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Wine Guide

Ralph Kyte-Powell

Pauletts Polish Hill River Clare Valley Riesling.
Pauletts Polish Hill River Clare Valley Riesling.Supplied

Under $20

Chalk Hill Lopresti Block 10 Vermentino​ 2015 $17-$19

Score 88 Value Good

Zonte's Footstep Lake Doctor Langhorne Creek Shiraz 2014.
Zonte's Footstep Lake Doctor Langhorne Creek Shiraz 2014. Supplied
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McLaren Vale vermentino​ with appetising aromas of citrus, blossom, crushed grapes and minerals. It has a feeling of purity with plump mouthfeel, clean flavours and sustained, slightly firm finish. (Screw cap; 12.5 per cent alcohol.)

Ageing? No.

Food idea Chilled shellfish.

Chalk Hill Lopresti Block 10 Vineyard Vermentino.
Chalk Hill Lopresti Block 10 Vineyard Vermentino.Supplied

Stockists include Decanters by the Bay, Port Melbourne (Vic); Camperdown Cellars, Leichhardt (NSW).

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Under $20

Mr Mick Novo Clare Valley Sangiovese 2015 $15-$17

Mr Mick Novo Clare Valley Sangiovese 2015.
Mr Mick Novo Clare Valley Sangiovese 2015.Supplied

Score 87 Value Good

There's a bit of Italian deli about this: cherry nougat, cured meat and earthy aromas lead into juicy flavours of cherry and savoury spice, zesty acidity, and light, dry tannins. (Screw cap; 13 per cent alcohol.)

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Ageing? Drink over the next year.

Mac Forbes RS56 Strathbogie Ranges Riesling 2015.
Mac Forbes RS56 Strathbogie Ranges Riesling 2015.Supplied

Food idea Pasta with veal ragu.

Stockists include David Matters Best Cellars, East Sydney (NSW); Swords Wines, Queen Victoria Market (Vic).

$20-$35

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Best's Great Western Bin No.0 Shiraz 2014,
Best's Great Western Bin No.0 Shiraz 2014,Supplied

Pauletts Polish Hill River Clare Valley Riesling $21-$23

Score 94 Value Fantastic

A regional wine of great presence and intensity. It smells of blossom, lime, green pineapple and steel. Appetising and juicy, it has lovely varietal purity and spice, ahead of a long, tingly finish. (Screw cap; 12.5 per cent alcohol.)

Williams Crossing Macedon Ranges Pinot Noir.
Williams Crossing Macedon Ranges Pinot Noir.Juanita McCleary
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Ageing? Yes, two to 10 years.

Food idea Thai fish cakes.

Stockists include Brighton Fine Wines , Brighton (Vic); Glebe Liquor, Glebe (NSW).

Orion Premium Draft Beer  $3-$4 (334ml bottle).
Orion Premium Draft Beer $3-$4 (334ml bottle).Supplied

$20-$35

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Zonte's Footstep Lake Doctor Langhorne Creek Shiraz 2014 $23-$25

Score 91 Value Good

A friendly, easy-drinking red that opens with ripe berries, gentle spice and milk-chocolate aromas, followed by succulent flavour and mellow texture dovetailing into fine, ripe tannins. (Screw cap; 14.5 per cent alcohol.)

Ageing? Drink over three years.

Food idea Moussaka-stuffed capsicums.

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Stockists include Kemenys, Bondi (NSW); Nicks Wine Merchants, Doncaster East (Vic).

Indulge yourself

Mac Forbes RS56 Strathbogie Ranges Riesling 2015 $38-$40

Score 93 Value Good

Classy sweetish riesling from high country Victoria. Musky floral, tropical fruit and sweet citrus aromas, ahead of a delicious palate of lushness, delicacy, elegant balance, and lingering personality. (Screw cap; 10.5 per cent alcohol.)

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Ageing? Drink over five years.

Food idea Warm duck salad with orange.

Stockists include Five Way Cellars, Paddington (NSW); City Wine Shop, Melbourne (Vic).

Indulge yourself

Best's Great Western Bin No.0 Shiraz 2014 $80-$85

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Score 95 Value Good

Superb Grampians shiraz smelling of spices, blueberries, raspberries and cedar. The palate flows intense, seamless and complete, medium-bodied and long-tasting, gentle, superfine tannins underneath. (Screw cap; 13.5 per cent alcohol.)

Ageing? Captivating now, should live for at least 15 years.

Food idea Minute steaks with romesco sauce.

Stockists include Tom's Cellars, Pymble (NSW); Prince Wine Store, South Melbourne (Vic).

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Wine of the week

Williams Crossing Macedon Ranges Pinot Noir 2014 $27

Score 92 Value Good

Some pinots at twice the price don't deliver as this does. A perfume of florals, plums and cherries gives pristine varietal feel, and it tastes intense, fresh and poised, with elegant satiny texture. (Screw cap; 13.4 per cent alcohol.)

Ageing? Drink over three years.

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Food idea Pasta with pumpkin, walnuts, sage and cheese.

Stockists include Curly Flat Cellar Door on (03) 5429 1956 or at mail@curlyflat.com

Something else

Orion Premium Draft Beer $3-$4 (334ml bottle or 500ml can)

Score 89 Value Good

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A quenching Japanese beer from the island of Okinawa, Orion offers pale malt and subtly floral hop aromas, smooth texture, delicate flavour, and a clean, slightly bitter finish. (5 per cent alcohol.)

Stockists include Bondi Cellars, Bondi Beach (NSW); The Melbourne Wine Store, Melbourne (Vic).

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