On a monthly basis this website will feature a small selection of recommended, highly recommended and outstanding wines that I taste as part of my ongoing research to produce future guide.

Ratings Key

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Red Wines

Richard Hamilton Hut Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, McLaren Vale, SA. 14.2% A restrained value for money Cabernet from McLaren Vale that is a refreshing change and approachable on a Summers evening. Lovely fruit driven nose of cassis and blackberry with noticable  menthol and a hint of cabernet franc style herbaceousness. Medium plus body-just. Dry with juicy acidity, soft ripe fruit flavours and barely noticeable tannins makes this wine easy drinking. Traditional, clean and simple presented bottle. Recommended $18.95

Belebula Tempranillo 2009, Hunter Valley, NSW. 13.5%  This wine displays all the good attributes of the Tempranillo grape making it an appealing easy drinking style that is a welcome change from heavier wines such as Shiraz. On pouring you are greeted with a cedar and cooking spice nose with a hint of dusty barrel work. Dry, soft red fruit driven flavours on the palate. Medium bodied wine with a persistent, supple, soft powdery tannins. Well presented, stylish wine from Pokolbin Estate.  Highly Recommended

Pfeiffer Merlot, Rutherglen, Victoria. Pungent red cherry, floral and vanilla aromas hit the nose. Somehow there is also a slight herbal edge. Medium plus bodied supple and rich palate. Yum. Highly Recommended.  $25.00

Grant Burge Corryton Park 2008, Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Barossa Valley SA. Black inky appearance with strong aromatics of blackberry fruits, cedar and vanilla. Dry. full-bodied wine with strong sweet blackcurrant, vanilla and medium plus alcohol. Bold but pleasant Barossa wine, well balanced. Highly Recommended. 

Golden Ball Egalitaire Rouge 2008, Beechworth, Victoria. This 80% Merlot 15% Shiraz and 5% Malbec is an attractive medium bodied wine with a savoury herbal and white pepper nose. You can detect the funky wild yeast and new oak influence on the palate that makes this fruit driven, soft tannin wine to be enjoyed now, but made in a quality artisan style by this tiny producer. Well worth discovering. Highly Recommended.   

Lerida Estate Cullerin Pinot Noir 2009, Canberra District, NSW. A sturdy Lake George Pinot with redcurrants, cedar oak an overlay of sweet cinnamon spice. Full throttle 13.9% alcohol contributes to the wines rich texture, well integrated fruit and oak producing a satisfying medium plus length. Highly Recommended RRP $35

Centennial Vineyards  Pinot Noir Reserve 2010, Southern Highlands, NSW. Vibrant cherry and redcurrant aromas with well balanced cedar oak nuances greet the nose. The balance continues on the palate with fine handle oak and fruit producing a silky textured palate. This grape continuously show promise in the Southern Highlands. Highly Recommended RRP $30

Mount Majura Tempranillo 2010, Canberra District, NSW.  Cedar and toasty oak with a dash of red cherry aromas greets the nose. A soft supple red with fine dry tannins and medium acidity producing a juicy palate redolent of red fruits. Long linear palate and lasting flavours wrap up the wine. Well made, one of Australia's leading example of this variety. Highly Recommended RRP $40

De Iuliis Steven Shiraz 2009, Hunter Valley, NSW . Lovely white pepper and spice dominant nose producing a Rhone like impression. Medium bodied dry with very supple soft tannins. Elegant easy drinking style, I'd would have liked more tannin structure but that is a minor quibble. Highly Recommended RRP 40.00  

Forester Estate Shiraz 2008, Margaret River WA 13.5%. Cedar driven nose with plum and cinnamon spice notes. Soft, red-fruit dominant palate with powdery tannins, medium bodied and very gentle acidity. The wine has moderate length and is ready to drink providing a lovely alternative to strong Central Victorian and South Australian examples. Highly Recommended

