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Just bottled, the 2021 Ventoux Quintessence Blanc is 80% Roussanne and 20% Clairette that spent nine months in roughly 20% new oak. A gorgeous white, it has tons of crushed citrus, pear, ripe melon, honeyed flowers, and a chalky sense of minerality. These carry to a medium-bodied, beautifully balanced, pure, lengthy white that will stand up to any white out there. It´s brilliant juice.

We´ve had Chenin Blanc-based wines from the Loire in our Best In Show selection, but never yet a Chenin from the country with more of this variety planted than any rival nation: South Africa. That changed this year with this stylish Chenin from Stellenbosch. Gone was the sometimes over-fleshy, over-crafted style associated with ambitious Cape Chenins in the past. This pale gold, pure, fine-fruited wine hints at honey, spring flowers, pear and quince in its focussed, almost lacy aromas, while the palate is graceful and shapely, too, deftly balanced, and with a stony residuum that suggests deep-rooted old vines. An outstanding Chenin, in sum, perfectly pitched both as a varietal and as a Stellenbosch classic.

Ripe aromas of black cherry and blackcurrant with some dusty cinnamon spice. There is great verve and drive in the mouth with notes of blackcurrant leaves, blackcurrants and dark cherries, soft and round tannins and lively acidity. Beautifully turned out, big, structured and carries its alcohol well.

You could easily mistake this impressive Baden pinot noir for a village level wine from a good Burgundian producer thanks to its combination of depth and elegance. I love the dark forest berry and rooty aromas that are deftly wrapped around the ample fine tannins on the medium- to full-bodied palate. The mineral freshness at the polished finish suggests this has many years ahead of it. Drink or hold. Screw cap.

The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is a terrific introduction to this range from Buehler. Bright and punchy, the 2018 is so expressive, even in the early going. Black cherry, plum, mocha, spice, new leather and mint all race out of the glass as this beautifully delineated, mid-weight Cabernet shows off its inviting personality. I loved it.

Notes of sun-drenched black cherry and strawberry preserves are sonorous in this fruit-forward, piercing blend of 90% Grenache and 10% Syrah. It highlights all of Grenache´s red-fruited delights and soft, pillowy tannins along with a twist of Syrah´s peppery, brambly spice. Delightful young, it should maintain peak through 2030 at least.