The Shaw & Smith Adelaide Hills Shiraz 2012 won Best Aussie Red in the IWC in London just now. We don’t think it’s that good – sure, it’s a smart, bright, modern Shiraz with instant appeal but it’s not complex, profound or long-lived. It is not the best red we’ve tasted this year either. We’d give it 94 points, so try it before you buy a case. $37 at Winestar
Basilisk Shiraz Mourvedre 2012 comes from the Goulburn River area, and Alister Purbrick from Tahbilk has something to do with the winemaking we think. This is a pretty straight shooting, easy drinking not too heavy, not too light red. The Mourvedre just adds a hint of dried herbs, but the wine is pretty smooth. It’s won a bunch of medals. 90 points. BUY. $17 at Kemenys – please note: the same wine under a Hidden label is a better buy at $14.
Mont-Redon Reserve Cote du Rhone 2011. We expected more from this wine: it spoke of all the right things but didn’t convince us, the poetry was a bit shallow. Needs a bit more muscle and depth. 88 points. Not Convinced. About $20 at Northbridge-Cremorne-Annandale Cellars.
The Leasingham Bin 7 Riesling 2013 struck all the right notes of limes and all things Clare but finished abruptly. Good Riesling needs a long line of fine acid to carry it off. 89 points. There are better Rieslings around for this money. $16 at Dan M’s.
The Glaetzer-Dixon Family Uberblanc Tasmania Riesling 2012 is a better bet, but a leaner Riesling that goes on and on. The limes are still shy here, and the minerals just a hint. Very fine cool climate Riesling that needs a few years to open up. 93++ BUY. $22 at Cloudwine.
BACKVINTAGE Hunter Semillon 2013. Not as harsh as some young Hunters, by virtue of some retained sugar we suspect. It’s well-done, well balanced and nice drinking. (more info needed) 89 points. Buy if you like approachable Hunter Semillon. $13 at Backvintage.
The Terre di Sava Luccarelli Primitivo 2012 is a cracker. Primitivo is called Zinfandel in other parts of the world, where it often has headache-inducing alcohol levels. This one’s just 14% and speaks of more sophistication, but not at the expense of rustic flavour. 92 Points. Bargain BUY. $13 at Winesellersdirect
The Gran Sasso Pinot Grigio 2012 was disappointing. It’s a white wine that lacks flavour and character. It slips across the tongue without leaving an impression. Too simple, even for the modest asking price. 84 points. AVOID. $11 at Winelistaustralia
Don Diego Escolano Riserva 2007 is a straightforward, soft, easy on the gums Spanish red with no great pretensions. It doesn’t need any at this price. $9 at VC or 1st Choice. 87. BUY. Both websites deny they have stock, but the wine is still in many of the stores.
Corte Giara Pinot Grigio Venezie 2013. This came highly recommended but it was a soft and flabby wishy-washy kind of PG with a touch of ripe fruit and a hint of sweetness. It lacked structure, varietal definition or any other distinguishing features really. 85 points. AVOID. $15 at Winelistaustralia.
Ravenshead Margaret River Shiraz 2012. A soft, medium-bodied Shiraz with lovely fruit, a touch of oak and hint of Margaret River dust. Really pleasant everyday drinking. 90 points. BUY. $11 at Kemenys.
Miamup Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2011. That a Margaret River Cabernet of this quality can sell for $10 shows what a lucky lot we are. The wine is pretty true to the classic, elegant Cabernet style with hints of vanilla oak and cassis on the nose, and dark berries on the palate dancing on a cool line of fine acid. Some dusty notes on the long finish, wonderful line and length, a touch of unexpected class here. 92 points. BARGAIN BUY. $10 at Kemenys.
Franklin Tate Estates Alexander’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2012. A rich, soft, seductive Cabernet with all the classic notes of cassis and blackberry all wrapped in velvet. Just got better and better over the next 3 days. 94 points. BUY. $21 at Dan M’s. Please Note: The website says 2011, but the stores will have 2011 or 2012. Sorry, Dan M is the only source.
Christian Moueix Bordeaux Merlot 2010 – Made by the owners of Chateau Petrus, obviously for the export market. The wine is as obvious as the label suggests: a rich, soft, juicy fairly big Merlot that slips easily across the tongue without much of a French accent really. Not much depth either. 88 points. Not Convinced. $14 at Dan M’s.
The Devils Ridge Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2013 proves that the guys at Kemenys don’t always produce crackers under this label. It’s an inoffensive drop with no obvious faults and vaguely reminds us of the varieties involved in its making, but that’s about it. 87 points. Not Convinced even for $10 at Kemenys.
The Bleasdale Pinot Gris 2013 is a more serious affair. It’s a dry, solid kind of PG made from Adelaide Hills fruit that is very restrained right now but will develop given time. Plenty of depth here, lots of bling too. 92 points. BUY.$14 at Winestar.
Miamup Estate Semillion Sauvignon Blanc 2012 – It’s a crisp mouthful of tropical fruit with some minor notes of lemon and grass. Not my idea of a Semillon Sauvignon Blanc, more of a pleasant drinking white for summer lunches and barbies. Nothing too complicated here, just a simple crowd pleaser. What more can we ask for at the price? 88 points. BUY. $10 at Kemenys
Kim