Please note that our reviews are based on a variety of sources: samples sent to our team, those we purchase in store, tasting events, those tasted in restaurants and while traveling domestically and internationally.
Rosés
Mitolo Jester Sangiovese Rosé 2025, Mclaren Vale, South Australia, Australia: Mitolo Jester Sangiovese Rosé from McLaren Vale in South Australia is a dry, light-bodied rosé crafted from Sangiovese grapes hand-harvested in the early morning hours to lock in every nuance of freshness and aromatic vitality, a thoughtful approach that sets this wine apart from more casually produced warm-climate rosés. Pale salmon in the glass, it charms with a nose of dried rose petal, white peach and a delicate suggestion of lemon verbena, flowing into flavours of pomelo, rhubarb and a cool whisper of crushed chalk on the palate, all carried by a bright, mouthwatering acidity and a crisp, clean finish that makes every sip feel alive and refreshing. It is off-dry with a featherlight body, best served well chilled, and will drink beautifully through 2028. Mitolo is one of McLaren Vale's most admired producers, originally founded as a passion project by Frank Mitolo whose family had deep roots in South Australian viticulture long before the winery was formally established, and the Jester range has since become a beloved gateway into the estate's characterful, site-driven style. Serve it alongside grilled salmon skewers with saffron rice and fresh peas, where the wine's bright acidity and delicate fruit will complement the dish's gentle richness beautifully, or pair it with a charcuterie board of thinly sliced cured meats and fresh fig, letting its chalk minerality and refreshing finish cut through every rich, savory bite. Sangiovese Rosé food pairings: charcuterie, grilled salmon skewers with rice and peas. Drink: 2026 - 2028 278101 12.5% D 750 mL $22.95 Score: 88/100. May 2026. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart
White Wine
Lubanzi "Orange Is" Chenin Blanc 2024, Swartland W.O., South Africa: Lubanzi "Orange Is" Swartland Chenin Blanc is a beguiling, medium-bodied skin-contact orange wine glowing with warm amber and burnished gold in the glass, offering an aromatic tapestry of dried white nectarine, honeyed chamomile, bruised pear, and a whisper of toasted fennel seed. It is dry and pleasantly textured, with gentle grip from the tannins and a vibrant, mouthwatering acidity that keeps everything lively and fresh. Winemaker Jurgen Gouws crafted this wine from organic grapes sourced across five distinct Swartland parcels, each contributing its own thread to a beautifully woven whole. The label bears the cover artwork of "Indaba Is," a celebrated 2021 South African jazz album featuring 52 musicians and released by London-based indie label Brownswood Recording, a collaboration that mirrors the wine's own spirit of collective harmony over individual expression. Lubanzi is a Certified B Corporation, Fair Trade certified, and carbon neutral, a rare trifecta of ethical credentials that set it apart in the wine world. Serve it well chilled with a spiced Moroccan chicken tagine over couscous, where the wine's tangy warmth will echo the aromatic spices beautifully, or enjoy it alongside a platter of creamy hummus, roasted red peppers, and warm flatbread for a casual, crowd-pleasing spread. Drink it young and lively over the next year or two. Chenin Blanc food pairings: spiced Moroccan chicken tagine over couscous, creamy hummus with roasted red peppers and warm flatbread, grilled halloumi with a tomato and cucumber salad. Drink: 2026 - 2027 48204 11.5% XD 750 mL $29.95 Score: 90/100. May 2026. Full Review Add to Shopping Cart