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Poured into a glass, this Chardonnay from Hunter Valley displays a bright lemon to lime colour. A swirl of the glass reveals white peach aromas that are enhanced by a gentle touch of cashew nut. As a whiff of the wine is followed by a sip, upfront peach and melon flavours impress you, that are held together by tight acidity. Consume this wonderful white wine within 2 to 3 years from vintage. Pair it with white meat dishes such as chicken and fish preparations.

Elizabeth Semillon was first made by Mount Pleasant in 1967. Named for Her Majesty and inspired by the first royal visit to Australia in 1954, its appropriate that age only adds to this classic Hunter Valley Semillons character and class. This really is something special- James Halliday on the 2010 vintage Grapefruit and cut grass greet the nose, and the palate is at once energetic and fleshy, a stream of fine acidity lending freshness. Elizabeth is built for the ages, and will evolve gracefully with careful cellaring.

Floral fruit in youth, moving towards biscuity characters with age. A generally softer bodied palate with smoother acids than the Vat 1 and Belford Semillons.

The love affair with alternative Italian varietals continues at David Hook wines. Pecorino is a new arrival, but it was well worth the wait. So latent yet complex.Very pale with a silver fleck. Grapefruit pith, yellow apple and almond aromas. Light-bodied yet very expressive with a bright mix of white and yellow fruit, an underlying nutty layer, mouth-watering acidity and a touch of talc-like grip.

A different expression altogether sans the benefit of bottle age. Youthful. Zesty. Punchy. As filigreed of talcy acidity and fine boned as the rest of the crew, this is guava, lemon grass and sherbet, teeming along a line of candied citrus chew. The wine will blossom in the medium term, but will not shy away from some aged furrows and complexity. Alcohol: 12%. Closure: screwcap. Date tasted: Jan 2018. Drink by: 2029. Price: $35. Rating: 94/100.

This Chardonnay delights with a vibrant interplay of citrus and nectarine notes, subtly kissed by French oak. The natural acidity contributes to its remarkable length and driving energy, leading to a delightful finale of vanilla pannacotta and hazelnuts

Grown on the Roxburgh vineyard in the Upper Hunter Valley, no other varietal represents a sustainable growing future like Vermentino. Naturally high acid makes a bright, textural delight with tangy citrus flavour and acidity. Plenty of crunch and energy, we hope this wine is still around in the warmer months.