Santolin Cosa Nostra Vermentino 2019

 

A fuller style Vermentino with a rounded persona. It's hard not to be seduced by its tropical feels and energetic citrus zest.

by Merrill Charley Rose Dry Rosé 2020

 

Dry by name and bone dry by nature. An easy barbecue slurp.

by Merrill Dancing Queen Riesling 2020

 

An easy drinking Riesling from this new range of wines released from Geoff Merrill.

O'Leary Walker Seasonal Release Pinotage 2019

 

There are only a couple of Pinotage wines produced in Australia. This new release from O'Leary Walker is a welcome addition. Quite a delicious wine, I love its curves and rustic mouthfeel.

Nikkal Rosé 2020

 

This Nikkal Rosé is a story of triumph and selflessness. Winemaker Kate Goodman has vowed to donate ALL profits from this wine to the Breast Cancer Network of Australia.

Soumah Hexham Vineyard Viognier 2019

 

Love Viognier? Put Soumah on your hit list. This release stamps its authority and once again and reinforces why Soumah is one of my favoured Viognier producers in Australia.

Fat Bastard Malbec 2019

 

Malbec imported from Mendoza, Argentina.

Hayes Family Wines Koonunga Creek South Grenache 2019

 

Such a pretty and fragrant Grenache. I just want to swim in it. Of the three Hayes Family Wines new Grenache releases, this catapulted me to heaven.

Hayes Family Wines Koonunga Creek North Grenache 2019

 

The type of Grenache with an alluring depth but yet it possesses a dancy side too. Roast duck here we come.

Hayes Family Wines Glengrae Old Bush Block Grenache 2019

 

Quite funky on opening. This Grenache is one out of the box and one I reckon will pulverise. For me, I'm a big fan.

Terre à Terre Crayères Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2019

 

Woah! Sophisticated Sauv Blanc. This is the type of Sauvignon Blanc I want to drink. It's considered and intriguing. 

Hayes Family Wines Ebenezer Shiraz 2018

This Shiraz captures the richness and generosity of the Barossa sub-region Ebenezer perfectly.

Fat Bastard Shiraz 2019

These Fat Bastard wines are pitched towards those that enjoy a bigger style wine. 

Fat Bastard Pinot Noir 2018

 

These Fat Bastard wines are marketed as "full bodied" wines but this Pinot isn't in that ball park. Quite a lighter style for what it's said to be.

Fat Bastard Chardonnay 2017

 

"Remarkably full bodied" Chardonnay it says across the front label. A readily available wine sourced from California.

Hayes Family Wines Primrose Vineyard Mataro 2019

Precision. Not a hair out of place. Mataro bliss.

Terre à Terre Crayères Vineyard Cabernet Shiraz 2018

 

Polished. Damn, this is a very impressive rendition of the good old Australian Cabernet and Shiraz blend.

Meerea Park Indie Vintage Brut Cuvee 2011

 

I was quite excited to see this sample come through the door. I can't recall the last time I saw a fizz from Meerea Park. If it's as bubbly as winemaker Rhys Eather's sideline commentary at the rugby, we're in for a treat.

Sapling Yard Entrechat 2017

 

Entrechat is a ballet step where the dancer leaps into the air rapidly crossing their legs behind. I tried it while tasting this wine - not a drop spilt! This is a traditional method sparkling made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir sourced from the Canberra district.

Juniper Estate Small Batch Cabernet 2018

 

A swirl of the glass and you can immediately see that this is a little more serious than its stablemate the Crossing Cabernet Merlot 2018. 

Juniper Estate Crossing Cabernet Merlot 2018

 

Very much a Bordeaux style in every way given the blend and how it presents itself. 

James Estate Semillon 2020

 

Hunter Semillon calls for fresh seafood and sunshine.

James Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2020

 

Bursting with tropical fruit, energetic aromas fill the nasal cavity. 

James Estate Verdelho 2020

 

Oh Verdelho. So maligned and often one dimensional.

Redman Wines The Redman 2010

 

A blend of Cabernet, Shiraz and Merlot, The Redman is the top dog in the stable. And what an excellent wine it is.

Redman Wines Last Row Shiraz 2018

 

What's not to love about this piece of medium bodied delish?

