Recommendation: Buy. Coastal sea breeze in a glass.

Is it me or has there been an explosion of Semillon blended with Fiano recently? Not that is a bad thing. Winemakers are really pushing the boundaries and blending this mainly Italian grape with semillion to create a unique combination that I am loving at the moment.

Varney Wines have create a wine that screams coastal happiness. I can smell the ocean and feel the breeze.

With a 60% Semillon, 40% Fiano blend this is one to remember. A young white wine that gives plenty of texture and backend flavour with a with a bite that is subtle but makes to reach for another sip.

I think this is worth the price and clearly rated as 'Great'...simple...

 Varney Wines Semillon Fiano 2018 Rating: A- Price: $28

The Old Dog 🐕 Perfect name for this type of Barossa Valley Shiraz. It’s what I expect. Give it plenty of time to breathe in a decanter before drinking.

Actually it needs more time in the cellar. I think this wine will get a lot higher score in a few years and I’ve bought some more to test that theory...simple...

 2016 Shanahans The Old Dog Shiraz Rating: C+ Buy Again: Yes

It appears this wine is already 'Sold Out', which means everyone had the same opinion I had.

Just the sheer fact I can't get it anymore, makes me want it more...simple...

 Mont Wines Syrah from the Yarra Valley Rating: B+ Price:

Region: Fleurieu Peninsula of South Australia

Firstly open this wine at least an hour before drinking or decanter (trust me, this wine deserves it)

The smell is really enticing, while the taste is full of dark fruits, but its the ending that I love. I savour every last drop in my mouth and squeeze every bit of flavour from my tongue. Its firm and dry but I'm already looking forward to the next sip. A very good wine. It has a level of flavour and a bite that I enjoy. Recommendation: Buy 3 (at least)

Have one now and keep the others for a few years, I think this wine will develop into greatness and I bet you wished you had bought 6 or even 12. 🍷

 Beklyn 2018 Currency Creek Shiraz Rating: B+ Price: $45 Buy

January was a great month for wine, with a couple of birthdays and of course the ever consistent summer barbecues, culminating with Australia Day, it was a big month. 🍷

Crudo Yarra Valley Shiraz by Luke Lambert was wine of the month. Mainly considering the price and the quality of the wine. Brilliant and drank the entire bottle myself. 🍷

But is was close with some others wines considerable competition.

Second was Frost Dodger by Torzi Matthews 2019 Eden Valley Riesling. Bloody brilliant Riesling. This one ticked every box for me and appeared to be made for me. Thank you

 2016 Adelaide Hills Shiraz. This wine is just James Bond wearing a tux at the Monte

 The Vincent Grenache 2018. Such a killer Grenache, yet again ridiculous value. 🍷

You can’t go wrong with any of these wines...simple...

 Wine of the Month: January 🍷 January was a great month for

Australian wine history and flavour in a bottle. Classic.

Dark, full body and just delicious. A mellow beast that has just aged gracefully.

I think it has peaked in potential but will steadily last a few more years.

BIN 28 is one of those perfect wines that you can buy 6 and just forget about them.

I think originally bought this for about $20 back in the day.

 From the Cellar: 2002 Penfolds BIN 28 Kalimna Shiraz

Leeuwin Estate Art Series Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Recommendation: Buy. Cellar aged Margaret River Beauty.

Inky dark red, nearly black. The smell of the 11 year old is full of fruit and freshness but you can instantly tell it’s well matured.

An initial hit of alcohol which calms down after some time in the

  The big start relaxes into mouth sucking dryness which outlines a primary flavour of cigar, cedar even a leathery comfort. It ends with a touch of vanilla with some really enjoyable spice.

Your tongue is well and truly alive and begs for more.

A beautiful West Australian wine...simple....

💰 At it’s maximum price limit but you have to pay a premium for 11 years in the cellar

 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

I’ve had Mothers Milk a few times over the years and without fail the 2019 is up there with the best from this label.

It is different to most Barossa Shiraz styles. The 2019 Mothers Milk is soft and doesn’t have any kick at the back of the throat. There is a softness that is mellow, even comforting.

This was opened at a dinner with friends at a local restaurant. And it wasn’t my pick. Someone laughed at the name and decided they have to try It.

