Longview 2022 Juno Nebbiolo Rosato

 

This beguiling blend of nebbiolo and pinot noir is one of my favourite rosés of the year; dry, savoury and seriously slurpable. The Saturno family is based at Macclesfield on the fringe of the Adelaide Hills and produces a wide range of styles, usually offering excellent value. This is no exception with its initial floral intensity leading to a panoply of red fruit flavours - think redcurrants, raspberries and cherries - on the lively, zesty palate, which finishes bone dry. This is perfect for enjoying with a picnic, a Lebanese mezze plate, or perhaps with a crab dip. Enjoy well chilled. $28. www.longviewvineyard.com.au/

Clonakilla 2021 O'Riada Shiraz

 

This is almost certainly the best-value wine in the stellar Clonakilla line-up - and I reckon it would do sterling duty whether you are opting for a Christmas turkey, or ham. A belnd of estate and grower fruit, this is a concentrated but supple and alluring shiraz from a fine Canberra region vintage - and you can buy three bottles for the price of one bottle of Clonakilla's flagship shiraz viognier. The wine is dedicated to Sean O'Riada, a leading Irish musician and composer who died in 1971, the year Clonakilla was established by John Kirk. He was John’s cousin. I think he'd be very proud of this smooth and delicious cool-climate wine with its red fruit and spice notes. $40. https://clonakilla.com.au/

Oliver's Taranga 2022 Mencia

Is mencia Australia's next sangiovese or tempranillo? The Spanish grape has only a small presence in Australia so far, but shows immense promise as is underlined by this gloriously gluggable release from McLaren Vale. Winemaker Corrina Wright has crated a bright purple, medium-bodied and savoury red that has come together brilliantly in its youth and would be a welcome guest at a barbecue, or paired with roasted meats. It could even be chilled a little on a warm day. Soft and fruity, this is far too easy to drink - it is made in the "Joven" style with minimal oak, and created for immediate enjoyment. $35. www.oliverstaranga.com 

Hungerford Hill 2022 Semillon

Freshly shucked oysters; a picnic in the park; or maybe a fish and chip supper. The release of new-vintage Hunter Valley semillons is synonymous with the arrival of summer - and the need for a refreshing, vibrant bottle of pale white vinous goodness. This is one of the best-value semillons around, and is made from grapes grown at the Dalwood Vineyard in Branxton, the Hunter's and Australia's oldest continually operating vineyard dating back to 1828. From a good vintage, this is an elegant semillon that spent four  months on yeast lees before release. Pale, citrusy, zippy and disturbingly drinkable with its vibrant acid. Enjoy well chilled. $27. https://hungerfordhill.com.au/

Tapanappa 2019 Definitus Pinot Noir

If you enjoy your pinot noirs complex, with savoury and undergrowth characters, then this one hits the spot. Definitus is made by veteran winemaker Brian Croser - one of the greats of the industry - from just a small patch of his Foggy Hill vineyard on the Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia. The alcohol levels are modest at 13% but there is whole lot going on on the lean but expressive palate with ripe blueberry notes, Asian spices and excellent tannin structure all in play. A smidgen of whole bunch, indigenous yeasts and a whole lot of care and attention have created a superior, very stylish wine that will cellar well, but could be paired right now with a roast duck. A bottle of this would be welcomed as a Christmas gift by any wine lover. 95 points from me. $90. https://tapanappa.com.au/

Merite 2020 Q Merlot

I don't recommend a lot of Australian merlots, simply because many of them are made from inferior clones and fail to deliver the best of the variety. Now Australia has some better clones of merlot coming into their own - and this wine is made from one of them: Q45. What that means is that you get a whole lot of body, texture and personality, but still get that lovely smoothness on the finish. The 2020 vintage was a difficult one on the Limestone Coast with heatwaves and Covid lockdowns, but this certainly delivers some serious slurpability. I'd pair it with lamb chops or a gourmet hamburger. $33 and available at Dan Murphy's stores. https://meritewines.com/

