 in the Barossa. Both regional blends from some serious top tier addresses in the region, Stonewell, Ebenezer, and Moppa to name a few. Can’t wait to get stuck into these! Cold weather = Big, bold, Barossa Shiraz and these ought to do the job nicely! -

 New arrivals from @pirathonwines  in the Barossa. Both

Quin Wines 2016 Barossa Shiraz… what a cracking way to celebrate mid-week. 60 minutes in the decanter and this Shiraz was absolutely signing! Of course it’s on the young side, but there’s trademark Barossa fruit concentration and tightly woven savoury / spicy notes that make it bloody good drinking now. It’s an impressive wine, no doubt about it, wish I had a few more for the cellar!

 Quin Wines 2016 Barossa Shiraz… what a cracking way to

Pretty decent line up for a Monday night! Thanks

Ochota Barrels Fugazi 09, 10 years young and still shining... just. Gorgeous deep plummy, stewed fruity, reduced balsamic goodness. If you still have some drink up!

Spring Vale Pinot 17, a stunner from Tassie. Stems and complexity in buckets. Herbal, spicy characteristics everywhere even a slight gunpowder note. 30 mins open and it was singing!!

Serrat Shiraz Viognier 17, a young one, but a star in the making. Orange blossom, white pepper, lifted florals. It’s about as addictive a nose as I’ve experienced. Insane acidity, structure and grippy tannins. This will be epic in 5-10 years!

 Pretty decent line up for a Monday night! Thanks

This is an interesting little number from Purple Hands Wines. ​Montepulciano from the Barossa Valley? You heard right! Not an Aussie varietal I'm that familiar with to be honest and I'm pretty impressed. Sweet black fruits introduce themselves up front before the herbal savoury notes come to the fore. The tannins are firm, the acidity is bang on giving it good length. For me, it's definitely worth looking out for next time you're searching the bottle shop.⁠

 This is an interesting little number from Purple Hands

What’s your go-to red for under $30? This might just be my newest addition.... Pikes Eastside Shiraz from the Clare Valley, more specifically from Polish Hill River, is such an easy wine to drink. Plums and black cherry aromas, verging on blueberries after time in the glass. The medium bodied palate shows layers of black cherry and plum, with earthy undertones adding a savoury edge and structure. It’s a really well put together wine at a great price-point. The perfect cellar staple!

 What’s your go-to red for under $30? This might just be my

*MAGNUM ALERT* Rockford Basket Press 2012. 1.5Ls of iconic, truly Barossan goodness. Now... there are a lot of producers in the Barossa making stunner Syrah style wines which I love, LOVE, but there's always a place in my heart for a traditional blockbuster Barossa Shiraz. ⁠

The Rockford wineworks and apparatus on Krondorf Road at Tanunda date back to the 1850s. Parcels of the best dry grown old vine Shiraz, some of which were planted in the nineteenth century, from a select cabal of growers, operating vineyards in the Barossa, Kalimna and Ebenezer, Moppa Springs and the Eden Valley, are treated to an ancient basket press followed by vinfication in old fashioned open fermentation vessels.⁠

The batches are matured in a selection of mostly well-seasoned French and American oak barrels, before a rigorous selection to determine the final assemblage. Deeply coloured wine. A dense bouquet of aromatic dark fruits and berries with a twist of spice efore the most engaging palate of reductions, power and richness over⁠

 *MAGNUM ALERT* Rockford Basket Press 2012. 1.5Ls of iconic

​I’m having American tonight, what’s in your glass?  This is my first foray into the New World wines of America and kicking off with a banger! (So I’m told) The blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot traditionally delivers superb full body wines. Structured, velvety  tannins with a long and intense finish. Sounds bloody great!⁠

The Ridge history begins in 1886, high in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the initial plantings of the Monte Bello estate vineyard were set out, and winery construction begun. The first vintage from the young vines followed in 1892. During Prohibition (1920-1933), the vineyard was not fully maintained; some vines survived into the late 30’s,⁠ but by the 1940s they were effectively abandoned. Eight acres of cabernet sauvignon were replanted in 1949. These were the source of the first Ridge Monte Bello (1962). Since then, the historic vineyards on the ridge have gradually been replanted.⁠ Fantastic history! -⁠

 ​I’m having American tonight, what’s in your glass?  This

Hard to beat a cheeky trip to Magill Estate when you’re in town. Bin 150, it's a pretty classy drop. ⠀

 Hard to beat a cheeky trip to Magill Estate when you’re in

My Tasmanian odyssey continues with this absolute gem from Jonny and Matt Hughes of Mewstone under their Hughes and Hughes label. -

Firstly, the colour is a joke. Screams red fruits, cranberry freshness and twiggy goodness. All but confirmed by an enticing perfume which is barely contained by the glass. It’s as if it wants to escape, amazing really. Enjoyment factor increases with the first sip. There’s a sweet / tart balancing act going on as the red fruited and twiggy herbaceous notes mix with juicy acidity. Reminds me of a sour cherry lolly, just less sour and buckets of deliciousness. Add it to your list of Tassie gems to get your hands on!! ⁠

