QWine Reviews : May 2026

Yeah Wines Pinot Noir 2025

Reviewing these Yeah Wines is awfully distracting. The whole time I am tasting and writing them up, I am humming along to Usher's song, Yeah! By the way, this is a great Pinot.

Yeah Wines Chardonnay 2024

What I like about this Yeah Wines Chardonnay is the way it carries itself. It possesses this cool charm and a relaxed swagger.

Yeah Wines Viognier 2024

Giving off a golden glow in the glass, this is a neat Viognier from Western Australia's Blackwood Valley region.

Dang! Dangerously slurpable and eminently smashable, this is a silky delight that will take pride of place on a lazy Susan and take down a Chinese banquet effortlessly. What a joy it was to review this Camino Wine Co Gamay.

St John's Road Reserve Blood & Courage Shiraz 2023

Possessing more polish than its little sibling, this St John's Road Reserve Blood & Courage Shiraz is commendable and will find its people.

Yelland & Papps Single Vineyard Stone Well Syrah 2025

How often would you see a Syrah and Shiraz from the same producer? Yelland & Papps have excelled and delivered two wonderful expressions once again, but I'm all in on this Syrah. Sexy and lacy, the Barossa isn't all muscle and brawn.

Yelland & Papps Single Vineyard Greenock Shiraz 2024

From a Greenock vineyard planted in 1988, this Yelland & Papps Single Vineyard Shiraz comes from a site that has been farmed by four generations.

Turkey Flat Grenache 2024

I have it on good authority that I'm the first to review this new release, Turkey Flat Grenache 2024, and my advice is to bang down the door when it hits the shelves on Friday, 29 May. It's an excellent wine and then some.

Turkey Flat Grenache 2023

When you think of Barossa Valley Grenache, Turkey Flat is never far away from the conversation. What a joy it was to take a look at this 2023 and the brand new 2024 alongside one another.

Yeah Wine Single Vineyard Grenache 2025

My first look at a Yeah Wine from Western Australia and I'm fixated with the uber cool, beer-bottle-like label. Brilliant!

Camino Wine Co Chardonnay 2024

When I hear the suggestion that white wines don't need decanting, I don't entirely subscribe to it. Some whites would absolutely benefit from the opportunity to open up, and this Camino Wine Co Chardonnay is a perfect example.

Colmar Estate Block 4 Syrah 2024

A brand new wine in the Colmar Estate stable, owner Bill Schrapnel has always been obsessed with Mosel, Alsace and Burgundy, but Côte-Rôtie has always made him curious. So here we are, his take on Syrah from his little patch in Orange.

Camino Wine Co Grenache Blanc de Noir 2025

Jason Barrette has a knack for trying a few things. I've seen him push some boundaries with some wines in his care, and this Grenache Blanc de Noir under his own label tugs at your curiosity and soothes the taste buds with charismatic ease.

St John's Road Blood & Courage Shiraz 2023

In the slot, this St John's Road Blood & Courage Shiraz is a reliable expression of Barossa Shiraz that won't blow you away, but will present a solid argument.

Yelland & Papps Single Vineyard Old Vine Grenache 2025

One of those wines I'd rather drink than review, what a sheer delight this Yelland & Papps Single Vineyard Grenache is!

Kilikanoon Killerman's Run Cabernet Sauvignon 2023

Launching with an expressive bouquet of dark fruits, led by blackberries and blackcurrants, this Kilikanoon Killerman's Run Cabernet Sauvignon offers a rich and inviting aromatic profile.

Nannup Estate Phillip Stanley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

After tasting through 14 wines from Western Australia's Blackwood Valley region, this Nannup Estate Phillip Stanley Cabernet Sauvignon was my top pick.

St Johns Wine The Terraces Optimus Shiraz 2021

Signalling power and poise, this flagship Optimus Shiraz from St Johns Wine has some regal appeal.

Sunnyhurst Winery Cabernet Merlot 2023

An intriguing Cabernet Merlot blend from Blackwood Valley producer Sunnyhurst Winery, a splash of Petit Verdot works its way into the mix (50/40/10).

St Johns Wine Round Puzzle Cabernet Malbec Merlot 2022

Bold and unapologetically rustic, this Bordeaux-style blend offers power and savoury depth in equal doses.