Meerea Park 2021 XYZ Chardonnay

 

What's going on here? A leading Hunter Valley wine producer releasing a chardonnay made from grapes grown in the King Valley in north-east Victoria? Simple really, the grapes grown on the blocks that normally provide fruit for this wine were damaged by smoke taint from bush fires near the Hunter. If you like your chardonnays clean, crisp and precise then this delivers. Whole-bunch pressed, barrel fermented in new oak puncheons but no malo. Bloody delicious with some pan-fried calamari - and if chardy is not your thing then the 2022 semillon under the same label is equally enticing. $30. www.meereapark.com.au     

Schild Estate 2020 Barossa Shiraz

 

If there is a Barossa wine that offers consistently better shirazamataz at a sensible price than this one then I have yet to meet it. This ticks a whole lot of quality and price boxes year after year and the new-release 2020 vintage lives up to the Schild family's high standards. I was about to recommend the excellent 2022 Eden Valley Riesling from the same producer - also excellent - but this one just out-shone it with its classic dark fruit, impressive length and hints of pepper. It is big and bold, sure, but also impressively balanced. Pair with anything from a gourmet burger to a lamb casserole. $26 - but look out for it on special. www.schildestate.com.au/   

Mezzacorona 2021 Pinot Grigio

 

A delightful slice of the flavours of the Italian alps here; a vibrant young pinot grigio from the banks of the Adige River that has all the freshness of a mountain stream. Mezzacorona has been crafting wines for almost 120 years and this one would be a delightful drinking companion on a warm Australian summer afternoon. This has lively green apple flavours with river pebble minerality and bright but well controlled acid. A wine for enjoying chilled and in its youth, perhaps paired with frito misto or some grilled prawns with aoli mayo. Refreshing and fruity but dry, this is a delight. Imported by Single Vineyard Sellers and excellent value at $20.

Zema Estate 2016 Saluti

 

Zema Estate are among the quiet achievers in Coonawarra, quietly going about their business making excellent value wines with a minimum of fuss. This special release marks 40 years for the family-owned business with Italian heritage. Made in tiny amounts, this is a blend of the two grape varieties that shine brightest in Coonawarra: cabernet sauvignon (72%)and shiraz (28%). This is a seriously stylish and sybaritic wine with plenty of length, structure and texture, along with a super smooth finish to the palate. Blackcurrant notes, plummy hints, classy French and American oak and that lovely mouthfeel create something special. Ideal for a dinner party or as a gift for a serious wine lover with a cellar. 95 points from me. $125. www.zema.com.au/

Hoddles Creek 1er Yarra Valley 2022 Pinot Blanc

 

Australian wine lovers are very familiar with pinot noir and pinot gris/grigio, but far less so with their kin, the Alsace grape variety pinot blanc, which was planted 25 years ago in the upper Yarra Valley. It is usually a full-bodied white variety, but this iteration has some more delicate elements; weighing in at just 12.8% alcohol and displaying impressive palate texture and flinty minerality. A lovely - and versatile - food wine for matching with salads or shellfish dishes. This is only made in years when winemaker Franco d'Anna is satisfied with the fruit quality - and you would imagine he was very happy in 2022. $35. https://www.hoddlescreekestate.com.au/  

Wynns Coonawarra Estate 2021 The Siding Cabernet Sauvignon

 

This is an entry level wine in the excellent Wynns range - and represents perhaps one of Australia's best wine bargains right now. Several wine experienced wine writers at this week's Treasury Wines Estates tasting were stunned to find out how little it costs. Think an approachable young red with impressive structure and plenty of youthful joie de vivre. It is food friendly across a range of meals from barbecued meats to pizzas and pastas, and offers engaging drinking right now. Lush and bright with blackcurrant notes and a savoury edge aided by French oak treatment. Impressive. The RRP is $20, but it can also be found even cheaper on special. www.wynns.com.au/    

