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Varney Wines Mencia 2025
A thrilling Mencia, this 2025 release from Varney Wines is nothing short of excellent. Said to be for members only, bugger that and bang the door down. Tell Alan I sent you. Sourced from Australia's first Mencia planting at Oliver's Taranga, these 2011 planted vines continue to get better and better. It spent 14 days on skins before being pressed to second use French oak for ten months Give it a chance to breathe and it repays the faith. Gorgeously medium-bodied, bright blueberries and juicy mulberries muse with silky dark cherries. Meat rub spices pack things up in a neat parcel but there is no escaping the supple and elegant fruit that takes control of the midpalate. Varietally true, a red apple crunch seizes its moment, delivering a superb line of acidity. Incredibly moreish, I could get dangerous with this. And perhaps I did. What a super drink. 95/100 Region: McLaren Vale RRP: $35 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow:&nb
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0 views30-402595ptsmclaren-valemencia - news
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 views50-1502495ptschardonnayyarra-valley - news
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 views50-1502495ptsmornington-peninsulapinot-noir - news
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 views50-1502495ptsbarossagrenache - news
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 views50-1502495ptsbarossagrenache - news
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 views30-402495ptscabernet-sauvignonmargaret-river - news
Burton McMahon Lusatia Park Pinot Noir 2024
What a great Pinot! Probably the best I've seen under this Burton McMahon label. Wonderfully savoury on opening, embrace scents of twigs, dried leaves, pine needles and pine mushrooms. Dark cherries and sour cherries pin themselves to the palate, walking in step with the well-balanced acidity. Fine spices tap away on a lengthy and devilishly moreish finish. It's an excellent Pinot ready for now or to hold. You choose. 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 views50-1502495ptspinot-noiryarra-valley - news
Yelland & Papps Single Vineyard Stone Well Syrah 2025
How often would you see a Syrah and Shiraz from the same producer? Yelland & Papps have excelled and delivered two wonderful expressions once again, but I'm all in on this Syrah. Sexy and lacy, the Barossa isn't all muscle and brawn. Sourced from a Stone Well vineyard, not far from Yelland & Papps HQ, this was made with 48% whole bunches and sees 10 months in seasoned French oak. Medium-bodied, I'm hooked from the get-go. Scents of pan juices, cured meats, oyster sauce and roasted meat - the vibe is ace. An ocean of juicy mulberries and blueberries saturates the palate with licks of berry coulis. It's a wine with an attractive flow and presence, and it certainly turns the perception some have of Barossa Shiraz. Savoury delight swoops with dried herbs, charcoal, black peppers and soft spices riding out a long finish. Give me all those lacy feels and sheets of delight. One large pour just doesn't seem sufficient. Excellent stuff. 95/100 Region: Barossa RRP: $54
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)2 views50-1502595ptsshirazsyrah - news
Turkey Flat Grenache 2024
I have it on good authority that I'm the first to review this new release, Turkey Flat Grenache 2024, and my advice is to bang down the door when it hits the shelves on Friday, 29 May. It's an excellent wine and then some. Vibrant and dancy, this possesses more life and elegance than 2023 . I had the opportunity to taste both the 2023 and 2024 side-by-side, and this was quite the treat. It's worth noting that from 2024, a Burgundy-shaped bottle is the vessel of choice - a change worth noting for those who may habitually look for the former. Silky, lacy and juicy sum it up best. Evocative aromas of dried red and purple flowers roll out the welcome mat before raspberries and some blue fruit skip about with pine needles and mandarin peel. It's fine, svelte presence along with delicately woven spices, a touch of chocolate and a seductive moreishness smash the brief deluxe. Some mouth perfume from those attractive florals adds further polish and ups the desire to dive back in. To dat
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)2 views50-1502495ptsbarossagrenache - news
Yelland & Papps Single Vineyard Old Vine Grenache 2025
One of those wines I'd rather drink than review, what a sheer delight this Yelland & Papps Single Vineyard Grenache is! From a low-yielding site in the Barossa sub-region of Vine Vale, the vines were planted in 1956. Only 6% whole bunches were used this time, with 18% new French oak for 10 months. Quite the opening awaits with scents of lavender, violets and grape bubblegum. Alive and vibrant through the palate, raspberry rope, squishy blueberries and ripe raspberries build an attractive flavour profile with a severe magnetism that is hard to resist. Devilishly medium-bodied, flecks of orange peel make themselves known, adding further appeal. Dangerously silky, the tannins are fine with a slight silty presence. An easy recommendation. Excellent stuff! 95/100 Region: Barossa RRP: $54 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow: Instagram , LinkedIn and X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)3 views50-1502595ptsbarossagrenache - news
Nannup Estate Phillip Stanley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
After tasting through 14 wines from Western Australia's Blackwood Valley region, this Nannup Estate Phillip Stanley Cabernet Sauvignon was my top pick. Seeing French oak for 18 months, I was absorbed by its elegance and poise. Opening with the savoury tones of black olive, Bay leaf, rosemary sprig and a subtle thread of menthol, these herby characters weave through a core of ripe blackberries and plums. Seductive hints of dark chocolate add depth and warmth, bringing further cause to lean in. Delicate through the palate, dark fruits unfurl with ease. Ripples of spice add structure and complexity with fine yet assertive tannins as a feature. Reminiscent of brick dust, they provide grip and a structural backbone, carrying the wine to a composed finish. Excellent stuff from a region that doesn't get the plaudits of its coastal neighbour, this is a Cabernet worth seeking out and is a standout example of the Blackwood Valley's potential. 95/100 Region: Blackwood Valley RR
