Winemaker Justin Bubb splits his year between Tasmania (Pooley Wines) and Tuscany, where he makes a delicious collection of wines under the Babo label. There are a couple of firsts here; this is the first Chianti to be bottled under screwcap and it's one of the first to be bottled in a Burgundy bottle as opposed to the traditional Claret shape (for the Fiasco wicker bottle!) For this Chianti-Beaujolais hybrid, Justin has employed whole berry fermentation with roughly 30% carbonic maceration, simply fermented and then raised in concrete vats for six months. It's a wonderfully bright and aromatic Sangiovese with notes of raspberry and red cherry, good texture and lightweight tannins, with sappy acidity and a thirst quenching finish.

Santa Cristina offers a red colour with purple highlights. The nose shows notes of ripe cherries, typical aromas both of Sangiovese and of Syrah well integrated with the balsamic sensation of mint which characterize merlot. Pleasurable sensations of vanilla and coffee complete the bouquet. The palate is soft and ample with a fruity finish and aftertaste. The grape varieties were fermented separately. After destemming and a soft pressing, the grapes were macerated on their skins for approximately one week in stainless steel tanks. During this phase, the wine finished its fermentation at a temperature held to a maximum of 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees centigrade). The wine was then racked and terminated its malolactic fermentation by the end of the year. The wine aged for a few months in small oak barrels and began to be bottled in November of 2018. Antinori is a name synonymous with wine in Italy, the equivalent of the royal family of wine in the country. Intimately involved in the wine industry of Italy since 1385, initially in Tuscany, but in more recent years their influence has grown seeing them involved in wine-making projects across the country. They were instrumental in the renaissance of Chianti and their portfolio of wines includes some stellar names such as Tignanello - the Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc blend that was most influential in the Super Tuscan movement, Solaia - the Cabernet dominant blend also from the Tignanello Estate and the beautiful Peppoli Chianti Classico.

Sangiovese is an Italian grape variety suited to the warm climate of South Australia's Riverland. This wine has delicate pink hues, but intense aromas and flavours of cherry, watermelon, strawberry and spicy vanilla. Pair 919 Reserve Sangiovese with smoked duck, savoury charcuterie or pizza, and finish with a cherry tart. Serve lightly chilled or at room temperature or cellar until 2023.

CIACCI PICCOLOMINI D'ARAGONA Pianrosso, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG

Sangiovese is Italy's most widely planted variety and responsible for some of its greatest wines from Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino. Wines made from this variety are elegant and forceful with alluring aromas of plums and dried underbrush with fresh cherry and earthy flavours medium tannins and bright acidity.These Sangiovese grapes were grown on Mount Canobolas in the Orange region The vines are 15 years old and the yields are low less than 2 tonnes per acre. This is achieved by meticulous hand pruning and crop thinning and removing all unripe and damaged grapes before harvest.Harvest date: 13th March 2017The fruit was warm fermented in traditional open vats which were hand plunged. The wine was aged in oak barrels for 18 months prior to blending.This wine is light brick red in colour, with bright purple hues. With aromas of fresh cherry typical of the variety, the palate delivers savoury fruit and a smooth finish.Perfect with pizza, pasta and antipasto platters.