2011 is a stunning vintage for Gulf Station Chardonnay, a wine of alluring subtlety, elegant persistence and wonderfully fine texture rarely seen at this price. Frequent lees stirring gin barrel and tank builds complexity, texture and impressive complexity of struck flint and charcuterie. Low yielding Yarra Vines contribute zesty grapefruit and understated white peach. $16 […]

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This is declassified Rioja from the younger vines of Valdemar, though the declassification is a technicality – they could label it Rioja if they wanted to. A great value introduction to Rioja, it’s a softly textural, fruity and immediate style emphasising its 100% Tempranillo fruit, and virtually no oak influence, after just four months in […]

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60th vintage release – something very few Australian wines can claim. It rises to the occasion in a lovely elegant style from a great vintage. At less than $13 at First Choice and Dan Murphy’s this week, this is the real bargain of the range, as Wynns other labels are priced ever further into the […]

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The child of a season Phillip Moraghan describes as ‘postcard perfect,’ this is one of the most pristine pinot gris I’ve encountered this year. Magnificent and crystal clear in its clarity of pear, lemon and hints of fresh nutmeg, it’s an immaculate contrast of impeccably balanced fruit concentration and the taut acidity of this cool […]

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A long-lived Cigar that more than outshines its season, thanks to the inclusion of the fruit that would otherwise have made 1,000 cases of Menzies, a significant one-third of this blend. The result is an accurate expression of cabernet, tweaked with 7% merlot, with crunchy redcurrant and blackcurrant fruit, notes of leaf, tobacco and cedar […]

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Wynns Black Label is an institution in bargain Australian cabernet, and while it’s jumped from $35 two years ago to $40 last year and now $45, its the street price hasn’t changed – still regularly $25 (Jim Murphy’s, Dan Murphy’s, No Frills, Aussie Wines, Wine List Australia and Chambers Cellars). The latest rendition is a […]

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One of the best Chertsey’s yet, there’s a newfound elegance to this wine in 2010, more fragrant and enticing than ever, laced into a seamless whole of impressively persistent concentration and vibrant poise. It’s a co-fermented blend of almost equal shares of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc, without any suggestion of the slightest separation […]

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Released at five years of age, Contours is one of the A-league of Eden Valley riesling. Under screw cap for a decade, this late release vintage is a bold proclamation of the magnificence and impeccable balance of this label, and its ability to mature slowly and evenly. It’s attained a gloriously backward point in its […]

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A great Menzies of well-defined fruit and enduring potential, paying tribute to exacting attention to ever finer details of production in the vineyard and winery. It’s not due to land until November, but it needs at least another five years and preferably ten to really show at its best. Right now it takes some time […]

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Treasury Wine Estate’s philosophy of inflating Michael’s price alongside John Riddoch is daring. As distinguished as Michael may be, he’s consistently outclassed by his sibling, making a 67% price rise over two years look like too much to pay. The 2010 is a complex and savoury style, taking quite some time for black plum, dark […]

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