Immediately after tasting this wine, I dove straight into my cellar and opened a bottle of Peter Lehmann Reserve Riesling 2002, the predecessor of Wigan and one of my favourite Australian rieslings of all time. My hope was that the 2009 might be on the same level. It’s not. But, blimey, it’s not far off. […]

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From the steep, gravelly, 1970s- planted slopes of the historic Langton vineyard in Mt Barker, this is a wine that sings of old vine character and great site expression. It’s magnificent now in its purity and drive of lemon, lime, red apple and crunchy pear, and it promises to live long, thanks to a backbone […]

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Jeffrey Grosset ranks this among the most appealing releases of this wine in recent times. To me his 22nd release of this blend of 75% Clare Valley semillon and 25% Adelaide Hills sauvignon blanc is a brilliantly engineered SSB for the long-haul. It’s a beautifully floral style of lily blossom and lime fruit, capturing impressive […]

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To obtain such complexity and richness and yet uphold fresh, tangy, energetic acidity is the key to the greatest sweet wines, and Stephanie has nailed it this vintage. In aroma, flavour, intensity, structure and vitality this release is a step up even from the magnificence that we have come to expect from this label. It […]

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Delicacy without bracing acidity is a fine line in cool climate chardonnay, and PHI strikes an impeccable balance in 2012. With intricate purity, magnificent tension and detailed focus, this is an exceptional release for one of the Yarra’s great chardonnays. Struck flint and delicate lemon zest define a well honed yet impeccably seamless palate of […]

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The extreme heat early in the 2014 vintage proved to disrupt the purity and longevity of many Clare rieslings, yet Jeffrey Grosset manages to uphold refined purity within the impressively spicy intensity of the season in this wine. Exacting definition of lime, lemon and granny smith apple fruit is nuanced with kaffir lime spice. There […]

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Rob Mann suggest that the dry, early and warmer than average 2011 vintage produced a fuller in flavour and more concentrated sauvignon blanc semillon blend, though to me the finished result is testimony to the resilience of these old vines on the Cape Mentelle estate in riding out the subtle variations of the seasons. It’s […]

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There has always been another dimension to Plantagenet Cabernet, a spice vector that adds another layer to the profile. The 2012 presents a suggestion of cinnamon and clove, within a pristine style that captures exacting varietal definition of violet fragrance, black and redcurrants, capsicum, tobacco and cedar. It is distinguished, effortless, medium bodied and impeccably […]

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The backbone of Black Label are Wynns’ magnificent single vineyards on the terra rossa strip. The 2012 is classic Coonawarra cabernet, back in the admirably restrained mould of 2009. It’s an excellent release, classic, fine-boned, taut and drawn, built around a fine scaffold of rigid, fine and textural tannins. There’s a core of coiled blackcurrant […]

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In fragrance, purity, energy and slatey mineral texture, Polish Hill is the riesling of the year to date. Nothing in Clare or Eden Valley comes close in this warm season, so I lined up the best of Western Australia and Tasmania, and Grosset Polish Hill came out on top. A gloriously fragrant bouquet of lily […]

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