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I'd been hearing great things about the wines being made by Justin McNamara at Samuel's Gorge in McLaren Vale and lo and behold a box of samples arrived on my doorstep completely unsolicited - and without tasting notes. All four wines were excellent (I now understand why there is such a buzz about Samuel's ) but for me, this juicy, savoury graciano just edged out more familiar varieties in shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and shiraz. I love the mosaic label, which, just like the wine shows a lot of attention to detail. Graciano is a Spanish red wine grape that is grown primarily in Rioja and it thrives in warm climates. I loved the combination of sweet fruit and earthiness that this wine displays. $40. www.gorge.com.au.
Tahbilk are the undisputed heavyweight champions of marsanne production in Australia, producing cellar-worthy examples vintage after vintage. What I liked most about this wine, however, was not how well it will age, but how brilliantly floral and appealing it is in its youth. Marsanne is grape from the Northern Rhone in France that is often blended, but here it shines as a stand-alone varietal. The grape was first planted in Victoria in the 1860s and Tahbilk has vines which date back to 1927 and are some of the oldest in the world. This is vibrant, citrusy, herbal and minerally and so drinkable right now that I would defy convention and drink it all this summer. $19. www.tahbilk.com.au.
Claymore might not be one of the big names of the Clare Valley, but it is a rapidly-growing business that regularly over-delivers. This is the first reserve riesling that Claymore has produced and the clever touch of consultant winemaker Kerri Thompson is evident. It is a very attractive wine that shimmers in its youth. Think aromatics of fresh-cut flowers and citrus, fresh lemon, lime and green apple notes with flinty minerality and driving acid. It is a wine of great length, delicious right now but also a good cellaring prospect. A classic Watervale wine with delicacy but a strong core; imagine a vinous ballerina. A wine of this purity would pair well with a Vietnamese salad, or fresh seafood. $28. www.claymorewines.com.au.
A classic Australian red blend of 59% cabernet sauvignon and 41% shiraz that offers sophisticated David Jones drinking at a K-Mart price. Yalumba wines are generally outstanding value and this is no exception, with big and bold Barossa intensity allied to excellent balance. There's fruit power, sure, some quality oak, absolutely, hints of mocha and spice, as expected, but the whole package comes together brilliantly resulting in a wine that is at once powerful but controlled. You don't often find that in the 20 buck price range. Affordable quality. $22. www.yalumba.com
What a bargain this is: seriously good certified biodynamic Cotes du Rhone from a respected producer for under $30 a bottle. Made from a blend of grenache, carignan and syrah grown at Buisson, near Vaison la Romaine, by Vincent Rochette, this is wild-fermented and then spends six months in concrete tanks before bottling. The combination of red fruits, brambly characters and savoury notes makes it extremely food friendly. Take the beautiful balance, length and sheer drinkability and you have a wine of style and poise. $28. Imported by DiscoverVin. www.discovervin.com.au.
