These art labels have become an iconic part of the Vietti brand, adding a touch of art and culture to their already exceptional wines. Barolo is a renowned red wine produced in the Piedmont region of Italy. The wine is made from Nebbiolo, a small, thin-skinned red grape varietal known for its high acidity and tannins. Harvesting of Nebbiolo grapes generally takes place in late October, as it is one of the first varietals to undergo budbreak and last to be picked. Barolo wines are required to be solely composed of Nebbiolo, with no exceptions. The Barolo DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) is the highest classification for Italian wines and guarantees specific production methods and quality. Wines from the Barolo DOCG must be 100% Nebbiolo and aged for at least 38 months, with 18 of those months in wood barrels. This results in a wine with a unique flavor profile and exceptional quality. Vietti's Barolo Lazzarito is a premium wine made from grapes grown in the MGA “Lazzarito” vineyard in the municipality of Serralunga d’Alba. This fabulous amphitheatre-shaped plot has a south-western exposure and is situated at an altitude between 260 and 390 m asl. The soil is rich in limestone and clay, making it ideal for growing high-quality grapes. The average age of the Guyot-cultivated vines is 42 years, and there is a density of around 4500 plants per hectare. The Vietti Barolo Lazzarito Serraluna d’Alba 2019 is a stunning example of a Barolo D.O.C.G. wine made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes. The grapes were harvested by hand on 09 October 2019 and underwent gentle pressing before fermenting for around four weeks in a steel tank, in contact with the skins. The wine was aged for around 30 months in oak barrels and for a small portion, barriques. This wine has an intense ruby-red color with garnet hues and an alluring and profound nose. Notes of hay, cut grass, tobacco, white pepper and wild mint emerge. On the palate, it is robust and potent, with a taut, mineral finish. As is typical of Serralunga, the tannins are stark, sharp and very profound. The sweet persistence of the finish is delightful. This wine pairs perfectly with game, red meats and cheeses. The Vietti Barolo Lazzarito Serraluna d’Alba 2019 is an exceptional wine that showcases the best of the Nebbiolo grape variety and the unique terroir of the Lazzarito vineyard.

Located in the region of Abruzzo, Tiberio stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of winemaking. This family-owned winery has been crafting exceptional wines for generations, harnessing the blessings of fertile soil and a favourable climate. The vineyards boast some of Italy's oldest grapevines, their roots intertwined with the ancient Roman times from which they draw inspiration. Tiberio proudly upholds the winemaking traditions passed down through the ages, ensuring that every bottle encapsulates the essence of the region and the unique characteristics of each grape variety. At Tiberio, the winemaking process is executed with meticulous care, with every step carefully considered and flawlessly executed. From the hand-harvesting of the grapes to the thoughtful selection of oak barrels for aging, no detail is overlooked. The result is a remarkable collection of wines that effortlessly showcase the true essence of the region. In the year 2000, Riccardo Tiberio stumbled upon a rare plot of Trebbiano Abruzzese vines, a discovery that would shape the future of the winery. Recognizing the potential of this find, he made the decision to acquire the land and dedicate it to producing single estate wines. Initially, a selection of indigenous and international grape varieties adorned the vineyards, but with time, the focus shifted to Pecorino and Trebbiano Abruzzese, reflecting the estate's unwavering commitment to quality and showcasing the unique characteristics of Abruzzo's native grape varieties. Among Tiberio wines, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo stands proudly as one of their most celebrated creations. This full-bodied red wine is crafted from the Montepulciano grape, flourishing in the clay and limestone soils that define the region. With its deep ruby color and captivating aromas of ripe berries and spices, it entices the senses and transports the drinker to the heart of Abruzzo. Alongside their renowned reds, Tiberio takes equal pride in their Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo, a rosé wine that captures the very essence of summer in a single glass. Crafted from the Montepulciano grape, this rosé embodies a delicate balance between fruitiness and acidity. Its flavors of cherry, strawberry and hints of Mediterranean herbs evoke memories of sun-drenched afternoons and warm evenings, leaving a lasting impression on the palate. The Tiberio Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colle Vota vineyard is a remarkable site that produces a unique expression of Montepulciano. Unlike the "Riserva" designation, Colle Vota is classified as a "Single Vineyard" Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, highlighting its distinct characteristics that set it apart from other Montepulciano vineyards at Tiberio. The Montepulciano grapes grown in the Colle Vota vineyard exhibit notable differences. The bunches and berries are smaller, with crunchier and thicker skins. This contributes to the wine's exceptional texture and structure. Additionally, the Colle Vota Montepulciano takes longer to reach maturity, benefitting from the vineyard's microclimate that provides an extended hang time. These factors combine to produce a truly unique Montepulciano wine. Interestingly, the Colle Vota vineyard thrives in cooler and even rainy vintages. The resulting Montepulciano d'Abruzzo wines crafted from these grapes possess a refined and light character, reminiscent of Burgundy's Pinot Noir and Piedmont's Nebbiolo wines. Despite these influences, the wine retains its Montepulciano backbone and soul. Recognizing the exceptional quality of the Colle Vota vineyard, Tiberio has decided to bottle this wine separately, allowing it to shine as a distinct expression of both place and the potential of the Montepulciano grape variety. The vineyard was planted in 2000 using selections from the oldest Montepulciano vineyard on the property. This original Montepulciano clone has adapted to its specific environment, characterized by different soils, subsoils and a unique microclimate. As a result, a new Montepulciano biotype has developed, giving rise to a highly perfumed and refined wine. Tiberio Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colle Vota 2019 is a wine that truly captures the essence of its unique terroir. Grown at an altitude of 350 meters (1200 ft) in a 1.6-hectare (4-acre) vineyard, this wine showcases the meticulous craftsmanship and dedication put into its production. The soil composition of limestone and marly-clay over a sandstone-rich bedrock contributes to the wine's character and complexity. The vines, trained using the Single Guyot method, have a planting density of 4,000 vines per hectare. With a yield of 28 Hl, the grapes are carefully hand-harvested to ensure optimal quality. During the winemaking process, only indigenous yeasts are used for fermentation in stainless steel tanks, which lasts for 20 days. Malolactic fermentation takes place in tank, further enhancing the wine's texture and flavour profile. The aging process occurs in tank, allowing the wine to develop and mature gracefully. Bottled without fining or filtration, the Tiberio Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colle Vota 2019 undergoes additional aging in the bottle before release, allowing its flavors to harmonize and evolve. Upon tasting, this wine reveals intense and expressive flavors. Notes of yellow peach, sage, cedar, cinnamon, marzipan, spices and earthy soil come together in a highly complex and captivating bouquet. The mouthfeel is long, deep and creamy, filling the palate with refined, silky tannins and a subtle saline character. The finish is energizing and persistent, leaving a lasting impression. Crafted from 100% selections of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, transplanted to a higher single vineyard, this wine represents a specific biotype uniquely adapted to its microclimate.