The champagnes of the ladies of Lassalle are enchanting and sophisticated expressions of their pretty village of Chigny-les-Roses. This is a beautifully composed take on the finest vintage of the past decade, holding tremendous energy and fruit concentration of yellow summer fruits, with bottle-derived complexity of roast chestnuts, figs, mixed spice and brioche. A subtle […]

read

In its distinctive, rippled bottle, this is a moscato that finds a balance between its honeyed sweetness, spicy ginger and – crucially – tangy lemon flavours. It’s well made, well priced at $12 (Dan’s) and will respond well to an aggressive chill.

read

This energetic, zippy thing will quicken the pace of any summer seafood fest! It’s classic Margaret River SSB with a dash of chardonnay, ricocheting with all the action of passionfruit, lemon, lime zest and green peas. Impressive acid profile and length. $14 at Chambers Cellars and Jim’s Cellars.

read

Yesterday I lined up 100 Barossa reds priced from $17 to over $100 and of all the bottles I could have kept aside to drink with dinner, this little $20 beauty scored the gig. I love it because it’s perfumed, fragrant, vibrant and accented by crunchy acidity, virtues too often absent in soupy Barossa reds […]

read

Here’s brilliant value in cool climate WA shiraz, particularly for $17 at Winesaver this week. A wine of bright definition and poise, it ripples with black pepper and dried herbs, over a backdrop of black plum fruit and excellent, textural, fine tannins. Give it time.

read

Taché is one of the first bottles on my list when I’m chasing bargain sparkling rosé. There’s not a dud vintage in the past five years, and the new season is as finely balanced as ever. A pretty, pale salmon hue and aromas of rose petal and wild strawberries anticipate a crisp and refreshing palate […]

read

The ever-reliable, party-starting JC rosé is much more sophisticated than its vibrant hue and miniscule price might suggest. The cool 2011 vintage has infused more spicy appeal than ever, adding notes of pink pepper to its familiar strawberry ice cream and raspberry flavours, finishing off-dry and refreshingly textural. $7.50 at Dan’s.

read

2010 was South Australia’s best red wine vintage in years, and it’s lifted this label to new levels of blueberry, plum and pepper definition. Oak tucks neatly into its folds, giving poise to its tannins and a finely textured mouthfeel to its long finish. $9.50 at Dan’s.

read

Fresh, fruity, zesty and perfumed, this cool season has manifested a lemon-zest-accented chardonnay that’s ready to step in for a riesling or semillon to kick off any summer lunchtime seafood extravaganza. White lily perfume, spicy pears, fresh lemons and golden delicious apples conspire in a clean and finely structured style. $11 at Dan’s.

read

Not since De Bortoli Windy Peak 2008 has any sub-$15 grigio looked more refined than this. No corners have been cut in the recipe, and oh how it shows! Whole bunch pressing preserves its luscious poached pear generosity and taut lemon and grapefruit crispness, while wild yeast fermentation and aging on lees build texture and […]

read