Alkimi Marsannne 2021

 

Marsannne and all its nuttiness, honeyed tones and yellow stonefruit is a beautiful thing. This is a very good example from Yarra Valley producer Alkimi.

Tenafeate Creek GSM 2022

 

Silky with a comforting embrace, this is a delicious GSM from Tenafeate Creek. Attractive aromas and great fruit combine to deliver a wine that oozes large pours and big comfy chairs.

Pikes Olga Emmie Riesling 2023

 

I've had the opportunity to taste a handful of off-dry Rieslings of late, and this Pikes Olga Emmie is the best of them. On first inspection, my mind rushes to my childhood with Whizz Fizz lemon sherbet and Pine Lime Splice cutting loose. Yum!

Tenafeate Creek Judgement Shiraz 2021

 

That colour! So bold and dense. The flagship wine from Tenafeate Creek, this Judgement Shiraz is rich and generous and it deserves to be tucked away for some time yet.

Flametree Pinot Rosé 2023

 

I like this Rosé purely for its simplicity. No fuss, it's cruisy drinking, and sometimes you need wines like that. Give it a run when you're worn down and feeling lazy.

Flametree Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2023

 

An easy-drinking Sauvignon Blanc Semillon blend (75/25) that will find favour among those seeking a simple yet tasty white wine.

Tenafeate Creek Riesling 2023

 

A serving of hot chips or some battered fish (or both) is the order of the day to help this Riesling along on its way.

Arila Gardens Ironstone and Quartz Gardens Shiraz 2022

 

Review number 600 for the year so let's make it worth celebrating. I present another brilliant Shiraz from Barossa producer Arila Gardens. This Ironstone and Quartz Garden 2022 is in the zone.

Oxford Landing One to One Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

 

Really good Cabernet for not a lot, I thought this was the best in the range. Check this new One to One release from Oxford Landing.

Oxford Landing One to One Merlot 2021

 

An approachable wine without the glitz and glamour, sometimes you need a reliable wine like this Merlot from Oxford Landing's new One to One range.

Oxford Landing One to One Shiraz 2021

 

A bag of Burger Rings will partner this just Shiraz just fine.

Oxford Landing One to One Rosé 2023

 

An uncomplicated, no-fuss Rosé that is easy to befriend from Oxford Landing' new One to One range.

Oxford Landing One to One Brut Cuvée NV

 

A new label in the Oxford Landing range that delivers an easy drinking fizz with crowd-pleasing appeal.

Holm Oak Cabernet Franc Rosé 2023

 

Barbecue Rosé. Grippy with some depth, this is certainly a wine best enjoyed with food. That savoury and earthy flutter plays a neat hand. Throw it at some skirt steak or a snag on bread - winning!

Schwarz Wine Co Grenache Blanc 2023

 

Hasn't Grenache Blanc seen a meteoric rise in the Barossa of late? A few years ago it was barely around, now there are several producers throwing it about with more plantings to come. This release from Schwarz Wine Co is tops. I love the mouthfeel and textural presence.

Holm Oak Arneis 2023

 

Known as the 'little rascal' due to its difficulty to grow, Arneis has found a happy home in Holm Oak's Tamar Valley vineyards. This is the first and only Arneis in Tasmanian soils - how good! A fabulous drink, the fleshy delivery is the clincher.

Wildly Organic Cuvée NV

 

The flavour train has left the station and it appears this fizz didn't jump on board.

Vinya Vella Old Bush Vine Grenache 2022

 

One from left field, and bang, we have a home run! What a pretty and delicious Grenache from the Barossa's Vinya Vella!

Gundog Estate Canberra District Shiraz 2022

 

After going MIA due to bushfires and high rainfall in 2020 and 2021, the Gundog Estate Canberra District Shiraz is back for 2022. A good drink, this is a burger night special.

Arila Gardens Sand Garden Grenache 2022

 

Absolutely awesome! Adjectives just don't work here so it's best that you get this Arila Gardens Sand Garden Grenache 2022 into your glass.

Vinya Vella Grenache Rosé 2023

 

Bone-dry and savoury, picnics are a go-go with this Vinya Vella bush vine Grenache Rosé in your glass. It's a solid drink for those sun-shining days.

Gundog Estate Rosé 2023

 

Canberra Cabernet and Hilltops Shiraz combine to deliver this respectable and very approachable Rosé from Gundog Estate. With a watermelon juice appearance, it's best described as a red apple and strawberry delight.

Soumah Nebbiolo 2021

 

The Yarra Valley has proven to be a happy hunting ground for Nebbiolo, but I felt this release from Soumah was a little off the pace.

Pikes The Merle Reserve Riesling 2023

 

The Clare Valley Riesling highlights just keep coming. This Pikes The Merle Reserve 2023 is brilliant! It possesses a tang that just grabs you and holds you to ransom. Come at me!

Gundog Estate Flintlock Shiraz 2022

 

The best parcels of fruit from the Hilltops are kept aside to produce this Flintlock Shiraz. Made for the long term, this is a wine I'd like to see in a few years time.

