“Welcome to Edition 9 of Liquor Barons On the Vine. Freshness and delightful fruit characters were the order of the day and they are captured perfectly in this mix of Australian and Italian wines.

A highlight is the Forester Estate Jack Out Of The Box Semillon that shows the admirable virtues of this variety from Margaret River. A couple of beauties from Italy both show beautiful fruit characters, typical of variety and region. Then there is the Leeuwin Art Series Sauvignon Blanc, a hugely popular wine that offers a more sophisticated interpretation of this variety. A newbie is the Frenchman’s Cap from Tasmania which presents a thoroughly delicious pinot gris. And finally, a neat and quite complex fiano from Wangolina on the Limestone Coast of South Australia.

It’s a really interesting group of wines, and we believe they will provide great enjoyment as you sit back over the summer.

The Liquor Barons tasting panel wishes each of you a safe and happy Christmas and New Year, and we look forward to bringing you more great wines in 2025.“

– Ray Jordan

On The Vine Edition Nine Tasting Notes

FORESTER ESTATE | JACK OUT OF THE BOX SEMILLON 2023 | 95/100
Yet another compelling reason why we should be getting more semillon from Margaret River. This one was judged best semillon in Ray Jordan’s annual WA Wine Review 2025. It’s fermented in new and older French oak, bringing in further palate complexity and weight. The aromas are an intriguing mix of dried herbs, lemon scents, and cedary oak. The palate has a tremendous intensity that picks up the slightly herbaceousness of the variety with that lively lemon rind character.

TENUTA ULISSE | TERRE DI CHIETI PECORINO 2024 | 92/100
This is a thoroughly delightful, fresh and slightly fruity wine. There’s a crisp melon and citrus mix at play with a lifted aroma and a playful, fresh and racy little palate. An intriguing mix of dried herbs and florals with an edgy minerality contributes to the crunchy mouth feel. Delicious summer drinking.

LEEUWIN ESTATE | ART SERIES SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 | 93/100
This is a slightly tighter and leaner wine to the excellent 2023, but it still has that essential character, making this one of Leeuwin’s best-selling wines. It combines the beautiful aromatic nuances, evident immediately, with a beautifully crafted textural palate. It gets a little barrel fermentation for texture but the keen minerally acidity gives it an edge and focus through to a long finish.

FRENCHMAN’S CAP | PINOT GRIS 2024 | 93/100
This was one of the best wines of the tasting. It’s sourced from the cooler climes of Tasmania which allows it to combine the fruit intensity that is pinot gris with a little of the finer precision that is pinot grigio. Loads of apples and pear, with a fine citrus cut, takes it through to a long finish. Such a deliciously appealing palate.

WANGOLINA | A SERIES FIANO 2024 | 92/100 
This was quite a find among the wines assembled for the tasting. It comes from South Australia’s Limestone Coast and gets a lot of hands-on treatment. After handpicking, it’s whole bunch pressed with a small portion heading into French oak and then the remainder into stainless steel. It’s produced a creamy textured wine that is oh-so scrumptious. This wine reveals mealy, zesty characters with a subtle pineapple character. Great summer drinking.

CANTINA DI GAMBELLARA | MONOPOLIO PINOT GRIGIO 2023 | 92/100
This nails the style. It comes from Veneto in Italy and shows the refined precision and subtle fruit characters that make it such an appealing wine. Floral white peach, minerally apple and pear all swirl through a controlled and finely balanced palate. A little splash of citrus adds tang to the finish.

Liquor Barons, delivering fine wines for over 25 Years. Head to our allocated On The Vine stores (below) to grab your $100 Premium Wine Six Pack.