Calling all fans of big, ballsy Barossa Valley shiraz; here's one for you. Fermented on skins for 11 days and then matured in a combination of new and aged American oak hogsheads for three years to add additional intensity, this is a front-row forward of a wine, but with some deft ball-handling skills (sorry AFL followers). Think aromas of dark plums, inky currants and chocolate along with a palate with dark berries and licorice notes. It's big, it's Barossan but it still has some structure and finesse. Try pairing with a fillet steak with mushroom sauce, or sticking away in the cellar for a decade. $20. www.gomersalwines.com.au/
A cool-climate sauvignon blanc from the Adelaide Hills that tastes like savvy blanc used to taste: brisk, fresh, clean and crisp with plenty of varietal fruit. This new release has already picked up a top gold at the 2019 Royal Melbourne Wine Show thanks to its tropical fruit aromas and lively balance. This wine just screams "summer picnic" and is probably best enjoyed while young and vibrant. It is silly value at $20 a bottle and would be a terrific Christmas party choice. www.wicksestate.com.au.
It a tough business nowadays finding affordable pinot noir wines that actually have some pinosity rather than being soft, dry reds that happen to be made from pinot noir. Finding sub-$20 pinots of quality is even harder, but this one from Marlborough in New Zealand delivers in spades. The back label doesn't give much away but the contents of the bottle speak for themselves with their fruit-forward, juicy flavours. For the technically minded, the wines in the range are made with a low-sulphur regime, wild yeast ferment and lees ageing. The lively fruit flavours score a KO win. $19.95.
Many wine drinkers are guided by price. Others by quality. This ticks both boxes. If you want a white wine for under $20 that offers immense drinking pleasure then you can't go past this new release from perennial over-achiever Gavin Berry at West Cape Howe. The fruit for this is sourced from several different West Australian vineyards but the end result is very pure and cohesive with shimmering bight citrus and pear notes and a hint of chalkiness. Crisp and dry, this is one for enjoying young and chilled with summer dishes like picnics. The new lightweight bottle is another bonus. $17.
www.westcapehowewines.com.au.
