From a cooler site than the No. 1 Shiraz, this walks with a sophisticated swagger despite rocking a street-style hoodie, you know the one. It's a treat to see the two Hilltop expressions from Gundog Estate side by side. There is a little more polish here yet it still presents with some rustic appeal.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
An uncomplicated, no-fuss Rosé that is easy to befriend from Oxford Landing' new One to One range.
A new label in the Oxford Landing range that delivers an easy drinking fizz with crowd-pleasing appeal.
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!
The flavour train has left the station and it appears this fizz didn't jump on board.
One from left field, and bang, we have a home run! What a pretty and delicious Grenache from the Barossa's Vinya Vella!
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.
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.
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.
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!
An off-dry Riesling from Hutton Vale Farm ready to take the sting out of your curry night.
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.
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.
A pretty Eden Valley Riesling waiting for your empty glass. Smart gear this.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Tight! Quite different to the releases tasted in the past, a lasso of acid around the edges keeps tugging leaving a firm imprint.
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.
Rich and concentrated, this is a Chardonnay with plenty of meat on the bones.
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.
Sleek! Decadent drinking, this is the type of wine you want with a bottomless glass.
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.
What a pleasant glass of fizz this is! Crowd pleaser appeal deluxe.
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.
