I have visited and tasted 30 producers in this tense two weeks’ schedule.

Serrat

Austere, precise and fresh Genache Blanc 2025 had a stony, spicy and citrusy backdrop, with slight density toward the finish. Pinot Noir 2025 was very clean and highly elegant on the scent of red flowers, stone, sweet spices, raspberry and citrus peel. Fragrant, juicy and textured, with a dense end. Grenache 2025 was fragrant, refined and clean on the nose of crushed stone, red flowers, sweet spices and raspberry. Delicate on the palate with fresh succulence. 

Serrat Genache Blanc	2025	93
Serrat Pinot Noir	2025	94
Serrat Grenache	2025	94

Mayer

Austere and tension-filled Syrah 2025 was clean and reticent on the nose of violet, sweet spices, fresh prune, blackberry, stone and scrub. Dr.Mayer Pinot Noir 2025 was limpid and fresh on the fragrant aroma of violet, stone, sweet spices and raspberry. Firm and tense on the taste that was also ethereal and austere.

Mayer Syrah	2025	93
Mayer Dr.Mayer Pinot Noir	2025	94

Syrahmi

Bright, juicy and fruited while elegantly textured Garden of Earthly Delights Sangiovese 2023 had a serious backdrop touch of dried flower, crushed stone and earth. Like a top-end Saint-Joseph (Pierre Gonon?), Home Block High Density Shiraz 2021 was austere and elegant on the nose of black olive, stone, undergrowth, dried violet, black cherry and sweet spices. Bright, clean and delicate on the palate.

Syrahmi Garden of Earthly Delights Sangiovese	2023	93
Syrahmi Home Block High Density Shiraz	2021	94

McIvor Estate

Sangiovese 2024 was bright, clean and fresh on both nose and palate of dried flower, candied cherry, stone, sweet spices and smoke. Juicy on the mineral-inflected finish.

McIvor Estate Sangiovese

2024

93

Gembrook Hill

Barrel tasting of Gembrook Hill Sauvignon Blanc 2026 that was limpid and bright on the nose and palate of lemon, citrus, stone and flowers. Juicy on the palate.

Gembrook Hill Sauvignon Blanc

2026

93