Under $20
Xanadu Next of Kin Chardonnay 2013 $16-$18
Score 88 Value Good
A step above many $18 chardonnays, this WA wine has melon and creamy notes on the nose with a balanced veneer of oak. It tastes smooth with rich flavour and a dry, tangy finish. (13 per cent alcohol.)
Ageing? No.
Food Barbecued snapper.
Stockists Burwood Cellars (Vic); Kemenys, Bondi (NSW).
Under $20
Chapel Hill Parson's Nose McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 $17-$18
Score 88 Value Good
Honest regional cabernet, well priced. Dark berries, currant and milk chocolate aromas introduce a smooth, middleweight young red of easy personality, good balance and soft tannins. (14.5 per cent alcohol.)
Ageing? Drink over two years.
Food Lamb kofta.
Stockists BWS stores; Dan Murphy's stores.
$20-$35
Bass River Single Vineyard Gippsland Sauvignon Blanc 2013 $24-$26
Score 92 Value Fantastic
Sauvignon challenging the mainstream. Skin contact, subliminal oak and a sulphide hint add complexities to gooseberry, honey and leafy notes. A savoury, fine palate has a powdery, dry finish. (12 per cent alcohol.)
Ageing? Drink over the next year or two.
Food Goat's cheese and tomato salad.
Stockists Blackhearts & Sparrows, Fitzroy North (Vic); bassriverwinery.com
$20-$35
Tahbilk Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 $22-$25
Score 92 Value Fantastic
Tahbilk's historic pedigree for Nagambie cabernet finds great expression here. Intense black fruits, light herb and eucalypt hints, a mocha touch, medium body, and balanced dry tannins to support ageing. (13.5 per cent alcohol.)
Ageing? Yes, two to 10 years.
Food Slow-roasted leg of lamb.
Stockists McCoppins, Hawthorn East (Vic); Five Way Cellars, Paddington (NSW).
Indulge yourself
Salomon Undhof Pfaffenberg Riesling 2011 $42-$45
Score 94 Value Good
Complex Austrian riesling. Lemon curd, peach, mineral and struck match aromas run through a seductive, rich palate, touched lightly by sweetness, balanced by tingly acidity and a dry pithy finish. (13 per cent alcohol.)
Ageing? Drink over three years.
Food Sticky pork ribs with Vietnamese coleslaw.
Stockists Five Way Cellars, Paddington (NSW); Rathdowne Cellars, Carlton North (Vic).
Indulge yourself
Mount Langi Ghiran Mast Shiraz 2012 $115-$120
Score 95 Value Good
Sumptuous, inky Grampians shiraz named in honour of the late Trevor Mast, Langi's pioneering winemaker. Profound black fruit characters, meat stocky richness, peppery spice, powerful, lingering and complete. (14.7 per cent alcohol.)
Ageing? Yes, three to 15 years.
Food Char-grilled rump steaks.
Stockists Red White & Amber, Hawthorn (Vic); Best Cellars, East Sydney (NSW).
Wine of the week
Billy Button The Torment King Valley Riesling 2014 $23-$25
Score 93 Value Fantastic
From admirable Victorian winemaker Jo Marsh, this riesling has an appealing, slightly Germanic feel. Aromas of apples, citrus, florals and herbs meet the nose, with a touch of steely complexity unusual in youthful King Valley riesling. The palate is just off dry, with good structure, zippy acidity, and a long, aromatic finish. (12 per cent alcohol.)
Ageing? Yes, one to six years.
Food Lemongrass chicken.
Stockists Valley Cellar Door, Moonee Ponds (Vic); Different Drop (NSW), differentdrop.com or at billybuttonwines.com.au
Brew
Coopers Premium Light $2-$4 375ml
Score 88 Value Good
Light beer is light beer, but if you have to drink it, Coopers is a good choice. Light malt and Coopers' distinctive hop aromas are there, albeit very subdued, and it tastes fresh and quenching. (2.9 per cent alcohol.)
Stockists Liquorland stores; Dan Murphy's stores.
Something different
Writer's Tears Pot Still Irish Whiskey $70-$75 700ml
Score 93 Value Good.
Irish whiskies hide in the shadow of their Scottish counterparts, but they shouldn't. Writer's Tears is smooth with malty, vanillin and nutty characters, lovely softness and balance. (40 per cent alcohol.)
Stockists Dan Murphy's stores.