O'Leary Walker 2022 Polish Hill River Riesling

It is the perfect time of the year to sample this excellent new release from some of the best in the business. Spring and riesling go together like love and kisses and this is an outstanding young wine, full of bright citrus and notes from the heartland of riesling excellence in the Clare Valley. Winemaker David O'Leary says the "2022 growing season was superb - a long and cool ripening period enabled the vines to maintain a healthy canopy up until harvest". Think zingy fruit, minerality and brisk acidity. This would pair brilliantly with oysters, pan-fried whiting, fish and chips and a range of Asian dishes. It is organic and vegan-friendly and very fairly priced at $30. Lovely stuff. www.olearywalkerwines.com/

Levantine Hill 2018 Syrah

 

It has only taken a few years for Yarra Valley upstart Levantine Hill to build a formidable reputation for quality, with winemaker Paul Bridgeman crafting a range of wines that are noteworthy for impressive personalities and impeccable balance. This is a perfect dinner party choice; a cool-climate syrah with serious panache and pizzazz that has swept up several show awards already. It has medium-bodied style with plummy fruit characters married to some beguiling spice characters and impressive structure. Plush, with impressive length, this demands to be paired with food; perhaps a traditional roast lamb. I'll give this one 97/100. You can confidently cellar it, should you wish to, but it is drinking beautifully right now. $80. www.levantinehill.com.au/

Brokenwood 2022 Semillon

 

With spring upon us, it is the perfect time to enjoy some of the new-release semillons from the Hunter Valley; wines that are perfect for enjoying chilled, al fresco perhaps with some oysters, or in our case flathead fillets. Floral and Asian spice aromas, zingy green apple freshness on the palate and a load of racy acidity on the long, lean finish make this a real pleasure to drink. No oak or malo, just a short stint in stainless steel and then into bottle. Good stuff. $30. www.brokenwood.com.au/

Chapel Hill 2021 The MV Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Chapel Hill is probably best known to wine lovers for its terrific-value sub-$20 wines in its The Parson range, but move up a gear and you have some seriously excellent drinking at a realistic price. This is a very stylish, flavoursome red that went a treat with roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. Think dusty tannins but with a core of generous black fruit flavours. Quintessentially Australian, cocky and confident with its intensity. At 14.5% alcohol, this is not a wine for wimps. It certainly shines with red meat dishes. $33. www.chapelhillwine.com.au/

Kooyong 2020 Single Block Ferrous Pinot Noir

 

I love this wine. All three of the 2020 single block pinot noirs from Kooyong on the Mornington Peninsula are outstanding but this one is the star turn; made from fruit grown on a site of under a hectare that is full of ironstone pebbles that give the wine its individual character. This is a concentrated, intense pinot with sweet and savoury notes allied to minerality, but it also also has elegance and style. A portion of whole bunch and wild fermentation in old oak have resulted in a magical potion. After fermentation the wine was pressed and racked into French oak barriques (25% new) and underwent malo, adding texture. Unfined, unfiltered and an absolutely marvellous drink that evaporated far too soon. Magical, and 98 points from me. $75. www.portphillipestate.com.au 

Mottura 2020 Negroamaro del Salento

 

Dark bitter. A great name for a chocolate, perhaps, but not so appealing when used as the name of a grape variety. Dark bitter is the literal translation of negroamaro, an Italian grape variety that is rarely seen in Australia but offers terrific value in this iteration. It proved a superb partner in crime for a Friday night mushroom pizza. Negroamaro is native to southern Italy, particularly in Apulia and the Salento peninsula, from which this wine hails. This is deep in colour with a delightful rusticity/earthiness. A terrific taste of rural Italy, it is imported by Single Vineyard Sellers. Pair with grilled or roasted meats, sharp cheeses - or pizza. $30.

