Wine guide

Under $20

Giesen The Brothers' Land Merlot 2015, Hawkes Bay $17

Score 89

This medium-bodied merlot tastes like a cheaper Bordeaux: leafy, plummy, with green-olive overtones, and a soft, fleshy texture in the mouth. A pleasant, easy-drinking merlot for current consumption. The price is remarkable. (13 per cent alcohol; screw-cap)

Ageing? Drink now to 10 years.

Food idea Veal saltimbocca.

Stockists include Dan Murphy's and 1st Choice (nationally).

$20-$35

First Foot Forward The Patch Vineyard Rosé 2016, Yarra Valley $25

Score 92

A delicious barrel-fermented pinot noir with onion-skin colour and a complex fragrant bouquet of strawberry, rosewater and nuttiness, which is very varietal but also multi-layered. The palate is soft, yet near enough to dry, and superbly balanced. (13.5 per cent alcohol; screw-cap)

Ageing? Drink now to two years.

Food idea A plate of mixed charcuterie.

Stockists include Wine Culture, Roseville Chase (NSW); The Public Brewery, Croydon (Vic)

Indulge Yourself

Shaw + Smith Shiraz 2015, Adelaide Hills $46

Score 95

The best shiraz yet under this label: deliciously intense with blood-plum, raspberry, black-cherry aromas laced with subtle pepper and spice nuances. Marvellous richness and a seamless, soft-textured palate which is fruit-driven, with barely perceptible oak. Drink now or cellar. (14 per cent alcohol; screw-cap)

Ageing? Drink now to 2035.

Food idea All slow-cooked meat dishes.

Stockists include Five Way Cellars (NSW); Parkhill Cellars (Vic)

Wine of the week

Stonier Pinot Noir 2016, Mornington Peninsula $28-$30

Score 93

This is an excellent pinot at any price, and quite remarkable for $30. The bouquet is spicy, meaty and charcuterie-like, adding layers of interest to the primary fruits. Soft, delicious, sweetly ripe pinot flavour, very varietal and loaded with charm. (14 per cent alcohol; screw-cap)

Ageing? Drink now to eight years.

Food idea Confit duck leg.

Stockists include Shorty's Liquor (NSW); Boccaccio Cellars (Vic)