Hungerford Hill 2022 Semillon

Freshly shucked oysters; a picnic in the park; or maybe a fish and chip supper. The release of new-vintage Hunter Valley semillons is synonymous with the arrival of summer - and the need for a refreshing, vibrant bottle of pale white vinous goodness. This is one of the best-value semillons around, and is made from grapes grown at the Dalwood Vineyard in Branxton, the Hunter's and Australia's oldest continually operating vineyard dating back to 1828. From a good vintage, this is an elegant semillon that spent four  months on yeast lees before release. Pale, citrusy, zippy and disturbingly drinkable with its vibrant acid. Enjoy well chilled. $27. https://hungerfordhill.com.au/

Tapanappa 2019 Definitus Pinot Noir

If you enjoy your pinot noirs complex, with savoury and undergrowth characters, then this one hits the spot. Definitus is made by veteran winemaker Brian Croser - one of the greats of the industry - from just a small patch of his Foggy Hill vineyard on the Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia. The alcohol levels are modest at 13% but there is whole lot going on on the lean but expressive palate with ripe blueberry notes, Asian spices and excellent tannin structure all in play. A smidgen of whole bunch, indigenous yeasts and a whole lot of care and attention have created a superior, very stylish wine that will cellar well, but could be paired right now with a roast duck. A bottle of this would be welcomed as a Christmas gift by any wine lover. 95 points from me. $90. https://tapanappa.com.au/

Merite 2020 Q Merlot

I don't recommend a lot of Australian merlots, simply because many of them are made from inferior clones and fail to deliver the best of the variety. Now Australia has some better clones of merlot coming into their own - and this wine is made from one of them: Q45. What that means is that you get a whole lot of body, texture and personality, but still get that lovely smoothness on the finish. The 2020 vintage was a difficult one on the Limestone Coast with heatwaves and Covid lockdowns, but this certainly delivers some serious slurpability. I'd pair it with lamb chops or a gourmet hamburger. $33 and available at Dan Murphy's stores. https://meritewines.com/

Meerea Park 2021 XYZ Chardonnay

 

What's going on here? A leading Hunter Valley wine producer releasing a chardonnay made from grapes grown in the King Valley in north-east Victoria? Simple really, the grapes grown on the blocks that normally provide fruit for this wine were damaged by smoke taint from bush fires near the Hunter. If you like your chardonnays clean, crisp and precise then this delivers. Whole-bunch pressed, barrel fermented in new oak puncheons but no malo. Bloody delicious with some pan-fried calamari - and if chardy is not your thing then the 2022 semillon under the same label is equally enticing. $30. www.meereapark.com.au     

Schild Estate 2020 Barossa Shiraz

 

If there is a Barossa wine that offers consistently better shirazamataz at a sensible price than this one then I have yet to meet it. This ticks a whole lot of quality and price boxes year after year and the new-release 2020 vintage lives up to the Schild family's high standards. I was about to recommend the excellent 2022 Eden Valley Riesling from the same producer - also excellent - but this one just out-shone it with its classic dark fruit, impressive length and hints of pepper. It is big and bold, sure, but also impressively balanced. Pair with anything from a gourmet burger to a lamb casserole. $26 - but look out for it on special. www.schildestate.com.au/   

Mezzacorona 2021 Pinot Grigio

 

A delightful slice of the flavours of the Italian alps here; a vibrant young pinot grigio from the banks of the Adige River that has all the freshness of a mountain stream. Mezzacorona has been crafting wines for almost 120 years and this one would be a delightful drinking companion on a warm Australian summer afternoon. This has lively green apple flavours with river pebble minerality and bright but well controlled acid. A wine for enjoying chilled and in its youth, perhaps paired with frito misto or some grilled prawns with aoli mayo. Refreshing and fruity but dry, this is a delight. Imported by Single Vineyard Sellers and excellent value at $20.

Zema Estate 2016 Saluti

 

Zema Estate are among the quiet achievers in Coonawarra, quietly going about their business making excellent value wines with a minimum of fuss. This special release marks 40 years for the family-owned business with Italian heritage. Made in tiny amounts, this is a blend of the two grape varieties that shine brightest in Coonawarra: cabernet sauvignon (72%)and shiraz (28%). This is a seriously stylish and sybaritic wine with plenty of length, structure and texture, along with a super smooth finish to the palate. Blackcurrant notes, plummy hints, classy French and American oak and that lovely mouthfeel create something special. Ideal for a dinner party or as a gift for a serious wine lover with a cellar. 95 points from me. $125. www.zema.com.au/