The latest released from this super limited winery.

Light, more pinot in flavour. You can taste that this is made their own unique way

 Ochota Barrels The Green Room Grenache Rating: B Price: $40

More about this beautiful wine in an upcoming review

 Happy International Pinot Noir Day …simple… More about this

 in the Barossa. Both regional blends from some serious top tier addresses in the region, Stonewell, Ebenezer, and Moppa to name a few. Can’t wait to get stuck into these! Cold weather = Big, bold, Barossa Shiraz and these ought to do the job nicely! -

 New arrivals from @pirathonwines  in the Barossa. Both

Pretty decent line up for a Monday night! Thanks

Ochota Barrels Fugazi 09, 10 years young and still shining... just. Gorgeous deep plummy, stewed fruity, reduced balsamic goodness. If you still have some drink up!

Spring Vale Pinot 17, a stunner from Tassie. Stems and complexity in buckets. Herbal, spicy characteristics everywhere even a slight gunpowder note. 30 mins open and it was singing!!

Serrat Shiraz Viognier 17, a young one, but a star in the making. Orange blossom, white pepper, lifted florals. It’s about as addictive a nose as I’ve experienced. Insane acidity, structure and grippy tannins. This will be epic in 5-10 years!

 Pretty decent line up for a Monday night! Thanks

This is an interesting little number from Purple Hands Wines. ​Montepulciano from the Barossa Valley? You heard right! Not an Aussie varietal I'm that familiar with to be honest and I'm pretty impressed. Sweet black fruits introduce themselves up front before the herbal savoury notes come to the fore. The tannins are firm, the acidity is bang on giving it good length. For me, it's definitely worth looking out for next time you're searching the bottle shop.⁠

 This is an interesting little number from Purple Hands

. Classic Barossa, intense colour, full bodied and fruit forward. Less oak than I was expecting, but the power and concentration more than suffice. Blackberry, spices, chard meats and a feint fennel edge, balanced brilliantly with crisp acidity and grainy tannin. Quality find! If you see it grab a couple, it’s bloody good 🍷🙌

 Magical Moppa Hill by @laughingjackwines . Classic Barossa

*MAGNUM ALERT* Rockford Basket Press 2012. 1.5Ls of iconic, truly Barossan goodness. Now... there are a lot of producers in the Barossa making stunner Syrah style wines which I love, LOVE, but there's always a place in my heart for a traditional blockbuster Barossa Shiraz. ⁠

The Rockford wineworks and apparatus on Krondorf Road at Tanunda date back to the 1850s. Parcels of the best dry grown old vine Shiraz, some of which were planted in the nineteenth century, from a select cabal of growers, operating vineyards in the Barossa, Kalimna and Ebenezer, Moppa Springs and the Eden Valley, are treated to an ancient basket press followed by vinfication in old fashioned open fermentation vessels.⁠

The batches are matured in a selection of mostly well-seasoned French and American oak barrels, before a rigorous selection to determine the final assemblage. Deeply coloured wine. A dense bouquet of aromatic dark fruits and berries with a twist of spice efore the most engaging palate of reductions, power and richness over⁠

 *MAGNUM ALERT* Rockford Basket Press 2012. 1.5Ls of iconic

​I’m having American tonight, what’s in your glass?  This is my first foray into the New World wines of America and kicking off with a banger! (So I’m told) The blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 4% Petit Verdot traditionally delivers superb full body wines. Structured, velvety  tannins with a long and intense finish. Sounds bloody great!⁠

The Ridge history begins in 1886, high in the Santa Cruz Mountains, the initial plantings of the Monte Bello estate vineyard were set out, and winery construction begun. The first vintage from the young vines followed in 1892. During Prohibition (1920-1933), the vineyard was not fully maintained; some vines survived into the late 30’s,⁠ but by the 1940s they were effectively abandoned. Eight acres of cabernet sauvignon were replanted in 1949. These were the source of the first Ridge Monte Bello (1962). Since then, the historic vineyards on the ridge have gradually been replanted.⁠ Fantastic history! -⁠

