Friday, 31 July 2020

De Bortoli Wizardry Grenache 2018



A new label from De Bortoli Wine and a very tidy Grenache for an easy slurp. 

De Bortoli Wizardry Grenache Blanc 2020



A new range of wines from De Bortoli showcasing the beauty of Grenache three ways - white, Rosé and red. This Grenache Blanc is a pleaser. 

Maverick Twins Semillon 2018



A white wine to warm your heart on a cool night. 

Grandis Unearthed Pet Nat 2020


Shannon Burgess-Moore's side hustle is his Grandis Wines label. There are some clever wines in the range with this Pet Nat the latest addition. It's a blend of Semillon, Merlot and Sangiovese from Moorebank's vineyards on Palmers Lane.

Wednesday, 29 July 2020

Yelland and Papps Second Take Shiraz 2019


A walk down the street of Texture Town. An orchestra of interest belts out a wonderful tune with tremendous synchronicity.

Steels Gate Pinot Noir 2018

A great Pinot for those who like a bigger style. This Yarra Valley release reminds me a little of some Central Otago wines.

Tuesday, 28 July 2020

Golden Grove Estate Brosé Rosé 2020


A rough house Granite Belt 2020 vintage has seen an adjustment to the previous couple of releases. Normally a Grenache based blend, this excellent release sees the fusion of Sagrantino and Vermentino. A Rosé well worth diving into.

Cirillo Estate The Vincent Grenache 2019


When you consider the quality on offer plus the age of the vines, this is quite a buy. Off vines planted in 1901 and 1906, this Grenache is consistent year after year.

Flametree Chardonnay 2019

A delicious Margaret River Chardonnay bringing the mouth to water. So good!

Sunday, 26 July 2020

Cirillo Estate Barossa Valley Malbec 2018

Marco Cirillo doesn't sell a lot of his Malbec, only because he loves it so much he drinks it all himself. He loves it! Off sandy soils, this a classic example of the variety.

Cirillo Estate 1850 Ancestor Vines Rosato 2019

I'm playing a bit of catch up here after dropping into the winery and hanging out with Marco back in March. Where did that time go? Italian style Rosato made from Cirillo's famed ancestor Grenache vines.

Saturday, 25 July 2020

Yelland and Papps Devote Greenock Shiraz 2017



Another stunning Shiraz from Yelland & Papps. This is the disco ball spinning above the dance floor. Serious delish factor and then some.

Oliver's Taranga Fiano 2020



The Fiano Queen delivers once again. A fabulous wine to get you dancing.

Vino Intrepido Sting Like a Bee Fiano 2019


Golden rays of early morning sunrise in the glass, this Fiano comes from the Vaughan vineyard on the Mornington Peninsula. A great drink.

Friday, 24 July 2020

Soul Growers Equilibrium GSM 2018



Restraint is futile. Even Houdini would break his shackles in seconds to dive into this delicious GSM blend. Go here.

Flametree SRS Wallcliffe Chardonnay 2019


A brilliant Chardonnay time and time again. I do get a bit excited when this Flametree SRS arrives at the door. Big love here.

Thursday, 23 July 2020

Berton Vineyard Limited Release Barossa Shiraz 2018


I am often asked to recommend quality wines which don't break the bank. The wines from Berton Vineyard are great bang for buck deals. Here's another which is sourced from Ebenezer - a Barossa sub region north of the district.

Soumah Chardonnay d'Soumah 2019

If you are yet to introduce yourself to Soumah wines, this is a great place to start. A well made Chardonnay, this is blended from a range of Yarra Valley parcels to deliver an easy drinking and refreshing wine. 

Chateau Yaldara Moscato NV


Words I never thought I'd say: Non Vintage Moscato. Here's a wine that's quite engaging - much to my surprise. The best Moscato I've ever had and that's saying something.

Zonzo Estate Chardonnay 2017

I found this Chardonnay hard to get through.

Wednesday, 22 July 2020

Tuesday, 21 July 2020

Zonzo Estate Shiraz 2017



A curious wine. Medium bodied Shiraz from the Yarra Valley.

Zonzo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2017


Savoury driven Yarra Valley Cabernet.

Yelland and Papps Second Take Grenache 2019


In the words of George Michael, "Hey, you're just too funky for me, I gotta get inside of you,
And I'll show you heaven, if you let me..."
This is a slice of heaven worth investing in for those who adore Grenache. I could dive into this glass with pike. A Grenache cranking up the funk and delish dial all at once.

Friday, 17 July 2020

Soumah Upper Ngumby Chardonnay 2019

What a terrific exercise it is to look at the Soumah single vineyard Chardonnays side by side. Of the two which includes the Hexham 2019, this Upper Ngumby stole my heart that little bit more.

Yelland and Papps Vin de Soif 2017



For a three year old release, beguiling freshness brings some absolute smash factor with it. A super juicy and moreish blend.

Thistledown The Cunning Plan Shiraz 2019


Medium to full-bodied, a bit of berry, a bit of barbecue and a lot of delish.

Thursday, 16 July 2020

Castle Rock Estate Pinot Noir 2018



A fabulous buy for the asking price. Pinot fans should break the land speed record to get to this.

Maverick Trial Hill Eden Valley Shiraz 2018



Pull back the arrow, aim for the target, release the bow - bullseye! The precision of this Shiraz is superb.

Soumah Hexham Chardonnay 2019


A Chardy for insightful conversations. I like how this Single Vineyard Hexham goes deep.

Golden Grove Estate Vermentino 2020

The back label says to grab a dozen oysters, a deck chair and chill out for the afternoon. Yeah, do that. A super refreshing Vermentino awaits.

Tuesday, 14 July 2020

Balgownie Estate Merlot Cabernet Franc 2018

Low cropping levels enabled the Merlot and Cabernet Franc to be co-fermented. I'm reliably informed by winemaker Tony Winspear that the usual difference in harvest is two weeks. A dry and tannic wine from Balgownie's Bendigo vineyards.

Maverick Barossa Ridge Shiraz 2018


Quite a young wine and no where near its best. You get a sense of precision about the way it struts, but for now, its suit looks tight fitting and neck tie rushed.

Monday, 13 July 2020

Saturday, 11 July 2020

Friday, 10 July 2020

Pyramids Road Petit Verdot 2019


Winemaker Warren Smith loves Petit Verdot. He's always pretty chuffed with the fruit he is able to source from his grower to the north-west of Stanthorpe.

Maverick Twin Barrel Select GSM 2018


A big, thick set GSM. 

Thursday, 9 July 2020

Brand and Sons Glenroy Shiraz 2016



A tense and hard nosed wine on opening, it needed time to relax. It was completely different on day three of tasting - the beauty of looking at wines over a few days as opposed to only 30 seconds in a wine show.

Zema Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2016



Ribbons of mint flourish through this Coonawarra Cabernet. 

Singlefile The Vivienne Chardonnay 2017

An outstanding Chardonnay. Named after co-founder Vivienne Snowden, this is a Chablis style that oozes class. Just brilliant.

Tuesday, 7 July 2020

Golden Grove Estate Nero d'Avola 2019


So juicy. So supple. So delicious. The best Golden Grove Estate Nero d'Avola release for a few years, a sip turned into a glass which turned into a few, and well, you know... This is a fabulous wine.

Dirt Candy The White Knight Pet Nat 2020


Pet Nat is the cool play thing at present. Check this 100% Chardonnay effort from Dirt Candy. It's super refreshing.