Cameron Douglas Wine Reviews July 2023
20 Jul
2022 Viognier
Aromas of apricots and peaches, fruit spice and yellow flowers. Youthful, varietal and enticing with moderate+ complexity. Satin textures touch the palate first with a fine layer of phenolics texture from tannins then acidity, flavours of yellow stone fruits then clay and stone mineral suggestions. Dry, little to no oak involved, balanced and well made, a wine ready for drinking from 2023 through 2027. I recommend a service temperature of 14 Celsius.
93 Points
2023 Pinot Gris
An enticing bouquet of white spice and ripe white fleshed orchard fruits. Baked pears and quince, ginger and apple, white nectarine and exotic fruits. A satin texture touches the palate first then contrasting acid line and spices from exotic fruits of lychee then pear, ginger and apple. Delicious, fresh, juicy, youthful and well made, a wine ready from drinking from 20203 through 2026.
92 Points
2022 Chardonnay
Aromas of peach and vanilla, cashew and burnt butter, scents of some new then used barrel with a mix of baking spices and yoghurt. Plenty of weight, a satin texture, creaminess and power as the wine touches the palate. Flavours of baked apple and peach, vanilla and nut, moments of baking spices and stone. A well made wine, dry on the finish, moderate+ complexity with an even persistent flavour profile. Best drinking from late 2023 through 2029
93 Points
2022 Reserve Chardonnay
Complex and detailed bouquet with layers of fresh stone fruits and white fleshed tree fruits, some grapefruit and a light reductive gun flint quality. Complex and new. As the wine touches the palate textures of silk and cream, a near full-bodied mouthfeel with flavours that reflect the bouquet – stone and citrus fruits, a mix of baking spice and moderate toasty barrel influences. Complex and young still, great mouthfeel and finish. A lovely wine with best drinking from 2024 through 2030.
95 Points
2022 Syrah
A lovely varietal impact with aromas of baked red berry fruits and barrel spices, stone, dried herb, a gentle aged meat quality, some pepper moments, violet and lees inspired baked goods qualities. Dry, taut and very youthful still as the wine touches the palate. Tannins and acidity drive the palate textures cushioned and contrasted by the core fruit flavours of black currant and raspberry, and some baked versions of the same. Tannins and acidity set a foundation structure that requires time in cellar to integrate with the layers of fruit flavours. A lovely wine that needs time in your cellar. Best drinking from late 2024 or early 2025 through 2030+.
92 Points
2020 Merlot Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon
An enticing bouquet of ripe red berry fruits, plums and chocolate. Plenty of weight and intensity on the palate, a dry wine with firm tannins and medium+ acid line. Flavours of boysenberry and Doris plum, some black berry and summer berry pudding flavours. Firmish, new and ripe tannins add mouthfeel and texture to a ripe fruited core. The chocolate suggestion continues adding to a taut yet vibrant finish. Well made, youthful and needing some development time. Best drinking from 2024 through 2029+.
92 Points
2021 CSM
Carmenere, Syrah and Mouvedre join forces to deliver and bouquet of earth and mineral, old red flowers and baking spices, some preserved meats then nuts and berries, dried herb, some Carmenere herbaceous qualities, clove and vanilla barrel moments. Delicious on the palate with all the varieties adding their signature of fruit, tannins and collective complexity. A dry wine with firm tannins and medium+ acid line, plenty of fruit at the core with layers of new oak. A choice of drink now or cellar for a while. Best drinking from 2024 through 2029.
93 Points
2021 Cabernet Franc
Great colour and decent concentration leads to a bouquet and palate of dark berries and olive, some dried herb and black currant, there’s a soft leafy quality then baking spices of barrel and coffee bean. Dry with a moderately firm texture, tannins deliver a chalky mouthfeel and acidity adds vibrato and freshness. Well made, classic and perfect with myriad red meat dishes and cheeses. A wine with length and perfect concentration with best drinking from late 2024 through 2031.
93 Points
2021 Dr John
An excellent bouquet of dark berry fruits and barrel spices, violets and baked nut, lees and clay earth qualities. A full-bodied wine touches the palate with firm tannins and a core of dark berry fruit flavours. Dark chocolate and a touch of marmite, black berry and roasted plums, vanilla and sweet clove. A lovely example with excellent mouthfeel and finish. Best drinking from 2025 through 2034+.
94 Points