A Block 3 to enjoy in its youthful immediacy, a slightly riper vintage for this label, yet retaining its signature definition and texture. White peach, white nectarine, melon, fig, fresh pear, cream and hints of cashew nut oak conspire in a style of impressive concentration. The zesty crunch of grapefruit and soft, integrated acidity keep […]

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Yalumba Eden Valley Viognier edges ever closer to Virgilius, with length, texture and balance that make for a versatile style that will effortlessly match all manner of chicken and pork fare. Wonderful aromatics of pure apricot, pepper, lemon, peach and apricot kernel overflow into a palate of impressive concentration, capturing the depth and viscous intensity […]

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If spicy sauvignon is your thing, you’re going to love this. Holm Oak marries the gooseberry pie, guava, grapefruit and leaf characters of sauvignon with the creamy, textural depth and persistence of partial barrel fermentation. It delivers seamless line and great length, finishing with cool, crunchy Tasmanian acidity. $23 at Flagstaff Cellars.

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Early signs are that 2013 is a strong season for Hunter semillon. One of the first in bottle, De Iuliis sings with lime blossom and pink grapefruit fragrance. The palate is taut and honed, with a linear acid spine, slatey texture and tightly coiled structure. A semillon of persistence and potential. $23 at ViNE.

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Crop thinned to achieve ripeness, yielding just 142 dozen, this is an attractively fragrant and spicy light-bodied red of lifted rose petal, red cherry and pepper aromas The palate is poised and finely textured, with gravelly tannins and refreshing acidity on a long, lively finish. $25 at Jugiong Wine Cellar and direct.

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There’s an elegant, fragrant beauty to great Yarra Valley cabernet, epitomised in icons like Mount Mary. From the next vineyard along, a similar demeanour is articulated here. Pretty violet fragrance is underscored by deep blackcurrant and blackberry fruit, accented with anise and mixed spice. The palate is beautifully focused and densely packed, with very fine, […]

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The 30th vintage of Old Block has risen to the occasion, sitting proudly alongside the 1994 and 2008 as three of the greatest of all time. The density of the season is magnificent, layered with sour cherries, ripe berry compote, liquorice, dark chocolate and pepper. A lively fruit confidence lingers with great persistence and vibrant […]

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You first met Dovetail way back in Edition 4 of Wine Taste Weekly. Three vintages on, this is the best release yet for this haunting and unusual blend, showcasing the synergy of Martinborough’s two finest varieties. Pinot noir takes the lead, with wonderful violet fragrance and fine, mineral mouth feel, accented with syrah’s black pepper, […]

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Tactically released after the more approachable 2010, The Vicar 2009 is a showcase for the inimitable tannin structure of the season, firm, rigid and mouth-embracing, yet ultra fine. Density meets calm control in lifted precision of violets and delightful black plum and black cherry fruit, set against a savoury backdrop of black olives and game. […]

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The blessing of limestone subsoils defines many of pinot’s finest sites on earth, and in the Waipara district of north Canterbury, Mountford’s limestone soils come very close to the surface. The roots of vines now more than twenty years of age draw very fine mineral tannin structure from the earth, defining a pinot noir of […]

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