1er Yarra Valley 2010 Chardonnay

If Franco d'Anna were a baseball player he'd be described as "seeing each pitch like melon". He's hitting the ball out of the park with the quality of his wines across all three of his ranges; the regional Wickhams Road series, the excellent Hoddles Creek range and this, his premium label. There were an equally impressive 2010 Pinot Noir and 2010 Pinot Blanc released alongside this wine, but this just oozes class, with every element in tune - like a world-class orchestra. It is a flighty filly right now, but offers just the right combination of citrus and stonefruit notes, with terrific texture and great zingy acidity. If this were a Burgundy, we'd be prepared to pay a fortune for it; so that makes the price tag for this Yarra Valley gem an absolute bargain. $40. www.hoddlescreekestate.com.au.  

Kyeema Vineyard 2011 Chardonnay Viognier

Quality fruit is the key to the appeal of this, the first white wine to be released under the Kyeema label - the premium range of wines from Capital Wines. The Kyeema chardonnay vines are over 30 years old and have previously provided fruit for the iconic Eileen Hardy wine. This is a very textural offering as a result of the addition of some bright, early-picked viognier, a variety more usually blended with shiraz. This is not a co-ferment; the chardonnay is fermented in oak and the viognier in stainless steel, but there is still a seamlessness to the wine, along with real drinkability. $36.  www.capitalwines.com.au.

Bloodwood 2010 Chardonnay

Stephen and Rhonda Doyle were pioneers in the cool-climate Orange wine region, planting their first grapes almost three decades ago. This is a simply stunning chardonnay - and outstanding value for money - seamless and elegant with delightfully racy fruit (both tropical and grapefruit notes), great minerality, nutty nuances in their place but not intruding and and some crisp, refreshing acidity. Just 12.5% alcohol and an impressive package. $27. www.bloodwood.biz.

Goaty Hill 2011 Riesling

This is an absolutely ripping riesling from the Tamar Valley in Tasmania that took out the honours at the recent Festivale tasting. It’s fresh as a daisy (bottled only a few weeks ago) with vibrant aromas, bright Granny Smith and lively fresh lemon and lime zest notes on the palate, crunchy acidity and pristine minerality. It ticks all the boxes for dry riesling and would be fantastic with freshly shucked oysters, fish and chips or spicy Asian dishes. If you haven’t tried a Tassie riesling for a while this is the one to go for. $28. www.goatyhill.com.au. 

Koonara 2008 Angel's Peak Cabernet Sauvignon

Let's get this straight from the start. Here we have a very good Coonawarra cabernet sauvignon from a family owned winery that is a current release at four years of age. It is concentrated, but with classic regional elegance, and weighs in with just 13.5% alcohol; a lean, fighting machine. It's dark, still a little moody, with classic dark berry and chocolate characters, balanced, not intrusive, oak, dry and with plenty of length and structure. It will almost certainly cellar well. And here's the silly bit (the good bit, actually): this wine is available for $15.95 at cellar door on online and only a couple of bucks more retail. $18. www.koonara.com. light to see how dense it is if you don't believe me.

Wither Hills 2011 Sauvignon Blanc

OK wine snobs. Time to get over yourselves. The reality is a lot of people really enjoy Marlborough sauvignon blanc. A lot of them like to enjoy a bottle or two on a sunny day, or pair some savvy with fresh seafood. Much as you'd prefer them to be drinking arneis, or albarino, the reality is they relish the style of wines the Kiwis make. So if you are looking for a classic and consistently reliable Marlborough sauvignon blanc, nicely put together, with plenty of zing and zest and a good balance between tropical and leaner herbaceous characters you'll almost certainly enjoy this vibrant young wine from one of the region's style leaders. $22. www.witherhills.co.nz.

Lark Hill 2011 Dark Horse Viognier

Several Australian wine producers have had a crack at the white Rhone grape variety viognier - with decidedly mixed results. Far too many end up tasting like an alcoholic version of canned apricot juice. This is a welcome counterpoint to those wines; made with restraint and passion. Lark Hill is a proven success with other aromatic white varieties, including riesling and gruner veltliner, and this wine continues in the same vein. It is floral with appealing fresh stone fruit characters, ginger notes and a hint of citrus. Wild yeast ferment has helped add complexity and texture but the key here is balance - it has only 12.5% alcohol with a refreshing slatey finish. Definitely one of Australia's better viogniers. $25. www.larkhillwine.com.au.