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Byrne Farm Chardonnay 2025
There are plenty of great Chardonnays around the country, but few marry quality and value as convincingly as this release from Byrne Farm 2025. It's an excellent drink that overdelivers in every sense. Take my money. From a vineyard sitting 900 metres above sea level, on what was once an apple and cherry orchard, it captures the purity and tension that Orange does so well. Juicy white-fleshed nectarine, cut apple, lemon sherbet and yellow grapefruit burst from the glass, creating an energetic fruit profile that sizzles. Fine cashew, almond and custard powder notes build texture and complexity, while the faintest flicker of biscuit and ginger spice quietly emerge with time in the glass. It's delicately handled and allows the fruit to shine bright. The acidity is a standout, precise and focused, driving effortlessly through a long finish. There's polish, composure and terrific drinkability from start to finish. Boom! If you're on the hunt for a benchmark Chardonnay that deli
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)16 views30-402595ptschardonnayorange - news
Holm Oak Fearless Pinot Noir 2025
No new oak and no whole bunches in the ferment are the keys to success with this glorious Fearless Pinot Noir from Holm Oak. Expressive red and purple florals rise up effortlessly from the glass before a savoury undercurrent of cured meat, pine needles and mushroom compost adds wonderful complexity. Blueberries and ripe red plums provide a vibrant fruit core, beautifully framed by fine texture and silky tannins that glide across the palate with ease. A gentle dusting of spice lingers in the background, never interrupting the wine's graceful flow. Everything feels harmonious, elegant and wonderfully composed, balancing perfume, fruit and savoury detail in equal measure. It's the sort of Pinot that quietly captivates rather than shouts for attention - yes! Big love. 94/100 Region: Tasmania RRP: $65 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow: Instagram , LinkedIn and X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)20 views50-1502590-94ptspinot-noirtasmania - news
Holm Oak The Wizard Chardonnay 2025
Composed and classy, I love this Chardonnay's swagger as it confidently strides out. The Wizard is Holm Oak's flagship white and it nails the brief. White-fleshed stonefruit leads supported by cashew and nougat notes that immediately add complexity. Lemon juice, canned pineapple and brioche weave effortlessly through the palate, while vanilla cream and caramel drops contribute a creamy richness without tipping the balance. The influence of malolactic fermentation (65%) and French oak (65% new) is thoughtfully handled, adding texture and depth rather than dominating the fruit. Rather than chasing the chiselled, high-acid style of many modern Chardonnays, this builds a beautifully rounded palate shape that feels complete and oozes satisfaction. A grapefruit tang on the finish elevates the finish, keeping everything fresh and focused. 95/100 Region: Tasmania RRP: $65 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow: Instagram ,&
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)17 views50-1502595ptschardonnaytasmania - news
Holm Oak Pinot Noir 2025
When you see this Holm Oak Pinot Noir on the shelf, you know you won't lose. Such a reliable and soothing bottle of delish, it's a neat cuddle for the insides. Dark cherry and strawberry fruit skips about joyously with a lick of charcuterie board, tilled earth and black tea as woodsy and earthy spices mop up the tail. It glides about effortlessly and draws out to a sustained finish with well-handled acidity keeping things in check. Share this with your love, pour and chat. You'll be emptying it in no time. Quality cool climate Pinot. 92/100 Region: Tasmania RRP: $40 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow: Instagram , LinkedIn and X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)15 views40-502590-94ptspinot-noirtasmania - news
Yelland & Papps Limited Cuvée Grenache 2025
I've had a lot of Grenache in my time, and I must say, this Yelland & Papps Limited Cuvée sits on top of the pile. Wow! What an incredible, precise and insatiably delicate release this is. There's a wonderful sense of Pinosity here, reinforcing the old saying that Grenache is everything Pinot wants to be. Sourced from dry-grown 1956 Vine Vale vines rooted in sandy soils and matured for 11 months in French oak (32% new), it's an effortlessly elegant expression. Juicy blueberries, blueberry coulis, mulberries and red cherries glide across the palate, with a fine smear of squishy raspberries bringing irresistible charm. The superfine tannin profile is utterly seductive, allowing the fruit to float gracefully through the mouth before subtle cola notes emerge with air. Delicate spices wrap themselves around the fruit and linger across a finish that is both persistent and calming. I thoroughly enjoyed watching this evolve over several days, confirming it has plenty of life a
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)20 views50-1502595ptsbarossagrenache - news
Byrne Farm Limited Release Shiraz Pinot Noir 2025
I do love how the Hunter Valley alumni have spread their wings across the Australian wine landscape and given the old Hunter River Burgundy blend some serious reach. Cool climate regions seem to be thriving with it at present, with the Yarra Valley a hot spot, and now Jeff Byrne has entered the fray with this superb Shiraz Pinot Noir from his patch in Orange. It's not Byrne's first rodeo, with previous vintages clearing the fence with a home run. Cool, composed and considered, much like its maker, this is a wine well worth seeking out. Silky, vibrant and dangerously moreish, it glides effortlessly across the palate with an elegance that's hard to resist. A purple flower and violet perfume skips from the glass before pristine blue and purple fruits flood the palate, delivering purity and freshness in equal measure. A subtle dusting of spice adds just enough intrigue without interrupting the flow. It absolutely oozes cool climate character, balancing energy with poise and finesse.
