Mr Riggs 2024 The Magnet Grenache

Grenache, a grape that was once reviled, is having its moment in the sun - and this delightful example from McLaren Vale stalwart Ben Riggs demonstrates its immediate appeal. Many grenache vines were pulled out or bulldozed due to oversupply in the 1980s, but now fruit from surviving older vines is very much in demand. This is a bright and immediately enjoyable grenache that was made made from fruit from 100-year-old dry grown vines at Dogridge Vineyard. The old vines are low yielding, but each bunch provides concentrated flavours. Pair with steak, lamb dishes or hard cheeses to best enjoy the plummy, spicy palate. $30. https://mrriggs.com.au/

Corte Carista 2024 Soave Classico DOC

 

If you like to have a couple of bottles of white wine in the fridge for when friends drop around it is hard to go wrong with the Italian white blend Soave. This wine comes from the hills outside Verona in the north-east of Italy and is an extremely versatile choice for quaffing chilled on its own, or pairing with seafood dishes. This Aldi supermarkets seasonal treat is made largely from the Italian grape variety garganega and is crisp, dry and refreshing. There are citrus/sherbet notes here, brisk minerality and immediate drinkability. What stands out most, though, is the low price. Aldi has it on special for $11.99 - although not for long, I suspect.   

Wirra Wirra 2022 RWS Shiraz

Some McLaren Vale shirazes can be big, brutal drinks; the vinous versions of a rugby front row forward. This very clever composition is, however, somewhere between an agile back rower and a nifty half. Impressively balanced, in other words. It is named in tribute to Robert Strangways Wigley, a noted South Australian eccentric and state cricketer who established Wirra Wirra back in 1894. This is plush and poised as well as possessing power and presence. Think dark berry/currant flavours, spice notes and dark chocolate before a fleshy finish. The 2022 release is from four blocks, three of them biodynamic. It has been matured in French oak barriques (33% new) for 18 months. Drink now with a meaty casserole, or cellar for a decade or more. $80. https://wirrawirra.com/

Taylors 2023 St Andrews Chardonnay

 

The Clare Valley is not where I would immediately look for classy chardonnay, but this one is a very pleasant surprise; delivering a lot of immediate drinking pleasure. It is a very elegant and appealing chardonnay from the upper echelons of the Taylor family's multiple ranges. This is a smooth and sophisticated drop with lots of length and stylish varietal character. Think restrained stone fruit flavours, nutty hints and well-integrated French oak that aids rather than dominating. Along with hints of shortbread and flinty minerality, this is a complete package. Match with roast chicken or a leafy goat cheese salad. $45. https://www.taylorswines.com.au/ 

Standard price

Sutton Grange 2024 Fairbank Rosé

 

The family-owned Sutton Grange winery in Central Victoria has a long-held reputation for producing outstanding rosé wines - and the current release 2024 Fairbank is no exception. The wines are invariably intensely flavoured, dry and well balanced. This vintage has garnered several awards and offers elegance and drinkability without an excessive price tag. It is a blend of syrah, cabernet sauvignon, sangiovese with a dash of viognier that opens up to reveal classic berries and cream notes with a hint of shortbread. There are some creamy textural elements but it finishes savoury and dry with crisp acidity. For a classic wine-and-food match pair this with a Lebanese mezze plate. $35. https://suttongrange.com.au/

Saltram 2023 Mamre Brook Cabernet Sauvignon

  

The Barossa would not normally be my "go to" region for cabernet sauvignon, but this is one out of the box from winemaker Alex Mackenzie and his team. Saltram is a label that dates back to 1859, so there is plenty of history here. The 2023 vintage was a cold and wet one but classic cabernet characters still shine through in a wine that is medium bodied and astutely judged. I like this one a lot with its dark colour, ripe currant and dark cocoa flavours allied to dried leaf and Asian spice notes. It finishes with powdery tannin structure. There is a small amount of shiraz in the mix to add power, and there is certainly a lot of immediate drinking appeal here. $38. www.saltramwines.com.au.     

Ox Hardy 2023 Blewitt Springs Shiraz

 
A very stylish McLaren Vale shiraz from one of the most famous names in the Australian wine business for just $30? There must be some mistake, surely? No. Not a mistake, Just a red wine well worth getting into you. The fruit comes from a vineyard purchased by winemaker Andrew "Ox" Hardy's great-great grandfather Thomas Hardy in the 1870s, although these vines are just 30 years old. It is dark, very plush and gently spicy but its also has a distinctive vibrancy and bright acid thanks to the vineyard's elevation. Ironstone soils add richness to the mix, but that is balanced by minerality. Impressive: a weekend red with a midweek price. Pair with lamb, beef or mushroom dishes for maximum palate pleasure. $30. https://oxhardywines.com.au/