     

Shaw + Smith 2022 Sauvignon Blanc

 

For 33 vintages now, Shaw + Smith has been the "reference" when it comes to Australian sauvignon blanc. It is a model of consistency and style that never disappoints. The new-release 2022 underlines the wine's status as a modern Australian classic, and it remains very affordable. Made in an unashamedly "drink young" style, this Adelaide Hills standout is downright delicious with its brisk grapefruit and lime fruit flavours allied to beguiling floral aromas and zesty fresh acid on the finish. Fermented in stainless steel followed by maturation on lees, this is as fresh as spring breeze and a match made in heaven when paired with crustaceans. $31. www.shawandsmith.com/

Taltarni 2021 Dynamic Sangiovese Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Meet Taltarni's Australian take on a Super Tuscan blend, an impressive blend of Italian grape sangiovese and long-time favourite cabernet sauvignon that delivers plenty of easy drinking pleasure. This is an ideal pizza, pasta or barbecue wine, being smooth and soft with plenty of length. Think dark cherry and blueberry flavours with hints of Asian spice and just as smidgen of oak to add palate interest. Prenees fruit: sangiovese 64% cabernet 36%. Excellent midweek drinking for under $40. You'll find this for around $28.

A.C. Byrne & Co. 2022 Sauvignon Blanc Semillon

 

How do they do it for the price? This is a joyful, youthful sauvignon blanc semillon blend from Margaret River - a classic West Australian white blend that delivers value by the bucket load. If fresh, crisp and lively is your thing with lime. grapefruit and guava/tropical fruit flavours to the fore, then this is an ideal accompaniment to seafood dishes, picnics, quiches or summer days on the beach. So much zingy refreshment here. This is another of those Aldi specials and is absurd value at $8.99 a bottle. Snap up a dozen before they sell out. www.aldi.com.au

      

Hurley Vineyard 2020 Garamond Pinot Noir

 

For two decades now Kevin Bell and Tricia Byrnes have been producing exquisite Mornington Peninsula pinots that fly under the radar of the all bar the most savvy wine buyers. There just three Hurley releases from the 2020 vintage (no estate wine this time around) and the Garamond is the undoubted star of the show; an individual vineyard wine of style and substance. Precise, balanced and varietal; this sensuous and poised release is a perfect celebration of Hurley Vineyard's 20th vintage. Could easily be mistaken for a quality Burgundy in a blind tasting. The bad news is that I hear the 2020 wines all sold out prior to release but keep your eyes peeled in retail outlets. $92. www.hurleyvineyard.com.au    

Greenskin 2021 Margaret River Chardonnay

I love the idea behind the Greenskin wine range; Australia's first 100% recyclable, resealable, glassless way to enjoy wine when you are on a picnic, at the beach, or just want a glass without opening a bottle. This is the best quality wine in a pouch that I have tasted so far; a 2021 Margaret River chardonnay made by Italian-born winemaker Jacopo Dalli Cani at McHenry Hohnen. Taste it blind and you would never guess it did not come from a bottle. Think fresh stone fruit characters, hints of oak, and plenty of refreshment. Billed as vegan-friendly, as well. Sold by the six-pack of 750ml pouches for $155 - so essentially the equivalent of $26 a bottle. https://greenskinwine.com/

Vintage Longbottom H 2021 Chardonnay

 

A cracking everyday chardonnay from mother and daughter team Kim and Margo Longbottom at Vintage Longbottom, probably best known for their Henry's Drive range. The modern and appealing H range uses grapes from from the Adelaide Hills, their new home, and is a very elegant, lean and intriguing beast using grapes sourced from higher-altitude vineyards in the Lenswood region. Grapefruit, peach and minerality come together to produce a lively and refreshing wine that would pair brilliantly with pork belly. $28. www.vintagelongbottom.com/

Rewild 2021 Merlot

 

A decent red wine for under a tenner can be hard to find nowadays. A decent merlot at that price point? Even harder. But Duxton Vineyards has come up trumps with a soft, smooth and very easy to drink merlot from the Murray Darling region as part of the first red wines releases in its "sustainable" Rewild range. This is a very good midweek choice, plummy fruit would be perfect with a spaghetti bolognaise or shepherd's pie. Nothing flash but decent drinking. Try Dan Murphy's stores. $9.99. 