 My Tasmanian odyssey continues with this absolute gem from

That feeling when you definitely shouldn’t, but you do. My excuse, you don’t see these very often! Straight to the cellar! ⠀

 That feeling when you definitely shouldn’t, but you do. My

Ochota Barrels 186 Grenache and Home Pinot Noir. Two wines in the collection I can’t wait to try! If you’ve tried either please let me know what they’re like!?!? -

 Ochota Barrels 186 Grenache and Home Pinot Noir. Two wines

If you had to pick one, which would it be? I think the Farr is the front runner for me… luckily I don’t have to pick one...What a line up! 🙌🍷🙌

 If you had to pick one, which would it be? I think the Farr

What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon! Jean-François Ganevat Chardonnay "Les Chalasses" Vieilles Vignes Côtes du Jura, what a wine! Woody, apply, zesty scents unfurl and collect in the glass. The palate, oh my. Salty and lemony, with a stunning minerality late on. One problem... one bottles not enough!! -

 What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon! Jean-François

Here’s a bit of vertical love for your Thursday evening. If you could pick a vintage, which one would it be? 🍷 ​

 Here’s a bit of vertical love for your Thursday evening. If

​There are serious (and I mean serious) smile inducing qualities about this wine from

. For me, possibly the best characteristics any wine can have. What makes this such a beautiful wine? The vineyard for starters. The Pinot Noir is grown on a north-facing slope, as south as south can be in Tasmania, with maritime influences throughout the growing season. ⁠

The wine? Pinot with body. Pinot for Shiraz lovers⁠ who say they don’t drink Pinot. Lusciously deep. Hits all the dark fruits imaginable and oozes earthy complexity. Whole bunches used to add structure and a genius acid profile complemented by beautiful oak. It’s in my top two reds of the year for sure, might push top spot if I can save some for tomorrow. ⁠

Plus, it’s a magnum, hands down best format for a wine but⁠ enough about that.

 ​There are serious (and I mean serious) smile inducing

This has accelerated my love for Tasmanian wine, magnums, and Riesling. Insanely addictive acidity, as if your tucking into a perfectly ripe Granny Smith with flinty goodness chucked in for entertainment. It’s concentrated, powerful really. Mixed citrus fusion with a crispy finish. Total banger! Awesome

 This has accelerated my love for Tasmanian wine, magnums

Sydney in November is simply stunning and it’s a very similar story with my recent find, Municipal Wines Home Vineyard Shiraz. This wine comes from the Strathbogie Ranges where Matt Froude, the Winemaker, applies a minimal intervention approach to managing the vineyard. The Shiraz vineyard is dry grown, unpruned but managed, and hasn’t seen a chemical for over 3 years. I absolutely love this approach to winemaking.

The wine itself is a 12.7% medium bodied ballet of flavour. Perhaps more Syrah in style than that of a traditional Aussie Shiraz, which is no bad thing at all. Dark plum fruit flavours intermingled with raspberry and hints of violets on the nose. The palate is medium bodied with bright acidity, dark fruit flavours, aromatic spices and soft woody notes. It’s a seriously enjoyable wine to drink with a real sense of purpose and place.  You can’t ask for more than that, It’s awesome!

 Sydney in November is simply stunning and it’s a very

This box tickingly banging Barossa Shiraz from

 that might be one of my new "go to" wines for under $25. Glass staining deep magenta, and violet on the swirl. Dark and brooding sitting in the glass. Very impressive nose, classic Barossa, of dark fruits and Xmas cake spices. Subtle oak too. Full bodied, rich, and luscious, smooth on the palate. Dark fruits give great volume and depth. The lovely oak and soft tannins adding balance perfectly. It's impressively long, took me by surprise to be honest, great drop!

 This box tickingly banging Barossa Shiraz from

Lakey Farm arrivals from last week… could they be better looking?!? Anyway beyond the exteriors I have (right to left) a Carmenere, Viognier, and a Verdelho to enjoy over the coming weeks so if the interiors are half as good exteriors I’ll be in for a treat!

 Lakey Farm arrivals from last week… could they be better

 Nero D’Avola… couldn’t be more drinkable if it tried. Straight to the point, no messing, just quality dark fruits, berries, earthy notes and fine tannins. It’s a crowd pleaser, no doubt about it, and it has a gold medal under its belt to back it up! -

 @Sherrahwines  Nero D’Avola… couldn’t be more drinkable if

We're truly spoilt for choice when it comes to shiraz in Australia. Dare I say it... best place for it?!? ⠀

Either way, I'm loving the Shiraz now the colder months are coming in!⠀

 We're truly spoilt for choice when it comes to shiraz in

Shiraz / Cabernet Sauvignon, if this isn’t the quintessential Aussie blend then I don’t know what is. It’s up there with the Bunnings Sausage Sizzle (better quality I might add), and yeah nah. This interpretation is Trent Burge’s Double Trouble, a blend of Barossa Shiraz form the valley floor and Eden Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, and it’s a ripper.

