Pertaringa Tipsy Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

 

Blewitt Springs Cabernet to make you sit bolt upright in your seat. Such a captivating wine from 1999 plantings, its silky feels express nothing but class.

Vickery Watervale Reserve Riesling 2020

 

Already developing some aged characteristics, a bit earlier than expected to be honest, this is a Riesling that will live long. With the name Vickery on the label, longevity comes as no surprise.

Varney Wines Limited Release Nebbiolo 2020

 

This Nebbiolo from Varney Wines is an absolute beauty! Saturated with fruit, there is density yet it possesses a blissful weightlessness.

Flametree SRS Wallcliffe Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Another excellent SRS Wallcliffe Cabernet from Flametree. If you're not familiar with the brand, I suggest you introduce yourself. The quality across the range is impressive. This is the flagship red and its class glistens.

Lou Miranda Fierce III Sagrantino 2020

 

From the Miranda sisters, of Lou Miranda Barossa fame, comes this muscular and strong-framed Sagrantino.

Flametree Cabernet Merlot 2020

 

A fabulous Cabernet Merlot from Flametree that has so much to unpack.

Schild Estate Moorooroo Shiraz 2020

 

Planted in 1847, the Moorooroo vineyard is home to the oldest Shiraz vines in the world. Rich, dense and brooding, this is an excellent wine from Schild Estate.

Colours of the South Rosso 2020

  

A barbecue or roast night special. Generous with soft spices, this is a terrific drink.

Torbreck Runrig 2020

 

From the cooler 2020 vintage, the Runrig was down a quarter on normal production. Off some of the oldest Shiraz vines in the world, this is an assemblage of six vineyards with a dollop of Viognier for good measure.

Torbreck Les Amis Grenache 2020

 

With its feet steeped in stone soils, the Torbreck Les Amis is a wine with a heavy oak influence. Made for later, put it away and bring it out in 10 years+.

Seville Estate Reserve Shiraz 2020

 

The sophistication and concentration of this Seville Estate Reserve Shiraz are telling when tasted beside its impressive Estate sibling. This is an excellent wine to embrace.

Seville Estate Shiraz 2020

 

Gee this is a great cool climate Shiraz. Silky, it glides through the mouth before dusty tannins swoop. 

Seville Estate Riesling 2020

 

There are some great pockets of Riesling around the Yarra Valley, much to the surprise of many, and this is one of them. Curiously, it's a wine that is usually released with some bottle age - not the status quo for the majority of Rieslings in Australia.

3 Rings Barossa Shiraz 2020

 

Blueberries and dark plums hit the palate in earnest with a thick smear of dark plums. 

Paringa Shiraz 2020

 

A stock delivery of Shiraz. That Glenn McGrath delivery on repeat. Fair gear for 15 bucks. 

So how does a $600 Yarra Valley Chardonnay stack up?

 

I was recently offered the opportunity to take a look at the debut release of Levantine Hill's Optume Chardonnay 2020. Rather than tasting it in isolation, a bracket of 2020 Chardonnays was assembled to see where things were at. And what a fabulous exercise it was! 

Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay 2020

 

The momentum is pulsating. It gathers you up as you're skating along with minimal friction and maximum flavour. What a Chardonnay we have here! 

Levantine Hill Optume Chardonnay 2020

 

This is clever. Classy without question. A Chardonnay that glides with precision and speaks of winemaking excellence. Tasted blind in a lineup of six 2020 Chardonnays, this Levantine Hill Optume certainly captured my attention from the outset.

Oakridge 864 Funder and Diamond Drive Block Chardonnay 2020

 

Lean and pristine, big love for the precision of this exquisite Chardonnay from Oakridge. Tasted blind in a lineup of six 2020 Chardonnays, this wine sat at the top of the podium alonside another.

Seville Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2020

 

Tasted blind in a lineup of six 2020 Chardonnays, the focus and fruit purity of this Seville Estate Reserve brings the mouth to water.