Elderton 2020 Neil Ashmead Grand Tourer Shiraz

 

A tribute to the late Elderton co-founder Neil Ashmead, a major rev head, the Grand Tourer Shiraz was first released in 2008. It pays homage to Neil's love of fast cars. He was succeeded by his two sons, Cameron and Allister, who today run the family's Barossa winery. The wine uses Barossa shiraz from the family's Nuriootpa vineyard planted in 1954, co-fermented with fruit from Greenock vineyards planted in 1980. This is medium-bodied, on Barossa terms, with definite dark berry and charcuterie notes, along with hints of pepper and spice. Powerful, with talcum powder tannins, this can be enjoyed now, or cellared medium term. $55. https://eldertonwines.com.au/

Clonakilla 2021 Shiraz Viognier

This is an Australian classic, a Rhone style developed and perfected by the Kirk family, who last year celebrated 50 years of  winemaking at Murrumbateman, outside Canberra. This is a wonderfully supple  and stylish red with 5% of viognier aiding and abetting the 95% cool-climate shiraz in one of the finest Clonakilla shiraz viogniers I have seen. The vinous equivalent of a Phil Spector song. Aromatic, floral, elegant and layered, this is still seriously under-priced for the quality. This will be released in September, but supplies are always short so it might be worth contacting the winery to secure an allocation. $130. www.clonakilla.com.au.

Brown Brothers Winemaker's Series 2021 Fiano

 

This is one the brightest, most vibrant, liveliest fianos that I have tasted. Fiano is a white Italian grape variety that is grown primarily in the Campania region of southern Italy and on the island of Sicily but has also adapted very well in several regions of Australia. This is a simply delicious white wine for enjoying lightly chilled; aromatic and zingy with citrus fruit flavours to the fore. Fermented in strainless steel with zero oak maturation, this is designed to be enjoyed young and would be fabulous with fritto misto, sashimi, or old school fish and chips. $25. www.brownbrothers.com.au

Smart Dog 2020 Alentejo Shiraz Trincadeira

Looking for a good everyday quaffing red? You won’t go wrong with this lively and juicy Portuguese import that is an exclusive to Aldi stores - one of several very good buys currently on offer. This is an inky, floral and fresh blend of a grape with which Australians are very familiar, alongside a native Portuguese variety. This is surprisingly smooth and stylish with plenty of action on the palate. A dark and spicy red that’s perfect for a barbecue, or paired with a pizza, pasta dish or Portuguese spicy chicken. $6.99.

Yalumba 2018 The Signature

 

This is the 48th release of Yalumba's classic cabernet/shiraz blend and it is dedicated to retiring managing director Nick Waterman. You'd have to imagine Waterman would be pretty proud of the wine bearing his signature: it is a classic that winemaker Kevin Glastonbury describes as "one of the very best vintages we've had in recent times". This is a rich, concentrated wine, but at the same time elegant and approachable. It demands to be enjoyed with roast lamb en croute. Fresh, beautifully integrated with lovely balance, dark cassis, toasty oak and leafy hints on the palate. Superb now, probably even better after a decade in the cellar. $65. www.yalumba.com/

Pazo Celleiro 2021 Albarino

The Spanish grape variety albarino produces wines that are perfect for the Australian lifestyle: bright and fresh with some palate interest. This forward young wine is fun with or without food and hails from the Salnes Valley, one of the coolest and wettest appellations in the Rias Baixas region. Although there are cool breezes at night from the Atlantic Ocean, warm days ensure the wines show generous fruit with plenty of zingy acidity. Imported by Fourth Wave Wines, whose imports always offer excellent value for money. $25.

