QWine Reviews - Australian Wine Reviews: March 2021

Wednesday 31 March 2021

Pauletts Wines Polish Hill River Riesling 2020

Steely, focused, refreshing rizza coming at you.

A classic that oozes rustic appeal. A great match for any of those cuisines described as "dude food".

There is a wonderful purity about this Chardonnay which produces elevated levels of pleasure. Classy stuff. I love it.

O'Leary Walker Grenache 2019

Dangerously slurpable, Clare Valley Grenache coming at you.

Such an intriguing wine. There's a polish about this yet it has a rustic appeal all at the same time. A great drink.

Chardonnay for the beach. There's a sense of cool and calm about this. Think green apples and sea spray.

Alkimi Zero Additions Méthode Ancestrale Syrah 2020

A different take on Syrah without going way OTT. Zero additions, the exploration of texture and edgy styles from Alkimi continues its impressive growth.

It's good to see a Patina Chardonnay once again. The last I tasted was the 2015 release back in 2018. This is a beauty and maintains the high standard set before.

d'Arenberg The Hermit Crab Viognier Marsanne 2020

One of the consistent d'Arenberg releases each year that doesn't blow a hole in the wallet.

Paulett Wines Watervale Semillon 2020

A frisky and expressive Semillon charged for your drinking pleasure.

d'Arenberg The Feral Fox Pinot Noir 2019

An easy-drinking Pinot that shuffles its way toward the light Shiraz territory. An enjoyable wine no less.

The Olive Grove Chardonnay is normally a blend of Adelaide Hills fruit and McLaren Vale. This release is solely from the latter, and it shows.

Love Grenache? Introduce yourself to Tim Smith. You need to. This is slick. Luxurious even. A sweet ride through the Grenache pleasure zone - akin to Smith cruising the back roads of Vine Vale on his beloved Triumph. Wind through the hair, the rubber hugging each turn, this is a sweet ride.

De Bortoli Petit Moscato Frizzante NV

A bottle of fun dripping in crowd-pleasing appeal. The good folk at De Bortoli suggest this is, "Perfect for dressing up a garden party or any occasion with your closest girlfriends." That pretty much sums it up.

Clever. Levantine Hill doesn't miss the mark if at all and it's hard to see that changing any time soon with Paul Bridgeman at the wheel. This is a fabulous blend.

Splash something different in your glass. Here's a wonderful expression of Marsanne.

Macedon Ranges Chardonnay from boutique producer Lyons Will Estate.

Lyons Will Estate Gamay 2019

Gamay brings nothing but big smiles and thrusts you into the pleasure zone. My suggested food match is a large bowl of chips straight out of the air fryer with some footy or a trashy reality TV program to watch. Damn, this slides down so well. In the words of Meg Ryan, "Yes, yes, yes!"

Montepulciano, Sangiovese, Negroamaro and Nero d'Avola co-fermented to deliver an Italian superhero - less the cape.

Lyons Will Estate Pinot Noir 2018

A super Pinot! It floats through the mouth unobstructed. A great find from Lyons Will Estate, a small Macedon Ranges producer.

Classic Monte. Yes! Such a wonderful drink. Another Italian classic done well by Coriole.

Glen Garvald by Levantine Hill Merlbec 2019

Fancy Merlot and Malbec joining forces in the Yarra Valley of all places? "I've never seen this before!" I say to myself. Words you never want your GP to utter... Alas, this is a great combo and well played by the team at Levantine Hill.

Expressive. So savoury. Quite an autumnal Pinot Noir.

A red wine built for warmer months and is recommended to be served chilled.

From De Beaurepaire's oldest vines on their Rylstone vineyards comes this big Cabernet.

One could say it's citrus tart in glass.

Mitchell Wines Peppertree Shiraz 2016

Just madness for $30!

I'm often asked to recommend age-worthy wines that don't cost a bomb. Mitchell Wines Peppertree is one of my go-to reccos and never fails. A new release and this 2016 keeps the high standard at an incredibly low price for what you get. Terrific value and built for longevity, get in the queue.

Very charismatic, this wine is easy to befriend. Super Chardonnay! Well played Stuart Dudine.

Lyons Will Estate Riesling 2020

I skirted the edge of the Macedon Ranges just over 12 months ago on my way through the Victorian countryside. In hindsight, I wish I spent some time in the district. Lyons Will Estate owner and winemaker Dr Renata Morello got in touch recently and sent a few of her wines to sample - gee I wish I knew about these guys earlier. This is a fabulous Riesling.

Such a good slurp that embraces food. The quality and consistency across the Alkimi range is impressive.

A great wine that has been barrel fermented and layered with intrigue - this is no surprise given it is from Levantine Hill's meticulous Paul Bridgeman.

Ridgemill Estate Joshua's Pup 2019

Another impressive Pup from Ridgemill Estate. The more time it sees in the glass the more it shines. Great stuff!

Riesling lovers put this on your list. So refreshing. So moreish. Where's that seafood?

Terrifically moreish, here's an Italian worth breaking bread with. A wonderfully expressive wine.

Glen Garvald by Levantine Hill PB White Blend No.1 2019

A blending masterclass with six varieties thrust together to deliver a wine of complexity and deliciousness.

Gamay is ever-reliable when done well. This release from De Bortoli ticks that box. It's a lovely drink.

Glen Garvald by Levantine Hill Rosé 2020

These new Glen Garvald wines from Levantine Hill are focused on using varieties uncommon to the Yarra Valley. I must admit, I did a double-take when I saw the makeup of this wine. Apart from Pinot Noir, I thought I was in McLaren Vale.

An absolutely beautiful wine. Pretty as. Run to this.

Barambah First Grid Rack Dried Semillon 2016

A wonderfully balanced dessert wine that has eyes only for dried fruits and cheese. Delicious!

Skinsy Marsanne. Whole bunch goodness from Alkimi. Last year's release sold out in quick time and I can't see this 2020 version being any different.

Sparkling Shiraz is a fabulous style of wine that is often overlooked. This Mitchell Wines release is blended with vintages back to 12 years. A moreish and complex wine ready for your drinking pleasure.