Willow Creek Vineyard 2014 Malakoff Shiraz

“If all shirazes tasted as good as this, then I would drink a lot more shiraz,” said my wife after this trumped a bracket of several more expensive shirazes in a recent tasting. Made by Mornington Peninsula winemaker Geraldine McFaul from fruit grown in the cool Pyrenees region of Victoria, it is a wine of remarkable quality for the price; terrific fruit, quality oak and great structure with just a hint of minerally tannins. Beautifully balanced and structured. I could drink quite a lot of this. $32. www.willow-creek.com.au

Tapanappa 2014 Tiers Chardonnay

This is one of Australia's benchmark chardonnays; a wine that is both an expression of its terroir and an outstanding drink in its own right. If you like oaky, blousy chardonnays you've come to the wrong place; this is elegant in the style of white Burgundy with melon aromas and intense grapefruity citrus that reflects a cool vintage in the Adelaide Hills. There is attractive bright acidity alongside textural elements added by malolactic fermentation and lees maturation. The 33% new Vosges oak sits quietly in the background, never intruding. Simply lovely stuff from veteran winemaker Brian Croser and his talented family team. $79. https://tapanappa.com.au

Meerea Park 2014 Terracotta Syrah

The 2014 vintage was an absolute stunner for shiraz in the Hunter Valley and the Eather brothers, Garth and Rhys, have hit the bullseye with this glorious French-accented individual-vineyard offering. The fruit, which includes 40% whole bunch, is sourced from the unirrigated Leonard Estate with its clay "terracotta" soils in the heart of Pokolbin - and boy has it delivered. This is a rich and concentrated wine, but with a definite lightness of being. French oak has added complexity and a 2% injection of viognier gives it brightness and lift. Scented, medium-bodied and downright delicious, this will cellar well but is in the "zone" for current drinking. $70. www.meereapark.com.au.   

Levantine Hill 2015 Rosé

Not everyone loves Levantine Hill, with its expansive new cellar door complex in the Yarra Valley, advertising blitz and perceived high prices. I'm an unashamed fan. I like the wines; love the Ezard at Levantine Hill restaurant and admire the passion of the people behind the label - Elias and Colleen Jreissati and talented former Yarra Yering winemaker Paul Bridgeman. There are several outstanding single vineyard reds in the range but for warm weather drinking pleasure you can't go past this deliciously quaffable rosé, which is a cabernet-driven wine with a dash of pinot noir in the blend. This is summer liquified; a handpicked, pale and very savoury wine with raspberry/cream, herb garden and dark cherry notes that is fresh and lively but also has plenty of length and depth. A serious rosé that's a lot of fun. $36. 
www.levantinehill.com.au. 

Andrew Thomas 2015 Braemore Semillon

Andrew Thomas is a fun kind of guy; likes a party and a beer and is a bit of a lad. There's a rumour that he is settling down a bit nowadays; he's just opened his own cellar door for the first time and his partner is pregnant. Thommo is widely regarded as the best maker of semillon in the Hunter Valley; and as a pretty good shiraz craftsman as well. This is his benchmark semillon; a classic Hunter offering that's low in alcohol at 10.3% but full of brisk, lemony citrus goodness on the palate. As is the case with the style, this is a lovely, intense and refreshing wine in its youth with a pedigree for cellaring for a decade or more. Forget whatever prejudices you may have against semillon and try a glass or two of this. It just might change your vinous outlook. $30. www.thomaswines.com.au   

Glaetzer-Dixon 2015 Uberblanc Riesling

A stunning cool-climate riesling from Nick Glaetzer of Glaetzer-Dixon Wines in Tasmania that's perfect for pairing with Christmas fare like oysters, prawns and other seafood delights. As the name suggests, it is made in homage to the Pfalz rieslings that entranced Glaetzer when he worked a vintage at Weingut Eugen Muller in Germany in 2001. Think enticing florals, bright flinty minerality, lively citrus flavours, zingy acidity and some textural mouthfeel. A wine that is beautifully balanced and should be served chilled, but not too cold. $26. www.gdfwinemakers.com   

Oliver's Taranga 2013 Grenache

I was all set to write about the rather lovely 2015 Oliver's Taranga Vermentino, a quintessentially refreshing summer wine, when I opened this juicy red from the same McLaren Vale producer and decided I liked it even more. Grenache is a grape that is often over-looked in favour of shiraz, but it flourishes in warmer climes and produces vibrant, spicy, medium-bodied reds that are perfect for pairing with Mediterranean-style cuisine, and restrained enough to enjoy on their own. This is outstanding. $30. www.oliverstaranga.com