NEW RELEASES
A great example of the consistency across the board with these new release wines, with even the marginal wines not making the cut due to small issues rather than major ones. To have 210 wines awarded is a great testimony to the winemakers. Jewel in the crown this time was the 2018 shiraz class where one judge commented “rarely have I seen a class of wines at this level - with absolutely no faults.” Also at the highest level were the alternative red varietals showing a major shift to mid weight wines (along with some nice varietal pinots) and the ever reliable cabernet wines. But good wines abound in all categories.
283 TASTED
210 AWARDED
SPARKLING
11 TASTED
7 AWARDED
A mix class of diverse wines and styles. “Dosage (sugar) must be balanced with acid and CO2 structure,” noted one judge. “As usual the high scorers here were balanced.”
Tomich Woodside Vineyard Sparkling T Adelaide Hills Chardonnay Pinot Noir NV
Noir NV HHHH Light salmon pink wine with good depth of bubbles, a fresh fruity nose and a delicate flavour profile. Prosecco-like in style. $25
Moorilla Estate Praxis Tasmania Sparkling Riesling 2018
Powerful and lifted yeasty aromas with good depth of varietal fruit flavours and nice yeast autolysis overtones. $29
Reillys Clare Valley Cuvée Shiraz 2017
Ripe plum bouquet with a savoury edge and good balance between the varietal fruit and oak tannins. Drying finish. $25
Steels Gate Home Block Yarra Valley Blanc de Blanc 2017
Toasty yeast nose with honeyed notes and similar characters echoed on the crisp and dry style palate. $45
Azahara Victoria Sparkling Rosé NV
Developed jammy strawberry compote of a nose with red berry flavours. $15
Gapsted Wines High Country King Valley Prosecco NV
Lifted green fruit aromas and a crisp and crunchy palate with light citrus flavours. $20
Waybourne Geelong Sparkling Pinot Gris 2019
An aperitif style with savoury fruit fragrances and a crisp and clean palate. $20
OTHER WHITE VARIETALS & BLENDS
7 TASTED
7 AWARDED
Small but consistent class of mixed varietals and mixed flavours. “A diverse bracket of well made and interesting wines, many of which would go well with food,” said one judge.
Mitchelton Estate Single Vineyard Nagambie Roussanne 2019
Subtle citrus aromas with nutty/oily characters and a long, rounded and nicely balanced palate that is rich yet dry. $25
Tomich Woodside Vineyard Adelaide Hills Gruner Veltliner 2018
Toasty fruit nose and developing citrus/lime flavours on a textured and balanced palate with cleansing acidity. $25
Ricca Terra ‘Bronco Buster’ Riverland Fiano Greco Arinto Vermentino 2019
Pleasant dried fruitlike aromas and well balanced “white fruit” palate with a cleansing acid structure. $22.50
Smith & Sheth CRU Hawke’s Bay Albarino 2019
Bright fruit nose with an herbal edge. A mix of dry and savoury flavours with a crisp finish. $NA
Jones Winery & Vineyard J6 Six Generations Rutherglen Muscat Sec 2019
Obvious Muscat fruit characters on both the nose and palate. Great wine for Asian food. $20
RedHeads Rusty Roof Langhorne Creek Fiano 2019
A nose of hay and herbs with some very interesting herbal flavours. Needs food! $25
Robinvale North West Victoria Kerner 2015
Lifted flinty perfumed fragrances and good depth of varietal fruit flavours. $20
SAUVIGNON BLANC
15 TASTED
9 AWARDED
Lots of quaffers here! The better wines had greater varietal expression, freshness and varietal intensity. “The three styles of pungent, vegetal and riper tropical ones were all represented,” said one judge.
Delta Hatters Hill Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019
A delightfully savoury nose with hints of nettles and tropical fruit and showing lovely creamy complexity to the palate with elegant varietal flavour expression. $27 NZ
Howard Park Miamup Margaret River Sauvignon
