Hayes Family Wines Reserve Grenache 2024

 

The first Reserve Grenache from Hayes Family Wines and it's deservedly so. What an elite piece of work we have here! It's bright, pretty, intuitive and damn delicious.

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Lambrook Wines Seed Shiraz 2024

 


I dig this. It's a lovely drink with a bit of attitude; it builds a sense of calm that enables you to decompress. Well priced, wrap your mitts around this Lambrook Wines Seed Shiraz.

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Soumah Hexham Vineyard Nebbiolo 2022

  

I was fixated by this Nebbiolo from Soumah, I'm not going to lie. A massive step up from previous vintages and I was on the edge up upping the score to 95... Damn, it's a great drink.

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Hayes Family Wines Estate Mataro 2024

 

Highlighted by attractive and appealing dense fruit, this Hayes Family Wines Estate Mataro 2024 takes on a slightly different appearance to its predecessors, yet it continues to fly the flag as a mighty fine expression of the variety.

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Usher Tinkler Paperwasp Chardonnay 2024

The Paperwasp Chardonnay is a relatively new offering from Usher Tinkler wines, and if you don't mind me saying, the 2024 is bloody awesome. Top value for around $38, it's a ripping take on modern Hunter Valley Chardonnay.

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Auld Family Wines William Patrick Shiraz 2021

 

Plush, rich and saturated with flavour, slot this flagship from Auld Family Wines, the William Patrick Shiraz 2021, into the traditional Barossa Shiraz file.

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Brand and Sons Yates Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

 

A textbook contemporary Coonawarra Cabernet that combines the judicious use of oak and elegant drinking appeal ensures this Brand & Sons Yates Single Vineyard is one to embrace.

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Hesketh Adelaide Hills Gamay 2024

 


Is it uncouth to drink a wine through a straw? Anyway, you might find me doing just that with this Hesketh Adelaide Hills Gamay 2024. Juicy, buoyant and smashable deluxe, it's worth getting some and not sharing. It's brilliant!

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Willunga 100 Grenache 2024

 


Vibrancy, lift and energy all wrapped up in a parcel of absolute deliciousness, this Willunga 100 brings all the right moves.

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Riposte The Stiletto Pinot Gris 2025

 


There was a period where I saw a lot of Pinot Gris but I have noticed the tide shift predominantly to Mediterranean varieties. Then along comes this radiant release from Riposte - it's a beauty.

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De Iuliis Special Release Tempranillo 2023

 

Tempranillo is made to be hurled at food and this release from De Iuliis nails the brief. Winemaker Mike De Iuliis rates his barbecue skills but this would sit perfectly beside his speciality - tacos. 

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Soumah Hexham Marzemino 2024

 


Marzemino has ventured beyond its Northern Italy roots to find a comfortable home in Soumah's Yarra Valley vineyards.  
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Head Wines Heart and Home Shiraz Cabernet 2022

 

Ridiculous value! Can I leave the review at that? I had to do a double take when I saw the RRP - wow!  An articulate and expressive wine, this Head Wines Heart & Home take on the classic Australian claret blend is a showstopper.

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Bloc Wines The Buchanan GSM 2024

 

I'm pretty confident that this Buchanan GSM shares the same ripe fruit as the Patrick Old Vine Grenache, but this strikes a better balance and walks the line with a touch more finesse and confidence.

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Hesketh Regional Selection Pinot Gris 2025

 


Smart, crisp, wonderfully approachable, if you see this Hesketh Regional Selection Pinot Gris in the bottle shop fridge, don't err. 

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Hesketh Small Batch Pinot Blanc 2024

 


A nifty little number, this Hesketh Pinot Blanc from the Adelaide Hills is captivating, fresh, juicy and is bound to impress.

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Hesketh Small Batch Chardonnay 2024

 


A bit of a head scratcher,  this Hesketh Small Batch Chardonnay seems a little discombobulated, lacking the flow and shape I'd expect from this producer. You can't win them all I suppose...

