 Some new from @prometheuswines Upcoming review…simple…

I’ll admit it, I bought this wine solely for the label. A snowboarder doing a massive cutback carve into snow I can only dream about at the moment.

I was pleasantly surprised that the wine is from Dodgy Brothers (yes, I literally bought it without even checking who made it)

 wines before which has included Jaws and Mr T on their labels. After drinking this one, I thought to myself, they must have the best time ever making wine.

Just put yourself in the middle of that conversation for a second.

“We are making a wine and we are putting ‘Mr T’ on the label”.

And then we going to put that scene from Jaws, you know, “were gonna need a bigger boat”

Its genius but at the same time hilarious.

I don’t know if it is just marketing brilliance or they are just a team having the best time ever. Either way I don’t really care as the wines are great.

I am happy to pick that snowboarder wine or the Mr T anytime.

To Dodgy Brothers: Can I come to the next meeting where you are discussing your next wine label?

 Juxtaposed 2017 Old Vine Shiraz Rating: B+ Price: $30

Gold Digger’s Ghost Pyrenees Shiraz 2017

Recommendation: Strong Buy. A quality wine for $22

This was a complimentary bottle from Luke and Zoe Crouch, who run Ned's Vineyard. They only make one wine and this is it. All their love and passion into one wine. Ned’s Vineyard is nestled at the foothills of the Pyrenees Ranges in Victoria and has a long history. Most of the fruit is bought by the more famous Mount Langhi Ghiran, but Luke and Zoe keep a small batch from the top block of the vineyard.  The grapes are carefully handled by wine maker Andrew Davey to produce this quality Shiraz.

The aroma of this wine is truly beautiful. It reminds me of a quality floral perfume and it feels like I'm walking through the fragrance department at David Jones. You get an instant hit of flavour that coats the mouth. Blueberry is at the front but it turns into a sweet spice flavour of star anise, subtle but makes the wine end perfectly. It's an old school licorice allsort. Luke and Zoe only need to make one wine especially if it is this good...simple...

 Ned's Vineyard Gold Digger’s Ghost Pyrenees Shiraz 2017

Rating: Buy 🥂 Grant Burge Moscato. As you know from my reviews, I normally don’t drink Moscato but this one I like. Refreshing and not to sweet. Amazing and beautiful bottle. About $14. Summer in a glass 🌞...simple...

 Rating: Buy 🥂 Grant Burge Moscato. As you know from my

2019 McLaren Vale Grenache Shiraz Mouvedre (GSM)

Recommendation: Buy. It’s stealing at this price 🍷

This will be simple. If you see the Jericho label buy it. Don’t care which variety. Just buy.

This is the fourth variety I’ve had from

  and they never disappoint. Always different, always good. A beautiful blend that seems to have the right balance and ratio to make me more than happy. ...simple...

 Jericho Wines 2019 McLaren Vale Grenache Shiraz Mouvedre

Solid B with this wine. Just a very good Pinot. Especially for the price.

I love Pinots, but recently I feel there is so much difference between a good Pinot and a bad one. I have had some average ones recently and price is not an indication.

So for $26, this is a classic Yarra Valley Pinot and sometimes I just want a classic Pinot that I can depend on...simple...

 Yering Station Yarra Pinot Noir 2017 Rating: B Buy Again:

So this is a 3 way (get out of the gutter) taste of some of the current Taylors Shiraz that you can currently buy. I bought all three and did a side by side taste.

3. 2014 Taylors Estate Shiraz (Cellar Release) $22.80

all from the Clare Valley of South Australia

Looking at the labels, they have more gold medals than Ian Thorpe, so which one this the best to buy?

 at the moment. At $22, it already has 5 years under its belt, great wine to drink this weekend. Has aged characteristics which brings out some extra quality compared to the other two. Its a very good drink, but clearly shows how a wine can improve and develop over time.

Then I compare the Estate and the Reserve. Both from the 2017 vintage, the Reserve is represents the "finest aspects" of each vintage. The Estate is the entry level Shiraz from Taylors.

They are both great for separate reasons and I can't split the two. I like them both. The Estate is very easy to drink but still delivers length and taste, while the Reserve has a more rich intense profile. Both quality wines. Both will age beautifully.

