Huntington Estate Special Reserve Grenache 2022

 

Tim Stevens has jumped on the Grenache bandwagon and found a comfy chair. A long time fan of the variety, he has planted a heap more vines in recent years. This is a juicy number and a damn fine take on the variety. 

Heggies Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay 2018

 

A very tidy Chardonnay that shouldn't be served too cold so you can experience all of its beauty.

Montalto Main Ridge Block Pinot Noir 2021

  

In the words of LL Cool J, "Paradise is very nice." This is everything Pinot Noir should be. Delicate, lacy and precise, the pleasure factor is supreme.

Yalumba The Octavius Shiraz 2017

 

Yalumba's flagship Shiraz. Long and moreish, this Octavius is best suited for those late night D&Ms. Sip slow and stay a while.

Brash Higgins Smart Vineyard Grenache 2021

 

Brad Hickey has moved into the Grenache game. Usually producing a Grenache Mataro blend, he's stepped things up and sourced some fruit from the 70 year old vines in the Smart Vineyard. What an excellent and delicately handled debut this is!

Montalto North One Pinot Noir 2021

 

The Tuerong single vineyard Pinot Noir is normally the boss but not in 2021. North One stakes a strong claim and deservedly so. Formerly known as 'Red Hill', North One is the block that sits beside The Eleven Chardonnay block. This release has levelled up on 2020.

Robert Stein Half Dry Riesling 2022

 

Half dry but 100% supreme awesomeness. I could have more than my fair share of this wonderful wine. Time and again it smashes it and the 2022 release is no different.

Montalto Merricks Pinot Noir 2021

 

Quite a different wine to the Tuerong, this Merricks Single Vineyard is a beautiful Pinot that just hums along. 

Montalto Tuerong Pinot Noir 2021

 

Quite an intriguing Tuerong, one that is very different to previous releases. A wonderful wine as always, but there are a few shades of contrast that haven't shown themselves prior.

Montalto The Eleven Chardonnay 2021

 

The Eleven. Pat Cummins could be the face of this label, but not so. It's named after the eleven rows first planted back in 1986. Concentrated and alluring, this is just brilliant Chardonnay.

Oakridge 864 Henk Vineyard Aqueduct Block Pinot Noir 2021

 

We are in elite company here. Yarra Valley on high. Sure it's at a premium price but heaven ain't come cheap. 

Yalumba Paradox Shiraz 2018

 

From one of Yalumba's best vineyards, this Paradox Shiraz is a brooding wine that glides through with ease. 

Montalto Tuerong Chardonnay 2021

 

One of the wines I look forward to tasting each year and again there is nothing but joy and pleasure in the glass. A wine of serious quality, Simon Black's pursuit of excellence deserves a chorus of support from Chardonnay lovers. 

A vertical tasting of the last decade would be quite something. The detail and precision of the making let alone the quality of the fruit continues to mesmerise.

If you get the chance to share this, don't. It's good to be selfish once in a while.

Nightfall Leo Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

 

This Nightfall Cabernet is the business. From clever packaging to a cracking wine in the glass, winemaker Sam Brand excels once again.

Oakridge Original Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

 

Guns 'n' Roses could have sung "Lay me down on a bed of Cabernet" and this bottle could have been on the album cover for that matter. It's just glorious. Find a comfy chair and you navigate the rest. 

Seville Estate Old Vine Reserve Shiraz 2020

 

Seville Estate has this air of brilliance about it. Drive in and it's that quaint cellar door but dig deep and it's all focus and sophistication. This Shiraz lights those traits up and then some. 

Castle Rock Estate A and W Pinot Noir 2021

 

Bunchy goodness shines through in this excellent, savoury driven Pinot Noir from Castle Rock Estate. Lacey and edged with fine spices, it has class etched into its name. 

Oakridge 864 Funder and Diamond Drive Block Chardonnay 2020

 

All that sparkles and glistens. A Chardy party for your insides. Another sublime Oakridge 864 awaits.

Tomfoolery Wines Courser Grenache 2021

 

So pretty and dancy, this is the Grenache you want to drink if you say you only drink Pinot Noir. An absolute beauty, it has such a delicious presence. Go here and dive deep. 

Huntington Estate Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

 

In the groove. Silky and savoury, aged red wine bliss. I was fortunate enough to score a museum release sample of this wine. True to form, these Huntington Estate wines age well.