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Fine wines and an Irish whiskey to tempt the palate

Ralph Kyte-Powell

DCB Wine Chardonnay.
DCB Wine Chardonnay. Supplied

Under $20

Barking Mad Watervale Riesling 2015 $14-$16

Score 89 Value Fantastic

Great value Clare Valley riesling. Floral talc and lime zest aromas of zippy intensity introduce a plump, juicy mid-palate of good length, enhanced by a slight impression of sweetness and a tangy finish. (Screw cap; 12.5 per cent alcohol.)

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Ageing? Drink over two years.

Food idea Thai salad with tofu and peanuts.

Stockists include Cutty Cellars, Crows Nest (NSW); Nicks Wine Merchants, Doncaster East (Vic).

Under $20

Trentham Estate Noble Taminga 2012 $14-$16 (375ml)

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Score 89 Value Good

A golden, sweet white with complex gewurztraminer-like personality. Aromas of lychees, oriental spice, rosewater and crushed muscatels flow through a sweet, exotically luscious palate of good balance and structure. (Screw cap; 11 per cent alcohol.)

Ageing? Drink over two years.

Food idea Washed rind cheese.

Stockists include Camberwell South Cellars (Vic); Potts Point Liquor & Deli (NSW).

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$20-$35

Battle of Bosworth McLaren Vale Touriga Nacional 2015 $23-$25

Score 91 Value Good

The Portuguese touriga​ grape does well in Australia. Varietal character reminiscent of dark cherries, prunes and aniseedy spice, complex, smooth and complete in the mouth, grippy tannins in balance. (Screw cap; 13.5 per cent alcohol.)

Ageing? Drink over five years.

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Food idea Veal, chorizo and potato hotpot.

Stockists include Best Cellars, Darlinghurst (NSW); Cloudwine, South Melbourne (Vic).

$20-$35

Summerfield Merlot 2014 $35

Score 92 Value Good

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A benchmark for merlot in Victoria's Pyrenees. It smells of blackberries, plums, chocolate and spice with a lightly leafy, floral overlay. The palate is smooth and medium bodied with easy texture and tannins. (Screw cap; 13.1 per cent alcohol.)

Ageing? Drink over four years.

Food idea Beef and red wine pie.

Stockists include Summerfield Cellar Door, summerfieldwines.com or call 03 5467 2264.

Indulge yourself

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Marchand & Burch Porongurup Chardonnay 2015 $70-$73

Score 95 Value Good

Superfine chardonnay, typical of the best from WA's far south. White peach, citrus, matchstick, and lavender aromas are framed by balanced spicy oak. The palate vibrantly balances richness, tight structure and acidity. (Screw cap; 13 per cent alcohol.)

Ageing? Yes, one to five years.

Food idea Pan-fried fish.

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Stockists include Melbourne Wine Store, St Kilda Road (Vic); Sixty Darling Street, Balmain (NSW).

Indulge yourself

Delas Francois de Tournon Saint-Joseph 2012 $60-$70

Score 92 Value Good

Deliciously drinkable syrah (shiraz) from the northern Rhone Valley. Aromas of raspberries, spice and demi-glace are savoury and inviting. It's medium bodied, supple, finely textured, and soft in tannin. (Cork; 13.5 per cent alcohol.)

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Ageing? Drink over six years.

Food idea Roast beef with all the trimmings.

Stockists include Prince Wine Store, Zetland (NSW);
Rathdowne Cellars, Carlton North (Vic). Limited stocks available.

Wine of the week

DCB Wine Chardonnay 2015 $18-$20

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Score 92 Value Fantastic

Fine Yarra Valley chardonnay – great price. Subtly aromatic with citrus, white peach, spice and a smoky touch, subliminal oak, good depth with elegance and freshness, perfectly integrated acidity. A bottle can empty in a flash. (Screw cap; 12.9 per cent alcohol.)

Ageing? Drink over three years.

Food idea Kingfish carpaccio.

Stockists include Boccaccio Cellars, Balwyn (Vic); Best Cellars, Darlinghurst (NSW).

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Something else

Bushmills Black Bush Irish Whiskey $52-$55

Score 92 Value Good

Irish whiskey with personality. Fruity spirit, nutty, sweet and vanillin characters are complex with the mellowness of sherry cask maturation. It tastes clean and pure with smoothness and a fragrant finish. (Cork; 40 per cent alcohol.)

Stockists include Dan Murphy's stores, Australia-wide.

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