Dalrymple Pinot Noir
The palate for this Dalrymple Pinot Noir has immediate appeal of sweet red fruits, balanced with a tight tannin structure and a long savoury finish. The presence of dried Italian herbs and floral rose notes on the nose, lift and add to the complexity.
Voyager Estate Shiraz
Voyager Estate Shiraz is deep red in colour with an explosive nose of oak blackberries and spice that is succeeded by a rich flavoursome palate and some chewy tannins. Will improve wonderfully with time.
Paringa Estate Shiraz
This cool-climate Shiraz shows white pepper on the nose with dark fruit and blackberry characters. The palate is full and ripe with berry fruit flavour, tight acidity and fine grained tannins.
Pacha Mama Pinot Noir
This wine is made with Pinot Noir fruit grown on some spectacular vineyard sites in the Yarra Valley, comprising predominantly MV6 clone, with some 114 and 115. Pacha Mama use minimal additives or fining and aim to let the fruit shine through rather than clobbering all over it with heavy oak use or commercial wine-making techniques. Flavours of sour cherry and wild strawberries carry on to the palate complexed by a savoury spice and intriguing earthiness that lingers long after the last mouthful.
Katnook Estate Merlot
When it comes to Australian Merlot, Katnook is among the very best. Lovely plum dark berry and cedary cigar box characters slip seamlessly into a finish that seems everlasting. Aged for 22 months in French oak, the swathes of blackcurrant are a delight to the senses.
Guigal Côtes du Rhône
Guigal Côtes du Rhône has always been the beacon for quality in the southern Rhône. This is one Grenache blend you must get your hands on. An attractive nose of cinnamon, liquorice and wild herbs, the palate is medium-bodied and balanced with a spicy savoury mid-palate and clean finish.
Escarpment Pinot Noir
Martinborough is considered by many as the home of Pinot Noir - not only in New Zealand but the 'New World' in general. It is hard to argue when wines like this are produced. Pinot Noir superstar, Larry McKenna, hand-crafts a wine that is overflowing with perfumed black, red and green fruit flavours that are all in harmony with the mid-weighted palate. Textured oak and fine-grained tannin give a nod to the fact that this wine will age gracefully for a decade or more. A stunning benchmark.
Spring Vale Pinot Noir
Tasmania's east coast is Pinot territory and Spring Vale one of its best exponents; plum, bramble and lavender aromas, plush palate and silky tannins make this a standout.
Glaetzer Bishop Shiraz
The Bishop has the fingerprints of Ben and his father Colin all over it. Ripe, rich, concentrated and supremely complex, the Bishop is the wine for all those full-bodied red fans out there. Ripe liqueur cherries on the nose compete for attention with vanilla, mocha and coffee aromas while the palate is full of sweet berry fruit flavour and a soft, luscious finish that seems to persist for an age. While exuberant and lively when young, the Bishop is known to handle medium term cellaring extremely well and reward any with the patience.
St Hugo Cabernet Shiraz
St Hugo Cabernet Shiraz displays a dark ruby red with purple hues. The bouquet of dark forest fruits such as plum, blueberry and cassis lead into a beautifully complex palate of blackcurrent, sweet plum and chalky tannins. There is a underlying savoury oak hint and a finish of lingering dark chocolate.