Midday somewhere sounds like beer o'clock but in this case we splash Shiraz in the glass.
Unfinished business in my book is an open bottle of wine and empty glasses nearby. But hey, that's me. This version of the definition is a Pinot Noir from the Limestone Coast.
An easy-going entry-level Pinot Noir from Parker Estate. With some oomph to kick it along, it's on the denser side of the Pinot scale.
Casual barbecues and camping are all covered with this wonderfully drinkable Shiraz from Parker Estate.
This is good value drinking when you can spot it around $20. Parker Estate can be relied on for their quality across all price points.
A brand new release for Lienert Estate comes with another eye-catching label. This time green locusts make their mark as they did when the journey of Cabernet commenced at Lienert. Give this a long decant or tuck it away for a while to see it at its best.
An easy-drinking Rosé from Jean-Claude Mas, owner and winemaker at Domaines Paul Mas. Readily available nationally, chillax with its cool and composed vibes.
A really pleasant drink at an affordable price, this imported Pinot Grigio from French producer Domaines Paul Mas goes well.
Give it a swirl and scents of Old Gold Rum 'n' Raisin skip about. That dark chocolate is definitely not shy.
Much like its stablemates, this Cabernet starts strong with attractive aromas. Think choc mint, blackcurrants and handfuls of dried herbs.
I really like the simple pleasure of this fizz from the Goulburn Valley. It's a non-pretentious crowd-pleaser with an easy-going appeal.
It's not often you see a new release Rosé at four years of age but here we are. A Rosé with some depth and muscle, this is best served with a casual barbecue.
An easy drinking Chardonnay but it's one of those wines where I found the aromas more enticing and vibrant than the flavour profile.
It's been a while since I've seen a Billi Billi Shiraz. The last time was at a wedding many years ago. Classic function centre wine, this is reliable and is quite the bargain for 20 bucks.
An interesting pair of varieties thrown together for this Rosé but it works. A little darker in the glass with a cranberry juice tinge, it's a ready partner for a casual barbecue.
Red plums and red cherries drive this medium-bodied Hunter Valley Shiraz. These 9th Fable wines from Usher Tinkler are part of his export range headed to Colorado, USA.
Grampians Blanc de Blanc. It's light on the fizz, the first thing that caught my eye. A little more energy and spark would have been good. The cork was awfully pedestrian in its exit and needed some persuasion only to be missing a 'pop' of any sort. It could be bottle variation?
Good gear this. A six year old Semillon from a relative newbie on the Hunter scene - The Parched Crow. It shows a gradual development with a few years left under its wings.
I was expecting a little more from this 2021 given the Shiraz from 2017 was in fine form. After a few tough years perhaps things would have normalised I would have thought, but not entirely.