QWine Reviews : October 2018

Hickinbotham The Peake 2016

The Peake represents the pinnacle wines from Hickinbotham and this sure does make a statement. A stunning wine ought to be enjoyed on a stunning occasion. Brilliant!

Stomp Fiano 2016

Hunter Valley Fiano certainly has found its niche in the market. This 2016 release from Stomp is a beauty!

Stomp Fiano 2018

It was great to open this current release alongside the 2016. A beautiful contrast. If you yearn for freshness - go here. If you need texture and depth - go the 2016.

Tim Smith Eden Valley Riesling 2018

If you haven't heard of Tim Smith wines, find them. If you are in the Barossa, ring him and make an appointment - you won't be disappointed. This Riesling is an absolute beauty.

Alkimi The Good Earth Syrah Rosé 2018

I sat by the river slurping this watching the shadows of the afternoon get longer and longer. A wonderful picnic wine if I do say so myself.

Flametree Pinot Rosé 2018

A lip-smacking dry and savoury Rosé. High fives for the Flametree crew.

Ridgemill Estate The Czar Saperavi 2016

Dark and brooding in the glass, this is a big wine with a whole lot of lovin'. Superb Saperavi.

Scarborough Wine Co. Blue Label Chardonnay 2017

An easy drinking Chardonnay made to drink now. Handfuls of lemony fruit and soft whiffs of raw nuts set a neat pace.

Koonowla Clare Valley Riesling 2018

A crowd-pleasing style. Easy drinking and delish - tick!

Koonowla The Ringmaster Clare Valley Riesling 2018

Koonowla's entry level Riesling. Pretty aromas from the get-go.

Seppelt Drumborg Chardonnay 2017

Classy Chardonnay that will never fail you. I could drink gallons of this beauty.

de iuliis Steven Vineyard Shiraz 2017

A beautiful wine to whisk you away. Gorgeous red berry and dried red flower aromas greet you here.

Gundog Estate Canberra District Shiraz 2017

Such a pretty wine. The longer it sat in the glass the more it got comfortable and put on a show. And what a show it was.

Seppelt Jaluka Chardonnay 2017

If you aspire to indulge in the Drumborg Chardonnay but your pay packet won't let you for the minute, go here and your satisfaction levels will be met. A lovely wine at the price point.

Schwarz Wine Co Rosé 2018

A crowd pleaser from top to toe. It looks, feels and tastes oh so good. Chill it, throw it under your arm and find a shady spot before you roll out the picnic rug and cut loose.

Chain Ring Cider Co Mosaic Madness 2018

A refreshing neck massage awaits. Such a delicious cider to throw back.

Two Hands Gnarly Dudes Shiraz 2017

Gnarly Dudes - delivering reliable and consistent Barossa Shiraz since forever.

Robert Stein Dry Riesling 2018

Oh wow. We have a live one here. Sizzling Riesling dancing on point.

Angullong Fossil Hill Sangiovese 2017

A glass or two with some pizza or pasta and smiles will be sure to follow.

Yalumba Y Series Riesling 2018

Your summertime bargain is here. This is a beauty and can be found for around ten bucks on special. A great little drink to kick back with as you wipe the sweat from your brow on those warm days.

Raidis Estate Billy Cabernet Sauvignon 2015

A great Coonawarra Cabernet smack bang in the slot of good times and cheer. Medium bodied happiness awaits.

Cooks Lot Allotment 1010 Shiraz 2017

An earthy and spicy sucker calling for a burger or something meaty. Give it some air to see it at its best and it morphs and settles beautifully. A delicious wine.

Tyrrell's Blacksmith's Hut Heathcote Shiraz 2015

A big guy weighing in for the heavyweight bout. Coming in at 15%, credit to Tyrrell's for putting that number on as many avoid the magic number 15 and use the 1.5% variance carefully.

Yalumba Y Series Sangiovese Rosé 2018

There's cheap wines under 15 bucks and then there's the Yalumba Y Series which consistently punches above its weight. If you like the pink looking stuff but don't want to drop a bomb, get in the queue for this.

Curly Flat White Pinot 2018

White Pinot that just dances across the mouth. Applaud now.

Part of me doesn't want to put pen to paper but rather just sit back and enjoy a glass or two. Perhaps I will later. Such an indulgent wine.

Yalumba Y Series Chardonnay 2018

Another Y Series wine, another value pick. A tidy Chardy that won't break the bank.

Huntington Estate Special Reserve Semillon 2017

"I love Semillon's freshness, crispness and ease of drinking. Best of all, I love its versatility," says Huntington Estate owner Tim Stevens. He has fulfilled the brief here too, that's for sure.

Savina Lane Lady of Spain Graciano 2015

This is the only Graciano grown in Queensland with the next closest vineyard in Mudgee, NSW. Weighing in at only 12.7% alc, there's a bigger frame on the bones than one would expect.

Cooks Lot Allotment 168 Chardonnay 2017

I don't know what type of car Duncan Cook drives around the streets of Orange, but I've suggested too many time before that his wines are far too reasonably priced for what you get. If he jacked them up a few bucks each he'd be driving a Maserati I'm sure. This is another steal for the money.

Savina Lane Millenium Shiraz 2015

A Shiraz which unleashes its inner beauty with consummate ease.

Flametree Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2018

A good ol' summertime slurp. Lots of refreshing factor seeping through its veins.

Yalumba Y Series Pinot Grigio 2018

A soft and more than approachable Pinot Grigio. Wild fermented and vegan friendly, it's well worth hunting down at this price point.

Singlefile Run Free Chardonnay 2017

Singlefile's entry-level range. This Chardonnay is from Denmark in the Great Southern region of Western Australia.

Yalumba Y Series Sauvignon Blanc 2018

Wild fermented and vegan friendly, this is an easy drinking Sauvignon Blanc. Clean and crisp all the way.

Two Hands Angel's Share Shiraz 2017

I haven't seen a Two Hands wine for ages. A mate of mine bangs on about their reliability mind you. Enter marketing gun Pippa Merrett who recently commenced a new role with the company. She has a track record of making stuff happen and some samples suddenly appeared at my door. Thanks Pip!