Laurent Delaunay is a champion of the classical appellations of the Languedoc in the south of France, and his new premium range showcases some of the remote, high quality vineyards of the area. His Minervois exemplifies sensational restraint within a rich and concentrated style. There’s an exotic air here – pipesmoke, spice, dried herbs and […]

read

This wine exemplifies the adage that opportunity comes out of adversity, and I can only guess that some serious declassification from Pipers Brook’s more senior pinot noirs has lifted its lowest tier wine in this challenging season. If elegance is to be prized above impact, this is a remarkable pinot for the price. It’s unashamedly […]

read

This wine is apart in that it exemplifies a real density of black pastilles and plush, dark berry compote without for an instant compromising its Margaret River signature of honed tannins, gravelly texture and graphite-like finesse. There is a lift of violets and anise, perhaps reflections of whole berry ferment with a portion of viognier. […]

read

On one side, the mafia declare the modern trend in Yarra Valley chardonnay to be too lean and mean. On the other, De Bortoli winemaker Steve Webber celebrates the cool, classic 2011 vintage as defining the best chardonnays De Bortoli has ever made. Who to believe? The wine, of course. True to the season, this […]

read

On the surface, this new label appears to be quite a deviation from PHI’s home of Lusatia Park Vineyard in the Upper Yarra. In truth, it’s a perfectly natural fit for the brand, communicating the detail of its place every bit as articulately as PHI has in the Yarra. The deep red Cambrian volcanic and […]

read

There is an elegantly medium-bodied restraint that sets Voyager Estate apart from most renditions of 2010 Margaret River shiraz. A refreshing 13.5% alcohol provides space for its beautifully textured, graphite-fine, mineral tannins to speak amidst vibrant acid definition. To achieve such depth of fruit within this mould is the true victory of this wine, with […]

read

Loudenne has made countless star appearances in my corporate tastings and masterclasses this year because Bordeaux of such accurate fruit profile and tannin chassis at this price is a tough find. All hail the great 2009 vintage! This is a blend from across the Medoc, showcasing the character of Bordeaux better than anything else I’ve […]

read

If you love pinot but can’t afford decent Burgundy (hello there!), I’ve found the wine for you. Mercurey is a lesser outpost of proper red Burgundy, but the low-yielding and high quality 2010 vintage has produced a cracker from Faiveley’s Clos des Myglands vineyard. There is a delightful focus of red and black cherry fruits, […]

read

The very first Jacob’s Creek wine in 1976 was a shiraz cabernet, and the blend has led the range ever since, from the bargain basement Classic to the flagship Johann. I’ve had a sneak preview of an even more lofty flagship due for release next year, and there are exciting things in the pipeline! Great […]

read

If you’re on the hunt for a sweet wine, this is about as decadent as they come. Muscadelle, blended in a modified solera system of small oak barrels for an average of twenty years, is luscious and intensely sweet, with aromas of golden syrup, honey, cold tea and Christmas cake (there’s your food match!). It’s […]

read