Wykari of Clare Single Vineyard Riesling 2024

 

A most approachable and vibrant Riesling from Wykari of Clare, I see this as the brand trademark - respectable wines that are easy to wrap your laughing gear around. The pricing across the range is very reasonable, too.

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Angove Family Crest Shiraz 2022

 

Slot this Angove Family Crest Shiraz into the "see wine, buy wine" category. For the asking price, you are getting a pretty tidy package.

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Carlei Estate Nord Root Day Shiraz 2020

 


Of the three Carlei Estate Shiraz wines, this Nord Root Day showed best. The fruit was more silky and pliable, whereas the others demonstrated more of a savoury persona.

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Carlei Estate Nord Fruit Day Shiraz 2020

 


Deliberately picked on a Fruit Day (as per the lunar calendar), this Nord Shiraz from Carlei Estate is organically and biodynamically farmed. A savoury driven wine, it was great tasting it alongside its Root Day sibling.

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Carlei Estate Cosmoir SUD Shiraz 2020

 


From organically and biodynamically farmed vineyards in Heathcote, this Carlei Estate Shiraz is a very impressive wine.

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Gundog Estate Indomitus Rosa 2024

 

Sourced from the Hilltops in NSW, this Gundog Estate Indomitus Rosa is a Rosé made from Sangiovese. Like its Indomitus Albus sibling, this is all about experimenting with texture and complexity and it nails the brief.

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Carlei Estate Cosmoir Viognier 2017

 

An aged delight from Carlei Estate. The 2012 Chardonnay was a treat and this 2017 Viognier with eight years already under its belt is no slouch. Pardon the bottle pic as it is yet to be released, but you get the idea...

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Gundog Estate Indomitus Albus 2024

 

Easily the best Indomitus Albus I have seen thus far, this 2024 continues the experimentation by Gundog Estate winemaker Matt Burton to tease out aromas, flavours and textures. For a different take on Semillon, check this out.

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Soumah Hexham Single Vineyard Pinot Grigio 2024

 


A Pinot Grigio with a blush appearance - I love it. An excellent option for entertaining, this release from Soumah is a great drink.

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Carlei Estate Pinot Noir 2013

 

Sourced from the Cardinia Ranges in Victoria, this is a muscular Pinot Noir from Carlei Estate.

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Soumah Hexham Single Vineyard Savarro 2024

 

Just add this to your shopping cart! The team at Soumah love their Italian varieties and this Savarro is a delight. Right in the wheelhouse for those who enjoy clean, fresh and bright wines, sinking a glass or two is a very easy task.

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Thomas Wines Two of a Kind Shiraz 2023

 


The Two of a Kind from Thomas Wines is a great barbecue wine or a reliable midweek slurp. Fabulously medium bodied, you'll mop up the bucketloads of fruit with ease.

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Angullong Crossing Reserve Harriet 2022

 

The Angullong Crossing Reserve Harriet is a blend of Sangiovese, Sagrantino and Montepulciano (40/40/20). With all the Italians coming together, just bring the porchetta and focaccia and you're set!

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Chapel Hill Road Block Shiraz 2022

 

A robust McLaren Vale Shiraz that softens with time under its wings, give this Chapel Hill Road Block a decant to see it at its best for now or tuck it away with confidence for the long term.
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Chapel Hill MV Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

 

This is a great Cabernet from Chapel Hill that won't break the bank. I really enjoyed its easygoing persona, so much so, it's the type I'd be more than happy to serve to my friends at a casual gathering.

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Knappstein Enterprise Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

 

Grown on Terra Rossa soils in the north of the Clare Valley, this is a savoury-driven Enterprise Cabernet Sauvignon from Knappstein Wines.

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Carlei Estate Chardonnay 2012

 

It's not every day a thirteen-year-old Chardonnay sample lands on the doorstep but lucky me when this Carlei Estate arrived. I have yet to see these wines, and this 2012 was a great introduction to the range.

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Polperro Coverdale Pinot Noir 2023

                                         

"I want to go back and drink the Coverdale," were the words I uttered to myself after going through the four Pinot Noirs in the Polperro single vineyard range. Silky, elegant and right in the slot, it's the type of Pinot that oozes class and charisma.

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Ox Hardy Upper Tintara 1891 Ancestor Vines Shiraz 2021

 

Of late, I've been bathing in a sweet spot of some epic McLaren Vale Shiraz samples that have made their way to the Qwine tasting bench. This Ox Hardy Upper Tintara 1891 Ancestor Vines is yet another superb wine I've been fortunate to review.

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Juno Wines Grenache Rosé 2024

 

This is a great splash of delish for a warm afternoon. A seam of delightful creaminess is the highlight of this Juno Wines Rosé.

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Polperro Landaviddy Lane Pinot Noir 2023

 

Succulent is the word that reverberates as I taste this Landaviddy Lane single vineyard Pinot Noir from Polperro. What a glass of sheer delight we have here.

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Chapel Hill The Parson GSM 2024

 

Seeking an approachable wine without wanting to lose your week's wage? Check this Chapel Hill The Parson GSM for all your casual catch-up and mid-week tipple needs.

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Parker Coonawarra Estate Terra Rossa Merlot 2023

 

A silky ball of delish, this is a great Merlot from Parker Coonawarra Estate. Complexity, length, structure - what else do you need?

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Chapel Hill The MV Bush Vine Grenache 2023

 

I found this Chapel Hill MV Bush Vine Grenache to be on the leaner side of the ledger but with a neat red apple crunch to boot it home.

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Chapel Hill The Parson Shiraz 2023

 

The Parson range of wines from Chapel Hill represents tidy value. For 19 bucks, this Shiraz does the job really well.

