Stockman's Ridge 2022 "Rider" Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Sampling this blind, my first thought was "this tastes like Cru Bourgeois Bordeaux". And while that may sound like cliché, it is a fair summation. The good news is that, at around $30 retail, it offers claret character without the price tag. It is a lovely, savoury and elegant expression of cool-climate cabernet with green hints but excellent balance. The wine spent a couple of weeks on skins before being matured in older oak barrels, and a dash of cabernet franc was added to the final blend. This is from a cool year in the Orange region of Central Western NSW. It is ripe, but astutely judged. Good value drinking. $30. www.stockmansridge.com.au 

Oliver's Taranga 2024 Falanghina

 

Winemaker Corrina Wright is never afraid to push the boundaries; showcasing several alternative varieties in small-batch releases - including Spanish grape mencia - in the Oliver's Taranga range. This is another newcomer making its debut, crafted from an Italian white grape variety that is difficult to say but easy to drink. Vegan friendly and Sustainable Winegrowing Australia-certified, this McLaren Vale white might well emerge as a serious rival to both fiano and vermentino down the track. Pronounced FAH-lahn-GHEE-nah, and native to the Campania region in southern Italy, this has lively, flavoursome orange/tangerine/peach and melon fruit notes, along with nutty and honeyed hints. It finishes with crisp, clean acidity. Perfect with summer salads. $35.  https://www.oliverstaranga.com/

Logan 2022 Orange Ridge of Tears Shiraz

This is one of a pair of stellar 2022 shirazes from Peter Logan at Logan Wines, one from Mudgee and this one from nearby Orange. It perfectly captures the appeal of cool-climate shiraz, being intensely flavoured without the sometimes intrusive weight and power of warmer-climate siblings. The 2022 growing season was one of the coldest on record in Orange, resulting in lower yields but wines of purity and minerality, and, in this case, red berry fruit allied to pepper and spice aromas and flavours. Medium-bodied, but all the better for that, this is immensely food friendly and disturbingly moreish. $60. https://www.loganwines.com.au/

Gundog Estate 2024 The Chase Semillon

 

Nothing says mid summer like a chilled young Hunter Valley semillon, preferably paired with some freshly shucked oysters. Gundog Estate is a rising star of Hunter winemaking with vigneron Matt Burton producing wines not only from the Hunter but also the Canberra region and the Hilltops. This is 100% Hunter with grapes picked from old vines that produce vibrant and intense flavours. This has citrus and Granny Smith elements to the fore, allied to lively fresh acid on the finish, where you might also find lemongrass hints. Serve well chilled with seafood, or cellar for up to a decade. $36. https://gundogestate.com.au/    

Turkey Flat 2024 Rosé

It is hard to think of a wine more suited to summer quaffing than this perennial favourite from the consistently impressive team at Turkey Flat in the Barossa. Chill it a bit and then enjoy with a picnic, at the beach, or on the verandah, It is fresh and fun - and won't break the bank. This is 30th release of what is Australia's favourite dry rosé with its delicious summer pudding notes and brisk acid on the palate. Think berry and citrus vibrancy. Brilliant for $27. https://www.turkeyflat.com.au/

Wickhams Road 2024 Yea Valley Chardonnay

 

If you can find a better Australian chardonnay than this for the price I'll be very surprised. Wickhams Road is the entry level label for Yarra Valley standout Hoddles Creek, using grower fruit rather than estate grapes. Made from fruit from the Yea Valley, 100+ km east of Melbourne, where the Yea and Goulburn rivers meet, it is one of two chardonnays, just edging out the Yarra Valley release in this vintage. But both offer formidable value. This is fresh, vibrant and seriously gluggable with winemaker Frano d"Anna saying he is "getting to grips with the site". Very varietal, youthful, refreshing and crisply delicious. Give it a go and prepare to be impressed. Pork belly is called for. $20.  https://www.hoddlescreekestate.com.au/

Castle Rock 2024 'Skywalk' Riesling

 

Riesling offers some of the best buying in Australia right now - and it is a great wine choice as we head into the warmer months. Rob Diletti, winemaker at his family's Castle Rock estate in the Porongurups in the Great Southern region of Western Australia, has no fewer than five current release rieslings in his range, all of them excellent. This is one of the entry level wines but its a sparky, spunky number full of youthful vigour. Cool ferment in stainless steel equals lemony flavours, vibrancy, a dry finish and a wine that is dangerously drinkable when served lightly chilled. Pair with a seafood platter. $28.  www.castlerockestate.com.au