De Iuliis LDR Shiraz 2021

 

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.

Levantine Hill Colleen's Paddock Pinot Noir 2020

 


If savoury Pinot is your thing, this Levantine Hill Colleen's Paddock may well fill your bucket.

Soumah Equilibrio Viognier 2023

 

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.

Biscay Road Riesling 2025

 

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.

De Iuliis Special Release Montepulciano 2023

 

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.

Wykari of Clare Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

 

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.

Soumah Hexham Vineyard Viognier 2024

 

Ever-reliable, this Soumah Hexham Vineyard Viognier rarely misses a beat.

Yelland and Papps Vin de Soif GCM 2024

 

Slippery, slurpable and delicious, this medium-bodied Grenache Cinsault party machine from Yelland & Papps is a dancy delight.

Yelland and Papps Cinsault Mourvedre Rosé 2024

 

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!

Running with Bulls Bullish Shiraz 2024

 

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.

Head Wines The Blonde Shiraz 2023

 

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.

Pike and Joyce The Kay Reserve Chardonnay 2023

 

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.

Tapanappa Whalebone Vineyard Cabernets Merlot Franc 2015

 

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.

Tapanappa Whalebone Vineyard Cabernets Merlot Franc 2021

 

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.

Castle Rock Estate Pinot Noir 2024

The original Pinot Noir from Castle Rock Estate, sleek lines and layers of interest are the order of the day. It's a wine that gets in deep and refuses to let go - winning!

Pike and Joyce WJJ Reserve Pinot Noir 2023

 

This WJJ Reserve Pinot Noir from Pike & Joyce is pretty thing. Gloriously medium bodied, it walks with confidence yet has a silky, elegant persona.

Bundalong Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

 

One whiff and it's so Coonawarra. But a modern Coonawarra at that. For 35 bucks, this is well worth chasing down.

Bundalong Coonawarra Shiraz 2020

 


Good stuff this. A really tidy Coonawarra Shiraz from Bundalong made a little more classy from the golden touch of winemaker Ox Hardy.

Head Wines Les Blancs 2024

 

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!

Pike and Joyce Sirocco Chardonnay 2024

 

A Chardonnay with lift and energy, this Sirocco release from Pike & Joyce is all about drink now and joyous vibes.

J and J Wines Organic Reserve Shiraz 2022

 

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.

Canobolas Wines Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

 

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.

Tenafeate Creek Montepulciano 2023

 

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 Moreau Limoncello

 

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.

Pike and Joyce Vie Du Nord Pinot Noir 2024

 

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.

Jansz Tasmania Cuvée 2021

 

An energetic glass of fizz, this Jansz Vintage 2021 is a very tidy sparkler.

Pike and Joyce Céder Riesling 2024

 

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.

Pike and Joyce Descente Sauvignon Blanc 2024

 

A herbaceous Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc from Pike & Joyce.

1847 Wines First Pick Barossa Valley Shiraz 2020

 

More refined and precise than the Grand Pappy's Shiraz, this 1847 First Pick Shiraz is an excellent wine, hands down.

J and J Wines Anniversary Organic Shiraz 2022

 

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.

J and J Wines Rivers Lane Organic Shiraz 2022

 


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.

Mt Bera A La Naturale Tempranillo 2024

 

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. 

Soumah Brachetto Frizzante d'Soumah NV



A little bit of fizzy fun, this Soumah Brachetto is a slightly sweet and a cleansing way to finish a meal, but partially freeze it to make a slushie and this is a bundle of joy beside the pool on a hot, steamy day.

1847 Wines Grand Pappy’s Barossa Valley Shiraz 2020

 

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.

Canobolas Wines Syrah 2023

 


From some of the oldest vines in the Orange wine region perched 820 metres above, this silky and seductive Canobolas Wines Syrah will have you floating on a cloud. What a piece of cool climate magic this is.

Head Wines Ancestor Vine Grenache 2023

 

The even-handedness coupled with its silky flow makes this Head Wines Ancestor Vines Grenache one absolute lip-smacking delight.

Tenafeate Creek Shiraz 2023

 

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.

Parker Estate Abbey Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

 


Woah! A faceplant into a tray of slow-roasted capsicum sets the scene with this new Abbey Vineyard Cabernet from Parker Estate.

St John's Road Reserve Blood and Courage Shiraz 2020

 

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.

Head Wines Red Shiraz 2023

 

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.

Varney Wines Limited Release Syrah 2022

 

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.

Sieger Estate Frederick Pinot Noir 2024

 

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.

Canobolas Wines Chardonnay 2024




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.

Tenafeate Creek Durif 2023

 

Lovers of bigger styles will be in heaven with this fabulous Durif from Tenafeate Creek.

Sticks Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

 

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.

Varney Wines Mencia 2024

 

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.

Head Old Vine Grenache 2023

 

Savoury and earthy, this Head Wines Grenache from 70+ year old vines is a classy package and smack bang in the zone.

Canobolas Wines Cabernet Franc 2023

 


A smashing Cabernet Franc from Canobolas Wines, I could get very comfortable with this. And perhaps I did.

Jericho The Stone Patch Shiraz 2023

 

I really like this Stone Patch Shiraz from Jericho. Those hypnotic aromas of raspberry coulis have me fixated.

Head Wines Riesling 2024

 

A great Riesling from Head Wines, it possesses a cool minerally vibe - much like its maker.