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

To all Nebbiolo fans out there, keep your eyes peeled for this! Here’s a stunning example of an Aussie Nebbiolo by Virago in Beechworth that’s well worth tracking down. It’s the result of five different Nebbiolo clones grown by Karen and Prue, the Vignerons, and a little helping hand from none other than Rick Kinzbrunner. What a riddiculously good set-up!!

On the nose the 2015 shows beautifully lifted florals, cherries, anise, and undergrowth in what can only be described as a heavenly perfume. It steps up a gear on the palate as the dark cherry flavours and bright acidty intermingle with darker fruits and rustic, earthy, leathery notes. It’s  perhaps the best Aussie Neb I’ve had!!

 To all Nebbiolo fans out there, keep your eyes peeled for

I’ve tried some stunning Chardonnays this year; By Farr Three Oaks, Bass Philip Premium, Toolangi Block F, and recently Rochford Premier that are all exceptional in my book. Does it really get better? -

 Is this Australia’s best Chardonnay? - I’ve tried some

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

Hands down my favourite shiraz producer in Australia, and a Greenock Shiraz of supreme class. Inky, meaty, spicy, and savoury with incredible depth and length. Laced with stunning tannin and purity of Shiraz fruit it’s a total pleasure to drink. Enjoyed over 4 hours and every sip showed something new. Magic in a bottle! -

 Hands down my favourite shiraz producer in Australia, and a

. Classic Barossa, intense colour, full bodied and fruit forward. Less oak than I was expecting, but the power and concentration more than suffice. Blackberry, spices, chard meats and a feint fennel edge, balanced brilliantly with crisp acidity and grainy tannin. Quality find! If you see it grab a couple, it’s bloody good 🍷🙌

 Magical Moppa Hill by @laughingjackwines . Classic Barossa

If you’ve ever thought Durif just isn’t for you, give Scion Fortrose a go, it’s bloody great and incredibly smashable especially with this cheeky little Sicilian Pasta dish. It’s easily the best Durif I’ve had to date and from a producer who’s one of my best finds of the year. If you’ve not tasted any Scion Wines, you really should 🍷🙌🙏

 If you’ve ever thought Durif just isn’t for you, give Scion

Paradise IV Chaumont 2013, one of my all-time favourite producers and blends here in Australia. If there’s one wine or producer you should try this year, Paradise IV would be my suggestion. I’m going to put my phone down (momentarily), sit back, and enjoy this. It’s a stunner 🍷

 Paradise IV Chaumont 2013, one of my all-time favourite

I’ve waxed lyrically over the past few months about Aussie Rizza so bear with me for one more post! It’s a bargain variety here!

Vickery produce some serious Riesling, and despite being the entry into their range this Eden Valley example is about as classic as it gets. Pale straw in the glass with fresh limes and lemon rind on the nose. Intense citrus fruit on the palate, very concentrated and crisp, with lively acidity bringing it all together nicely. It’s light, dry, sweet and sour, refreshing and moreish. A candidate for the cellar and who can argue with the price, cheap as chips!

 I’ve waxed lyrically over the past few months about Aussie

Ever found a wine you’d forgotten about?! -

I’ve dug up a gem during a late night cellar tidy up! Langmeil Freedom Shiraz 2010, made from the oldest Shiraz vines in the world that’re a mere 176 years young. -

 Ever found a wine you’d forgotten about?! - I’ve dug up a

Curtis Family Vineyards Limited Series 2016 Grenache 94 Points according to Halliday… Now that I’ve covered all that’s on the label, points and all (not a fan), this is a superb Grenache… very, very nice. Stunning nose of cherries, florals, thyme and oregano-like dried herbal notes. Medium to light bodied, fantastic blueberry and raspberry notes, Allen’s frog confectionary before a sweep of savoury spices and dried herbs. Fine tannin, crisp acidity and great length round off what is an unbelievably easy wine to drink.

 Curtis Family Vineyards Limited Series 2016 Grenache 94

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

I’m a fan from time to time and this is easily the best Rosé I’ve had in ages. Best’s Great Western Rosé is a blend of shiraz, pinot meunier and pinot noir resulting in all-out gluggability and deliciousness.  Everything from the super perfumed and elegant nose, to the stone fruit, cherry, mineral driven palate entices you to reload. This might just be my go to Rosé from now on, it’s that good! -

 Are you a Rosé fan? Any favourites? - I’m a fan from time

Week done and bottle in hand... finally! The bottle?

 1961 Block. Quite simply, it’s a sensational Riesling by any standard, home or away... end of! Love it 🍷🔥

 Week done and bottle in hand... finally! The bottle?

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

I’ve now found the second hardest label to photograph after Giaconda, Jack West’s Western Barossa Shiraz. The 2017 is a quintessential Barossa Shiraz and all the better for it. Dark fruits and dried herbs on the nose. Medium to full bodied Shiraz character on the palate with plenty of plum, blackberry, spicy and slightly peppery notes going on. It’s a smart drop for the $$$, we’ll worth checking out 🙏👍🏽🍷

 I’ve now found the second hardest label to photograph after

The longer this lockdown goes on the better these look… 😬🍷

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

Found a great wine this year? Let me know, I’d love to check it out! -

These little beauties were my Xmas present and they’re one of my favourite finds this year. They’ll get a year or two to chill before they’re opened... if I can find them 😂

 Found a great wine this year? Let me know, I’d love to

Last post of the year and my Second NYE drop, Rusden Black Guts Shiraz, one of my favourites from the Barossa. All manner of dark fruits and spice on the nose with a cherry cola-esque richness. Powerful and elegant on the palate. Dark berries, violet, fizzy cola sweets backed by roasted coffee, a touch of oak and chewy tannins. It’s bloody great, and it’s only a baby. Give it a few years and it’ll be even better!

