Tim Smith Roussanne 2025

 

This is only the second Roussanne release from Tim Smith and it appears he knows what he is doing. An excellent wine, if a white wine with some body is in your wheelhouse, make a beeline for this.
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Berton Vineyard Black Shiraz 2022

 

A solid drink from Berton Vineyard, this Black Shiraz is packed with flavour and attitude.

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Pikes Luccio Fiano 2025

 


Hello Fiano Friday! A thoroughly enjoyable release from Pikes.

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Pizzini Il Barone 2022

 


A caress in a bottle, you'd snuggle up to this with a Sunday roast at your mercy, but a Friday night wind down or cosy night in front of the fire are certainly not out of the question either.

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Rogers & Rufus Rosé 2025

 

These Rogers & Rufus Rosés hit the mark every time. 
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Raidis Estate Cheeky Goat Pinot Gris 2025

 

Many folk don't realise that Pinot Gris actually has red skins and I love how the team at Raidis Estate deliver their take on the variety with a slight blush appearance.

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Tim Smith Bugalugs Blanc 2025

 

A quirky take on the Rhone white blend that hits the mark deluxe!

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La Maschera Pinot Grigio 2024

 


Eight months in seasoned oak has helped build a creamy and textural frame for this La Maschera Pinot Grigio.

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Pikes The Merle Riesling 2025

 

Focus and detail are the buzzwords here. An exceptional The Merle Riesling from Pikes despite the challenging vintage, it maintains its elite status.

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Larnook Rosé 2025


Bone dry and deliciously savoury, I just want to sit by the beach watching the waves roll in with a glass of this Larnook Rosé in hand. Bliss.

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Twin Islands Sauvignon Blanc 2025

 

The aromas of a summer fruit bowl leap from the glass offering an energetic welcome passage to this Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.

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Oxford Landing Merlot 2023

 

Quite the elder statesman in the Oxford Landing range, all other wines are much younger, but I suppose someone needs to keep the kids in check.

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Oxford Landing Juicy Red 2024

 

"Juicy Red", they say. A brand new offering from Oxford Landing that is cheekily suggesting that you take it for a spin.

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Oxford Landing Rosé 2025

 

Serve this Oxford Landing Rosé blind to your friends and I bet they won't know it's 13 bucks. There is plenty going on here to stop you in your tracks, that's for sure.

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Oxford Landing Sauvignon Blanc 2025

 


Taking a look at these new release Oxford Landing wines, the consistency across the range is admirable. For 13 bucks, this Sauvignon Blanc ticks the box with authority.

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Oxford Landing Moscato 2025

 

The target market for this Oxford Landing Moscato will be licking their chops.

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Oxford Landing Cuveé NV

 

Not everyone has a Champagne budget, and although this Oxford Landing Cuveé is not in the same league, if you have a thirst for some fizz, there is not a lot wrong here for 13 bucks.

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Gundog Estate Canberra District Shiraz 2024

 

Scents of lavender and blueberry aromas explode from the glass to make quite the statement here. A delightfully delicious medium-bodied Canberra District Shiraz from Gundog Estate.

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Raidis Estate Wild Goat Shiraz 2024

 

A very tidy Shiraz from Coonawarra, the Wild Goat gets its name from the workers that make their way through the vineyard after harvest - a herd of goats, no less.

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Pikes Traditionale Riesling 2025

 

A summer staple, this Pikes Traditionale Riesling doesn't miss. Despite coming from a challenging vintage, this 2025 is a super drink.

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Larnook Regional Series Shiraz 2024

 


If you like them bold and dense, wrap your mitts around this Larnook Regional Series Shiraz.

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Tim Smith MGS 2024

 

I can only imagine sitting opposite Tim Smith while tasting this MGS blend. Smith breaks his gaze, winks his eye and says in his calm, composed tone, "It's not shit, is it?" You'd be a hard marker to disagree.

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Berton Vineyard White Rock Chardonnay 2024

One whiff and I'm in. A classic Eden Valley Chardonnay, this Berton Vineyard White Rock waltzes along blissfully.

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Berton Vineyard Metal Label Vermentino 2025

 

Summer slings that won't burn a hole in your back pocket, check this Berton Vineyard Metal Label Vermentino.

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Raidis Estate Laila Rosé 2025

 

Unpretentious, this Laila Rosé from Raidis Estate is sure to bring joy and boisterous fun to the party.

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Oakridge 864 Funder & Diamond Drive Block Chardonnay 2023

 

If you were to be drinking a wine on a cloud, this Oakridge 864 Funder & Diamond Drive Block Chardonnay would be in your hand. Balanced, poised, focused and delicate yet wonderfully detailed. Exceptional.

