A 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, […]

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Some young wines take hours to declare their full greatness, churning and evolving for some time before finding themselves. Others possess such an effortless confidence and elegant balance that their full calibre is apparent in seconds. Even months before its October release, 2013 declares itself as one of the great Clonakillas, thanks to a season […]

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There is plenty of black fruit intensity and toasty oak wrapped into the folds of this estate-grown shiraz, yet it upholds its cool climate credentials in vibrant acidity and finely textured tannin structure. A real bargain at $13 at Wine Cow and Dan Murphy’s (2010).

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From two vineyards in deep loam on sunny, east facing slopes, this affordable blend contrasts the fine, tight lime and lemon definition of Watervale with the generous baked apple and spice character of 2013. A riesling of approachable immediacy and crowd-pleasing softness, finishing with gentle notes of honey. $20 direct.

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A bargain Frankland River cabernet blend that captures the vibrant tang of this cool region, uniting it seamlessly with crunchy blackcurrants and sweet mulberries. Tannins are fine and firm, providing focus to an engaging and fruit-driven style. $11 at Wine Cow.

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Here’s proof that Tash Mooney is truly multi-talented (though we knew this already). Her first ever fizz is gently elegant, softly savoury and beautifully textured. Pinot noir’s red berries and chardonnay’s lemons are underlined by delightful chalk minerality of this exciting site between Woodside and Oakbank. Stylish packaging, sophisticated contents and great value at $20 […]

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Notes of mandarin blossom and red apple hover amidst youthful lime and pink grapefruit definition, softly integrated acidity and understated structure. A young semillon of finesse, purity and lingering acid line. $18 direct (2011).

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This is hands-down the best cabernet from Mount Horrocks yet. It sings with exacting varietal distinction of cassis, crunchy blackcurrants, red capsicum and tobacco leaf, at once ripe and sumptuous and at the same time well structured with firm, fine, chewy tannins and taut acid. It’s long and intense yet eminently medium-bodied. Outstanding. $30 at […]

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Late last year I sat down with a Barossa and an Adelaide Hills grower and we assembled between the three of us the most interesting alternative variety reds that we could lay our hands on. This was my pick of them. Winemaking gun Toby Barlow’s craftsmanship is on show here, though he gives all the […]

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To achieve delicate perfume and bright, crunchy fruit vibrancy while upholding depth and determination is a red winemaking dream rarely realised as emphatically as this. Radiant elegance of crunchy red and dark berry/cherry/plum fruit meets layers of spice, pepper and pretty, lifted rose petal fragrance. The mouth feel is finely textured and impeccably poised, infused […]

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