Le Sol is one of the top syrahs of Hawke’s Bay, and 2011 is one of its greatest hits, with an immense future before it. It’s enticingly complex, yet at every moment exactingly controlled and effortlessly calm, gliding with monumental persistence and seamless line of captivating allure. A delightful, vibrant purple red hue, it leaps […]

read

Fonseca upholds 2011 as its best vintage since 1963. My memory doesn’t go back that far, but there’s no doubting the sheer class of this vintage port of remarkable purity, effortless grace and wonderful balance between acidity, structure and fruit. It’s amazing from the outset, with a full, vibrant purple hue heralding a bouquet of […]

read

Tastes like shiraz, tastes like Australia, and at this price that’s all you need. It’s vibrant, bright, fruity, spicy and well balanced, with plums, red berries and pepper underlined by finely structured tannins. $8 at Jim’s Cellars and Our Cellar.

read

At this price, hold your breath (and your nose) when approaching a new wine. Not this one! A fresh, clean and fruit-focused quaffer of considerable appeal. It even tastes like pinot grigio: refreshing and tangy, with crunchy pear and lemon zest liveliness, subtle texture and elegant spice notes. $8 at Cracka.

read

Hailing largely from Langhorne Creek and Big Rivers, this blend of 55% cabernet sauvignon and 42% merlot reflects impressively varietal accents of redcurrants, capsicum and leaf. Tangy acidity and finely structured tannins provide good support, and will benefit from another year in bottle to soften. $8 at Jim’s Cellars.

read

I wrote 244 words of notes when chief winemaker Bernard Hickin poured this new vintage riesling for me. Got to be a record in word to price ratio. Mostly because it took him that long to explain to me how he can grow such an elegant, cool climate lookalike riesling in Langhorne Creek. Yes, two-thirds […]

read

An elegant and well balanced bargain rosé and a credit to its vast inland fruit sources. Supple strawberry and raspberry fruit is neatly upheld by balanced acidity and a touch of well integrated residual sweetness on the finish. $7 at Liquorland Direct (2012).

read

Best Mike Press Rosé yet? Yes. A serious rosé at a bargain price, contrasting cherry blossom and ripe strawberry and raspberry fruit with the refreshingly tangy acidity of this cool, high vineyard. Gentle tannin texture supports a long, dry finish. Best price direct.

read

An elegant take on Mike Press Merlot, an attractive amalgam of tangy red cherry and cranberry fruit and mixed spice, supported by dark chocolate oak (French and American) and firm, fine, grippy tannin structure. At 14.8%, the alcohol dominates a little on the finish, leaving it a touch hot, but it gets away with it, […]

read

For the miniscule yields inherent to botrytis, a bargain dessert wine that hasn’t been concocted by freezing or reverse osmosis in the winery is nigh-on unheard of, and this is why Vat 5 is nothing short of remarkable. Baby brother to the iconic Noble One, it’s matured in small portion in oak and spends a […]

read