Bremerton 2020 Selkirk Shiraz

 

Wine drinkers need a few bottles of this tucked away over summer. Not only does this Langhorne Creek shiraz offer a whole lot of bang for your buck, but its medium-bodied versatility means it is an excellent companion to everything from a barbecue, a snag sandwich or a steak and chips. A lovely, easy drinking style from winemaker Rebecca Willson with some restrained plummy fruit characters, hints of white pepper and a soft, supple palate with just a hint of oak adding to the package. Perfect for midweek drinking pleasure on a budget. For those wondering, Selkirk in Scotland is the ancestral home of the Willson family. $20. https://www.bremerton.com.au/ 

Running with Bulls 2022 Albariño

So you enjoy your white wines youthful with fresh, tangy vibrancy? You are willing to try a non-mainstream grape variety but don't have a whole lot of cash to splash. Let me introduce you to the new-release Running With Bulls 2022 Albariño - an Australian take on a classic Spanish grape variety that is full of floral aromas and youthful exuberance. Winemaker Sam Wigan had the fruit picked in the cool of the night for maximum vibrancy, and this has lashings of green apple and lemon sorbet fruit flavours and some impressive zingy acid on the finish. No oak, just natural fermentation and some time on lees to build palate interest. Pair with salt and pepper squid, or Asian dishes with a hint of spice. It's vegan friendly, too. $31. www.runningwithbulls.com.au   

Tscharke 2021 A Thing of Beauty Grenache

 

If you enjoy your reds young and vibrant then this will be right up your alley. The striking label is matched by the very striking wine; grown and made organically and biodynamically in the Barossa Valley and made in what winemaker Damien Tscharke says is "one of the best vintages in the recent decade". Grenache blocks were hand-picked at different times to create layers and complexity right from the vineyard . After malo, the fruit was transferred to terracotta amphorae with regular batonage. Think floral aromas and lovely fruit with savoury hints. Plenty of spice, plenty of length, lots of youthful vigour. Ridiculously good value at $28. https://tscharke.au/
 

Grosset 2021 Piccadilly Chardonnay

 

Jeffrey Grosset is the high priest of Clare Valley riesling, producing a stunning range of styles from various sites, using organics, biodynamics that make excellence routine. What is less well known is that Grosset ventures outside the Clare for some other wines in his range, including this outstanding Adelaide Hills chardonnay with precision and poise. There are stone fruit and citrus in perfect harmony, hints of cashew nut and subtle oak on a palate that lingers impressively. Only 700 cases were made with fermentation in French oak barrqiues (40% new) and partial malo for texture. Studious but bright and a perfect partner for roast pork. 96/1000 from me. $77. https://www.grosset.com.au/

Gundog Estate 2021 Hilltops No.1 Shiraz

So you like your shiraz with plenty of meat on its bones, but not an ounce of flab. This is the bigger, more assertive, of two impressive shirazes from the cool Hilltops region outside Young in regional New South Wales. The fruit for this one is sourced from Brian Freeman's immaculately tended vineyards at Prunevale, and Gundog winemaker Matt Burton has delivered plenty of drive, but also some bright acidity and poise. It paired very well with a Tomahawk steak and horse radish. The No.2 is a more elegant style, more those looking for a little less power and more precision. Both offer good drinking at $35. www.gundogestate.com.au