Kirrihill Estates

Barton Springs Vineyard Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2009

A Sauvignon Blanc with a little bit extra. It's been given a few months in French oak on lees to develop middle palate richness and texture. Retains its essential fresh zippiness however. Subtle and flavoursome expression of this variety.

Score:91/100
Cellar:3 years

Nanny Goat Vineyard

Central Otago Pinot Noir 2008 ($32)

This excellent New Zealand comes from the Central Otago region. Has some nice spicy touches on the nose with subtle sour cherry and light vanillin oak. Palate is firm yet sufficiently supple with deeply intense fruit. A wine with some cellaring potential.

Score:91/100
Cellar:7 years

Jim Barry

Clare Red Shiraz Cab 2006 ($19.95)

Opens immediately with that slightly minty Clare character that is so appealing in these wines. This is a remarkably good wine for this price. Medium to full bodied palate with generous well integrated fruit. The tannins are ripe and supple with understated oak adding support. Terrific each-way bet in the cellar – either drink now or keep for a few years.

Score:90/100
Cellar:5 years

Cowaramup Wines

Clown Fish Merlot Cabernet 2008 ($20)

Has a little more spine and substance to the previous vintage. It’s medium weight with nice red berry and minty characters. The fine tannins and silky fine grained oak combine easily on an effortless palate. Controlled and elegant. Nice wine for drinking over the next few years. The oak has been especially well handled.

Score:90/100
Cellar: 5 years

Cowaramup Wines

Clown Fish Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2009 ($20)

There is a beautiful purity and precision about this lively fresh young blended white. Tight minerally thread is a feature of the vintage and it’s quite evident in this wine. Nice herbal tropical fruits and a dash of lime juice to finish.

Score:89/100
Cellar: 3 years

De Bortoli

Deen De Bortoli Vat 9 Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 ($12.90)

Here is real value for money drinking for a wine of some class in this price bracket. Juicy ripe cabernet fruit delivers on a supple generous medium bodied palate. Fine silky tannins, understated oak and a warm lengthy finish.

Score:89/100
Cellar: 2 years

Coriole

Fiano 2009 ($25)

This is a light fresh white wine just perfect for summer drinking. Has some nice fleshy texture but the crisp acid keeps on track. Sustained finish and pleasant mouth feel. You could sit and drink a heap of this little beauty.

Score:88/100
Cellar: Drink now

McWilliams

Lillydale Vineyards Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2008 ($27)

Colour is brilliant garnet and crimson. The bouquet strikes with classic vibrant cherry and an unpinning of violet. The palate while subtle and medium to light bodied still has excellent fruit expression and depth. It's focussed with good intensity supported by ripe fine tannins and fine grained oak. Slightly gamey earthy characters complete a good wine.

Score:89/100
Cellar:4 years

Howard Park

MadFish Sideways Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2009 ($20)

Sourced from Margaret River, this is a new range from MadFish. It's fruity and lively with punchy tropical fruit lightly dusted with grassy herby citrus characters. It's a flavoursome easy drinking wine with a small amount of barrel fermentation for complexity and mouth feel.

Score: 90/100
Cellar: 3 years

Howard Park

MadFish Sideways Shiraz 2008 ($20)

A punchy and vibrant Shiraz from the heart of Margaret River in this new range from MadFish. It's loaded with dark savoury spicy Shiraz liberally coated with cedary oak. Well balanced with ripe supple tannins and a deliciously appealing finish.

Score: 89/100
Cellar: 4 years

Saltram Wines Barossa Valley

Mamre Brook Barossa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 ($25)

A solid and richly textured offering from the Barossa. Lots of dark berry and chocolate with some rich black currant. The oak is almost understated but provides ample support. Ripe tannins. Quite plump and generous.

Score:89/100
Cellar:5 years

Saltram Wines Barossa Valley

Mamre Brook Barossa Valley Shiraz 2006 ($25)

Beautiful vintage and beautiful wine. Has a pronounced American oak influence on the nose with a little spicy French. It works delightfully with vibrant opulent fruit intensity. Rich and succulent with earthy savoury dark chocolate characters.

Score:90/100
Cellar:6 years

Knee Deep

Margaret River Shiraz 2008 ($26)

These guys are really starting to nail this variety. It’s all here. Full and soft though on a medium bodied palate. The spicy savoury perfumed notes are immediately appealing and the lush generous palate is supported with fine tannins and lovely fine-grained oak. Juicy stewed fruit completes the finish.

Score:91/100
Cellar:5 years

Moss Wood

Moss Wood Margaret River Semillon 2009 ($40)

This is a beautifully pure example of semillon from Margaret River. A full flavoured wine with excellent texture and mouth feel displaying some nice lemon characters with richer sub stratum of stone fruit and fig-like characters. Has great cellaring potential.

Score: 93/100 Cellar: 10 years

McWilliams

Mount Pleasant Lovedale Hunter Valley Semillon 2005 ($65)

Another marvellous semillon under this famous label. The Lovedale vineyard has been the source of some of the greatest Hunter semillons and this one has it all. Intense lively grapefruit and crunchy pear presented with a fresh purity and zing. Drink it as a youngster by all means but hold on in the cellar for something special.

Score:96/100
Cellar:10 years

Mud House Wines Central Otago Pinot Noir 2008 ($28)

This is a beautifully elegant and refined pinot. There is good bony structure and fine silky tannins supporting an effortlessly long palate profile. Delicious supple sweet fruit of medium to light body with those tannins firm enough for support. Excellent wine.

Score: 90/100 Cellar: 5 years

Coriole

Nebbiolo 2007 ($32)

Can be a tricky variety to get right because of the somewhat aggressive tannins. This one has been well handled and delivers some nice brambly chocolate characters with a little earthy savouriness. Has lifted scented perfumes that make for an attractive all round wine.

Score:89/100
Cellar: 3 years

Edwards Wines

Shiraz 2007 ($30)

A sumptuous and elegant Shiraz. The bouquet of cedar and light plum with fragrances of coffee and savoury dark chocolate is superb. The palate knits everything together into a seamless silky smooth package with great mouth feel and flavour. A beauty.

Score:93/100
Cellar: 6 years

Lenton Brae

Shiraz 2008 ($35)

A rather exciting Shiraz from this region. The opening play of savoury plum and spices is immediately engaging. On the palate you get soft generous fruit delivered with so much poise. The tannins are silky fine but firm and support what is a very good wine. Love the mix of chocolate, coffee and spices.

Score:92/100
Cellar:6 years

Kirrihill Estates

Slate Creek Vineyard Clare Valley Riesling 2009 ($19.95)

Sourced from 30-year-old Clare Valley vines off a single vineyard. Made to retain every bit of the bouncy lively freshness of the variety. It's delicate yet with a persistent palate. Light floral and limey slaty characters. Really enticing wine.

Score:92/100
Cellar:6 years