Andrew Finlayson
Numbered from top to bottom, left to right.
1. SNAPPY RED
2014 Casa da Passarella A Descoberta Dão Tinto, Portugal, $30
A fresh, medium-bodied young red made from a blend of local grapes including touriga nacional and tinta roriz (port varieties) and jaen (Spain’s mencía).
Imported by thespanishacquisition.com
2. STYLISH SWEETIE
2012 Ngeringa Altus, Adelaide Hills, $40 for 375ml
Inspired by Tuscany’s vin santo, this sweet wine is made from viognier grapes that are air-dried, then pressed into barrel for five years’ ageing without topping up, before bottling.
3. BLACK ROBE
2015 Coates The Malbec, Limestone Coast, $25
It’s the colour that draws you in: a beautiful, saturated purple black, so typical of malbec. The flavour is true to variety, too: rich mulberry fruit, supple tannin, gently supportive oak.
4. BET EACH WAY
2017 Scarborough “The Obsessive” Semillon, Hunter Valley, $30
You could either cellar this, and let it develop classic, mature, toasty Hunter sémillon characters, or drink it right now, revelling in its refreshing, crunchy green-apple glory.
5. DEEP PINK
2016 Clos Sainte Magdelaine Cassis Rosé, Provence, $60
This wonderful, robust blend of grenache, cinsault and mourvèdre from the coastal appellation of Cassis has a little more colour, richness and texture than many Provence rosés.
Imported by worldwineestates.com.au
6. PINOT TO KEEP
2015 Hurley Garamond Pinot Noir, Mornington Peninsula, $85
The most “serious” of the three very good single-block pinots produced at Hurley: wild hedgerow berries wrapped in sinewy and savoury tannin. A pinot you want in your cellar.
7. CRAFT TINNIE
Sailors Grave Brewing Down She Gose, Orbost, $6
This East Gippsland brewery is becoming renowned for using unusual local ingredients in its beers, such as the sea salt and seaweed in this malty, dry, refreshingly tart ale.
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