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 →

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 →

Mount Horrocks Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 $30–$38 In this beautiful, elegant cabernet, winemaker Stephanie Toole demonstrates the great finessing of Australian regional wine styles now underway. Clare Valley makes good cabernet. But more often than not in the past they’ve tended to be on the burly side. Nothing wrong with burly on a cold … Continue reading Wine review — Mount Horrocks, Heggies and Barwang →

Vasse Felix Cabernet Merlot 2010 – wine of the week $20.89–$26 Northern Margaret River, Western Australia At a recent cabernet tasting Virginia Willcock’s shimmering blend attracted drinkers to it like gold diggers to a new lode. Fragrance, purity, deliciousness and finesse drew many of us back for second and third helpings. Willcock says cabernet sauvignon … Continue reading Wine review — Vasse Felix, De Bortoli, PHI, Oxford Landing Estates and Dopff au Moulin →

Ravensworth Murrumbateman Sangiovese 2010 $21 In the hot, then wet, then cool 2010 season, grape ripening “rushed ahead, then stopped”, says winemaker Bryan Martin. As a result, shiraz struggled to ripen. But Martin’s very small crop of sangiovese (10 barrels) ripened easily. “It was the best fruit in the winery in 2010”, he says. But … Continue reading Wine review — Ravensworth, Juniper Crossing and Oxford Landing Estates →

Mount Trio Great Southern Riesling 2010 $19 Gavin and Gill Graham own vineyards at Porongurup, a small, elevated sub-region of Western Australia’s large Great Southern area. The area excels with riesling and shiraz, but you’ll find all the usual Australian varieties as you drive around. Mount Trio offers a pretty good example of the local … Continue reading Wine review — Mount Trio, Smith & Hooper and Cumulus →

Shaw Vineyard Estate Isabella Riesling 2009 $28 Shaw vineyard, Murrumbateman, Canberra District, New South Wales Almost two years after its release, Graeme Shaw’s delicious Isabella Riesling 2009 remains available at cellar door and on the wine list at Flint in the Vines – the restaurant adjoining the cellar door. This is where we reacquainted ourselves … Continue reading Wine review — Shaw Vineyard Estate, Pewsey Vale, Skillogalee, Peter Lehmann, Grosset and Mount Horrocks →

Mount Langi Ghiran Billi Billi Shiraz 2008 $14.25–$18 The Rathbone Wine Group owns some of Australia’s great regional brands – Yering Station Yarra Valley, Parker Coonawarra Estate, Xanadu Margaret River and Mount Langi Ghiran Grampians. Winemaker, Dan Buckle, and viticulturist, Damien Sheehan, look after production at the Langi Ghiran operation, producing the sensational “The Langi” … Continue reading Wine review — Mount Langi Ghiran, Tim Smith and Barwang →

Shelmerdine Pinot Noir 2010 $26–$36 Yarra Valley, Victoria Stephen Shelmerdine writes, “Between the drought-affected vintage 2009 and rain-influenced vintage 2011, vintage 2010 is now shaping up as an absolutely classic year”. I’m not sure what “classic” means, but Shelmerdine delivers the goods in this lovely pinot from his family’s Lusatia Park Vineyard, high in the … Continue reading Wine review — Shelmerdine, Yealands Estate, Running with Bulls, Dandelion and Penfolds →