Angullong Fossil Hill Barbera 2018

Like all Angullong wines, I was looking forward to checking out this Barbera in the Fossil Hill range. Sure enough, it didn't disappoint.

Hastwell and Lightfoot Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Pour this in the glass and you know it is a Cabernet. Those aromas synonymous with the variety leap out.

Yangarra Estate Roussanne 2019

Roussanne. Such a delicious wine when made well yet so underrated, and for many, unheard of. Yangarra Estate are one of the best producers of the variety in the country. Big love right here.

Hayes Family Wines Alice's Mataro 2019

Often a work horse and regularly blended away, but when Mataro is left alone it has the ability to shine. A case in point here. A wonderful wine from Hayes Family Wines and the hands of Andrew Seppelt.

Yangarra Estate King's Wood Shiraz 2018

Oh what a beauty! I'm drawn to this release more than the 2017 and that release was gorgeous in its own right. Stunning McLaren Vale Shiraz. A wine to embrace and keep close.

Witches Falls Wild Ferment Pinot Noir 2019

An easy going Pinot to slurp on.

Hayes Family Wines Block 2 Grenache 2019

A super Grenache to get you in the mood. This Hayes Family Block 2 comes from a certified organic vineyard planted in the 1940s.

Angullong Fossil Hill Tempranillo 2018

A fab Tempranillo. There are some great wines coming out of the Angullong winery at the moment. It's a label worth keeping an eye out for.

Meerea Park Alexander Munro Semillon 2014

Alexander Munro is the flagship label for Meerea Park. This 2014 release is the eleventh from the famed Braemore vineyard in Pokolbin.

Chateau Martinolles Chardonnay 2018

A fair imported Chardonnay from Limoux, France.

Yangarra Estate Ovitelli Grenache 2018

Pure bliss. There's not much more to say really. Only last week I reviewed a Grenache and I suggested the variety was currently a purple patch. And then this beauty waltzes through the door. Brilliant and then some.

Irvine The Estate Shiraz 2018

Another reason that you don't have to drop a bomb to drink well. You can slide into your chair and get very comfortable with this Eden Valley Shiraz.

Witches Falls Provenance Merlot 2019

Youthful Merlot from Queensland's Granite Belt.

Shaw Vineyard Estate Merlot 2017

Terrific drinking. Merlot to make you sit up and take notice.

Angullong Fossil Hill Sangiovese 2018

Sangiovese from Orange, New South Wales, that just feels good.

Yangarra Estate Rosé 2019

Sunset sips drenched in rose gold beauty. A fabulous Rosé. Winemaker Peter Fraser has nailed it again.

Dodgy Bros Juxtaposed Boomstick Tempranillo 2018

Big love for the meaty and savoury goodness here. A terrific Tempranillo!

Rusty Mutt Tempranillo 2018

Wines like this just bring joy. An easy wine to kick back with as you work your way through a chacuterie board.

Tim Smith Reserve Shiraz 2018

Tim Smith hasn't released a Reserve Shiraz since 2014. He's back on the dance floor with this brilliant 2018 edition. There's an elegance here which is hard to resist.

Hidden Creek Tempranillo 2018

Give this Tempranillo from Hidden Creek a decant to see it at its best.

Antiquarian Pinot Noir Shiraz 2017

I see Pinot Shiraz blends as pretty and medium bodied. Recent years has seen an explosion of the blend. Originally born in the Hunter Valley, the blend has since grown legs in the Yarra Valley particularly from producers who've previously spent time in the Hunter.

Soul Growers Defiant Mataro 2017

Mataro is that weird and freaky kid at the back of the party but in time every one wants to hang with him. He's the casual social who goes about his business without the bells and whistles.

Tim Smith Shiraz 2018

As we chat in Tim Smith's lab looking at a few of his new releases, he pours this Shiraz into my glass. There is a pause and then an awkward silence. He turns the other way to ponder before swinging his head back around looking me in the eye....

Smidge Wines Uno Momento Montepulciano 2017

If Montepulciano is your thing, make a bee line to this. A stunning wine from Matt Wenk that just slides down with absolute ease.

Chateau Paul Mas Clos des Mûres 2018

An imported Syrah, Grenache Mourvedre (85/10/5) readily available nationally. 

Supporting Small Wineries During Covid - A Directory For Wine Sale Deals

An article published by the ABC paints a grim picture and suggests that up to 30% of Australian wineries (700-800) may go bust. This is a direct result of Covid-19 and the strain it has placed on small businesses with tourism coming to a halt and the closure of cellar doors or limiting them to take away purchases only.