Little Giant LGF 2021 Grenache

There are few wine styles that offer better value in Australia right now than sensuous, juicy grenache. Made from 100% single vineyard McLaren Vale grenache by winemakers Cory Ryan and Mike Brown, this is seriously delicious as well ticking a whole lot of hip boxes by being certified biodynamic, organic, vegan friendly and sustainable. That's a big box of hip right there. Fortunately, it also tastes great with a vibrant nose leading on to a light-to-medium-bodied palate full of subtle appeal. Designed for immediate enjoyment and the short, squat bottles feature a hairy-nosed wombat on the labels. Pair with duck or mushroom dishes. $30. www.fourthwavewine.com.au/  

Hoddles Creek 2021 Estate Chardonnay

Here we go again. Value with a big V as a new Hoddles Creek 2021 Yarra Valley Chardonnay hits the stores: and it is still under $25 for an exemplary cool-climate chardonnay that ticks a whole lot of quality boxes with citrus and stone fruit notes on the nose, freshness, minerality, good length and bright acid on the palate with just a smidgen of oak adding some palate interest. The wine is left on lees for just under a year before the various components are blended, cold stabilised, fined and filtered. Seriously good wine that deserves to be matched with a rich pork belly dish. $25. www.hoddlescreekestate.com.au/

Serafino 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Value with a capital V here, with a bold and bodacious McLaren Vale cabernet sauvignon that will provide plenty of drinking pleasure for those who enjoy red wines with plenty of grunt but also maintain a sense of style. Serafino is the label of industry icon Steve Maglieri, who has been producing McLaren Vale standouts for over half a century. This is a full blooded and complex blend of fruit from several different vineyards that is dark and inky with black fruit flavours, and oak playing a key support role. It has already picked up a show trophy and is a bargain at $28, although it can sometimes be found on special for a couple of dollars less. https://serafinowines.com.au/ 

Moss Wood Ribbon Vale 2021 Elsa

 

I can hear the back row from here: "$75 for a sauvignon blanc? Are you out of your mind?" The thing is that this is no ordinary sauvignon blanc; in a way it is akin to the great white wines of Bordeaux and is certainly one of the finest examples of the style in Australia. This is the third vintage of Elsa from the Mugford family in Margaret River - and a triumph from a difficult vintage. The sauvignon blanc has been picked riper, barrel fermented, is more assertive and the alcohol is up to 13.5%, adding richness and texture to the refined palate. Think tropical notes, hints of minerality and subtle oak. Pair this with a roast chicken for maximum pleasure. $75. https://www.mosswood.com.au/

Leconfield 2021 Petit Verdot

Petit Verdot is very rarely seen as a stand-alone varietal, being largely used as a small portion of red blends in its native Bordeaux, but this Coonawarra offering is something of a revelation. I used it as a mystery wine for my tasting group and it garnered close to total acclaim. Winemaker Paul Gordon has managed to harness the late-ripening cherry/plum flavours and allied them to restrained oak characters and hints of coffee beans and spice. Very soft, very smooth, very stylish and excellent drinking for $32. Pair with a rare steak. www.leconfieldwines.com/

Flametree 2021 Chardonnay

 

Flametree is a Margaret River winery that does not always get the attention given to some of its high-profile neighbours - but it always delivers well-made wines at a sensible price. This new-release chardonnay is a case in point, offering very appealing drinking without breaking the bank. There is a melange of bright citrus and stone fruit flavours here, youthful vitality and some deftly judged oak influence. Wild fermentation has added structure to a wine that is gently assertive, Enjoy now, or cellar for a couple of years. Pair with anything from pork spare ribs to a goat cheese tart. $30. www.flametreewines.com/

Longview 2021 Vista Shiraz Barbera

 

This blend of a classic Australian grape with a favourite Italian varietal is something of a revelation. The pair might be an unlikely cross-cultural combination but this Adelaide Hills combo works brilliantly, producing a "drink now" red that offers spectacular value. This is a stonkingly food-friendly wine (think pasta dishes or a gourmet pizza) with crunchy bright fruit to the fore but also some structure and savoury notes. I'd snap some up at $23 - it probably won't last long. www.longviewvineyard.com.au/

