Colour: deep cherry, garnet rim. Nose: floral, red berry notes, ripe fruit, creamy oak, cocoa bean. Palate: balanced, good structure, round tannins

Located in the heart of the Anderson Valley, our Gowan Creek Vineyard features a unique terroir with elements from the valley’s warmer regions and its cooler, northern “deep end.” Offering an ideal southwestern exposure, and an array of unique vineyard blocks planted with clones of Pinot Noir carefully tailored to each site and soil type. The expressive wine produced from these vines displays beautiful inky depth and robust untamed fruit flavors.

Bright raspberries and red cherries in the nose mingle with riper black cherries, dark chocolate and blueberries in this abundantly fruity, but also well-oaked and well-structured wine made from mostly Zinfandel. Velvety tannins, succulent fruit and spicy oak nuances all balance nicely.

The nose is elegant. It reveals notes of black fruits. The palate is fresh, elegant, fresh and balanced. In the mouth it expresses notes of blueberry cream, violets and sweet spices in the background. Good length.

Medium-bodied, elegant, fresh, and lifted, the wine is forward, making it easy to enjoy all of the ripe, sweet, red fruits with their accents of smoke, licorice, and olives.

This densely packed wine is layered in gorgeous fruits from raspberries and dark plums to sweet cherries, all wrapped in velvety tannins for a smooth and creamy texture. The subtle oak spices are flooded by the potent fruitiness that lingers long on the finish.

Nose: Aromas of ripe red cherries, strawberries, and hints of cranberry. Subtle notes of earthiness and a touch of spice.

Taste: Bright and vibrant flavors of red berries, particularly cherries and raspberries. Delicate floral undertones with a hint of vanilla. Soft tannins and a refreshing acidity.

Palate: Medium-bodied with a smooth and silky texture. Well-balanced with a lingering finish of red fruit and a touch of spice.

Nose: Intense aromas of blackberry, cassis, and dark cherry, with hints of vanilla, cedar, and tobacco.

Taste: Rich and full-bodied, with flavors of ripe black fruits, plum, and blackcurrant, complemented by notes of chocolate, espresso, and baking spices.

Palate: Velvety and smooth, with well-integrated tannins and a long, lingering finish of blackberry jam and toasted oak.

Nose: Aromas of red currant, blackberry, and cherry, with hints of violet and dried herbs.

Taste: Flavors of ripe raspberry, plum, and black pepper, with a touch of tobacco and cedar.

Palate: Medium-bodied with smooth tannins and a balanced acidity. The wine has a lingering finish with notes of dark chocolate and spice.

Nose: Intense aromas of blackberries, black cherries, and violets, with hints of smoked meat and black pepper.

Taste: Rich and full-bodied, with flavors of dark fruits, including blackberries and plums, layered with notes of licorice, tobacco, and spices.

Palate: Velvety and well-structured, with firm tannins and a long, lingering finish.

Nose: Intense aromas of blackberries, plums, and dark chocolate.
Taste: Rich and full-bodied with flavors of ripe black fruits, hints of spice, and a touch of vanilla.
Palate: Smooth and velvety texture, well-integrated tannins, and a long, lingering finish.

Nose: Aromas of blackberries, cherries, and plums with hints of cedar and tobacco.

Taste: Rich and velvety, with flavors of dark fruits, vanilla, and spices.

Palate: Well-structured with smooth tannins, balanced acidity, and a long, lingering finish.

Nose: Aromas of ripe red berries, floral notes, and hints of spice.
Taste: Vibrant and juicy with flavors of cherry, raspberry, and strawberry.
Palate: Smooth and well-balanced, with a medium body and a long, refreshing finish.

Nose: Intense aromas of blackberries, black cherries, and plums, with hints of violets, black pepper, and smoked meat.

Taste: Rich and full-bodied, with flavors of ripe dark fruits, including blackberries and blackcurrants, complemented by notes of licorice, cloves, and a touch of earthiness.

Palate: Velvety smooth with well-integrated tannins, showcasing a harmonious balance between fruit and savory elements. The finish is long and lingering, leaving a pleasant impression of black fruit and spices.

Nose: Aromas of blackberry, cassis, and dark cherry, with hints of vanilla and cedar.

Taste: Rich and concentrated flavors of blackcurrant, plum, and black cherry, with notes of chocolate and spice.

Palate: Full-bodied with velvety tannins, balanced acidity, and a long, lingering finish.

