Pauletts Wines Polish Hill River Riesling 2020

 


Steely, focused, refreshing rizza coming at you.

d'Arenberg d'Arry's Original Grenache Shiraz 2018

 


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

Patina Reserve Chardonnay 2018

 

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.

Glen Garvald by Levantine Hill Shiraz Marsanne 2019

 

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

Paulett Wines Polish Hill River Chardonnay 2020

 


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.

Patina Chardonnay 2019

 

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.

d'Arenberg The Olive Grove Chardonnay 2020

 


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.

Tim Smith Wines Grenache 2020

 


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.

Glen Garvald by Levantine Hill Marsanne Roussanne 2019

 

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.

Alkimi The Rhone Series Marsanne 2019

 

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

Lyons Will Estate Chardonnay 2019

 

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!"

Coriole Montimaro 2020

 

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.

Coriole Montepulciano 2019

 

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.

Alkimi Upper Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2019

 

Expressive. So savoury. Quite an autumnal Pinot Noir.

Heritage Estate Rabbit Fence Red 2018

 


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

De Beaurepaire Victor Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

 


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

De Beaurepaire Bluebird Botrytis Viognier 2017

 


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.

Alkimi Upper Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2019

 


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.

Alkimi Syrah Rosé 2020

 

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

Glen Garvald by Levantine Hill Muscadelle 2018

 

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!

Mitchell Wines Watervale Riesling 2020

 


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

Coriole Negroamaro 2020

 

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.

De Bortoli Estate Gamay 2019

 

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.

Coriole Nero 2020

 

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!

Alkimi Whole Bunch Marsanne 2020


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.

Mitchell Wines Peppertree Sparkling Shiraz NV

 


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.

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.