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Lambrook Wines Aloft Pinot Gris 2025

 

With an ever so subtle copper-like blush, this Lambrook Wines Aloft Pinot Gris makes a fine statement on the eye, yet it goes further and lights up the taste buds in fine form. For 20 bucks, this is a great drink.

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Lambrook Wines Aloft Rosé 2025

 

A new range of wines from Adelaide Hills producer Lambrook Wines, this Aloft Rosé makes a very tidy debut.
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Lambrook Wines Aloft Sauvignon Blanc 2025

 


Fresh and vibrant, this Lambrook Wines Aloft Sauvignon Blanc oozes crowd-pleasing appeal and will find a legion of fans.

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Bloc Wines The Patrick Old Vine Grenache 2024

 

The top wine in the Bloc Wines range, The Patrick is only produced in exceptional years. From old Grenache vines in Marananga, this is quite a rich wine.

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Bloc Wines Rosé 2025

 


Born as a passion project, the four mates behind Bloc Wines have elevated the level of seriousness, as well as their production. This Rosé is a handy barbecue wine.
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Marchesi di Grésy Camp Gros Martinenga Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2020

 

Peak Barbaresco. What a sheer delight this Marchesi di Grésy Camp Gros Martinenga Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2020 is. Refined, evocative and all class - just wow!
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Marchesi di Grésy Gaiun Martinenga Barbaresco DOCG 2020

 

Equally elegant and intense, this Marchesi di Grésy Gaiun Martinenga Barbaresco DOCG 2020 is an excellent wine.

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Marchesi di Grésy Martinenga Barbaresco DOCG 2021

 

From one of Barbaresco's benchmark vineyards, the Marchesi di Grésy Martinenga Barbaresco DOCG 2021 is bright and expressive with a delightful core of fruit.

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Marchesi di Grésy Monte Colombo Barbera d'Asti DOC 2017

 

With a solid core of plums and black cherries, the Marchesi di Grésy Monte Colombo Barbera DOC 2017 delivers a confident expression of the variety.

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Marchesi di Grésy Martinenga Langhe DOC Nebbiolo 2024

 

The Marchesi di Grésy Martinenga Langhe DOC Nebbiolo was quite the game changer being the first unoaked Nebbiolo released in the district way back in 1973. This 2024 honours the plush and silky wines of years gone by, delivering deliciousness by the bucketload.
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Marchesi di Grésy Monte Aribaldo Dolcetto d'Alba DOC 2023

 

A charming and finely tuned Dolcetto, this Marchesi di Grésy's Monte Aribaldo d'Alba 2023 presents itself as a very tidy apertivo option.

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Marchesi di Grésy Langhe DOC Chardonnay 2021

 

A pleasant surprise, this Marchesi di Grésy's Langhe DOC Chardonnay 2021 caught my attention - much more than I expected. It's a wine that carries a neat balance between zesty brightness and a creamy drive with poise.

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Marchesi di Grésy Langhe DOC Sauvignon 2024

 

The Marchesi di Grésy Sauvignon 2024 is a well-balanced wine.

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Castello di Neive Santa Stefano Riserva Barbaresco DOCG 1999


One of the unforgettable highlights of my journey through Piedmont was tasting this Castello di Neive Santa Stefano Riserva Barbaresco DOCG 1999 with winemaker Claudio Roggero. He graciously opened this bottle especially for me - a gesture I sincerely appreciated. 1999 marked his first vintage as winemaker making the experience even more meaningful and humbling.
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Castello di Neive Santa Stefano Riserva Barbaresco DOCG 2018


Only produced in the best years, the Castello di Neive Santa Stefano Riserva Barbaresco DOCG 2018 is a compelling expression of site and variety.  The finesse and elegance are clear from the outset, I could bathe in this.
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Castello di Neive Santa Stefano Barbaresco DOCG 2022

 


From the highly regarded Santa Stefano vineyard, this Barbaresco from Castello di Neive is a coiled spring that needs a sleep. Give it that time and you'll be rewarded deluxe.
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Castello di Neive Barbaresco DOCG Classico 2022

 


A refined and intense Barbaresco, this Classico stands as the foundation of the Castello di Neive portfolio. The cellar door experience was outstanding, and the wines impressed throughout a comprehensive tasting. This is a remarkable expression.
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Castello di Nieve Piedmont DOC Albarossa 2020

 


A powerful yet poised wine with great drive and balance, this is my first look at the Albarossa variety courtesy of Castello di Neive.
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Castello di Neive Langhe DOC Pinot Nero 2020

 

Think Langhe and Pinot Nero (Noir) is probably not one of the first varieties that springs to mind. In the ground since 1995, this Castello di Neive demonstrates all the structural beauty of the variety.