 ​I’m having American tonight, what’s in your glass?  This

Cracker of a Riesling from Grosset. Springvale 2018, an awesomely dry mineral driven expression with intense citrus aromatics... bloody lovey! 🍷 ​

 Cracker of a Riesling from Grosset. Springvale 2018, an

Sometimes it’s good to treat yourself and the Standish Wine Co, The Standish 2016, does a phenomenal job. This Shiraz is made from fruit farmed by the Laycock family in the Greenock sub-region of the Barossa Valley. Dan has worked closely with this great vineyard since 2005, with previous releases of  Standish 'Andelmonde’ and ‘Borne Bollene’ coming from this site. Pure pedigree and coupled with his six generations of Barossan heritage means he certainly knows how to make exceptional wines. Thanks Dan! 🍷 🍷 🍷 ​

 Sometimes it’s good to treat yourself and the Standish Wine

My Tasmanian odyssey continues with this absolute gem from Jonny and Matt Hughes of Mewstone under their Hughes and Hughes label. -

Firstly, the colour is a joke. Screams red fruits, cranberry freshness and twiggy goodness. All but confirmed by an enticing perfume which is barely contained by the glass. It’s as if it wants to escape, amazing really. Enjoyment factor increases with the first sip. There’s a sweet / tart balancing act going on as the red fruited and twiggy herbaceous notes mix with juicy acidity. Reminds me of a sour cherry lolly, just less sour and buckets of deliciousness. Add it to your list of Tassie gems to get your hands on!! ⁠

 My Tasmanian odyssey continues with this absolute gem from

 range with this 2017 Aglianico from the northern Adelaide Hills. Aglianico, late ripening, spends a few weeks on skins and sees a mixture of older oak and stainless steel. The result? Zippy, cherry, candy-cane on the nose. Slight touch of fresh greenery, yum. Excitable palate as the cherry, sweet sour combo of fruit goodness gets a boost of fine tannins. For a varietal I’m not that across this is a bloody tasty little number! ⠀

 ​Continuing my exploration of the @spinifexwines  range

What’s not to like about a cheeky drop to start the week! La Maline 2015, a Barossa Shiraz filled with fruit from the Eden Valley. Most of which is 75+ years old. Monumental blackcurrant and blackberry fruit. There’s a real depth here, awesome. Beyond the fruit it sappy, stalky, and herbal from the whole bunch. Complexity in buckets. A stunning Barossan! 🍷

Tech notes: All fruit was hand harvested and cooled overnight. Around 30-40% of bunches were retained; fermentation took place in small open stainless steel and wooden fermenters, with indigenous yeasts. Approximately 1 % pressed Viognier marc was added during fermentation. The wine was raised on light lees in a selection of thick staved 600 litre demi muids, and some barriques; unfined, and bottled without filtration. 🍷 ​

 What’s not to like about a cheeky drop to start the week!

Standish Wine Co, the Relic, 2016... Monumental. Serious contender for Red of the year. ⁠

Firstly the colour ridiculous. The purplest of purple with a depth and vibrancy that's off the scale. Unashamedly full bodied, but fresh. Beautiful blueberries, spicy characters, in the smoothest of smooth packages with the tannins and acidity there holding it together. Awesomely made. Buy it, try to cellar if you can and if not rest assured either way you'll probably be smiling for a week.

