Hurley Vineyard 2020 Garamond Pinot Noir

 

For two decades now Kevin Bell and Tricia Byrnes have been producing exquisite Mornington Peninsula pinots that fly under the radar of the all bar the most savvy wine buyers. There just three Hurley releases from the 2020 vintage (no estate wine this time around) and the Garamond is the undoubted star of the show; an individual vineyard wine of style and substance. Precise, balanced and varietal; this sensuous and poised release is a perfect celebration of Hurley Vineyard's 20th vintage. Could easily be mistaken for a quality Burgundy in a blind tasting. The bad news is that I hear the 2020 wines all sold out prior to release but keep your eyes peeled in retail outlets. $92. www.hurleyvineyard.com.au    

Greenskin 2021 Margaret River Chardonnay

I love the idea behind the Greenskin wine range; Australia's first 100% recyclable, resealable, glassless way to enjoy wine when you are on a picnic, at the beach, or just want a glass without opening a bottle. This is the best quality wine in a pouch that I have tasted so far; a 2021 Margaret River chardonnay made by Italian-born winemaker Jacopo Dalli Cani at McHenry Hohnen. Taste it blind and you would never guess it did not come from a bottle. Think fresh stone fruit characters, hints of oak, and plenty of refreshment. Billed as vegan-friendly, as well. Sold by the six-pack of 750ml pouches for $155 - so essentially the equivalent of $26 a bottle. https://greenskinwine.com/

Vintage Longbottom H 2021 Chardonnay

 

A cracking everyday chardonnay from mother and daughter team Kim and Margo Longbottom at Vintage Longbottom, probably best known for their Henry's Drive range. The modern and appealing H range uses grapes from from the Adelaide Hills, their new home, and is a very elegant, lean and intriguing beast using grapes sourced from higher-altitude vineyards in the Lenswood region. Grapefruit, peach and minerality come together to produce a lively and refreshing wine that would pair brilliantly with pork belly. $28. www.vintagelongbottom.com/

Rewild 2021 Merlot

 

A decent red wine for under a tenner can be hard to find nowadays. A decent merlot at that price point? Even harder. But Duxton Vineyards has come up trumps with a soft, smooth and very easy to drink merlot from the Murray Darling region as part of the first red wines releases in its "sustainable" Rewild range. This is a very good midweek choice, plummy fruit would be perfect with a spaghetti bolognaise or shepherd's pie. Nothing flash but decent drinking. Try Dan Murphy's stores. $9.99. 

Elderton 2020 Neil Ashmead Grand Tourer Shiraz

 

A tribute to the late Elderton co-founder Neil Ashmead, a major rev head, the Grand Tourer Shiraz was first released in 2008. It pays homage to Neil's love of fast cars. He was succeeded by his two sons, Cameron and Allister, who today run the family's Barossa winery. The wine uses Barossa shiraz from the family's Nuriootpa vineyard planted in 1954, co-fermented with fruit from Greenock vineyards planted in 1980. This is medium-bodied, on Barossa terms, with definite dark berry and charcuterie notes, along with hints of pepper and spice. Powerful, with talcum powder tannins, this can be enjoyed now, or cellared medium term. $55. https://eldertonwines.com.au/

Clonakilla 2021 Shiraz Viognier

This is an Australian classic, a Rhone style developed and perfected by the Kirk family, who last year celebrated 50 years of  winemaking at Murrumbateman, outside Canberra. This is a wonderfully supple  and stylish red with 5% of viognier aiding and abetting the 95% cool-climate shiraz in one of the finest Clonakilla shiraz viogniers I have seen. The vinous equivalent of a Phil Spector song. Aromatic, floral, elegant and layered, this is still seriously under-priced for the quality. This will be released in September, but supplies are always short so it might be worth contacting the winery to secure an allocation. $130. www.clonakilla.com.au.

Brown Brothers Winemaker's Series 2021 Fiano

 

This is one the brightest, most vibrant, liveliest fianos that I have tasted. Fiano is a white Italian grape variety that is grown primarily in the Campania region of southern Italy and on the island of Sicily but has also adapted very well in several regions of Australia. This is a simply delicious white wine for enjoying lightly chilled; aromatic and zingy with citrus fruit flavours to the fore. Fermented in strainless steel with zero oak maturation, this is designed to be enjoyed young and would be fabulous with fritto misto, sashimi, or old school fish and chips. $25. www.brownbrothers.com.au