UNDER $20
Richard Hamilton Sauvignon Blanc, Adelaide Hills 2014 $19.95 Value: good
A vibrant, zingy young sauvignon blanc that smells of tropical fruits including passionfruit, as well as pepperminty estery notes. It's bright and refreshing in the mouth, with a clean, invigorating finish.
Now to four years. 12.5 per cent alcohol. 89/100
Food: fish and chips
Stockists: Grape & Grain, Moorabbin; Chambers Cellars, Neutral Bay
Tudor Shiraz, Central Victoria 2012 $13 Value: excellent
With a bright, medium-full red-purple colour, this wine has a plummy fruit-driven aroma with subtle spice touches. It has lightness and quaffability, the tannins gentle and easy-going. It doesn't have much complexity but is a good, basic, drink-now shiraz.
Now to five years. 14.5 per cent alcohol. 88/100
Stockists: Licensed Aldi stores
$20-$35
Gundog Estate Poacher's Semillon, Hunter Valley 2014 $30 Value: good
The colour is pale and the pristine aromas remind of lemon/citrus with some freshlyfermented peppermint notes. It's light, ethereal, delicate in the mouth with crisp, tight structure and good persistence. A fine young semillon with a bright future.
Now to eight years. 11 per cent alcohol. 93/100
Food: crab with avocado
Cellar door (02) 4998 6873, or web gundogestate.com.au
BUY OF THE WEEK
Lake Breeze Cabernet Sauvignon, Langhorne Creek 2012 $26 Value: very good
Deep red-purple colour introduces a peppery, cassis-like bouquet that's youthful and fresh. It's a beautifully made, if slightly firm and unready, textbook cabernet that just needs a little time to show its full glory. Give it a couple of years, then drink for 10 plus. 14.2 per cent alcohol. 90/100
Food: beef tagliata with wilted rocket
Stockists: Melbourne Wine Store; Kent Street Cellars, Sydney
INDULGE YOURSELF
Mayer Granite Pinot Noir, Upper Yarra Valley 2013 $55 Value: excellent
A gorgeous pinot of great perfume, delicacy and drive. The colour is full red-purple and it has delightful cherry and spice aromas, with nicely handled oak making a contribution. There's density and gravitas in the mouth, depth of flavour, richness and fleshy texture. Now to nine years. 13.5 per cent alcohol. 95/100
Food: pan-roasted duck breast
Stockists: City Wine Shop, Melbourne; Australian Wine Centre, Sydney
Dog Point Pinot Noir, Marlborough 2012 $44 Value: outstanding
This is a seriously impressive pinot, with more stuffing than usual in a Marlborough pinot. With a deep red-purple hue and an impressively rich dark-cherry bouquet, it's concentrated, full-bodied and sweet-fruited with ample tannins and great structure. A glorious wine that will take some age well. Now to 13 years. 14 per cent alcohol. 96/100
Food: lamb cutlets with rosemary
Stockists: Boccaccio Cellars, Melbourne; Vintage Blue, Sydney
WINE OF THE WEEK
St Hallett Blackwell Shiraz, Barossa Valley 2012 $38 Value: excellent
This is the No. 2 in St Hallett's clearly delineated hierarchy of shiraz, starting with Old Block at the top. It's a superb shiraz in its own right: deeply coloured with rich toasty and mocha aromas, and masses of sweet black fruit flavours on the palate. There's abundant smooth tannin and a long finish. Delicious now and for many years to come. Best 2006 to 2032. 14.5 per cent alcohol. 93/100
Food: aged hard cheeses such as reggiano; red meats such as braised venison.
Stockists: Georges Fine Wine, Sydney; Wine Republic on Brunswick Street, Melbourne; Dan Murphy's
BREW
Moo Brew Pilsner, Tasmania $7/330ml Value: good
This refreshingly light but intensely flavoured beer has an easy-quaffing style. It is light amber, with an attractive bouquet of malt and subtle hop notes; the palate light to medium weight and refreshing, with plenty of hoppy bitterness and a clean finish. 5 per cent alcohol. 94/100
Stockists: The Oak Barrel, Sydney; Purvis Cellars Richmond & Surrey Hills, Melbourne
SOMETHING ELSE
Equipo Navazos 'I Think' Manzanilla Sherry, Spain $27/ 375ml Value: excellent
An especially character-filled manzanilla because of its age (four and a half years under flor) and unfiltered cask bottling. Golden amber; fresh, nutty aldehyde bouquet, complex and loaded with character. Rich and full, very dry and refreshing, with a crisp finish, boundless energy and persistence. Drink, don't keep. 15 per cent alcohol. 95/100
Food: salt and pepper calamari
Stockists: The Prince Wine Store, Melbourne; Best Cellars, Sydney
