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First Drop Wines Moderno Barbera 2023
Bright and touch lighter in the glass than some Barberas I've tasted of late, this release from First Drop Wines pushes its case for a cool evening with a hearty meal. Sourced from the Adelaide Hills, juicy red cherries, plums and energetic blackberries build a respectable fruit profile. Tilled earth, olive tapenade, and tree bark add savoury nuances with a fine mist of soft spices coating the palate. Red apple skin rushes late with crunchy red apple acidity on close. Tense tannins cling to a long finish and tease with a moreish factor. A most enjoyable take on this Piedmont delight. 92/100 Region: Adelaide Hills RRP: $30 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow: Instagram , LinkedIn and X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)5 views30-402390-94ptsadelaide-hillsbarbera - news
Sorby Adams Gudilly Rosé 2026
My first review from the 2026 vintage, this Gudilly Rosé from Sorby Adams is fun, energetic and a glass full of joy. Made from a blend of Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir (66/34) sourced from the Riverland, a riot of watermelon, the white bit of the watermelon, rhubarb and red currants burst from the glass to appease the taste buds. Devilishly fragrant with dried red petals and strawberries hitting the zone, an unmissable lick of strawberries and cream is partnered by apricot kernel and red apple skin. Well priced and sure to bring a smile to your dial, there is a lot to like about this. 91/100 Region: Riverland RRP: $24 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow: Instagram , LinkedIn and X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)5 views20-302690-94ptspinot-gris-grigiopinot-noirriverland - news
Lane's End Chardonnay 2024
This is my first look at a wine from Macedon Ranges producer Lane's End, and I'm in love. This is a modern Chardonnay that offers much to consider and muse over. Winning! From 40-year-old vines grown 580 metres above, the fruit was whole bunch pressed with 50% seeing malolactic fermentation. Left on gross lees for 10 months in French oak (25% new), it was bottled without fining. The fluency and shape are captivating. White-fleshed nectarines, pear juice, green apple skin, pie apple, and lemon juice produce a layered and detailed opening, ensuring there is much to embrace. Lemon meringue and a fine cashew nuttiness ride on their coattails with a delicate tonic-like texture. Ribbons of fine creaminess unfurl, upping the interest factor before waves of soft ginger spices tickle a persistent finish. It's a wine that grows on you, be warned. However, be sure not to serve it too cold so its beauty can be expressed in its entirety. Go here. 94/100 Region: Macedon Ranges RRP: 
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)5 views50-1502490-94ptschardonnaymacedon-ranges - news
Lyons Will Gamay 2025
A captivating mouth perfume of lavender and violets has me fixated. Silky, slinky and damn slurpable, a glorious introduction awaits from this Lyons Will Gamay. Made with 40% whole bunches and sitting on skins for 3 weeks, it sees nine months in seasoned French oak. Blue and purple fruits cascade with ease. Raspberry rope and orange peel jostle for attention with a fine sprinkle of dried herbs. A lick of eucalyptus emerges after a couple of days and speaks of the landscape from which it was born. Svelte, this is a wine that is incredibly delicate and seductive as superfine tannins move and sway about with ease. The 2024 was magical, but I see this 2025 perched just a notch behind. Still, it's an excellent expression of Gamay in its own right. 94/100 Region: Macedon Ranges RRP: $50 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow: Instagram , LinkedIn and X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)6 views50-1502590-94ptsgamaymacedon-ranges - news
Travellers Pinot Grigio 2024
Every so often, you get knocked over by a surprise packet, and this Travellers Pinot Grigio is certainly that. What a beauty! Delicious, layered and moreish, go here. Grown approximately 850 metres above sea level on Queensland's Granite Belt, the fruit was harvested in two lots from the same vineyard. An onion skin and copper-like appearance greet the eye, thanks to some skin contact. I do love a Pinot Grigio/Gris with a blush appearance. Bone dry, crisp and well shaped, the palate is alive with cut pears, poached pears and a dash of nectarine. Pie apple plants itself on the mid-palate, but I keep being drawn back to the attractive white floral aromas. A dash of lemon zest and a fine-textured presence complete a mighty fine mouthfeel. Soft ginger and cinnamon spices linger long and elevate temptation. Mind you, it's hard to resist going back again and again. Great stuff. 93/100 Region: Granite Belt RRP: $29 Source: Sample Subscribe to Qwine here Follow:&
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)5 views20-302490-94ptsgranite-beltpinot-gris-grigio - news
Travellers Shiraz Viognier 2023
Wonderfully medium-bodied, this Travellers Shiraz Viognier is a wine of fluency, lacy shape and severe approachability. Sourced from Queensland's Granite Belt region, the fruit was grown at Ballandean Estate. The Shiraz was partway through fermentation before Viognier (4%) was added to complete the co-fermentation. It saw 80/20 seasoned French and American barrels (3-4 years old) for six months. Pretty scents of red petals, red cherry fruit, red apple skin, apricot kernel and dried sage bring lift, energy and plenty of joy. These flow seamlessly to the palate where the expected Granite Belt minerality raises its hand along with fine sheets of black pepper. Fine brick dust tannins coat the palate on close with a faint lick of meatiness and balsamic upping the moreish factor. A great drink for the asking price, this is an enthusiastic recommendation from me. 92/100 Region: Granite Belt RRP: $29 Source: Sample Subscribe to Qwine here Follow: Instagram
