Shaw & Smith Pinot Noir
Red fruit aromas in the red cherry and redcurrant spectrum carry through onto the palate.
Howard Vineyard Amos Adelaide Hills Chardonnay
Luke Lambert Syrah
Its fair to say Luke Lambert hasn't looked back since 'relocating' his Syrah to the Tibooburra vineyard. This southwest sloping site lies in the southeastern corner of the Valley, near Gembrook, and might be the coolest microclimate of the Yarra. The site is expertly managed by Greg Kerr, the grower who planted the vineyard in 2001. The soils here are considered very unusual for the Yarra, comprising a seam of black volcanic topsoil over yellow clay with a smattering of granite rock throughout. Furthermore, the quality of the clonal material in Tibooburra supplies Lambert with deeper and darker Syrah fruit that also has more depth and structure. This is what drew him to the site and a good chunk of the reason the Syrah has become a touchstone example of cool-climate Yarra Shiraz.
O'Leary Walker Adelaide Hills Chardonnay
Vasse Felix Syrah
Kilikanoon Prodigal Clare Valley Grenache
First made back in 1997 and still definitely one of the sentimental favourites in the Kilikanoon portfolio, the Prodigal continues to set the standard for Clare Valley old-vine Grenache. Each fruit parcel was harvested and kept separate throughout the winemaking process until final assemblage. A fresh and lively palate, yet dark and brooding at the same time, the combination of ripe cherries, dark chocolate, kitchen spices and kirsch perfectly in sync with the fine chalky tannins and oak influences rounding out to a long flavoursome finish.
Deviation Road Altair Adelaide Hills Sparkling
92pt latest (2025) release of an Adelaide Hills pink sparkler that has been described in recent releases by the Halliday Companion as "among Australia's best… Confidently presented with complexity and poise… Runs fine, long and so impressive. All class" having offered "Exciting drinkability and sophistication all in one glass" and what's more, "It would be hard to find a more crowd-pleasing rosé fizz than this. It is delicious and elegant and sophisticated worthy of serious attention.– as Jane Faulkner said of this latest NV (2025 release) it is “very good rosé in anyone’s book” (Halliday).
Zonte's Footstep Hills Are Alive Adelaide Hills Shiraz
Another very attractive release from the hugely dynamic Zonte's Footstep. An Adelaide Hills Shiraz with TWO Double Golds "...offering excellent drinking. 92pts” (Sam Kim, Wine Orbit). He adds that it is: “Sweetly fruited with complexity, the wine exhibits aromas of black and blueberry, star anise, floral notes, and hazelnut on the nose. The palate is equally satisfying with a plump mouthfeel backed by fleshy texture and supple tannins, offering excellent drinking. 92pts” (Sam Kim, Wine Orbit).