Ant Moore Marlborough Pinot Gris 2009 $22 In 2002 former AIS student, Anthony Moore, moved to New Zealand, made wine at Isabella Estate, established his own vineyards in Marlborough’s Awatere, Waihopai and Wairau Valleys, later launching his own label. His delicious, pinot gris, from the Ant’s Nest vineyard, Waihopai Valley, delivers a fresh-pear like varietal … Continue reading Wine review — Ant Moore, Hewitson, Bleasdale, Barwang, Amisfield and Balnaves →

Tyrrell’s Hunter Valley Vat 47 Chardonnay 2007 $40 Coldstream Hills Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2008 $29 Printhie Orange MCC Chardonnay 2008 $35 Voyager Estate Margaret River Chardonnay 2008 $38 This is a run of beautiful, luxurious chardonnays, all fermented and matured in oak barrels – but in every case the oak simply disappears into a wonderful … Continue reading Wine review — Tyrrell’s, Coldstream Hills, Printhie and Voyager Estate →

Observatory Hill Tasmania Pinot Noir 2008 $29 We discovered this gem at the excellent Piccalilly Restaurant, Battery Point, Hobart, late last year. It’s a fine, elegant style of some depth and complexity, sourced from Glenn Richardson’s Observatory Hill vineyard at Mount Rumney – just 10 kilometres from Hobart at the entrance to the Coal River … Continue reading Wine review — Observatory Hill, Perrier Jouet and Thorn Clarke →

Yering Station Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2008 $28 De Bortoli Yarra Valley Estate Grown Pinot Noir 2008 $38 Reserve Pinot Noir 2007 $50 The Rathbone and De Bortoli families make some of the best pinots in Australasia from mature Yarra Valley vines. The Rathbone wine, from Yering Station – first planted to vines by the … Continue reading Wine review — Yering Station, Pewsey Vale and Hewitson →

Mr Riggs Adelaide Hills Yacca Vineyard Tempranillo 2007 and 2008 $22–$25 I can’t think of a better Aussie expression of this Spanish variety than Mr Riggs 2007. It offers plush, blueberry-like varietal flavour and assertive but soft tannins that give it structure and a satisfyingly dry finish. It’s made by Ben Riggs from grapes grown … Continue reading Wine review — Mr Riggs, Pewsey Vale and Hewitson →

Dog Trap Vineyard Canberra District Shiraz 2008 $18 Tony Shiraz 2008 $27 Lyn Shiraz 2008 $27 Dog trap wines are grown by Denis Hart and Julian White at Yass and made by Roger Harris and Brian Sinclair at Brindabella Hills, Hall. The three wines come from the same batch of grapes but represent different oak … Continue reading Wine review — Dog Trap, De Bortoli and various beautiful Australian rieslings →