Sinapius 2010 Pinot Noir

Vaughn Dell and Linda Morice from Sinapius are two of the rising stars of the Tasmanian scene; making wines with real personality that reflect the terroir of their tiny Pipers River vineyards. Sinapius wines attracted the attention of British wine guru Jancis Robinson on her recent visit, with her describing them as having “intensity that transcends the norm”. This is certainly an outstanding pinot noir, beautifully balanced, with great fruit and some impressive savouriness. It’s a supple, sinewy wine that oozes quality. $42. www.sinapius.com.au.

Angove 2010 Warboys Vineyard Shiraz Grenache

For so long associated with bargain basement labels from the Riverland like Butterfly Ridge and Long Row, the Angove family are spreading their wings after 126 years in the wine business with two new ranges of wines from their McLaren Vale vineyards - where they recently opened an impressive new cellar door facility. From the Warboys Vineyard - which the cellar door overlooks - this is a dark, ripe, inky and mysterious blend of shiraz and grenache but with enough elegance and twists and turns on the palate to make it thoroughly beguiling. A delightful red that pushes the envelope but retains drinkability. $35.

Domaine Pattes Loup 2010 Chablis

An outstanding Chablis from Thomas Pico's fast-rising Domaine Pattes Loup; made from organically-grown fruit from high-altitude vineyards. This is a classic Chablis, still with oyster shell minerality, but with added textural interest thanks to the fact that 20% of the juice spends time in large older oak barrels and a further 15% in concrete biodynamic eggs. The rest of the fruit, from 50+-year-old vines, was matured in stainless steel and the end result is a wine of the clarity and purity that you'd expect from a fine Chablis producer but with added complexity and interest on the palate. I opened my wallet and purchased some of this. It's very impressive. $39.95. Imported by Eurocentric. 0405 232 349. www.eurocentricwine.com.au. 

Ninth Island 2011 Sauvignon Blanc

Here’s a Tasmanian wine for those who like their sauvignon blanc fresh, flinty and minerally with heaps of crunchy acid. This is as sharp as a politician’s tongue and a reflection of the cool-climate terroir. The nose is appealingly floral and grassy and there are no signs of tropical fruit - the palate is driven by herbaceousness, asparagus and that searing acid with gooseberry and greengage notes to the fore. This would be a stunning partner to local seafood – and could also pair well with spicy Asian cuisine.

Wine by Brad 2009 Cabernet Merlot

You've got to love the value for money that this label offers. A blend of the two classic Margaret River red wine grapes, this wine is a terrific choice for everyday drinking. It's flavoursome, rich, soft and very easy to drink. It's not a wine for quietly contemplating, or discussing in hushed tones. Instead, it's a wine that is a darn good drink, with a fun and funky retro label, nicely balanced and an ideal choice for a barbecue, or taking along to your local pizza or pasta joint. If you really want to know more, the label has a QR code you can scan. $18.  www.winebybrad.com.au.

Rusden 2009 Full Circle Mataro

From one of the unsung heroes of the Barossa Valley comes this single-vineyard mataro that is seductively savoury and beautifully balanced. A million miles away from some of the Barossa blockbusters in style, this is a wine that can confidently be savoured over several days (it was just as fresh on day three as when it was opened). It's a fruit-driven wine with 14% alcohol with a decidedly perky, spicy nose and plenty of length on the palate. Impressive, $45.  www.rusdenwines.com.au.

Curly Flat 2009 Chardonnay

Wow! This is an extraordinarily impressive chardonnay from Philip Moraghan's outstanding vineyard site in Victoria's Macedon Ranges - one of the coolest in the country. I left this for a few months after release and tasted it against some Premier League domestic rivals and it was a clearcut winner in top-class company. It's a lovely wine with just 13% alcohol by volume and has some stone fruit and nutty characters counterbalanced by brisk citrus. Comparisons are odious, but this is certainly Burgundian in style, crisp but at the same time supple with a beguiling complexity. Pair it with roast pork. $48. www.curlyflat.com.