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)17 views50-1502595ptsblendsorangepinot-noir - news
Byrne Farm Single Barrel Chardonnay 2025
Ooft! This is the sort of Chardonnay that proves Orange deserves far more attention than it gets. Sourced from a single 2500L barrel, it's a beautifully composed wine that balances flavour, texture and finesse with ease. White fleshed nectarine, yellow grapefruit and subtle licks of pineapple are joined by a splash of Bickford's lemon cordial. Cashews, nougat and wafer biscuit notes add complexity, while delicate vanilla cream and custard powder bring a gentle, creamy edge. Fine ginger spice threads its way through the palate, complementing the superb textural detail at its core. There's impressive length and drive, yet it all feels effortless, measured and harmonious. This is Orange Chardonnay firing on all cylinders, and if the region isn't already on your radar, wines like this are exactly why it should be. Excellent. 96/100 Region: Orange RRP: $60 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow: Instagram , LinkedIn and&
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)17 views50-1502595ptschardonnayorange - news
Hayes Family Wines Block 2 Grenache 2025
Big love for this excellent Hayes Family Wines Block 2 Grenache made under the keen eye of winemaker Andrew Seppelt. Juicy and vibrant, it pops and slaps. Absolutely delicious! From Hayes Family Wines' certified organic 1948 plantings, this tiny two barrel release is a stunning expression of Barossa Grenache after yields were slashed by 85%. Bursting with energy, raspberries, raspberry rope, redcurrants and red apple skin race across the palate, with a crunchy red apple acidity keeping everything lively. Give it a swirl and blueberries emerge, adding another layer of intrigue. Super fine tannins provide a delicate grip without interrupting the flow, leaving the wine sleek, pliable and effortlessly drinkable. It's packed with interest yet dances with freshness, making each sip even more compelling than the last. Delicious and ridiculously moreish, go here. 95/100 Region: Barossa RRP: $50 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow:&n
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)18 views50-1502595ptsbarossagrenache - news
Hayes Family Wines Estate Mataro 2025
Quality Mataro here from Hayes Family Wines. Lovers of the variety will find plenty to embrace, especially if they're prepared to give it a little time to open up. From sustainably farmed and certified organic survivor vines (70 years+) planted in the 1940s, this wine used to be known as the Block 3 single vineyard, however, the 2025 sees a little of Block 4 (directly behind running perpendicular to Block 3) blended in, hence the renaming to simply the Estate. Mulberries, blueberry paste and blackcurrants provide a dense fruit core, while cured meats, liquorice and gentle puffs of earth bring the savoury complexity the variety does so well. Medium to full-bodied, the fruit shows a little more concentration and a slightly stewed edge than previous vintages, reflecting the conditions of the season rather than the winemaking. Even so, the wine carries itself with confidence, delivering impressive length and persistence. Give it plenty of air and it begins to relax, reve
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)17 views50-1502590-94ptsbarossamataro - news
Travellers Keykeg 20L Cabernet Merlot 2025
Some wines don't ask for food, they demand it. This Granite Belt Cabernet Merlot is one of them. These 20L keykegs from Nextgen Wines and are pointed to venues as a cost-effective alternative to bottled wine. Sourced from the Granite Belt, this Cabernet Merlot possesses black fruits that set the tone from the outset, with a leafy edge whispering its varietal persona. Sage and thyme weave through the palate, adding savoury complexity before a lick of red apple peel lingers on the finish. Cocoa-like tannins provide plenty of grip, delivering a drying, puckering structure that cries out for a robust meat dish to soften its edges. Think slow-cooked lamb shoulder, roast beef or a rib eye steak. 88/100 Region: Granite Belt RRP: $? Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow: Instagram , LinkedIn and X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)21 views2585-89ptscabernet-sauvignongranite-beltmerlot - news
Paringa Cabernet Sauvignon 2025
