Pauletts Clare Valley Chardonnay 2024

 

A rough day at the office will be soothed by the smooth lines and composure of this Chardonnay from Pauletts.

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Trueheart Pinot Grigio 2026

 

The drinkability of this Trueheart Pinot Grigio makes it an easy share for casual gatherings.

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Pauletts Polish Hill River Riesling 2026

 

Wonderfully aromatic, it launches with fragrant white field flowers, citrus blossom and lemon zest.

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Pauletts Clare Valley Riesling 2026

 

Lily flowers and crisp green apple aromas make an immediate impression, with lemon zest and lime leaf adding a bright, citrusy lift. 

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O’Leary Walker Watervale Riesling 2026

 

One of the releases I look forward to every year is the O'Leary Walker Rieslings. Sitting the Watervale and Polish Hill River alongside one another is always a treat. But this year, the 2026 vintage hits different. 

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Pauletts Brielle Grenache 2025

 


I first came across this wine back in June on the trophy judging bench at the Royal Queensland Wine Show and I was hooked. At the time I didn't know what it was as it was served blind, but damn, it left an impression!

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Pikes Traditionale Riesling 2026

 

An excellent Riesling from a vintage that did everything it could to halt progress, this wears every one of those 95 points with flashing lights. Bravo!

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Curly Flat Estate Pinot Noir 2023

 

Although it already has three years in the bag, there's a youthful tension here that remained evident even on day two of tasting. As ever with Curly Flat releases, it never fully unwound, instead holding its shape with a quiet confidence that suggests patience will be rewarded. 

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Schwarz Wine Co Nitschke Block Shiraz 2024

 

First produced in 2001 from a site planted by Jason Schwarz's parents at Bethany, there's a confidence and sense of place that shines through from the outset. 

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Best's Great Western Bin No.0 Shiraz 2021

 

This Best's Great Western Bin No.1 Shiraz is all about precision and finesse, and the scary part is that it only gets better the longer you spend with it. 

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Lost Buoy GSM 2025

 


This GSM from Lost Buoy Wines is a wonderful reminder that sometimes the blend is greater than the sum of its parts. An excellent wine, resisting a top-up is futile.

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Lost Buoy Grenache 2025

 

From the producers of Lambrook Wines comes this new project, Lost Buoy. Sourced from McLaren Vale, these wines pop off the shelf with their eye-catching labels.

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Hidden Sea Rosé 2026

 


There is no denying the consistency of these Hidden Sea wines. Be it the Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay or this Rosé, they nail the brief as approachable, crowd-pleasing wines at a good price.

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Hidden Sea Chardonnay 2026

 

It's easy to see how this Hidden Sea Chardonnay would appeal to a broad church.

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Vandenberg Estate Series Pinot Gris 2026

 

Good gear. A solid Pinot Gris from Vandenberg Wines highlighting their Mount Benson vineyards.

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Hidden Sea Sauvignon Blanc 2026

 

This is my first look at a wine from Hidden Sea. The name comes, I suspect, from the Limestone Coast region being part of the ocean floor many millions of years ago. This is a tidy, crowd-pleasing Sauvignon Blanc.

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Vandenberg Estate Series Sauvignon Blanc 2026

 


From Mount Benson on South Australia's coastal strip north of Robe, this Vandenberg Estate Series opens with familiar Sauvignon Blanc territory. 

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Paramoor Will's Vineyard Pinot Noir 2025

 

Some wines leave an impression. This Will's Vineyard Pinot Noir from Paramoor had me circling back after tasting a flight of 18 others, and that probably says everything you need to know. This is excellent!

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Paramoor The Ridge Pinot Noir 2025


This Pinot Noir from Macedon Ranges producer Paramoor Wines asks for a little patience, but the reward is well worth it. 

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Oliver's Taranga Anfore Fiano 2025

 

Big love for this wine. A thrilling take on Fiano, this release from Oliver's Taranga demands your attention.

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Schwarz Wine Co Meta Shiraz 2024

 

This is delicious and I could make very easy work of it. And, perhaps I did. Run to this Schwarz Wine Co Meta Shiraz.

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Oakridge 864 Close Planted Block Syrah 2024

 

All praise to David Bicknell. Ousted from the Oakridge nest, his fingerprints are all over this excellent Syrah.

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Passel Estate Syrah 2022

 

Syrah from Shiraz country. A stylistic take from Margaret River's Passel Estate.

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Indigo Vineyard Shiraz 2023

 

Oh, I liked this. A delightful cool climate style, there's plenty happening here, but nothing feels rushed or overstated.

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Best's Great Western Bin No.1 Shiraz 2022

 

Stemmy and leafy on opening, this Best's Great Western Shiraz took a little convincing. Fortunately, a couple of days in the bottle saw it settle neatly into a groove, revealing far more of what it's about. 

