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news2026-07-07
Ballandean Estate Nebbiolo 2024
  You could say that this Nebbiolo from Ballandean Estate is an Aussie take on the famed, drink-now Langhe Nebbiolo style. Alluring aromas and savoury complexity capture the essence of the variety. Dried red petals, orange peel and dark cherries lead the charge and are ably supported by cola, char and smokey meats. The palate stays true to the variety with Nebbiolo's signature drying, powdery tannins that provide structure and character without overwhelming its approachability. That floral lift and citrus peel nuance have me circling back. In all, it's a respectable, compelling and authentic take that is ready to drink now to the medium term. Bravo. 92/100 Region:  Granite Belt RRP:  $44 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to   Qwine here Follow:  Instagram ,  LinkedIn  and  X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0 views
40-502490-94ptsgranite-beltnebbiolo
news2026-07-05
Jericho Bracken Vineyard Shiraz 2024
  A fair chunk of oak plays its hand with this Jericho Bracken Vineyard Shiraz. I wasn't overly surprised to learn after tasting and compiling this review that this sees 60% new French oak for 14 months. That high percentage is telling, particularly with a rampant coconut oak note. Some menthol gets in on the aroma profile too and refuses to budge. Hmm. Dark plums, blackberries, cherry liqueur, cola, stripped bark and black tea add plenty of character, but it's hard to shake the oak. Perhaps time will help. 91/100 Region:  McLaren Vale RRP:  $42 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to   Qwine here Follow:  Instagram ,  LinkedIn  and  X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0 views
40-502490-94ptsmclaren-valeshiraz
news2026-06-28
Vinteloper Rogue Pinot Noir 2024
  This is an uber cool Pinot that evokes wine bar beats with the lights turned down low. Some wines seek analytics and scores, yet others, like this, seek companionship, cosy corners and echoes of laughter. Splash this around liberally and you'll know what I mean. David Bowley has been sourcing fruit from this vineyard for some time, but these barrels showed some 'pixie dust', so he says. From the Kuipto district of the Adelaide Hills, it sees French oak for ten months (35% new). Dark cherries, blackberry leaf, orange peel, cured meats and bacon hock make a mighty first impression. Waves of savoury nuances follow and cascade effortlessly in the form of dried leaves, twigs, tilled earth, a faint hint of pine needle and mushroom compost. Delicate spices wrap themselves around the frame and drive long. Although a touch linear on the palate, the use of whole bunches is evident with that savoury thumbprint. Perhaps the best way to consider this wine in three words is savoury, effortles
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)2 views
50-1502490-94ptsadelaide-hillspinot-noir
news2026-06-28
Burton McMahon D’Aloisio’s Vineyard Chardonnay 2024
  Asserting itself with a lean and pristine persona, this D'Aloisio's Chardonnay from Burton McMahon is chiselled, deliberate, focused and bloody delicious. From a vineyard 230 metres above in the Seville district of the Yarra Valley, white-fleshed nectarines and bright grapefruit set the tone with a subtle nuttiness as cashews and nougat are woven effortlessly throughout. Layers of woodsy spices and vanilla cream elevate the flavour profile with flashes of green apple darting about, adding brightness and energy. Balanced and focused, the elegance struts as some depth motions ever so quietly in the background with a Mediterranean tonic texture presence. A striking and compelling Chardonnay that is utterly delicious, there is a strong case here for you to indulge. And so you should, it's excellent. 95/100 Region:  Yarra Valley RRP:  $60 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to   Qwine here Follow:  Instagram ,  LinkedIn  and  X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)2 views
50-1502495ptschardonnayyarra-valley
news2026-06-28
Ballandean Estate Chardonnay 2024
  Sitting on the richer side of the Chardonnay spectrum, this release from Ballandean Estate possesses charming appeal and is ready for a cool, wet evening with a roast chook in the oven. Barbecued peach, lemon balm, old school lemonade and Danish pastry aromas flow with ease to an expressive and generous palate. Nougat, vanilla slice, almonds and roasted cashews add some savoury appeal. Bickford's lemon cordial finds its moment to pounce, and time in oak is evident, delivering threads of creaminess that fold into the frame with ease. Fine ginger-like spice tap away on a lengthy finish. The longer I peruse, the more I want in, such is the balance and considered length.  I have seen many Chardonnays with a similar frame and shape for $50+, so I was mightily impressed when I discovered that this chases a humble $36. Terrific drinking. Bravo! 93/100 Region:  Granite Belt RRP:  $36 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to   Qwine here Follow:  Instagram
