Ekin 2024 Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir

 

It is becoming increasingly difficult to find quality pinot noir for which you don't need to take out a mortgage. Make a note of this one: juicy, fresh and loveable pinot from the Adelaide Hills that won't cost an arm and a leg. It is floral and red fruited with some deli hints on the impressively complex palate. Ekin Wine Co, was only founded five years ago, but the fruit used here comes from 25-year-old vines. Ten months in mature oak barrels has added complexity without intruding on the vibrant joie de vivre in the fruit. Pair with Chinese roast duck or some pork belly. This is a serious bargain. $25. https://ekinwineco.com.au/  

Curly Flat 2024 Pinot Noir

Curly Flat is a Macedon Ranges producer of stellar pinot noirs and chardonnays. The new release of their estate pinot noir lives up to expectations with a wine of power and balance that is grown, vinified and bottle on site outside the hamlet of Lancefield. So a family-owned producer with total control. While this producer's Williams Crossing 2024 is designed for casual sipping, this one is stylish and dinner party worthy; perhaps matched with roasted quail or Peking duck. A tip. Let this one breathe for a few minutes after opening to enjoy it at its best. $72. https://curlyflat.com/

Moss Wood 2024 Amy's

Calling all lovers of Bordeaux-style red blends. This is cabernet-driven wine from one of Margaret River's best producers that offers an excellent each way bet: drink now or cellar for a decade or more. It is a blend of 72% cabernet with the remainder of the blend made up of merlot, malbec and petit verdot. A wine of impeccable balance with classic currant/berry/plum notes allied to violet, dark chocolate and cedary oak characters. There is impressive structure here, but also bright acid that aid immediate accessibility. Concentrated but beguiling. $40. www.mosswood.com.au 

Clonakilla 2024 Hilltops Shiraz

 
Classy, medium-bodied red wine that is ready to enjoy in its youth and is lip-smackingly food friendly? That's a big tick. When the wine comes from one of the country's best family producers and costs well under $40 then you are onto a good thing. While Clonakilla is based at Murrumbateman, outside Canberra, Tim Kirk and his team also source some excellent fruit from several vineyards in the Hilltops district around Young. Open fermented with regular pump overs, this spent 12 months in mainly older oak to add texture and palate structure. It has aromatics and impressively ripe - but not too ripe - dark fruit flavours and savoury notes. Drink now, or cellar. Your choice. Excellent buying for Christmas enjoyment. $35. https://clonakilla.com.au/

Williams Crossing 2024 Pinot Noir

Williams Crossing is the entry level label for stellar Macedon Ranges wine producer Curly Flat and this one offers some exceptional value for pinot lovers who enjoy their red wines young, fresh and immediately approachable. Red berry fruits are to the fore here with whole-bunch elements adding earthy/herbal characters that lift it from simple to slurpable. This is a bright, high-acid pinot made using declassified Curly Flat Estate pinot noir barrels that finishes with crisp but well balanced acidity. The Curly Flat team says it is "made for easy sipping" and it paired brilliantly with some runny Brie cheese and crackers. Lovely stuff. $34. https://curlyflat.com/wines/2024-williams-crossing-pinot-noir/