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Pikes Luccio Sangiovese 2024

 


A well-presented and framed Sangiovese from Pikes in the Clare Valley.

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Larnook Picpoul 2025

 

Put the tang back in your summer with this cracking Picpoul from Larnook. What a beauty, you can thank me later.

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Gundog Estate Hilltops No.2 Shiraz 2024

 

I loved the Gundog Estate Hilltops No.1 but this No.2 is a step up. Tasted side by side, the elevated beauty was obvious as soon as I moved to the No.2

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Cooks Lot Iconique Barrique Chardonnay 2019

 

Chardonnay releases with 6 years of bottle age are rare. Say hello to this detailed, glorious piece from Duncan Cook.

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Gundog Estate Hilltops No.1 Shiraz 2024

 

Not short on flavour, this Gundog Estate Hilltops Shiraz No.1 is measured with a medium to full-bodied profile. It offers a come-hither appeal with its rustic edge, giving reason to shuffle closer.

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Lono Rosé 2025

 

Something a little different today: a review of a zero alcohol wine. Bottles like this rarely appear on my tasting bench, though the category is worth exploring. Rather than being stripped of alcohol, this Lono Shiraz is made through a halted fermentation, allowing it to ferment naturally before stopping early. The result sits below 0.5 percent alcohol while retaining the character of the fruit. 
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Vinya Vella Old Bush Vine Grenache 2024

 

This is a stunning wine that showcases the best of Barossa Valley Grenache and what this variety is capable of. Go here, please do.

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Jericho GSM 2023

 

Reliable drinking deluxe, the Jericho GSM is one of those labels that rarely fails.

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Three Dark Horses Grenache Touriga 2024

 

Tuck this Grenache Touriga under your arm for a casual barbecue or gathering.

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Pikes Eastside Shiraz 2023

 

Tense, spicy and firm through the mid-palate, this Pikes Eastside Shiraz held similar form over a couple of days of tasting.

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Gundog Estate M Burton Shiraz II NV

 

I understand what Matt Burton is trying to achieve here, but I can't see how it has gone so wrong. It's worth noting that I am a big fan of Matt's wines - they are precise and represent their region of origin well. But this Shiraz II just misses the mark and then some.

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Pizzini L'Aquila Nebbiolo 2023

 

This Pizzini L'Aquila Nebbiolo made a most impressive entrance, but it really broke into a respectable stride over a few days of tasting, which proves once more that Nebbiolo with some bottle age shines best.

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Pizzini Nero d'Avola 2024

 


This is a Nero d'Avola from Pizzini that walks with confidence and charm.

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Cooks Lot Iconique Barrique R16 R17 Pinot Noir 2019

 

A Pinot Noir worthy of sliding into a comfy chair and getting comfortable with every sip, say hello to the Cooks Lot Iconique Barrique.
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Berton Vineyards Alfresco Lagrein 2024

 


The red wine bargain of the year!! Can I leave the review at that? This Berton Vineyards Alfresco Lagrein from the Riverina is an absolute belter!

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Oakridge 864 Close Planted Syrah 2023

 

A gorgeous Syrah from Oakridge's close-planted vines, 5200 vines per hectare no less.

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Hutton Vale Farm Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

 

From 1998 planted vines, this Hutton Vale Farm Cabernet Sauvignon spends 19 months in French oak, 25% of which is new.

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Redman Sangiovese 2024

 

One out of the box, this Redman Wines Limestone Coast Sangiovese looks very comfortable strutting about with a Chianti swagger. For 30 bucks, this is a cracker!
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Oakridge 864 Winery Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

 

A cool climate Cabernet masterclass, this Oakridge 864 Winery Block Cabernet is such a joyous and enticing thing.

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Larnook Blewitt Springs Grenache 2024

Let it breathe and this Larnook Grenache will open up and showcase the pretty thing that it is. 

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Raidis Estate The Kid Riesling 2025

 

I'm not gonna lie, this Raidis Estate Riesling is one of my Coonawarra go-to wines simply because of its absolutely delicious persona.

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Sutton Grange Fairbank Sangiovese 2023

 

This is a great Sangiovese that will spin your wheels. The quality of wines across the Sutton Grange portfolio does not disappoint. Such a food-friendly style, snuggle up to this beauty with confidence.

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Slow Wine Co Blanc de Blancs 2021

 

From 30+ year old vines on the Bantry Grove site, the home of some spectacular Orange sparkling, Slow Wine Co kept a little parcel for themselves to produce this Blanc de Blancs.

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Slow Wine Co Blanc de Noir 2021

 

Just outside Orange is the stunning town of Millthorpe. It's a must-do to be transported back to the days of the first settlers. The nostalgia and feel are incredible. Nestled in the town is the Slow Wine Co cellar door - it's well worth dropping in there too.

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