Located in High Eden, a sub-region of the Barossa, approximately 550 metres above sea level, Mountadam was originally established in 1972 by the late David Wynn for his winemaking son Adam. Since 2005, it has returned to being a family owned and run winery, with David and Jenni Brown overseeing its success. With Phil Lehmann, the son of Peter Lehmann, as chief winemaker, they are going from strength-to-strength. High Eden’s chilly heights lead to harvests up to a month later than those in neighbouring Eden Valley. The result is gorgeous Cabernet like this, full of dark fruit and chocolate.

Located in the High Eden sub-region of the Barossa, Mountadam was originally established in 1972 by the late David Wynn for his winemaking son Adam. Since 2005, it has returned to being a family owned and run winery, with David and Jenni Brown overseeing its success. With Phil Lehmann, the son of Peter Lehmann, as chief winemaker, they are going from strength-to-strength. High Eden’s chilly heights lead to harvests up to a month later than those in neighbouring Eden Valley. The result is gorgeous Shiraz like this, full of blue fruit and peppery acidity.

Lying on Bordeaux’s Right Bank, Castillon is known for clarets – its reds! Indeed the appellation officially may only produce red wines, but that hasn’t stopped the team at Château La Clarière. They wanted to make a white of equally fine standing. So they planted two vineyards on the estate, on terroir particularly suited to white grapes, with both Sauvignons Gris and Blanc, and have reaped the awards ever since – a Trophy and 18 Golds since its launch. Blended from bright Sauvignon Blanc and richer Sauvignon Gris, oak fermented and lees aged for almost a year in part-new oak barrels, it's reminiscent of the grand wines of Pessac Léognan. Best enjoyed from spring 2024, with sauced white meat or fish. Or cellar to allow layers of complexity to develop. Hard to argue with 3 Golds!

For 150 years the Barossa has created some of Australia’s greatest Shiraz wines. Dark Corner is not a Grange pretender, nor a wine you must cellar for 20 years. But it is a drop dead gorgeous, ready-when-you-are Barossa beauty at an amazing price. Its Gold medal at the China Wine & Spirits Awards in 2017 proves it.

93pt Riesling from vineyards in WA's remote Great Southern. "It's finely scented on the nose, revealing lime cordial, green apple, lemon zest, and wet limestone nuances, followed by a finely flowing palate that's focused and persistent. Splendidly structured by racy acidity, finishing persistent and linear. 93pts" (Sam Kim, Wine Orbit). For Ray Jordan it is "… a slightly riper and more generous style of riesling, especially on the nose, where you pick up more opulent notes of stone fruit and a little honey-like nectar. Yet the palate tightens up as it should, revealing a minerally, spicy character, with citrus tangs building. It has a fine talcy acidity and the flavour and palate are long. It’s a nice wine, especially in the medium term. 91pts". Phil Shilcock and Michelle Gray purchased the former Montgomery’s Hill in October 2017 and launched the Monty’s Leap brand. The mature vineyard (planted in 1996) is planted on the banks of the Kalgan River, 16km northeast of Albany.

A lovely Pinot Noir from WA's remote Great Southern with scores of 92 & 93pts.. "This is a lovely fruit-driven style of pinot noir, with bright red fruits showing primary notes of wild strawberry and raspberry, and just a faint hint of sour cherry. The texture is fine and quite delicate, yet there is a deep intensity here as it wraps up with subtle oak, fine tannins, and a nice acidity to harness and carry through to a long finish. Great mouthfeel, with those dry, savory tannins on the finish. 93pts" (Ray Jordan Wine Guide). "It's beautifully ripe, with savoury nuances of dark cherry, wild strawberry, cured meat, mushroom, and warm spice. The palate is silky-smooth and succulent, complemented by fine texture and layers of polished tannins, finishing lingering and finely dry." 92pts (Sam Kim Wine Orbit). Phil Shilcock and Michelle Gray purchased the former Montgomery’s Hill in October 2017 and launched the Monty’s Leap brand. The mature vineyard (planted in 1996) is planted on the banks of the Kalgan River, 16km northeast of Albany.

Aromas of violets, black berries, cloves. The palate shows mulberries, blueberry, choc-mint biscuits. A touch of malbec brings some brown earth and provides a rustic edge to the tannin. Still very soft and juicy, delicious and youthful drinkingwhich was the aim, even from older vines.

One of the best value Margaret River Chardonnays out there. Michael Kerrigan is doing an amazing job producing Chardonnays of elegance. Hay Shed Hill has delicate grapefruit and stone fruit flavours on the palate. And these flavours are matched with fine, minerally acidity with suble oak towards the finish.