Under $20
Tahbilk Marsanne 2014 $17-$19
Score 89 Value Good
A historic wine type from Nagambie Lakes, Victoria. It has fresh, clean aromas of lemon, stone fruits and heathland ahead of pure varietal flavours of good intensity and length with a zesty finish. (Screw cap; 12.9 per cent alcohol.)
Ageing? Drink over five years plus.
Food ideas Shellfish; smoked trout.
Stockists include Nirvana Beach Liquor, Bondi (NSW); Piedimonte's, Fitzroy North (Vic.)
Mandoleto Terre Siciliana Nero d'Avola 2013 $12-$14
Score 88 Value Fantastic
Typically sun-roasted and satisfying, this Sicilian red smells of leather, spiced meat and stony ground. The palate is smooth with flavours of ripe berries and Asian spices, supported by grainy tannins. Plenty of honest, rustic personality. (Screw cap; 13.5 per cent alcohol.)
Ageing? Drink over two years.
Food ideas Pasta with eggplant; veal rolled around cheese, raisins and pinenuts.
Stockists include WineStar, winestar.com.au (Vic.); Mascot Liquor (NSW).
$20-$35
De Iuliis Sunshine Vineyard Hunter Valley Semillon 2014 $23-$25
Score 93 Value Fantastic
Fine, youthful Hunter semillon from a famous vineyard. Lemon, lime and steely aromas introduced a palate of intensity and poise. Savoury and undeveloped now, it should develop toasty complexity and richness with age. (Screw cap; 11.5 per cent alcohol.)
Ageing? Yes, two to 10 years.
Food ideas Grilled fish.
Stockists include Just released. Ask at your local wine shop or visit dewine.com.au
Brand's Laira Foundation Coonawarra Shiraz 2012 $22-$24
Score 92 Value Fantastic
Coonawarra shiraz for drinking now or a few years' mellowing age. An inviting nose of ripe boysenberries, spice and earth leads through plenty of juicy flavour and a drying tannin backbone. (Screw cap; 14.5 per cent alcohol.)
Ageing? Drink over five years.
Food ideas Barbecued steaks; char kwai teow with beef.
Stockists include William Street Bottle Shop, Hawthorn (Vic); Bondi Beach Cellars (NSW).
Indulge yourself
Henschke Mount Edelstone 2012 $135-$139
Score 96 Value Good
A classic Henschke Eden Valley shiraz. Concentrated crushed black fruit, spice, smoke, musk, chocolate on the nose, a gorgeous flow of velvety fruit in the mouth, perfect poise and balance, softness and finish. (Screw cap; 14.5 per cent alcohol.)
Ageing? Drink over 15 years.
Food ideas Roast rib of beef; mushroom tart with bone marrow.
Stockists include North Sydney Cellars (NSW); Armadale Cellars (Vic).
Franck Bonville Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut NV $43
Score 93 Value Fantastic
Superbly elegant grower champagne made from 2011, '10 and '09 chardonnays from great vineyards. Citrus, white peach and integrated yeasty notes introduce wine of lovely finesse, silky texture and lingering, fragrant aftertaste. An absolute bargain. (Cork; 12.5 per cent alcohol.)
Ageing? No.
Food ideas Shellfish; sushi.
Stockists include Only available from burchfamilywines.com.au or call 08 9756 5200.
Wine of the week
Vignerons Schmolzer & Brown Pret-a-Rosé 2014 $26
Score 93 Value Good
This "serious" rosé is much better than most. An unlikely Beechworth blend of sangiovese and pinot noir, it has medium pink colour and cherry, spice, floral and earthy aromas that are savoury and inviting. Depth and persistence of fruit character mark the palate, a whisper of old oak provides textural suggestions rather than flavours, and the finish is long and aromatic. (Screw cap; 13.5 per cent alcohol.)
Ageing? Drink over two years.
Food ideas Antipasti; grilled spiced poussin.
Stockists include City Wine Shop, Spring Street, Melbourne (Vic); Five Way Cellars, Paddington (NSW).
Brew
James Squire Stowaway IPA $3.50-$4.50 345ml
Score 94
An India Pale Ale of robust character. Deep amber in colour, it offers powerful aromas of sweet malt and aromatic hops. It tastes rich and malty with a pronounced bite of steely bitterness underneath. (5.6 per cent alcohol.)
Stockists include Dan Murphy's stores.
Something different
Belvedere Vodka $50-$55 700ml
Score 94
This highly regarded Polish vodka, distilled from rye, is all about complex grainy aromas, and clean spirit flavours of great depth and purity. Best served on its own, icy cold. (40 per cent alcohol.)
Stockists include Liquorland stores; Dan Murphy's stores.