The best

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

deals in Australia

Of all the premium white wines we sampled last year; it was the Soumah Hexham Chardonnay that rose to the top. This top class Yarra Valley Chardonnay features the perfect amount of oak and a moreish creaminess. Produced from small single vineyard plantings in the Warramate foothills of the Yarra Valley, Soumah Hexham Chardonnay is brilliant now but patience will be rewarded if cellared up to 5 years if you can keep your hands off it that long. One of the real movers and shakers of the industry in recent times, Soumah is without a doubt one to keep a very close eye on. This is a super complex and extremely alluring example. Produced from small single vineyard plantings in the Warramate foothills of the Yarra Valley, outstanding fruit quality works hand in hand with barrel derived complexities. This complexity around a mid to full bodied core lends its self just perfectly to seafood with the traditional butter sauce accompaniment.

Scorpo produces another excellent example of Pinot Gris from the Mornington Peninsula. Lifted aromas of pear apricot and green apple lead into a palate rich and silky in texture, the flavours showing depth and complexity, the acidity in perfect balance.

Hailing from Merricks North, Quealy Tussie Mussie Pinot Gris is a generous wine with a luscious stone fruit palate; honey, heavy bottomed pears, and creamy. Six months on lees assist generous mouth feel and palate weight. Balanced with natural acidity.

Stonier produces one of the most consistent Pinots from the Mornington Peninsula. Attractive plum and cherry flavours are enhanced by some gamey undertones and smoky oak influence. Perfect with duck.

Pacha Mama has put down roots, out in the sticks, amidst the vines of Yarra Glen. This Chardonnay celebrates its Yarra Valley home. It's vibrant, yet complex. There's a bit of fruit, burnt matchsticks mingle with melon and citrus. It's all about harmony and balance.

Pinot Gris really loves Marlborough. The Isabel Estate team always ensure that each vine is treated to the right amount of sunshine, for perfect harvests of superbly ripened Pinot Gris. This wine has rich aromas of nectarine, white pear, clover honey and hints of coconut.

Good flesh here though; medium-bodied, good weight and sweep of acidity with a crispness to the finish 95, 96 clone Chardonnay from two vineyards, one in Red Hill and one in Tuerong. Barrel ferment, lees stirred. 20% MLF. 15% new French oak. 10 months in the barrel. Sam, Kaspar and Will pick the fruit on the up-curve (i.e. crux of flavour and freshness) bearing in mind the warmer side of the Mornington Peninsula is part of the equation here.