Hurley Vineyard 2024 Garamond Pinot Noir

 

The 2024 Hurley Vineyard Garamond Pinot Noir is my favourite pinot of the year so far. The other three Hurley wines from the vintage are all outstanding, but this one has that faint tinge of rusticity that distinguishes the great burgundies. I've been enjoying wines from this tiny domain for close to a quarter of a century now; this is the 24th vintage from legal eagles Kevin Bell and Tricia Byrnes and during that time their pinots have become much sought-after by aficionados. This is my pick of the three individual vineyards, which comprise just 3.5 hectares on the Mornington Peninsula. All fruit is estate grown and all wines made on sight by Bell, a former Victorian Supreme Court judge. This is basket pressed and bottled after 20 months French oak with zero fining or filtrations. Super satisfying. A wine of balance, style and character well worth splashing out on. $130. www.hurleyvineyard.com.au 

Cote Mas 2024 Syrah

 

Bastille Day is just around the corner on July 14 and what better way to celebrate France's national day on a budget than with this excellent Languedoc syrah from innovative French winemaker Jean-Claude Mas, also known as the Arrogant Frog? This is delightfully easy to drink: what Mas describes as describes as "expressive and accessible".  It reflects the sunshine of the south of France with its generous flavours, but also offers some chic style and suppleness on the finish. You could pair this with anything from a barbecue to a picnic - and the price is certainly right at $17.99 at Dan Murphy's stores. https://www.cote-mas.fr/en/  

Penfolds 50-Year-0ld Rare Aged Tawny

Do you have long arms, deep pockets and a serious love of richly textured fortified wines? The ninth series of Penfolds 50 Year Old Rare Tawny is one for serious collectors with only 333 bottles to be released. I was lucky enough to try the new release from numbered bottle No.1 at Magill Estate. This is a symbol of Penfolds heritage, drawing many very old vintages, so while it carries a minimum average age of 50 years, the blend incorporates several historically significant components. Bottles are hand blown and hand filled. This is amber coloured, seductive and succulent with nutty hints and toffee apple goodness. Downright delicious. I enjoyed it with sticky date pudding. So should you. $3500. www.penfolds.com

Longview 2023 Macclesfield Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Here's an impressive winter red from a star producer in the Adelaide Hills; a wine that ticks a lot of boxes. The estate vineyard produces wines of style and substance at very fair prices and this one showed a disturbing evaporation problem as the bottle level dipped at an alarming rate. It offers classic cooler-climate cabernet character with blackcurrant and French herb notes on a dry palate. This is dark, cedary and gently spicy. Made in small quantities, so cellar door is probably the best place to access. This would pair brilliantly with roast lamb en croute or calves' liver with onions. $48. https://www.longviewvineyard.com.au/ 

The Drover 2025 Pinot Grigio

 

Who says it is hard to find a wine bargain nowadays? This bright and breezy pinot grigio from Dee Vine Estate won the trophy for the best gris/grigio at the Royal Adelaide Wine Show, beating entries from some of the biggest names in the business. Wine show results don't necessarily count for a lot, but I've tasted this and it is crisp, clean and fresh with some zingy acid on the finish, making it ideal for pairing with Thai or Korean cuisine, or with fresh shellfish. The fruit comes from the Riverina and it was clearly picked at the right time for vibrancy and flavour. No oak was involved, so I'd serve it chilled right now while it is still so perky. Here's the good news:  the price is just $8 a bottle. https://www.deevineestate.com/the-drover/the-drover-pinot-grigio    

Terre a Terre 2022 Crayeres Vineyard Reserve

 

Terre a Terre has built a formidable reputation for higher echelon South Australian reds with just a touch of French swagger added by winemaker Xavier Bizot. From the first sniff and sip this identified itself as something special; a wine of style and substance to grace any dinner table. Think length, power and balance with dark fruits to the fore. This is a blend of cabernet sauvignon (66%,) shiraz (17%) and dollop of cabernet franc - a classic Claret style made entirely from estate fruit grown at Wrattonbully on the Limestone Coast. I liked this a lot and gave it 97 points. Pair with Moroccan roast lamb.  $90. https://terreaterre.com.au/

Curly Flat 2025 White Pinot

 
Here is something a little bit different from outstanding Macedon Ranges producer Curly Flat - a rosé style that is effectively a white wine made from a red wine grape. Using only free-run juice, it is fermented with wild yeasts and aged in old oak puncheons. Lightly salmon coloured, it is a pale, composed and very dry wine with bright acid on a brisk, refreshing finish. Pair with a chicken pie, or a vegetable quiche, or share with friends and challenge them to identify the grape. An unusual marriage that delivers lovely drinking. Best enjoyed lightly chilled. $34. https://curlyflat.com/