Pol Roger Brut Extra Cuvee De Reserve NV - Champagne, France

Light lemon yellow in the glass. Aromas of cream, yeast and nectarine flow. Flavours commence with toasted bread, lemon custard and gentle serves of a creamy texture. Classy fruit and another nice long finish. A$80/bottle

91 Points

Tattinger Brut NV - Champagne, France

Pale shine of gold. The nose is dominated by crusty bread, brioche and light lime zest underneath. The palate is very lively and tangy which goes away from the nose but has wonderful length and a well balanced finish. Certainly a crowd pleaser. A$90/bottle

91 Points

Ocean Eight Pinot Gris 2010 - Mornington Peninsula, Australia

Pale green yellow in the glass. The nose is very restrained with chalk and grapefruit leading the way. The palate follows the nose, very tightly wound with Alsace style written all over the shape. Age will build weight but this wine is extremely elegant currently. Would be a nice Gris to see in 5 years. A$30/bottle

89 Points

Yalumba Shiraz Viognier 2005 - Barossa Valley, Australia

Ruby red center with faded brick edges. The nose shows leather/licorice spiced vanilla. The palate is very full bodied with power, syrupy concentration and tannin. Super ripe blueberries and earth with peppery spice. A$25/bottle

91 points

BK Pinot Grigio 2011 - Adelaide Hills, Australia

Honeysuckle, cut hay and slight floral aromas. The palate is lovely and crunchy with juicy pear and clean acid. There is more texture than your average Australian Pinot Grigio but still lovely and zesty. A$26/bottle

90 points 

BK Cult Syrah 2010 - Adelaide Hills, Australia

Deep red ink with ruby edging. Aromas lead with tar, blueberry compote and leather/smoke. There is really nice balance to this wine making it accessible now. The fruits cascade over the palate including stewed raspberry and savoury quince. Another excellent Syrah from the BK winery. A$32/bottle

93 Points

BK Mazi Syrah 2009 - Mclaren Vale, Australia

Followers note that this wine specifies origin from the Blewitt Springs sub-district of Mclaren Vale.

Bright purple with an inky black core. The nose is wonderfully perfumed, almost everything one could wish for including violets, melted dark chocolate, cinnamon and red fruits. You don't think the wine can get any better than the aromas but then you taste. There is supreme intensity of flavour, length and drive. Brilliant complexity of young fruit with impeccable balance of tannin and acidity. This wine reminds of a great Hermitage from a warm year. One of the best Australian Syrah/Shiraz I have had in 2011. A$84/bottle

97 Points

Vina Mayor Tinto Roble 2005 - Ribera Del Duero, Spain.

Blood inky red with faded terra-cotta edges. The nose commences with coconut, sweet mocha and stewed plum. There is a syrupy rich texture of rasin, chocolate sauce and a dusting of rustic tannin. Nice value. A$18/bottle

90 points

Foxes Island Pinot Noir 2006 - Marlborough, New Zealand

Faded brick red. The nose is dominated by clove/spice. The palate is a fruit cocktail of cherry/blueberry and overripe strawberries. The finish has long spice and good acidity however the alcohol (13.5%) seems to bring a warmth. 

85 points

First Drop Mother's Milk Shiraz 2010 - Barossa Valley

Deep Purple with dark inky edges. Aromas are not to the jammy/syrupy line that was seen in the 2009, they remain more savoury with burnt coffee and aniseed. This is a testament to the great 2010 in the Barossa as concentration is excellent but still remains light on its feet. Really luscious ripe red fruits backed up by seamless oak and a structure that all falls in place. Wonderful Barossa Shiraz, not over the top at all. A$26/bottle

92 points

Vinaceous Burlesque Resplendent Rose N.V - Regional, Western Australia

Very bright dark pink in the glass, almost looking like a Pinot Noir. The nose is fresh with strawberries and raspberry liqueur. This Sparkling spreads well across the palate with some mouth-filling creaminess and yeast. A touch of Pinot savoury spice adds to the package. Nicely done. A$25/bottle

89 points

Vinaceous Burlesque Blanc de Blanc N.V - Regional, Western Australia

Light shiny gold in the glass. Lychees and cream on the nose. This Sparkling is bone dry made with 100% Chardonnay from Mt Barker. There is quite a nice balance of ripe fruit (peach and nectarine) across some lemony acidity on the finish. A$25/bottle.

86 points

Mr. Mick Cabernet Shiraz 2011 - Clare Valley, Australia

Light ruby red in colour with a purplish center. A nicely perfumed array of black fruits, cigar and a touch of dried herb. The palate is juicy and ripe, very soft and easy with reasonable length and balance to finish. This seems to be the standout of the Mr. Mick wine range made by Tim Adams in the Clare. A$18/bottle

89 points

Mr. Mick Riesling 2011 - Clare Valley, Australia

Pale water like colour. Very floral on the nose with kaffir lime and some sweet fruit aromas. The palate is super light and tangy with a zesty finish. This won't change your life but it won't change your bank balance much either. A$18/bottle.

