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With zesty, cool climate credentials and plenty of refreshing flavour, this is hands-down the best Mike Press Rosé yet. It leaps out of the glass with fragrant rose petals, raspberries, pomegranate and guava. The palate is at once elegant and flavoursome, tangy, fresh, fine and lemon-accented (there’s a touch of chardonnay in the blend), propelled […]

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Mike Press is legendary for shiraz and cabernet, and now, too, for pinot noir. I have never before awarded a $15 pinot a gold medal score, but here you have it. This is not only my favourite Mike Press Pinot yet, it’s a solid contender for best sub-$15 wine of the year. And I’ve never […]

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Bold new livery represents the fourth iteration of the Mike Press label design in nine years, and his name has become larger on each update. The latest redesign puts it confidently front and centre – and rightly so: his is now a cult name in affordable Australian wine circles, and releases like this will keep […]

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The ultimate test of a great value wine: I took a bottle to a BBQ and at the end of the night my mates asked me where they could buy a bottle. They were delighted to hear that it’s just $14 at Dan Murphy’s. 2012 is a great vintage for this classic blend, kicking well […]

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A great value McLaren Vale shiraz of impressive colour, definition, character and depth. It’s filled with succulent, vibrant satsuma plums, blackberries and a note of pepper and spice; at once juicy and at the same time crunchy and lively. Subtle use of French oak builds fine and approachable tannins. $15 at Wine Cow and Dan […]

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Tim Kirk reports that 2013 was a return to the warm, sun-bathed seasons of the 2000s in Hilltops, with warm days and cool nights furnishing perfect ripeness. His is a refreshingly spice-driven Hilltop Shiraz, layered with violet perfume, pepper, dried herbs and black plum skins. Tannins are finely structured and drying, drawing out a long […]

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In the finest vintages, the second wines of the great estates of the world make fantastic buys and great value for money. 2012 is an outstanding Cliff Edge of persistence and refinement, impressively exotic and exuberant, yet restrained and focused. There’s great depth here of blackberry and black plum fruit, liquorice straps, pepper and exotic […]

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Tim Kirk describes vintage 2014 as a “wild ride” between October frost, November hail, February heat wave and April rain. To pull such an immediately alluring riesling out of this harrowing season is a testimony to his talent. It’s captivating even now, two-and-a-half months prior to its October release. Beautiful aromatics of kaffir lime and […]

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When shiraz reaches impeccable flavour and tannin ripeness at a refreshing 12.0% alcohol, the result can be captivating. The cool 2012 season has amplified the aromatics of Trinity Hill’s favourite variety on the Gimblett Gravels, and low impact winemaking has preserved its delicacy and fragrance. A hit of pronounced white pepper and crunchy black plum […]

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Don’t be put off by the name or the label, this 1600 bottle single vineyard McLaren Vale shiraz is beautifully refined and controlled. Linda Domas is a master of restraint, and this wine exemplifies her talent, preserving the definition of the biodynamic Creeper Vineyard of less than two-thirds of a hectare, planted in 2002 in […]

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