Hayes Family Wines Fromm Vineyard Grenache 2021

 

Glorious fruit. Glorious depth. A super impressive Grenache from the southern Barossa.  

Juniper Cornerstone Karridale Chardonnay 2019

 

Elegant intensity. And elegance is certainly the word. A beautiful Chardonnay that glides through the mouth. 

Usher Tinkler La Volpe Prosecco 2022

 

Spring is here and this is your weapon for afternoon refreshment. Hunter Valley Prosecco courtesy of Usher Tickler.

Hayes Family Wines Sam's Grenache 2021

 

Juicy raspberries. Raspberry city is perhaps a more apt description. Delicious and then some. A fabulous Barossa Grenache at a great price.

Greystone Wines Vineyard Ferment Pinot Noir 2020

Bringing the winery to the vineyard in unison, this Waipara Pinot Noir was crushed and fermented in the vineyard delivering an impressive expression of Pinot Noir.

The French word “terroir” is often used in wine conversations but the Kiwis have a Maori term “Turangawaewae” which is translated to “a place to stand” empowering connection to the land. That's precisely what has taken place here.

Zema Estate Saluti Cabernet Shiraz 2016

 

Celebrating 40 years, the Saluti has been released to commemorate the occasion. A 72/28 blend and coming from the best barrels, this is an excellent wine.

Black Estate Home Pinot Noir 2020

 

A wonderfully complex Pinot Noir from New Zealand's Black Estate. From Waipara which can be found less than an hour north of Christchurch, the brand was established in 1994.

Levantine Hill Chardonnay 2018

 

Big love. A Yarra Valley Chardonnay from Levantine Hill that possesses a quiet beauty. There is precision and grace about its calming presence.

Comyns and Co Cabernet Shiraz 2021

 

A 60/40 Cabernet Shiraz blend from the Rothvale Vineyard.

Huntington Estate Cabernet Shiraz 2019

 

From a hot and dry year comes this Mudgee Cabernet Shiraz.

Hutton Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

 

Alluring depth. That cooler Eden influence can be seen but stays very much on the flank. I dig this Hutton Vale Cabernet big time.

Levantine Hill Syrah 2018

 

There is a quiet humility about this Yarra Syrah. A beautiful drink, it's nicely done. Would you expect any less from Levantine Hill?

Oliver's Taranga DJ Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

 

Stern. Focused. Clenched fist. Give this some time before you see it calm and open up.

Wine Stash 12 Bottle Timber Rack

 

Something a little different coming across the QWine tasting bench - a wine rack to review! It's not every day you get one of those to 'sample'.

Wine Stash Industrial Wine Cube

 

When a couple of wine racks arrived for review, I wasn't particularly sure how to go about the process. Would I fill them and sit and watch them closely analysing their ability to hold bottles? Perhaps I assess their ability to age the wine? Oh, the first world problems we encounter...

Juniper Cornerstone Wilyabrup Chardonnay 2020

 

An excitement machine with a starburst of energy, this Margaret River Chardonnay is flirtatious with a good whack of oak.

Angullong Crossing Reserve Harriet 2019

 

All the Italians swing into action here - Sangiovese, Sagrantino and Montepulciano come together in a blend that I can't help but keep going back for.

Levantine Hill Colleen’s Paddock Pinot Noir 2017

 

Hold 'em back! Too many Australian Pinot Noirs are released too young. But isn't it great to see something hit the shelves with five years on it? What a precious gem this is. Boom!

Ridgemill Estate WYP Pinot Noir 2021

 

A Pinot Noir that slides through the mouth with ease, this is very much a savoury expression of the variety.

Oxford Landing Sauvignon Blanc 2022

 

Easy going refreshment coming at ya. Readily available and the best of the current Oxford Landing releases, you can see why this no nonsense Sauv is as popular as ever.

Oxford Landing Cabernet Shiraz 2021

 

With The Caley headlining the Yalumba portfolio, this is the Cabernet Shiraz you will find at the other end. 

Oxford Landing Merlot 2021

 

Pizza and pasta night on a budget. 

Oxford Landing Shiraz 2019

 

Good gear for $13 RRP. You'd probably find it much cheaper out there in retail land too.

Oxford Landing Chardonnay 2022

 

A Riverland Chardonnay that shows some early promise.

Oxford Landing Pinot Grigio 2021

 

Riverland Pinot Grigio. There's not a lot to report here. A simple drink sums it up. 

Oliver's Taranga HJ Reserve Shiraz 2020

 

Some very old vines are the source for this excellent McLaren Vale Shiraz. Hand-picked from the Old Block (planted in 1948), wild fermentation took place in the winery with no sulphur, tannin or acid additions. It saw French oak (35% new) for twelve months. Sit back and embrace this.

Raidis Estate The Kid Riesling 2022

 

A quick look at the new Riesling release from Raidis Estate at the recent Coonawarra Roadshow tasting. Hello spring! This is a ripper! The last time I reviewed it was back in 2019. Nothing has changed - the quality is still sky high and the price screams extreme value.

