For all of its legendary shiraz, this cabernet was the wine that jumped out of a recent Clarendon Hills 2009 line up. Caution. This is wine of immense proportions, of impenetrable black hue and a density that’s fully off the clock yet – crucially – it never deviates for an instant from exactingly varietal and […]
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Paradigm Hill no more, this should be called Mount Paradigm! The Hill has ascended incrementally to new heights of refinement over recent vintages, attaining its most distinguished pinnacle in 2010. Les Cinq is restrained and graceful, a pinot noir defined by delicacy and purity, with wafts of rose petal perfume and red cherry, raspberry and […]
readThis is no nondescript quaffing white, but a true grigio in every sense, from its perfumed air of fresh lemon, crunchy pear and pear blossom, to its delightfully graceful and fragrant palate of pure, primary fruit focus, refreshing acidity and textural, mineral mouth feel. $11 at Jim’s Cellars and Dan’s.
readBrad has set a benchmark in bargain Margaret River cabernet for years, and this outstanding vintage perpetuates the legacy with more confidence than ever. Varietal and regional precision are accented with red- and blackcurrants, tobacco and capsicum. Vibrant fruit purity carries from start to finish, supported by soft, finely textured tannins. $17 at No Frills […]
readArgentina is a fast-ascending force in the wine world but the Catena family has been hand harvesting its vineyards on the Andean foothills of Mendoza for more than a century. Argentina’s talents with malbec are widely celebrated, and this is a particularly refined introduction. Impressively supple black fruit density is toned by refreshingly low alcohol […]
readRosé in Provence is lively, savoury, fresh and young, and it’s refreshing to find it reach Australia sufficiently youthful to hold its captivating vibe. Don’t be put off by this strangely curvaceous bottle, because its contents are enticingly pure, alive with crunchy pomegranate and pink grapefruit, finishing long, textural, chalky and mineral.
readThere is a dense, sumptuous richness and a refined fruit purity to all of Wayne Dutschke’s 2010 reds, rising to the expectation of one of the most handsome labels in the Barossa. It begins right here in his blend of his neighbours’ vineyards. Wonderfully concentrated black plum, blueberry, black cherry and liquorice fruit is at once […]
readSeville Estate is one of the mainstays of Upper Yarra viticulture, and the outstanding 2010 vintage has elevated its Estate Chardonnay to new heights of textural minerality, seamless precision, pristine fruit clarity and expertly crafted styling. Pure, focused and fresh grapefruit and white peach are beautifully integrated with cashew nut French oak, finishing with outstanding […]
readShiraz master Wayne Dutschke proved his skill with varietal cabernet under his ‘Sami’ label in recent times, but for years this has been his secret weapon in subtly tweaking shiraz. We have awaited his first cabernet shiraz in trembling, child-like anticipation. It has landed at last, and, boy oh boy, does it meet expectation. The […]
readSt Jak is Dutschke’s most important wine, and 2010 is as exactingly crafted and wonderfully generous as ever. It’s packed with opulent layers of black cherries and plums of warm, supple concentration yet precise definition. The finish carries seamless and exact, with supportive dark chocolate oak meshing with fine, supple tannins, warming alcohol and lingering […]
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