Dowie Doole 2010 Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc is often called chenin bland because of the many undistinguished wines it produces, but there's an exception to every rule and this is an absolute cracker from McLaren Vale; dry with crisp green apple flavours, it is light, zingy and lively - and a very good alternative to sauvignon blanc. The wine is almost water-coloured but don't be deceived. It is aromatic on the nose with some nice flinty minerality on the finish. This would be great with oysters, or a seafood platter, and is great value for $18.

Cape Mentelle 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon

Cape Mentelle is one of the benchmark Margaret River cabernets, consistently excellent, and this is an impressive wine from a challenging vintage, a testament to the attention to detail shown. It's medium bodied with intense dark cherry, blackcurrant and tapenade characters, forward tannins, well-balanced oak treatment and hints of coffee and chocolate. Opulent and stylish but with great drinkability, this is highly recommended. Terrific with game meats like venison. $84.

Josef Chromy 2008 SGR Delikat Riesling

Made in a German off-dry style, this is a cracking Tasmanian riesling with 60 grams of residual sugar and just 8.5% alcohol. Picked at under 11 baume, it has delicate aromatics, searing acidity on the lively palate and really vibrant flavours. Sweeter wines like this are not just for the blue-rinse set. While it would be lovely with desserts, it would also shine if paired with terrines, pates, blue cheeses, or even calves liver dishes. Thoroughly modern, thoroughly delicious. $25.

Riposte by Tim Knappstein 2010 The Foil Sauvignon Blanc

I'd just written some tasting notes on the fabulous 2009 The Foil when the 2010 landed on my doorstep. Seems the 2009 was so popular that the 2010 has been rushed into the marketplace in all its fresh, zesty glory. The 2009 was a lovely laidback wine by the time I tried it while the vivacious 2010 is upfront with its vibrant gooseberry and tropical fruit salad flavours and steely acid on the finish. Knappstein was one of the first Australian winemakers to get to grips with sauvignon blanc and he certainly hasn't lost his touch. $20.

Rosabrook 2009 Chardonnay

Another ripping chardonnay from Margaret River; thoroughly modern in style and extremely drinkable. This is the complete package. It's got elegance, linear minerality, zingy citrus and white peach flavours, nutty nuances, plenty of length and complexity but most of all is beautifully balanced. This is a fresh, clean and crisp wine for enjoying over the next couple of years. It rocked my socks and can be found for under $25.

Caillard 2008 Mataro

Andrew Caillard, Master of Wine, head of the Langton's auction house and one of Australia's foremost wine experts, has released his first wine - and what a cracker it is. Using 100% mataro from a hot year in the Barossa Valley, Caillard and his wife Bobby have artfully crafted a wine that is very much European in style; medium-bodied, elegant, complex and muscular; with sensible alcohol levels (13.5%), new oak very much in a support role and just the right balance between dark berry and savoury characters. To top it all off, Caillard painted the label artwork. A brilliant debut. Purchase at www.caillardwine.com. $45.

Bremerton 2008 Tamblyn

A gutsy and delicious blend of cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, malbec and merlot from the vastly under-rated region of Langhorne Creek. This boasts generous flavours with mouhfilling dark fruit and hints of mint, eucalypt and cedar. It's a big rich wine, earthy and long,that’s heaps of fun to drink – and a great partner for meats, cheeses, pasta and pizza. $20.