2025 Chenin Blanc

Reviews June/July 2026 - The Wine Front 93 Points. ‘Apple, honey, peanut and almond, a little dusty spice and a sprinkle of white pepper, also has some floral notes. It’s cool and composed, almond, some green olive rolled in herbs, a flinty feel to texture, slightly sandy too, a gentle glossiness with apple and green pear, and a preserved lemon and tonic finish of fine length. Lovely wine. Great drinking.’ - Gary Walsh

Qwine Reviews 93 Points. ‘Expressive aromas from the outset of beeswax, honeysuckle and yellow peach skin get my attention. There is a curiosity that builds with intrigue as I taste, and I get the sense that it is an enigmatic character of sorts, almost resisting full disclosure. A gentle, rich presence is partnered by a restrained drive with almond meal, pie apple and nougat creaminess building further delight through the palate. It gives off a distinct sense of autumnal appeal with a green apple-esque crunch on close. Not to be outdone, subtle tonic edge extends the textural appeal, reaching long through to a moreish and contemplative finish. And that's precisely it, it's a wine of complexity, interest and contemplation. Beautifully done’- Steve Leszczynski

Cabernet Franc 2025

Review June 2026 - The Wine Front 94 Points. ‘Ripe cherry and raspberry, biscuit spices, rosehip, empty chocolate box. It’s medium-bodied but has some weight and presence, fresh and juicy redcurrant acidity, dried herb and floral mouth-perfume, a crushed sandstone feel to tannin, with a twist of dried orange peel on a savoury yet fruit sweet finish of excellent length. No shortage of tannin, but I like that sort of thing. Excellent’ - Gary Walsh

Nebbiolo 2025

Reviews June 2026

The Wine Front 92 Points. ‘A very interesting expression of Nebbiolo here, though it still speaks the language, albeit with a different accent. And that’s one of the good things about this grape variety; it’s a broad church, as such. It’s spicy, allspice in particular, dusty, a distinct amaro twang here, liquorice, cherry, poached strawberry and rhubarb. Medium-bodied, a blood orange tang lends a gentle sourness, some raspberry juiciness, tomato consommé too, a fine white pepper grip to tannin, with an almond meal and spiced finish of good length. A very good drink, is the import.’ - Gary Walsh

Qwine Reviews 93 Points. ‘ Silky, dancy and damn delicious. Woah! Layered with interest, think cherries and cherry pips, red plums, orange peel, black tea and licorice root. Scents of dried rose petals continue to diffuse and call me back time and again with a touch of cola sliding in late. It's such an elegant and graceful wine that possesses a wonderful sense of calm and humility - much like its maker. Drying out ever so slowly, it glides about effortlessly leaving a trail of powdery tannins in its wake. Absolutely gorgeous and moreish, this is nothing short of an enthusiastic recommendation from me’. - Steve Leszczynski

Citrine 2025 - Extended Skin Contact Riesling

Review February 2026 - The Wine Front 95 Points. ‘Eight months skin contact here. Riesling. An orange wine from Orange. Hallelujah! The stars align. Samantha May is a producer to watch. Tangerine, lemon myrtle, preserved lemon, and quite some perfume generally – crystalized violet and ginger in particular. It’s juicy, tangelo and green mango, it has a firm skinsy texture, though it doesn’t go overboard – it’s all just so – and it’s fresh too. The finish is long with a gently sandy grip, and the pleasure, interest and drinking appeal is there. Excellent. So excellent. My word this is delicious. It’s +1 points for me on that point, as such’ - Gary Walsh

Riesling 2025

Review November 2025 -The Wine Front 95 Points. ‘Lusty! Green apple, green mango, floral, a little salty and stony, some spice. This is a discreet sort of wine, nutty, chalk dust texture, clean but juicy acidity, a little steely, saline and savoury, finishes very long and fine with crunchy green apple and lime.  Such energy and deliciousness. My word, this is a good wine’ - Gary Walsh

Sauvignon Blanc 2025

Review November 2025 -The Wine Front 93 Points. ‘Gentle and more sophisticated style of Sauvignon. Quince, gooseberry, pink grapefruit, a suggestion of pineapple and creamed rice, spice and fennel. It’s soft, a little nutty and sake-like, saline and spicy, discreet acidity, fine powdery texture, with a gentle and juicy finish of good length. Quite different to your run-of-the-mill Sauvignon. A bit more of a fancy Loire style’ - Gary Walsh

Grenache 2025

Review November 2025 -The Wine Front 93 Points. ‘Strawberry, spice, peanuts and aniseed. It’s medium-bodied, a juiciness of ripe red fruits to it, a spicy and dusty grip to tannin, balanced acidity, dried flower mouth-perfume, a peppery finish of good length. Really pleasing wine offering a point of difference, and beautifully made too. Kind of Italianate in style. A very good drink. Recommended’ - Gary Walsh

Syrah 2024

Review April 2025 - The Wine Front - 94 Points. ‘This is very good. It’s fine-boned, spicy and peppery, blackcurrant and raspberry, something of a grilled meat character too. Medium-bodied at best, juicy and lively, dusted with white pepper in flavour and tannin profile, and while it’s savoury, it also has a charming fruit sweetness about it with cranberry acidity, dried herbs, black olive, orange peel, and a cool finish of excellent length. Beautifully made. Stylish and drinks so well. Frisky. Yes’ - Gary Walsh

Wine Reviews, Media Commentary & Nice Words

‘Summer’s best wines for $30 or less’

Katie Spain has listed the 2023 Rizzo Red in her article for The Sydney Morning Herald good food guide ‘Summer’s best wines for $30 or less’.

“From light-hearted bubbles to chillable reds, a great drop doesn’t have to break the bank, as these top bottles prove'“ Katie Spain (03.01.2025) Read along here

“Samantha May Rizzo Red Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah 2023, Orange, NSW, $30

There is a place for reds at the dining table during summer, especially when they clock in at 12.5 per cent alcohol. This elegant blend of cabernet sauvignon and syrah was beautifully executed by winemaker Samantha May. It buzzes with blue fruit energy and rambunctious acidity. Exceptional value. Bravo”

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