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)3 views50-1502195ptsblackwood-valleycabernet-sauvignon - news
St Johns Wine The Terraces Optimus Shiraz 2021
Signalling power and poise, this flagship Optimus Shiraz from St Johns Wine has some regal appeal. Full-bodied, it sees time in a combination of French, American and Hungarian oak. Rich and indulgent scents of caramel and rum 'n' raisin emerge and are interwoven with dense dark fruit. Ripe plums and blackberries dominate with a thread of licorice adding detail. The oak influence is clear with cedar still protruding, yet there is enough fruit weight to maintain balance. Despite its formidible 15% alcohol, it manages to avoid any sense of being overripe or weighty. Instead, there is a composure and restraint. Powdery tannins provide tension and grip with an impressive length that clings on for what seems like days. Beginning to show signs of development with a brownish hue creeping in, the core remains vibrant, suggesting many years ahead. For those who enjoy richer styles of Shiraz, this will impress. 95/100 Region: Blackwood Valley RRP: $51 Source: Sample Winer
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)4 views50-1502195ptsblackwood-valleyshiraz - news
Tim Smith Old Vine Grenache 2025
It would be uncouth to bathe in this, but I'd do it anyway. Svelte, silky, elegant, this is another superb Grenache from Tim Smith. Like the Mataro 2025 , this release has had a facelift with Old Vine Grenache now across the label. Insanely delicious, it slides down with gracious ease. Waves of blueberries, mulberries, cherries and red currants keep the fruit profile buoyant. Attractive aromas of purple and red petals flow through to the palate, adding a delightful mouth perfume. A shimmer of cured meats, orange peel and dried herbs adds precision and savoury interest. Superfine tannins are delicate and pliable, folding into every crevice of the mouth. This is a beauty in every sense. Hands down, it's an enthusiastic recommendation. 95/100 Region: Barossa RRP: $45 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow: Instagram , LinkedIn and X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)3 views40-502595ptsbarossagrenache - news
Tim Smith Old Vine Mataro 2025
Plentiful, gracious, delicate and silky describe this excellent Tim Smith Mataro best. Incredible value for $45, it comes from 130+ year old vines. The label has taken on a little facelift, too, and is now known as the Old Vine Mataro. Mulberries, blackberries, and blueberries are pinned to the core with an array of savoury pleasures moving and swaying throughout. Pretty scents of dried purple flowers and berry pie aromas slide into the flavour profile. Earthy nuances, dried herbs, cured meats and pan juices join forces in a seamless waltz. Soft woodsy spices reach long, leading to a persistent finish. Oh, this is a peach. Go here! 95/100 Region: Barossa RRP: $45 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow: Instagram , LinkedIn and X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)3 views40-502595ptsbarossamataro - news
Nannup Estate Phillip Stanley Chardonnay 2021
Nannup Estate's flagship Chardonnay rises to the occasion, delivering a wine of depth, character and one to cellar with confidence should you have the patience to do so. The fruit was machine-harvested and pressed to barrel where it remained for ten months. The best barrels were selected for this wine before blending. Generous yellow stonefruit sits at the core, partnered by an array of interest. Think lemon zest, key lime pie, pineapple husk and dehydrated mango with ribbons of pastry creaminess flowing through with ease. Roasted cashews and nougat rise up with time in the glass finishing with oak spices, cinnamon spiced pears and a tense acidity. Quality stuff, particularly for those who enjoy richer, oaky styles of Chardonnay. 93/100 Region: Blackwood Valley RRP: $51 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow: Instagram , LinkedIn and X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)3 views50-1502195ptsblackwood-valleychardonnay - news
Kilikanoon Baudinet GSM 2024
Stand and applaud. That's the only reaction required with this excellent GSM from Kilikanoon. A treat for the senses and taste buds, I never wanted it to end. Each component (61/25/14) is fermented separately, then sees French oak for 15 months (10% new). Juicy raspberries, squishy blueberries and berry pie aromas make it impossible to escape its grasp. Dark chocolate, dusty earth, dried herbs and the faintest lick of orange peel add layers of interest that fold into one another with sublime ease. Each component pulls its weight yet comes together in precise unison. A ripple of fine spices reaches throughout as silky tannins have the last word and elevate the moreishness. An excellent wine and a superb example of the Grenache Shiraz Mataro blend. 95/100 Region: Clare Valley RRP: $60 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow: Instagram , LinkedIn and X
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)5 views50-1502495ptsblendsclare-valleygrenache - news
Wild Game The Duke Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Quite the pocket dynamo, these Wild Game The Duke Cabernets walk with a gracious humility, and you can't help but lean in that little bit closer. And do I need to mention value? This was $40 over a decade ago, and yet the quality continues to elevate, but the price does not. Winning! Already with six years young, this is excellent buying for the asking price. Coonawarra Cabernet is superb when in the zone and this is a perfect example. I suspect it would be twice the price (at least) from a more 'trendy' region... Composed, silky and lacy, dried thyme, sage, green olives, salt bush and dried petals diffuse in unison, delivering a wine of moreishness and immense satisfaction. Dark chocolate and dried mint leaves flank a core of blackberries and blackcurrants. It's a wine that reveals itself slowly yet carries a proud confidence without being exuberant. An excellent Cabernet, it's well worth getting on your radar. 95/100 Region: Coonawarra RRP: $40 Source: Sample Winer
by noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)4 views40-502095ptscabernet-sauvignoncoonawarra