Tapanappa 2025 Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay

Made by veteran wine industry guru Brian Croser from fruit grown in a 40+-years-old vineyard in the Adelaide Hills, this is a chardonnay that neatly straddles power and precision. From a warm, dry year, the grapes were picked earlier than ever before but the fruit miraculously retained high acid levels. The end result is a riper, richer iteration of this wine with intense stone-fruit flavours to the fore, but smart winemaking has resulted in brightness and texture with finishing acid that offers immediate drinking pleasure. Pair this with a roast pork and crackling. Superb! $60. www.tapanappa.com.au       

Coriole 2022 Lloyd Reserve Shiraz

What a striking wine this is, full of intensity, complexity and potential. Using fruit from some of the oldest vines in McLaren Vale - over 100 years old - this is named in honour of Hugh Lloyd, who founded Coriole in 1967. It is a wine that would grace any dinner party, or a special occasion paired with rich, red meat dishes. There is a lot happening on the palate, but it all coalesces beautifully; dark fruit, impressive oak, spice notes, depth, length and lovely tannin structure. You can enjoy this now, but my gut suggests cellaring will pay dividends. It is big and assertive right now; a heavyweight that will develop into a slick middleweight. $120. coriole.com

Pig In The House 2025 Picpoul Blanc

 

Piquepoul, also known as Picpoul, or Picapoll, is a white grape that is seen at its best in the southern Languedoc region of Mediterranean France, where it is enjoyed with fresh local oysters. It is known for its fresh and bright acid and was only planted in Australia in the 2010s. This impressive version comes from the O'Dea family from Windowrie in the Central Western Ranges of NSW, and is distributed by Single Vineyard Sellers. It is unoaked, showcasing first-run juice, grown and made organically, and designed to be enjoyed chilled it its youth. Such a fun summer wine with its pear, apple and lime zest characters. Pair with a seafood platter, or some fish fingers. $25.  https://www.windowrie.com.au/collections/pig-in-the-house

Longview 2023 Yakka Shiraz

Sometimes a wine comes as a nice surprise. You have a sip; then another sip. not thinking too much about it it. Then you notice the bottle has suffered from an evaporation issue. This is just such a wine. It's not flashy, it's just a darn good drink. Well priced, too. From Macclesfield on the edge of the Adelaide Hills, made from fruit grown on a proven vineyard that gets plenty of sun. The end result is a mix of berry and dark plum flavours, subtle hints of herbs and oak with a palate that finishes soft, long and smooth with just hint of spice/earthiness to elevate the experience. Lovely stuff. Ideal midweek drinking. $32.  https://www.longviewvineyard.com.au/