Nericon 2025 Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay

 

Looking for a new wine label to try? The Nericon wines from Dee Vine Estate in the New South Wales Riverina deliver a lot of drinking pleasure at a very fair price right across the range. The Nericon vineyard, outside Beelgbangera, has produced wine grapes since the 1950s. This is a good choice for those who like their chardonnays medium bodied with just a hint of oak and lots of food-friendly attributes. Think white peach and nectarine notes on the palate. Fresh fruit plays the lead role across a seasoned palate with French oak in subtle support. You can't go wrong at $16. Pair with poultry dishes. https://www.deevineestate.com/nericon

Burton McMahon 2024 D'Aloisio Vineyard Chardonnay

 

When long-time mates Matt Burton and Dylan McMahon are not making wines for a living they combine to make wines for fun. The Gundog Estate winemaker and his former Seville Estate friend combine to make small-batch chardonnays and pinot noirs from the Yarra Valley. This new release is pretty, precise and persistent, made from grapes grown in Seville in the cool Upper Yarra. It is a very composed wine with plenty to say. Nutty oak plays a support role to the expressive citrus and white peach notes and there is some brisk, food-friendly acidity. We paired with lightly seared tuna. Only 320 dozen were made. 94 points. $60. www.gundgogestate.com.au

Angullong 2023 Fossil Hill Tempranillo

 

Angullong is a family-owned wine producer in the cool-climate region of Orange in the Central West of New South Wales - a location producing increasingly impressive wines across the board. Here we have a Spanish grape variety - most famous for its key role in the great wines of Rioja - crafted in Australia by a Canadian winemaker, Jeff Byrne. Bright and immediately engaging, this offers a nice balance between savoury fruit notes and quality oak. We paired it with chilli con carne and rice, and it proved a most amiable pairing. Outstanding value at $30.  https://www.angullong.com.au/

Ask The Elephant 2025 Pinot Grigio

 

A tenner? You don't get much wine for a tenner nowadays, do you? Well this new brand release from Fourth Wave Wines delivers good everyday drinking across the five wines in the range - with this one my favourite. Ask the Elephant is an offshoot from thes crowd-pleasing Elephant in the Room label - using keywords to make buying easier for novice wine buyers. Friendly is the word in question here and this is certainly a white with wide appeal. Red apple and pear flavours lead the charge with fruit sweetness and nutty hints in support. It sits midway between gris and grigio in style and there are plenty of $25 wines that this puts to shame. The sauvignon blanc in the same range is also pretty cool. Coming to Dan Murphy's and BWS stores soon. $9.99.

Cullen 2024 Diana Madeline

What style of wizardry is this? Tasted blind you could easily mistake this for one of the stellar left bank cabernet-driven red blends of Bordeaux - wines that fetch stratospheric prices. This isn't cheap, but it is bargain compared to other Australian flagships now pushing over $1000 a bottle. This benchmark comes from the earliest, driest, and hottest vintage on record in Margaret River, but the biodynamic, dry-grown vines sailed through the test. Still aromatic, still powerful, still balanced, still elegant. Dark with cassis flavours to the fore, along with nutty/vanilla characters, impressive tannin structure and stupendous length. The blend comprises 90% cabernet sauvignon, 5% cabernet franc, 3% malbec, and 2% merlot. Pair with a lamb roast for maximum pleasure. Released this week. I think this is my favourite wine of the year so far. 98 points. $160. https://cullenwines.com.au/

https://cullenwines.com.au/

Vasse Felix 2025 Filius Sauvignon Blanc

A quarter of a century ago, sauvignon blanc was all the rage. It is less fashionable nowadays but that means it represents terrific value for those who like the style. This release from a pioneering Margaret River producer is a case in point - a very well-made dry white for under $30. This is less overt than its Kiwi cousins, food friendly and savoury without too much herbaceousness. A portion of skin fermented juice adds interest, as does some fermentation in quality French oak. A very pretty, brisk, aromatic drink with fresh pear flavours to the fore and with a bitey acid finish. Lovely everyday thirst quenching here. Pair with poultry dishes, or maybe some salt and pepper squid. $28. https://www.vassefelix.com.au/