Bundalong Wines Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

 

What a find! I tasted this at the Coonawarra Roadshow and was instantly impressed. For $30, it is an insanely delicious Cabernet. Get around it.

Yangarra Estate Ironheart Shiraz 2019

 

Power but with subtlety, generous fruit is laced with delicate spices. This is another brilliant Ironheart Shiraz. 

Usher Tinkler Death By Semillon 2022

 

A cool label, a killer name plus some crafty winemaking and Usher Tinkler can't keep enough stock on the shelves. The demand for this Semillon is quite something. 

Hutton Vale Grenache Mataro 2018

 

The 2017 release was a little off the pace but this 2018 is back where it belongs. An excellent blend that brings together two heroes of the Barossa that sit in the shadows of their better-known siblings.

Carillion Felspars Shiraz 2019

 

Sourced from Carillion's Orange vineyard, this is a great drink.

Although this is the first time I've seen this wine come across the Qwine tasting bench, I was curious to find out it has skipped up $20 from the previous vintage. That's a fair hike but I'm sure there is a good reason for it. Reasons I'm not privy to...

Driftwood Artifacts Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

 

A delight to drink, this is a rock solid example of Margaret River Cabernet.

Yangarra Estate High Sands Grenache 2019

 

Smart. Considered. Just ace. Another outstanding High Sands Grenache release.

Tim Smith Eden Valley Riesling 2022

 

So perfumed, this is a glorious Riesling. It was even picked on a full moon for those that love that kind of thing. Tim Smith says, "Ice buckets, friends, seafood." Bingo! He nailed it!

Levantine Hill Pinot Noir 2019

 

Delicate and silky, there is some serious drive from this Levantine Hill Yarra Valley Pinot. It slides through the mouth with ease. Another top up, please.

Balgownie Estate Black Label Faraday Pinot Gris 2021

 

I'm going to be honest... I took a quick look at the label and severely mispronounced the name replacing the second A in Faraday with a K. Thank goodness things aren't that bad. This is an easy drinking Pinot Gris that will ensure your day is a happy one - not the one I thought it could be.

Juniper Cornerstone Wilyabrup Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

A well-built wine with a readiness to age seeping through its veins, this Juniper Cornerstone is an excellent layered Cabernet full of interest.

Tim Smith Bugalugs Shiraz 2021

 

We sat by the pool eating prosciutto di parma pizza and drinking good wine. It was too cold to get in the pool but that was beside the point. Happiness doesn't need pizazz and window dressing and this Tim Smith Bugalugs demonstrates that with ease. A wine for all occasions, this is such a reliable, go-to red. 

Dappled Appellation Chardonnay 2021

 

Silky. Delicious. Some good depth too. This Dappled Chardonnay is the perfect partner to walk arm in arm with the Pinot Noir 2021 release.

Polka Lilly Pilly De-Alc Sparkling Cuvee 2021

 

The no and low alcohol market is going gangbusters at present. But do you want to drink wine or something made with the addition of grape juice concentrate? If you want the latter with some Lilly Pilly extract for good measure, maybe this is for you? You won't find me in the queue. 

Carillion Fenestella Shiraz 2019

 

This is smart. I do like Hunter Shiraz. That medium body and sleek lines are just ace when done well. The cuttings from this block originally came from the famed Tallawanta vineyard with the roots now reaching deep into the soils of Mount View. 

Comyns and Co Mr Red 2021

 

The Shiraz and Viognier blend fad was red hot years ago and its appeal has simmered down somewhat. The odd example still bobs up. Here is a solid expression from the Hunter Valley's Comyns & Co.

Hayes Family Wines Prayer Garden Grenache 2021

 

A new addition to the Hayes portfolio, the diversity of their Grenache wines from across the Barossa (plus one from McLaren Vale) is quite something. Wonderfully aromatic, this is captivating from the outset. 

Burton McMahon D'Aloisio's Vineyard Chardonnay 2021

More concentrated than the George's Vineyard Chardonnay in the same range, the D'Aloisio's vineyard comes from the Seville township in the Yarra Valley that is situated 230 metres above for those who love altitude chat. A great drink this.

Burton McMahon Syme on Yarra Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021

 

There is more lift and grace with this Syme on the Yarra Vineyard Pinot compared to its savoury driven and carefully weighted George's Vineyard sibling. In short, it's a brilliant wine.

Tim Smith Eden Valley Viognier 2022

 

Clean lines, classy feels, this is a fabulous expression of Viognier. It's gone up two bucks since the previous vintage but you'd pay it. You'd happily pay more given the quality on offer. Another impressive release from Tim Smith.

Balgownie Estate Viognier 2021

 

Barrel fermented and seeing six months in French oak, this Viognier from the Bendigo region is a tidy drink.

Yangarra Estate Hickinbotham Clarendon Grenache 2020

 

Pretty and almost skeletal, this is a joyous and dancy number. The fruit glides through unobstructed. Silk sheet material. Bring it!

Burton McMahon George's Vineyard Chardonnay 2021

Lean and pristine, this is an excellent Yarra Valley Chardonnay made by two winemakers in a neat groove - Gundog Estate's Matt Burton and Seville Estate's Dylan McMahon.