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Yalumba Bush Vine Grenache 2022
This is bright and juicy Barossa Grenache with easy appeal. Slightly syrupy raspberry fruit, no oak, all red fruit and a little warmth. Really open pleasure and yet has an old…
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All Margaret River class with the Juniper Cornerstone Wilyabrup Chardonnay 2023
That grapefruit acid line is unmistakable. Margaret River Chardonnay, in all its flourish, has a really distinct personality that I love. It’s not a neon sign that says, ‘fuck yeah, Margaret…
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Review: Paisley Six Strings Tempranillo 2023
I like how much flavour all these Paisley wines have for just $25. Maybe I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating. This Tempranillo is a lightish wine for Paisley –…
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X-factor Grenache: Juxtaposed Shadow Creek Vineyard Grenache 2023
On the authenticity scale and in terms of grape and place, modern Australian Grenache is a pretty great thing. That’s likely because it’s still an underdog grape, despite all the positive…
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Review: Crittenden Peninsula Chardonnay 2023
Peninsula is the affordable range of Mornington wines from Crittenden, but the style here feels much fancier than something entry-level. Then again, we’re talking about a $39 bottle of Chardonnay, so…
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This comes with a sorry note: Limefinger Solace Polish Hill River Riesling 2024
I wrote this note a few months back and never published it, and now the wine is sold out. Apologies, everyone. Do yourself a favour and get in early for Neil…
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The Grenache-y joy of the Yalumba Vine Vale Grenache 2023
Modern Australian Grenache is such a pleasure. Yalumba’s line of wines is excellent, too. This Vine Vale red comes from 1949-planted vines, which is magnificent in itself. Juicy, open, with no…
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Could you pick a Petit Chablis from a Chablis? This Chablis winemaker couldn’t (nor could I)
It was a beautiful day to be tasting crisp French white wines. Thursday’s late February afternoon sun was firmly in the ‘summer is not over yet’ burn-y category and the small…
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A delicious micro-production Sapling Yard Braidwood Riesling
Braidwood is a town (or village) on the NSW Great Dividing Range NE of Canberra. It’s better known as truffle country rather than for wine, although my memories are weirder after…
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The classy Zonzo Estate Rosé 2023
A barrel-fermented Yarra Shiraz and Merlot rosé. Gently creamy, with very light coppery pink fruit and a fresh, cleverly textured palate. It’s rosé that is better than the rest. A slightly…
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The dead serious Zonzo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Zonzo Estate is most famous for Limoncello Spritz, but the rest of the Caroline Mooney-crafted range of Yarra wines can be serious indeed, like this Zonzo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2021. Mulchy,…
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Swoon over the MMAD Vineyard Grenache 2023
Now we’re getting very serious. From the MMAD Vineyard of Martin Shaw, Michael Hill Smith MW, Adam Wadewitz, and David LeMire MW in Blewitt Springs comes another compelling (and fancy-feeling) McLaren…