Kalleske Merchant Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Barossa Valley, SA 14.5%. Deep inky appearance with pungent aromas of vanillan oak, sweet spice and chocolate, typical Barossa intensity. Rich full bodied wine with black cherry and lavish black-forest chocolate flavours. Supple soft tannins make this wine instantly appealing. Recommended RRP 28.00

Curly Flat Pinot Noir 2008, Macedon Ranges, Vic.  Top drawer Australian Pinot Noir. Complex nose with gentle nutmeg, floral and cedar notes. Dry savoury palate with fine grain sandy textured tannins. Perfectly balanced, seamless with medium plus length. Only 12% alcohol proves you dont need high level to make fine wines. Outstanding RRP $54.00

Tyrrell's Vat 8 Shiraz 2010, Hunter Valley, NSW.  Classic Hunter nose- game, earthy and leathery notes with herbal hints. Medium plus intensity with bright red fruits on the palate provides a contrast to the nose. Dry with juicy acidity and and elegant medium bodied length. This style provides an alternative to the more robust SA styles of Shiraz. Highly Receommended

Ben Potts Lenny's Block Cabernet Sauvignon2006, Langhorne Creek, SA Deep and inviting inky colour with lashings of black fruit, cherry and liquorice. There is some varietal nuances including a touch of leafiness as well as cedar oak. Full bodied dry fruit driven wine with some porty notes. A well integrated palate that is attractive and moorish. Recommended RRP $40-45

Paradigm Hill Pinot Noir L'ami sage 2009, Mornington Peninsula, Vic. Lovely red fruits especially redcurrant aromas. In addition, some hints of roasted coffee with well seasoned stylish oak. Dry and robust pinot with a spicy palate, medium length and soft tannins. Savoury palate and a wine to keep, promising to develop lovely complex tertiary aromas. Highly Recommended

Primo Estate Zamberlan Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Sangiovese, Mclaren Vale SA. Mocha with a hint of floral and dried herbs aromas. Sweet fruit and cooking spices. Medium bodied with silky tannins, dry with medium plus intensity. A lovely savoury driven wine on the palate. Highly Recommended
Voyager Estate Shiraz 2009, Margaret River, WA. Inviting inky appearance. Strong black cherry, vanilla and blueberries on the nose. Full bodied s fruit driven wine with dry powdery tannins and a sweet oak/ spice flavour reminiscent of cinnamon. Very attractive wine that is drinking well now but will improve in the next 3-5 years. Strikes a cord with beef and red wine pie. Highly Recommended RRP38.00 

Nepenthe Shiraz 2009, Adelaide Hills, S.A.  An attractive cool-climate example from Adelaide Hills with aromas of white pepper and hints of black cherry fruits. On the palate the wine is medium bodied, dry with well integrated chalky tannins. It displays an elegant palate that has good length, black cherry flavours and subtle oak handling making this a great food wine suitable for a range of dishes. Try it with lamb shanks. Highly Recommended

Kilikanoon Prodigal Grenache 2007. S.A. Infectious aromas of redcurrants jammy soft confectionary fruits on the nose. Dry medium bodied red with juicy red fruit flavours, soft and velvety. The slight warming alcohol adds to the silkiness of this wine. Delicious with pan fried meats and sausages. Highly Recommended RRP $30.00 

Kay Brothers Amery Vineyard Basket Pressed Grenache 2009, McLaren Vale, SA. Inviting fruit driven nose with vanilla, red fruits and licorice all present. Dry medium bodied with cherry and plum flavours. Soft velvet tannins  and medium plus length. A wine with true regional and varietal expression. Highly Recommended RRP 25.00

Ferngrove Majestic Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Frankland River, WA. Deep inky. Nice complex nose with cedar, vanilla, herbal,  and leafy all indicating its cool climate origins. Dry and elegant on the palate with mint and black cherry notes. Well integrated tannins, fruit and acidity producing a long finish. Outstanding RRP 29.95 

Plantagenet Pinot Noir 2009, Mount Barker, WA. Dense and intense ripe redcurrant ripe fruit balanced with cedar and spice that produces a complex nose. Firm on the palate with medium plus length dry well balanced  with firm grainy tannin finish. A serious pinot. Highly Recommended RRP 45.00