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)3 views
30-402490-94ptschardonnaygranite-belt
news2026-06-26
Turkey Flat Butcher's Block GSM 2024
  We're onto something here. Bring me all those lifted florals and vibrant fruit. This is a super Butcher's Block GSM release that delivers and then some for $27. It opens with a cascade of blueberries, mulberries and strawberries not to mention delightful aromas of violets. With what appears to be a glossy sheen, there is an evocative blueberry paste note along with a fine thread of red currants and a dash of chocolate. Lean into this a little more with its terrific shape and flow, elevating its approachability. Five spice and exotic spices are threaded through the core, completing a GSM that is composed and humble rather than OTT and showy. What a beauty! 92/100 Region:  Barossa RRP:  $27 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to   Qwine here Follow:  Instagram ,  LinkedIn  and  X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)2 views
20-302490-94ptsbarossagrenachegsm
news2026-06-26
Turkey Flat Butcher's Block Shiraz 2024
  Generous and plush, this Butcher's Block Shiraz is ripe to the core. Indulgent aromas of berry pie, Dutch cocoa and freshly baked brownie, it walks with broad shoulders to carry that ripe fruit. Woodsy and exotic spices mingle before broad, furry and dusty tannins have the last word. Ideally, I'm looking for some finesse and lift at this price point. So much so, I much preferred its GSM sibling . 88/100 Region:  Barossa RRP:  $27 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to   Qwine here Follow:  Instagram ,  LinkedIn  and  X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)2 views
20-302485-89ptsbarossashiraz
news2026-06-26
Grant Nash Grenache 2024
  With a persona edging on robust with some generosity, this Grant Nash Grenache opens with a warm, spice-laden frame that sets the tone. Inviting aromas of baked raspberries, red currants and ripe red cherries lead the charge, all wrapped up in a neat parcel that echoes Cherry Ripe slice. Of note, it strikes a mean balance between fruit intensity and a savoury intrigue. Exotic spices weave about the palate with ease offering a neat, rustic, earthy edge. Perhaps this is the splash of Mourvedre talking? Some meatiness tucks in beneath, too. In all, it calls for food and I reckon it would smash burger night with ease. 92/100 Region:  McLaren Vale RRP:  $40 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to   Qwine here Follow:  Instagram ,  LinkedIn  and  X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)2 views
40-502490-94ptsgrenachemclaren-vale
news2026-06-23
Dexter Pinot Noir 2024
  This Dexter Pinot Noir is a really cool wine. Actually, it's better than cool. It's brilliant. The more I perused, the more I loved it. As time passed, I drained that bottle with ease. Great fruit, incredible detail and a most respectable pedigree, this is a winner all the way. Silky, seductive and deliciously captivating, you'd be forgiven for not sharing this with anyone. There is a precision and elegance that captivates. Delicate red cherry and strawberry fruit make the first impression before the ripples of savoury delight wash through. Layers of pine needles, mushrooms, dried tea leaves, orange peel, and even the faintest hint of rosemary sprig offer much to ponder, leading to a persistent and perfectly pitched finish. The shape and flow ooze class deluxe. It's quite a seductive Pinot - be warned. 95/100 Region:  Mornington Peninsula RRP:  $65 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to   Qwine here Follow:  Instagram ,  LinkedIn  and 
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)2 views
50-1502495ptsmornington-peninsulapinot-noir
news2026-06-23
Dexter Chardonnay 2024
  Bright and fresh with a Chablis-esque disposition, this Dexter Chardonnay is excellent. The wine was matured for 11 months in French oak puncheons (20% new), with 50% undergoing malolactic fermentation. Aromas of white field flowers, lemon juice and old school lemonade get you in the mood with white-fleshed nectarines and a sizzling grapefruit acidity arresting your attention on the palate. With a captivating tension and nougat creaminess, a flirtatious vanilla custard note moves about with ease. The length and balance welcome you back with open arms time and again, yet the energy is uplifting and graceful all at the same time. That length. That shape. What a beauty! 94/100 Region:  Mornington Peninsula RRP:  $55 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to   Qwine here Follow:  Instagram ,  LinkedIn  and  X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)2 views
50-1502490-94ptschardonnaymornington-peninsula
news2026-06-23
Arila Gardens Moppa GSM 2024
