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Claymore might not be one of the big names of the Clare Valley, but it is a rapidly-growing business that regularly over-delivers. This is the first reserve riesling that Claymore has produced and the clever touch of consultant winemaker Kerri Thompson is evident. It is a very attractive wine that shimmers in its youth. Think aromatics of fresh-cut flowers and citrus, fresh lemon, lime and green apple notes with flinty minerality and driving acid. It is a wine of great length, delicious right now but also a good cellaring prospect. A classic Watervale wine with delicacy but a strong core; imagine a vinous ballerina. A wine of this purity would pair well with a Vietnamese salad, or fresh seafood. $28. www.claymorewines.com.au.
A classic Australian red blend of 59% cabernet sauvignon and 41% shiraz that offers sophisticated David Jones drinking at a K-Mart price. Yalumba wines are generally outstanding value and this is no exception, with big and bold Barossa intensity allied to excellent balance. There's fruit power, sure, some quality oak, absolutely, hints of mocha and spice, as expected, but the whole package comes together brilliantly resulting in a wine that is at once powerful but controlled. You don't often find that in the 20 buck price range. Affordable quality. $22. www.yalumba.com
What a bargain this is: seriously good certified biodynamic Cotes du Rhone from a respected producer for under $30 a bottle. Made from a blend of grenache, carignan and syrah grown at Buisson, near Vaison la Romaine, by Vincent Rochette, this is wild-fermented and then spends six months in concrete tanks before bottling. The combination of red fruits, brambly characters and savoury notes makes it extremely food friendly. Take the beautiful balance, length and sheer drinkability and you have a wine of style and poise. $28. Imported by DiscoverVin. www.discovervin.com.au.
Wine writers are often obsessed by what is new and exciting. We are looking for the next big thing; an unusual grape variety, undiscovered region or a winemaker doing something different. Consumers, however, are usually driven by price and value concerns, and are happy with a brand they have tried before and enjoyed. Oxford Landing's 2016 white wines fit the bill to a tee; they are bright, fresh, reliable and great value. I enjoyed both the sauvignon blanc and this stone-fruit flavoured, lightly-oaked chardy. Think wild yeast ferments, malolactic fermentation to add creaminess and winery practices that mean it is suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Great drinking for under a tenner. $9. www.oxfordlanding.com.
This certainly has a wow! factor. It is a classic modern Australian chardonnay, beautifully balanced, that can sometimes be found around the traps for under $25 - remarkable value. It is unmistakably youthful chardonnay, but without all the arms and legs often found in such young wines. It is made from 100 % estate-grown, old-vine Margaret River fruit. Free-run juice was given full barrel fermentation in a mix of new and one-year-old Burgundian barriques and was left on its lees for eight months. The end result is a wine that is complex and nutty but with classy stone fruity characters and brisk citrusy acid on the finish leading the way. Delicious. $30. www.sandalford.com
The Tuscan grape sangiovese has moved from curiosity to mainstream over the past decade and is much loved by Australian drinkers keen for a savoury note to their red wines. This has earthy and herbal hints, dark fruit flavours and a stern tannin structure, opening up when given some air. The sweet black cherry fruit is aided and abetted by smoky oak that does not intrude. Very food friendly, this would work well in partnership with char-grilled lamb cutlets, or perhaps a veal schnitzel. Good work from veteran former Mitchelton winemaker Don Lewis and winemaking colleague Narelle King.
$24. www.tarandroses.com.au
David O'Leary and Nick Walker are masters of consistency when it comes to producing outstanding Clare Valley rieslings at exceptionally reasonable prices - and the 2016 vintage is no different. The Polish Hill wine just edged its Watervale sibling this time around; it has wonderful purity and perhaps a tad more cool-climate elegance. You'll find classic floral and citrus notes, intense minerality and crisp, but not intrusive, acid. Pair this with pan-fried flathead. Ready to go. Right this minute. $25. www.olearywalkerwines.com.