Nose: Rich aromas of blackberry, cassis, and dark chocolate.
Taste: Intense flavors of black cherry, plum, and vanilla.
Palate: Full-bodied with velvety tannins and a long, lingering finish.

Nose: Aromas of ripe blackberries, dark cherries, and hints of tobacco.

Taste: Rich and velvety, with flavors of blackcurrants, plums, and a touch of vanilla.

Palate: Well-structured with smooth tannins, balanced acidity, and a long, lingering finish.

The Decoster family, formerly producers of porcelain in Limoges, have given this estate considerable luster. This latest release shows a solid character, powered by dark tannins, hints of licorice and rich fruit. Cabernet Franc aromas shine through the jammy Merlot. Drink from 2025. Roger Voss

Nose: Intense aromas of blackberries, black cherries, and plums, with hints of dried herbs, lavender, and spices.

Taste: Rich and full-bodied, with flavors of ripe dark fruits, including blackberries and blackcurrants, layered with notes of licorice, cocoa, and black pepper.

Palate: Velvety and smooth, with well-integrated tannins and a long, lingering finish.

Nose: Intense aromas of red cherries, raspberries, and strawberries, with hints of dried herbs and earthy undertones.

Taste: Bright and lively on the palate, with flavors of ripe red fruits, including cherries and cranberries. Subtle notes of black pepper and a touch of smokiness.

Palate: Medium-bodied with well-integrated tannins and a refreshing acidity. The finish is long and persistent, leaving a pleasant fruity aftertaste.

Nose: Blackberry, cassis, violet, cedar, and vanilla.
Taste: Dark cherry, plum, blackcurrant, tobacco, and baking spices.
Palate: Full-bodied, velvety tannins, balanced acidity, and a long, lingering finish.

Nose: Intense aromas of red cherries, raspberries, and violets, with hints of tobacco and earthiness.

Taste: Rich and velvety on the palate, with flavors of ripe red fruits, blackberries, and plums. Subtle notes of vanilla and spice add complexity.

Palate: Well-structured with firm tannins and a balanced acidity. The wine has a long and persistent finish, leaving a lingering impression of dark chocolate and cherries.

Nose: Intense aromas of blackberry, cassis, and dark chocolate.

Taste: Rich and full-bodied with flavors of black cherry, plum, and vanilla.

Palate: Smooth and velvety texture with well-integrated tannins and a long, lingering finish.

A "Goldilocks wine" where everything, down to the restrained alcohol, is just right. Blackcap raspberries, dried rose petals, beeswax and a touch of Madagascar vanilla draw the nose deeper into the glass. Bright red cherry and tangerine flavors create a juicy and pleasurable sweet-tart flavor combination.

Nose: Intense aromas of blackberry, cassis, and dark chocolate.
Taste: Rich flavors of black cherry, plum, and vanilla.
Palate: Full-bodied with velvety tannins and a long, lingering finish.

Rose, graphite, star anise and eucalyptus aromas come to the forefront. The chiseled, racy palate features juicy morello cherry, licorice and coffee bean framed in close-grained tannins and bright acidity. Kerin O’Keefe

Nose: Intense aromas of ripe black cherries, dried figs, and raisins, with hints of tobacco and dark chocolate.

Taste: Rich and full-bodied, with flavors of blackberry jam, plum compote, and sweet spices like cinnamon and cloves.

Palate: Velvety smooth tannins, balanced acidity, and a long, lingering finish of dried fruits and a touch of vanilla.

Since 2002 the vineyards have been managed organically and biodynamically. In 2010 all four vineyards were awarded full Demeter certification and in 2020 they were all also certified by BioGro. Pruning is carried out to leave desired bud numbers thus ensuring moderate controllable yields and to create an even, light penetrable canopy. Irrigation is usually necessary during the later dry summer months. Soil moisture levels are carefully monitored and water is applied only when necessary to maintain appropriate soil moisture levels. All grapes are carefully hand picked, keeping separate any quality differences within blocks due to clones, rootstocks and viticultural trials.

Once upon a time, Carmín de Peumo was your typical ripe and beefy Carmenère, but not here. This offering, harvested in late May (the equivalent of November in the Northern Hemisphere), deals tomato leaf, currant, cranberry and dried-herb aromas in front of a racy palate that's medium in weight. Spicy, leafy red-fruit flavors are oaky and come with notes of cocoa and coffee, while a dry and snappy finish is lean by previously set Carmenère standards.

~Michael Schachner

Nose: Aromas of red cherries, raspberries, and violets with hints of earth and spice.

