Audrey has scored not one but three mentions in my line up of heroes, and this is the best value. Nuances appearing in the more pricey highlights of the vintage, like pure lime, granny smith apple and exciting hints of anise and pepper. Tight, honed, concentrated & acid-driven, it will age, too.

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Mount Pleasant semillons have evolved toward a riper style in recent vintages, and this year Elizabeth has landed in the ripe stone fruit, mandarin and tropical fruit zone. She finishes clean and fresh with lingering minerality. If you’re into this style, she’s a bargain at $11 at Dan’s this week.

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Usher Tinkler’s wines have been on the rise for some years and in 2011 they’ve really hit the big time! This is a very small price to pay for such concentration and profile of pure lemon and kaffir lime fruit, energetic acidity and long finish. I love it now and it has the stamina to […]

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This is what lively, young Hunter semillon is about. With fresh lemon and white nectarine notes, it’s approachable and flamboyant, pulled into line in the end by a taut acid leash. Funky label. Check it out.

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A classic expression of Hunter 2011 at a price that everyone can afford to keep a bottle in the fridge for springtime sipping. Pure, vibrant, taut, shot with lime and lemon and a twist of green capsicum on the finish. Good length and profile makes this a well-made, value for money style.

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One of the great bargains of the vintage. The Inglewood vineyard of the Upper Hunter produces semillon worthy of a much higher price. Lime blossom perfume; crunchy lime and granny smith apple palate of true line, lingering persistence and well-crafted definition. It will age, too.

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This is not the greatest Bin 9000 ever, nor is it particularly representative of 2011, but it’s popping up online for as little as $7.50, so if you’re looking for a quaffing semillon at the riper, sweeter end of the spectrum, it’s a bargain option. Rockmelon and paw paw fruit with a fresh, crisp finish.

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There are big changes at hand at Gosset (when I visited it was quite a construction zone), but the consistent standard of this wine remains undeviating. Skip the entry Brut Excellence (it isn’t) and trade up to this fat bottle with its poised lemon zest, nougat and gentle minerality. $95 at Dan’s.

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Maurice is back on form in the great 09 vintage, showcasing the fruit of the oldest vines of the most famous historic vineyard of the Hunter in all of their black plum and cherry glory. Tightly wound, poised and driven by the acid backbone and restraint of this long-ageing season. $55 at Kemeny’s.

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A mainstay of Stonier Reserve Pinot, the old vines of the Lyncroft vineyard have finally been given wings to fly solo. A dramatic performance of exotic spice and pot pourri stunts, red cherry and plum fruit swoops and turns, pulling into a straight line of persistent drive and very fine, silky tannins. It’s flying so […]

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