Tim Smith Old Vine Grenache 2025

It would be uncouth to bathe in this, but I'd do it anyway. Svelte, silky, elegant, this is another superb Grenache from Tim Smith.

Camino Wine Co Centenary Vines Grenache 2024

Devilishly rounded and curvaceous on the second day of tasting, give this Camino Wine Co Grenache a decant before diving in. Give it that grace and you'll be in heaven.

Tim Smith Old Vine Mataro 2025

Plentiful, gracious, delicate and silky describe this excellent Tim Smith Mataro best. Incredible value for $45, it comes from 130+ year old vines. The label has taken on a little facelift, too, and is now known as the Old Vine Mataro.

Lyons Will Greenways Hill Gamay 2025

The debut commercial release of the Greenways Hill Gamay comes from a new estate vineyard that is planted on the next ridge over from the winery. I must say, it's a glorious vista looking out to that vineyard from the cellar door.

Lane's End Cabernet Franc 2024

My first look at a Cabernet Franc from the Macedon Ranges.

St Johns Wine Tweed River Shiraz 2023

A super buy for 20 bucks, this St Johns Wine Tweed River Shiraz struts with a cool climate-like Shiraz swagger.

Bridgetown Winery Redtale 2024

This Bridgetown Winery Redtale is a great drink that screams for yiros, burgers and anything in between. Give it some time to breathe and the attractive aromatic lift will whisk you away.

Nannup Estate Phillip Stanley Chardonnay 2021

Nannup Estate's flagship Chardonnay rises to the occasion, delivering a wine of depth, character and one to cellar with confidence should you have the patience to do so.

Beulah Chardonnay 2023

If a rich, oak-driven style of Chardonnay is your thing, head on over this way.

Sunnyhurst Winery Viognier 2025

Delightful, attractive and most approachable, this is a fruit-driven Viognier sure to please.

Nannup Estate Firetower SMT 2022

I recently received a few wines from the Blackwood Valley's Nannup Estate as I explore the district from the comfort of my east coast abode. Two wines down from this producer and they've delivered two rippers. This Shiraz Malbec Tempranillo nails the brief for great drinking.

Nannup Estate Rolling Hills Malbec 2022

Smart drinking. A Malbec with great fruit and shape, find me a cozy place on a cold night and a generous glass.

Beulah Wines Shiraz 2023

Singing on the second and third day of tasting, this Blackwood Valley Shiraz from Beulah Wines certainly embraced the opportunity to take a breath and unfurl slowly.

St Johns Wine Round Puzzle SGT 2022

I read "Shiraz Grenache Tempranillo" on the label, and all I can think of is burgers and pizza. Load up.

Bridgetown Winery Barbera 2023

Tasted alongside another Barbera, this Bridgetown release speaks of a heavy oak impact from the first whiff, which detracts from the fruit that does its best to sing.

First Drop Wines Moderno Barbera 2023

Bright and touch lighter in the glass than some Barberas I've tasted of late, this release from First Drop Wines pushes its case for a cool evening with a hearty meal.

Sorby Adams Gudilly Rosé 2026

My first review from the 2026 vintage, this Gudilly Rosé from Sorby Adams is fun, energetic and a glass full of joy.

Kilikanoon Baudinet GSM 2024

Stand and applaud. That's the only reaction required with this excellent GSM from Kilikanoon. A treat for the senses and taste buds, I never wanted it to end.

Lane's End Chardonnay 2024

This is my first look at a wine from Macedon Ranges producer Lane's End, and I'm in love. This is a modern Chardonnay that offers much to consider and muse over. Winning!

Lyons Will Gamay 2025

A captivating mouth perfume of lavender and violets has me fixated. Silky, slinky and damn slurpable, a glorious introduction awaits from this Lyons Will Gamay.

Travellers Pinot Grigio 2024

Every so often, you get knocked over by a surprise packet, and this Travellers Pinot Grigio is certainly that. What a beauty! Delicious, layered and moreish, go here.

Wild Game The Duke Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Quite the pocket dynamo, these Wild Game The Duke Cabernets walk with a gracious humility, and you can't help but lean in that little bit closer. And do I need to mention value? This was $40 over a decade ago, and yet the quality continues to elevate, but the price does not. Winning!