Terre a Terre 2016 Crayeres Vineyard Shiraz

The Crayères vineyard is in the Wrattonbully GI, located just north of Coonawarra and south of Padthaway. The climate in Wrattonbully is very similar to Bordeaux, so it is no surprise that cabernet sauvignon does so well. More surprisingly, so does shiraz. Xavier Bizot and Lucy Croser have produced a real tantaliser with this blend of shiraz and cabernet franc, with its medium body, dark red fruit and chalky tannins, integrated oak and stoney minerality. A wine of balance and length. An each way bet. Drink now, or cellar for up to five years. $40. https://terreaterre.com.au 

Alkoomi 2019 Chardonnay

Here is a wine that offers superb value for money vintage after vintage. How the Hallett family in Frankland River manage to produce such a stylish, charming chardy for under $20 beats me, but it is certainly good news for canny consumers. Fresh and lively, I suspect unoaked, this is a terrific midweek drinking proposition, ideal for quaffing after work or pairing with a stir-fry or salad. Terrific buying. $18. www.alkoomiwines.com.au.   

Risky Business 2019 King Valley Pinot Gris

Risky Business is a joint venture between grape grower/viticulturist Rob Quenby and vintner John Waldron, who source fruit from Western Australia and Victoria’s King Valley, producing mainly small batches. This is a fresh, particularly appealing new release with lively pear and green apple flavours and vibrant acidity. More grigio than gris in my book and a terrific wine for enjoying young and a good match for Thai dishes. $25. 
www.riskybusinesswines.com.au 

De Bortoli Section A7 2018 Yarra Valley Chardonnay

This is one for those wine lovers who enjoy their chardonnays in a delicate, subtle Chablis or Saint-Veran style. This is the first release of this single-vineyard wine, made from vines that are fast approaching 30 years of age. Grapes are hand-picked, whole-bunch crushed, pressed and allowed to settle overnight. Natural fermentation occurs in older French oak casks (no new oak is used) and the juice is left to rest on lees until late November. This is pale in colour but offers terrific drinking pleasure. It is bright and lifted with lemon and lime notes, slatey minerality and appealing acidity. Seriously pleasurable. Pair with pan-fried flathead in lemon butter. $50. www.debortoli.com.au.   

Maxwell 2019 Litte Demon Grenache Rosé

The Maxwell range of Little Demon wines represent excellent value - and has been given a label refresh as the first of the 2019 vintage hit the stores. This is a very bright and breezy grenache rosé made from McLaren Vale fruit. It is very fresh, impressively vibrant with aromas of newly picked strawberries. There is plenty of refreshing acidity on a palate that finishes clean, crisp and dry. Pair this with a Lebanese kebab for a gourmet festival in your mouth. $20. www.maxwellwines.com.au.       

Sinapius 2017 La Clairiere Pinot Noir

If the artisan wines from Sinapius in the Pipers Brook region of northern Tasmania are not yet on your radar then you really need to get acquainted. Talented young couple Vaughn Dell and Linda Morice are producing a range of wines that push the boundaries in the vineyard and the winery, always making wines that have real drinkability and points of interest. This estate-grown, single vineyard wine underlines exactly why Tasmanian pinots are causing serious excitement globally. The fruit is sourced from a high-density block planted with seven different clones. Soft and silky, but with hedgerow and savoury notes, the fruit is 100% whole berry, naturally fermented and matured in French oak barriques for 18 months prior to bottling. It is unfined, unfiltered and bloody delicious. $68. www.sinapius.com.au.

Shingleback Davey Estate 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon

Family-owned Shingleback produces wines of both outstanding quality and value from McLaren Vale with this new-release estate cabernet sauvignon a case in point. This is an impressive wine with regional power alongside impressive balance with a silky tannin finish. The wine was matured for 15 months French oak hogsheads, adding palate interest and structure. Ripe currant and berry flavours are very much to the fore here, with herbal notes and dark chocolate. Terrific drinking with red meat dishes. $25. www.shingleback.com.au