This would be my first taste of the 2019 vintage. Out came the wine and everyone had a taste. At that point you know it must be good when everyone at the table responds with “wow that’s good” or “I like that”.

When a wine delivers and pleases so many tastes and personalities, that’s when you know it’s a good wine. It’s actually rare that everyone at a table loves the same wine.

Overall it must be tough at First Drop winery, not only did they pick a brilliant name for a wine but now you have to back it up year after year to uphold that title.

 Mothers Milk by First Drop Wines 2019 Barossa Shiraz

*So I bought this for about $16, but saw today

_au has 2 for $30 (Not a paid post, just want you to

Just a really nice Shiraz from the Clare Valley, then when you add a price tag of under $15, Solid B.

Will be up there for bargain of the year...simple...

 Taylors Estate Shiraz from Clare Valley Rating: B Price:

 Happy Friday...simple... #australianwine #happyfriday

I know this winery is killing it at the moment especially with

 wine of the year but for $22 this wine is amazing value for money 💰 Love it. See original post where this wine got a B+

My favourite Grenache of the year (so far) well done

 Happy International Grenache Day So my pick? 🤔 2018

It's big, its bold, its intense, its BBQ meat in a bottle. $12 for this one hits well. If you haven't a Spanish tempranillo, give this a go. Have a chorizo in one hand and a glass of this in the other. I promise you'll be happy...simple...

 Elefante Tempranillo Shiraz 2015 Rating: C  Cheap entry

Just ending a beautiful Saturday Afternoon with one of my favourites

Rieslingfreak No.4 Eden Valley Riesling 2019

See previous post for wine review details.

 Just ending a beautiful Saturday Afternoon with one of my

Father’s Day Present 🎁 Option 4️⃣

Saltram No 1 is history in a bottle. Big, bold and beautiful. Just a classic Barossa Shiraz. . .

 Father’s Day Present 🎁 Option 4️⃣ Saltram No. 1 Price: $75+ 🍷

Rating: Strong Buy 🍷  2017 Chris Ringland ‘The Maker Edition’ Barossa Shiraz. Limited release from

. Amazing, no, exceptional Barossa Shiraz. Buy as many as you can. Will last forever and in 5 years time, you wish you bought more...simple...

 Rating: Strong Buy 🍷  2017 Chris Ringland ‘The Maker

Happy international Pinot day. Guess what having tonight?...simple...

 Happy international Pinot day. Guess what having

You either like surprises or you don’t. I’m not a fan of certain surprises, like I don’t surprise birthday parties or opening the mail and surprise a parking ticket!

The surprises I like are when I have no expectations, no preconceived ideas and you buy a wine on a whim or someone brings a wine you’ve never had.

It’s after that first taste. That feeling of enjoyment. The moment that I am pleasantly surprised by this wine...simple...

 Hugo McLaren Vale Grenache Shiraz 2015 Rating: B+ Price:

I’m calling it. Shiraz Pinot blend is the next big thing on bottle shop shelves.

I actually should say the return of Shiraz Pinot.

Just like all things at the moment - Old is New. The blend has been around forever but its something you don’t really see too often.

James Estate have produced a very good wine that is drinking well at the moment. To use ‘wine words’, Vanilla, spice and earthly. Medium to Lighter end of the scale but a classic dry finish.

 James Estate 2019 Reserve Shiraz Pinot Baeremi Vineyard

Recommendation: Christmas in a glass 🍷

This is Christmas of times gone by. It transports you immediately back to the family table where Nanna serves her Christmas cake. The smell, the memories.

The port is thick and luscious but treads lightly in its approach. A benefit though as it allows you to drink and ultimately enjoy more.

This port has been waiting patiently for 20 years for you to enjoy and I think you should...simple...

 Penfolds Grandfather Rare Tawny Rating: A- Price: $80

So it begins. Looking forward to tasting and finding that next brilliant wine...simple...

 So it begins. Looking forward to tasting and finding that

In Maori Hãhã means savoury and luscious, tasty and delicious. Great name for a winery, perfect even.

Entry level pinot but outlines a savoury note with a little spice. Needs food. I'll go for the obvious but would be perfect with some char grilled lamb on the bbq. It needs that element to pair with these flavours...simple...