Munari Sangiovese 2009, Heathcote, Vic. Spot on red cherry aromas with subtle cedar oak. Dry medium bodied wine with soft powdery tannins. Some nice floral notes and juicy black cherry acidity. Good varietal wine that represents value for money. Recommended  RRP20.00

Cardinham Estate Stradbrooke Shiraz, 2006, Clare Valley, SA. Hints of fruit cake, sweet spice notes and cedar on the nose. Lovely smooth red on the palate with medium plus body velvet tannins and medium plus length. Flavours include clove, sweet vanilla and fruit cake.  Eminently drinkable, a classic drop. Highly Recommended RRP 60.00

Penley Estate Gryphon Merlot 2008, Coonawarra, SA.  Super ripe plums and redcurrant fruits. Lovely fleshy wine, medium bodied with soft tannins. Jammy hints but this does not detract the wine being a lovely drop and great value for money.  Highly Recommended RRP 19.99

Preston Peak Sagrantino, Toowoomba, Queensland. Inviting red cherry with earthy cedar notes. Elegant and dry, medium bodied wine with lovely hints of liquorice as well as red cherry on the palate. Fine grain tannins producing a medium plus length and finish. Well made wine displaying this Italian grape variety at its best. Highly Recommended

Fox Creek JSM, Shiraz, Cabernet, Cabernet Franc 2008, McLaren Vale SA .New oak and rich cooked plums on the nose. Full bodied rich red fruits driven wine, but retaining a certain elegance. Dry, fine grain tannins on the finish producing a wine with medium plus length. Attractive and well put together. Highly Recommended.

Sanguine Estate Tempranillo 2007, Heathcote. Vic 14.5% medium deep ruby, spice driven especially cinnamon, black fruit a little cooked but nicely intriguing nose. Soft medium plus body, sweet stewed fruit, dry with medium plus length and well integrated tannin and alcohol. Very drinkable Highly Recommended. RRP22.95

Freeman Vineyard Rondinella Corvina 'Secco' 2004 aged release.  Hilltops, NSW. 15% An Italian inspired wine using the Valpolicella technique which normally involves partially drying grapes in special warehouses or lofts of wineries. But  in this Australian example Professor Brian Freeman uses a neighbours' prune dehydrator to created the same effect. On the nose you are greeted with strong cherry and plum aromas with smooth rich sweet red fruits and attractive confectionary notes. A silky palate is generated by the tannins which is a direct product from the drying process. Savoury well balanced wine with medium plus length and an elegant finish. A classic and unique Australian wine that demonstrates alcohol at 15% can be managed intelligently. Highly Recommended. 

Cambewarra Estate Michael Chambourcin 2008, Shoalhaven Coast, NSW. I must admit that I have not been a great fan of this grape variety but you cannot knock this wine, it is gloriously fruit driven which reminds me of southern Italian Montepulciano.  Mulberry, plums and blackberry sing out of the glass seamlessly supported with vanillan oak. It is totally sweet fruit driven on the palate with the tannins hard to find, but who cares with this intensity of fruit and well balanced acidity. The wine has nice length and is a medium bodied avoiding being overpowered by alcohol at a restrained 13.5%. This is one of the best examples of the grape variety from one of a handful of producers that specialist in the grape Recommended

Seppelt Mount Ida Heathcote Shiraz 2006. Heathcote, Vic. Deep inky core with red fruits dominating the nose. Savoury palate with more supporting red fruits, medium tannins and acidity. Well structured and balanced to achieve an elegant, rather than powerful palate. Recommended  

Best's Pinot Meunier 2005. Grampians. Vic. Stunning wine from one of the best kept secrets in the country, Through droughts and devastating frosts Best's are doing it tough and deserve more recognition for their tenacity and place in Australia's viticultural heritage.  Only 300 dozen bottles made from the 2005 vintage, obviously very low yield. Red fruits and earthy hints. Silky long palate, medium bodied, sweet perfumed red fruit on the palate with very fine tannins. Excellent length, long aftertaste. If you love pinot you will love this wine. Highly Recommended

