Tapanappa 2013 Tiers Vineyard Chardonnay

If you are looking for a chardonnay with precision, purity and linearity you won't go wrong with the delicious cool-climate chardonnay grown on a vineyard that veteran winemaker Brian Croser describes as producing fruit that provides "a pure expression of terroir". The vineyard site is 450 metres above sea level at Piccadilly in the Adelaide Hills and this is made entirely from the Tiers old vines planted in 1980. It shows no sign of 2013 having been a warmer than average year. French Vosges oak barriques (33% new) and partial malo play second fiddle to the quality fruit here; ripe stone fruit characters duel deftly with grapefruit and minerally acid notes to produce a wine that is refined and elegant. An Australian classic. $75. www.tapanappawines.com.au. 

Capital Wines 2014 The Whip Riesling

The Canberra region is producing some outstanding rieslings; think Helm, Clonkilla, Lark Hill and this delightful offering from Capital Wines. This is part of the quirky Ministry series, the labels of which poke fun at governmental figures. It is a deliciously brisk and fresh wine, perfect for enjoying chilled on one of these later summer evenings. There are zingy lemon and lime notes and some crisp acidity that would make this a great companion for salt and pepper squid or John Dory and chips. $19. www.capitalwines.com.au

Hanwood Estate 1913 Riverina Touriga 2013

There is room for confusion here with the label shouting 1913 in large letters and declaring vintage 2013 in tiny print but you'd probably need to be a moron in a hurry to believe you were getting 100-year-old wine for $25. This is a new label celebrating the arrival of the McWilliam family in the Riverina in 1913 to pioneer what is now a massive wine industry. The range consists of a vermentino, a durif and this spectacular offering made from the Portuguese grape variety touriga nacional. Touriga grapes have traditionally been use for fortified wines but here they produce a juicy, intense and savoury table wine of considerable appeal. Look out for more touriga releases as the variety clearly has great potential in warmer regions. $25. www.mcwilliamswines.com.au.    

Wickhams Road 2014 Yarra Valley Chardonnay

There are few wineries that can match Hoddles Creek when it comes to over-delivering on quality. In a world where stellar cool-climate wines fetch extremely high prices, the d'Anna family's Wickhams Road range stands as a beacon of affordable quality. In 2014 I felt the Yarra chardonnay just edged out its Gippsland counterpart, but both offer exceptional value. This whispers rather than shouts; it has 12.7% alcohol, citrus and hints of nectarine on an unashamedly fruit-driven palate; nice acid and length, too. Lively, nicely balanced and ridiculously good for $18. www.hoddlescreekestate.com.au.     

Sabre by Mitchell Harris 2011

An absolutely stunning sparkling wine from John Harris, which should come as no surprise as he was once chief winemaker at Domaine Chandon. From a cold, wet vintage, this oozes class with bright seaspray and citrus characters to the fore. A blend of pinot noir from the Macedon Ranges and chardonnay from the Pyrenees, it is a bright, linear bubbly with plenty of length and lashings of mineral acidity. This is a dry, aperitif style made in tiny quantities (think less than 250 cases annually). $40. www.mitchellharris.com.au. 

Hecht & Bannier 2011 Languedoc Rouge

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So Frenchy, so chic. If you are looking for a lighter-style red wine for summer quaffing then this well-priced import should be on your radar. There is a real French joie de vivre about this certified organic blend of shiraz, grenache and cinsault from St Chinian and nearby Larzac and Agly in the rapidly-becoming-fashionable Languedoc. A fabulous food wine, extremely refreshing with bright fruit and acid, this is unoaked and perfect for immediate drinking, maybe even chilled for a few minutes in the fridge. $27. Imported by www.francaboutwine.com.

Moores Hill 2014 Riesling

Julian Allport from Moores Hill described the 2014 vintage in Tasmania's Tamar Valley as a “cruel” one, with yields well down on previous years. There is only half as much riesling as from 2013, when stock sold out by April. Fortunately, quality is high, and this is a deliciously crisp and floral dry wine that will delight fans. The palate is a mix of tangy grapefruit notes and mountain stream freshness with plenty of length and zesty, refreshing acid. It was named the best riesling at the recent Taste of Tasmania and looks lovelier every time I see it. Better be quick. $30. www.mooreshill.com.au.