Houghton CW Ferguson 2020 Cabernet Malbec

 

For many wine drinkers, the Houghton brand is synonymous with cheap and cheerful drops like Houghton White Classic. Those in the know, however, as are aware that the venerable West Australian producer - with vineyards across the state - is also making some very fine red wines of provenance. This is one of the stars of that show - an excellent blend of cabernet sauvignon and malbec. It is named after the proprietor and winemaker at Houghton in the 1863-1911 and uses fruit from the Frankland River region in the Great Southern. Wonderfully brambly, this is drinking well now but also has the structure to cellar well. An impressive package that will be released in March. RRP $79 - but look out for deals. https://houghton-wines.com.au/

Mesh 2022 Eden Valley Riesling

When two of the most professional and passionate operators in the Australian wine industry collaborate, wine drinkers are guaranteed a quality taste treat. This impressive dry riesling is a long-time collab between Clare Valley riesling maestro Jeffrey Grosset and the Robert Hill Smith, whose family operates Yalumba, Pewsey Vale and other quality labels. It is a wine style that has evolved over two decades and focuses on citrus intensity, bright acid and a hint of talcum powder minerality. This is a riesling with generosity and texture - a wine that would be best enjoyed with food, perhaps a tartiflette, or mushroom quiche. It will also cellar well if you have the patience and willpower. I also like the use of the riesling dryness scale on the back label. $30. www.negociants.com.au.

Serafino 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon

There may be some better sub-$30 cabernets around - but I haven't come across many of them. This may be a young wine, but it has come together brilliantly to offer immediate drinking pleasure with varietal characters and plenty of length and depth. This is made from fruit grown on the Maglieri family estate in McLaren Vale and is unashamedly full bodied, but also blessed with some impressive tannin structure. Blackberry and blackcurrant flavours are to the fore and the oak is well integrated. It would be excellent with calves liver, or perhaps a beef casserole. Pretty hard to restrict yourself to just one glass of this excellent new release. $28. https://serafinowines.com.au/ 

Kilikanoon 2022 Killerman's Run Rosé

 

A little slice of Provence from the hills and dales of the Clare Valley in South Australia; of one the most beautiful wine regions in the country. This is Kilikanoon's take on the dry, pale rosé styles of the south of France, and by jove it is a deliciously refreshing wine for enjoying well chilled over the dying days of summer. It is fresh and briskly assertive, clean, well made and weighing in at just 12.5% alcohol. It is designed for enjoying in its frisky youth. Think a liquid summer pudding. This would be perfect paired with a picnic, or for enjoying al fresco, perhaps with some Scotch eggs, or a salad. $22. https://kilikanoon.com.au/.