Expectations exceed, considerably! Curtis Family Vineyard’s Martins Vineyard Shiraz 2016 is a beaut... serious quality on show here. -

Blackberries and plums, hints of blueberry combined with anise and a touch of vanilla. Fresh, definitely in no way dense or jammy, there’s a real elegance here. The body is full, palate rich, texture perfect, and the fruit shines. Blackberry, plums, dark chocolate richness that’s silky and smooth. There’s oak, American, but it’s extremely well integrated giving the slightest vanilla notes, more complexity than expected, and super velvety tannins. What a ripper!

 Expectations exceed, considerably! Curtis Family Vineyard’s

If you’re like me and haven’t had the greatest experience then I can highly recommend Campbell’s The Barkley… this is a totally different proposition! It feels like a proper wine, if that makes sense at all. Super expressive nose of dark fruits and savoury spice, big but not “wow here comes a headache” big. On the palate it is rich, opulent, and elegant with a velvety texture. Plenty of ripe dark fruits, blackberries and black cherry, followed by graphite-like, leathery, liquorice savoury layers. One for the cellar, but also very fun now!

 What’re your thoughts on Durif? If you’re like me and

Dowie Doole BFG, Big Friendly Grenache perhaps, and big it certainly is. The nose shows the trademark aromas of raspberries, red candies, rich strawberry compote, not overly sweet with a dried herb note to finish. On the palate it’s lush and smooth with a big hit of red berries up front providing great texture and vibrancy. As the fruit fades there are lovely residual notes of earthy minerality coupled with fine tannin providing nice length. Elegant. Great for a Tuesday! -⁠

 Dowie Doole BFG, Big Friendly Grenache perhaps, and big it

By Farr can do almost no wrong in my book and having recently visited the Mornington Peninsular I thought I should pick up a Farr from the region. Philippa Farr’s 2017 Pinot Noir ought to do the trick and with vintages completed at Bellvale, Bouzeron, Domaine Dujac, By Farr and Purple Hen I’m hoping for a great drop. If you’ve tried it let me know what you think. I’ll let you know either way 🤗🍷🙌

 By Farr can do almost no wrong in my book and having

If you could pick one to try, which would it be? Lamella, Relic, Schubert Theorum, or The Standish?

In my opinion these Standish Wine Co wines are amongst the best Australian examples of Shiraz I’ve been lucky enough to stumble across in recent years. With 4 different expressions covering Eden Valley / Marananga / Greenock and a Shiraz Viognier, the only challenge is picking which one to drink!

 If you could pick one to try, which would it be? Lamella

On the scale of iconic vineyards and producers this Mount Pleasant 1880 Old Hill is in the Pantheon of great Australian wines. Despite this status it amazes me that between 1965 and 2013 this incredibly old vineyard was blended with other wines in the range. Utterly mind-boggling when you think about it. Either way, since 2013 this single site expression of Hunter Shiraz has been a must have of mine. There’s not much, in my opinion, that can top a top-notch Hunter Shiraz in full swing. It’s just a bit of me.

 On the scale of iconic vineyards and producers this Mount

Greystone Pinot Noir from New Zealand’s South Island... hmm, I should drink more from

NZ! Bright ruby and youthful looking in the glass. The nose is complex with layers of red berries and black cherry, exotic spices and earthy savoury notes. The palate is impressive, verging on full bodied and packed with flavour. Ripe red fruits, blackberries, mulberries all nicely balanced with dried herbs and again the earthy notes adding complexity. Great tannins and balanced acidity all contribute to the structure and impressive length. Note to self... drink more NZ wine.

 Greystone Pinot Noir from New Zealand’s South Island

Is this a benchmark for Aussie Pinot Noir? I hear, and read, it on an ongoing basis, and as it’s the one wine from the Farr range I’m yet to try (shockingly) I’m keen to get your thoughts! Either way, i can’t wait to try it. The Farr family make exceptional wines!

 Is this a benchmark for Aussie Pinot Noir? I hear, and

What was the last wine that surprised you? -

My nomination is this Barossa Boy Little Helper GSM which, despite not being a huge GSM fan, is absolutely smashable. It’s packed with a core red fruits, dark berries, and a touch of dried herbs on the nose. Super lush on the palate with plenty of texture as the fruit comes to the fore before the savoury earthy and oaky notes wrap it up. I’d happily wrap my chops around this any time!

 What was the last wine that surprised you? - My nomination

Boutique and beautiful! Sholto Syrah 2018, a recent discovery of mine and a wine to keep your eyes peeled for if you’re into wine from the Canberra region, or Syrah in general. Dark plum, almost raisin in colour. Plums, ripe blackberry, white pepper and spices on the nose, perhaps a touch of Viognier adding floral notes. The palate is beautifully textural and fruit driven at first. Blackcurrant and plums lead on to savoury leather and pepper spice notes towards the finish. Moreish sums it up perfectly.

 Boutique and beautiful! Sholto Syrah 2018, a recent

Quin Wines Barossa Grenache… what a wine! One of the best examples of Grenache I’ve tried in recent memory. 90 year old vines, part whole bunch, leading to a savoury, dried-raspberry, potpourri infused nose. The palate is filled with red fruit, crunchy, medium bodied, and fine. There’s a touch of darker pomegranate flavour there too, helping to lift the fruit above the spicy, woody notes. Aussie Grenache is bloody great!

 Quin Wines Barossa Grenache… what a wine! One of the best

The Old Block, the top dog of the St Hallett range has always been a favorite of mine. No disappointment here, I’m pleased to report. -

Dark cherry, cola, plums and soft oak on the nose. Really very silken and svelte. Powerful and controlled on the palate, very balanced and harmonious. Cherry cola meets plums and prunes, gentle clove, anise going on here as well. It’s beautifully concentrated and finishes very long. It’s a quality wine, very very nice.

 The Old Block, the top dog of the St Hallett range has

Well this was an absolute treat and won’t be forgotten for a while! Sami-Odi HD 2018 and Little Wine No.9 tasted and as expected they’re about as close to drinking perfection as you get (for me). There’s a magic to these wines highlighted by the way they evolve right before your eyes, constantly revealing new dimensions and layers of flavour. In a word, spellbinding! -

 Well this was an absolute treat and won’t be forgotten for

So this is why I try to avoid wine shops as much as possible... Hunter Valley Royalty! -