Voyager Estate Shiraz 2007, Margaret River WA, 14%. Blackberry and vanillan oak, slightly medicinal, with sweet nutmeg and cinnamon spice make this wine fairly complex on the nose. There is more fruit and liquorice notes on the palate with the acid and tannins well integrated providing a smooth mouthfeel, well balanced. Medium plus length delivers the right bang for your bucks. Highly Recommended RRP 32.00

Lowe Family Tinja Preservative Free Merlot 2010, This wine is designed for people who react detrimentally to sulphur in wine but when you exclude this preservative from the viticultural and winemaking process it makes it exceedingly hard to make a reasonable wine. However winemaker David Lowe has succeeded in producing an attractive wine which displays lovely sweet plum and red fruits and fine dry tannins, medium bodied in weight and provides reasonable length. He sensibly recommends the wine should be drunk within six months. Recommended RRP $20.00 

Chain of Ponds Sunning Hill Sangiovese 2008, Adelaide Hills, SA 14.5%. Red cherry and ripe plum with hints of spice. Soft warm wine with supple gentle tannins and classic hints of sour cherry and raspberries. Distinctly Sangiovese without any pretentiousness. A real crowd pleaser in a drink now style.  Recommended RRP $18-20.00 

Chain of Ponds The Ledge Shiraz 2005, Adelaide Hills, SA 14% Well balanced ripe red fruit driven Shiraz with well integrated vanilla oak. Dry medium bodied with juicy, black cherry fruit and spice on the palate. The tannins are soft and exhibits some attractive cool climate cinnamon notes. Soft, well balanced wine to enjoy now. Recommended RRP $30-35

Man O'War Ironclad 2008,  Waiheke Island, NZ 14.5% Bright and intense ruby red. Clean toasty oak nose with black tea, herbal and medicinal hints. Slight leafiness displaying spot-on cool climate fruit. Complex. Dry, medium plus alcohol, medium grainy tannins but overall well integrated with some nice brambly fruit. Medium plus in length. Ready to drink but can easily develop for 4-6 years. Merlot dominant with Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot and a splash of Cabernet Sauvignon. Very much a right-bank Bordeaux style wine. Highly Recommended

Moppity Vineyards Reserve Shiraz, 2008, Hilltops, NSW. 14.5% Vibrant ruby red with a deeper core. Clean nose with youthful strong primary fruit aromas. The wine displays mocha, chocolate and liquorice. Add some sweet cinnamon spice and a hint of dried fruit- raisins to that! Dry, full bodied with noticeable warm alcohol. Medium intense flavours similar to the nose with the addition of plums and vanilla oak. The wine has medium length and soft medium tannins and acidity. Rich wine with great concentration from a dry, low yielding year. Whilst ready to drink this wine can develop further for 6-8 years. Highly Recommended. RRP $50.00

Pirramimma Katunga Shiraz 2008, McLaren Vale, S.A 14% Ruby red with an inviting inky core. A medium intense wine with youthful primary fruit aromas of black cherry, plum, cedar oak and some spice. There are some intriguing earthy, slight leather, older barrel notes. Dry full bodied wine with well balanced tannins and integrated oak. Plenty going on here with cinnamon spice, plum, cedar, and liquorice. More delightful older barrel notes.  Blind tasted as normal and pleasantly surprised to see this wine was from Australia - I'd picked it as a modern style old world! Highly Recommended

Kalleske Moppa Shiraz 2008, Barossa Valley, S.A. Deep and inky. Fruit driven nose with plum, dried fruits and black cherry. Hints of Vanilla. Palate is again fruit driven in that typical Barossa style for Shiraz that we have come to expect. Gentle tannins, full bodied with roundness from a rich warm climate. Black cherry, liquorice, vanilla essence and prune flavours. A popular and distinctive wine from Barossa's leading organic small producer. Recommended  14.5% RRP $28.00