  From the Moppa sub-region of the Barossa comes this Arila Gardens GSM ready to snuggle up to on a winter's night. Grown at 300 metres above sea level on a mix of ironstone and quartz soils, the vine material contributing to this blend is up to 130 years of age. A blend of 64/34/2, the fruit is sourced from two sites. A vivid purple hue greets the eye with a core of mulberries, blueberries and cherry fruit, not to mention a neat raspberry cameo. Silky with a terrific shape, savoury nuances from cola, soy, black tea and puffs of earthiness play respectable supporting roles. Dusty tannins are scattered through a sustained finish - that length is certainly a highlight and demands another sip. Once again, a great release from winemaker Adam Clay. 93/100 Region:  Barossa RRP:  $45 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to   Qwine here Follow:  Instagram ,  LinkedIn  and  X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)2 views
40-502490-94ptsbarossagrenachegsm
news2026-06-22
Head Wines Old Vine Grenache 2024
  A blend of three sites with significant age, this is an excellent expression of Barossa Grenache. Sourced from a dry-grown 1940s block in Pewsey Vale with smaller contributions from the 1880s planted Riebke site in Ebenezer and the 1858 planted Stonegarden site in Springton, this is certainly a great exercise in the sum of the parts. Awash with juicy and vibrant red fruit, red currants, raspberries and squishy blueberries make their mark. Time in the glass sees raspberry rope, rhubarb and orange peel emerge. Dangerously silky, a smattering of fine exotic spice reaches long onto a persistent and seductively moreish finish. For 40 bucks, this is a beauty. Bravo! 94/100 Region:  Barossa RRP:  $40 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to   Qwine here Follow:  Instagram ,  LinkedIn  and  X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)2 views
40-502490-94ptsbarossagrenache
news2026-06-22
Burton McMahon Lusatia Park Chardonnay 2024
  Woah! Big love right here. From Woori Yallock in the Yarra Valley perched 180 metres above, this Burton McMahon Lusatia Park Chardonnay is an exhibition of fabulous drive, balance and restrained power. The fruit was handpicked, whole bunch pressed and racked to barrel on 95% solids for wild yeast fermentation. Malo was not encouraged and it matured in French oak (30% new) for ten months. It opens with expressive aromas of caramel drops, Golden Rough, dedicated coconut and barbecued peach. There is a neat flow onto the palate with nougat and green apple adding detail. Possessing a delicate texture, there is a flash of lemon granita and yellow grapefruit on close. Oh, how I want more with each sip I take. Glorious. 94/100 Region:  Yarra Valley RRP:  $60 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to   Qwine here Follow:  Instagram ,  LinkedIn  and  X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)3 views
50-1502490-94ptschardonnayyarra-valley
news2026-06-22
Vin Sol Ignis Tempranillo 2024
  We've got a smart McLaren Vale Tempranillo here courtesy of Vin Sol. Admittedly, it looked better after it had some time to breathe, so give it that chance to shine. An array of dark berry fruits greets you, but I'm all here for the cola, cured meats and blackberry jubes. Dried herbs add detail with a sheet of fine exotic spices, but you'll see it move into fifth gear beside tomato-based pizza and pasta dishes. A big thumbs up from me. 91/100 Region:  McLaren Vale RRP:  $27 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to   Qwine here Follow:  Instagram ,  LinkedIn  and  X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)1 view
20-302490-94ptsmclaren-valetempranillo
news2026-06-22
Yeah Wines Cabernet Franc 2024
  Begging to be shared, this Yeah Wine Cabernet Franc is armed and ready for casual gatherings and picnics where laughter is as free-flowing as the pours. Sourced from a Margaret River vineyard, scents of ripe plums, baked blueberries and blackberries get your attention with a suggestion of blackberry jubes. A threat of dried herbs weaves its way through adding detail with fine, dusty tannins building structure. What makes this wine so appealing is the flow between the fruit, generosity and restraint. Unpretentious and charming all at once, splash it liberally in the glasses of those nearby or just snuggle up to a glass or two on a lazy Friday night with Netflix riding shotgun. Clever stuff. 91/100 Region:  Margaret River RRP:  $35 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to   Qwine here Follow:  Instagram ,  LinkedIn  and  X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)2 views
30-402490-94ptscabernet-francmargaret-river
news2026-06-22
Yeah Wines Bringing Sexy Back Merlot 2024
