Curly Flat 2023 Chardonnay

 

I am a huge fan of the wines made by Curtly Flat at Lancefield  in the Macedon Ranges - always composed and  excellent value. This is a very stylish cool-climate chardonnay from Jen Kolka and her team with classic citrus on the nose and peach, apricot and mandarin flavours along with a salty tang, minerality and lightly nutty oak notes. One for lovers of White Burgundy who prefer to buy Australian. Think length, impressive purity and depth of flavour and consider pairing with a roast chicken and sage stuffing. I'll give it 94 points. $55. www.curlyflat.com.

Bleasdale 2022 Block 99 Malbec

 

It is widely recognised that the Aldi supermarket chain regularly showcases some of the best-value imported wines to be found in Australia. What is less well known is that Aldi also sells some terrific home-grown wines at absurdly low prices. From the venerable Bleasdale operation in Langhorne Creek, this an excellent example of varietal malbec, often used for blending but also the grape used in the classic French reds of Cahors and most of the stellar Argentine reds from Mendoza. This is an excellent example: Sturdy, but with some interesting chalky minerality. Pair with gourmet sausages. $16. https://www.aldi.com.au/

Moss Wood 2024 Ribbon Vale Chardonnay

 

There are some very impressive chardonnay releases coming out of Margaret River right now - and this is up there with best of them. There is plenty happening on the palate of this single-vineyard release, but it also has a touch of the supermodel about it; shiny without a hair out of place. From a very fine vintage this has seen aging on lees  to add complexity, but it retains all the elements of a classic cooler-climate chardonnay: citrus flavours to the fore. It's full flavoured but effortlessly elegant and decidedly delicious. Pair with pork or poultry dishes. $80. https://www.mosswood.com.au/ 

Bremerton 2022 Selkirk Shiraz

Grapes from Langhorne Creek are a secret weapon for many of Australia's highest-profile wine producers; offering excellent quality without a Barossa or McLaren Vale price tag. Family-owned and female-operated Bremerton is one of the leading producers in the region, and something of a byword for value among those in the know. This a very classy - and slurpable - shiraz that offers a whole of lot of medium-bodied drinking pleasure. The name “Selkirk” relates to a Scottish border town was the ancestral home of the Willson family. Think a lovely soft palate structure with dark berry notes, hints of pepper and restrained oak. You don't have to wait. You can enjoy this one right away. I'd pair it with a steak with mushroom sauce, or some hard cheeses. It's also Vegan friendly, for those who consider such matters. $24. https://www.bremerton.com.au/

Little Giant 2023 McLaren Vale Grenache

 

Small but mighty. You can't miss the Little Giant wines on bottle shop shelves with their distinctive short squat bottles and wombat logo. Some proceeds go to animal charities. The good news is that the range also offers excellent value and is available at major chains and independent retailers nationwide. This McLaren Vale grenache sourced from bush vines is juicy and full flavoured with plenty of dark fruit, mocha notes and well-integrated oak. It has plenty of concentration but finishes with a plush kiss. Pair with a roast lamb en croute, or a democracy sausage in a roll. $22.