Is Waipara New Zealand’s most underrated wine turf? Distinguished and refined, the latest Pegasus Bay presents a well balanced tension between savoury, structured complexity and beautifully formed fruit expression. Fine-ground, mineral tannins form a wonderfully structured yet silky plane upon which black plum and black cherry fruit rest confidently, set amidst a brambly backdrop, carrying […]
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Benchmark varietal definition of crunchy red- and blackcurrants, leaf, red capsicum and lifted rose bud perfume, yet at the same time deep and intense in black fruit presence. There’s a poise to this vintage, drawn out by vineyards situated in the cooler parts of McLaren Vale, lifted by tangy acidity and structured with firm, fine-ground […]
readLively, floral and tangy, this is a well balanced Western Australian SSB. Lemon, line and grapefruit coalesce in a refreshing style of impressive line and length. $14 at WineBoss.
readJust what you want from McLaren Vale shiraz at a bargain price. Impressive hue of full, vibrant purple heralds a shiraz of great density of glossy blackberry and black cherry fruit, set against a backdrop of dark chocolate liquorice bullets. French oak sits subtly in the background. $15 at Dan Murphy’s.
readA refreshing, value-for-money Adelaide Hills sauvignon of gentle tropical fruit, offset by crunchy lemon and pear. It’s fruity, fragrant and immediate, with well-composed acidity upholding an even finish. $15 at Dan Murphy’s.
readRiesling will never be Coonawarra’s strongest suit, but limestone soils and a cool climate give it a fighting chance, and I find myself recommending Majella’s great value offering most years, thanks to its refreshing integrity and value for money. Lemon, lime, pear and apple fruit is slowly evolving subtle nuances of spice and toast, yet […]
readAccurate Eden Valley riesling at a great value price, with all the expected lemon blossom, lime zest and fullness smith apple crunch, this year fleshed out with a juicy fleshiness and a subtle impression of ripeness that makes its tense acidity appealingly approachable. Great length and line rarely seen at this price. $15 at Aussie […]
readThis is precise Eden Valley Riesling in all of its signature lemon blossom, green apple and lime glory, framed neatly in a fine, slatey, mineral mouth feel. The warm 2014 season presents excellent concentration of both flavour and acid line, with impressive persistence and ageing potential. $15 at Cracka, Grays Online and Dan Murphy’s.
readA shift to entirely estate grown fruit has elevated this label to impressive depth of blueberry, black plum, liquorice and dark chocolate character, while upholding admirable medium-bodied aspirations, fine-grained tannins, lively acidity and enticing mouth feel. $16 at The Pink Drinks.
readThis is my value for money find of the year in the sparkling shiraz world. It captures the fruit character of this family vineyard on the southern edge of the Flinders Ranges. Maturation in older American oak for a year-and-a-half before blending with older shiraz reserves heightens the intensity of black fruits of all kinds, […]
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