Pirathon by Kalleske Shiraz 2008, Barossa Valley, S.A. Deep opaque with youthful intensity. Chocolate, vanillan oak with hints of dried fruits and plum puddings. Full bodied immensely rich and fruit driven. Some attractive black cherry with soft well integrated tannins and a long finish. Recommended

Minko Wines Pinot Noir 2005,  Southern fleurieu, S.A. Red fruit focused pinot with hints of sweet spice. Dry, savoury, meaty palate benefiting from 18 months French barriques. An angular wine with nice depth of fruit and drinking well. Ability to keep ageing gracefully. Highly Recommended

Minko Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Southern fleurieu, SA. Inky red with lovely black fruit on the nose - cassis and blackberries-  accompanied by new oak bouquet. Full bodied on the palate, more fruit and juice driven rather than oak, displaying nice acid and medium grainy tannins. Well balanced and nicely structured. 14% abv Highly Recommended

Domaine A Pinot Noir 2005,Campania, Coal River Valley, Tasmania. Black cherry and cedar oak on the nose. As the wine develops in the glass more vegetal and undergrowth notes adds complexity. Dry, firm structure with fine-grain tannins, balanced acidity and savoury and spicy notes come through. This wine will age gracefully. Outstanding

Pepper Tree Coquun Shiraz2007, Hunter Valley NSW.  Plenty on the nose of this wine including strong oaky leather, sweet red berries and a touch of spice. Medium bodied -Hunter style-dry with well integrated smooth tannins and acidity (vital in my books for a red) Very juicy with sweet fruit and spicy oak flavours. Good choice with lamb or even veal. A hint hot on the finish, but a well made wine .Recommended. RRP $31.00

Singlefile Estate Shiraz 2007, Denmark WA. Well focused red berries aromas with a hint of spice and seasoned oak. Also a hint herbaceous which I don't mind (displaying Denmark's cool climate). Sweet black cherry middle palate with soft approachable tannins which makes this a refreshing medium bodied style red suitable for a wide range of food. Recommended. RRP $33.00

Domaine du Parc Saint Charles ‘La Pinede’ Côtes du Rhône, 2006. Medium bodied dry red with attractive bitter cherry aromas and a hint of raspberries and spice. Supple and round, with well integrated acidity and soft tannins making this wine a pleasure to match across a wide range of dishes. Recommended.

Rosé Wines

Kilikanoon Second Fiddle Rosé 2006, A firm rose with good length, packed with fruit. Strong strawberry and cherry aromas. Nice drop.  Highly Recommended.

Dromana i Rosato 2005. Very pale with a lovely light pink salmon colour. Delicate floral nose with hints of raspberry. Dry, good length, savoury and excellent length. Highly Recommended.

Scorpo Rosé 2006,  Mornington Peninsula, Vic. Barrel fermented Pinot Noir rosé, oak used is old so minimal pick-up. Pale salmon colour. Elegant rose petal, floral notes with light crisp palate. Bone-dry and elegant. Recommended. 

Golden Ball Cherish Saignee 2005 (Rosé) Beechworth, Vic. The 05 is drawn from a blend of Shiraz, Merlot and Grenache. Free-run juice was collected then settled and fermented in French barriques.  The wine has a glorious salmon pink colour, similar to the rosé of Provence. Lovely lifted floral, rose-petal aromas. Rich and powerful (for a rosé) on the palate with lovely mouth texture, retaining some good acidity. Excellent value. Highly Recommended.

Castagna Allegro 2005 (Rosé), Beechworth, Vic A wild yeast barrel fermented Shiraz rosé with a lick of Viognier (there should be a new term identified for this wine style for both Castagna, and Golden Ball. As rosé seems too simplistic). Inviting pink coral in colour, the wine displays savoury, floral, potpourri notes accompanied by lifted fruit aromas of strawberries and apricots on the nose. Those savoury notes continue on the palate with intensity not seen in any other rosé I’ve tasted. This wine is elegant and textured with great length, simply superb drinking and worth every cent. Don’t over chill. Outstanding.

