Mayfield Vineyard Block 14 Chardonnay 2022

 

Three wines make up the "Premier Range" for Mayfield Vineyard and this Block 14 Chardonnay is by far the best of the lot - well, I think so anyway. Flinty with a concentration of peach, this a fabulous wine hailing from Orange, NSW. 

Stonehaven Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

 

Coming in a big, weighty bottle with a wax seal, forego your gym fees and buy a dozen to do a workout instead. A rich and generous Cabernet from Coonawarra awaits.

Small Acres Cyder Sparkling Perry 2021

 

Sparkling Perry hits the tasting bench for the first time in a while. For a change of scenery, this is a fabulous aperitif or partner for a roast pork. 

Briar Ridge Stockhausen Shiraz 2022

A challenging Hunter Valley vintage can be seen in this wine. A few notches back from the 2021 which I could have necked entirely, this 2022 is a different beast.

Josef Chromy Chardonnay 2022

 

Quite a commercial style of Chardonnay, it's easy to see why this has so much appeal. It's a crowd pleaser done well with some sprinkle dust to add polish. 

Barossa Boy Young Wisdom Mataro 2020

 

Meaty is the word - and I love it! This is your Friday evening special after a long week. A cuddle in a glass, the savoury delish is moreish and then some. Forever the wingman, this Mataro walks proudly on its own two feet. Detailed, this is a well-made expression.

blü hen Riesling 2022

 

Riesling but a little bit different. Barrel fermented, this release from Mudgee, NSW, delivers a neat textural vibe.

Barossa Boy Risk It For The Biscuit Semillon 2022

 

Risk It For The Biscuit - one of those fascinating names for a wine. There is a great mouthfeel and presence with this Semillon. I've encountered some Barossa Semillon that has just been a hot mess - overripe and gloopy. This is a fabulous wine that is neatly balanced and shows bright fruit.

Stonehaven Limited Vineyard Release Chardonnay 2022

 

What a tidy wine this is! It's not going to break the bank and it's not going to bring home a swag of trophies, but it will deliver pleasure to those who seek a solid and reliable example of Chardonnay.

blü hen Shiraz Riesling 2022

 

Don't look at Shiraz Riesling and say, "Oh what!" but rather belt out, "Oh yeah!". This is a juicy, vibrant and energetic wine that screams for large pours and generous plates of food. And how is that label for capturing the eye with brilliant shelf appeal?

Hesketh GAR Cabernet Shiraz 2021

 

GAR stands for the Great Australian Red and that red would be the Cabernet Shiraz blend that Aussies can call their own. A blend of Coonawarra Cabernet from Parker's Abbey Vineyard and McLaren Vale Shiraz from Hardy's Upper Tintara Vineyard in Blewitt Springs, this is a generous red wine that calls you back for more.

Hesketh Ebenezer Shiraz 2021

 

A powerful Shiraz from the northern Barossa.

Hesketh Midday Somewhere Shiraz 2022

 

Midday somewhere sounds like beer o'clock but in this case we splash Shiraz in the glass. 

Hesketh Unfinished Business Pinot Noir 2022

 

Unfinished business in my book is an open bottle of wine and empty glasses nearby. But hey, that's me. This version of the definition is a Pinot Noir from the Limestone Coast.

Josef Chromy Brut Finesse Rose 2017

 

What a delightful fizz we have here from Josef Chromy. An energetic bead and blush appearance on the eye, it slides down all too easily.

Mercer Wines Malbec 2022

 

As we near peak fire pit and slow-cooked meal season, keep this Mercer Wines Malbec handy - it's a beauty. And then there is that colour! Coupled with eye-catching shelf appeal, it's a great drink.

Mayfield Vineyard William Pinot Noir 2022

 

Part of the new flagship "Premier Range" for Mayfield Vineyard, a portion of this William Pinot Noir went through carbonic maceration.

Mayfield Vineyard Thomas Chardonnay 2022

 

Welcome to the new range of wines from Mayfield Vineyard under the flagship 'Premier Range'. The detail this Thomas Chardonnay carries is evident.

Brand and Sons Old Town Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

 

Smart Cabernet this. Everything just seems well-proportioned. These Brand & Sons wines are in a bit of a purple patch at the moment. Lovers of Coonawarra ought to black book this label.

Huntington Estate Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

 

A pre-release look at this Special Release Cabernet from Huntington Estate. It's a wine that builds momentum the longer it is open. Give it that time and you'll be rewarded.

Brand and Sons Old Town Shiraz 2021

 

Sam Brand is on a quest to expose some "micro sites" of Coonawarra. This Old Town Shiraz comes from the centre of the district, a mere 1.5 acre block planted in the 1950s. Expressive and enticing, this is a beautiful drink.

Jim Brand Yates Chardonnay 2022

 

Coonawarra Chardonnays deliver an inherent richness. Although this example is not weighty, the generosity cannot be disputed. Roast chook night is looking up with this in your glass.

Bobar Wines Chardonnay 2022

 

It's great to see Bobar come across the tasting bench. I've only ever had their Gamay previously which was bought on recommendation (note, it was superb!). Sunshine in a glass, this Chardonnay doesn't miss a beat. A smart expression of the variety and then some.

Yangarra Estate Ovitelli Blanc 2021

 

Wonderfully textural with a faint minerally vibe, this Ovetelli Blanc is making quite a name for itself.

