DJV is Thommo’s shiraz to drink now, unashamedly flaunting its fruit ahead of structure and complexity. Old barrels guarantee that the woodwork remains completely invisible under plush cushions of sweet blackberries, juicy cherries and plums. A dose of early picked semillon in the ferment keeps things tangy, pulling into a long, savoury, softly structured finish. […]
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Profound things are at hand at Pepper Tree, and you will note a Matrix-like glitch in the passage of time when the graceful Tallavera 2011 and profound Coquun 2011 are unleashed on the world in the coming months. In the meantime, the estate shiraz of the house presents a vibrant and tangy style of considerable […]
readThis is the wine that’s set to put Ironbark Hill on the map. I’d never heard of the estate before last week, and I’ve since discovered that this wine took out top gold in the Hunter Wine Show last month. No surprise. It’s harmonious, graceful, silky concentrated and downright delicious. How did they achieve such […]
readI adore the texture of this vineyard, its chalky mineral finesse providing a grace and silky persona to beautifully primary fruit. There’s great concentration of black plum and black cherry, nuanced with liquorice and violets, lingering long and seamless. A standout of a great vintage. $37 direct.
readFrom ten paces, you’d swear this was prestige champagne. On closer inspection, it’s a stylish champagne substitute from the south of France, just the thing for everyday drinking. A blend of chardonnay, mauzac (I’ve never heard of it, either!) and chenin blanc, assembled with the same methode traditionnelle as champagne. Two years maturation gives an […]
readThe rise and rise of De Iuliis shiraz has been a captivating spectacle in recent vintages. No surprise that it swoops in with one of the best $20 (street price) newcomers in 2011. This is the young and friendly member of the family; refreshing and relaxed, with vibrant cherry/berry fruits and tangy acidity. Soft, supple […]
readTulloch’s entry shiraz just hit the big time. If you’re up for paying $20 to see what 2011 Hunter shiraz is all about, here’s your ticket. It captures the poise of black plum and blackberry fruit of the season, underlined by long-lingering notes of black pepper and fine-tuned structure.$20 direct.
readTwo Rivers has delivered a particularly tangy and lively rendition of an excellent Hunter season. Violet perfume wafts over black plum and blackberry aromas, becoming berry compote on the palate, framed in finely textured tannins. Give it at least five years to show its best. $28 direct.
readIn Margaret River cabernet hailing from the great vintages of recent times, there’s nothing unusual about impressively pronounced black- and redcurrant fruit, well-defined tobacco, cigar box and capsicum, and signature regional high cocoa dark chocolate, coffee and graphite-fine tannins – except that you’d expect to find all this in wines starting at $30, not one […]
readCellaring special at a bargain price. Melding the generosity of black plum and liquorice fruit with the savoury restraint of carefully monitored ripeness, this is a wine constructed for a considerable future. Tightly clenched oak tannins pull the finish into a honed tail of impressive persistence. $20 at My Cellars, WineStar, No Frills Wine, Aussie […]
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