The 4th edition of the Australian Wine Guide recommends wineries and individual wines to assist consumers in touring wine regions and purchasing wines. The following is a list of Outstanding and Highly Recommended wines.

Australian Pinot Noir - Outstanding

Bass Phillip Reserve 04 (Gippsland), Bindi Block 5 05 (Macedon Ranges), Bindi Original 05 (Macedon

Ranges), Curly Flat 03 (Macedon Ranges), Dalrymple Special Bin Reserve 05 (Tasmania) , Domaine A 05

(Coal River), Freycinet 05 (Tasmania), Henschke Giles 05 (Eden Valley), Yeringberg 04 (Yarra Valley)

Australian Pinot Noir - Highly Recommended

Bass Phillip Estate 04 (Gippsland), Bay of Fires 05 (Tasmania), Coldstream Hills 05 (Yarra Valley),

Coldstream Hills Reserve 05 (Yarra Valley), Hungerford Hill Tumbarumba 06 (Tumbarumba), Paringa Estate

05 (Mornington Estate), Pirie Estate Reserve 05 (Tasmania), Phillip Island The Nobbies 05 (Gippsland),

Silk Hill 04 (Tasmania), Spring Vale 05 (Tasmania), Stoney Rise 05 (Tasmania)m Stoney Vineyard 04 (Tasmania), Stoniers  KBS, Windmill and Reserve  04 (Mornington Peninsula), TarraWarra Estate 04

(Yarra Valley), Willow Creek Benedictus 04 (Mornington Peninsula)

Australian Shiraz - Outstanding

Bindi Pyrette 05 (Heathcote), Cape Mentelle Wallcliffe 03 (Margaret River), Castagna Genesis 04

(Beechworth), Chateau Tanunda Lyndoch 05 (Barossa Valley), De Bortoli Reserve Release Syrah 04

(Yarra Valley), Henschke Mount Edelstone 04 (Eden Valley), Kilikanoon Reserve 02 (Clare Valley),

Meerea Park Alexandra Munro 05 (Hunter Valley), Paul Osika 04 (Heathcote), Saltram the Eight Maker

03 (Barossa Valley), Thomas Kiss 05 (Hunter Valley), Torbreck The Factor 04 (Barossa Valley),

Torbreck The Sturie 05 (Barossa Valley), Watershed 04 (Margaret River).

Australian Shiraz - Highly Recommended

Arakoon  Doyan 03 (Mclaren Vale) , Bannockburn 03 (Geelong), Chateau Tanunda Greenock 05

(Barossa Valley), Clonakilla Hilltops 04 (Hilltops), Coriole 04 (McLaren Vale), Giants Step Sexton Jones

Block 04 (McLaren Vale), Gilberts Reserve Shiraz 04 (Mount Barker), Hardy’s Tintara 04 (McLaren Vale), Kilikanoon Covenant 04 (Clare Valley), Meerea Park Terracotta 05 (Hunter Valley), Penfolds Kalimna

Bin 28 04 (S.A blend), O’Leary Walker the Clare Reserve 04 (Clare Valley), Olivers Taranga HJ Reserve

02 (McLaren Vale), Penley Estate Special Select 04 (Coonawarra), Picardy 03 (Pemberton), Plunkett

Reserve 04 (Strathbogie Ranges), Pyrenees Ridge Reserve 05 (Pyrenees), Richmond Grove Limited

Release 02 (Barossa Valley), Seppelts Mount Ida 04 (Grampians), Thorn Clarke William Randell 04

(Barossa Valley), Torbreck Descendent 04 (Barossa Valley), Waterwheel 02 (Bendigo), Wonga Estate

04 (Heathcote).

Click here for more red wine reviews

Attention Wine Producers- Samples now being accepted for inclusion in the 5th Edition

If you would like to submit samples for consideration in the next edition of the Australian Wine Guide as well as reviews on this website please contact Clive Hartley on the following email address. contact@australianwineguide.com