This was a very tough decision and there there 5 wines that I short listed for my Red wine of the Year, but something about the Chateau Yaldara just made me come back to it each time. This was pure elegance and ticked so many boxes.  An absolute pleasure to taste and drink...simple...

This wine is like sitting in an old leather wingback chair in front of an open fire 🔥 the smell, the taste, the feeling.

It’s warm tasting, comfortable but captivating just like looking at a fire. I could drink this and ponder into the fire all night. A very good wine. A classic in my opinion.

 Red Wine of the Year: Chateau Yaldara Reserve Cabernet

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

took this impressive photo of the pressing of the 2021 Pinot Noir at

 This is beautiful. @vicpug took this impressive photo of

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

In the wine industry, a winery producing less than 10,000 cases* annually is considered a boutique winery. Other terms associated with boutique wineries and wines include small-run, limited-production, hand-crafted and artisanal.

Jackson Brooke is the definition of a boutique winery.

All of the fruit is source from Henty in Western Victoria, where he crafts single vineyard wines that speak clearly and cleanly of what they are, where they come from and when the fruit was grown.

My original review of the AT Chardonnay sums up why I chose this as my winery of the year.

You are at your favourite place, you close your eyes and just feel the light cool breeze on your face. You take a second, you breathe and feel nothing else but that gentle breeze. You feel alive, almost pure and at peace. That’s the moment, the feeling this wine delivers.

I think we all needed this feeling in 2020.

All of the wines were elegant and sophisticated. Without question made with the upmost respect.

GD Syrah 2019, AT Chardonnay 2019, 'Meunier' Rose 2019 and the Chardonnay 2019

All of the wines were great. I actually found it hard to write new reviews for each one as all I would have written was “loved it” or “yes loved that one too”

 make some great wines and definitely worth buying some...simple...

*That is an appropriate. Thank you to O’Connell Wine for the description of boutique winery.

 Wine Review Simple Winery of the Year: Jackson Brooke from

This has to be my benchmark for Australian Sauvignon Blanc. I love it.

It used to be my regular midweek wine and must admit I took it for granted, especially when it use to be around 20 bucks.

Like most things, price has steadily increased, but with this wine, I think is price rise is justified and deserved.

The Viticulture, the winemaking and constant quality delivers a beautiful wine year after year.

But don’t get me wrong, I wish they were still $20.

My Dad is a beer drinker and doesn’t drink red but occasionally he has a white wine and without question this is always his favourite...simple...

 Shaw And Smith Sauvignon Blanc Adelaide Hills 2020 Rating:

A heavenly selection from the wine list at

A funky modern Thai restaurant which served some of the best food I’ve have eaten on the

They also had a very good wine list with some unique and special wines and even a few goodies listed that are sold out at most retailers.

One of the wines we had was a ‘sold out’ L.A.S Vino Franco from the Margaret River. First time I’ve had this and it won’t be the last.

100% Cabernet Franc from a small vineyard in the heart of Willyabrup, Margaret River. The 20 year old vines that were hand picked as one batch and. fermented as whole berries. The juice finished fermenting in a clay amphora made in Byron Bay where it matured for a further 10 months prior to bottling with no fining and a light filtration.

They only made 1000 bottles of this wine. So I feel special to have had the opportunity to taste one of these.

.a.s.vino for the wine making description and process.

 A heavenly selection from the wine list at @missmee

Powell & Son make some brilliant wines. Their flagship is a $750 bargain (😂) called Steinert Flaxman’s Valley Shiraz, which is actually on my bucket list of wines to try before I die.

But back to this wine. It is their entry level Shiraz and totally at the other end of the price bracket with a RRP of $30.

Bang for your buck was my first thought about this wine and by bang I mean that explosive type.

Not for the faint hearted but truely rewarding for those that love a big wine...simple...