Moss Wood Ribbon Vale 2023 Merlot

Many merlots in Australia are made in a soft and simple style; as easy quaffers. Not so his one from the cabernet masters at Moss Wood in Margaret River. It is full of verve and texturally complex, a nod to the great merlot-led wines of Bordeaux's right bank. More structured than fleshy, this one is firm and impressively complex with some bright acidity allied to serious tannins, aided and abetted by time in French barriques.  We paired this with roast lamb en croute and were well rewarded. $87. https://www.mosswood.com.au/

Tapanappa 2025 The Tiers Vineyard Chardonnay

 

Great vineyards show their mettle in the most difficult of years. The Tiers Vineyard - one of the first planted in the Adelaide Hills - is in the coolest, wettest location in South Australia and is perfectly suited to chardonnay; with a micro-climate similar to that of Burgundy. It generally produces elegant, subtley shaded wines. Except that 2025 was the warmest, driest and earliest vintage veteran winemaker Brian Croser has seen in his 56-year winemaking career. The result is a wine slightly bigger than normal but still reflective of the vineyard. Think nectarine/white peach notes, barrel ferment, subtle oak and yeasty/lees notes - but still with a vibrant acid finish. With the help of early picking, the vineyard conquered the season. Pair with roast pork and crackling. $110. https://tapanappa.com.au/   

Mount Horrocks 2024 Nero d'Avola

Nero d'Avola is a Sicilian grape that is very much at home in Australian conditions. Stephanie Toole planted the variety at Mount Horrocks in the Clare Valley almost 20 years ago - well ahead of the curve - and this new release is bundle of juicy fruit flavours with a savoury edge. Mostly older oak is used to elevate the fruit-forward style. This single-vineyard wine is certified organic and biodynamic, and Toole is obsessive about quality. She says this is "equally compelling now or later". I'd pair with pasta and a hearty ragu, or a beef casserole with herbed dumplings. Excellent quality, $45. https://www.mounthorrocks.com/

Rewild 2025 Cabernet Sauvignon

What a nice surprise. You don't get much for a tenner nowadays, but this is a vibrant and impressively varietal young cabernet from the Murray Darling region that is designed for immediate drinking pleasure. It delivers big time. It just edged out its sibling shiraz, but only just. A very good barbecue/pizza/pasta choice for anyone on a tight budget. Appealing cabernet characteristics of currants and spice with a medium-bodied juicy finish. I could drink several glasses of this - and you can't say that about too many $10 wines. The Rewild range is available nationally at Dan Murphy's and selected BWS stores, and the wines are sustainably made. $10. https://rewildwine.com.au/

Oakridge Vineyard Series 2024 Willowlake Pinot Noir

 

David Bicknell and his team at Oakridge in the Yarra Valley produce some of Australia's best premium pinot noir and chardonnay wines, but their Vineyard Series range offers excellent value for those with budgets of under $50. This is an immediately approachable young pinot full of youthful enthusiasm with some elegance and subtle shading on the palate. Made from fruit grown at Gladysdale in a cool vintage, this underwent whole berry/bunch fermentation in open vessels for two months before spending 11 months in French oak. Red fruit notes are prominent making this flavoursome but at the lighter end of the colour spectrum. Fruit sweetness and softness on the palate, sure, but also a kaleidoscopic core. Very impressive. Pair with a old-school roast chicken dinner. $48. https://oakridgewines.com.au/

Jardin d'Aromes 2024 Rosé Pays d'Oc by Jean-Claude Mas

 

Jean-Claude Mas is one of the smartest men in the global wine business. Mas took a small family business to a major export powerhouse using his Arrogant Frog alter ego to shine a light on the growing potential of wines from Languedoc in southern France. Nowadays, Domaines Paul Mas controls over 20 estates and exports around the world. Pale. dry rosés from France continue to be all the rage for warm weather drinking, particularly ones from Provence. This Mas release from the nearby Languedoc is a lovely drop for enjoying chilled - and comes in a very classy bottle. It is a floral and crisp blend of grenache, cinsault, shiraz and mourvedre. Pair this with anything from Lebanese dips with crusty bread, to lamb chops on the barbecue. It is exclusive to Dan Murphy's stores. $23. https://www.paulmas.com/ 

