Fine-grained, structural tannins place this wine clearly on Watervale limestone, while classic mint notes make it unmistakably Clare. Impressive geopositioning in the glass for a wine that can be yours for just $18 (Cracka). Varietal leaf and green capsicum characters meet generous blackcurrant and crunchy redcurrant fruit of impressive persistence.

read

The great 2010 season has been at work here, building impressive depth of blackberries, black cherries and liquorice, scaffolded with a firm, chewy tannin profile that will see it out for a couple more years yet. For the price, its lingering black fruits definition is something to behold. $18 at Nicks and Purvis.

read

The level of refinement at Geographe’s top estate rises a notch with each passing season, and this year its premium wines are really taking on an interesting edge for the first time. This is an edgy, tangy and taut sauvignon, bringing the zesty energy of this variety under control with the creamy, textural notes of […]

read

Gewürztraminer of true structure is a rare thing in Australia, and Henschke has captured a delicate balance between acid and phenolic texture that makes for a serious contender. It’s crisp, clean and pure gewürztraminer with pretty aromatics of Pink Lady Apple and rosewater. The palate carries a pure apple and pear fruit profile, with an […]

read

For some reason, this is significantly more expensive in Australia than New Zealand, but in the grand scheme of sauvignon, it’s well worth it. It’s raised an echelon thanks to its impressively textured structure of finely gravelly mouthfeel and lingering, textural persistence, an accurate portrayal of stony, limestone-influenced soils adjacent to the Huangarua River. The […]

read

Purposely picked late in the season to capture exquisite notes of poached pear ripeness, the key to this wine is that it retains its delicacy, poise and persistence in the midst of succulence and a touch of residual sweetness. Grown on the northern edge of the Martinborough Terrace gravels, it retains an undercurrent of gravelly […]

read

“My philosophy when it comes to choosing a vineyard is that if it’s made sparkling base, I want it! You can’t beat natural acidity!” With such a mandate, it’s no surprise that Sam Coverdale’s top chardonnay is sourced from the Mornington’s highest vineyard. The result is an exciting wine of focus and tightly honed restraint, […]

read

Sam Coverdale’s first premium pinot captures the linear focus and cooler expression of Mornington that comes from the lofty position of its highest vineyard. It’s an attractively textural style that harmonises perfumed elegance with well-textured structure. Powerful red fruits and rose hip fragrance are supported by tangy acidity and fine, supple tannins. $46 direct.

read

There is both confidence and grace here, a difficult combination to achieve in SSB fermented entirely in new oak – surely a testimony to both the predominance of semillon in the blend and to the expertise of the estate. This is a tightly focused style that completely soaks up very classy new oak, expressing itself […]

read

The more I come to know Mt Difficulty and see its wines at various stages of life, the more I appreciate that these are pinots engineered for the long-haul. True to the style of the house, this is a release built more around structure and tannin than fruit and generosity, a refreshing and noble counterpoint […]

read