It still makes no sense to me that Orange (the NSW wine regio Orange) is majority planted to Bordeaux red grapes (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc & Merlot) in 2025. Yes, there are some lovely wines, but it feels like an exercise in winemaking masochism (and products that are a tricky sell in the modern ‘juicy wines or bust’ world). Anyway, this Stockman’s Ridge red is a blend of Orange Merlot (70%) and Cab Franc (30%), and it’s not unattractive, just not easy to drink. There’s molten, ripe-smelling fruits on the nose, all diffuse red and black berries with a bit of leaf. Sweet and sour palate wrestles with acidity and overly sweet oak, with the Merlot looking a bit sour and cooked and then hints of capsicum and chocolate. Raw tannins. I like the ambition of ‘Right Bank’ styles like this, and this will get better, but gee, the gangliness doesn’t make for ease of drinking.

THE VERDICT

• Best drinking: later. Likely f or even ten years, and probably best as an old wine
• Score (out of 20): 17
• Score (out of 100):
• Alcohol %: 13.5
• RRP (in $AUD): 45
• Winery website: https://stockmansridge.com.au/
• Would I buy it?: a glass