Vinography Unboxed: Highlights from the Week of August 31, 2025

Hello and welcome to this week’s exploration of notable wines that have arrived for tasting. In this edition of Vinography Unboxed, I’m excited to share some standout bottles from around the globe.

Kicking things off with Chardonnay, I recently featured a detailed look at the wines from Australia’s Mornington Peninsula, where many producers also source grapes from other regions. One such producer, Yabby Lake, has a remarkable single-vineyard Chardonnay from the Coal River Valley in Tasmania. While these wines are hard to find in the U.S., aficionados of cool-climate Burgundian varietals should seek them out. Yabby Lake also has their Heathcote Estate, where they cultivate Shiraz, which they transport to Mornington Peninsula for winemaking. This Shiraz offers a savory profile that’s delightfully complex.

Another notable producer is Sam Coverdale, creating wines across Victoria under the Even Keel label. Among these, his Chardonnay from Tumbarumba and several excellent Shirazes from Heathcote are worthy of attention.

Closer to home, I found a wonderful single vineyard Chardonnay from Anaba Wines in Sonoma, alongside their Westlands Chardonnay, which I favored slightly over the first.

From Napa, the emerging project of Stereograph Wines, led by winemaker Sally Johnson Blum, sent a delightful old-vine Napa Chenin Blanc and their 2023 Napa Cabernet, noted for its balanced restraint.

Also featured this week is the “Auténtico” Malbec from Bodega Colomé, sourced from an impressive elevation of 7,545 feet in Salta, Argentina. This dark, chocolatey Malbec strikes an excellent balance with its vibrant acidity, making it more refreshing than overwhelming.

Finally, I’m pleased to recommend the 2018 Château Lagrange Saint-Julien from Bordeaux’s Left Bank, which is part of a celebration for 40 years of the estate’s ownership by the Suntory Group from Japan. Although the 2023 vintage hasn’t been released yet, the 2018 offers a luxurious drinking experience now while promising to age well in the future.

Here are the tasting notes for these outstanding selections:

Tasting Notes

2023 Yabby Lake “Single Vineyard” Chardonnay, Coal River Valley, Tasmania, Australia
Pale to light gold with aromas of lemon pith and wet pavement. On the palate, it delights with bright lemon pith and floral notes, combined with mineral texture. Only 20% underwent malolactic conversion. Alcohol: 13.5%. Score: 9-9.5.

2022 Anaba “J McK Estate Vineyard” Chardonnay, Carneros, Sonoma, California
Pale yellow-gold, with notes of lemon pith and wet chalkboard. The taste includes lemon curd and butterscotch, showcasing good acidity. Aged for 17 months in 50% new French oak. Alcohol: 14.1%. Score: 8.5.

2023 Even Keel Chardonnay, Tumbarumba, New South Wales, Australia
Palest greenish gold with aromas of lemon and grapefruit pith. The palate features crisp flavors of lemon pith and flowers with a stony undercurrent. Alcohol: 12.5%. Score: 8.5-9.

2024 Stereograph “Henry Ranch” Chenin Blanc, Napa Valley, Napa, California
Pale gold with aromas of pear and grapefruit. The taste combines bright fruit flavors and excellent acidity. Alcohol: 13.4%. Score: 8.5-9.

2023 Yabby Lake “Single Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Coal River Valley, Tasmania, Australia
Medium garnet, featuring raspberry and cherry aromas with juicy flavors and bright acidity. Alcohol: 13.5%. Score: 9.

2022 Anaba “Westlands” Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma, California
Medium garnet with wet earth and cherry notes. The palate features silky textures with a lingering finish. Alcohol: 13.8%. Score: 8.5-9.

2021 Heathcote Estate (Yabby Lake) Shiraz, Heathcote, Victoria, Australia
Dark garnet revealing earthy aromas and juicy flavors with a savory finish. Alcohol: 13.5%. Score: 8.5.

2022 Even Keel Shiraz, Heathcote, Victoria, Australia
Very dark garnet, with flavors of blackberry and fine tannins. Alcohol: 13.9%. Score: 9.

2022 Even Keel “Reserve” Shiraz, Heathcote, Victoria, Australia
Inky garnet with intense blueberry flavors and excellent acidity. Alcohol: 14%. Score: 8.5-9.

2022 Bodega Colomé “Auténtico” Malbec, Valle Calchaqui, Salta, Argentina
Medium to dark garnet, with earthy aromas and flavors of black cherry and cocoa. Balanced with bright acidity. Alcohol: 14.5%. Score: 8.5-9.

2023 Stereograph Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Napa, California
Dark garnet with black cherry notes paired with fine-grained tannins. Alcohol: 14.4%. Score: 9.

2018 Château Lagrange Saint-Julien Grand Cru, Médoc, Bordeaux, France
Dark garnet, offering black cherry and plum notes with balanced tannins. Suitable for aging. Alcohol: 14.5%. Score: 9-9.5.

For more details on these wines, feel free to explore further!

About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!