It’s the time for generosity, so we’re giving you the best Festive Season Wine List Down Under, for free. Terrific hand-picked wines at hard-to-believe prices. No dodgy cancelled orders from overseas, no obscure brands you can’t track down for love or money, no hot air and hype. And there’s plenty of time for delivery before Christmas, even in the country.
Whites
Rapaura Springs Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 – $11 at First Choice. Great savvy for the money, and much better quality than the pop stars from Marlborough. 92 points.
Hidden Label Eden Valley Riesling 2022 – $13 at Kemenys. The label hides Mountadam Eden Valley Riesling. Lemons and limes, chalk and talc, lean and elegant. Crisp and fresh as the morning dew. Bargain. 92 points
Belardent Picpoul de Pinet 2021 – $16 at DM’s. An old variety from the south of France that’s going through a renaissance. Citrus and sea spray, green apples and wet stones. The crunchy acidity reminds me of young Semillon. Perfect with oysters and white fish. 93 points.
Robert Mondavi Buttery Chardonnay 2020 – $18 at Dan Murphy’s. When all you want for Christmas is a rich, peachy, buttery Chardonnay. OK, it’s not the most subtle of chardies, but it’ll go with most foods on the Christmas table.
Penny’s Hill The Black Chook Sparkling Shiraz – $17 at 1st Choice. Voluptuous, seductive, rich and spicy (and a touch sweet), Christmas pudding in a bottle. Will please large crowds. 93 points
Deutz Marlborough Blanc de Blancs 2018 – $25 at Boozebud or $142 for a 6-pack. Plus 10% off your first order. Made from Chardonnay, fresh and crisp, notes of citrus and warm bread, fine line of acid. You won’t find better bubbles anywhere near this price. 95 points
Deep Woods Harmony Rose 2022 – $9 at DM’s. This Rosie is a tremendous bargain at its usual price ($13 – 15). At this price, it’s an absolute steal.
Charles Melton Rose of Virginia 2022 – $30 at Summer Hill Wine. Masterful, as you’d expect from Charlie Melton who resurrected the almost forgotten Aussie Rosé style 3 decades ago. The whole package is a class act. 96 points.
Reds
Elefante Primero Tempranillo 2019 – $12 at Our Cellar. A big outfit that turns out quality reds at bargain prices. This wine comes from the high and dry plains of Castilla la Mancha in the north of Spain; it combines opulently ripe red berries with pepper, hints of cola and sweet spices, plus the merest hint of Vanilla from oak. Elegant crowd pleaser. 92 points.
Elefante Tempranillo Shiraz 2019 – $11 at Vintage Cellars. An ingenious blend – Tempranillo has more exotic flavours than Shiraz but less substance / body. Another winner from the big elephant. 92 points.
Hidden Label Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 – $13 at Kemenys. This is Robert Oatley Signature Cabernet, made by the very talented Mr Cherubino. Perfect balance between flavour and finesse – cassis and pencil shavings oak, gravel dust and a whiff of black olives. Great line and length, and fine tannins on the finish. Great drinking already but will improve some more. 95 points. It’s a steal.
Secret Label Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir 2021 – $14 at Kemenys. Made by a winemaker who likes fencing, and used to make wine in the Clare Valley. It’s a decent Pinot at a more than decent price, and that’s a rare event. I’m not sure it deserves a rave review and 95 points that Jeni Port bestows on it, but you can’t argue with the value proposition. 92 points.
Hidden Label Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 – $17 at Kemenys. This is the best young Coonawarra Cabernet I’ve tasted in years, and the price would make Californian winemakers weep. It’s rich and generous, with ripe black currant fruit leading the profound impact on the palate. Fine acid and ripe tannins add some pucker, with pencil shavings oak and dried herbs in the background. The tannin grip is firm but provides perfect balance.
The wine is seamless and the balance pitch-perfect, so you can enjoy it now with a char-grilled steak, but it will grow with time in a dark place. The label hides Leconfield. 95 points, heading for 96. Buy some before it’s all gone.
Secret Label Barossa Grenache 2021 – $19 at Kemenys. ). Made from 50-year old bush vines. The strong colour and seductive nose of raspberries and cherries are a great start. The velvet texture is continues the seduction, adding herbs and spices, a savoury, slightly stalky edge, and fine, ripe tannins on the finish. Perfect pitch, gorgeous drinking already, will get more gorgeous in a year or two. Made by two mates who like to leave their purple finger prints on the label. 96 points. Back up the Ute!
Christmas Pudding Wines
Buller Wines Premium Fine Muscat 375ml – $10.50 at DM’s. Great with traditional puddings, sweet minced pies, Pavlovas and chocolate cake. Or give it a chill and pour it over your special ice cream. 94 points. Bargain!
Campbells Rutherglen Topaque 375mL – $20 at Summer Hill Wine. Same deal, just a more subtle flavour, and real style. 95 points.
I wish you all a peaceful and joyful Christmas Break
Kim