There’s real craftsmanship on display here – not something we often hear about Australian merlot, let alone sparkling merlot. It captures the flattering side of Limestone Coast Merlot in its lifted rose petal and red berry bouquet and creamy palate of crunchy red- and blackcurrants, gliding smoothly into a long, concentrated finish supported by gently […]
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Savagnin, Verdelho and Roussanne unite in a gloriously floral expression of jasmine, frangipane, grapefruit blossom, white nectarine, nashi pear and wild honey. A lively style with a faint touch of phenolic texture on a restrained, crunchy finish, ready to go with sushi and sashimi.
readThe cool 2011 season was a great season for rosé in the spicy, peppery, dry style, and this is one of the best of them. Reflecting the savoury personality of Mornington shiraz, it’s full of cracked pink pepper, tomato and zesty pink grapefruit. A textural, finely mineral style with a bond dry finish of great […]
readSangiovese’s medium-bodied personality and vibrancy of fresh acidity remain the focus here, but what really takes this Chianti to the next level is the density of its rounded black plum, cherry, liquorice and pitch flavours. It’s linear and taut, with finely poised tannins and notes of violet perfume.
readThe highlight of the estate of the godfather of biodynamics in Champagne, this is a refreshing rosé of pink peppercorns, rose petals, pomegranates and red cherries. It’s full and fruity on the front and vibrant, crunchy and dry on the end. Great value springtime champagne. $79 at Randall’s.
readWe gave this crunchy little SBS a silver medal in the Geographe wine show for its fresh lemon/lime fruit and cut grass flavours. A year-and-a-half in the bottle has blessed it with a touch of lanolin complexity and an attractively textural and structured finish. Value summer quaffing.
readBrilliant value for an approachable Aussie shiraz with the distinctive spicy, peppery characters of the west. A generous vintage for Omrah, with rich black fruits, anise and a nuance of charry oak. The spice and finely textural tannins of Great Southern shine through on a long, plush, black fruits finish. $16 at Gray’s.
readHere’s proof that Barossa red wine specialist Kym Teusner, well, isn’t! He took me by surprise in the elegant restraint he’s captured here; a skilfully crafted wine of delicate and refreshing poise. Apple, pear, white nectarine and grapefruit flavours finish crisp and dry.
readAn impressive performance from O’Leary in a vintage that challenged others, this is a wine of taut definition of fresh lime juice, overlaid with the perfume of pink lady apples and the texture of crunchy pears. It’s concentrated and defined, with rounded guava notes and the chalky minerality that characterises Polish Hill. $19 at Dan’s […]
readYesterday was rosé day but Chapel Hill winemaker Michael Fragos reckons every day should be rosé day. Perhaps it would be if every bottle were as restrained, savoury, elegant, textural, dry and downright gorgeous as this! Sangiovese lends its signature tomato-like savouriness to pink grapefruit, watermelon and guava flavours. $20 at Nick’s.
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