2014 Cullen Diana Madeline, Margaret River, WA
2014 Cullen Diana Madeline, Margaret River, WA
I’m wary of describing any wine as ‘perfect’ but it’s hard to imagine a more exquisitely perfumed, balanced, beautiful cabernet: a potpourri of blackcurrant and bay; gorgeous now, that will also mature gracefully for decades.
$125, cullenwines.com.au
2014 Vasse Felix Filius Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River, WA
2014 Vasse Felix Filius Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River, WA
Filius is the “second label” for Vasse Felix, but there’s plenty of other winemakers who would probably be happy to have this as their “first” wine: intense purple fruit, aromas of gum forest at dusk, fine, grippy tannin.
$28, vassefelix.com.au
The Italian, Adelaide Hills, SA
The Italian, Adelaide Hills, SA
Inspired by Italian bitter aperitifs (Campari, Montenegro et al), this terrific local version combines Riverland-grown oranges and indigenous ingredients like quandong. Try in a Spritz with prosecco and soda.
Four Pillars/Santamania Cousin Vera’s Gin, Madrid, Spain
Four Pillars/Santamania Cousin Vera’s Gin, Madrid, Spain
This is what happens when Australian and Spanish gin makers get together in Madrid and throw botanicals from both countries – olive, almond, lemon myrtle, etc – into the still: a terrifically punchy, sweet-citrussy spirit.
2015 Battle of Bosworth Graciano, McLaren Vale, SA
2015 Battle of Bosworth Graciano, McLaren Vale, SA
Ooh, settle down. There’s so much flavour bouncing around in your mouth when you taste this bold young red: dark woody spices, glossy purple plums, little pink flowers, a sprinkle of earth. Match with garlicky, meaty, Spanish tapas-type food.
2015 Scorpo Rosé, Mornington Peninsula, Vic
2015 Scorpo Rosé, Mornington Peninsula, Vic
The latest releases from this top Peninsula producer are all good – I also really like the tangy, spicy 2015 Pinot Gris – but this is the one I kept going back to for another glass: really pale, savoury, bone-dry and refreshing.
$32, scorpowines.com.au
2014 Brezza Dolcetto d’Alba, Piedmont, Italy
2014 Brezza Dolcetto d’Alba, Piedmont, Italy
Winemaker Enzo Brezza reckons this wine reflects its damp, difficult vintage origins too much, but I really like the fact that it’s so fresh, snappy and light on its feet, and I love its red cherry fruit, its tangy tannin and overall gluggability.
$38, imported by dejavuwines.com.au
2015 Kalleske Clarry’s GSM, Barossa Valley, SA
2015 Kalleske Clarry’s GSM, Barossa Valley, SA
Top value – especially if you can find it for the $18 I’ve seen it advertised at. Oodles of rich black Barossa fruit jubey character in here, but also some grunty grip and vibrant spice that makes me think it’ll cellar well for a few years, too.
$21, kalleske.com
2010 Crawford River Nectar, Henty, Vic
2010 Crawford River Nectar, Henty, Vic
Okay, so forty bucks for a half bottle of local botrytis-affected semillon/sauvignon isn’t exactly small change, but you’d have to pay three or four times as much for a Sauternes of equivalent jaw-dropping richness, complexity and finesse.
2012 Rippon Mature Vine Pinot Noir, Central Otago, New Zealand
2012 Rippon Mature Vine Pinot Noir, Central Otago, New Zealand
Don’t drink this if you like pinot all light and pretty and slinky.Do drink this if you love pinot that carries a powerful sense of the ground it’s grown in: sumptuous dark fruit framed by earthy but supple tannin, endless finish. Stunning.
$80, imported by qedwines.com.au
