Thomas Wines The Dam Block Shiraz 2021

 

Dam good Hunter Valley Shiraz you could say. From a tiny 0.8 hectare block that resides across the dam (funnily enough) from the famed Kiss block, this Dam Block 2021 is a dense red ready to add some snuggle factor to your chilly winter evenings.

Redman Wines The Redman 2019

 

A bit of Tina Turner action here from the gang at Redman Wines - the best! The best fruit and the best barrels are blended to produce The Redman in exceptional years.

Soumah Equilibrio Chardonnay 2022

 

Soumah's Equilibrio Chardonnay is a selection of the best barrels from their Hexham vineyard. A wine that generally holds a wonderful presence, the vintage variation is clear with this release.

Thomas Wines Belford Shiraz 2021

 

Hunter Valley Shiraz with some muscle. It's a street tough with a cheeky persona. You'd be picky not to enjoy this.

Redman Wines Shiraz 2021

 

For $22.50 this is superb value. Decant and reap the reward. What a beauty! Don't for a second think Coonawarra is a one trick pony because there are some excellent parcels of Shiraz about the place ready for you to dive into. Blackbook this Redman release.

Crittenden Estate Kangerong Chardonnay 2021

 

I'm here for the texture. Coating the mouth with splendour, this is a great Mornington Peninsula Chardonnay from Crittenden Estate.

Soumah Hexham Chardonnay 2022

 

I've been a big fan of the single vineyard Hexham Chardonnay from Soumah over the years. From a tough vintage, this 2022 drops back a little.

Thomas Wines Synergy Shiraz 2021

 

Who's up for a medium-bodied Shiraz dance party? A seriously great slurp of Hunter Valley Shiraz, this is a blend of a range of parcels that Andrew Thomas has access to and brings one big celebration to your mouth.

Spinifex Late Release Riesling 2017

 

If aged Riesling spins your wheels, get amongst this late release from Spinifex. Wonderfully concentrated, it still has many years of pleasure ahead.

Chaffey Bros Tripelpunkt Riesling 2017

A museum release from Chaffey Bros, I was fortunate enough to give this a road test at Artisans of Barossa recently. With over 40 wines on tasting, there are plenty of gems to uncover. If aged Riesling is your thing, this is a beauty.

Huntington Estate Special Reserve Shiraz 2009

What a joy it is to go back in time and revisit a wine previously sampled and see where its sits after some bottle age. The shape and presence are quite intriguing and impressive all at the same time. A brilliant example of aged Shiraz.

Yelland and Papps Barossa Valley Cinsault 2022

 

If you enjoy vibrant examples of Pinot Noir, Gamay or Grenache, you'll be sure to love this Cinsault from Yelland & Papps. It's juicy, slurpable and delicious.

Max and Me Syrah 2021

 

This is the fourth release of the Max and Me Syrah. Made from Eden Valley fruit, it's a wonderfully silky wine that slides down with ease.

Crittenden Estate Peninsula Chardonnay 2022

 

Good gear this from Crittenden Estate. Their entry level of three Chardonnays, this is ready to go.

Thomas Wines Elenay Shiraz 2021

 

What started as a one-off make up blend many years ago of the Lips and Arseholes (L&A = Elenay), the Elenay has morphed into a considered and premium wine in the Thomas Wines range. So much so, it seems to strut with glitter and shiny stuff. Incredibly successful on the show circuit, it's a victory for you when it's in your glass. 

Thomas Wines Kiss Shiraz 2021

 

Need a quality and contemporary take on Hunter Valley Shiraz? Pucker up to this Thomas Wines Kiss Shiraz 2021. Stay a while and be welcomed to the pleasure dome. 

Yalumba The Virgilius Viognier 2020

 

Australia's premier Viognier without question, this is another excellent release from Yalumba.

Thomas Wines Sweetwater Shiraz 2021

 

The Sweetwater Shiraz from Thomas Wines can be relied upon to deliver prettiness and sexy factor and this 2021 is no different. Delicious as ever, it's a ripper.

Max and Me The House Blend 2021

 

A quick look at the Max & Me House Blend 2021 after a recent tasting with Phil Lehmann at his beautiful Eden Valley property. This is a solid example of an Eden Valley Shiraz and Cabernet blend.

Yangarra Estate Ovitelli Grenache 2021

 

It's more than appropriate that I celebrate my 6000th review with Grenache! That's some journey and I'm most grateful to the wineries, winemakers, marketers and my readers for your support.

As with previous releases, this is my favourite Grenache in the Yangarra Estate range. The class, the purity, the lacy feels - it's a damn fine drink. Grenache lovers, this is heavenly.

Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Shiraz 2019

 

After 24 years at Yalumba, it is great to see Kevin Glastonbury as a co-signatory on this Yalumba The Signature 2019. Perhaps the best producer of the famed Cabernet/Shiraz blend in the country, the impeccable consistency he has achieved with labels such as The Caley and The Signature deserves nothing but praise. This 2019 is another superb release.

Tomfoolery Eden Valley Equinox Shiraz 2021

 

The prettiness and vibrance of Eden Valley Shiraz glisten. There is a juicy factor here too. Glorious and then some, you may be determined to not share a drop, and fair enough too. What a beauty this is from Tomfoolery Wines.

Lienert Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

 

A brand new release for Lienert Estate comes with another eye-catching label. This time green locusts make their mark as they did when the journey of Cabernet commenced at Lienert. Give this a long decant or tuck it away for a while to see it at its best.

