The best

• red wine
• white wine
• champagne
• rosé
• whisky
• spirits
• beer

deals in Australia

An extremely pleasing and drinkable wine, and although it has a high alcohol grade this never overpowers its fruity character. Its red colour has Bordeaux reflections and the slow trickle from the edge of the glass confirms its optimal concentration and good body. The palate is caressed by a smooth tannin content typical of the Nebbiolo grape and by a warm and enveloping flavour.

Savoury, woody spice adds greater interest to become quite intense in its cherry skin and stone flavours, with intriguing white mushroom and pepper notes in the finish.

The De Bortoli Melba Vineyard’ at Dixons Creek has a rich history of exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon dating back to the 1970’s. The 'Melba' brand pays tribute to renowned operatic soprano diva, Dame Nellie Melba. 2018 is one of the best vintages of Cabernet we have seen in recent years Warm growing season, even ripening, mild and dry autumn, lots of tannin development. Deep red with purple. Deeply scented notes of blackberry, leaf and cedar wood. Sweet fruited, silky tannins, great depth, smooth and delicious.

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.

Serrat Shiraz Viognier is a spicy, elegant, cool-climate style, sourced off a small plot of close-planted vines in Yarra Glen. Serrat is the family label of renowned winemaker Tom Carson and his wife Nadège. The fruit is hand-picked, lightly destemmed and co-fermented with a small amount of Viognier in small open fermenters. Following fermentation, the wine is pressed to 500L French oak puncheons for 11 months maturation.

Hoddles Creek 1er Pinot Noir is the flagship red from the Yarra Valley darlings. The 1er range stands as a benchmarknot just for the exemplary Hoddles Creek portfolio, but for the Yarra contemporary Yarra wine landscape. Every vintage, winemaker Franco dAnna assesses the fruit grown in the SRM block of his Top Paddock vineyard. If he judges it worthy, a vintage of 1er Pinot Noir goes into production. With 20-25% whole bunch, fruit purity is the goal. Aged in up to 35% new oak, it is bright with red fruit and a deep Burgundian heart. Hoddles Creek is considered by many to be one of the best (and the best value) wineries in the Yarra. This is its top shelf white. Drink now, or cellar with confidence.

Silky and focused, Serrat Close Planted Pinot Noir is a savoury and complex style, possessing impressively concealed intensity. Serrat is the family label of renowned winemaker Tom Carson and his wife Nadège. The fruit comes of the estates small holding in Yarra Glen and is hand picked and destemmed into small open fermenters with a percentage of whole fruit included. The wine is gently pressed to predominantly older 500 L French puncheons for maturation.

Warramunda Estate's Merlot 2021 using fruit from vines planted in 2015 from their Coldstream Vineyard is, as Philip Rich writes in The Halliday Wine Companion: "An impressive merlot from such young vines, this opens with aromas of damson plum, blackcurrants, lifted florals and just a hint of cedar. Medium bodied with persistent, even tannins, this elegant wine can be enjoyed now and over the next five to seven years at least. 93pts.” Sam Kim Wine Orbit loves its "…beautifully rounded palate offering fine texture and grainy tannins.93pts" and Jeni Port, WinePilot agrees and encourages people to try it: "“Yes, it’s Merlot. Yes, it’s flying solo without a safety net (aka Cabernet). Try and cast the usual Australian drinker concerns about the grape aside and give it a go. The winemaker clearly has confidence, you should, too. You won’t be disappointed. It’s a beaut, medium in body with plenty of elegance and aromatic energy. Typical Yarra Valley plushness here brings a lovely depth of flavour highlighting rose, raspberry, black cherry, gentle vanillin oak spice with a touch of leafiness. Beautifully composed with fine tannins in total unison. Love the sprig of dried herbs, pepper and anise on the finish that keeps things rolling on. 93pts” The Magdziarz family bought Warramunda in 2027 and have built themselves a solid reputation using biodynamic viticulture – with a deep respect for the surrounding landscape and a vision for terroir-driven wines, now made by daughter Olivia Zak-Magdziarz.

Paringa is one of Australia's best and most consistent Pinot producers. This wine shows superb varietal aromas of cherry, plum and spice, and the palate is long, textured and complex. With the ability to be cellared for the medium to long term, Lindsay McCall's Estate Pinot is a certainty to be included in any cellar of a great Pinot Noir lover.