Taste: Bright and lively flavors of red fruits, including cherries and cranberries, with a touch of black pepper and a subtle herbal note.

Palate: Medium-bodied with silky tannins and a refreshing acidity. The fruit flavors are well-balanced with a delicate minerality, leading to a long and elegant finish.

Nose: Intense aromas of ripe red fruits, such as cherries and raspberries, with hints of black pepper and dried herbs.

Taste: Rich and full-bodied, with flavors of dark berries, plums, and a touch of licorice. The wine showcases a velvety texture and well-integrated tannins.

Palate: A harmonious balance of fruit and spice, with a long and lingering finish. Notes of vanilla and oak add complexity to the wine's profile.

Julian and Carolann Castagna were running one of Sydney’s most successful film production houses. Julian had worked in the film industry as a Film Director all his working life but had become besotted by fine wine while working in London. Carolann was a Writer.
They decided to plant a vineyard in a place in Australia not yet universally recognised as a major viticultural area but one that Julian believed would be perfect for Syrah. Julian also believed that Italian varieties had great potential in the same place, so Sangiovese was also a possibility. Thus Syrah was planted, and later Sangiovese. 
Un Segreto (Secret in Italian) is a blend of 60% Sangiovese and 40% Syrah. It has and intense nose of blackberries, plums, and dark cherries, with hints of tobacco and earthiness. The flavours are rich and concentrated and include blackberries and blackcurrants, with notes of dark chocolate and spices.

Julian and Carolann Castagna were running one of Sydney’s most successful film production houses. Julian had worked in the film industry as a Film Director all his working life but had become besotted by fine wine while working in London. Carolann was a Writer.

They decided to plant a vineyard in a place in Australia not yet universally recognised as a major viticultural area but one that Julian believed would be perfect for Syrah. Julian also believed that Italian varieties had great potential in the same place, so Sangiovese was also a possibility. Thus Syrah was planted, and later Sangiovese. 

The nose as intense aromas of blackberries, plums, and dark cherries, with hints of violets and dried herbs. Rich and concentrated flavors of black fruits, including blackberries and blackcurrants, with notes of licorice and dark chocolate.

Nose: Intense aromas of blackberries, blueberries, and violets with hints of black pepper and smoked meat.

Taste: Rich and concentrated flavors of dark fruits, including blackberries and plums, accompanied by notes of black olives and dried herbs.

Palate: Full-bodied with a velvety texture and well-integrated tannins. The wine showcases a perfect balance between fruitiness and savory elements, leading to a long and satisfying finish.

Nose: Intense aromas of blackberries, blueberries, and violets with hints of black pepper and smoked meat.

Taste: Rich and concentrated flavors of dark fruits, including blackberries and plums, accompanied by notes of black olives and dried herbs.

Palate: Full-bodied with a velvety texture and well-integrated tannins. The wine showcases a perfect balance between fruitiness and savory elements, leading to a long and satisfying finish.

Nose: Intense aromas of blackberries, plums, and dark cherries, with hints of violets and dried herbs.

Taste: Rich and concentrated flavors of black fruits, including blackberries and blackcurrants, with notes of licorice and dark chocolate.

Palate: Full-bodied and velvety, with well-integrated tannins and a long, lingering finish.

Deep, dark, opaque purple-black color holds well to a vivid purple rim & stains the glass when swirled. The aromas are of concentrated dark-fruit. Concentrated fruit on the palate has a tight graphite nature at its core, but is lifted by good freshness. The tannins are fine, but a little drying. Alcohol seems balanced by the fruit. Lovely, juicy blackcurrant fruit emerges from the graphite on the finish – which has fair length.

The aromas are forward, with notes of dark raspberry, fruit rollup, cedar, tar, dark plum and a whiff of mesquite smoke. The flavors are palate coating, showing depth, intensity and impressive freshness, with tart acidity. There's plenty of tannic structure around it all. It's beautiful. Sean P. Sullivan

Nose: Intense aromas of ripe blackberries, dark cherries, and plums, with hints of cedar, tobacco, and vanilla.

Taste: Rich and concentrated flavors of black fruits, including blackberries and blackcurrants, with notes of licorice, dark chocolate, and spices.

Palate: Full-bodied and velvety, with well-integrated tannins and a long, lingering finish.

Ripe dark-fruit, clove and tobacco aromas lead the nose. The structured palate delivers prune, black pepper and espresso alongside tightly wound tannins.