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Lou Miranda Golden Lion Shiraz 2021

 

This has got Barossa Shiraz written all over it. A cool night by the fire pit will set the scene just right for this generous and rich Lou Miranda Golden Lion.

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Chapel Hill The Devil Shiraz 2021

 

Brilliant! Just brilliant. Going through the Chapel Hill range, it is clear that The Devil eclipses all. With a wine named The Vicar surpassed by The Devil, this is no religious thing, just be assured that 'the devil' is in the detail.

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Chapel Hill The Vicar Shiraz 2022

 

The Vicar has long been the Chapel Hill flagship but only to have its title wrestled away by The Devil in recent years. Still, it is a brilliant wine in its own right and an icon of the brand, this 2022 is drinking superbly now and it will continue to evolve for many years to come.

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Fierce III Shiraz Grenache Mataro 2022

 

A dense and muscular blend, this Shiraz/Grenache/Mataro from Lou Miranda is steak night ready.
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Polperro Little Laney Pinot Noir 2023

 

A savoury-driven single vineyard Pinot Noir from Polperro, but this Little Laney carries more grunt and fruit than its Talland Hill sibling.

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Polperro Talland Hill Pinot Noir 2023

 

Wonderfully silky, this savoury Talland Hill Pinot Noir from Polperro is a fabulous drink. Organically and biodynamically farmed, it offers much to ponder and consider, I dig it.

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Knappstein Ackland Vineyard Riesling 2024

 

The Ackland Vineyard Riesling from Knappstein comes from the Watervale dress circle. Standing on the hill overlooking Springvale Road you'd need all your fingers and toes to count off the quality vineyards the eye can see.

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Ox Hardy Fiano 2024

 

Fiano has found a happy home in McLaren Vale and this Ox Hardy release from the Upper Tintara vineyard in Blewitt Springs will elevate your weekend long lunch.

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Knappstein Insider Riesling 2024

 

Three parcels of fruit have been handled differently and then blended to create this textural Insider Riesling from Knappstein Wines.

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Ox Hardy Slate Shiraz 2022

 

Steeped in history, this Ox Hardy Slate Shiraz was fermented in slate fermenters, possibly the only remaining type in the world. The original winery was built in 1863 and these fermenters are the only remaining relics. Lovingly restored in 2018, they are used specifically for this wine.

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Parker Coonawarra Estate Kidman Block Shiraz 2023

 

The Kidman Block Shiraz from Parker Coonawarra Estate has shown very well in years gone by, but this 2023 appears to be much shyer.

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Chapel Hill 1941 Vines Grenache 2023

From Chapel Hill's 1941 Old Vines and yet to be released, give this a little lie down and it should pay dividends.

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Polperro Talland Hill Chardonnay 2023

 

Head to the Polperro cellar door and look out to the vines and you'll be surveying the Talland Hill vineyard perched 170 metres above. A wonderful set of Chardonnays are produced by winemaker Sam Coverdale and this release gets the nod slightly ahead of its Mill Hill sibling.

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Brand and Sons Honeysuckle Riesling 2024

 

A new release for Brand & Sons, this is an off-dry Riesling that screams for a spicy Asian dish.

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Fierce III Shiraz 2022


Big, muscular and oaky sum up this Barossan born Fierce III Shiraz.

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Angullong Crossing Reserve Chardonnay 2023

 

Fresh is the buzzword for this Angullong Crossing Reserve Chardonnay given its uplifting persona. It's a wine that shows a respectable consistency from the aromas through to the flavour profile. Astute winemaking is no doubt the key feature here.

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Kyberd Hills Wines Brigadier Pinot Noir 2021

 

Three Kyberd Hills Pinot Noirs and three very different wines. A little spicy like the 2020, this 2021 holds better shape and form. But given the choice, I'd take the 2018.

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Kyberd Hills Wines Brigadier Pinot Noir 2020

 

A very different wine compared to the previous 2018, this Kyberd Hills Pinot Noir 2020 is more muscular and tense.
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Kyberd Hills Wines Brigadier Pinot Noir 2018

 

This is the first time Kyberd Hills Wines have come across the bench and the Chardonnays and these Pinots have had a neat consistency. With seven years already under its belt, this 2018 Pinot Noir is the one I kept coming back to.
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Ox Hardy Upper Tintara 1891 Ancestor Vines Shiraz 2015

 

A McLaren Vale Shiraz masterclass, this is an elite ride through the pleasure zone courtesy of the Ox Hardy Upper Tintara 1891 Ancestor Vines Shiraz 2015. A museum release, this is a wine to cherish and savour.

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Parker Coonawarra Estate 95 Block 2022

 

The Parker Coonawarra Estate 95 Block is a blend of Cabernet and Petit Verdot (81/19) and I really like what the latter brings to the table. Attractive aromas draw you into this age-worthy blend.

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Polperro Mill Hill Chardonnay 2023

 


This is a delightful Mill Hill single vineyard Chardonnay from Polperro with plenty of textural interest and complexity to keep the juices flowing.

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Ox Hardy Grenache 2023

 

This is delicious. A Grenache with a label that is eye-catching, this Ox Hardy 2023 slides down with supreme ease. Dive in!

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Chapel Hill Gorge Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

 

Rich and dense, this Chapel Hill Gorge Block is a broad-shouldered Cabernet Sauvignon from McLaren Vale. A wine with serious longevity in its veins, it is certainly built to last and a few days of tasting proved that.

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Kyberd Hills El Rubio Tempranillo 2023

The Mornington Peninsula is not known as a homeland for Tempranillo, so I was curious when this slid across the tasting bench from Kyberd Hills - I'm always open-minded. Baked, warm and extracted, this didn't hit the right varietal notes for me.
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