But as a consumer and who actually buys wine, I just can't get past the $10 difference. The Reserve is definitely worth $22 on its own, but I'd rather buy two of the Estate. No actually buy 6, then in a few years time, it will be better than the above mentioned 2014.

This buying wine caper can be harder than it looks sometimes.

Recommendation: Buy 5 of the 2017 Estate and 1 of the 2014...simple...

 So this is a 3 way (get out of the gutter) taste of some of

Option 2️⃣ for Mother’s Day. Peter Lehmann The Barossa Shiraz. $20 from most stores. Beautiful Shiraz from the Barossa. Big, bold and a true Barossa Shiraz. Add with 🌺💐🌻 and Mum will love it. 🍷 ...simple... 🍷

 Option 2️⃣ for Mother’s Day. Peter Lehmann The Barossa

Buy Again: Yes, I'd even buy it a normal price of $40

This wine is roast BBQ Lamb over charcoal, you know where the ends are just burnt. All that in a bottle...simple...

Sorry, should have mentioned its Shiraz & Grenache blend from the McLaren Vale. Love it. .

 2016 S.C. Pannell The Vale Rating: A- Price: $20 Clearance

Please comment with your answer...simple...

 Question Time Which one? @penfolds versus @henschke Please

Recommendation: Throw a shrimp on the bbq. 🍷

Do I throw another shrimp on the bbq and have a Fosters 🤔

I’ve seen 19 Crimes Wines alot on Insta.  Most are tagged with

and this wine seems to be very popular wine in America 🇺🇸 with over 50000 hashtags of

Im sure you’ve seen this bottle in all the major bottle shops. They are the ones with various convicts on the bottle label. Actually if you scan the label it comes alive. Great technology.

So it appears this wine has a lot of love in America but is this just great marketing? Selling Australia to the world, like Fosters or do any Aussies actually drink this?

Back to the taste, it is all red berries, a lot of raspberry flavour. It is sweet. Not overly but you can taste that sweetness. It is bright. This is a easy red.

Is it for me? No, but I did drink it all.

If you like that sweeter style this is for you and if that’s the case, it’s a bargain an absolute bargain...simple...

 19 Crimes 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Rating: C+ Price: $10 on

Rating: Strong Buy Bargain of the year (so far) 🍷  2015 Young Brute crafted by the Casella Family Wines.

This is currently $11.30 at Dan Murphy (No collaboration with Dan Murphy. Total independent review). This was going to be my bargain of the first half of the year anyway and that was at $15 (yes, I bought 6 at $15) but when I just checked the internet, Dan’s has a clearance special at $11.30. 😲🤑🤩

This is a big red and as the label says a ‘Young Brute’. It’s a brute with lots of flavour, loads of oak and a very rich/long finish. If you don’t believe me check the awards, which include

2 Gold Medals - 2016 Rutherglen Wine Show & 2016 Royal Melbourne Wine Show for Best Shiraz/ Cabernet Sauvignon Blend and Runner Up at the Jimmy Watson Trophy 2016.

Wines at $100 would be happy with this. Love it at $30 let alone $11. Absolute bargain...simple...

 Rating: Strong Buy Bargain of the year (so far) 🍷  2015

With the year ending, what is your wine of the year? I want to everyones opinion and buy as many as I can. Please comment below...simple... .

 With the year ending, what is your wine of the year? I want

I’ll describe this wine as taking a sip of pure mountain spring water. Uncontaminated. Feels cold and refreshing. It resembles breathing in on a frosty morning. Crispy.

A sensation that should be deemed healthy...simple...

Lino Ramble is a McLaren Vale winery that in their words “have a love affair with all things Mediterranean”, Grillo is an ancient Sicilian white grape variety. The fruit for this wine is sourced from the very first McLaren Vale plantings of Grillo grown by Chalk Hill Viticulture in their Lanark’s Vineyard on Chaple Hill Road.

Definitely this grape is perfect for the McLaren Vale environment and I’ll be drinking a lot more.

 Lino Ramble 2018 Solitaire Grillo McLaren Vale Rating: B+

I know this wine won’t peak until 2030 but I had to open it. I had to try it. And without disappointment, it delivered. I can only imagine how good this wine will be in another 10 years.

But let’s focus on the the present not the future. How is it right now?

Picture a beautiful mountain road and your driving your dream car.

