In a word, excellent. This Castle Rock Estate A&W Pinot Noir speaks of the earth it sinks its roots into. Given its generosity, you could be forgiven for thinking it comes from Central Otago. From the oldest vines on the estate planted in 1986, 27% whole bunches were used and it sees French oak for ten months (18% new). What hooks you in is the length. Wow! It's seductive and never-ending. Dark cherries, freeze dried strawberries, blackcurrants, compost and mushrooms get things on the move. Flirtatious truffle, dried leaves and twigs add savoury nuances. Wonderfully autumnal, ea ..read more

  Pour this and your eyes will light up. There is a polish about its appearance as it glistens before you. Hello to another impressive Upper Tintara Shiraz from Ox Hardy. From twenty-four year old vines, it sees French oak for 15 months (15% new). Swirl the glass and blackberries and dark plums launch at you. Baked blueberries work their way forward with a fabulously attractive spice drive. As much as the fleshy fruit provides plenty to muse over, Dutch cocoa rides on their coattails. Fine brick tannins stretch the length of the straight and refuse to let go on a moreish length. It's ..read more

  Boom! What a delicious Riesling this Hesketh Watervale Riesling is. I suspect you'll find it for less than its RRP around the traps, and if you do, jump on it. It parcels up all the great things about Watervale Riesling - pretty white flower aromas, citrus drive and a flicker of minerality. Green apples and lime zest are the main players. Bright and inviting, fine chalky and powdery feels coat the mouth effortlessly drawing you closer and urging another sip thanks to that lemon sherbet tang. So refreshing and so delicious. Great stuff. Drink to five years+ 93/100 Region: Clare Va ..read more

  A little ray of sunshine, this Sauvignon Blanc showcasing the new Penny's Hill contemporary label is alive and excited. Clean and fresh, this is a very approachable wine that will be sure to find its people seeking easy times with big smiles. Packed with passionfruit, honeydew melon, pink grapefruit and a lemony twist, cut herbs, passionfruit vine leafiness add some savoury interest with crisp acidity to close. Fish and chips, lunch in the sun or an easy drink, most bases are covered. Drink now. 91/100 Region: Adelaide Hills  RRP: $24 Source: Sample Winery Website Su ..read more

  This Hesketh Regional Selections Pinot Noir is more of a lighter-bodied Shiraz than an elegant and fine lined Pinot Noir. Dense and firm cherry fruit drives hard. There is a brutish presence about its mouthfeel. Exotic and woodsy spices flank the edges with a little peppered steak and a dry finish. Perhaps some time will help? If you are seeking a silky and delicious medium-bodied red in the range, I'd happily recommend the Gamay. Drink to five years. 88/100 Region: Adelaide Hills RRP: $30 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow me: Twitt ..read more

  Bright with an energetic lift, it was an excellent exercise tasting this beside its siblings. From the Porongurup sub-region of the Great Southern, this Castle Rock Estate Diletti is the wine I kept coming back to. Its presence and feel are captivating. The use of whole bunches (78%) and carbonic maceration are telling and that bunchy savoury appeal brings an intriguing drive. Spending ten months in mostly older French oak (14% new), the strawberry and red cherry fruit is buzzing with excitement and delivers a red apple lick for good measure. Plums add depth along with some earthiness ..read more

  A rustic type, this Kidman Shiraz opens up a treat. The Parker Coonawarra wines have stepped up in recent years with Ox Hardy at the helm and this is a quality drink well worth tucking away. From 50 year old vines that reach deep into the renowned Terra Rossa soil that has made Coonawarra so famous, it opens with scents of cola, licorice and rich earth before dark fruits and berries step forward. Dutch cocoa and chocolate fondant muse with fine, dusty tannins on a moreish and lengthy finish. Stay a while and an ever so subtle shimmer of mint reveals itself. Run with this and it will ..read more

  This Chardonnay from Ox Hardy grew on me I must admit. Give it some time to settle and you'll be rewarded. Sourced from three Adelaide Hills sites, it saw 100% barrel fermentation and underwent partial malolactic fermentation before seeing French oak for 8 months (35% new). The oak protrudes a little and steals the limelight early bringing custard tart and caramel drops along for the ride. Vanilla pod lurks in the background. Some time in the glass see a concentration of white-fleshed stonefruit seizing control with the flicker of some freeze-dried mango and an injection of lemon juic ..read more

  Even Keel. It's been a while. Hammered by weather issues, small crop volumes and the like in recent years, it's great to see the label come across the bench once again. These are smart wines made by the very personable and hilarious Sam Coverdale. From the cool climes of Tumbarumba, the fruit is handpicked, whole bunch pressed and sits on lees for 10 months in older French oak. Going through full malolactic fermentation, this is a joy to drink. Initially, it feels lean and skeletal, but a precision washes over you. This is a Chardonnay I'd recommend to decant. Possessing a measured dr ..read more

  One of the better Merlots I've seen for a while, this Nightfall Lupus is coiled and focused with a furrowed brow. A keeper, give it the time it deserves and let it breathe and you'll be rewarded in spades. Absolutely humming on day three of tasting, blackberry pie and blackcurrants flow freely with an array of dried Mediterranean herbs. Kicks of earth link with waves of spearmint and dried mint leaves adding a neat savoury appeal. The longer it sits the more cigar box and leather find the courage to move forward. A touch of cedar rises up showing some oak influence. Long, moreish and ..read more