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Brangayne Wines Pinot Noir 2023

 


A glass of pleasure awaits. I adore the simplicity of this Pinot Noir from Brangayne. It's not trying to be something it's not and it walks calmly and composed in its own skin.

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Holm Oak Riesling 2026

 

An avalanche of juicy limes cascades from the glass with pretty white florals in hot pursuit. This is a Riesling with purpose. Yes!

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Brangayne Wines Riesling 2025

From the cool climes of Orange, Brangayne has delivered an off-dry Riesling that leans heavily into balance and drinkability. 

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John Wallace Wines Sisters Chardonnay 2024

 

A great rendition of Hunter Valley Chardonnay, this release from John Wallace Wines has the capability to take down a roast chook with ease.

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Steels Gate Melba Block Blanc de Blancs 2020

 

Six years on lees has worked its magic here, delivering complexity without sacrificing charm. 

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M Squared Fiano 2026

 

Mike and Melissa Brown have set sail from Gemtree and have set up a new project, M Squared. Still passionate about organic and biodynamic farming, this Fiano 2026 is their first release of the variety.

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M Squared Albariño 2026

 


The second release from Mike and Melissa Brown under their new label M Squared, this Albariño is still finding its voice. 

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M Squared Albariño 2025

 

Seventy dozen. That's it. Blink and you'll miss it. 

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Saddlers Creek Single Suitcase Pecorino 2026

Pecorino is slowly gaining momentum in the Hunter Valley, so it's great to see this release slide across the bench from Saddler's Creek.

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John Wallace Wines Maggie White 2025

 

The last time I saw this Maggie White from John Wallace Wines was back in 2021. It was a blend back then of Vermentino, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. Fast forward to the 2025 edition and it is now 100% Vermentino. Hello, sun-shining days!

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Oakridge 864 Funder & Diamond Drive Block Chardonnay 2024

 

Focused, detailed and compelling, this Oakridge 864 Funder & Diamond Drive Block Chardonnay 2024 is simply brilliant.

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Oakridge 864 Henk Vineyard Aqueduct Block Pinot Noir 2025

 

This Oakridge 864 Henk Vineyard Aqueduct Block  Pinot Noir feels like it's found the gym since I saw it last, carrying a little more weight and muscle than previous releases. 

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Oliver's Taranga Fiano 2026

 

The Queen of Fiano is in her wheelhouse here. Another excellent release from Corrina Wright.

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Pikes Luccio Fiano 2026

 

This Fiano from Pikes bursts out of the blocks and never really lets up. Winning!

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John Wallace Wines BPD Shiraz 2024

Keep an eye on this label. While the BPD might not be the first Hunter Valley Shiraz you reach for, it’s quietly building a case to become one. In a region blessed with some heavyweight company, John Wallace Wines continues to carve out its own identity. 

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Aloft Pinot Noir 2026

 

This Aloft Pinot Noir carries a little more weight and swagger than its Trueheart sibling.

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Trueheart Pinot Noir 2026

 

Bright in the glass, this Trueheart Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir opens with an inviting burst of glacé cherries, raspberries and strawberries before some savoury detail slips into view. 

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Schwarz Wine Co Meta Grenache 2024

 


This Schwarz Wine Co. Meta Grenache is walking a very different path from those previous, and one that raised my eyebrows. 

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Orbis Wines Grenache Blanc 2026

 

Readers know that I am obsessed with Grenache. Naturally, my interest in its white sibling, Grenache Blanc, has heightened my curiosity as well. This release is an excellent expression from Orbis Wines.

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Oakridge 864 Aqueduct Block Henk Vineyard Chardonnay 2024

Complexity, clarity and precision. This Oakridge 864 Aqueduct Block Henk Vineyard Chardonnay offers plenty to lean into. After the much-discussed ousting of veteran Dave Bicknell, Tim Dexter now holds the reins and he asked me to take a look.

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Jericho S3 Shiraz 2024

 

An appealing and layered Shiraz from Jericho Wines, and much to my surprise, it is only $27!

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Meteora Vineyard Theodore Tempranillo 2025

 

The Granite Belt doesn't have a hero red wine variety, unlike many other regions around Australia. Although many varieties thrive in the cool climate and granite soils, for me, Tempranillo is the best and most consistent performer and has been for many years.

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John Wallace Wines The Rowdy Bunch Pinot Gris 2026

 


Easy-going, no fuss and ready to kick back as the afternoon breeze brushes your face, this Pinot Gris from John Wallace Wines knows how to make friends. 

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John Wallace Wines The Wolf Semillon 2025

 

What a find! Consider this the alarm bell telling you to drink more Hunter Valley Semillon this summer.

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Orbis Wines Garganega 2026

 


The first release and a fascinating new addition to the McLaren Vale conversation, this Orbis Wines Garganega hails from Italy’s Veneto region, best known as the variety behind Soave. 

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