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. […]

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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 […]

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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.

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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.

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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.

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Proper French sauvignon under $15? I’ve never seen it this clean, crisp and well made at this price before. It’s quite backward for more than two years of age, shot with lively blackcurrant bud, cut grass, lemon and grapefruit. A tart backbone of tangy acidity promises to keep it vibrant and energetic for a few […]

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Quite the antithesis to the cool, wet vintage of the east, Western Australia enjoyed an outstanding, warm 2011 season. Houghton captures the mood of the year even in its bargain entry point. This is an impressively full, vibrant purple wine of admirable concentration of black plum and crunchy, rep blackberry fruits. The finish lingers with […]

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This is a very small price to pay for a wine that has led the way in new age Barossa semillon. Cut grass is the theme of the cool 2011, with a backdrop of pure lemon beginning to reveal the spice of preserved lemon and the faintest hint of toast. A semillon of outstanding fruit […]

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