There's a new look for what used to be labelled La Famiglia wines from Trentham Estate. The range has now been anglicised to The Family - but remains a homage to newer grape varieties from Italy. I was particularly taken by this delicious vermentino. It is a very food-friendly young offering; pale, lifted and fresh with citrus flavours and a vibrant acid backbone. You could happily quaff a few glasses of this on its own but to be seen at its best it should be paired with some grilled garlicky prawns. $18. www.trenthamestate.com.au.
It has taken a while, but the wineries of the Granite Belt in Queensland (freezing in winter, warm in summer) are starting to produce wines with a wow! factor. This is a case in point, made by Ray Costanzo at Golden Grove Estate in Ballandean. Its is a modern take on the ancient Sicilian grape Nero d'Avola, with bright red fruits on both nose and palate. Naturally fermented, this has oodles of soft, sweet fruit, but is also impressively poised with the fruit combining impressively with fine-grained French oak. This a pleasure to drink and would work a treat with Italian meatballs in tomato sauce. $30. www.goldengroveesate.com.au.
What a stunning semillon, estate-grown and estate-made by Andrew Margan and his team at Broke in the Hunter Valley - semillon central. This is released later than most other Hunter semillons, losing its aggressive acid edge but retaining some delightful lemon/grapefruit flavours, It is made from vines that are now over 30 years old and are producing impressive fruit intensity. This is delightfully aromatic with citrus notes and vibrant minerality. It is crisp, refreshing, and very, very moreish. We paired this with Thai chicken and cashes and it proved an excellent combination. $35. www.margan.com.au.
I think this individual vineyard pinot from Hurley Vineyard on the Mornington Peninsula is my favourite pinot of the year so far. Made entirely from fruit grown on a tiny three-acre vineyard, it is a wine of poise and panache, a tribute to the great wines of Burgundy. It is appealingly perfumed, with power allied to charm; a rare combination. Matured in French oak casks for 20 months, unfined and unflitered, this is a savoury and delicious - and comes in individually numbered bottles. Superbly stylish. $72. www.hurleyvineyard.com.au.
