Not the usual LDR that I've come to know, this 2021 from De Iuliis Wines is quite a savoury expression that turns the norm on its head.
Not the usual LDR that I've come to know, this 2021 from De Iuliis Wines is quite a savoury expression that turns the norm on its head.
The best of the single vineyard fruit from Soumah's Hexham site, compared to the Single Vineyard Hexham Viognier, this Equilibrio sees more new oak (23%) and a small portion is fermented in clay eggs.
The first release from the 2025 vintage has hit the Qwine tasting bench and it also happens to be the first Riesling produced by Biscay Road. Adding to the quality wines in the range, this is a welcome addition.
Rush to this De Iuliis Special Release Montepulciano. It's a wine that is well balanced, generous but not weighty, flavoursome and screams for large pours and plentiful plates of food surrounded by those who laugh out loud.
Find some of the best lamb you can buy and put this Wykari of Clare Single Vineyard Cabernet on the table alongside. A mouthful of restrained power, this is a quality wine at the humble price of $28.
Slippery, slurpable and delicious, this medium-bodied Grenache Cinsault party machine from Yelland & Papps is a dancy delight.
An autumnal Rosé from Yelland & Papps, this is savoury, drying and textured. It's a wine that hits the spot for that charcuterie board while the sun slowly falls from the sky. Winning!
New to the Running with Bulls range, say hello to the Bullish Shiraz. Designed to be enjoyed with food and packaged in an eye-catching, sleek bottle, this is an ideal barbecue partner.
This is a great drink from Head Wines. It's not the broad and bulky Barossa Shiraz that some may assume. There is a prettiness and fleet-footedness as it dances through the palate.
Concentrated with measured density describes this Pike & Joyce The Kay Reserve Chardonnay best. And the longer it sits, the more I lean in. So, another pour became necessary - great stuff.
What a sheer privilege it was to taste this Tapanappa Whalebone Vineyard blend 2015 alongside the new 2021 release. Brian Croser is releasing a small quantity of the 2015s and its pure class is obvious. Better still, what a thrilling opportunity it is to check out where this wine has come from and where it has the potential to go.
This Tapanappa Whalebone Vineyard Cabernets Merlot Franc 2021 is a slightly different blend to the 2015 that it was tasted alongside. What a treat it was to capture the past alongside the current release. This is an excellent wine - some may say it's Australia's answer to the right bank.
This WJJ Reserve Pinot Noir from Pike & Joyce is pretty thing. Gloriously medium bodied, it walks with confidence yet has a silky, elegant persona.
One whiff and it's so Coonawarra. But a modern Coonawarra at that. For 35 bucks, this is well worth chasing down.
Don't tell me that white wines are only for the warmer months when you can pour this Head Wines Les Blancs blended delight into your glass and enjoy a winter sunset. Woah!
A Chardonnay with lift and energy, this Sirocco release from Pike & Joyce is all about drink now and joyous vibes.
Don't queue Sade's song Shy Guy, coz this is not. A muscular, large-framed Shiraz from J&J Wines, find a slab of protein to help this Reserve 2022 on its way.
Another excellent wine from the Canoblas Wines stable, the wines from this producer are absolutely humming. These cool climate delights are well worth checking out.
Silky brutality describes this Tenafeate Creek Montepulciano best. A generous wine that over-delivers on flavour and depth, yet there is an attractive elegance that is unmissable.
Eureka Distilling is located in Marrickville, NSW, and this delicious Limoncello was lobbed my way. Grazie! Occasionally, Limoncello is served in shot glasses and thrown back - don't do that. Serve ice cold, sip slowly and savour this refreshing delight.
The longer this Pike & Joyce Vie Du Nord Pinot Noir sat in the glass, the more I leaned in. It's a quality Pinot at the price point.
The Pike family have produced exceptional Rieslings in their own right from their Clare Valley base, but their partnership with the Joyce family, fifth-generation horticulturalists, marks this foray into Adelaide Hills. Fragrant and zippy, this is a smart release.
More refined and precise than the Grand Pappy's Shiraz, this 1847 First Pick Shiraz is an excellent wine, hands down.
A noticeable step up from its Rivers Lane sibling, this Anniversary Shiraz for J&J Wines delivers more fruit and moves about with a more tempered flow.
A new label to hit the Qwine tasting bench, this organic Rivers Lane Shiraz from J&J Wines in McLaren Vale is a ripe, muscular and bulky number.
A textural play thing of sorts, this unadulterated Tempranillo from Mt Bera has been fermented in amphora with no additions and was bottled without filtering.
If you enjoy bathing in old school Barossa Shiraz, this 1847 Wines Grand Pappy's would be right up your alley. With all the hallmarks you'd expect, the density and concentration are hard to miss.
The even-handedness coupled with its silky flow makes this Head Wines Ancestor Vines Grenache one absolute lip-smacking delight.
A big, ripe Shiraz from Tenafeate Creek, its rounded shoulders offer a graceful shade to its personality, particularly after a couple of days of tasting.
Woah! A faceplant into a tray of slow-roasted capsicum sets the scene with this new Abbey Vineyard Cabernet from Parker Estate.
A big, robust Barossa Shiraz with a slick of dark fruit, this St John's Road Blood and Courage sees new French oak for 18 months.
A blend of Barossa and Eden Valley fruit, what a delightful drink. This is not the best Shiraz in the world, but damn, if you need that comforting ear or an embrace for the insides, this Head Wines Red should be your weapon of choice.
There is so much here that lovers of red wine would seek. Check this Varney Wines Limited Release Syrah, sit back, relax, and sip slow.
This is a really pleasant drink. It comes across more like a lighter bodied Shiraz than a Pinot Noir, but the presence, shape and flow get this Sieger Estate Frederick Pinot Noir a thumbs up.
Chardonnay is absolutely thriving in Orange, and if you can't get your feet on the ground, grab some of this Canobolas 2024 - it's a masterclass from the comfort of your armchair. Focused, measured, layered and pure, this is an excellent example of what the district does best.
For $23, the Sticks Cabernet Sauvignon offers you a very tidy expression from the Yarra Valley. Black fruits, herby delights and a long finish have the "buy me" lights illuminated brightly.
Hot tip: let this Varney Wines Mencia 2024 breathe. A little bit wound up for now, give it that chance to unfurl and you'll hit the pleasure zone in no time. Gorgeous and then some, this is a silky wine to adore.
Savoury and earthy, this Head Wines Grenache from 70+ year old vines is a classy package and smack bang in the zone.
I really like this Stone Patch Shiraz from Jericho. Those hypnotic aromas of raspberry coulis have me fixated.