Please Note: the up-to-date lists are now on my website:
http://bestwinesunder20.com.au/
Kim, April 2013
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PLEASE NOTE
These short lists are the result of cutting through mountains of ordinary wines on the shelves of our grog shops to find the real gems. My assessements of wines are made from a consumer's perspective. I buy my own samples to make sure I'm tasting the same wines you are. I avoid the lavish wine launch events, lunches or dinners other reviewers enjoy and write about. These are compromising environments for wine assessment - it's easier to shoot straight when you're not partying on the gravy train.
I don't assess wines lined up in long rows either, in a single or double take. That's the system our wine shows deploy since that's the only way to get through thousands of wines. As a result, the show system is a poor guide to quality. I taste every wine I write about over several days, with and without food. We all know how wines can change, for better or for worse, over a day or two in the open bottle.
Note on availability
As a consumer, I’ve been frustrated many times by glowing reviews of wines that turned out to be impossible to track down, therefore this list is made up of wines that are readily available from the big grog shops. If there's a real wine merchant left in your suburb, please support him as long as you can. If you happily buy wine direct from your favourite vineyards, there's no reason to change.
Note on pricing
The pricing used here is ‘street’, that is the best current or recent price for a wine bought in 6 or 12 packs (mixed). At Dan M and 1st Choice, the magic number is 6, at Kemenys and Vintage Cellars it’s 12. The wines listed also reflect the regular promotions run by the bigger wine companies. I update these lists often, but specials can last for just a few days because Woolworths and Coles keep fiddling with their prices to do each other damage.
More on our retailers and the games they play here: http://briard.typepad.com/get_the_picture/2012/09/woolworths-and-coles-masters-of-wine.html
More on what's wrong with our wine show system here: http://briard.typepad.com/get_the_picture/2012/09/australian-wine-shows-have-a-bright-future.html
WHITES
Clifford Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2011 – $13, Kemenys*
Herbaceous, flinty gooseberry style. Flavour, depth and length. Nearing its peak. Bargain
Waipara Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2011 - $15, Kemenys
Another label that delivers quality above the average at this price level
Hidden Label Margaret River Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2011 - $13 at Kemenys
Stella Bella under a Hidden Label, big wine, savoury, good with food
Hidden Label Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2008 - $14, Kemenys
A leaner, cool climate style that's still improving. 12.5%. 94 points from JH
Brookland Valley Verse 1 Chardonnay 2011 - $12.00 at Kemenys
A bit commercial in its make-up but plenty of flavour and zippy freshness
Jim Barry Watervale Riesling 2012 - Kemenys - $15
A vibrant Riesling from a great vintage, floral, delicate, wonderful length. Bargain
Pewsey Vale
Eden Valley Riesling 2012 - $15, Winestar or Kemenys
A classic. The 2012 is more floral than the 2011, and more delicate. Back up the ute!
Dopff Au Moulin Riesling 2010 or 2011, $13, Dan M
Delicate Riesling built for the long haul. Different from ours. Remarkable value
Chalkboard Hunter Valley Semillon 2012 - $11, Vintage Cellars
Not my beer but others rave about it. Won 2 trophies at the 2012 Hunter Valley Show.
And now for something completely different - great value too
Dopff Au Moulin Pinot Blanc 2011, $13, Dan M
Interesting wine, quite delicate. Good with shellfish and delicate white meats
REDS
Hidden Label Margaret River Cabernet 2009 - $11, Kemenys
This is Capel Vale's $18 Regional Selection Margaret River Cabernet under a Hidden label
Amberley Secret Lane Cabernet Merlot 2011 - $13 at Kemenys
Classy, elegant Margaret River red. Will improve. Real value
Mad Fish Gold Turtle Cabernet Merlot 2010 - $14.25 at Dan M's
Another smooth, medium-bodied, great value Cabernet Merlot from Margaret River
Richard Hamilton Hutt Block Cabernet Sauvigon
2010 - $15, Winestar
Well-made McLaren Vale Cabernet of the more elegant style. 14%. 94 points from JH
Amelia Park Mishmash Red 2010 - $14, Kemenys
Margaret River red blend, medium bodied, elegant and fruit-driven. Two golds.
Yalumba The Scribbler Cabernet Shiraz 2009 - $14.75, Kemenys
Barossa and Eden Valleys. Elegant, vibrant, fruit driven style. Not too big.
Tahbilk Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 - !4.95 at Kemenys
Big, complex, five-year-old Cabernet from Goulburn Valley. Super bargain. 14.5%
Seppelt Grampians Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 - Dan M Cellar Release - $14.90
A real sleeper: medium bodied, soft and gentle,
mature Cabernet, easy on the gums
http://danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_916389/seppelt-cabernet-sauvignon-2005
Fox Gordon Cabernet Temperanillo 2009 -$14.25, 1st Choice
Smooth Cabernet with an exotic twist. Works surprisingly well. 14%
St Hallet Shiraz 2010 - $11, Kemenys
A Barossa Shiraz at the elegant end of the spectrum, great balance, real sleeper. 13.5%
Meerea Park Shiraz 2011 - $13 at Dan M's
Lively, flavoursome, medium-bodied Hunter red, ready to drink. Perfect with Pizza
Hidden Label McLaren Vale Uncut Shiraz 2010 - $13 at Kemenys
This is Gemtree Uncut Shiraz under a Hidden Label. Great value. Biodynamic, 95 from JH
Mount Langi Ghiran Billi Billi Shiraz 2009 - $12.65, Kemenys
Warm, spicy, ripe cherry-fruit-driven red, medium bodied and balanced. 14%
Zeppelin Big Bertha Shiraz 2010 - $14 at KemenysBig, ripe, soft and cuddly Barossa Shiraz. $14.5%. Terrific value
Hereford Shiraz 2010 - 13, Dan M's
Vibrant, fruit-driven Shiraz, 50% Heathcote, not too heavy, perfect with pizza and pasta
Charles Cimicky Trumps Barossa Shiraz 2010, $14, various outlets
Juicy style with spicy Shiraz and Christmas pudding flavours, great with BBQs. 14%
Xanadu Next of Kin Shiraz 2010, $14 at MyCellars
Lively, juicy Margaret River Shiraz. Perfect for Pizza and Pasta. Hides its 14.5% well
OTHER
Wirra Wirra Mrs Wrigley Rose 2011- $15, Kemenys
An easy on the gums style, not too profound and not too frivolous
Hidden Label Botrytis Semillon 2008 375ml - $13, Kemenys
Trophy for Best Dessert Wine at 2011 Royal Melbourne, 3 gold medals
Seppelt Fleur de Lys Vintage 2008 - $15, Kemenys
Pretty tough to pick a good one here, but this bubbly gets good reviews
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