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 […]
readA 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.
readPlantagenet’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.
readProper 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 […]
readQuite 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 […]
readThis 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 […]
readFrom Mount Crawford’s vineyard at the southern extreme of Eden Valley, this the finest vintage for Thorn Clarke Shiraz yet, a $20 benchmark of Barossa shiraz, for its fruit definition and density, layered with signature black plum and blueberry fruits, black pastilles and liquorice of considerable depth and precision. A firm tannin structure is finely […]
readCliff Royle defines intuitive winemaking, tweaking and changing the finer details of production based on the expression of the vintage and its fruit. In the warm 2011 season, he picked early and avoided lees stirring and malolactic fermentation to accentuate the tighter white and pink grapefruit of the Wallcliffe area and the dried peach and […]
read2011 was kind to Southside, furnishing a value-for-money Margaret River Chardonnay in an elegant, linearly pure and textural style. Grapefruit and lemon zest are underlined by taut acidity, beautifully textured structure and well-handled oak, finishing with effortless persistence and poise. $21 at Wine Box Warehouse.
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