Twisting through the mountains, up and down with every corner perfectly engineered. The road is ultra smooth with not a bump in sight. It’s so beautiful, exhilarating and an experience you won’t forget.

This wine is that road. Designed with Mother Nature to deliver every twist and turn of flavours with structure and transition without any sharp corners or unexpected bumps.

This was a complimentary bottle and thank you to

_consulting for the opportunity to taste this beautiful wine.

 Hutton Vale Farm Eden Valley Shiraz 2016 Rating: A Price:

Region: Fleurieu Peninsula of South Australia

Firstly open this wine at least an hour before drinking or decanter (trust me, this wine deserves it)

The smell is really enticing, while the taste is full of dark fruits, but its the ending that I love. I savour every last drop in my mouth and squeeze every bit of flavour from my tongue. Its firm and dry but I'm already looking forward to the next sip. A very good wine. It has a level of flavour and a bite that I enjoy. Recommendation: Buy 3 (at least)

Have one now and keep the others for a few years, I think this wine will develop into greatness and I bet you wished you had bought 6 or even 12. 🍷

 Beklyn 2018 Currency Creek Shiraz Rating: B+ Price: $45 Buy

Let’s end bottle discrimination...simple...

 Let’s end bottle discrimination...simple... 🥂 v 🍺 #bottle

Recommendation: One of the best this year. 🍷

This will be simple, bloody beautiful. Love it...simple...

 Valentine Wines 2018 Yarra Valley Riesling 🍷 Rating: A

Recommendation: Buy a couple. One for now and at least one for the cellar

I don’t usually cut and paste comments but after reading the description from winery, I had too.

“With every great story, comes a memorable chapter. One that excites yet supports. One that provides fulfillment, but leaves you wanting more”

This a great Shiraz from the foot of the Pyrenees ranges of Victoria.

Intense, dark and a little pepper towards the end. Great level of alcohol which plays nicely at the back of the throat.

🗺 Pyrenees Ranges, Victoria, Australia

🔐 Cellar: Can see great development in 5+ years but. Will last 10+

 Ranahan’s Vineyard Chapter 16 Shiraz Rating: A- Price: $35

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.

Elegant and sophisticated. Subtle flavours with only touches of oak. Without question made with the upmost respect.

 Jackson Brooke AT Chardonnay 2019 Rating: A- Price: $48

A spoon full of raspberry jelly. Loved it. All you need is to pour a healthy glass and enjoy the start of the weekend…simple…

Can’t be harder to find but well worth it. I’ve bought a few more.

 Tonic Wines Mataro 2019 Clare Valley, SA Rating: B+ Price:

I feel this is a light chardonnay and the title really describes the wine. It is the little sister (or brother) of the Yering Station Chardonnay range.

Light and lively but I'm happy for the price...simple...

 Yering Station Little Yering Chardonnay 2018 Yarra Valley

I’ve had Mothers Milk a few times over the years and without fail the 2019 is up there with the best from this label.

It is different to most Barossa Shiraz styles. The 2019 Mothers Milk is soft and doesn’t have any kick at the back of the throat. There is a softness that is mellow, even comforting.

This was opened at a dinner with friends at a local restaurant. And it wasn’t my pick. Someone laughed at the name and decided they have to try It.

This would be my first taste of the 2019 vintage. Out came the wine and everyone had a taste. At that point you know it must be good when everyone at the table responds with “wow that’s good” or “I like that”.

When a wine delivers and pleases so many tastes and personalities, that’s when you know it’s a good wine. It’s actually rare that everyone at a table loves the same wine.

Overall it must be tough at First Drop winery, not only did they pick a brilliant name for a wine but now you have to back it up year after year to uphold that title.

 Mothers Milk by First Drop Wines 2019 Barossa Shiraz

Kay Brothers use a basket press, which was  made in 1928, to lightly press each grape, without somehow hurting it, while carefully extracting that unique McLaren Vale flavour. Now that’s history in a bottle.

It seems like they treat each individual grape with the upmost respect and care.

This creates a rich and savoury wine, while still having that softness that McLaren Vale grapes is known for.

 Kay Brothers Amery Vineyards Basket Pressed Shiraz 2018

Each year I give out a few wine awards. It’s not quite the Oscars but I like to acknowledge some fantastic wines and the people behind the wine.

