2017 William Randell Cabernet Sauvignon – 96 Points

From the cool Milton Park and St Kitts Vineyards, destemmed, open-fermented, 10 days on skins, matured for 16 months in French hogsheads (35% new). The vintage was made to measure for cabernet in this district, the wine revelling in its full-bodied guise. Blackcurrant, black olive, dark chocolate and cedar sweep you along – relax and enjoy it.

2017 William Randell Shiraz – 95 Points

From the estate St Kitts and Milton Park Vineyards, night-harvested, each block separately vinified in 4t open fermenters, matured for 18 months in American oak (40% new). A powerful, full-bodied shiraz with blackberry fruit, tannins and oak all driving the long palate. The absorption of the oak into the fabric of the wine is particularly impressive.

2018 Single Vineyard Selection Grenache – 95 Points

60yo vines, partial whole bunch fermentation,10 days on skins, pressed to French oak (15% new)for 18 months maturation. The medley of forest floor fruits (wild strawberry, raspberry) with very good length and balance.

2019 Sandpiper Riesling – 95 Points

An exercise in purity and elegance, the perfumed bouquet trailing through florals, powder puff and a touch of spice, the delicately engineered palate keeping all the components in their place. Terrific balance and length to an all-out bargain.

2016 Ron Thorn Shiraz – 94 Points

The best of the 40 batches of grapes vinified in the vintage, from Block 7 of the St Kitts Vineyard. Matured for 20 months in 100% new American oak, which combines with the tannins to thickly coat the mouth. Needs many years to soften the overall impact of the wine.

2019 Single Vineyard Selection Riesling – 94 Points

Night-harvested, free-run juice only, minimal finingand filtration. Seriously good wine, with even more to come over the next 5 years.

2018 Single Vineyard Selection Chardonnay – 93 Points

Maximum effort via 30% new French oak and 69% wild yeast.

2018 Shotfire Shiraz – 92 Points

Destemmed, pressed approximately 7 days later, 14 months in American oak (40% new). Rich, layered, mocha/chocolate overtones to the black berry fruits are obvious.

2019 Sandpiper Pinot Gris – 92 Points

The cooler the climate, the better it is for pinot gris. Control of the yield is also important if the desire is to make a wine with the structure to repay cellaring. This wine has what it takes at a giveaway price.

2018 Sandpiper Shiraz – 91 Points

Estate-grown, crushed and destemmed, twice-daily pumpovers in the fermenter, 12 months in French oak. Deluxe treatment for a $20 wine. It is medium-bodied, and over-delivers on its price. Mouthfilling satsuma plum and blackberry compote.

2018 Single Vineyard Selection Malbec – 90 Points

Destemmed into 4t and 6t fermenters, 7 days on skins, matured in well used oak. 

2018 Sandpiper Cabernet Sauvignon – 90 Points

Crushed and destemmed, three pumpovers per day, matured in French oak for 12 months. The Sandpiper label over-delivers time and again – not a hair out of place, just beautiful flavour.

2018 Single Vineyard Selection Mataro – 89 Points

2017 Shotfire Quartage – 89 Points

NV Sparkling Pinot Noir Chardonnay – 87 Points