Charles Cimicky Barossa Valley Trumps Shiraz 2010 $14.25–$20 Charles and Jennie Cimicky’s winery and vineyards are at Lyndoch, in the slightly cooler south of the Barossa Valley. Their reds, starting with the inexpensive Trumps shiraz, deliver typical Barossa generosity and softness without going over the top on oak, tannin or alcohol. Delicious, ripe, cherry-like shiraz … Continue reading Wine review — Charles Cimicky, Lock & Key, Moppity Vineyards and Shaw & Smith →

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 →

Brokenwood Stanleigh Park Vineyard Semillon 2007 $45 Lower Hunter Valley, NSW People tend to have or hate the Hunter Valley’s idiosyncratic semillon style. If, like me, you love it; or if you’ve heard of it but haven’t tried it, Brokenwood’s just-released 2007 provides the perfect opportunity. It’s travelled through the early, lemony, austere stage of … Continue reading Wine review — Brokenwood, Majella, Ten Minutes by Tractor, Yalumba, Vinaceous and Blandy’s →

Turkey Flat Mourvedre 2010 $32 Turkey Flat vineyard, Barossa Valley, South Australia In 1847 Johann Fiedler planted shiraz on the southern slopes of Tanunda Creek. In 1865, the Schultz family bought the site and 125 years later, fourth generation Peter Schultz and wife Christie became winemakers as well as grape growers. Today they grow, make … Continue reading Wine review — Turkey Flat, Helm, Peppertree, Kooyong Estate and Chapel Hill →

Ben Haines Warramunda Vineyard Yarra Valley Marsanne 2011 $28 Ben Haines, a young Australian winemaker with international experience – and most recently at Mitchelton and Yering Station wineries, Victoria  – recently launched his own brand. And wow, what wines they are, sourced from Haines’ favoured vineyard sites. His marsanne, from the Warramunda vineyard in the … Continue reading Wine review — Ben Haines, Oxford Landing Estates and Taylors →

De Bortoli Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2011 $21–$30 The recommend price is $30, but as I write Dan Murphy’s charges $23.75 as part of a six-bottle buy, beaten by Costco Canberra’s $20.99, no quantity hurdle. The wine comes from mature vines, average age 20 years, says winemakers Steve Webber. He crushes the grape bunches, stalks and … Continue reading Wine review — De Bortoli and Oxford Landing Estates →

Turkey Flat Mourvedre 2010 $32 Turkey Flat vineyard, Barossa Valley, South Australia In 1847 Johann Fiedler planted shiraz on the southern slopes of Tanunda Creek. In 1865, the Schultz family bought the site and 125 years later, fourth generation Peter Schultz and wife Christie became winemakers as well as grape growers. Today they grow, make … Continue reading Wine review — Turkey Flat, Helm, Peppertree, Kooyong Estate and Chapel Hill →