Leeuwin Estate 2021 Sauvignon Blanc

 

Fashion be damned. There is still a place in my wine fridge for a quaffable, well-priced sauvignon blanc like this one from one of Margaret River's star producers. Smart sauvignon blanc producers are dialling up the fruit and dialling down the green herbs and this hits the target for late afternoon or early evening refreshment. I tried it at a trade tasting. It is varietal but nicely nuanced, very refreshing and easy to drink. Pair with canapes or some freshly shucked oysters. $26. https://leeuwinestate.com.au/

Kooyong 2020 Clonale Chardonnay

 

The prices of good white Burgundies may have have gone through the roof, but there are still some Australian cool-climate chardonnay options that offer good value for money with a nod to the styles of Macon and the Côte Chalonnaise. Clonale is an entry level wine for excellent Mornington Peninsula producer Kooyong, whose winemaker Glen Hayley seldom misses a beat. Crisp but textural; classic cool-climate chardonnay. Pair with a roast pork and crackling dish for maximum impact. $34. https://www.portphillipestate.com.au/

Alkoomi Grazing Collection 2020 Cabernet Merlot

Alkoomi's much-loved white label range is no more; replaced by the more attractively packaged but equally good value Grazing Collection. You'd be hard pressed to find better wine for midweek enjoyment; particularly the 2021 riesling and this blend of cabernet and merlot that offers some bright dark cassis fruit flavours but also some structure and style. Alkoomi say the range is ideal for "picnics and barbecues, sunny afternoons on the veranda and chilly evenings by the fire." The range is named in honour of Alkoomi Grazing Company, the original name of the 1946 sheep farm the vineyards were planted on in the Frankland River region of Western Australia. This is medium-bodied and very drinkable. One of best $20ish buys around. $21.  www.alkoomiwines.com.au/





| O C C A S I O N |



'Sitting in by the toasty winery fire, with some marshmallows'.



'A cool, fresh afternoon with a charcuterie board'.

Wirra Wirra 2020 Church Block

 

Year after year Wirra Wirra's Church Block is one of Australia's most reliable "go to" red wines for affordable quality - and the new-release 2020 is no exception. A blend of cabernet sauvignon (48%) shiraz (42%) and merlot (10%), all sourced from McLaren Vale, this is a perfect choice for a barbecue or a steak dinner. Think dark blackcurrant and black plum flavours, subtle oak, dark olive, black chocolate and some spice hints. Lovely balance here, plenty of savoury appeal, good balance and even some cellaring potential. $22.https://wirrawirra.com/ 

Indigo Vineyard 2021 Beechworth Rosé

A little taste of Provence from a vineyard in the foothills of the Victorian Alps. outside historic Beechworth. Pale, fresh and vibrant, this a delicious "drink now" rosé that is a blend of 57% merlot, 17% cabernet sauvignon and 26% pinot gris; so a blend of red and white grapes. No oak involved here, although this vibrant number did spend three months on yeast lees for added textural interest. The lovely salmon colour and the crisp, dry acid on the palate make this a feast for both the eyes and mouth. Perfect for late summer picnics as it is vibrant, fun and great value. Pair with a vegetable tart, or  lamb burger. $25. www.indigovineyard.com.au/ 

Amon-Ra 2019 by Ben Glaetzer

 

Serious Barossa shiraz from one of the masters of the art - with a price tag to match and bottled under cork for emphasis. It is big, and it is bold and it speaks its mind, but it carries its 15.5% alcohol with a shimmy and a swagger. Full flavoured and intense but still stylish, although it does demand to be enjoyed with roast beef, Yorkshire pudding and horse radish. In Egyptian mythology, Amon-Ra is considered to be the king of all gods and this is a Glaetzer flagship - a worthy present for a wine-loving friend, or to yourself to cellar, perhaps. 100% shiraz, from the Ebenezer sub-district at the northern tip of the Barossa Valley, where the vines vary from 50-130 years old. Matured for 16 months in 100% new oak hogshead barrels (95% French and 5% American); plummy and earthy. $100. https://glaetzer.com/