 Powell & Son Barossa Valley Shiraz 2018 Rating: A- Price:

An all rounder in cricket or a utility player in footy is usually an unheralded, underrated but nonetheless important player.

 as an all rounder which lead me to think that all rounder player in sport. They can cover any unexpected injuries and play two or three positions. They can bowl a couple of overs without being smashed all over the park. They do whatever it takes to help the team.

It has hints of passionfruit without being a fruit salad. It’s dry without requiring a glass of water.

It may not be a superstar in any one category but it’s a real crowd pleaser. It will be able to be paired with any food combination you throw at it. Has the ability to be a midweek quaffer or the headline with fresh prawns on a Saturday arvo with friends. Now I don’t want to downplay the wine in any way with the all rounder analogy.

I haven’t even mentioned the price, 12 ridiculous dollars. That’s it $12. Stupid value. At that price I’ll take a few all rounders. We all need that value in the salary cap...simple...

 Idyll Wine Co Sauvignon Blanc 2020 Rating: B+ Price: $12

 Koomilya Shiraz 2014 by S.C. Pannell Rating: A Price: $60

Rating: Buy 🍷  Haselgrove Switch GSM 2016. I don’t normally buy GSM (simple terms: a blend of 3x🍇 of Grenache, Shiraz & Mourvèdre) but this came in a mixed pack from

. Surprised with it. Full body with plenty of flavour. Easy to drink but gives plenty of flavour. Great with a 🍕 or 🍔. The best of McLaren Vale. This is why I get mixed packs to try different wines. Always independent and I bought this mixed case from Wine Selectors myself (hint, hint...would love a sponsorship or collaboration 😂) but this was the winemakers release case where you get 3 reds and 3 whites. All look good and I dare say will be future wine reviews. ...simple... .

 Rating: Buy 🍷  Haselgrove Switch GSM 2016. I don’t normally

Rating: Buy 🍷  2018 Jilly Lone Ranger Chardonnay. This little thing is made in Clunes near Byron Bay using grapes from New England and the Central Ranges of NSW. Not the usual location for winemaking. It is Handpicked and basket pressed using indigenous yeast. Wow can you taste the handmade approach. This is truely an artist at work. The start is very soft and light but what an explosive mid section that just lasts forever. So different but so good. Worth it. Bought from Clunes General Store. ...simple...

 Rating: Buy 🍷  2018 Jilly Lone Ranger Chardonnay. This

Recommendation: Experience a bottle of Durif

Loads of dark fruit, little oak and a touch of spice. Nothing overpowers with all flavours working in unison. Would be perfect with BBQ Lamb. It’s an easy drinking red that works on a Sunday afternoon with friends. (Remember we can have a few over this weekend*)

  I have recently discovered this winery. They are producing different varieties with an Australian touch. Their The Little William Montepulciano, which I previously reviewed and rated it an ‘A’ was a clear example of these. Now add a beautiful Durif, I am more than happy to recommend them and say they are really producing some great wines. 🍷

 A Growers Touch Durif 2019 By Mino & Co Rating: B+ Price:

Recommendation: Buy. A special red for a special occasion.

The BFR is a blend of the best of the best from Salena Estate. The 2016 is a blend of Touriga, Lagrein and Cabernet Sauvignon.

It appears the owners Bob and Sylvia are happy with any positive combination but I think it personally stands for Bobs Favourite Red.

For the technical side and direct from the website: The Touriga was added to this blend as is contributes a big nose of grapey florals as well as some black fruit. It is also the reason for the intense colour, a vivid deep dark purple.

The Lagrein was selected for this blend as it fills in any missing structure very well, as well as adding s silkiness to the texture. It also adds in some savouriness through selected herbal notes

The Cabernet Sauvignon was the final instalment for this blend as it generates some additional fruit weight and complements the fruit characters from the Touriga and Lagrein. In addition, it also creates balance on the palate and nice length as the perfect finish.

🔒 Will last a long time. I’d recommend 5+ years