Crittenden 2022 Cri de Coeur Pinot Noir

Attention to detail in both the vineyard and the winery are hallmarks of the Crittenden ranges. The wines are made with regenerative farming practices and minimal intervention in the vines and thoughtfulness from winemaker Rollo Crittenden in the winery. This flagship pinot from the family-owned Mornington Peninsula producer is an absolute standout: full of depth, structure and textural interest, it finishes soft, sexy and smooth on the palate. Classic cherry and berry flavours merge with savoury/undergrowth/deli notes to deliver a complex but disarmingly easy-to-drink wine that will beguile pinotphiles. Super food friendly. 96/100 from me. $95. www.crittendenwines.com.au

Clonakilla 2023 Chardonnay

 

The Kirk family has been making outstanding wines at Murrumbateman, outside Canberra, for over half a century but also sources grapes from trusted growers outside the region, primarily from the Hilltops, outside Young, and from high-altitude Snowy Mountains. This outstanding chardonnay uses fruit from the Johansen family vineyards outside Tumbarumba, which sit around 700 to 720 metres above sea level. From the third cooler-than-average vintage in a row, this has definite cool-climate flavours; citrus and stone fruit leading the charge. There's lots of refreshment here, along with lashings of minerality. Excellent drinking. $45. https://clonakilla.com.au/

Taylors St Andrews 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon

Clare Valley-based Taylors may be best known for their several value ranges, including Promised Land, the Taylors Estate range and Jaraman, but they also produce some excellent high-end wines like The Visionary, The Legacy and this spectacularly good cabernet sauvignon, released at four years of age and ready to enjoy right now. The 2020 vintage was a difficult one in Clare, but this is a wine of classic varietal character, concentration and appeal. Maturation in fine-grained French oak barrels (30% new) for 18 months has added a veneer of soft cedar nuances. Power and delicacy in one long, but very pretty, package. $75. https://www.taylorswines.com.au/

Xanadu 2022 Stevens Rd Chardonnay

This is all class. A beautifully composed Margaret River chardonnay from an outstanding single vineyard site. Sourced from Block 2 of the Stevens Rd vineyard, 3km down the road from the Xanadu winery, this a stunning wine with a balance of intensity and subtlety; not an easy feat to pull off. All the elements are in place: floral aromas, stone fruit and citrus notes, minerality and a hint of sea salt. The palate is medium-bodied but full of interest with nectarine and lemon/lime flavours aided and abetted by brisk acidity. French oak and barrel ferment play key supporting roles but the fruit is the star. Ready for immediate enjoyment (try it with roast pork and crackling), or for medium-term aging. $100. https://xanaduwines.com/

Pizzini 2024 Arneis

 

Here is a super refreshing white for enjoying well chilled as the weather starts to warm up. Made from an Italian white grape originally from Piedmont that is known as "little rascal", this is grown and made by the Pizzini family in the King Valley of north-east Victoria. It is unoaked and designed for drinking while it is young, vibrant and uncomplicated. You'll find pear drop, banana split, quince and citrus aromas and flavours. Maturation on yeast lees has added palate interest and complexity, but this is basically a wine to enjoy on a warm day. Drink. Don't think. Enjoy with a seafood stir-fry, or quaff a glass or two on the back veranda after work. $26. https://www.pizzini.com.au/  

$26. 

Terre a Terre 2022 Crayères Vineyard Cabernet Shiraz

 

A classic Australian "claret" blend of cabernet sauvignon and shiraz from one of the standout vineyards in South Australia. The Crayères vineyard sits on an ancient limestone ridge in Wrattonbully that is covered by terra rossa soil. This is a formidably delicious wine with winemaker Xavier Bixot saying it combines "the black fruit characters and peppery notes from the cool-climate shiraz, with velvety tannins and a lovely soft texture from the cabernet". The end result is a soft and enticing wine, beautifully balanced with hints of spice. It paired brilliantly with a steak and kidney casserole and herbed dumplings. $60. https://terreaterre.com.au/

Tahbilk 2014 Museum Release Shiraz

 

This might be one of the biggest wine bargains around. A delicious 10-year-old museum-release shiraz from a producer with a magnificent pedigree. Established in 1860, Tahbilk is one of Australia's historic family owned wineries, located in the Nagambie Lakes region of central Victoria. The wine retails for just a just a shade over $30, which is only a few dollars more than you'll pay for the current release 2021 vintage. It was fermented in 150-year-old open vats before oak maturation and offers an enticing amalgam of earthiness and softness on the palate. $31. www.tahbilk.com.au