The Sydney Morning Herald logo
Advertisement

Wine writer Rob Geddes picks his five favourite Canberra wines

Rob Geddes

Mount Majura Vineyard winemaker Frank van de Loo with his 2013 Tempranillo.
Mount Majura Vineyard winemaker Frank van de Loo with his 2013 Tempranillo.Jamila Toderas

​Clonakilla 2013 Shiraz Viognier
​Points: 96/100
$105

Exceptional wine with juicy ripeness and overriding impeccable vineyard and winemaking etiquette. Fresh ripe red fruit intensity and poised oak balance make the aromas. The palate is ripe, even, long, medium-bodied and a Royal Show ride featuring red and dark fruit flavours, capped by fine tannins which, after a few seconds, leave you admiring the proportions and elegant ripeness.

Clonakilla 2013 Riesling​
Points: 94/100
$30

Nick O'Leary's Bolaro Shiraz 2013.
Nick O'Leary's Bolaro Shiraz 2013.Jamila Toderas
Advertisement

Floral sweet limes, apple and lemon with lovely stone fruit richness and very good length on the palate, stone fruit generosity in the middle with appealing intensity, complexity and drive to the fruit richness.

Nick O'Leary 2013 Bolaro Single Vineyard Shiraz​
Points: 95/100
$55

Blackberry and the darker spices, carbon, clove and nutmeg and mature in its depth and nuances of complexity with age-worthy intensity. Ripe without being too warm; the fruits are smooth and long, red cherry then turning savoury on the finish. Elegant and balanced and fresh, with a long late black pepper finish. NSW wine of the year in 2014 and several gold medals.

<i>2016 Australian Wine Vintages</i>, by Rob Geddes.
2016 Australian Wine Vintages, by Rob Geddes.Supplied

Mount Majura TSG 2013 Tempranillo Shiraz Graciano
​​Points: 94/100
$32

Advertisement

A mix of exotic coffee, hazelnut and blueberry spice. The palate starts sweet fruited, complex, meaty blueberry and spice. It's silky and evolves with the tannin balance showing lovely fine-grained length and finesse and the spice possible from whole bunch on the finish. The fruit weight is medium and the overall style is delicious.

Lark Hill 2014 Gruner Veltliner
​​Points: 93/100
$45

Yellow peach and white pepper with picked-to-perfection balance in the mouth. Plenty of personality in the juicy and even wine with great richness. A touch of celery means this is a "drink younger" wine. A great intro to the variety and a great wine with food or in a restaurant.

Australian Wine Vintages 2016 by Rob Geddes is out now. $35.

Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox.

Sign up

From our partners

Advertisement
Advertisement