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 […]
readA 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 […]
readTim 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 […]
readIn 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 […]
readTim 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 […]
readWhen 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 […]
readDon’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 […]
readJansz has crafted one of the great Australian sparkling wines, presenting an exacting and captivating balance between fruit presence, lees maturity and zesty freshness. An elegant and delightfully complex nose of fresh pear, lemon zest, brioche, honey and a hint of fig introduces a beautifully poised palate that unites the rich complexity of barrel fermentation […]
readJust inland from the coast, Calgardup Brook Vineyard is the source of the most elegant and focused of McHenry Hohnen’s 2012 chardonnays. It’s a consummately honed and restrained Margaret River style that present balanced layers of rich white peach and crunchy grapefruit, subtle complexity of wild barrel fermentation and neatly integrated notes of roast cashew […]
readA graceful triumph for a warm season, and an outstanding Abercrombie that makes its mark not because it is a blockbuster, but quite the contrary, a classic, medium-bodied Western Australian cabernet of intricate refinement. A blend of Mount Barker and Margaret River, there’s loads of complexity wrapped into its folds, with tobacco, cedar, coffee bean, […]
read