Parker Coonawarra Estate First Growth 2019

 

This is the first First Growth to see the hands of Ox Hardy. The difference is telling with the fruit picked a little earlier and certainly not as ripe as the 2018 vintage. There is a shape and prestige about its carry that is easy to admire. Pointed to a long future, stash this away to be rewarded deluxe.

Chaffey Bros Triplepunkt Riesling 2022

I had a quick look at this Tripelpunkt from Chaffey Bros on a recent trip to Artisans of Barossa. It was my first taste of this wine and I must say I was quite impressed.

Yalumba Eden Valley Viognier 2021

 

A ray of morning sunshine in the glass. A delicate little number here showcasing the beauty of Viognier.

Hill-Smith Estate Eden Valley Chardonnay 2021

 

Looking for an approachable Chardonnay? Check this Hill-Smith Estate 2021.

Auld Family Wines Strawbridge Shiraz 2020

 

Steak night or a glass of red to cuddle up to on a chilly winter's night - this Strawbridge Shiraz from Auld Family Wines has you covered.

Heggies Vineyard Single Block Reserve Chardonnay 2021

 

Lean and precise, the focus is telling when this Single Block Reserve Chardonnay lined up alongside its siblings. The Estate is more compelling with some richness whereas the detail is more direct here. 

Heggies Vineyard Estate Chardonnay 2021

 

In short, this Heggies Vineyard Estate Chardonnay is flinty, complex and layered. A glorious wine and one you could muse over for some time. Winning!

Heggies Vineyard Cloudline Chardonnay 2022

 

Fresh and ready to go, this is a bright and engaging Eden Valley Chardonnay from Heggies Vineyard.

de Iuliis LDR Shiraz 2020

 

Reach for the sticky, smokey ribs says Mike de Iuliis but simply chilling out by the fire pit on a cool evening with a generous pour of this will do just fine. Wonderfully medium-bodied, this is a tidy Hunter Valley Shiraz.

Spinifex Riesling 2022

I haven't seen a Spinifex wine for some time so when I was hosted at Artisans of the Barossa recently and offered a glass of this Riesling I jumped at it. Great stuff this.

Colmar Estate Riesling 2022

 

I have only just come to know Colmar Estate but what I have learnt very quickly is that they produce excellent Riesling out of Orange, New South Wales. Start your Riesling journey with them here.

Parker Coonawarra Estate 95 Block 2020

 

Like 'em with a bit of muscle? Check this Cabernet and Petit Verdot (91/9) blend from Parker Coonawarra Estate. It reeks of the region from the get-go and is a smart wine for those with patience.

Parker Coonawarra Estate Terra Rossa Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

 

Seeking a solid representation of Coonawarra Cabernet? This Terra Rossa label from Parker Coonawarra Estate nails its time and again. Actually, it's better than solid as it continues to gain ground and no doubt a new legion of fans.

Arila Gardens Gardens of Moppa GSM 2022

The 2021 release was an absolute belter and winemaker Adam Clay has levelled up with this 2022 GSM. A fabulous drink, the savoury appeal really stood out on this occasion.

Max and Me High Eden Pinot Noir 2021

 

Eden Valley Pinot Noir is a rare thing. The fruit for this Max & Me release was planted in the early 80s on an east-facing site to a mix of clones. 

Arila Gardens Gardens of Moppa Nero d'Avola 2022

 

Another new wine in the Arila Gardens stable. This Nero d'Avola joins the immensely enjoyable Saparavi and stands tall in its own right.

Welland Wines Valley and Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Quite a different wine to its Shiraz sibling, I much preferred the structure and feel of this Cabernet. It's a quality wine for the money, that's for sure.

Lienert Estate Grenache 2022

 

Yet to be released, gee I love getting a sneak peek before a wine hits the shelves. This is the second release of this Grenache that hails from the western Barossa. Bright and crunchy, it is such a delicious wine.

Welland Wines Valley and Valley Shiraz 2022

 

This was tasted on the back of Ben Chapman's ute while standing on his Welland vineyard in the middle of suburbia, downtown Nuriootpa. A blend of Barossa Valley and Eden Valley fruit, hence the Valley & Valley label.

Max and Me Springton Vineyard Grenache 2022

 

I sat down with Phil Lehmann recently to go through some of his Max and Me wines. The quality across the board is most impressive. This Eden Valley Grenache makes its debut in the range and what an entrance it has made. Tight on opening, it expressed itself with more time in the glass.

Parker Coonawarra Estate Kidman Block Shiraz 2021

 

A Shiraz with an appetite to please, the wheels are turning for some longevity. Always a great site and one that often flies under the radar, the Kidman Block is flourishing in the hands of Parker Coonawarra. Smart Shiraz this.

Max and Me Mirooloo Road Eden Valley Riesling 2022

 

I haven't seen this Riesling from Max and Me since 2019. Little has changed, to be honest, it's still a superb drink. If you love Riesling (and you should be loving it!), get around this wine.

Arila Garden Gardens of Moppa Saperavi 2022

 

Barossa Valley Saperavi! You have my attention. Like all the Arila Gardens wines, this is a fabulous expression of the variety.

de Iuliis Estate Shiraz 2020

 

Full disclosure on this one... I spent some time in the Hunter Valley during the 2020 vintage and I had my mitts in this wine. Daily checks, punch downs, I even shovelled it out (in near record time I'm led to believe). For $25, year after year this is a great drink. Some creative googling will land you a $20 bargain - what a steal!