Elegant, rich, full of ripe fruit, plenty of power on the nose, concentrated dark fruits, trademark Shiraz Cab. Expansive on the palate. Oodles of dark fruit, cassis and blackberry with firm-ish tannins all lending to the full body and providing great texture. All feels very balanced, elegant, and actually quite fresh. No doubt this would reward some cellar time, but it’s also bloody good now!

 Shiraz / Cabernet Sauvignon, if this isn’t the

​Dujac Fils & Pere Nuits-St-Georges 1er Cru 'Aux Cras' 2016. It may not be one of Domaine Dujac’s first wines but it has all the DNA of it's bigger brothers. It’s also a fraction of the price and for that reason it’s a steal! After all, it is a Burgundy. Think this’ll have a few more years in the cellar before I dig it back out. -

 ​Dujac Fils & Pere Nuits-St-Georges 1er Cru 'Aux Cras'

​​Tiptoeing my way into the revered world of red Burgundy and Domaine Dujac. This Dujac Fils et Père, Nuits St. Georges “Les Damodes” ​2016, one of the négociant range, is treated much the same way as the Domaine wines just with younger vines. There are suggested likenesses to “Vosne” spices with this wine.  Light, long and elegant. It's off to the cellar for a few more years sleep before its debut. ⠀

 ​​Tiptoeing my way into the revered world of red Burgundy

​Is there anything better than a glass of your favourite wine on a Friday night? Guilt free,total satisfaction without the fear of waking up on a workday feeling dusty headed...⁠

Paradise IV Chaumont 2014, such an interesting and elegant blend of cabernet sauvignon, shiraz and cabernet franc that delivers mulberry, plum and cherry notes which fade into more tertiary leather, earthy, tobacco characteristics. Dusty tannins and barely medium acid profile just about holding this 2014 together. Drink up if you have some! Have a great weekend!⁠

 ​Is there anything better than a glass of your favourite

Socks blown clean off! My white wine of the year, probably the best I’ve had to date. Pungent, masculine, insane focus and balance. Kaleidoscopic citrus fruit, floral gorgeousness and racy acidity. There’s minerality there, it’s not a “I’ve licked a limestone rock” type minerality but it’s doing the job in amongst the ridiculously long and zesty finish. Sadly this is wont be a regular but it’ll be a long time before this leaves my memory!! -

 Socks blown clean off! My white wine of the year, probably

It’s been a good year so far! Just past the halfway mark and this tabletop is coming together B.E.A.U.tifully! More than a handful of absolute stunners in there. Let me know if you can see any of your favorites!! 🍷

 It’s been a good year so far! Just past the halfway mark

Have you seen a wine this colourful before? If so, what was it? This is insane!

Beyond the colour this Atze’s Corner ‘The Giant’ Durif 2019 is a one way ticket to flavourtown, with a detour through the black forest of Gateauxville. This is to say it’s not a shy wine. Dark cherry, pomegranate, mulberry, liquorice, spicy vanilla, chary oak on the nose. The palate’s rich and robust, full, definitely full. It’s all dark fruit, cherries, blackberries, mulberries, with spice and woody layers. Vanilla is the common thread throughout. No bad thing. The richness is very impressive, second only to the colour. 🍷👏🏼🍷

 Have you seen a wine this colourful before? If so, what was

Les Amis 2015, arguably my favorite from the

It’s a complex beast. Don’t let the medium pale colour deceive you. Five spice, cherry bake, rose petals with a mystifying savoury edge. It’s a ripper. To taste, oh to taste. Berries. Red. Cherry Bakewell tart goodness with a solid pinch of fine emery board tannin to round it all off. It’s a stunner, quite possibly the best Barossa Grenache I’ve tried. 🍷

 Les Amis 2015, arguably my favorite from the

Perhaps the best value wine find of the year! The Calabria Family make some awesome wines, Old Vine Shiraz and the Saint Petri selection (check them out) two name a few, but this Nero D’Avola for sheer drinkability is a quality find at a fraction of the cost. Red berry fruit, earthy and herbal aromatics, fine grain emery-board like tannins on the finish. Sub $15, unbelievable really. A fun, super enjoyable drop that’s well worth trying, end of.

 Perhaps the best value wine find of the year! The Calabria

Dowie Doole’s CSM is a Cabernet Sauvignon / Shiraz / Merlot blend that’ll brighten up any Monday! -

Cabernet dominant on the nose. Eucalyptus, mint, blackcurrant and cassis. Plenty of depth here. On the palate the Shiraz juiciness shines through with plums and spice. Fruity Merlot adds a sweetness to counter the nice tannic Cabernet Sauvignon. Very drinkable now, even better in a few more years. Love it 👍🏽🍷🙌

 Dowie Doole’s CSM is a Cabernet Sauvignon / Shiraz / Merlot

Sanglier’s Light Dry Red… summer in a bottle! A 50/50 blend of Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir & Clare Valley Shiraz that’s totally gluggable. A 70% whole bunch component delivers complexity and intrigue. It’s bright, fresh, and medium-light bodied with plenty of personality. Raspberries, floral notes, and an undertone of undergrowth. Drinkability is extremely high. Don’t expect it to last long if you share it!