Yalumba are one of the few companies that have stuck with grenache through thick and thin. When times were tough for this grape variety, and they were for a long time, Yalumba creating a long tradition of crafting delicious wines from old bush vines. This is one their top grenache releases and is made with fruit from vines
Looking for something special? Here are our picks and favourite drinks to suit every occasion. From midweek wines and casual catchups through to the biggest events, here you will find new favourites at every price that are guaranteed to help you drink better everyday.
After tasting the range from Gralyn Estate this was my favourite of the lot, a Margaret River Chardonnay that has embraced a full-flavoured style but also provides great complexity. It opens with beautifully savoury, cashew and earthy notes before launching into an intense array of citrus and nectarine fruit well supported by spicy oak. The palate is then dry and powerful with a creamy texture thanks to reserved acidity. It’s also silky and long thanks to generous fruit and is already delicious but will also improve with time in bottle.
After tasting the range from Gralyn Estate this was my favourite of the lot, a Margaret River Chardonnay that has embraced a full-flavoured style but also provides great complexity. It opens with beautifully savoury, cashew and earthy notes before launching into an intense array of citrus and nectarine fruit well supported by spicy oak. The palate is then dry and powerful with a creamy texture thanks to reserved acidity. It’s also silky and long thanks to generous fruit and is already delicious but will also improve with time in bottle.
More than just reviews, get the inside story on our favourite winemakers, brewers, distilleries, wineries and regions, and what makes them special. You’ll never look at wine, beer and spirits the same way again.
It’s been a while since I’ve taken a proper look at such a premium line of Yarra Valley wines – I’ve been getting caught up with the rest of the world and ignoring what’s literally sitting on my doorstep next to the milk. But The Valley’s great. The proximity to Melbourne means that on any lazy weekend you can jump up and get out there at the drop of a hat. ‘Honey, I seemed to have dropped hat again…’. ‘Never mind that now! Let’s go wine tasting!’. And off you go. On my first trip out there as a neophyte sommelier the
It’s been a while since I’ve taken a proper look at such a premium line of Yarra Valley wines – I’ve been getting caught up with the rest of the world and ignoring what’s literally sitting on my doorstep next to the milk. But The Valley’s great. The proximity to Melbourne means that on any lazy weekend you can jump up and get out there at the drop of a hat. ‘Honey, I seemed to have dropped hat again…’. ‘Never mind that now! Let’s go wine tasting!’. And off you go. On my first trip out there as a neophyte sommelier the
Every week there are hundreds of new Australian wines hitting shelves and winelists around the world. Here is our regular update on what’s new from the biggest brands right down to the smallest boutique winemakers.
This is the kind of cabernet sauvignon that will get Bordeaux and Napa fans excited with its pure and raw expression of the grape variety. It’s deeply coloured and slightly rustic with powerful layers of dark berry fruits well supported by cigarbox aromas and new oak. The palate is then bone dry and tannic with a dusting of dried herbs over deepset blackcurrant and gravel before a long, firm finish. It’s still young and tight with best drinking in around a decade when the tannins are better integrated.
After tasting the range from Gralyn Estate this was my favourite of the lot, a Margaret River Chardonnay that has embraced a full-flavoured style but also provides great complexity. It opens with beautifully savoury, cashew and earthy notes before launching into an intense array of citrus and nectarine fruit well supported by spicy oak. The palate is then dry and powerful with a creamy texture thanks to reserved acidity. It’s also silky and long thanks to generous fruit and is already delicious but will also improve with time in bottle.
Kiwi winemakers are now crafting some of the greatest wines on the planet. Our team in Australia and New Zealand hunt down the best new releases from right around the country to share with you.
When someone asks ‘does Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc age’ I usually say ‘no it doesn’t’. Because let’s face it, the joy of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is in its sheer youthful exuberance. It has an unapologetically vivid, full throttle personality that shouts ‘drink me NOW!’. And once this starts to fade, as the wines age, a little of the magic disappears. But I suspect this 2019 Smith & Sheth Wairau Sauvignon Blanc never shouted anything. Instead it has chosen to be quietly powerful, a carefully crafted wine whose appeal lies in its depth of flavour. With a little time in bottle, and
When someone asks ‘does Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc age’ I usually say ‘no it doesn’t’. Because let’s face it, the joy of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is in its sheer youthful exuberance. It has an unapologetically vivid, full throttle personality that shouts ‘drink me NOW!’. And once this starts to fade, as the wines age, a little of the magic disappears. But I suspect this 2019 Smith & Sheth Wairau Sauvignon Blanc never shouted anything. Instead it has chosen to be quietly powerful, a carefully crafted wine whose appeal lies in its depth of flavour. With a little time in bottle, and
Looking for a change? Then let us guide you through the world of wine with our International new releases. We’ve got reviews and stories on everything from bargain supermarket picks right through to international icons.
Cotes du Rhone is the one of the largest appellations in France which turns out millions and millions of bottles every year. With that much wine, it can sometimes be hard to pick a winner. But no such problem here with this wine really delivering plenty of French personality and flavour. It’s big for a Cotes du Rhone with good concentration and aromas of blackberry, leather, spice and old oak. It all sits over a layer of rustic baked earthy complexity. That leads to a mid-weight palate, but with loads of twists and turns – dark cherry, white pepper and
Cotes du Rhone is the one of the largest appellations in France which turns out millions and millions of bottles every year. With that much wine, it can sometimes be hard to pick a winner. But no such problem here with this wine really delivering plenty of French personality and flavour. It’s big for a Cotes du Rhone with good concentration and aromas of blackberry, leather, spice and old oak. It all sits over a layer of rustic baked earthy complexity. That leads to a mid-weight palate, but with loads of twists and turns – dark cherry, white pepper and
To help you drink better every time, Winepilot is your good times passport – a personal drinks guide to the greatest sips and nips from Australia and around the globe.
Join the Winepilot community
today for your one-way ticket to better drinks.
Sign up now to drink better everyday.