I would love to know your recommendations on $25 and under Pinot. 🍷

 Hãhã 2018 Marlborough Pinot Noir New Zealand Rating: B

Recommendation: You need to try this. 🍷

I drank the whole bottle. It was that good...simple...

 for the opportunity to taste and review this great wine 👏

 Dowie Doole Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 Price: $25

Yangarra Estate Small Pot Whole Bunch McLaren Vale Shiraz 2016

Small Pot refers to when only a couple of barrels of this wine was made and sometimes considered a winemakers trial. I didn't know this was such a limited release when I opened it but, too late now. It was beautiful. 97 points from Sir Halliday and I understand why. It is soft and smooth, with the quality shown in the length. You need to have this wine on a rug in front of an open fire. Its Barry White in a Bottle...

too much of anything is not good for you, baby

 Yangarra Estate Small Pot Whole Bunch McLaren Vale Shiraz

This is just a fun, enjoyable wine. Perfect for a glass or two after work on a Tuesday.

I bet you drink the whole bottle though...simple...

 2015 Are You Game Shiraz by Fowles Wines Rating: C+ Price:

 Next Level... @winereview _simple 🍷 #domperignon #champion

Recommendation: Buy. The bottle is only half the story

So I bought this wine solely for the bottle.

It’s a cool, unique looking wine bottle that is more suited to rum or whiskey.

The name ‘Kings Of Prohibition’ is formed the roaring twenties, prohibition and of course the bootleggers that covertly moved alcohol around the USA.

Quite fitting during times like this as some States move further into lockdown and curfews introduced into Victoria. You can really get a sense of how prohibition times must have felt.

After the first sip it becomes more about the wine than the bottle. This wine is very good. Actually I’m shocked how good it is.

Intense but smooth. Great flavour of berries, dark chocolate and an overall roundness that is very drinkable. This will not last forever in the cellar, nor it should. Drink it now...simple...

 Kings Of Prohibition Shiraz Rating: B+ Price: $22

Recommendation: Buy. Handmade minimal approach.

A complimentary bottle from a winery that is handcrafted, using only a basket press and sourced from one of my favourite parts of the Barossa Valley, Greenock.

WelI I am sure to have already been swayed, but this doesn't disappoint.

The winemaker outlines the 2015 is drinking at its peak and I actually think it resembles a much older wine.

Smooth with a balanced oak with that real aged Shiraz flavour you expect from the Barossa. You can feel the alcohol, which is a positive to the overall experience.

As I said, it feels a lot older. All I need is an crackling open fire and I am set.

You know when you have a good wine, you seem to drink slower, enjoying every drop, every moment from the glass. Well this is that type of wine...simple...

 Roenfeldt Hill Wines Greenock Basket Press Shiraz 2015

Spit or swallow? 🛑 STOP 🛑 I’m not being rude.

I’m talking about when your tasting wine. Do you swallow the wine or do you spit it into spittoon (you know, that’s the part when you see people sip the wine, swirl it around their mouth and then spit it into a bucket: Official name “a spittoon”) Now I understand why people do it but I personally don’t.

 Spit or swallow? 🛑 STOP 🛑 I’m not being rude. I’m talking

2018 Yangarra Estate PF Grenache from McLaren Vale

Buy Again: Yes, I’m getting more tomorrow

A great Grenache. So much flavour and length for $22. Every now and then you get a wine that is not only amazing value but also an amazing wine. I’m saying this is one of the best Grenache wines I’ve had for this price. If you haven’t had Grenache before or not a fan, try this. It is very good...simple...

 2018 Yangarra Estate PF Grenache from McLaren Vale Rating:

Driving home on a Friday 🥂...simple...

 Driving home on a Friday 🥂...simple... 📸 @champagne _uk

2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz from McLaren Vale

Recommendation: Buy. Strong Classic Blend

This is a great brooding blend of Cab Sav and Shiraz. Very dark in colour. Nearly black. Tight and powerful on first sip but after a little patience, the wine just relaxes and turns into a beautiful McLaren Vale wine. A great blend which makes both varieties shine. It gives me enough power that I really need on a Tuesday....simple...

 The Gate By Shingleback Wines 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon

Recommendation: Buy. Pretend it’s summer.

If you only drink Rosé in Summer, then turn up the heater.

Dry, crisp with a taste that lingers. As you know I’m not a big Rosé fan but this is good...simple...