If you asked the mirror who’s the fairest pinot maker in the land, it’s got to be Billy. His 2010 trilogy is about to hit the ground and you want them all. My favourite changed every time I came back to them over three days, but the Yarra won out. Delicate and lively with precise […]
readThere’s a perfumed, floral lift to Lyndoch shiraz in the far south of the Barossa, and Wayne Dutschke bottles it better than anyone. GHR is the result of years of eyeing off his neighbour’s fruit! The 08 is his blackest and deepest yet, seething with blackberries, blueberries, plums and liquorice. Patience.
readKrug is the epitome of luxe, grandeur and decadence, with an other-worldliness and an amplitude as lofty as its mesospheric price. GC is definitive Krug, exotically rich, extravagantly complex and thunderingly expansive. It’s every bit as enchanting as its legendary reputation anticipates. $230 at 1st Choice.
readLook out, there’s a new chardonnay on the top shelf and it’s about to cause a stir. Not because it takes on Giaconda, Leeuwin, Bin A or Tapanappa but because it looks nothing like them. Pour RG blind and I’d make a complete fool of myself with words like ‘Grand Cru’, ‘Puligny’ and ‘Montrachet.’ Truth […]
readThe grand chardonnay makeover has come to sub-$20 land and, my goodness, has it arrived in style! Gorgeously restrained, rippling with mountain river pebble minerality and glistening with lemon and lime zest, Next of Kin is as pristine as Margy Chardy gets at this price.
readHenschke may not be known for its Adelaide Hills Pinot but that’s all about to change. There’s a newfound delicacy, a seamless finesse and a gentle sensitivity to the 09, captured in its perfumed rose petal bouquet, gentle red cherry palate and fine, supportive tannin texture.
readILR plays front row for the A-team of Hunter semillon and 2005 is equal with its most successful seasons ever. Pristine semillon of the highest order, still a youthful, verdant green, ricocheting with the purest lemon, lime and lemongrass and a faint hint of roast nut maturity. It’ll keep kicking goals for decades.
readLeonay is the wine of the vintage of the early release Eden Valley rieslings! Achingly pure perfume of lemon blossom and lily, and a drop-dead-gorgeous finish of river pebble minerality. It’s a thing of profound purity and mesmerising beauty and it will leave you transfixed. $30 at Dan Murphy’s.
readThe Peregrine has flown to a new altitude in 09! There’s loads of glossy Central Otago joy here, black cherries and sweet berry compote, edged with finely textured tannins and subtle supportive oak. The finish is longer than a five day weekend (bring it on!). $38 at Vintage Cellars.
readThe finest Clare shiraz can do power and density with perfume and control like nothing else. Tim Adams is among the best value labels in the land and Aberfeldy is his uptown rendition. Remarkable complexity of mixed spice and layered black fruits; astonishing texture, persistence and energy.
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