Pooley 2020 Cooinda Vale Chardonnay

 

Just about every new release from Tasmanian producer Pooley is worthy of a review. The wines are invariably stylish and considered; cool-climate wine royalty. This is a thoroughly modern single-vineyard chardonnay from an estate vineyard in the Coal River Valley, just outside Hobart, that has supplied fruit for Penfolds Yattarna. This was whole-bunch pressed and matured in 40% new French oak, although the quality fruit has soaked up the oak, which merely sits in the background. Still a little tight but with some exciting energy, lovely balance and some flinty minerality on the palate, this deserves to be paired with a free-range roast pork leg with all the trimmings. Superb. $65. www.pooleywines.com.au/

Lyons Will 2019 Pinot Noir

 

OK. Consider me seriously impressed. Both by the class of this wine and the value it offers. Pinotphiles in Australia tend to head to Tasmania, the Yarra Valley or Mornington Peninsula for quality, but this Macedon Ranges offering is simply top class. Think wild ferment, a small percentage of whole bunch, time on skins and quality French oak. Delicate but grippy, just 12.8% alcohol and beautifully balanced. Unfined, unfiltered, vegan friendly and sublimely stylish. 95/100 from me but only 380 dozen cases were made, so time may be of the essence. $42. www.lyonswillestate.com.au.

d'Arenberg 2021 The Hermit Crab

 

We are in serious bargain territory here with a white wine that is a textural and interesting as it is crisp and refreshing. This is a blend of two classic grape varieties from the Rhone Valley in France that thrive in McLaren Vale: viognier and marsanne. Delightfully fresh and floral on those nose, this offers a panoply of tropical fruit favours from pineapple to guava along with a hint of spicy confit ginger and some nicely bitey citrus. Quite dry; quite delicious. Pair with Korean pork, or chilli chicken. $19. www.darenberg.com.au/ 

Patrick 2020 Méthode Cab Nouveau

 

Regular readers will probably have gleaned that I am a traditionalist when it comes to my wine choices; "natural". "amber" and "on-the-spectrum" wines have their place - but that place is rarely in my mouth. There are, however, exceptions to every rule and I really enjoyed this experimental cabernet from Luke Tocaciu and family-owned Patrick Wines in Coonawarra.  This is an "early release" style that is soft and juicy and approachable and designed to be enjoyed in its youth. Spontaneous ferment, malo, lees contact. You could even give it a bit of a chill. It has apparently been a big hit and is close to selling out. $32. https://patrickofcoonawarra.com/

Chateau La Gordonne 2020 Verite du Terroir Provence Rosé

 

There is no better time than summer to quaff a glass or two of dry Provencal rose and pretend we are in a rustic hilltop village in the south of France. Pale pink and organically farmed, this little taste of the hills around Toulon is bright, fresh and authentic. The La Gordonne label dates to the 17th century and is owned by Champagne House Vranken-Pommery Monopole. This AOC Côtes de Provence wine is blend of grenache, cinsault and syrah and has aromas of blueberries and citrus, leading on to a lively, zippy palate. Perfect for a picnic, or a day at the beach. $32. www.lagordonne.com 

Cobaw Ridge 2020 Pinot Noir

 

Vignerons Alan and Nellie Cooper live in a house and cellar door overlooking one of the prettiest vineyards in Australia. All their Cobaw Ridge wines are estate-grown, -made and bottled in the Macedon Ranges of Victoria and have been certified biodynamic for a decade. Their wines invariable have poise, personality and reflect a sense of place. The 2020 Cobaw Ridge Pinot Noir is one of the best pinots of the past 12 months - beautifully balanced, deliciously drinkable. There is a real energy here in a serious wine with savoury and sweet/sour elements that can be enjoyed now or cellared. Take your pick. 95/1000 for me. $62. cobawridge.com.au/