Peter Lehmann H&V Eden Valley Riesling

2014 was a concentrated season in which Eden Valley riesling shows heightened flavour and acidity. In the right hands, they unite to create balance and beauty. This is a beautifully pure and fragrant style of precise lemon blossom, spicy lime juice and crunchy granny smith apple. It’s generously full-flavoured and impressively persistent, making for alluring […]

Dutschke 80 Block St Jakobi Vineyard Merlot

Ken Semmler planted merlot in his St Jakobi vineyard in 1980, and this release is one of the best Australian merlots I’ve tasted in a long while. It’s a bargain, too. Distinctly merlot and classically Barossa, this is bright, crunchy and engaging style that confidently confirms Wayne and Brenda Dutschke’s decision to make merlot a […]

Pewsey Vale Eden Valley Riesling

The low cropping 2014 season produced impressive intensity, great persistence and excellent acid line in Pewsey Vale, yet with the expansive body and textural mouth feel to make it engaging from the outset. It’s delightfully fragrant and expressive in its pure lime zest, granny smith apple and lemon juice characters. One of the greats in […]

Xanadu DJL Margaret River Shiraz

Elegantly medium-bodied and light on its feet yet closing with depth and persistence, this is a shiraz with a dash of viognier, enlivening all the theatrics of violets, rose petals, blueberries and red cherries. The fragrance and poise upheld here are something to behold, and the tannins are sufficiently fine and supple that there’s no […]

Tim Adams The Fergus

Tim Adams regards his 17th release as his best grenache and tempranillo-based blend (with a little mataro and shiraz), putting a lot of time and effort into refining fermentation, maturation and blending. At five years of age, it’s a wonderful assemblage of violet perfume, succulent, vibrant berry fruits, exotic spice, and the dark chocolate and […]

The Yard Bimbimbi Vineyard Porongurup Riesling

The fragrance is breathtaking, leaping out of the glass with exuberant lily blossom, pepper and almost ripe granny smith apples. The palate is off-dry, tactically utilising gentle residual sweetness to offset finely structured acidity and soft mineral mouth feel. An impeccable, pristine off-dry riesling of immediate allure. Best price direct.

Juniper Crossing Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

A medium-bodied elegance elevates Juniper Crossing to a special place in 2012. This is a classic Margaret River style of pretty violet/rose aromas and crunchy redcurrant and red cherry fruit that permeates long into a tangy finish, backed by confident, fine-grained tannins. French oak is well controlled by winemaker Mark Messenger to let the fruit […]

Evans & Tate Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc

Lined up alongside mostly 2013 WA sauvignons, this 2012 was one of the freshest wines on the table, sustained by an energetic line of well-focused acidity. Partial wild yeast fermentation with a small amount of semillon in old French oak barrels draws out its spicy and complex side, without interrupting primary appeal of crunchy lime, […]

Cherubino Porongurup Riesling

Larry Cherubino has secured his position among the top names in riesling in Australia, and it’s this label that’s confirmed it. On crystalline purity and floral expression, this is one of the most captivating bouquets I have experienced in a long time. It’s breathtaking in its delicate white lilies, almost ripe pear and granny smith […]

Wirra Wirra The RSW McLaren Vale Shiraz

There’s a wonderfully lively focus here, energised by vibrant acidity, beautifully poised, driving tannins and fragrant violet notes, carrying the finish long and confident. Firm fine tannins propel layers of satsuma plum, blackberry and dark cherry fruit and liquorice. In all, one of the greatest RSWs to date, with a magnificent future stretching long before […]