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This is what verdelho is about. The exotics of guava, the crunch of nashi pear and the tang of grapefruit, with a fine-grained texture gained from yeast lees. No oak in sight, which is just as it should be. Best price direct.

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A gentle, authentic, immediate and fruit-focused pinot at a great price for weekday drinking. A pretty bouquet of rose hip and brambles leads into an elegantly bodied palate of red cherry and strawberry fruit. Old oak allows fruit to take the lead, supported by soft, supple tannins. $16 direct.

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There’s quite some sophistication on show here. The primary focus is on grapefruit, white peach and fig fruit of purity drive and definition, but there’s a lot more going on here than you’d expect for $17. A fine, textural mouth feel reflects intricately managed wild fermentation on full solids and eight months in 15% new […]

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This impeccable, uncomplicated and versatile blend is just the thing to tackle sushi and sashimi. Riesling takes the lead with its citrus and apple fruits, touched with gewurztraminer spice and pinot gris pear. Its’ soft texture and alluring fruit are well matched to its gentle sweetness (15g/L). $18 at Cracka.

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A bargain SSB of balanced appeal, contrasting the freshness of lemon, lime and cut grass with the complexity of lanolin and lemon grass. A portion of wild fermentation in barrel builds well-textured structure and draws out the finish, uniting with zippy acidity to provide a note of sophistication. $17 at Oak Barrel.

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Sensitively handled, pinot grigio can take on a demeanour of elegant refinement in Tasmania’s cool climate. This is a beautifully fragrant style of fresh pear, lemon, apple blossom and nutmeg, with a crunchy and softly textured mouth feel. $17 at First Choice, Aussie Wines, No Frills, Wine List Australia and Chambers Cellars.

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An elegantly crafted and understated Hunter shiraz of fine-boned texture. Tangy acidity and finely textured tannins provide a medium-bodied frame for black plum and blackberry fruits, with notes of liquorice and black pepper. Impressive value at $20 at The Tasting Room.

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I always get very excited to discover that rare thing: accurate, authentic pinot noir at an everyday price. Here’s one that’s been pre-aged, while maintaining enticing berry fruit compote and tangy morello cherry and plum flavours. A dusting of mixed spice and notes of forest floor reflect its maturity, confidently sustained by soft, fine tannins. […]

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A new blend from the age-old barrels of Chambers, and a good one. A tension between luscious sweetness and well-structured acidity is captivating, and the contrast of freshness and complexity is well played. It retains the lively lift of rosewater, apricot, marmalade and orange liqueur, and simultaneously great depth of mixed spice, cedar wood and […]

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Clever name, cool wine. A fragrant, fresh and enticing cabernet blend of lifted rose hip perfume. The crunchy capsicum and tomato bush of cabernet meet the earthy spice of malbec in a soft, finely textured mould, with a long, tangy redcurrants finish. Great value lunchtime claret. $21 direct.

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