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 

Moondarra 2017 Conception Pinot Noir

Moondarra maestro Neil Prentice is not short of courage. He brought his Gippsland wines to Hobart in Tasmania - the hottest pinot noir region in the country right now - and showed them against some of the best of Apple Isle at the Mould+Pinot Palooza event. Good news for Prentice: they more than held their own. This is a very pretty, medium-bodied pinot that shows cherry and strawberry characters after the fruit (one-third whole bunch) is hand-picked and processed on site. This is wild fermented, undegoes pigeage (foot stomping), and is then aged in Troncais oak. The Moondarra team recommend pairing it with peking duck, but is also goes very well with blue cheese. Versatile then. Funky with some bitey minerality, but also silky on the finish. Unfined, unfiltered and just a little bit French accented. It is also “accidentally vegan”. $50. www.moondarra.com.au/

Cullen 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot

 

Cullen's flagship Diana Madeline Bordeaux blend now costs $150 a bottle - if you are able to lay your hands on any. This wine is known as the "junior Diana Madeline" and costs considerably less. The cabernet grapes come from the ‘old block’ - planted over 50 years ago in 1971. This is a seriously delicious blend of 78% cabernet sauvignon, 19% merlot, 2% cabernet franc and 1% petit verdot that can be enjoyed immediately, while its sibling benefits from a stint in the cellar. Biodynamically grown and made, this spent seven months in 30% new French oak barrels and offers classic dark currant and chocolate flavours along with impressive tannin structure. Pair with roast lamb. We did, and were well rewarded. $45. www.cullenwines.com.au/