I’ve had the privilege of assessing the beautifully defined champagnes of the Fourny brothers multiple times in Australia and France over the past two years, and I am delighted to report that these wines are on a slow but unmistakable trajectory of ascent. The latest rendition of Cuvée R is built around the splendid 2008 […]

read

2011 was a warm season in Central Otago, making for a deeply coloured, concentrated and full-flavoured Felton Chardonnay of generous fig, white peach and grapefruit. A blend from Felton’s three Bannockburn vineyards, with a fruit profile that contrasts with impressively full fermentation complexity of struck flint and charcuterie. For all its flamboyant generosity, it’s held […]

read

Neudorf is Nelson’s most respected name in pinot noir, and releases like this are the reason. This is a pinot of elegance and definition, with a core of black cherry and blackberry fruit, laced together with fine, silky, yet confident tannins. Classic Neudorf tension of acidity draws into a long and refined finished, with a […]

read

The cool 2011 season did wonderful things for riesling around Canberra, charging this one with a bolt of acidity that looks set to sustain it for a long time. It’s a lively and backward style of crunchy granny smith apple, lime and white pepper, with long-lingering, fine, mineral structure drawn from limestone-containing red volcanic soils. […]

read

Forest ranks among the most reliable of Marlborough’s long-standing pinots, and in a world of escalating pinot prices, it represents refreshing value. The 2010 is a lively and elegant pinot of red cherry and strawberry fruit, notes of mixed spice, anise and violets. Finely textured tannins complete a refreshingly balanced style. $23 at Wine Box […]

read

A versatile, well-crafted and refreshingly balanced off-dry riesling which presents fleshy peach and crunchy orange rind flavours on a long, textural finish. Zesty acidity and luscious sweetness find a natural balance, finishing tangy and fresh. $19 at Cracka.

read

Introducing my favourite Giesen sauvignon, much more sophisticated than it’s little brother (the one that’s always flaunting itself in the discount aisle), and ever so much more relaxed than its overworked big brother, August. A small component of hand picked sauvignon was wild yeast fermented in old barrels contributing an extra dimension of refinement and […]

read

These forty-year-old estate vines capture the refinement of low alcohol Hunter shiraz, within a style of fruit concentration and impressive balance. Now there’s an introduction you don’t often hear for a $20 wine! This value for money Hunter shiraz presents alluring aromatics of cherry kernel and coffee, with finely textured tannins ensuring a confident cellaring […]

read

A refreshing grigio of fresh lemon blossom and crunchy pear fruit, with a softly textural mouth feel and a refreshing finish. It’s clean, crisp, simple and ready for summer. Best price direct.

read

Plantagenet’s value-for-money second tier range is always reliable, and this is the pick of the bunch this year. It’s exacting in its cabernet definition of capsicum, tobacco, tomato leaf and redcurrants. The palate is refreshingly poised, with good definition and persistence of red fruits, supported by finely textural tannins. $15 at Cracka.

read