 Standish Wine Co, the Relic, 2016... Monumental. Serious

The longer this lockdown goes on the better these look… 😬🍷

I love finding new producers and quality Pinot Noir to try. Hence trying the 2017 Santolin 'Gruyere' Pinot Noir which, at first impressions, is a very attractive Pinot! It has a nose of fine red berries, black cherry, and raspberries with a whole bunch, slight funk note going on. On the palate, fruit forward flavours of strawberry, raspberry Allen’s frogs and concentrated black cherry adding depth. With medium acidity and super fine tannins it’s very smooth, and incredibly moreish. If you open it, it will get drunk! -

 I love finding new producers and quality Pinot Noir to try

What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon! Jean-François Ganevat Chardonnay "Les Chalasses" Vieilles Vignes Côtes du Jura, what a wine! Woody, apply, zesty scents unfurl and collect in the glass. The palate, oh my. Salty and lemony, with a stunning minerality late on. One problem... one bottles not enough!! -

 What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon! Jean-François

Rockford’s iconic Basket Press Shiraz, 375mls of pure Barossa class. I’m a big fan of the cheeky 375ml bottle. They’re the perfect size for a decent taste, mature slightly faster, and don’t (usually) leaving your head pounding the following day. What’s not to like! Especially when it’s a Rockford 🍷 thoughts? 🍷 ​

 Rockford’s iconic Basket Press Shiraz, 375mls of pure

I’m getting my fill of hearty Barossan reds this winter and this Calabria Bros Old Vine Shiraz is such a find. Dark, inky purple with magenta hues. Medium to full bodied, fitting the traditional Barossa Shiraz style effortlessly. Lots of dark fruit. Less fresh, more stewed and rich. Great oaky characters, obvious but well balanced. Grippy tannins and persistent flavour. For under $30, it’s a classy and impressive Barossa Shiraz.

 I’m getting my fill of hearty Barossan reds this winter and

Ticks every box! Stunning Barossan Syrah from

. So concentrated with beautiful length. What a perfect way to wrap up a week! Easily one of my favorite wines this year! 🍷 ​

 Ticks every box! Stunning Barossan Syrah from

Four of the best, and my favorite, Australian producers out there. Side by side and enjoyed over a few days these wines highlight the breath, pedigree and class of Australian winemaking. 🍷

Langmeil Orphan Bank 2016... Pure, classic Barossa Shiraz. Face smilingly brilliant. 🍷

Sami-Odi Hoffman Dalwitz 2017... oh my you B.E.A.utiful thing you. Loved everything about it from the super cool bottle to the fruit battle royal in my mouth. Epic. 🍷

By Farr RP Pinot Noir 2016... basically Burgundy down under. Monumental Pinot from the Farr stable that evolved, continuously. Brain blown! 🍷

Standish Wine Co The Relic 2016... monsters do exist. Hailed as the new King of Barossa Shiraz, Dan Standish is making the sort of wines that make the world standstill and envelope you in the beauty of what’s before you. I could drink this forever. 🍷

 Four of the best, and my favorite, Australian producers out

I love a good nose around a quality bottle shop, especially when you find gems like this. Keller Frauenberg 2014 is certainly not a regular find in Sydney so this is coming home with me. Notes soon! 🍷 ​

 I love a good nose around a quality bottle shop, especially

If you’re a fan of Temprenillo then get your chops around this. From the Strathbogie Ranges near Bonnie Doon, ah the serenity,

 produce this Tempranillo and a Reserve. Firstly, this is a beaut of a wine. Ruby and garnet in colour, complex brambly, pomegranate and earthy aromas with hints of mushrooms... interesting. The Zalto captures it so well, smell, sip, wait, repeat and it evolves each time. The palate has powdery tannin, pomegranate again, spices and plums, with sherry notes adding complexity. It intrigues brilliantly. Can’t wait to try the reserve!

 If you’re a fan of Temprenillo then get your chops around

Sipping a surprisingly good Sangiovese from Mt Wines in Heathcote. It’s fresh, slightly racy, with red berries, plums and good dose of savoury pepper, cloves and anise all tightly woven together. Very nicely balanced, medium bodied/ weighted on the palate. A super easy wine to drink and perfect for a midweek tipple. I’d drink it again, and again!

