Purposely an approachable style for early drinking, this is a spicy and exotic riesling of guava, pink lady apple and pink grapefruit character. It unites the exoticism of a warm January with the cool, focused acid line of a mild end to summer. $23 at United Cellars.
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Sidewood sells half its gris and keeps the best for this label. It’s a true gris, spicy, succulent and slippery, with ripe pear fruit, balanced with tight, fine Adelaide Hills acidity and softly integrated phenolic structure. An impressive style in its varietal integrity and food-matching dexterity. $19 at The Liquor Shack.
readYarra Burn has lined up the hits in the sub-$20 fizz department this year, and this just might be the bargain sparkling of the year. Eight year old Yarra Valley rosé should not sell for such a measly price, particularly when it presents such graceful, creamy, silky structure, subtle mature complexity and secondary red fruit […]
readThis pure, lively, well crafted, off-dry cellar door only riesling leads out with a beautifully fragrant lime blossom and granny smith apple bouquet. The palate contrasts zesty lemon vivacity with nicely balanced and integrated residual sweetness, creating a seamless and enticing effect. Best price direct.
readCool weather after the rain of 14 February was an ideal end to an otherwise challenging season and this is winemaker Peter Munro’s favourite wine of the vintage. Sourced from estate vineyards in High Eden, it’s an exotic, spice-laden and intense riesling, much more extroverted and immediately engaging than usual for this style. Guava and […]
readA fragrant and elegant pinot noir of rose hip pink pepper, red cherry and raspberry fruit, in a refreshingly light-bodied style. Fruit integrity and persistence are impressive, showcasing the calibre of this great estate even at this second tier level Tannins are fine and supple and acidity is gently integrated, making it perfect to drink […]
readGentle, yes, but certainly not silent. From a young single vineyard in the Victorian Highlands, just outside the Macedon GI, this is a light and friendly young vine pinot that accurately expresses red berry fruits with notes of cool climate dried herbs. Fine tannins are well integrated and the finish is even, showing integrity and […]
readElegant and fragrance are the themes of this Yarra pinot noir. It embodies the pretty rose hip personality of this variety, over brambles and dried herbs, structured with impressive presence of confident, finely poised tannins. Tangy morello cherry fruit and dried herb notes linger on a lively finish. Value. $25 at ANZ Wines, Aussie Wines […]
readThere’s an elegant, uncomplicated finesse to this vintage for Isabel, producing a pinot noir of fragrant elegance and enduring longevity from this sustainable family vineyard. A pretty bouquet of rose hip, pure red cherries and rhubarb heralds a palate beautifully expressive of the elegant Marlborough style, uniting pure red cherry fruit with firm, finely poised […]
readAta Rangi winemaker Helen Masters says that vine age is the biggest influence in their wines as it determines where the vines sit in the soil structure, with older vines sending their roots deeper into the Martinborough gravel. The philosophy with Crimson is a younger vine selection, while still looking to express the character of […]
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