Recommendation: Buy. If you like riding in the front seat of a roller coaster.

This is cranky beast of a wine. Powerful is an understatement, especially on that the first sip.

It’s that first drop on a roller coaster 🎢 exciting but terrifying then after the initial drop you love that rush, that speed. You finish and immediately line up again.

Didn’t expect that. But loved it...simple...

 Clandestine Vineyards Malbec Rating: B+ Price: $30

A cold snap has hit the Gold Coast as it is a bitterly cold 18 degrees. So I reached for a warming Chris Ringland Shiraz. It’s been about 18 months since I’ve had one of these and although Still young, you taste and feel that beautiful velvet touch that is full of rich dark chocolate and spicy pepper. Not a wine for the faint hearted but that’s they way I like my Barossa Shiraz.

Overall, I wish I bought more....simple...

 Chris Ringland The Makers Edition 2017 Barossa Shiraz An

Recommendation: A completely different Pinot

You will have to pour a glass to really see what I mean but this is a cloudy funky looking thing. I instantly think of Cosmo Kramer, usually referred to as simply "Kramer", from Seinfeld. Just eccentric, quirky and outright different, but in a way you love.

 Moorak 19' Woodside Pinot Noir Adelaide Hills '777' Rating:

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

At 12.0% alcohol, this one is built for that lunch time wine. Medium body that is a cherry bomb. On the sweeter side that pair well with a little chilli or even a quick pub chicken parmigiana.

Pour straight into a glass with a quick swirl and drink...simple...

 Garbin Estate Sangiovese 2019 Rating: B Price: $23

Happy International Cabernet Sauvignon Day

 Happy International Cabernet Sauvignon Day What are you

The latest release of this famous wine. With 5 trophies under its belt including the best red wine and the best shiraz at the 2019 Hunter Valley Wine awards.

Dark and moody tied in with the elegance you expect from a Hunter Shiraz. Will give wines double its price a run, do I dare say this is great value and a bargain at $50?

If you want to start collecting celebration wines* this is a great one. Will be a perfect wine to celebrate 10th anniversary or child's 18th. With peak drinking until 2043, you can actually open this for a 21st even if your baby isn't even born yet. Now thats planning ...simple...

(*celebration wine is a wine that you buy to store for an upcoming event. A lot of people buy a special wine when their baby is born but there are so many more possible opportunities (excuses) to buy a special wine. For example basic ones like anniversaries or birthdays but why not include child’s first day of school (you deserve a wine after all those years) or graduating uni or a lengthly course or what about 10 years in a career) 🍷 .