Curly Flat Macedon Ranges Chardonnay 2009, $47 Cellar door $42 13% alc

95 points

Another beauty from Curly Flat - excellent wood work, the texture and depth are very impressive. Hints of stone fruit grapefruit and sun warmed stones add to the charm.

Chapel Hill McLaren Vale Bush Vine Grenache 2009, $30 15% alc

92 points

There’s a moreish earthiness to this grenache which recalls French versions. Its more Satsuma plum than cherry and sinewy rather than sweet. Great stuff.

Penny’s Hill McLaren Vale The Specialized Shiraz Cabernet Merlot 2010, $22 14.5% alc

89 points

Spicy, deep, dangerously drinkable - the blend is truly blended . There are plenty of red and black berries but also a whiff of skins or pressings which loses it a couple of

points.

Kirrihill Single Vineyard Clare Valley Slate Creek Vineyard Riesling 2010, $16 13%alc

87 points

It’s a great price but perhaps a little too ripe. It’s not blousy - there’s lime and blossom but it lacks the leanness and length of some of the greats.

Yalumba Organic Shiraz 2011, $18.95 13.5% alc

89 points

This shiraz is way better than the chardonnay under the same label. It’s a sweet, spicy, plummy shiraz unencumbered by wood.

Curly Flat Macedon Ranges Pinot Noir 2009, $53 Cellar door $48 13.9% alc

92 points

I nearly wet my pants over the 2006 version of this wine. This one didn’t quite make me incontinent but it is very good pinot. Sweet/savoury and long and complex but doesn’t quite earn the price tag.

Kilikanoon Covenant Clare Valley Shiraz 2009, $44 14.5% alc

92 Points

Supple, spicy shiraz, it’s well-made deep and intense. If anything it lacks a little Clare personality and the price tag is a bit steep.

Soumah Yarra Valley Shiraz 2010 $34 13.5% alc

92 points

There’s some fine shiraz fruit in this bottle with whiffs of blueberry, and hints of delicatessen counters. It does need a little time in the bottle to really bloom. There’s plenty of power there and it would be interesting to see it in a couple of years. By the way, it has one of the most informative labels going around. Not only do you get techo details, the bottling date, and how many dozen were produced, there’s also the signature of the winemaker and the viticulturalist. Steak knives are not included.

Pichfork Margaret River Shiraz 2010, $16 14% alc

88 points

This is the second label of Hay Shed Hill. There’s plenty of raw chewy Margaret River fruit here and ‘raw’ is the operative word. Then again, that’s what it is meant to be at this price point. It could do with a year or so in the bottle to settle down.

Howard Park Porongurup Riesling 2011, $35 12% alc

96 points

Thirty five bucks for a riesling!!!? But this is no ordinary riesling. Light, lithe and delicate, it has beautiful balance and poise.