Just the ticket for anyone who finds the rapier acidity of many classic Aussie rieslings too bracing, yet don’t want a riesling too sweet. Wild yeast and lees work have built excellent texture, which weaves seamlessly with the acidity of this cold site and subtle sweetness (less than 7g/L). Vines of 38 years of age […]

read

An impressive young McLaren Vale GSM that’s found a happy place between the plump berry fruits, glossy black plum and spice of young fruit and the finely textured structure and dark chocolate influence of subtle oak support. It finishes lively, spicy and endearing. No surprise to learn the great Michael Fragos of Chapel Hill fame […]

read

Great value Yarra chardonnay, capturing the pristine freshness and verve of the season, framed in struck flint and charcuterie complexity, thanks to a touch of new oak, partial wild fermentation and lees stirring. The result is fine-boned and energetic, yet upholding good depth of lemon, grapefruit and apple flavour, with accurate acid line and a […]

read

A multi-talented blend from Larry Cherubino, delivering spicy depth, while retaining lively energy, making for a friendly style with all manner of fusion cuisine. Ten percent new oak and high solids deliver soft texture, deep spice complexity and notes of custard apple and hazelnut, while retaining pretty frangipane aromatics and taut, tangy, zesty grapefruit freshness. […]

read

A gorgeous Peninsula, and one of the finest yet. Co-fermentation with 5% viognier draws out a bouquet of fragrant violets, black plums and black pepper. The palate is gorgeously succulent, with pristine black cherry and juicy black plums, gliding into a finely textural and elegantly structured finish of tangy acidity, impeccable tannins and lingering persistence. […]

read

Bress’ first foray into Yarra sauvignon is no trite attempt, wild fermented in 100% new French oak and bottled fairly quickly. Such is the power and fragrant intensity of the fruit that the oak miraculously dissolves into the background, building soft texture and enticing spice. It’s zesty, citrusy, fleshy and softly textured, with vibrant fragrance […]

read

A skilfully crafted blend of delightfully mouth-embracing texture and understated complexity. Steve Pannell says the early-ripening tempranillo fared well for weight an intensity in 2011. The result is intricate and articulate in its expression of black cherries, black plum skins, dried herbs, anise, dried flowers, black pepper and bouquet garni. Maturation in large, mostly old […]

read

After 26 years, Lenton Brae is expert at SSB of engaging appeal, balanced concentration and impressive length. Accurate and focused aromatics of lemon, lime and cut grass introduce a crunchy palate of lemon, grapefruit and subtle asparagus and cut grass. Its lively acidity and softly textural mouth feel make for an immediate and compelling style. […]

read

2011 was a season that played into the hands of aromatic varieties in the Yarra, drawing a Sancerre-like restraint from De Bortoli’s sauvignon, and charging it with electric vibrancy and great longevity. Grapefruit and lime are the themes here, underlined by struck flint and nutty lees complexity, thanks to wild fermentation, plenty of lees work […]

read

A great Flametree and a benchmark in affordable Margaret River chardonnay. It’s exact in its expression of a generous vintage, the vibrant purity of lemon blossom and grapefruit toning fig, pear and white peach, perfectly underscored by supportive cashew nut FO. The finish lingers with considerable persistence and well balanced acidity. Excellent value. $17 at […]

read