Alterum Chardonnay 2010 - Adelaide Hills, Australia

Bright shiny gold in the glass. Nectarine and cinnamon oak dominate the nose. The palate is medium bodied, rich with nutty with grapefruit and a lemony finish. 

87 points

$24.99

Wine Men of Gotham Shiraz 2008 - South Australian Various, Australia

Blood red and bright purple edges. Aromas of melted chocolate, cinnamon and cherry cola. The palate is thick, sweet fleshed and full bodied with notable American Oak. Plenty of flavor and a slightly edgy (sharp) finish. I honestly don't know how a producer can make money having this on shelf at under A$7- per bottle. This is a marker of how good we have it with wine prices in Australia currently. A$7/bottle.

88 points 

Scarborough Yellow Label Chardonnay 2009 - Hunter Valley, Australia

Pale gold with a green tinge. The nose is peaches and cream with a touch of butterscotch. On the palate, there is some buttery weight and a grippy finish. Fairly straight forward. A$30/bottle

84 points

Teusner Albert Shiraz 2006 - Barossa Valley, Australia

There is no colour development from primary deep dark inky black. Aromas come in layers, including blueberry, french vanilla and earth. This Shiraz has great intensity and concentration but remains elegant and composed. Such purity and a wonderful example of the regions best up and comers. Drinking very well now but at least another 10 years of great drinking. A$60/bottle

96 Points

Chateau Beychevelle 1982 - Saint-Julien, France

Faded brick murky burgundy in the glass. The wonderfully fragrant nose leads with pencil shavings, cassis liqueur and woody herbs. Fully developed and incredibly well balanced, the tannin is wonderfully soft now and silky on the finish. A great vintage and a great wine.

95 Points

Smith & Hooper Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2008 - Wrattonbully, Australia

Striking colour, inky black with bright red edges. The nose is leafy with cigar smoke and mulberry. While still youthful the palate is already complex and interesting. A mix of black fruit and bitter chocolate backed by fine tannin. This will drink well for another decade. Superb value for a gutsy South Australian Cabernet blend. A$25/bottle

91 points 

Chris Ringland CR Shiraz 2008 - Barossa Valley, Australia

Total darkness in the glass. The nose (after 24 hours breathing) shows a sweet mint, cocoa, coconut and burnt oak. The palate is full steam ahead, no brakes with syrupy overripe black fruits, creamy acidity and earthy/dusty tannin. The texture, not surprisingly bordering on fortified wine thickness. Certainly a tipple for the lads and I don't think one could find such intensity of flavour for the price. A$25/bottle


94 Points