Henschke Mount Edelstone 2009 $95–$125 Mount Edelstone vineyard, Eden Valley, South Australia Ronald Angas planted the Mount Edelstone vineyard in 1912 using cuttings from shiraz vines imported from France by James Busby in the early 1830s. The Henschke family made the first Mount Edelstone in 1952 – a line winemaker Stephen Henschke continues while wife … Continue reading Wine review — Henschke, Centennial Vineyards, Veritas, Rolf Binder, Riposte and Kirrihill →

Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Chardonnay 2011 $35.15–$40 Sexton Vineyard, Yarra Valley, Victoria Proprietor Phil Sexton offers three single-vineyard Yarra Valley chardonnays – the vineyards managed by Stuart Marshall and wines made by Steve Flamsteed. The wines reflect the fruit flavours of the different sites, some clonal variation and subtle variations in winemaking, including the use … Continue reading Wine review — Giant Steps, Tertini, David Hook, Andrew Thomas, Tulloch and John Duval →

Devil’s Lair The Hidden Cave Chardonnay 2012 $19–$23 Margaret River, Western Australia This is an excellent follow up to the 2011 vintage, winner of the Royal Sydney Wine Show’s “best commercial white” trophy. Delicious, vibrant nectarine-like varietal fruit flavours make the wine instantly appealing. But the winemaking techniques infuse it subtly with lees-derived flavours and … Continue reading Wine review — Devil’s Lair, Vasse Felix, Hewitson, Stefano Lubiana, Mount Difficulty and Cradle of Hills →

Hugh Hamilton The Rascal Shiraz 2010 $25.50–$30 Bethany and Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale, South Australia Hugh Hamilton’s latest Rascal shiraz demonstrates the outstanding quality of the 2010 vintage in South Australia’s warm regions. The wine appeals for its full, ripe, generous flavours, bright fruit and earthy, savoury undertones (typical of top-notch McLaren Vale shiraz). The … Continue reading Wine review — Hugh Hamilton, Good Catholic Girl, Topper’s Mountain, John Duval, Best’s and Kingston Estate →

Shelmerdine Heathcote Shiraz 2009 $23.75–$33 Shelmerdine Vineyard, Heathcote, Victoria The Shelmerdine family established Mitchelton, just across the Goulburn River from historic Tahbilk. They moved on from there decades back and later established vineyards in the Yarra Valley and Heathcote, one of Australia’s new hot spots for shiraz. This wine comes from the family’s Merindoc and … Continue reading Wine review — Shelmerdine, John Duval, Helm, Thorn Clarke, Ross Hill and Smith and Hooper →

Thorn Clarke Shotfire Barossa Quartage 2010 $15.25–$20 Thorn Clarke’s extensive vineyard holdings in the Barossa wine zone (comprising the Barossa Valley and higher, cooler Eden Valley) contribute grapes to this big value blend of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, malbec and merlot. It’s an harmonious blend of these Bordeaux varieties and none in particular dominates, although … Continue reading Wine review — Thorn Clarke, Hahndorf Hill and West Cape Howe →

John Duval Plexus 2010 $31–$39 Barossa Valley, South Australia Following the disastrous Southcorp acquisition of Rosemount, former Penfolds chief winemaker, John Duval, struck out on his own. In Duval’s Plexus we taste the plush and lovely combination of Barossa shiraz (52 per cent), grenache (29 per cent) and mourvedre – sourced from old vines (some … Continue reading Wine review — John Duval, Helm, Giesen, Yalumba and Parker Coonawarra Estate →