This is the first time I've come across this Paringa Cabernet, despite reviewing the Shiraz on several occasions. Like its Shiraz sibling, this is an approachable wine. Sitting on the black fruit spectrum, there is a neat dark chocolate, dried herb and earthy presence adding savoury nuances to consider. A shimmer of soft spices chime in late with a tension that seizes up on close. Good drinking and a Cabernet that will tackle a roast or casual barbecue with confidence. 88/100 Region: Murray Darling RRP: $18 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow: Instagram , LinkedIn and X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)14 views15-202585-89ptscabernet-sauvignonmurray-darling - news
Paringa Shiraz 2025
Like its 2024 sibling, this 2025 is an easy-drinking and approachable Shiraz. Comparing the two, this 2025 comes across a little more forced. There is a distinct tension here too, and that is felt through the mid-palate. The tannins are more forward as well, delivering a drying, brick dust feel. Still, there is no denying the quality of the dark plum and dark berry fruits that cascade with ease. Good gear. 88/100 Region: Murray Darling RRP: $18 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow: Instagram , LinkedIn and X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)16 views15-202585-89ptsmurray-darlingshiraz - news
Kaesler The Fave Grenache 2025
Demanding your attention with every sip, The Fave from Kaesler is nothing short of an excellent example of Barossa Grenache. From 1930s vines, the fruit was hand-picked and whole-bunch fermented with wild yeast before spending 15 days on skins, it's a wine that balances power and poise with grace. Strawberries, vibrant red cherries and raspberry coulis burst from the glass, wrapped in a fine weave of spice that never overplays its hand. The textural detail is captivating, with a trail of brick dust-like tannins providing shape, persistence and character. There's terrific length and drive, yet it waltzes across the palate with elegance rather than force. An excellent Grenache that captures the variety's charm with confidence, finesse and irresistible moreish appeal. Go here. 95/100 Region: Barossa RRP: $60 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow: Instagram , LinkedIn and X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)20 views50-1502595ptsbarossagrenache - news
Stream & Stone Pinot Noir 2025
A new label from Angoves, this Stream & Stone Pinot Noir comes from Tasmania's Tamar Valley. Noticeably savoury from the first swirl, tilled earth, black tea, char and bacon hock set the tone, with burnt chocolate and dried herbs adding further layers of intrigue. The fruit takes a back seat to the earthy, savoury personality, while a bunchy texture brings a firm, grippy structure that shapes the palate. Like its Chardonnay sibling, the finish feels clipped and doesn't quite carry the length you'd hope for. That said, there's more presence and substance here, with complexity and structural grip making it the more compelling of the two. 90/100 Region: Tasmania RRP: $50 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow: Instagram , LinkedIn and X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)18 views50-1502590-94ptspinot-noirtasmania - news
Stream & Stone Chardonnay 2025
A new brand under the Angove banner, this Chardonnay comes from Tasmania's Tamar Valley. Lemon, lemon sherbet, green apple and tinned pineapple deliver a bright and energetic opening before white-fleshed nectarines and subtle licks of barbecued peach add interest. A vanilla slice note and a slippery pastry-like feel bring a gentle creamy touch, while a saline edge keeps the fruit in check. It's neatly composed, although the fruit is thinly veiled and the palate feels clipped, finishing sooner than hoped. There's enough freshness and balance to make it an enjoyable drink, but it stops short of delivering the depth and persistence that would lift it to the next level. In the end, it goes okay. 89/100 Region: Tasmania RRP: $50 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow: Instagram , LinkedIn and X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)30 views50-1502585-89ptschardonnaytasmania - news
Ross Hill Pinnacle Series Chardonnay 2025