Redman Wines Shiraz 2018

 

Tasted side by side with the new release 2016, the vibrancy of this wine is clear.

Redman Wines Shiraz 2016

 

Foolproof Shiraz here. A rock solid wine each year. For twenty bucks, this is reliability+

Gartelmann Wines Reserve Diedrich Shiraz 2016

Quality Shiraz here sourced from Orange, NSW. A generous wine with a soothing presence and a statesman like zeal.

Gartelmann Wines Wilhelm Shiraz 2017

 

Give this some Hunter Shiraz some air to see it at its best.

Meerea Park Reserve Pinot Noir 2018

 

From a cracking Hunter Valley vintage comes this Reserve Pinot Noir release. 

d'Arenberg The Laughing Magpie Shiraz Viognier 2016

 

Give this a decant or some time in the glass. With some air under its wings, this Shiraz Viognier was singing.

Yalumba The Caley Cabernet Shiraz 2015

Of all the wines that have come across the Qwine tasting bench, this has been the most compelling and the purest. This Yalumba Caley is a wine that oozes class as pleasure seeps through every pore. Raise this up on the highest pedestal as every accolade is well deserved.

Hutton Vale Farm Riesling 2019

 

Oh, this is a pleasure to drink. An off-dry Eden Valley Riesling.

Sapling Yard Shiraz Viognier 2019

 

A pleasant medium bodied Shiraz Viognier from the Canberra district that slides down with absolute ease.

d'Arenberg The Dry Dam Riesling 2020

 

In the ocean of wine produced by d'Arenberg, this Dry Dam Riesling is one you can throw in the consistency basket. A refreshing release once again.

Juniper Estate Crossing Shiraz 2018

 

Wines can be broadly classified into "fruit" or "savoury". This Margaret River Shiraz falls into the savoury box. 

Yangarra Ironheart Shiraz 2017

Another superb Ironheart Shiraz. It's a wine that hits the target without fail. I was lucky enough to taste this in barrel with winemaker Peter Fraser during vintage back in 2017. It didn't miss the mark then and it's perched gorgeously now. 

Steels Gate Bastardo 2019

I read the variety on the label and can't help but sing, "Bastardo. Why don't you come to your senses..." I digress... Sourced from Victoria's Nagambie region, this is the first Bastardo to come across the Qwine bench in 4200+ reviews. It's quite exciting seeing new varieties emerging in a sea usual suspects.

Hutton Vale Farm Shiraz 2016

A big guy ready to give you an embrace. Give it time and veneers of pleasure slowly unfurl.

Yelland and Papps Second Take Vermentino 2019

 

Luscious and moreish through the mouth, this is funky town Vermentino hitting the high hats. 

d'Arenberg The Witches Berry Chardonnay 2019

Part of the new Organics range, it's a Chardonnay that will pass the roast chook test.

Angullong Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

 

Cool climate Cabernet ticking the boxes coming at you from Orange, NSW, the vineyard sits 600 metres above. 

Angullong Shiraz 2019

Rock solid Shiraz skipping on its toes with vibrancy.

Angullong Merlot 2018

 

I've seen a lot of the wines from Angullong over the years but this is the first time I've received a sample of their Merlot. Grown at 600 metres above, this is a delightfully easy drinking wine. There's no fuss or pretentiousness here, just a solid quality red. And isn't that what you just want sometimes?

Hutton Vale Farm Grenache Mataro 2016

Wow! This is something! Damn I enjoyed this blend. A superb wine in so many ways.

d'Arenberg The Ironstone Pressings GSM 2017

This wine is one of the most consistent releases from d'Arenberg over recent years. And based on that, this is the best one yet - a terrific blend.

Sapling Yard The Curmudgeon Shiraz 2019

A new winery to come across the Qwine raising bench. These wines from Sapling Yard arrived with no detail but for what was on the label. There was no image of this Shiraz available on the website either so the Shiraz Viognier is pictured above.

Meerea Park Alexander Munro Shiraz 2018

Big and sturdy, this is a wine that needs to chill out and cool its heels. Still tight after three days of tasting, longevity will be its friend.

Steels Gate Home Block Chardonnay 2017

A really enjoyable, fresh and modern Yarra Valley Chardonnay. Afternoon drinks with friends are sorted.