Hutton Vale Off Dry Riesling 2023

 

An off-dry Riesling from Hutton Vale Farm ready to take the sting out of your curry night.

Alkimi Willowlake Pinot Noir 2021

 

Stu Dudine is on the Willowlake Pinot Noir bus! This is a new parcel of fruit that he has acquired for his range and he's worked his magic once again. I love this.

Alkimi Duck Pond Pinot Noir 2021

 

I've tasted a lot of Yarra Valley Pinot over the years but none from the Duck Pond Vineyard from what I know. A bigger style of Pinot, there is some tannin chew for good measure.

Hutton Vale Farm Riesling 2023

 

A pretty Eden Valley Riesling waiting for your empty glass. Smart gear this.

Pertaringa Understudy Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

 

What a lovely, approachable Cabernet we have here.

Soumah Marzemino 2022

 

Marzemino hails from northern Italy and is new to this tasting bench. The thrill of checking out new varieties is exciting and never ceases to amaze me. A smooth red wine that is not overly layered, it is a stand and deliver type with crowd pleasing appeal given its easy going nature.

Limefinger Solace Polish Hill River Riesling 2023

 

Just when you think the 2023 Clare Valley Rieslings can't get any better, along comes the Limefinger Solace. Woah! This is Riesling at its absolute peak. Purity, class, all that. Just wow.

Limefinger Learnings Watervale Riesling 2023

 

Riesling lovers rejoice! Sound the alarm because the 2023 Clare Valley vintage is where the party is at. This Learnings Watervale from Limefinger is brilliant!

Alkimi Willowlake Chardonnay 2021

 

Woah! This one is out of the box. A big whiff and there is a lemon-infused ginger beer thing going on - and I'm hooked. The first release of a Willowlake Chardonnay in the Alkimi range and Stu Dudine has nailed it.

Alkimi Primavera Vineyard Chardonnay 2021

There is a lot to love about this Primavera Chardonnay's edgy feels and drive. Exploration of interest and texture is Stu Dudine's bag and he's exercised that fabulously here.

Willunga 100 Trott Vineyard Grenache 2022

 

Slightly cooler than the Smart Vineyard in Clarendon, this sits in the deep sands of Blewitt Springs. And we all know the jewel in the McLaren Vale Grenache crown is those deep sands.

Willunga 100 Smart Vineyard Grenache 2022

 

Two top Grenache expressions from Willunga 100 fall under this label. The fruit for this wine comes from the older material on the Smart Vineyard in Clarendon, a site popular with a number of producers.

Soumah Savarro 2023

 

Tight! Quite different to the releases tasted in the past, a lasso of acid around the edges keeps tugging leaving a firm imprint.

Pikes Traditionale Riesling 2023

 

A label not foreign to lovers of quality Riesling, this Pikes Traditionale 2023 release keeps the status quo with the quality as high as ever. Brilliant value, this is a riot of lemons and limes. No one loses with this in the glass.

Huntington Estate Rosé 2023

 

Super pale. Super dry. Super tasty. Can we keep the review at that?

Huntington Estate Special Reserve Chardonnay 2022

 

Rich and concentrated, this is a Chardonnay with plenty of meat on the bones.

Stockman's Ridge Outlaw Chardonnay 2017

 

It's not often that Chardonnays are held back so it was good to see this 2017 from Stockman's Ridge for a change of pace.

Ox Hardy Slate Shiraz 2021

 

Sleek! Decadent drinking, this is the type of wine you want with a bottomless glass.

Pertaringa Tipsy Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

 

Blewitt Springs Cabernet to make you sit bolt upright in your seat. Such a captivating wine from 1999 plantings, its silky feels express nothing but class.

Vickery Watervale Riesling 2023

 

Another great Clare Riesling to add to your black book, you can find this around the traps for under 20 bucks. At that price, you have quite the bargain on your hands.

Stockman's Ridge Primrosé Sparkling 2022

 

What a pleasant glass of fizz this is! Crowd pleaser appeal deluxe.

Ox Hardy Upper Tintara Fiano 2023

 

I was walking around the winery with Ox Hardy earlier this year and we had a taste of this out of the tank. It was quite complex then but it's good to see how blending of various portions has delivered a more balanced wine.

Vickery Watervale Reserve Riesling 2020

 

Already developing some aged characteristics, a bit earlier than expected to be honest, this is a Riesling that will live long. With the name Vickery on the label, longevity comes as no surprise.

Schwarz Wine Co Meta Shiraz 2022

 

Four vineyards are brought together in this mightily slurpable Barossa Shiraz from Schwarz Wine Co.

Alkimi Syrah 2022

 

This Alkimi Syrah has always been a wine that holds excellent fire pit and char-grilled steak appeal and the 2022 is no different. I've been known to buy 6 packs of this from Stuart Dudine precisely for that reason. Proven to develop with some bottle age, it's just a bloody good drink.