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Castello di Nieve Barbera d'Alba DOC Superiore 2021

 


From a highly regarded vintage, this Castello di Nieve Barbera d'Alba DOC Superiore 2021 is a rich expression. 
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Castello di Nieve Barbera d'Alba DOC Santo Stefano 2022

 

Get around this Castello di Nieve Barbera d'Alba DOC Santo Stefano 2022. A wine of structured complexity, I want in.

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Castello di Nieve Barbera d'Alba DOC 2023

 

A flavoursome and playful expression of Barbera, Castello di Nieve Barbera d'Alba DOC 2023, the "drink now" appeal brings vibrance and charm by the handful.

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Castello di Nieve Dolcetto d'Alba 2022

 

The freshness and vibrance of the fruit got me enthused. Quite an introduction, this Castello di Nieve Dolcetto d'Alba 2022 is in great shape after three years.

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Castello di Nieve Langhe DOC Arneis 2024

 

There is more Arneis in the Piedmont than most would realise. This release from Castello di Nieve is a top drop and incredibly approachable.

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Produttori del Barbaresco DOCG Classico 2021

 


A brilliant and elegant expression of Barbaresco, this is a wine of restrained power with layers of interest and complexity ready to sift through. From a much touted vintage, this Produttori del Barbaresco DOCG Classico 2021 is absolutely superb.
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Produttori del Barbaresco DOCG Classico 2020

From humble beginnings to now a Barbaresco powerhouse, the excellent quality and superb value have certainly ensured Produttori del Barbaresco is highly sort after. This 2020 is excellent!

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Produttori del Barbaresco DOC Langhe Nebbiolo 2023

 

Potentially the most affordable dance party you’ll ever experience, the Produttori del Barbaresco DOC Langhe Nebbiolo 2023 comes in at just €16. Good vibes guaranteed!

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Produttori del Barbaresco DOCG Riserva Muncagota 2020

 

The Produttori del Barbaresco Muncagota Riserva 2020 demonstrates classic elegance and structured depth for which this producer is renowned.

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Produttori del Barbaresco DOCG Riserva Ovello 2019


One of the five original single vineyard Barbarescos produced by this co-operative back in 1967, it also comes from the northernmost site. In a glass, the Riserva Ovello 2019 from Produttori del Barbaresco unveils a classic red brick hue, an immediate signal of its Nebbiolo pedigree. 

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Giulia Negri Barolo DOCG Marassio 2023

 

Sourced from the highest vineyard on limestone soils (536 metres above), the Giulia Negri Barolo DOCG Marassio is a wine of striking purity and refinement.

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Giulia Negri Barolo DOCG La Tartufaia 2023

 

La Tartufaia translates to "the truffle ground" and depicts this elegant Barolo from Giulia Negri perfectly. From the highest vineyard in the region, it straddles the GI boundary.

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Rocche Costamagna Barolo DOCG Rocche dell'Annunziata Riserva 2019


An incredible expression and from the highest part of the vineyard, this Rocche Costamagna Barolo DOCG Rocche dell'Annunziata Riserva 2019 is aged for five years prior to release including two years in seasoned Slovakian oak barrels.
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Rocche Costamagna Barolo DOCG Rocche dell'Annunziata Riserva 2017

The 2017 Rocche Costamagna Barolo Riserva Rocche dell’Annunziata is a compelling expression from a warm vintage that skillfully walks the line between power and finesse. Sourced from the prestigious Rocche dell’Annunziata vineyard in La Morra, this Riserva is limited to just 5,000 bottles.
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