Leo Buring Medium Sweet Riesling 2009 - Eden Valley, Australia

Pale toasty gold in the glass. The nose exhibits lychee, orange peel and candied fruit. 

Sweet tropical fruit salad on the palate. There is a lack of acidity to handle the sweetness.

Readers beware: The past 2-3 years have yielded a number of new medium sweet/medium dry rieslings on the domestic Australian market. The style is set to replicate the classic Rhine Rieslings where the grape originated. Extremely pure and exposed to bitterly cold conditions on vine and during fermentation which retains natural sweetness in the wines. This makes the true Rhine style of Riesling. With these factors, specific vineyard selection is imperative to create balance between sweetness and acidity. In Australia, some fail and some succeed. 

80 points

Farr Rising Chardonnay 2009 - Geelong, Australia

Bright, glowing pale yellow. A multitude of aromas leap from the glass spanning from rock-melon, nectarine into some matchstick, lees and slight smokiness. A true class act on the nose that will leave a smile on the face of Chardonnay ehnthusiastics. Built in a Montrachet mould with wonderful flavours of crushed cashew, slightly under ripe peach and some soft creamy/milky characters on the mid palate. The length is seamless with near perfect balance and the acid is tangy indicating a long life ahead but I don't see any reason to wait. This is a very fine example of Australian chardonnay. A$46.99/bottle

95 points

Chateau Reynella Rare Old Tawny 16 year old - South Australia Regional, Australia

Glowing brown with bronze edging. The nose is classic Australian tawny, boozy christmas cake, almond and maple syrup. The palate is oily, mouth coating and finishes warm with alcohol. This has been discounted to under $10/bottle (375ml) in the nationals which is nothing short of amazing. The wine merits double this price.

87 points

Castellani Vino Die Santi NV - Region not stated, Italy

Deep golden brown in colour. The nose has a touch of mandarin but oxidative characters run supreme. The palate is sweet and thick but the finish is nearly unbearable. Nail polish, hard spirit. Stay away for a better life. A$15/bottle

Not Rated

Louis Bouillot Perle d'Ivoire Blanc de Blanc NV - Burgundy, France

Pale lemon yellow in the glass with green flashes. The nose shows citrus, sorbet and a touch of bakery/dough aromas. Flavours of stone-fruit, lemon/lime and a mineral backbone. This is an excellent aperitif and an incredible price. Larger Champagne houses will be challenged here at half the cost.
A$29.99/bottle

89 Points

Tyrrell's Vat 1 Semillon 2005 - Hunter Valley, Australia

Golden yellow in the glass with bottle age clearly evident. Aromas commence with nougat, eucalyptus and cinnamon leading into some lemon rind and fresh herb. The palate has weight from the age and shows some sweet honey comb flavours up front with a long finish of signature mouth watering acidity. The complexity stars to head towards that of a good cool climate Chardonnay/White Burgundy. Drinking very well now but could hold another 5 years. A$59.99

94 points

Tyrrell's Lost Block Semillon 2011 - Hunter Valley, Australia

Clear, translucent with only the faintest flash of golden/green. The nose is punchy with passionfruit, flint and sweat aromas. A simple, fresh white wine that will appeal to Sauvignon Blanc consumers. Notable soft acidity for a young Hunter Semillon. A$19.99/bottle

85 points