If Merlot is your thing, this Yeah Wines release may just bring sexy back. It's got a bit of get up and go, some swagger, energy and lift. Give it some air and it will pay dividends, coaxing out aromas of purple flowers and blackcurrant paste. A concentrated flavour profile is spearheaded by plums and blackberries with a satisfying core of dark fruit. What elevates its appeal is its honesty, and that is evident on the label where winemaker Andrew Dawson simply adds, "unfined and unfiltered without much mucking about". Notes of fennel and licorice add savoury delight late, but of interest is a noticeable alcohol warmth that pegs this back a notch or two. Perhaps that's just part of the wine's untamed spirit? In all, this will find its people with good company and some backyard barbecue beats to celebrate its appeal. 89/100 Region:  Blackwood Valley RRP:  $35 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to   Qwine here Follow:  Instagram ,  LinkedIn  and&nbs
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)2 views
30-402485-89ptsblackwood-valleymerlot
news2026-06-21
Kosciuszko Pinot Noir 2024
  If an easy-going Pinot Noir with a bit more depth is your thing, wander over this way and check out this Kosciuszko from Tumbarumba. A stand and deliver type - what you see is what you get. Plums, dark cherries and baked strawberries build a respectable fruit profile flanked by twigs, mushroom compost and woodsy spices. There is a composure here which I like, not to mention a persistent finish. It's not trying to be anything it's not, yet it delivers the goods with humility. Good stuff. 89/100 Region:  Tumbarumba RRP:  $32 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to   Qwine here Follow:  Instagram ,  LinkedIn  and  X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)3 views
30-402485-89ptspinot-noirtumbarumba
news2026-06-20
Arila Gardens Single Vineyard Grenache 2024
  During my youth, a mulberry tree hung over our back fence. My brothers and I used to jump the fence and scale this tree, yielding buckets upon buckets of plump, juicy mulberries. Our grandmother would then boil them up with some sugar and make a compote. This Grenache takes me back to that yard, that tree and spoonfuls of that absolutely delicious compote. Thank you, Adam Clay, for the vivid flashback because this Grenache oozes those memories. Adam and his wife Marie oversee these old Barossa vines at their Moppa home in the Barossa's north. These 1900 planted trunks are old and gnarly, drawing inspiration from deep sandy soil over clay. I walked these vines in awe back in 2020. Mulberries and blueberries are wrapped in a delightful, evocative violet-and-purple petal perfume. The latter flows onto the palate adding a distinguished mouth perfume. The palate is fabulously shaped and balanced with added highlights of cola and sarsaparilla that chime in with fine spices and a delic
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)2 views
50-1502495ptsbarossagrenache
news2026-06-20
Chapel Hill The MV Shiraz 2024
  Just days before Endeavour dropped the bombshell that Chapel Hill's assets will be sold, winemaker Michael Fragos sent me an email to inform me that he had sent some wines for review. As a most respected McLaren Vale winemaker, I feel for him and his staff and the uncertainty they are left with. It's worth noting that Fragos sent these wines to me, not the parent body. I'm grateful that he respects my opinion enough to give me a look. Dense and deeply concentrated, this Shiraz unapologetically strides out with confidence. Ripe plums and cherries are framed by savoury undertones with evocative licks of cured meats and pan juices. With a whisper of char, this calls for a steak on the coals. Drying, waves of spice roll through adding further interest and complexity before a persistent length drives it home and stamps its authority.  90/100 Region:  McLaren Vale RRP:  $33 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to   Qwine here Follow:  Instagram , 
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)2 views
30-402490-94ptsmclaren-valeshiraz
news2026-06-20
Chapel Hill The MV Cabernet Sauvignon 2024
  Only a few days before Endeavour went public and announced they were selling off the assets from Chapel Hill but only retaining the brand, I received an email from Michael Fragos asking if I could take a look at his wines. A great human, I feel for the staff who have been caught up in the crossfire. Perhaps this could be one of the last Chapel Hill wines that I see? To the wine... McLaren Vale Cabernet. It presents quite leafy, stemmy and firm on opening. Blackberries and blackcurrants aren't far from the action but then the savoury tempo builds and arrests your attention. Dried herbs, mint and green capsicum are the main players. Tensing up on close, this would be best with some protein by its side. I'm thinking of roast lamb or beef. 88/100 Region:  McLaren Vale RRP:  $33 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to   Qwine here Follow:  Instagram ,  LinkedIn  and  X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)2 views
