Dopff au Moulin 2010 Pinot Blanc

Dopff au Moulin have been crafting wines in Alsace since 1574, making them  one of the world’s oldest family wineries. The new 2010 range, which also includes  an impressive riesling and gewurztraminer, is bottled under screw caps, ensuring  the wines remain vibrant. They are a revelation compared to previous vintages. This is an absolutely lovely wine and a very good alternative to sauvignon blanc and pinot gris. It is dry and minerally with ripe pear and fresh melon notes. Available at Dan Murphy's, Woolworths Liquor and BWS stores and an absolute bargain for $12.99. 

Woodstock 2010 Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon

It's been a few years since I've encountered ebullient Woodstock winemaker Scott Collett, or tasted any of his McLaren Vale wines, so I was pleased to see the 2010 reds in his "bistro series" are all impressive, although this classic blend was the one that particularly took my fancy. Collett and co-winemaking conspirator Ben Glaetzer have come up with a wine that is not only full of flavour, but offers very good value. The shiraz has provided the juicy fruit and spice, the cabernet the tannin structure. From a very good vintage, this hits a sweet spot between bright fruit and savoury characters and would be terrific with winter dishes like lamb shanks, or goat souvlaki. It'll probably cellar well for five or so years, as well. $18. www.woodstockwine.com.au.

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.