Blimey. Genuine Coonawarra terra rossa single vineyard cabernet with nigh-on a decade of glorious bottle age at a magical sub-$20 price. The cork says “Ladbroke Grove” which means it’s worth at least $10 more than this. It’s maturing slowly and steadily, layered with roast capsicum, game, dried thyme, cedar, wood smoke and tobacco. It’s primed […]
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A bargain cellaring special, this is a strong vintage for Knappstein, with great definition of black plum and black pepper. A firmly structured backbone of fine, textural tannins and sensitively handled oak ensure that it will live confidently for a decade and beyond. $15 at Gray’s Online.
readDistinctive and varietal viognier is rare at this price, and there is no finer rendition sub-$15 this year. There’s loads of viognier character here for $14, packed with apricots, cream pie, apricot kernel and orange. It’s juicy, textural, structured and friendly.
readThere’s real Barossa class on display at this affordable price. It’s luscious and rich with plums, dark berries, black jubes and liquorice supported by firm, fine tannins and finishing with impressive line and length.
readBernoota has been a silver medal winner in The Great Australian Red for years and this year it claimed its first trophy as the best entry under $20. Eucalypt overlays a palate of intense and deep blueberry and black cherry fruit. $17 at Wine List Australia.
readHigh altitude Adelaide Hills vines provide delightful aromatics of pomegranate, rose petal and cranberries, with a distinctively textural, savoury edge in this cool season. Restrained, soft and bone dry, this is a rosé of effortless elegance. $18 at Dan’s.
readA revival of the great blends of Queltaler of the 1970s, showcasing old vine Clare fruit harvested at sensible ripeness and crafted with subtle oak. The result is an appealing assemblage of deep black plum shiraz, blackcurrant cabernet and a touch of mixed spice grenache.
readConfident and versatile, this is a sauvignon of complexity, depth and intensity that marries fruit purity and line with the textural finish of barrel fermentation. It’s a confluence of primary nashi pear, elderflower, musk and almond meal.
readYalumba’s take on The Great Australian Red is distinctive for its cabernet focus, making its wines brighter, more floral and more elegant. A more determined structure makes them particularly age-worthy, too. Buy the 2008 now and look out for the 2010 in future. $35 at Boccaccio, Wine List Australia and Dan’s.
readLusatia Park vineyard nurtures one of the Yarra Valley’s most beautiful expressions of pinot noir, laden with refined rose petal, exotic spice and dried flower aromas. Consummately detailed, delightfully exotic and hauntingly seductive, this is an engaging and appealing vintage, enhanced with the exoticism of 20% whole bunch fermentation. $38 at Wine House.
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