De Beaurepaire Le Comtesse Chardonnay 2017

Of all the De Beaurepaire wines tasted recently, I felt this Chardonnay was the pick of the lot.

De Beaurepaire Le Chevalier 2016

 

This Merlot, Cabernet and Petit Verdot blend loves spice. It eats it.

De Beaurepaire Le Marquis Cabernet 2019

 

A Cabernet that looks a bit older than its said two years.

De Beaurepaire Blanchefleur Blanc de Blanc 2018

A crowd-pleasing fizz from De Beaurepaire Wines.

De Beaurepaire Perceval Pinot Noir 2019

 

A warm and meaty Pinot Noir from NSW's Central Highlands.

De Beaurepaire Annabelle Crement de Rosé 2019

 

I'm told this is the only Crement de Rosé in Australia but I'm happy to be corrected.

De Beaurepaire Jeannette Reserve Chardonnay 2017

 

These De Beaurepaire wines are made to be "food hugging" and this Chardonnay exemplifies that.

De Beaurepaire Match Point Rosé 2016

 

Big Rosé. One you could throw a steak at. Deliberately made to steer clear away from all the pale salmon Rosés on the market.

Mitchell Wines GMS 2016

 

Awash with strawberries, raspberries and blue fruits, the splendour of Grenache, Mataro and Shiraz whisper for your attention.

De Bortoli The Estate Chardonnay 2017

 

Hello old friend. A long time between drinks... A Yarra Valley Chardonnay that keeps on producing the goods.

Eisenstone Nitschke Road Greenock Shiraz 2018

 

I tasted three Barossa Shiraz wines - all blind. Of the two Eisenstone wines in the line up, I preferred this Nitschke Road to the Dimchurch Vineyard. It's a wine that has a wonderful presence in the mouth and slides through ever so gracefully.

De Bortoli The Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019

 

It's great to be re-acquainted with an old friend. I haven't seen this wine for at least a decade. A trip to the cellar door many moons ago would be the last time this Estate Pinot touched my lips. Not much has changed it seems - it's still a rock solid example of Yarra Valley Pinot Noir.

Welland Wines Old Hands Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

 

A tidy Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon from small producer Welland Wines.

Barambah First Grid Shiraz 2019

 

Who doesn't love a sausage sizzle? This Shiraz would partner your snag on bread nicely as you relax in the park with friends.

Welland Wines Old Hands Shiraz 2018

 

Proper Barossa Shiraz. Take your shoes off at the door, exchange pleasantries, come in and sit bolt upright, no elbows on the table thank you. And please, don't spill anything on those bone-white chinos. This is all class so bring your best behaviour.

Eisenstone Dimchurch Vineyard Shiraz 2018

 

A little leaner and dancier in the mouth than its Nitschke Road sibling yet it's a pretty and more aromatically expressive Ebenezer Shiraz.

Balancing Heart Ambrosial and Lush Sagrantino 2017

From the Granite Belt's oldest Sagrantino vineyard comes this release from Balancing Heart.

Barambah First Grid Chardonnay 2019

 

A Chardonnay that is said to be made to appease sommeliers and Gen Zers because it's the type of wine they want.

Welland Wines Valley and Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

 

A big, thick-set type. It's the bouncer at the door you give a polite nod to. He's not there for conversation, just to keep the riff-raff out.

Welland Wines Valley and Valley Shiraz 2019

These wines from Welland landed on the doorstep recently with the Barossa Shiraz and Cabernet flags being flown. Plenty of happiness awaits with this - a classic Barrosa Shiraz.

Unsung Hero Aglianico 2020

 

A big slice of Black Forest cake in a glass. Dee-lish!

Of Light and Shadow Pinot Noir 2019

 

Of Light and Shadow. If only life could be so simple. But perhaps, within that, Tim Shand from Punt Road Winery can show us it can be with super delicious expressions of Pinot Noir such as this.

Balancing Heart Evolve and Inspire Viognier 2019

 

Viognier can be a super drink when done well. There are a lot of drifters on the scene but you get a sense this release floats on a cloud. Moreish. Delicious. Yes! 

