Kooyong 2024 Nord Pinot Noir

 

I have an issue with wines under the Kooyong label. From founding winemaker Sandro Moselle to Glen Hayley and now Tim Perrin, the Gjergja family invariably produces outstanding Mornington Peninsula wines. It is often hard to know exactly which wine to review but this one stood out with its delightful poise and balance. Like all the Kooyong estate wines it is estate grown, made and bottled - and the grapes here come from a block of under a hectare of close-planted vines that produce exceptional fruit. This is black-fruited, medium-bodied, appealingly earthy and exceptionally drinkable. $85. www.portphillipestate.com.au/product/2024-nord-pinot-noir  

Wickhams Road 2026 Yarra Valley Chardonnay

 

Looking for a stylish cool-climate chardonnay from the Yarra Valley that offers exceptional value for money? You've come to the right place. This is a delightful fresh young thing that winemaker Franco d'Anna says is made with the same care and attention as his Hoddles Creek estate chardonnays. This is made from grapes grown at Bulong Estate at Yarra Junction - the vines were planted back in 1997 - and it is vibrant, fresh and well balanced. There are three chardonnays in the Wickhams Hill range and all are worth a look at the ridiculously low price of $19.99. https://www.hoddlescreekestate.com.au/

Mount Horrocks 2026 Watervale Riesling

 

Mount Horrocks is a seriously boutique producer in the Clare Valley. Vigneron Stephanie Toole makes only 3,000 cases a year, and just 500 cases of this stunning riesling. All her wines are organic and biodynamic and this new release is gloriously vibrant - a classic example of dry Watervale riesling. Crisp, crunchy and extremely food friendly, it is described by Toole as "a wine of immense purity and finesse".  Think floral aromas, lifted citrus notes, river pebble minerality and brisk acid on the finish. Pair this taut number with salt and pepper squid, or pan-fried sardines. Lovely, and great value. $45. https://www.mounthorrocks.com/ 

Jacob's Creek 2026 Le Petit Rosé

I don't pay a lot of attention to wine show results but when a new-release sub-$20 wine that is widely available cracks a trophy at a major shows then my attention is piqued. This snagged the Leslie Kemeny Memorial Perpetual Trophy for Best Rosé at the recent Royal Sydney Wine Show (and later won best rosé in Perth), so I asked for a sample. It's a good 'un: fun, dry and food friendly. It is a fresh and lively blend of pinot noir, grenache and mourvedre with bright acid and some chalky texture. Ideal for enjoying chilled with a picnic, charcuterie plate, Middle Eastern dishes, or a creamy pasta dish. The RRP is $20 but you'll find it cheaper if you search. https://jacobscreek.com/ 

Oakdene 2025 Chardonnay

 

What a fun and affordable wine this is: perfect for midweek tippling. From reliable Bellarine Peninsula producer Oakdene, it is unmistakably chardonnay, but without all the un-needed bells and whistles. 100% chardonnay and 100% Geelong, this did spend some time in a combo of new and old oak but it is the cool-climate fruit - bright and lively - that is the driving force here. If you haven't tried wines from Oakdene before this is a very good starting point and would pair brilliantly with some barbecued pork spare ribs. $30. https://www.oakdene.com.au/  

Bollinger B16 Vintage

With Father's Day just around corner this recent release from one of the leading Champagne houses might just be up a wine-loving Dad's street. It is the newest addition to the By Bollinger series, a collection that showcases the Maison's historic winemaking credentials - and its traditional pinot noir-led power and structure. The collection began with by Bollinger 2003, followed a decade later by B13. Now, B16, the third instalment in the series, shines a spotlight on the late-ripening terroirs of the Montagne de Reims. It is full of apple and pear flavours, some brioche/mineral notes, with spicy hints and a silky finish after being aged for more than seven years on lees and finished with a 4g/L dosage. While this can be enjoyed as an aperitif, it would be better enjoyed with dinner. It is sold in a stylish gift box. $270. https://www.champagne-bollinger.com/en/

Cullen 2025 Diana Madeline Legacy Series Solstice Sun Cabernet Sauvignon

Looking for a very special, limited-release wine as a Father's Day gift for a serious wine lover? Only around 400 bottles of this were made. Released this week, it is an impressively complete red blend, hand harvested on a Biodynamic Flower Day and New Moon in late February. This inaugural release was made using fruit from the oldest plantings of cabernet sauvignon from the Cullen Vineyard in Margaret River. This gem from Vanya Cullen and her biodynamic and organics-focused team is complex, silky and superbly balanced; immediately accessible in its youth but a potential cellaring prospect. It paired brilliantly with Asian-braised lamb loin chops. $350. https://cullenwines.com.au/