Bishop by Ben Glaetzer 2023

Ben Glaetzer makes several top-notch red wines that reward long-term cellaring, including the Amon-Ra and Anaperenna. This is similarly well crafted shiraz but offers more immediate drinking pleasure with its classic Barossa combo of power and elegance. From a dry, sunny but late vintage, this offers a lot of length and style for a very fair price. It spent 16 months in mainly older French hogshead barrels for structure but finishes beguilingly soft on the palate. The wine is named in honour of Ben's mother Judith [Bishop] - who has the unique distinction of having two wines named after her by her sons. The other is the Glaetzer-Dixon La Judith. This one offers very good buying for $40. www.glaetzer.com. 

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/

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/

Turkey Flat 2023 Butchers Block Shiraz

 

Looking for a delicious, drink now, medium-bodied shiraz? This is the ideal midweek Barossa red, designed to be enjoyed in its youth and full of juicy, crunchy, fruity goodness. There's some bold fruit, minerality, some smoothness and a whole lot of drinkability, You could pair this with pizza or pasta, a chilli con carne or a shepherd's pie. Wondering about the name? The Schulz family has been growing grapes since 1865, but they also used to run a butchery business. That blue-stone building is now their cellar door. This is a new release, with a new-look label. $27. https://www.turkeyflat.com.au/