Riposte The Dagger Pinot Noir 2025 

It’s perhaps easy to think Pinot Noirs under $30 might be easy drinking but simplified. That’s not the case here and it’s really worth your time to unpack this wine. A family affair led by Tim Knappstein, this opens with berries in syrup, sumac spice and Hungarian paprika. Some boysenberry swirls and Bing cherries which lead to maple and sanded pine oak. Its naturally elevated acidity makes for moreish drinking and yes, you will finish the bottle in swift timing. I would go for beef and red pepper soft tacos, hand held food and good company outdoors. Drink Now.

Shanteh Wale

Contributor at Wine Companion

Shanteh cut her teeth at Sydney’s Award-Winning Quay restaurant where she worked for over a decade and was Head Sommelier from 2018 till 2022. She has been nominated for the Good Food Guide Sommelier of the Year award on three occasions and claims that her experience as a Len Evans scholar as one of the highlights of her career. Shanteh hosts her own weekly podcast ‘Over A Glass’ with the Deep in the Weeds Network and spends her time writing for various publications and judging at numerous wine shows across the country.

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