Josef Chromy Pinot Noir 2021

 

A riot of red cherries sprint from the glass. From Josef Chromy, is a classic example of Tasmanian Pinot Noir.

Bobar Chardonnay 2022

 

It's great to see Bobar come across the tasting bench. I've only ever had their Gamay previously which was bought on recommendation (note, it was superb!). Sunshine in a glass, this Chardonnay doesn't miss a beat. A smart expression of the variety and then some.

O'Leary Walker Seasonal Release Pinotage 2022

The debut release of this O'Leary Walker Pinotage was in 2019. A great drink back then, you'd be pleased to know little has changed. Silky with plenty of red and blue fruits, this is a joy to drink.

Redman Wines Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

 

Classic Coonawarra Cabernet from an all-time classic producer. This 2021 from Redman Wines doesn't miss a beat.

Barratt Wines Uley Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021

 

Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir from Barratt Wines. Earthy and leafy, it has an autumnal feel about it.

Parker Estate Cool Climate Pinot Noir 2022

 

An easy-going entry-level Pinot Noir from Parker Estate. With some oomph to kick it along, it's on the denser side of the Pinot scale. 

Yalumba The Caley Cabernet Shiraz 2018

Strap yourself in for a sublime red wine! Here we have the sixth release of Yalumba's The Caley and it is an absolutely refined and elegant Cabernet Shiraz. Just wow! Above all, it's a brilliant example of first-class fruit and astute winemaking. Drop everything and embrace the elegance and purity.

Barratt Wines Uley Vineyard Chardonnay 2022

 

I love the energy and texture here. This is my first look at the Barratt Uley Vineyard Chardonnay and I like what I see. 

Parker Estate Cool Climate Shiraz 2020

 

Casual barbecues and camping are all covered with this wonderfully drinkable Shiraz from Parker Estate.

Parker Estate Cool Climate Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

 

This is good value drinking when you can spot it around $20. Parker Estate can be relied on for their quality across all price points.

Max and Me Shiraz 2021

 

Dangerously smooth, Phil Lehmann has a habit of delivering lacy and super attractive wines under his Max & Me label. Sip slow and embrace the beauty of this Eden Valley Shiraz. 

Crittenden Estate The Zumma Pinot Noir 2021

 

The best of the Crittenden Estate Pinots, the step up from the Kangerong and Peninsula is clear.

Yangarra Estate King’s Wood Shiraz 2021

 

I like this... A lot. There's a sweetness of blue fruit that hooks you in before an array of spices seduces and sends you into a frenzy.

Gaelic Cemetery Premium Shiraz 2017

 

What a treat it is to sit this beside its 2016 predecessor. In comparison, it is more refined and polished as it slides through with silky and velvety feels. A smart example of Clare Valley Shiraz with six years of bottle aging already done for you.

Yelland and Papps Brumeux Rousanne 2022

 

More funk than Funky Cold Medina and more layers than those Instagram rainbow layer cakes, this is an absolute joy to drink. Cool, considered, and edgy, it's a wine that hits the high hats time and again.

Crittenden The Zumma Chardonnay 2021

 

There's a subtlety yet precision about the drive of this Mornington Peninsula Chardonnay from Crittenden Estate. The top of the range, this is just brilliant.

Gaelic Cemetery Premium Shiraz 2016

 

The bottle aging has been done for you delivering a Clare Valley Shiraz that has good shape with soft edges.

Redman Wines The Last Row Shiraz 2021

 

Predominantly from 100 year old vines with some help from their 80 year old siblings, this is a ripping Shiraz from Redman Wines.

Gaelic Cemetery White Hut Riesling 2022

Tightly wound, this Clare Valley Riesling from Gaelic Cemetery is ready to cut loose with its focused acidity. 

Crittenden Estate Kangerong Pinot Noir 2021

 

You had me at the first sip. What a beauty! A Pinot for lovers of savoury goodness.

Yelland and Papps Estate Syrah 2022

 

A more elegant take on the Barossa staple, this Syrah has a calming presence with the expected curiosity that Yelland & Papps wines deliver time and again.

Yangarra Estate Ironheart Shiraz 2020

If you are drinking this Yangarra Estate Ironheart then you are zeroing in on the apex of McLaren Vale Shiraz. It's always a superbly crafted wine and this 2020 release is no different.

Yelland and Papps Single Vineyard Roussanne 2022

 

Roussanne + Yelland & Papps = interest and this 2022 is no different. Kick back and peel back the veneers of pleasure one at a time, and trust me, you could be there for a while...

Crittenden Estate Peninsula Pinot Noir 2022

 

Loaded with lots of red fruity things, this Crittenden Estate Peninsula is a terrific drop of Pinot Noir for the money. Lots of fun, it harpoons you into a relaxed state and it would not be out of place on the pour at a wine bar or restaurant.

Parker Coonawarra Estate Cool Climate Chardonnay 2022

 

A slight tweak to the name with the appearance of 'Cool Climate' but the quality for the price point has not budged. This is solid Chardy for the money right here. 

Parker Estate SBW King Kong Fumé Blanc 2022

 

This Sauvignon Blanc comes from Kongorong - 26 kilometres southwest of Mt Gambier. Handled like a red wine less the skins, as per the back label, "A wine for the intrepid vinous explorer from a place of wonder and mystery, one to put you in an Empire State of mind!"