30-402485-89ptscabernet-sauvignonmclaren-vale
news2026-06-18
Turkey Flat Shiraz 2024
  Bolder, richer and denser than the 2023 , this Turkey Flat 2024 shows plenty of muscle. It was a great exercise to see this beside its 2023 predecessor. Like the previous vintage, there is some muscle. Spiced plums, mulberries, blackberries add plenty of fruit depth with dark chocolate, Five spice and cardamom on the flank. A wine with drive and purpose, it's furrowed brow and hesitation to flex held it back a fraction. Some more bottle age will be its friend. 93/100 Region:  Barossa RRP:  $55 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to   Qwine here Follow:  Instagram ,  LinkedIn  and  X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)2 views
50-1502490-94ptsbarossashiraz
news2026-06-10
Head Wines Ancestor Vine Grenache 2024
Effortlessly seductive, this Head Wines Ancestor Vines Grenache 2024 is nothing short of sublime. From vines planted in 1858, graceful and gracious aromas of dried roses, lavender and violets sweep through. The palate is equally expressive and composed, think juicy raspberries, ripe strawberries, baked blueberries and mulberry compote with a playful raspberry rope note. A fine line of delicate spice weaves its way through adding a terrific savoury edge. But what has me punching the air is the lacy, elegant and seductive presence as it glides through the mouth with ease. A dusting of Dutch cocoa with the faintest touch of brick dust tannins leads to a long and memorable finish. What a thing of supreme beauty! Just brilliant. 96/100 Region:  Barossa RRP:  $99 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to   Qwine here Follow:  Instagram ,  LinkedIn  and  X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)3 views
50-1502495ptsbarossagrenache
news2026-06-09
Arila Gardens Moppa Saperavi 2024
  If this Saperavi is posing the question, then a Bistecca steak laid over glowing coals is the answer. Just let the char, heft and primal swagger meet head on as you sit back and indulge. At first, on opening, it needed a little coaxing to come and play. Blueberries emerge alongside purple florals and a dried violet perfume. Give it some time and it unfurls like a silk sheet drawn slowly across a table. A fine thread of spice draws out quietly without raising its voice. Plums and blue fruits do their work in the background with a fine dried herb cameo. Voluptuous tannins add flex with their powdery texture as they dry out ever so gently. In all, it's not as expressive as the debut 2022 Saperavi from Arila Gardens that came across this tasting bench, but it's a most respectable drink and demands attention in its own right. 92/100 Region:  Barossa RRP:  $45 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to   Qwine here Follow:  Instagram ,  LinkedIn  and
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)3 views
40-502490-94ptsbarossasaperavi
news2026-06-05
Juniper Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2024
  This Juniper Estate Cabernet is outrageously good for a two-year-old! And before you think that it might unleash fury on your bank account, think again. For a measly $35, you are drinking exceptionally well. Boom! Comfortably in the contemporary Cabernet zone, the value that it represents is immense. From one of the original sites planted in 1973, it is organically and dry farmed. Bright, alive and joyous with blackberries, blackcurrants and mulberries, fabulous notes of jubes, licorice, saltbush, cigar box, Bay leaf, parsley stem and rosemary sprig fold into one another with absolute ease. Dried herbs make a late dash, but I'm captivated by the elasticity that the tannins possess. Damn, this is a clever Cabernet that is drinking superbly now but will age gracefully. Go here. 95/100 Region:  Margaret River RRP:  $35 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to   Qwine here Follow:  Instagram ,  LinkedIn  and  X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)2 views
30-402495ptscabernet-sauvignonmargaret-river

Ballandean Estate Nebbiolo 2024

Jericho Bracken Vineyard Shiraz 2024

Vinteloper Rogue Pinot Noir 2024

Burton McMahon D’Aloisio’s Vineyard Chardonnay 2024

Ballandean Estate Chardonnay 2024

Turkey Flat Butcher's Block GSM 2024

Turkey Flat Butcher's Block Shiraz 2024

Grant Nash Grenache 2024

Dexter Pinot Noir 2024

Dexter Chardonnay 2024

Arila Gardens Moppa GSM 2024

Head Wines Old Vine Grenache 2024

Burton McMahon Lusatia Park Chardonnay 2024

Vin Sol Ignis Tempranillo 2024

Yeah Wines Cabernet Franc 2024

Yeah Wines Bringing Sexy Back Merlot 2024

Kosciuszko Pinot Noir 2024

Arila Gardens Single Vineyard Grenache 2024

Chapel Hill The MV Shiraz 2024

Chapel Hill The MV Cabernet Sauvignon 2024

Turkey Flat Shiraz 2024

Head Wines Ancestor Vine Grenache 2024

Arila Gardens Moppa Saperavi 2024

Juniper Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2024