Robert Stein White Label Riesling 2020

 

Seductive aromas. You wouldn't pick this as a Mudgee Riesling, that's for sure. 

Unsung Hero Lagrein 2020

 

Riverland Lagrein. A new addition to the Unsung Hero range.

The Old Faithful Cafe Block Shiraz 2017

 

Lots of oak. Thirty-three months of it deliver heady aromas. But it settles and patience is rewarded. Throw it in a decanter and leave it to reap the rewards. 

Unsung Hero Touriga 2020

Andy Williams's exploration of emerging varieties is quite exciting. His plans for the future are worth sticking around for too. Watch this space. This Touriga is an impressive number sure to please.

Delatite High Ground Chardonnay 2018

 

It took me a little while to get enthused by this Chardonnay from Victoria's Delatite.

Huntington Estate Shiraz Cabernet 2018

 

Cherry ripe in a glass. A fabulous Shiraz Cabernet blend. There is a lot to like about its swagger. 

The Old Faithful Shiraz 2017

 

A big and dense Shiraz that swings hard. Quite a bulky and muscular type, it's a bit of a gym junkie with its veins popping out.

Geddes Maslin Shiraz 2017

 

A ripping McLaren Vale Shiraz. I could bath in this. And maybe I did... 

Hoddles Creek Estate Chardonnay 2019

 

For $23, this is insane value. What a cracker!

Aphelion Welkin Sagrantino Mataro 2020

Don't you just love it when different works? Not your usual bedfellows but this Sagrantino Mataro combo hits the mark. 

Hofer Family Wines Lagrein 2019

 

I can see myself with a glass of this in hand standing by an open fire on a chilly afternoon. A dense red sure to warm your insides during the cooler months.

The Old Faithful Grenache 2019

From vines planted in 1910, this is Nick Haselgrove's premium Grenache.

De Bortoli Prosecco Rosé 2020

 

Smiles and sunshine are easily captured with this new Prosecco Rosé from De Bortoli.

Whiskey Gully Piazza Red 2020

 

Recommended to be served chilled, this is made for charcuterie, barbecues and sunsets. 

Soumah Brachetto Tranquillo 2020

I sip this thinking about the berry terrine I once saw on Surfing the Menu - gee, that was a while back... Good stuff this.

Whiskey Gully Bon Blanc Colombard 2020

 

A wine that needs food at hand, perhaps that cheeseboard on sunset is the go.

Huntington Estate Block 3 Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

 

Super impressive Mudgee Cabernet sure to bring pleasure in spades.

Oakridge Over the Shoulder Cabernet Merlot 2020

 

Oakridge doesn't miss a beat. Ever. Be it their classy top-end wines or their entry-level labels like this Over the Shoulder range. Excellence is rooted deep in their veins and here we go again with this Cabernet Merlot.

Huntington Estate Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

 

Long and incredibly persistent, this Mudgee Cabernet waltzes through the mouth with ease.

Aphelion Affinity GMS 2019

 

Burgers are so hip at the moment and this GMS blend is a perfect partner.

Huntington Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

 

A tame Cabernet. Straight bat forward defense on the front foot. 

Hofer Family Wines Montepulciano 2019

 

Tasty Montepulciano. Really tasty. Gimme a big glass pronto.

Hofer Family Wines Barbera 2019

 

Oh Babs. You can offer so much yet you can be so simple. Here we have the latter. 

Stable Tales Shiraz 2018

 

A sneaky preview of this Stable Tales Shiraz 2018 which is set for release in late 2021.

Stable Tales Shiraz 2017

 

This one-acre vineyard can be found two kilometres from the McLaren Vale township. A property used for weddings, films, television commercials and even a visit by the Queen.

Aphelion The Confluence Grenache 2019

 

Juicy red fruit is the game here. Cut loose. It is such a fab drink and then some. 

Jester Hill Touchstone Roussanne 2019

 

Not a big red drinker but seeking a white with a bit more depth? Try a Roussanne like this to get your juices flowing.

Aphelion PIR Chenin Blanc 2020

 

A ripping example of Chenin Blanc that could be mistaken for a Fiano. Race to this.