McKellar Ridge Shiraz Viognier 2015 Murrumbateman, Canberra District, NSW $33–$35 Due for release at the April Harvest Festival, Brian and Jane Johnston’s shiraz-viognier shows the exceptional fruity depth of Canberra’s 2015 vintage. ­­Round, plush and seductive, the palate ripples with vibrant, ripe-berry flavours. Brian Johnston says he accentuated the fruit flavour by using more new … Continue reading Wine review – McKellar Ridge, Four Winds, Swinging Bridge, Hay Shed Hill, Pike and Joyce, Toppers Mountain →

Jim Barry The Lodge Hill Clare Valley Riesling 2015 $20.89–$22 Clare Valley rieslings are in general notably rounder and softer than those from the Canberra region. But Clare’s style spectrum includes leaner, more acidic styles from cooler parts of the valley. This can be seen especially in wines where the winemaker chooses to ferment the … Continue reading Wine review – Jim Barry, Tyrrell’s, Yalumba →

The Four Tonne Project Canberra District Shiraz 2015 6-pack $100 In the 2015 vintage, two Canberra wineries turned four tonnes of excess shiraz from Four Winds vineyard into a tasty fund raiser for Companion House – a provider of support to asylum seekers and refugees living in Canberra. Collector’s Alex McKay and Eden Road’s Nick … Continue reading Wine review – Four Tonne Project, Four Winds, Jacob’s Creek →

Coldstream Hills Reserve Chardonnay 2014 Yarra Valley, Victoria $52.25–$60 Gold medal winner, National Wine Show of Australia. Coldstream Reserve impressed at the National Wine Show. A few days later, in a line up of Coldstream Hills chardonnays dating back to the 1988 vintage, the 2014 Reserve stood out for the volume of aroma and powerful … Continue reading Wine review – gold medal and trophy winners from Australia’s National Wine Show →

Clonakilla Canberra District Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2015 $22–$25 We know Clonakilla best for its cutting edge shiraz-viognier blend, shiraz, riesling and viognier. But like many small vignerons, the Kirk family grows many other grape varieties – some planted in the early years to test the region’s potential, and others to meet consumer demand. Sauvignon blanc … Continue reading Wine reviews – Clonakilla, Hay Shed Hill and Pikes →

Torbreck The Struie Shiraz 2013 Barossa and Eden Valleys, South Australia $45–$49 Like a black hole sucking in stars, Torbreck “The Laird” Shiraz 2010 ($700) held 30 tasters captive, powerless to reach the other nine reds on the table. And little wonder. The Laird’s deep, dark power sucked the marrow from our bones and filled … Continue reading Wine review – powerful Barossa shiraz leads trans-continental Aussie wine line up →