85 points

Mr. Mick Rose (Pinot Gris) 2011 - Clare Valley, Australia

Pale Salmon Pink. Aromas of blackcurrant and spice. There is a touch of sweetness which contributes to a broader mouthfeel. A nicely balanced Rose with typical red fruits and a touch of spice. A gentle creaminess across the mid palate also. A good choice for Summer. A$18/bottle.

87 points

Champagne Moutard Per et fils Brut Grand Cuvee NV - Champagne, France

Very pale rose gold. The nose shows sweet bread and chalk dust. The palate leads with lemon custard and finishes with a citrus push. Lacks fizz and freshness but the fruit has a nice mouthfeel and texture. Amazing price. A$37/bottle

86 points

Rabbit Ranch Pinot Gris 2010 - Central Otago, New Zealand

Pale apple green. The nose leads with ripe pear, candied orange and a touch of cream. The palate is weighty and rich with a touch of oil and a touch of sweetness. There is some flinty edges also on the finish. A nice Alsace moulded Gris with a bigger New Zealand frame. A$26.99/bottle

89 points

Eagle Vale Cabernet Merlot 2008 - Margaret River, Australia

Light ruby red in the glass. The nose shows herbal vegetal tones with tobacco and red cherry in support. The palate is soft and light up front but finishes with some bitterness and unbalanced tannin. Certainly a lighter style Bordeaux blend from Margaret River but balance and weight is not quite in check. Followers should take note, this winery is very capable of producing fine Cabernet and have done so with a number of vintages. Sadly this wine missed the standard of the other wines in the Eagle Vale collection. A$22/bottle.

79 points

Heartland Stickleback Red 2009 - Langhorne Creek and Limestone Coast, Australia

Not as plump and rich as the 2008 but more structure for longevity.

Blood red with ruby edges. The nose shows coffee, cinnamon and cherry. Aromas follow through on palate with some added vanilla oak. This Cabernet, Shiraz, Dolcetto and Lagrein is fleshy, full bodied and soft around the edges. A touch warm on the back end but for $15, you can certainly look the other way. Amazing value. A$14.99/bottle

89 points 

Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc Private Bin 2010 - Marlborough, New Zealand

Very pale clear with only the slightest tinge of green.  Aromas take aim at the green spectrum with asparagus, sweet pea and green pepper. This has been, for many years what I consider a very good example in the Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc line up. Villa Maria seems to achieve a smarter balance in the sea of competition and can be relied upon for quality to value ratio. Flavours of lemongrass and guava lead into some mouth watering acidity to finish. This 2010 is still super fresh. A$18/bottle

89 points

Frederic Magnien Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2007 - Burgundy, France

Very faded ruby with brick/brown center. The nose is smokey and gamey with an under tone of cherry tart. The palate is very young, too young to drink now.  Tightly wound fruit including sour blueberry and strong acidity, driving length. Hold off 3-5 years for a better picture on this Bourgogne. A$55/bottle

88 Points

Domaine Laroche St Martin Chablis 2005 - Chablis, France

Shiny gold and pale yellow in the glass. The nose shows unripe stone fruit, chalk and honeycomb. The palate is fully developed with nectarines and creaminess on a bed of lemony acid that gives shape to this wine. Drink up if you have bottles! $A59.99/bottle


89 points 

Tandem ars Nova 2004 - Navarra, Spain

Brick brown with a red ruby center. Similar to the ars Macula in it's Bordeaux likeness in style. The nose shows cigar smoke, oyster shell and dried cocoa. This blend of Tempranillo, Cabernet and Merlot is now fully mature with silky tannin, ripe mixed berries and a dusty/earthy finish. Great value again from this producer. A$31.99/bottle


90 points 

Burge Family Winemakers Old Vines Grenache Shiraz 1998 - Barossa Valley, Australia

Faded brick red with ruby edging. The nose is wonderfully fragrant with rose petals and coffee bean. Considering the age, there is still syrupy, youthful texture with allot of primary fruits on display. This Grenache blend finishes long and fleshy with gentle tannin and acidity. Lovely Barossa Grenache. $Price Unknown.

94 points

Wild Duck Creek Estate Reserve Shiraz 2000 - Heathcote, Australia

The colour is beginning to brown but the center retains a maroon and purple hue. The nose shows liquorice, earth and tar with tones of savoury jam.  The palate is soft and developed complexities are front and centre with sweet tannin to finish. The wine builds more and more weight as exposure to air brings this Shiraz out of slumber. $Price Unknown.

92 Points