The 2022 Lytton Estate Petite Sirah manages to capture the power of the variety within an accessible wine. The nose is deep and inky, but lifted by floral notes; the palate is tannic and mineral-driven, yet has a juiciness to the fruit that renders it delicious even at this early stage.

Petite Sirah is most frequently a complementary variety to Zinfandel in traditional field blends. At Lytton Estate, since 1992, we have made it as a standalone wine. Here, in the loamy-clay soils, it thrives, producing compact clusters of very small, concentrated berries. True to the nature of this grape, the 2023 is deeply coloured, concentrated and capable of ageing for at least ten years.

Lush, energetic and intense, this gorgeous Cabernet begins with aromas of blackberry, huckleberry and chocolate, as well as hints of mint, cardamom, clove and graham cracker. On the palate it displays lovely brightness, with firm, resolved tannins framing flavors of boysenberry and black currant. As it evolves in the glass, subtle sweet and savory notes are revealed, carrying the wine to a long, focused finish. Duckhorn have been producing Cabernet Sauvignon since 1978. Blending fruit from estate vineyards and top Napa Valley growers, this wine embodies the complexity of the valley, while offering a seamless balance between fruit, oak and tannins. To add nuance, the Cabernet is blended with Merlot, yielding a wine that is approachable in its youth, yet worthy of cellaring.

Decanter 95/100: "multi-layered and intensely flavoured with freshly baked bread, spiced white peach, and tangy acidity... very engaging and accomplished". Jancisrobinson.com 17.5 "very confident". Roederer's superb cool-climate California estate, since the 80s and on best-ever form now.