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)5 views20-302390-94ptsblendsgranite-beltshiraz - news
Lyons Will Chardonnay 2025
Considered, layered and detailed, it's an easy task to top up your glass when this Lyons Will Chardonnay is within reach. Careful fruit selection is 70% destemmed, crushed and pressed with the remaining 30% whole bunch pressed. Wild yeast fermentation takes place in barrel (15% new), where it sits for nine months on lees going through 100% malolactic fermentation. Lyons Will wines are never short on interest. This opens with notes of flint and gun smoke, white fleshed stonefruit, custard powder, tonic, pineapple husk and old school lemonade. That detail flows seamlessly to the palate where it is framed by a delightful creaminess - vanilla slice and Greek yoghurt lead the way. A wine that is well structured and flows with seductive ease, a dash of ruby grapefuit adds to the charming acidity, urging you to return for more. Simply, it's a beautiful drink. 93/100 Region: Macedon Ranges RRP: $54 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow:&nbs
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)6 views50-1502590-94ptschardonnaymacedon-ranges - news
Kilikanoon Killerman's Run GSM 2024
The rustic appeal of this Clare Valley GSM makes it an easy go-to for casual catch-ups and barbecues. Throw it at a cheeseburger and you're set. Expressive and glorious aromas of raspberry coulis, squishy blueberries, mulberries, red apples flow with ease to the flavour profile. Dusty earth, dark chocolate and even a touch of new leather add detail. Barbecue rub spices and fruit bun spices lead to a drying finish highlighted by open weave tannins. But there is no denying its food friendliness and moreishness. Good stuff. 91/100 Region: Clare Valley RRP: $25 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow: Instagram , LinkedIn and X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)5 views20-302490-94ptsclare-valleygrenachegsm - news
Travellers Chardonnay 2023
A well-balanced and structured Chardonnay, it delivers freshness and good fruit with immediate appeal. Sourced from two Granite Belt sites (Sirromet and Ballandean Estate), it opens with scents of custard apple and golden apple. Honey tones slide in with time in the glass. Although quite broad through the mouth, the fruit offers respectable vibrance. The touch of minerality speaks of its granite roots with a veil of slippery phenolics. Soft cinnamon spices curl around the palate on close with a bright lemony and grapefruit acidity. It's nicely done. 91/100 Region: Granite Belt RRP: $35 Source: Sample Subscribe to Qwine here Follow: Instagram , LinkedIn and X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)5 views30-402390-94ptschardonnaygranite-belt - news
First Drop Forza Nebbiolo 2018
With some gentle encouragement, this Adelaide Hills Nebbiolo from Firs Drop Wines slowly emerged from its chrysalis. Tame with a muted nose on opening, you need to sift about to get it going. Dried purple petals and lavender eventually mustered up the courage to get things underway. Tight through the mid-palate, it really hit its straps on the third day of tasting, which enabled a few more runs to hit the scoreboard. All the varietal things shape up with cherry cola, dried plums and dark cherries met by a slew of savoury delights. Dusty tannins are mid-palate focused and tight, pointing to a long future ahead. But to drink now, a long decant is needed to see it at its best. 91/100 Region: Adelaide Hills RRP: $60 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow: Instagram , LinkedIn and X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)5 views50-1501890-94ptsadelaide-hillsnebbiolo - news
Squitchy Lane Estate Chardonnay 2024
A neat, well-positioned Chardonnay from Yarra Valley producer Squitchy Lane. It sees nine months in a mix of new (30%) and seasoned French oak. Opening with concentrated yellow-fleshed nectarines and green apples, there is a neat flow of custard powder and creme brulee notes which push the oak forward. The fruit is nimble enough, but the oak seems to speak louder for now. Perhaps this will settle with some more bottle age. Lemon juice and grapefruit acidity bring the mouth to water on a respectable finish. With all that in mind, it's a wine that will pass the roast chook test with ease. 91/100 Region: Yarra Valley RRP: $38 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow: Instagram , LinkedIn and X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)5 views30-402490-94ptschardonnayyarra-valley - news
Ox Hardy Fiano 2025
A burst of energy makes a statement on opening. It's a wine that presents a charming case both in the glass and on the label - I do love how that pink Ox Hardy font pops off the sky blue label. From the Upper Tintara vineyard, 10% saw time in seasoned French oak. White-fleshed stonefruit is flanked by Mutsu apple, lemon juice, speaspray and herby things. Not to be outdone, some cucumber and almond nuances slide in. The considered textural presence elevates the detail, but there is no mistaking the energy from the fruit that has lift and life. Lively acidity and a green apple crunch make a move on close, seeing out a smart expression. Tasted alongside another McLaren Vale Fiano, I know I'd rather hunt this down in quick time. Tick! 92/100 Region: McLaren Vale RRP: $28 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow: Instagram , LinkedIn and X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)5 views20-302590-94ptsfianomclaren-vale