 Sipping a surprisingly good Sangiovese from Mt Wines in

Expectations exceeded here with this Sherrah Single Vineyard Shiraz from the Mclaren Vale. It’s got it all going on, dark fruit cocktail, compote-like, verging on red berries and plenty of va-va-voom. Grippy, wavy, flowing tannins perfectly offset the fruit giving great balance. Gulgability of off the chart, great drop!

 Expectations exceeded here with this Sherrah Single

​There are serious (and I mean serious) smile inducing qualities about this wine from

. For me, possibly the best characteristics any wine can have. What makes this such a beautiful wine? The vineyard for starters. The Pinot Noir is grown on a north-facing slope, as south as south can be in Tasmania, with maritime influences throughout the growing season. ⁠

The wine? Pinot with body. Pinot for Shiraz lovers⁠ who say they don’t drink Pinot. Lusciously deep. Hits all the dark fruits imaginable and oozes earthy complexity. Whole bunches used to add structure and a genius acid profile complemented by beautiful oak. It’s in my top two reds of the year for sure, might push top spot if I can save some for tomorrow. ⁠

Plus, it’s a magnum, hands down best format for a wine but⁠ enough about that.

 ​There are serious (and I mean serious) smile inducing

Artwork goals! Everything’s on point... and it’s a magnum!

 are doing everything right here. If I had space in carry on it’d be coming home for sure. Maybe next time.... 🍷

Production = Dry grown from our single vineyard little block in Yallingup. Hand harvest & basket pressed straight into the amphora pots. Wild ferment & natural malo. Hand bottled direct from pots, sealed under cork with wax top. 🍷 ​

 Artwork goals! Everything’s on point... and it’s a magnum!

When wines like Grange, Hill of Grace, Runrig and the like costing anywhere from 3 to 8 times the price of the Standish Wines you really have to ask yourself the question.... which would you rather have, 1 Grange or 6 Standish? I’m in the Standish camp, cost/quality ratio is insane. This, 'The Standish' Shiraz 2016 is stunning, in every sense a beautiful wine. Long live the king! 🍷🙌 -

The wine itself, the 'The Standish' Shiraz, is made from fruit farmed by the the Laycock family in the Greenock sub-region of the Barossa Valley. Dan has worked closely with this great vineyard since 2005, with previous releases of  Standish 'Andelmonde’ and ‘Borne Bollene’ coming from this site. I’ve tasted wines from different producer who produce using the same grapes. How he’s able to surpass those other wines is insane. Pure genius! -

 When wines like Grange, Hill of Grace, Runrig and the like

This Sauvignon / Semillon blend is the business with Italian Sausage & fennel sauce and homemade pasta. Such a ripper wine from the Hunter Valley! -

 This Sauvignon / Semillon blend is the business with

What an absolute stunner! Mewstone Top Block Pinot Noir 2016, Magnum 12 of 25. Such depth of colour, and a nose that’s simply stunning. I could barely put the glass down! On the palate, it’s plush, no messing, awesome blue fruits and savoriness in a mouthwateringly beautiful package. I really think this is one of my favorite Pinots to date. In short, stunning. 🍷

 What an absolute stunner! Mewstone Top Block Pinot Noir

This has accelerated my love for Tasmanian wine, magnums, and Riesling. Insanely addictive acidity, as if your tucking into a perfectly ripe Granny Smith with flinty goodness chucked in for entertainment. It’s concentrated, powerful really. Mixed citrus fusion with a crispy finish. Total banger! Awesome

 This has accelerated my love for Tasmanian wine, magnums

Tasmania is rapidly becoming my go-to region for great Pinot Noir and this Glaetzer Dixon Reveur 2013 is a perfect example of why. After a few years in the cellar it is a rich and complex medley of dark plums, black cherries, and spices on the nose. The palate is a concentrated and beautifully integrated harmony of dark cherries, velvety tannins and oak infused spice. Stunning length and texture make every sip a treat. Pinot Noir magic on a Monday, it doesn’t get any better!