The team at Winepilot comprise wine show judges, sommeliers, and highly experienced wine critics. Our recent release of our Allotment wines caught the attention of Ken Gargett. He's his thoughts on some of these new cool climate releases ...

Cooks Lot 'Allotment 333' Riesling 2025

93 Points: "Another fine wine from the Orange region with a swag of bling already. The colour offers just the vaguest hint of pale lemon. A wine of direction and good intensity, the nose offers aromas of ripe citrus, jasmine, wet stone, oystershells, florals and a touch of orange rind. Juicy acidity is evident throughout this wine of medium length with a lingering finish. For enjoying over the next six to eight years. Very good buying."

Cooks Lot 'Allotment 689' Pinot Gris 2025

92 Points:"Another wine from this portfolio which impressed the show judges. Pinot Gris from Orange, the colour here is that of a pale orange/pink rose. The nose gives us notes of spices, certainly pears and florals, a touch of stewed apples and a flick of ginger, and, possibly thanks to the power of suggestion due to that colour, a hint of strawberries. Quite a delicious style, there is focus, balance and decent length. The wine can be enjoyed over the next two to four years. Excellent stuff."

Cooks Lot 'Allotment 666' Sauvignon Blanc 2025

92 Points:"Sauvignon Blanc from the Orange region in New South Wales, this has proved exceptionally popular in wine shows with a couple of trophies amongst the bling already accumulated. No surprise, as it is a very fine Savvy. There is simply no hiding from the aromatics. The colour is pale lemon, but the nose is almost overwhelming with tropical notes, extensive passionfruit aromas, along with hints of orange rind, mango and citrus. The flavours all combine to a lengthy finish, along with a fine line of acidity and a touch of salinity. Certainly, it can be enjoyed anytime over the next two to four years, but the question would be why not now. Excellent value."

Cooks Lot 'Allotment 1111' Pinot Noir 2025

91 Points: "Pinot Noir has already proven itself in the Orange region and this will simply add to its lustre. Pale russet/garnet in colour, the nose offers a slight smoked meat note, with spices and herbs, strawberries, leaf litter, raspberries, aniseed and a hint of sweet cherries. As is obvious, very much a red-fruited style. There is decent length here and zesty acidity. The wine finishes with sleek tannins. Enjoyable now, but it will certainly be better in twelve months, after which it can be enjoyed for another three or four years."