 Last post of the year and my Second NYE drop, Rusden Black

I love finding new producers and quality Pinot Noir to try. Hence trying the 2017 Santolin 'Gruyere' Pinot Noir which, at first impressions, is a very attractive Pinot! It has a nose of fine red berries, black cherry, and raspberries with a whole bunch, slight funk note going on. On the palate, fruit forward flavours of strawberry, raspberry Allen’s frogs and concentrated black cherry adding depth. With medium acidity and super fine tannins it’s very smooth, and incredibly moreish. If you open it, it will get drunk! -

 I love finding new producers and quality Pinot Noir to try

Do you have a favorite producer that you stock up on each year? -

My top 5 in no particular order are; By Farr, Sami-Odi, Serrat, Standish Wine Co, and Sorrenberg. Clearly not everyday wines, but they’re my collection staples. Typically I buy a range from each, low to high in price, and open them both young and old. For me, nothing beats trying the same wine from the same producer, 3,5, even 10 years apart!

 Do you have a favorite producer that you stock up on each

I’m getting my fill of hearty Barossan reds this winter and this Calabria Bros Old Vine Shiraz is such a find. Dark, inky purple with magenta hues. Medium to full bodied, fitting the traditional Barossa Shiraz style effortlessly. Lots of dark fruit. Less fresh, more stewed and rich. Great oaky characters, obvious but well balanced. Grippy tannins and persistent flavour. For under $30, it’s a classy and impressive Barossa Shiraz.

 I’m getting my fill of hearty Barossan reds this winter and

Expectations exceeded here with this Sherrah Single Vineyard Shiraz from the Mclaren Vale. It’s got it all going on, dark fruit cocktail, compote-like, verging on red berries and plenty of va-va-voom. Grippy, wavy, flowing tannins perfectly offset the fruit giving great balance. Gulgability of off the chart, great drop!

 Expectations exceeded here with this Sherrah Single

One of the best! Patritti’s JPB Limited Release Single Vineyard McLaren Vale Shiraz is one of my favourite wines from the McLaren Vale. I haven’t tasted it for a little while now so I think this ones coming home tonight 🍷🙌🙏

 One of the best! Patritti’s JPB Limited Release Single

My first foray into the world of natural wine and it has to be said, I quite enjoyed it. Nova Vita’s Project K Rose (a blend of Gris, Traminer, and Riesling) is so easy to drink, it’s borderline ridiculous. The colour, orange, is striking and the flavours range from strawberries and cream to lychees and ripe apples. Sweet, but paired with a ruby murray it was bloody awesome.

 My first foray into the world of natural wine and it has to

Rob Dolan has gone into stealth mode with the launch of his new Signature Series and they look stunning!

Looking beyond the aesthetics, these wines are the result of 35 years of winemaking knowledge, made in tiny quantities and only in exceptional years. The perfect trifecta by all accounts! These are an exciting prospect and I can’t wait to taste them!

 Rob Dolan has gone into stealth mode with the launch of his

It’s astonishes me that Pewsey Vale planted their first vineyard in 1847 and 172 years later they’re still producing their single vineyard Riesling.

Pale straw with green tinges in the glass. Intense citrus notes of grapefruits and limes, with green apple on the nose. The juicy citrus notes continue through the palate and compliment the underlying minerality beautifully. Zesty and fresh acidity with great length to the finish. Very nice! It could easily find a spot in my cellar!

 It’s astonishes me that Pewsey Vale planted their first

This Sauvignon / Semillon blend is the business with Italian Sausage & fennel sauce and homemade pasta. Such a ripper wine from the Hunter Valley! -

 This Sauvignon / Semillon blend is the business with

What’s the oldest wine in your collection?

The 1993 Eileen Hardy Shiraz is my oldest wine, the wine that started my collection and subsequent compulsion. Considering it’s now getting close to 3 decades old I really should find an excuse to open it! Fingers crossed it’s still in good shape!

 What’s the oldest wine in your collection? The 1993 Eileen

awards time! They’ve decided the Nation’s Top 50 and it’s down to us to pick the winner. As a little motivator they’ve laid on a couple of cracking incentives for clicking a few buttons and voting. First up, every voter gets a $50* voucher from

and entry to the draw to win one of the following…. Hill of Grace tour and taste courtesy of

tour and stay at the Mitchelton Hotel, and…. The chance to have blend the final

 Pinot Noir with winemaker Mike Aylward. Not your everyday opportunity and a great way to start a Tuesday!

Head over to the Wineslinger Awards voting page, and cast your vote before October 28th: It’s simple, straight-up, and you’ll be added to the draw like me!

 It’s the annual @younggunofwine #wineslinger awards time!

Last nights nightcap was this Chardonnay by Mt.Wines in the Yarra Valley,

It’s classic Chardonnay, with ripe white peach, dried pineapple, honeycomb and a touch of almond nuttiness on the nose. There’s plenty of zesty, vibrant and textural characters at play keeping the palate very fresh and racy with a green apple, meets lemons and pears, thing going on beautifully. Well balanced overall. If it was poured for me I’d be asking for a refill!