I've been fortunate to sample some Coonawarra Merlots of late and they've been on target. This Parker Coonawarra Estate Terra Rossa doesn't disappoint. A blend of two sites (Kidman and Abbey), it sees French oak for 12 months with only 10% new. As a result, the fruit does the talking. Generous silky dark berries, dark cherries and red plums seize the moment wrapped up in ribbons of effortless spice. Pretty scents of petals and shards of chocolate add further interest. Drying with chewy tannins, the elongated finish adds polish. Clever stuff. Drink to eight years. 93/100 Region: C ..read more

  Energised and a little frisky, this Gunpowder Wines Shiraz Nouveau is a fabulous autumn sunset wine.  It goes through a short ferment before being pressed into two older French oak puncheons for three months. Sourced from Mudgee, it has been made for immediate enjoyment. Do that and you'll see the bottom of the bottle in no time.  A riot of juicy red berries and red cherries, a touch of pan juices, flashes of chocolate chime in late along with some chew from those generous and robust Mudgee tannins. A delicate beating heart of five spice and meat rub spices wrap around the m ..read more

  Not as big and blustery as previous, this Lou Miranda Golden Lion Shiraz 2020 is Sunday roast material. It sees American oak which imparts coconut husk and cedar. There is a tempered drive about its presence. Black plums and blackberries are all the rage with some smoke, char and cured meats. Fine spices are scattered through the mouth with soft tannins on a long and respectable finish. Decant for now or hold for the long term - you choose. Drink to ten years+ 92/100 Region: Barossa RRP: $50 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow me: Twitt ..read more

  Just like the Terra Rossa Cabernet, you can always count on this Shiraz from Parker Coonawarra to hit the mark. As reliable as old boots, it delivers time and again. A blend of two vineyards including the Kidman Block 5, it sees French oak for 12 months (40% new). Dense berries and plums roll through in effortless waves. Flickers of earthiness, soft pepper and some baking spice add layers of interest. The longer it sits some dark chocolate powder steps forward. A most respectable wine, the length just goes on and on. Well played. Drink to five years+ 91/100 Region: Coonawarra RR ..read more

  I haven't seen this Yangarra Estate Hickinbotham Clarendon Grenache since the bright perfumed 2020 release. I found this 2022 to be tight, focused and more dense than the previous. Fermented in 1800L amphorae, the unirrigated, organically and biodynamically farmed vines of the Clarendon vineyard are perched 225 metres above and were planted in 1962. The fruit was 100% destemmed and on skins for 150 days before maturing in amphora for 15 months. For mine, the Ovitelli is the best Grenache in the range with its lacy and seductive aromas and presence. Stewed strawberries, red currants a ..read more

  A Chardonnay with good bones, this is another solid performance from the Hesketh range. Sourced from Lobethal in the Adelaide Hills, this has a delightful peaches and cream presence. The oak plays its hand throughout, humming along in the background. Yellow fleshed nectarines walk with a neat tempo flanked by old school lemonade and a lemony tang. Ginger snap biscuits and a flirtatious raw cashew presence claw onto a sustained finish. All up, it's a very good drink. Drink to five years. 91/100 Region: Adelaide Hills RRP: $34 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to  ..read more

  A savoury Cabernet, this Chapel Hill Gorge Block possesses a polish and sheen with vibrant energy. You can't help but just want in. The Gorge Block sits just behind the winery and cellar door - a gorgeous vista. Dry and moreish, it opens with a raft of savoury delight. Think black olives, olive tapenade, dried sage and thyme. Blackcurrants and blackberries come alive on the second day of tasting once the wine has some air under its wings. Plum pudding raises its hand too with fine spices parading about with ease on a long finish highlighted by a slight lick of menthol and dried mint ..read more

  These Lyons Will wines are smart. They are incredibly appealing and very well made. This Chardonnay oozes catch-ups in wine bars, slinging glasses at sunset or just hanging with your love watching some MAFS. From vineyards perched 510m above, the fruit was 30% whole bunch pressed, barrel fermented and saw full malolactic fermentation then nine months in French oak (20% new). Scents of custard powder, lemon juice, lemon rind and lemon sherbet get you in the mood. A delightful introduction, it's easy to simply get caught up in the aromas. Licks of caramel brulee and vanilla frame an exp ..read more

  This Indigo Vineyard Secret Village Chardonnay has more fruit purity than its Beechworth Chardonnay sibling. And much like that wine, I recommend giving this a decant to let it open up and show its true self. Do that and you'll be rewarded deluxe. Above all, I could drain the bottle slowly through the night. Although leaner, it still carries a fabulous complexity. White fleshed stonefruit, lemons and yellow grapefruit put the shoulder to the wheel and fold into one another with absolute ease. The oak is handled fabulously imparting some whipped cream and vanilla. A fine sheet of text ..read more

  If you like your Chardonnay with some shape and generosity, head on down this way and check out this Indigo Vineyard 2023. A wintertime Chardonnay you could say, the body and presence offer plenty of interest for the curious. Scents of poached pears and yellow stonefruit set the tone. Creamy, rich and mealy, cashews, ginger and cinnamon spices feature large and long. Voluptuous is the word I keep coming back to. It's a wine that grows on you and I'd certainly recommend giving it a decant before serving. A little lemony tang hits late with that mouthful of richness hanging long. A win ..read more