Gundog Estate 2025 The Chase Semillon

Gundog Estate winemaker Matt Burton has access to quality fruit from the Hunter Valley, the Canberra region and the Hilltops and his wines are always reliable, while offering good value. I loved a recent 2025 Canberra riesling, now apparently sold out, as well as this quality Hunter Valley semillon, a perfect refresher for the tail end of summer. The Chase is produced from grapes grown on old vines in central Pokolbin. It is a semillon that's full of youth vitality - ideal for pairing with fresh oysters, or maybe some spicy Thai fishcakes. Tank-matured and released young, this offers apple and citrus notes, bright natural acid and the option to cellar, should you wish to do so. $35. https://gundogestate.com.au/

Feudo Arancio 2023 Nero d'Avola

 

Feudo Arancio, which means Orange Grove in Italian, is wine label imported by Single Vineyard Sellers that is known for offering excellent drinking from Sicily at very reasonable prices. This is a lovely take on the indigenous Nero d'Avola grape with a tidy balance between dark fruit and more earthy/savoury notes. There is plenty of weight and flavour here for a budget buy, but also some quiet Sicilian swagger. You could pair this with pasta and ragu, or roast lamb cutlets, or take it to your local Italian BYO. Value and versatility. $22.  https://www.feudoarancio.it/en-gb

Soumah 2025 Nebbiolo Bianco

 

Artisan Yarra Valley producer Soumah is a reliably excellent producer of Italian-accented wines, with this summer refresher a prime example. The name is a bit of a misnomer - there is no grape with the official name of Nebbiolo Bianco; it is a nickname for the arneis grape, which is credited on the back label. Arneis is often grown alongside prized red grapes in Piedmont to attract the birds, hence the name. Crisp and lively and designed for enjoying chilled, this would be perfect for pairing with grilled sardines, or a plate of fritto misto. Intense citrus and stone fruit flavours and bright acid are key elements here. $35. https://soumah.com.au/  

Hay Shed Hill 2023 Block 2 Cabernet Sauvignon

 

An outstanding example of Margaret River cabernet that has settled nicely with some time in bottle. Hay Shed Hill is a reliably good producer and Block 2 was planted over 50 years ago, producing fruit with intensity and elegance. This is a wine that will certainly find favour with lovers of Left Bank Bordeaux. Deeply coloured, this has classic dark fruit flavours with dusty hints. The oak is well integrated and the tannins finish with rewarding softness. You could cellar this, but it it is already enticing. We paired it with rare roast lamb - a most amiable combo. $63. https://hayshedhill.com.au/ 

Mr Riggs 2025 Generation Series Mrs Riggs Pinot Gris

 

I tend to associate experienced McLaren Vale winemaker Ben Riggs with red wines, but this excellent pinot gris made from Adelaide Hills fruit proves he is also a dab hand with whites. This is actually more grigio than gris in style, with some fresh florals leading on to bright, white stone fruit flavours and some brisk, food-friendly acid. Riggs has not been a fan of the variety in the past but was impressed by the quality of the fruit from a Woodside vineyard. I'm not a massive pg fan either, but this offers terrific summer drinking and excellent value. $24. https://mrriggs.com.au/

Keyneton Ridge 2024 Reserve Pinot Noir

Kyneton Ridge is a label worth keeping an eye on, The Kyneton Ridge vineyard and winery is situated in the Macedon Ranges, around an north-west of Melbourne and home to several excellent producers. This is a very varietal pinot noir from family winemaker Patrick Wood with a nice balance between youthful juicy fruit flavours and more savoury characters. It is very much a small-batch production, with just 200 cases made from fruit grown on the estate vineyard. The 12 months its has spent in quality French oak adds some impressive texture to the vibrant fruit and earthy/undergrowth notes. This would be good with Chinese roast duck. $50. https://kynetonridge.com.au/

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/