Under $20
Logan Weemala Riesling 2014 $17-$19
Score 91 Value Fantastic
Riesling of appetising varietal purity from Orange, NSW. Apple, citrus and steely aromas track through a smooth mid-palate, enhanced by a whisper of fruit sweetness, to a sherbetty, clean finish. (Screw cap; 12 per cent alcohol.)
Ageing? Drink over three years.
Food idea Vegetarian nori rolls with Japanese pickles.
Stockists include Very limited stocks available at The Clock Hotel Bottle Shop (Sydney); Logan online shop at loganwines.com.au
Willow Bridge Estate Dragonfly Cabernet Merlot 2013 $16-$18
Score 90 Value Fantastic
Great value from WA's Geographe. Crushed blackcurrants, exotic spice, camphor and cedar on the nose, and a palate of suprising plumpness and refinement, middleweight, lingering and finely textured. (Screw cap; 13.3 per cent alcohol.)
Ageing? Drink over three years.
Food idea Pink lamb cutlets.
Stockists include Acland Cellars (Melbourne); North Sydney Cellars.
$20-$35
Mandala Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2013 $26-$28
Score 92 Value Good
Smooth Yarra Valley chardonnay that combines peachy fruit, cream toffee-like richness and balanced oak in easy harmony. It's seamless and satisfying in the mouth with a fine, dry finish. (Screw cap; 13 per cent alcohol.)
Ageing? Drink over the next year.
Food idea Chinese steamed chicken.
Stockists include Porter's Liquor (Sydney); Parkhill Cellars (Melbourne).
Seppeltsfield Barossa Grenache 2014 $24-$27
Score 90 Value Good
Classic Barossa grenache from wonderful Seppeltsfield. Jammy raspberry, spice, Turkish delight and floral aromas introduce a ripe, juicy wine of smooth softness, sustained flavour and balanced tannins. (Screw cap; 14.5 per cent alcohol.)
Ageing? Drink over four years.
Food idea Barbecued pork spareribs.
Stockists include Seppeltsfield Cellar Door at seppeltsfield.com.au or on 08 8568 6217
Indulge yourself
Handpicked Collection Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir 2013 $58-$60
Score 94 Value Good
Top notch Mornington Peninsula pinot. A nose of sour cherries, undergrowth, spice and varietal mystery flows through a seamless, silky palate that's soft, long and perfectly poised. (Screw cap; 13.8 per cent alcohol.)
Ageing? Drink over three years.
Food idea Grilled duck breasts with cherries.
Stockists include Prince Wine Store (Sydney); Prince Wine Store (Melbourne).
Pikes The Merle Riesling 2014 $42-$46
Score 96 Value Good
The Merle sums up what makes Clare Valley riesling great. Delicate floral talc and citrus fruit aromas show great regional/varietal purity, and intense flavours build in the mouth through a savoury, bone-dry finish to a lingering aftertaste. (Screw cap; 12 per cent alcohol.)
Ageing? Yes, two to 10 years plus.
Food idea Linguini with crab.
Stockists include Prince Wine Store✓ (Melbourne); Five Way Cellars (Sydney).
Wine of the week
Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier 2013 $105-$110
Score 97 Value Good
A modern Australian classic, Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier has never been better. The 2013 is a delight in the first flush of youth, and promises superb improvement over time. Plummy fruit has eau-de-vie-like perfume, floral aromas, earthiness and a cut of peppery spice and flair, restrained oak plays a part. In the mouth gorgeously intense fruit meets perfectly poised tannins, and lingering flavours build depth and power with air. (Screw cap; 14 per cent alcohol.)
Ageing? Drink over 10 years plus.
Food idea Coq-au-vin.
Stockists include City Wine Shop (Melbourne); Five Way Cellars (Sydney).
Brew
Mountain Goat Summer Ale $3-4 375ml can
Score 92 Value Good
Summer isn't over, and this Victorian craft beer is ideal for slaking warm weather thirsts. Pale and cloudy, it has lightly floral, fruity aromas, fine texture and an easy, quenching palate. It's full strength, but much gentler than most. (4.7 per cent alcohol.)
Stockists include Dan Murphy's.
Something different
Jachmann Royal Gala Small Batch Apple Cider $7-$9 500ml
Score 90 Value Good
This strong dry cider has a deep colden colour and only slight effervescence. Aromas and flavours are pure and not at all bolstered by sweetness, with a light purity of apple characters and a clean, fresh acid backbone. (7 per cent alcohol.)
Stockists include Carwyn Cellars (Melbourne); Little Bottler Arncliffe Cellars (Sydney).