Many wineries are reaching out as best they can to engage with their customer base to maintain some cash flow and stay afloat. As a consumer, it's easy to support the chain stores who buy in bulk and sell cheap wines, but the heart and soul of the industry are those smaller producers. In most cases, the smaller wineries are raising families, putting food on tables and supporting themselves - they aren't about corporations, dividends or shares.

If you are looking to buy some wine, here are some small operators who would love your support offering great deals.

Hayes Family Wines Block 1 Shiraz 2018

The Hayes Family Wines Block 1 sits beside the driveway directly opposite the winery as you head down towards the cellar door. The 70 year old+ vineyard is now certified organic too. Embrace this superb Barossa Shiraz - one to treasure in the future.

Brash Higgins Nero d'Avola 2018

Nero d'Avola is the variety which harpooned the Brash Higgins name into prominence. As always, this release is a sleek ride.

Tim Smith MGS 2019

Tim Smith has access to some spectacular parcels of fruit. On a recent trip to the Barossa, we jumped in the car and he drove me around a couple of them. Stunning vineyards on incredible soil profiles. The Mataro blended into this wine comes off 145 year old vines.

Tim Smith Viognier 2019

There are a few Viogniers I would highly recommend and this wine from Tim Smith is one of them. Year after year it keeps delivering the goods.

Singlefile Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Give this Singlefile Cabernet some more bottle age and it will be singing.

Shaw Wines Riesling 2019

Find those prawns and grab a glass with a deep well ready for those generous pours. This Shaw Wines Riesling is a beauty.

Berton Vineyards The Bonsai Shiraz 2017

From the cooler Eden Valley climate, there's a brightness to this Shiraz which is very appealing.

Hayes Family Wines Sam's Grenache 2019

There are some seriously smashing Grenache wines out there at the moment. Perhaps they're in a purple patch? If you love the variety as much as I do, jump in the queue for this gear from Hayes Family Wines.

Brash Higgins Cinsault 2019

Of all the interesting wines Brad Hickey produces, I really grew a likening to this Cinsault. Light, bright and fresh, there's so much smash appeal.

Cumulus Alte Shiraz 2017

From a new range of wines from Cumulus, here's a Shiraz to share at your barbecue.

Curly Flat Pinot Noir 2018

Another superb Curly Flat Pinot Noir to be released in May, 2020.

Samson Tall Shiraz 2017

I like the beat this Samson Tall Shiraz 2017 walks to as it strolls along with ease.

Samson Tall Shiraz 2016

Of the two Samson Tall Shiraz wines on tasting at the cellar door, I preferred the 2017.

Curly Flat Western Pinot Noir 2018

Greetings to the inaugural release of the Curly Flat Western Pinot Noir (bottle pic not current - apologies). It's always a joy to put these Curly Flat releases side by side to see where they're at, but these 2018 come with an exciting difference.

Curly Flat Central Pinot Noir 2018

This is the first time I've seen Curly Flat's Central Vineyard in a separate bottling (bottle pic not current - apologies). From the oldest vines on the property planted in 1992, winemaker Matt Harrop says these vines have been the backbone of the Curly Pinot Noir many adore.

Sassafras Savagnin Chardonnay Ancestral Sparkling 2019

Balcony booze. A great aperitif to kick back with on a lazy afternoon - when you have nothing left to do during isolation.

Singlefile Single Vineyard Shiraz 2019

I'm not going to lie, I do a happy dance when these Singlefile wines arrive at the door. Always well made, there's a sophistication and reliability about them. This Shiraz is a great drink time and time again. It's a wine that steadily builds momentum and takes you along for a glorious ride.

Wooing Tree Sandstorm Reserve 2014

Many of the current vintages of Central Otago Pinot Noir have a little bit of age on their side which is great to see. This Reserve Pinot from Wooing Tree is an absolute treat.

Warramunda Estate Liv Zak Malbec 2018

Roast beef and a glass of this equals happy days. Yarra Valley Malbec sure to bring pleasure.

Alkimi Whole Bunched Marsanne 2019

A textural dream boat. Mind you, skin contact wines don't float everyone's boat, but if yours is sailing strongly with the wind, get hold of this beauty. A fabulous take on Marsanne.

Brash Higgins MCC 2018

Paella and tapas here we come with this delish Mataro, Cinsault and Carignan blend from Brash Higgins.

Huntington Estate Special Reserve Chardonnay 2019

There's a wonderful consistency about the Huntington Estate Chardonnay releases. More concentrated than the Barrel Fermented 2019 release, there's some old school pleasure to embrace.

Hastwell and Lightfoot Vermentino 2019

Drink this sea side or on the deck as the sun falls from the afternoon's sky. A super refreshing drink with great acidity and textural appeal to add further pleasure factor.

d'Arenberg The Derelict Vineyard Grenache 2018

Rich and dense McLaren Vale Grenache.