Avatar photo

David Stevens-Castro

David is a wine, beverage & gastronomy consultant. A passionate professional, with rounded expertise: from wine & fruit production as an Agricultural Engineer; marketing, wine trends and wine business as a wine merchant; buying, stock management and financial management as a wine & beverage manager; assessing wines as an international wine judge plus food and wine pairing expert as the co-author of PAIRED Volume 1: Champagne & Sparkling Wines. Find out more about David here at paired-media.com
Leconfield Cabernet Sauvignon

Leconfield Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon’s ability to age gracefully is remarkable. This Leconfield is testimony to that. It has the classic cassis...

Paul Jaboulet ‘Ventoux’ Grenache-Syrah 2020

Rhône wines are always a reliable choice, often offering great value. This red blend is no exception. As it opens,...
Tinto de Rulo Moscatel

Tinto de Rulo Moscatel de Alejandria 2021

What a great natural wine this is! It has a pristine, clean aroma and a hazy, yellow-orange appearance. On the...
Single Vinyard Shiraz

Heartland Single Vineyard Shiraz 2015

Heartland Wines new super premium offering is a late release single vineyard Shiraz – a heady example with flamboyant personality....
rose

Barossa Wine Cartel Rosé 2022

This is such a charming Barossa rosé; it possesses great fruit expression. It is sustainably made with organic and biodynamic...

Michel Gonet Grand Cru Le Mesnil sur Oger Millesime Blanc de Blancs 2014

This is such a fine Blanc de Blancs expression of the Grand Cru Mesnil Sur Oger and is the newest...

Bekkers TOME Vol 1 2021

Entertaining friends and family at home gives me great pleasure. I relish the opportunity to show off my gastronomic skills...

Menhir Salento Primitivo Quota 29 IGP 2020

Such a delightful discovery wine, it made me like Primitivo like never before. Always a profound moment to love a...

Salatin Prosecco Treviso DOC Extra Dry NV

Prosecco’s vigorous and persistent bubbles are always a sign of good things to come. Salatin’s expression is quite stylish with...

Z Wine Rustica Grenache 2020

The Zerk sisters once again deliver the goods. This is an enticing medium bodied red that gets me excited. It...

Albert Bichot Fleurie La Madone Beaujolais 2020

More and more, Beaujolais wines are becoming part of my repertoire. I am certainly enjoying juicy, fruit forward, medium body...

Heartland Directors Cut Shiraz 2019

This is the flagship of all Heartland Wines, and it delivers on its promise. The sleek packaging certainly denotes the...

Heartland Directors Cut Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

A sleek cabernet sauvignon that celebrates the power and finesse of Langhorne Creek. It has cedar, sage and blueberry notes...

Heartland Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

Cabernet Sauvignon and steak are a reliable and satisfying pairing proposition. This wine has a bouquet of ground coffee, chocolate...

Heartland Sposa e Sposa Dolcetto-Lagrein 2021

What a revelation this is, nothing short of amazing. It opens up immediately with plum and blueberry characters, showing generous...

Heartland Shiraz 2019

An attractive introduction to Heartland’s range. This Shiraz has a dense appearance and enticing deep colour with a bouquet of...

Heartland Dolcetto 2020

This Dolcetto from Langhorne Creek is such an experience of discovery and indeed, my first encounter with an Australian example...

Quattro Mano ‘La Reto’ Tempranillo 2014

An old, low-yielding, Barossa vineyard delivers a wine full of character. ‘La Reto” Tempranillo is built for distance and —...

Tsarine Rose NV

One of my ultimate pleasures is Champagne rosé. This example shows notes of strawberry, cranberry and rose petal swirls with...

The Ethereal One Vermentino 2021

Vermentino has huge potential in Australia. The popularity of ‘all things Italian’ is ever increasing and the variety adapts well...

Duplessis-Duval ‘Muscadet Sevre et Maine’ Melon de Bourgogne 2019

This is by far the most delicious Melon de Bourgogne I have had the pleasure of enjoying. Aromatically gifted —...

Bay of Fires Riesling 2020

Bay of Fires has led the way in elevating the reputation of Rieslings from Tasmania. This example displays Tasmania at...

Kosciuszko Pinot Noir 2019

Pinot Noir can be a tricky variety when you’re looking for value. Thus it’s a pleasure to find such a...

Capital Wines The Ambassador Tempranillo 2021

What a delicious young red. Approachability early on is a challenge, yet this wine is a triumph. Beautifully perfumed with...
winepilot