An excellent Jackson of appeal and longevity, melding these two varieties seamlessly and promising an exciting future. Beautiful aromatic presence unites the succulent blueberry fruits of shiraz with the crunchy redcurrants and leaf of cabernet. The palate is very well balanced, with bright acidity and grippy, chewy, finely textured tannins providing great definition and focus […]

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One-third each of Mount Barker, Porongurup and Frankland, this is a riesling of crystalline restraint, understated fragrance and enduring persistence. Lime zest, granny smith apple and lemon blossom unite in a calm and focused style of seamless flow, driven by impeccably integrated yet unnervingly linear acidity, undeterred on a very long finish, accented by gentle […]

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Shaw + Smith is on a steep trajectory into the wonderful world of pinot noir, and this is a particularly skilfully crafted release with a confident future before it. A perfumed and accurate nose of rose hip, pure morello cherry and brambles glides into a poised, elegant and tangy palate of finely textured structure and […]

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Stephen George is fanatical about pinot noir in his special pocket high in the Adelaide Hills, and he’s spent the past 30 years experimenting with 25 different clones of the variety. Four have stood out as the best, and for the first time, his Estate Pinot Noir is a blend exclusively of these. The lively, […]

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Yalumba winemaker Peter Gambetta got excited about a particular parcel of Wilyabrup cabernet, and the result is the first reserve wine for Ringbolt. Yes, it really was just 21 barriques. Its focused restraint hints at its grand longevity, with coiled potential of shy yet intense blackcurrant fruit, firm, graphite-fine tannins and well-defined acidity. Classy dark […]

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2012 represents one of my favourite vintages from Wayne Dutschke, possessing a calm and poised demeanour, yet upholding the luscious succulence of black fruit character that we adore in his wines. Oscar exemplifies all there is to love about his 2012s, glossy, yet with more dignity than ever. The hue is an impressively full, vibrant […]

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Great value WA chardonnay of character and definition, contrasting enticing struck flint and gunpowder reductive character with tightly-honed grapefruit and lemon, opening into white peach fruit. Cashew nut French oak is subtle and supportive, enhancing fruit texture and definition. $18 at Corkscrew Cellars and Dan’s.

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Introducing one of the most distinctive, characterful and enticing light-bodied reds. It would do it a disservice to label it a rosé, rather a nebbiolo with the dexterity to stand in for a lighter pinot noir. It was fully fermented on skins, with a portion of Arrivo’s top nebbiolo added for definition, depth and structure. […]

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Yes, white pinot. Or pale blush, to be correct. Three hours of skin contact has made for a pretty and understated rosé, but with such diversity of styles in this category, it’s nice to see an evocative name, even if not quite correct. It’s beautifully crafted, too, upheld by wonderfully vibrant, cool region acidity which […]

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A good dose more spice than usual this year lends a layer of complexity rarely found at this price, while upholding the supple core of black plums, black cherries and rhubarb for which we love Riebke. It’s fresh, lively and eminently fruity, with just enough support from fine, supple tannins. It doesn’t pretend to be […]

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