I am not an artist. I do, however, appreciate art but I am not across the detail of a portrait or a landscape that an artist or an art aficionado is. When the detail is pointed out to me, I have a better understanding of the amount of work that has gone into it, the patience and the attention to detail displayed by the artist in the finished piece.

Wine can be similar for some people. Let’s be honest, when a wine sits in a glass, to most people, there is literally no detail to it. It is a beverage, a consumable, something to pair with food or simply enjoyed on its own. The consumer does not see the work that goes into getting that wine into the glass by those who tend the vines, or the attention to detail by the winemaker to ensure it is a pleasurable experience for the person about to drink the wine. It’s a shame really, because tasting this wine is quite the experience and I can’t help but see the care, attention, focus and fastidiousness this wine received from the vineyard to the making then to the bottling of it.

Region: Yarra Valley, Vic     Price: $200     Source: Sample thanks kindly to Levantine Hill

Goodness me. I can’t say I have had many wines that have captivated me from the get-go. The aromas are divine thanks to dark plums and cherries, a little licorice and a hint of spice. The palate is elegance personified. The abundant lush fruit profile of a fresh dark fruit and berry basket of goodness, lilt of spiciness and earthiness combine so perfectly and move so seamlessly across the palate, I was wondering if this could get any better. Well, it did… with the finish, which is incredibly long and desirable. This is an absolute delight of a wine. I love it!