Yalumba proving that they’re more than capable of showcasing Viognier in all its forms and continuing to be the torchbearer for this variety. This release is part of the “Distinguished Sites” series and sourced from the plantings at Wrattonbully in the south east of South Australia. 160 g/L of residual sugar. Winemaker is Heather Fraser. Yalumba, FSW, Botrytis Viognier, Wrattonbully, 2020 Pale gold in hue. Opens with luscious aromas of apricot jam, honeysuckle, frozen grapes, musk sticks, sweaty brown spice, glace ginger and some earthy button mushroom cap. The palate joyful, with balanced su ..read more

Yalumba’s flagship white (and seriously underpriced), and arguably Australia’s flagship Viognier. Yalumba champion this grape so well in Australia and lead the charge for International Viognier Day on April 26th. From vineyards of 40+ years and 17 years of age, the handpicked fruit is whole-bunch pressed to older French oak barrels for 10 months. Wild fermentation. Vegan friendly. Winemaker is Louisa Rose. Yalumba, The Virgilius, Viognier, Eden Valley, 2022 Pale straw with green highlights. Lifted, aromatic and evolving nose of sweet apricot flesh, ginger biscuits and fresh ginger, pistachio ..read more

Yalumba are champions of International Viognier Day, April 26th. This release part of the Eden Valley /Samuel’s Garden collection and the second highest tier in their Viognier range. Wild ferment and maturation for 10 months in older French oak puncheons and barriques. Vegan friendly. The highly experienced Louisa Rose at the helm. Yalumba, Viognier, Eden Valley, 2022 Pale lemon to straw. Floral and aromatic, redolent with fresh apricot flesh, ginger, lemon/lime citrus, slivered almonds and white flowers. Succulent and silky flow, bright with apricot stone fruit and ginger spice dominati ..read more

This year’s release of the Off-Dry style has 52.3 grams per litre of residual sugar, double that of the 2022. Note, the bottle image is of the 2021, but nought else has changed. “Vegan Friendly” winemaking, if that’s your thing. Gundog Estate, Gundaroo, Riesling, Canberra District, 2023 Very pale lemon in hue. Salted caramel, pear flesh, lemon/lime sorbet, grilled stone fruit, white stones and cinnamon toast. Fleshy and succulent with excellent balance of laser-like acidity to the temper the sugars. Somewhat ethereal, with flavour that lingers and hovers long after the structure is done. A ve ..read more

From the third cropping season of grafted 25 year old rootstock at Gundog’s Gundaroo vineyard. Handpicked, lightly fined. Vegan friendly, if that’s important to you. Note, bottle image is of 2019, but nought has changed except the vintage year. Gundog Estate, Riesling, Canberra District, 2023 Clear and pale in colour. Serene and pure nose. Talc, a suggestion of powder puff, lime zest, quartz ‘minerality,’ mineral water freshness and just a touch of apple skin. Showing fine balance and detail with subtle depth and texture. Tart acidity with intensity that drives long through a clean and tight ..read more

After the success of the 2022, Gundog have retained the blend of Shiraz from the Hilltops Freeman vineyard and Cabernet Sauvignon from Gundog’s own Wallaroo vineyard in the Canberra region. 24 hours skin contact for colour and texture. Vegan Friendly if that’s important to you. Note, bottle image is of the 2021 but nothing else has changed. Gundog Estate, Rosé, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, NSW, 2023 Pale cerise to watermelon colour. Pomegranate, white pepper, cherry flesh, whipped double cream, blood orange, cardamom and light hibiscus tea. Structural, spiced and potent. Offering flesh and cut ..read more

The first release of a Pinot Noir from the Longview team. There has been some ‘Pinot Nero’ in their Juno blend, but they’ve waited until the vines have matured enough to venture out into the world by itself.  For the nerds out there, clones are 114, 145 and 777. Stainless steel ferment with 6 months maturation in old French oak. Already has some bling for the mantlepiece. Longview, Twin Palms, Pinot Noir, Adelaide Hills, 2023 Medium garnet to ruby. Succulent cherry flesh, warming spice, plum sauce, ruby grapefruit skin, crushed thyme with a strong undergrowth and shaved truffle base. Sil ..read more

The flagship Nebbiolo from the Saturno family at Longview. Note that the 2021 has had slight label change with the ‘LONGVIEW’ now in gold print, not silver as per the below. Winemaking sees this fermented for 10 days on skins with post-ferment skin contact of 92 days. Matured in a 2,500 litre Austrian Botti and an 8-year-old puncheon for 20 months then bottled without fining or filtration. Longview vigneron Pete Saturno says “This wine was bottled in Feb 2023, and I feel it is just settling down now. ” Destined to be long-lived. Longview, Saturnus, Nebbiolo, Adelaide Hills, 2021 Medium garnet ..read more

The latest release of the Longview “Juno” Rosato continuing as a blend. 89% Nebbiolo with 19% Pinot Nero in this year’s blend. Again, vintage conditions contributed to this winemaking decision due to the small harvest. Longview, Juno, Rosato, Adelaide Hills, 2023 Very pale dusky peach hue. Blood orange, red raspberry and cherry, steel, fennel anise and with a hint of pink grapefruit grounded by pink chalk. Well framed and structured with a fine line of acid, cloaked in silky red fruit flesh. Juicy and racy with a late development of slight phenolic grip through a good tail length. Another qua ..read more

Here we have another chillable red from the De Bortoli Yarra Valley team. Sourced from vineyards from all over Victoria. Winemaking sees it light on the tannins and able to served at room, or a slightly cool temperature. Attractive label and bottled in clear glass for immediate consumption De Bortoli, PINOT, Pinot Noir, Victoria, 2023 Medium ruby. Fragrant: full of raspberry jelly crystals, cherry drop lollies, loganberry, hibiscus tea, pomegranate, choc orange wafers with a hint of bresaola and a little thyme. Easy palate: relaxed with a little room warmth, yet crunchy out of the fridge. A l ..read more