Under $20
Chalk Hill Lopresti Block 10 Vermentino 2015 $17-$19
Score 88 Value Good
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.
Stockists include Decanters by the Bay, Port Melbourne (Vic); Camperdown Cellars, Leichhardt (NSW).
Under $20
Mr Mick Novo Clare Valley Sangiovese 2015 $15-$17
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.)
Ageing? Drink over the next year.
Food idea Pasta with veal ragu.
Stockists include David Matters Best Cellars, East Sydney (NSW); Swords Wines, Queen Victoria Market (Vic).
$20-$35
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.)
Ageing? Yes, two to 10 years.
Food idea Thai fish cakes.
Stockists include Brighton Fine Wines , Brighton (Vic); Glebe Liquor, Glebe (NSW).
$20-$35
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.
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.)
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
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).
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.
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
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).