2012 represents one of my favourite vintages from Wayne Dutschke, possessing a calm and poised demeanour, yet upholding the luscious succulence of black fruit character that we adore in his wines. Oscar exemplifies all there is to love about his 2012s, glossy, yet with more dignity than ever. The hue is an impressively full, vibrant […]

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Great value WA chardonnay of character and definition, contrasting enticing struck flint and gunpowder reductive character with tightly-honed grapefruit and lemon, opening into white peach fruit. Cashew nut French oak is subtle and supportive, enhancing fruit texture and definition. $18 at Corkscrew Cellars and Dan’s.

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Introducing one of the most distinctive, characterful and enticing light-bodied reds. It would do it a disservice to label it a rosé, rather a nebbiolo with the dexterity to stand in for a lighter pinot noir. It was fully fermented on skins, with a portion of Arrivo’s top nebbiolo added for definition, depth and structure. […]

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Yes, white pinot. Or pale blush, to be correct. Three hours of skin contact has made for a pretty and understated rosé, but with such diversity of styles in this category, it’s nice to see an evocative name, even if not quite correct. It’s beautifully crafted, too, upheld by wonderfully vibrant, cool region acidity which […]

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A good dose more spice than usual this year lends a layer of complexity rarely found at this price, while upholding the supple core of black plums, black cherries and rhubarb for which we love Riebke. It’s fresh, lively and eminently fruity, with just enough support from fine, supple tannins. It doesn’t pretend to be […]

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Old meets new in this signature Margaret River cabernet merlot of outstanding value for money. There is a modern depth to its crunchy black- and redcurrant fruit, within a classically unforced, savoury, medium-bodied guise, impeccably structured with graphite-fine tannins and supported by tangy acidity and notes of high cocoa dark chocolate. Give it time. $22 […]

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Primo has been working with botrytis since 1981 but this is the first vintage since 2008 and, boy, has it been worth the wait: this is one of the best La Magias yet. Spiced up with 15% Coonawarra traminer, it retains riesling’s integrity amidst great complexity of kaffir lime, honey, lime marmalade, mixed spice and […]

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A new line for Schwarz, with old-fashioned techniques like hand picked, wild fermentation and a portion of whole bunches (22%) delivering a modern Barossa style – in all the very best ways. It captures the character of shiraz from Stonewell, Moppa and Eden Valley in a beautifully expressive style of black plum, black cherry, liquorice […]

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A magnificent pinot gris, but more than that, a showpiece for both immaculate fruit in a great vintage and exceedingly skilful winemaking. Wild fermented and aged on lees in old French barrels, it’s delightfully reductive, filled with precise gunpowder and struck flint notes against a backdrop of crunchy pear and apple. A compact core of […]

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Larry Cherubino’s 2012 was magnificent, and here’s proof it was no fluke, the first serious competition in the West for Frankland Estate’s iconic Isolation Ridge. Breathtaking fragrance of the most pure and delicate lemon blossom flows undeviating from start to finish, gently supported by desperately pure kaffir lime zest, granny smith apple, fennel and lemon […]

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