Staff Faves In-store Tasting @ PWS David Jones April 2026

The NV Conegliano Valdobbiadene Così È is a fun Pet-Nat style Prosecco, having undergone a secondary fermentation in bottle. Notes of sour lemon, pineapple, granny smith and crushed stone can all be found in the glass. It’s soft in texture yet bone dry, with stimulating acids and minerals which work to completely cleanse the palate between each sip. Flavors of dried apricot and pear linger along with a twang of mouthwatering citrus. Although a bit funky, this is a pleasure to taste. (92) ERIC GUIDO, www.vinousmedia.com

Here the secondary fermentation in bottle is encouraged by the addition of unfermented must (juice) of the same wine. The wine does not undergo disgorgment and so retains the natural yeast sediment which, if disturbed, gives the wine a slightly hazy appearance. This is a nod to the traditional styles of the region enjoyed by the Cosmo family in the days of their parents and grandparents. It presents with a slightly softer profile and more subtlety of character than some of the other cuvees. For me it is the kind of wine that you want to pop at the start of a long lunch or dinner with friends, it is eminently digestible and provides serious ease for consumption. ROSCOE

This is 100% merlot from a 1.5 hectare vineyard located in Montravel, a sub-region of Bergerac.
The grapes are hand harvested in small lug boxes, in the cellar the bunches are destemmed and the fruits selected one by one by hand. The must is then macerated in micro oxygenated tanks, pump over every six hours, alcoholic and malolactic fermentations done in temperature controlled tanks. Aged for fourteen months on fine lees in 1/3 new and 2/3 one year old oak barrels.

This is terrific Merlot - there is even greater vibrancy and verve to the 2017 then the 2016. the fruit is pure and ripe with fresh picked plum and red cherry fruit. Some classy oak wraps gently around some pretty and lifted violet notes. and red fruits. This has plenty of fleshy fruit but in a compact and vibrant frame. There aint much merlo like this in Aus. PWS

The Dirupi 2019 Valtellina Superiore is generous and balanced, with a 360-degree approach to the palate underlined by dark fruit, plum jam, bluebells and other mountain wildflowers. You smell alpine slopes, cool weather and glacier-like aromas. The palate shows some dried herb and lightly powdery tannins. Fruit comes from a two-hectare site that is divided into nine parcels with mostly sandy soils. Production is 9,915 bottles. MONICA LARNER, The Wine Advocate

The 2019 Valtellina Superiore is super-expressive right out of the gate. Spice, cedar, leather and tobacco meld into a core of bright red Nebbiolo fruit, with dusty tannins that wrap it all together. I suppose there could be a bit more finesse here (especially in the tannins) but all things considered, this is nicely done. ANTONIO GALLONI

This Godello comes from old vineyards planted right next to the Sil river, in the Seadur village (Ourense), cultivated in slate and decomposed granitic soil. Destemming and short maceration (>4 hours). Soft pressing and static racked of the must in preparation for a slow temperature controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks.

Translucent and bright pale yellow. In the noseis intense, predominant aromas of ripe apple, water pear, white flesh peach, framed by fennel and anise. In the palate is powerful, voluminous, as well as refreshing with a silky and pleasant finish.

 

The Chardonnay grapes, grown in clay-limestone soil, are vinified and aged in the cellars of the estate in Puligny-Montrachet using the same method as for other Burgundy wines: aging in oak barrels, 20% of which are new, for 11 months. On tasting, one discovers a lively and fruity nose, and on the palate, aromas of exotic fruits accompanied by a fresh finish. This cuvée evokes the southern sun; its luscious fruitiness and freshness have won over many - Domain Francois Carillon