Greenskin NV Tawny Port

 

Heading out for a winter camping adventure? Fancy a warming drink that is housed in a lightweight, recyclable pouch? Here's the perfect thing: a new limited release from Greenskin, the West Australian company that specialises in quality drinks that are packaged to make them perfect for picnics, or lazy days at the beach. With colder days on the way, this gained almost unanimous approval from my tasting group. The fruit comes from several varieties and multiple vineyards across Western Australia and the wine is made by John Griffiths from Faber Vineyard in the Swan Valley. Sweet, smoky, raisiny and very delicious, this would be brilliant with a cheese platter. Available in two-packs for $95 from https://greenskinwine.com/shop/   

Lyons Will 2023 Gamay

 

Gamay is a perfect wine style for the Australian lifestyle. A lighter red with plenty of flavour that can be chilled on a warmer day. This is one of only a handful of gamays made in Victoria and owner/winemakers Renata Morello and Ollie Rapson have plenty of reason to be pleased. The wine is unashamedly based in the spiritual home of the variety, Beaujolais, with vibrant juby fruit flavours to the fore. Lyons Will, for those not familiar, is a boutique family-run winery in the Macedon Ranges. This wine is estate grown, unfined, unfiltered and Vegan friendly and so ticks a lot of hipster boxes. Stereotypes be damned. Pair this with  a charcuterie plate or a cheese platter. Lively and lovely; stylish and succulent. I liked it a lot. $47. www.LyonsWillEstate.com.au

Even Keel 2022 Cortese

 

The Even Keel range from Mornington Peninsula producer Polperro is looking smart across the board right now, but this one caught my fancy with its beguiling combination of fresh fruit characters and texture on the palate. Old oak and wild ferment add interest. Enticing aromas lead to an energetic palate where tangy citrus flavours jive with mineral notes. Think dry, think interesting, think refreshing. For those unfamiliar with the cortese grape, very little of which is grown in Australia, it emanates from the south-eastern regions of Piedmont and is the star of the Gavi region. It pairs very well with seafood; anything from Thai fishcakes to grilled prawns. There is also an impressive 2023 Pinot Gris in the  range. $35. www.polperrowines.com.au/product/cortese-2022/

Oliver's Taranga 2023 Brioni's Blend

 

Tired of clunky red wines that have lashings of new oak and need to be cellared for a decade before they open up? This is the exact opposite: a juicy, fruit-driven red blend that is designed to be enjoyed in its youth. Like right now. Brioni’s Blend is dedicated to sixth-generation Brioni Oliver, one of the cousins keeping this McLaren Vale family winery going after 185 years. Vegan friendly and sustainably made, this is an unusual melange of 45% mataro, 36% Touriga nacional and 19% shiraz. Bright purple, it is light on its feet, juicy, fruity and very gluggable. Fire up the barbecue. Bring on some gourmet hamburgers. 92 points from me. $35. https://www.oliverstaranga.com/

Hesketh 2021 Dangerous Type Merlot

There are a lot of dull merlots out there in retail land, but this new addition to the Hesketh Limestone Coast range delivers a lot of midweek drinking pleasure at a very fair price. This is a very modern take on merlot with minimal oak influence and a focus on the fresh dark fruit from a cooler region of South Australia. Bright and flavoursome. Pair with anything from a gourmet burger to a spaghetti bolognaise You could even enjoy this lightly chilled. With a top-notch winemaking team of Andrew Hardy and Keeda Zilm, this is a range well worth keeping an eye out for. $16. https://www.heskethwinecompany.com.au/

Oakridge 2022 Henk Vineyard Chardonnay

 

This is consistently one of the best sub $50 chardonnays in Australia with winemaker David Bicknell and his team utilising grapes from the outstanding Henk vineyard in Woori Yallock in the Yarra Valley. It is a wine of impeccable balance - everything within its place - and unashamedly medium bodied. Fruit was handpicked and whole-bunch pressed to large format oak for a natural fermentation followed by 10 months maturing on lees. Floral, with an enticing melange of tropical fruit, citrus and mineral notes, it wafts across the palate like a cooling summer breeze. Even its youth this complex wine is accessible and enticing, and would pair with pork dishes or poultry. Absolutely delightful. $48.  https://oakridgewines.com.au/

Levantine Hill 2019 Syrah

Levantine Hill is a big, bold operation in the Yarra Valley. It is spectacular - and in your face. But this wine is none of those things. It is a delightfully composed and elegant cool-climate shiraz that's full of light and shade. Winemaker Paul Bridgeman shows just how appealing Yarra shiraz can be with a wine that is drinking beautifully at five years of age. It is aromatic, delicate but intense, and extremely food friendly with a melange of spice and savoury notes. There is some mince pie richness, sure, but this a beautifully complex wine that is all the better for being medium bodied. $80. https://www.levantinehill.com.au/