The new era of Xanadu chardonnay is one of restrained, tightly coiled focus, driven by taut natural acidity rather than malolactic fermentation, with less oak and greater mineral texture. Reserve manages to exemplify all of this, while upholding the power of the Gin Gin chardonnay clone in Margaret River. Grapefruit and white peach flavours meet […]
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Château Coutet’s Aline Baly characterises the house style by its cut of clean, crisp acidity (‘Coutet’ means ‘knife’). Acidity always defines the finest sweet wines, and in 2007 it has crafted a particularly refined example, bringing consummate freshness and definition to a wine of profound concentration. There is a primary grapey focus here, with all […]
readEJ Carr 2001 is one of the most refined sparkling wines ever made in this country. Southern Tasmania has proven just what heights it can achieve in elegant subtlety of yellow plum, lemon zest and white peach fruit. A touch over ten years on lees has built great complexity of dried fruits, butter biscuits, mixed […]
readWindy Peak has attained a new pinnacle as it hones in on regional styles. This is an expertly constructed wine from a tough season, alive with fragrant lime blossom, cool lemon zest and cut grass aromas. A zippy and crunchy style, built around a high-tensile core of lime juice which lingers clean and long. $11 […]
readCuddly and approachable, this is purposely a fruity Margaret River shiraz, brimming with fresh cherries and juicy plums. But fear not, there’s plenty of black pepper to keep it dynamic, and supportive milk choc oak and firm, fine tannins to keep it honed. It will appreciate a year for fruit and oak to integrate. $15 […]
readI don’t drink a lot of wines from the northern Italian region of Valpolicella, but wines like this could entice me to change that. This is an impressively fragrant, spice-infused, lively and expressive style of tangy, medium-bodied appeal. Breathe deep and you’ll find all manner of allure: fragrant rose hip, berry compote, fresh white pepper, […]
readS&K are masters of vintage fortified and this is one of the best value 21st birthday wines on the shelves. There’s a poise to this wine, thanks to fresh clean ‘space’ on the finish that keeps it refined instead of cloying. The Rutherglen specialties of durif and shiraz join forces with the traditional Portuguese varieties […]
readMargaret River reserve cabernet rarely clocks in at this price – and this is a true reserve, the highest of the three tiers in the revered pyramid of Brad. Impressively coiled concentration of blackcurrant fruit is constrained within a finely-woven cage of rigid tannins. An excellent expression of an outstanding season, capturing Margaret River’s hallmarks […]
readA Chablis of tension and taut focus, excellent texture and restraint, built around chalky, mineral, mouthfilling structure. A hint of ferment funk adds complexity and intrigue to a honed white peach, lemon and grapefruit zest profile, lifted with impressive lemon blossom aromatics.
readDelectably understated, intricately honed, intensely focused and exactingly controlled, welcome to another immaculately crafted shiraz that speaks in articulate tones of chalky mineral texture derived from a bed of limestone under this remarkable site. A linear core of black plum skins, black cherries and pitch opens into fragrant nuances of violets, then fresh liquorice straps […]
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