So to start the Wine Review Simple awards for 2020 is the;

This award is given to a winery I have never heard of prior to this year but made a wine that was so good, the winery will always be on my radar.

Neds Vineyard only makes one wine, the Gold Diggers Ghost Shiraz 2017 and it’s a little superstar. I had pleasure in tasting this beautiful wine earlier in the year and I haven’t forgotten it since.

The Background of Neds Vineyard is best described by them on their website:

Ned’s Vineyard is nestled at the foothills of the Pyrenees Ranges. Originally owned and established by Mick Hobson, with the help of his son Sebastian, the 11 acres of Shiraz vines were planted in 1997. In the beginning, fruit was bought by Seppelt and Mount Langi Ghiran wineries, and in 2003 Mick made the first Ned’s Vineyard Shiraz.

Unfortunately, in 2013 Mick passed away unexpectedly before his full dream for Ned’s Vineyard could be realised. For several years after, the vineyard sat quietly, patiently, waiting to be reenergised. During that time, Luke and Zoe Crouch approached Sebastian, who was running the vineyard long-distance from Melbourne. The trio immediately struck up a close friendship and commitment which began the journey of bringing Ned’s Vineyard back to life.

More recently, fruit has continued to be bought by Mount Langhi Ghiran while a small batch from the Top Block has been reserved and carefully constructed by wine maker Andrew Davey. Through this 2017 vintage, the Gold Diggers Ghost Shiraz has been perfected. Andrew has enabled the fruits’ outstanding characteristics to shine through boasting a bouquet of plums, chocolate and a lingering spice.

 Each year I give out a few wine awards. It’s not quite the

Simple wine reviews based on quality and value for money 💰 Each review is a simple no nonsense review. No bull 💩 I review each wine and if I recommended it, I’ll list it with a rating of Buy or a Strong Buy. Not all wine I taste make the list. I am independent.

There are also special buys which includes special occasion wines or something truely different (also I love a great label or the wines history or back story). I ❤️ wine and just want to help you pick a great wine...simple...

 Simple wine reviews based on quality and value for money 💰

It’s pretty easy to add the Halliday 2020 winery of the year to my most wanted.

From the rare and expensive The Armagh Shiraz to the easy drinking Cover Drive Cabernet Sauvignon. In addition two of my favourites the Watervale Riesling and the Benbournie Cabernet Sauvignon.

All of the wines are elegant and some of the best value for money you can get.

An additional bonus is they all cellar worthy and just get better and better...simple...

 Part of the Most Wanted series: Jim Barry Wines It’s pretty

Rating: Buy 🍷  2014 Suckfizzle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon from

. Funny name, funny label but a serious wine. A little beauty from Margaret River. Lots of oak but well balanced and smooth lengthy finish. 🙏 to the Great Lord Suckfizzle.  I’m happy.....simple....

 Rating: Buy 🍷  2014 Suckfizzle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon

Not your average Hunter Valley Shiraz. Definitely a lighter version and is unquestionably drinkable. The winemaker gives the recommendation of “drink slightly chilled with a straw”. I can’t argue with that...simple...

 Vinden Headcase Nouveau Shiraz 2020 Hunter Valley Rating:

Recommendation: Buy. Blend of Hunter Valley happiness

I usually don't have blend when choosing a Hunter Valley wine. So when I had the opportunity to try a Hunter blend from James Estate I was excited. I have had James Estate's entry level wines and was impressed so now it was time to have the 'good' stuff. This one is a blend of  Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc and is part of the Reserve range. It definitely holds up to the classification of a Reserve wine. Smell is a touch of vanilla but reminiscent of an old wooden shed. The taste is medium or lighter than a full Hunter red but surprises with some nice dark chocolate, no bitterness or overpowered tannins. I am enjoying it. Long finish and definitely like this combination. Will reward a few years in the cellar. I do enjoy when winemakers experiment with blends or try a different approach to a Hunter red. A rising star...simple...

 James Estate Hunter Valley Reserve The Marque 2017 Rating:

Everything I love about Yarra Valley Pinot is in this glass. Beautiful and elegant.

At $29, it is an absolute bargain. I instantly think, how good must the premium Pinot be?

After drinking this I went back to the bottlo and bought 5 more.

 Hoddles Creek Estate 2020 Yarra Valley Pinot Rating: A

Uniquely beautiful and instantly recognisable