This Pinnacle Series Chardonnay from Ross Hill Wines jumps out of the blocks with confidence. A generous opening of caramel drops, brûlée and French pastry aromas offer plenty of early appeal. White fleshed nectarine, barbecued peach and pineapple husk build the fruit profile, with a squeeze of lemon juice and a faint cashew nuttiness adding complexity. Grapefruit and a lemon sherbet tang inject freshness and keep things lively. There's good flavour intensity up front, although the mid-palate loses momentum a little sooner than expected as the acidity takes charge and shifts the spotlight. The bones of a very good Chardonnay are all here, but it just needs a touch more focus and harmony through the middle to bring everything together. Even so, there's much to like and it offers enough promise to suggest even better things are to come. 91/100 Region: Orange RRP: $40 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow: Instagram , Linke
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)19 views40-502590-94ptschardonnayorange - news
Juniper Estate Malbec 2025
Oh, this is good. Very, very good. A modern take on Malbec that embraces vibrancy and drinkability without sacrificing depth, this is a wine that deserves your attention. Dark plums, blackberries and juicy blueberries surge from the glass, while roasted beetroot brings an earthy savouriness that adds another layer of intrigue. A lift of violet perfume rises up providing a sense of elegance. The palate is fleshy and full of life, carrying plenty of flavour yet never feeling heavy. Delicate spice threads its way through the fruit, while beautifully judged oak sits quietly in the background. Better still, it is fabulously integrated, enhancing rather than overpowering the wine’s vibrant core. There’s a seamless flow from start to finish that makes each sip feel effortless. The balance is spot on, the fruit is expressive and the overall package is immensely satisfying. At around $30, this represents outstanding buying. In all, it's an excellent wine and it's exactly the sort o
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)15 views30-402595ptsmalbecmargaret-river - news
Ross Hill Pinnacle Series Pinot Gris 2025
Grown at 1020 metres above sea level, this Ross Hill Pinnacle Series Pinot Gris brings both freshness and texture to the table. Fermented in seasoned French oak and matured on lees for eight months, there's a little extra complexity woven into what is already a very appealing drink. White lilies provide an elegant aromatic lift before cut pear, poached pear and pie apple take control of the flavour profile. The fruit feels generous without becoming heavy, carrying a lovely sense of balance across the palate. A neat veil of creaminess adds texture, while a gentle phenolic grip brings shape and interest. Together they broaden the wine's appeal at the table, making it an easy match for a wide range of dishes. An intriguing note of underripe green apple lingers, offering something to muse over long after the sip has gone. Scattered cinnamon spice threads its way through a persistent and moreish finish, adding another layer of charm. Textural, flavoursome and immensely drinkabl
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)15 views30-402590-94ptsorangepinot-gris-grigio - news
Ross Hill Pinnacle Series Sauvignon Blanc 2025
From Australia’s first Climate Active certified carbon neutral winery now celebrating ten years of that achievement, Ross Hill Wines has plenty to talk about before the bottle is even opened, right down to the label produced with 30% recycled content. What’s inside the bottle stacks up too. Bright, fresh and energetic, this Sauvignon Blanc leans confidently into the fruit spectrum rather than the grassy, insipid territory the variety can sometimes wander into. Expressive aromas of lemon, lemongrass, passionfruit and green melon burst from the glass, setting the tone for a vibrant and approachable drink. A faint creaminess adds an extra layer of interest, the result of barrel fermentation in seasoned French oak and 10 months on lees. It’s subtle providing texture without dulling the wine’s vitality. Cleansing acidity keeps everything taut and refreshing, carrying the fruit through a lively finish. An easy wine to enjoy and one that will have no trouble finding its people. Tick. 8
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)15 views30-402585-89ptsorangesauvignon-blanc - news
Travellers Rosé 2025
A blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Vermentino from Queensland’s Granite Belt, this Rosé lands firmly in the dry style camp and does so with plenty of charm. The colour sits on the onion-skin spectrum with a faint orange hue, immediately hinting at a wine with a little more interest than your average pink drink. The fruit profile is fresh and leads down the savoury road. White cherries, the white bit of the strawberry, rhubarb, red currants and watermelon husk all weave their way through the palate. There’s a pleasing crunch of red apple acidity that brings energy and freshness, while a gentle lick of raspberry closes things out nicely. What really stands out is the acidity. Bright and purposeful, it gives the wine shape and makes it exceptionally food-friendly. From pizza to barbecued slow-cooked meats, this feels right at home at the table. Available in 20L KeyKegs for on-premise venues, it's an honest, versatile Rosé that gets the job done with ease. 89/100 Region: Gran
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)21 views2585-89ptsgranite-beltmerlotrosevermentino - news
Sorby Adams Gudilly Pinot Noir 2025
A wine more about approachability than grandstanding, this Sorby Adams Gudilly Pinot Noir knows exactly what it is, and more importantly, doesn’t try to be anything else. Honest, uncomplicated and easy to enjoy, it delivers plenty of drinking pleasure without chasing lofty ambitions. Red cherries and cherry pips form the backbone, with mandarin peel adding a citrus charm. Red currants bring freshness, while a note of baked dark cherries adds a touch of warmth and depth. The palate is soft and accommodating, carrying good flavour without excess weight. A gentle flourish of black pepper spice provides a little extra interest on the finish. There’s nothing forced or overly serious here, it's just a well-made, easy-drinking Pinot Noir that slides down with ease. And sometimes, that's all you need. A good slurp for what it is, it goes okay. 87/100 Region: Riverland RRP: $24 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow: Instagram ,&n
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)17 views20-302585-89ptspinot-noirriverland - news
Cael's Gate Samuel Tempranillo 2025
From the Broke Fordwich subregion of the Hunter Valley, this Tempranillo from Cael's Gate arrives with plenty of intent. Blackberry fruit and blackberry liqueur notes sit at the core, but it's the oak that protrudes powerfully from the glass and blankets much of the fruit. As a result, the palate is firm and uncompromising. Powdery tannins are scattered across the palate, bringing a drying, puckering mouthfeel that tightens its grip with every sip. There’s no shortage of structure or conviction, but this is a wine that powers along like a bulldozer, flattening subtlety and leaving little room for charm to emerge. For me, Tempranillo is at its best when it balances savoury detail with juicy fruit, vitality and an easy rapport with food. This takes a different path. It dominates in a somewhat brutish fashion, commanding attention rather than inviting it. There’s certainly muscle here, but it doesn’t engage or embrace quite as much as hoped. 83/100 Region: Hunter Valley RRP:&
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)19 views50-15025hunter-valleytempranillo - news
Head Wines RED Grenache 2025
The fusion of four Barossa and Eden Valley sites delivers a Grenache that bowls down the line with reliable line and length. Energetic aromas explode from the glass featuring dried red petals and roses, red berries and sarsaparilla. The fruit is juicy and silky, flowing about with ease. It's a wine that you can reach for time and again given its moreishness that is driven by tense, earthy tannins and finishes dry with a powdery note that whispers, calling you back. If the neighbours call you over for a drink, take two because one will evaporate in no time. 92/100 Region: Barossa RRP: $30 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow: Instagram , LinkedIn and X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)18 views30-402590-94ptsbarossagrenache - news
Gilberts Wines Riesling 2025
Cool, fresh and super inviting, this Mount Barker Riesling is all about purity, energy and summertime pleasure. Aromas of white field flowers and cut green apple leap from the glass. An expressive palate of lime zest, Bickford's lime cordial and apple sours lure you closer with a mouthwatering lemon granita tang that keeps everything in check. A moreish and most delicious chalky texture adds shape and draws out the finish. Really clever and super refreshing, this oozes long lunches and good company in the sunshine. 94/100 Region: Mount Barker RRP: $32 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow: Instagram , LinkedIn and X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)17 views30-402590-94ptsmount-barkerriesling