Peter's Picks

2009 Longview Red Bucket Shiraz Cabernet

Adelaide Hills, A$15
Sitting on an exposed south-eastern ridge of the Mount Lofty Ranges, the Longview vineyard boasts panoramic views to the Southern Ocean.  From the first vintage, in 2001, the wines have been showered with a profusion of medals, trophies and awards.  This entry-level red is a classic Australian blend of two-thirds shiraz, one-third cab sav, with intense aromas of ripe plum and blackcurrant fruits, and a whiff of white pepper spice.  Its rich, juicy fruit flavours would welcome a decent meat pie with a good splodge of tomato sauce.

2010 Hay Shed Hill Shiraz Tempranillo

Margaret River, A$20
Hay Shed Hill sat way under the radar until long-time Howard Park winemaker Michael Kerrigan took control of both its vineyards and daily management in 2006.  Kerrigan is an innovative winemaker, adding 14% tempranillo to a core of old-vine shiraz from the original Wilyabrup vineyards.  Sweet, fleshy aromas of ripe Damson plums, black cherry and red licorice lead to a dense savoury palate with some dusky spice to add interest.  This is an easy-drinking red that would be perfect with pork and fennel sausages.

2011 Eldridge Estate PTG

Mornington Peninsula, A$25
While pinot noir is king in Burgundy, it wasn't always so, with gamay widely planted in the 14th century.  As a hangover, the everyday Burgundian beverage is the blend of gamay and pinot noir, known as passe-tout-grains.  David Lloyd makes a dangerously drinkable gamay but with young-vine pinot noir fruit available, he has emulated the passetoutgrains style, hence PTG.  It's a fresh and vital red with soft redcurrant flavours and a refreshing acidity, which cries out for lightly spiced food.

2008 Borges Quinta da Soalheira

Douro (Portugal), A$19
Portugal is emerging from its fortified past with a swath of brilliant red wines capturing international attention.  The Douro River is heartland of great Port but here the traditional Port variety, touriga, is blended with tempranillo.  A medley of red berry fruits, sarsaparilla and red licorice greets the nose, which flows to a medium-bodied palate of similar red fruit flavours and a touch of earthy complexity.  Although subdued, the pumice-like tannins leave a positive finish.  It's an absolute bargain.

NV Larmandier-Bernier Brut Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru

2010 Yering Station Reserve Pinot Noir - one to cellar

Yarra Valley, A$90
Willy Lunn has now settled into his chief winemaking role at Yering Station, after a 25-year career with Petaluma, Shaw and Smith, and Argyle in Oregon.  Lunn's first Reserve Pinot Noir is an elegant, refined, gently persuasive wine - unforced yet showing incredible depth and length.  Soft red berry fruits and violet-like perfumes are to the fore with hints of brambles and fresh undergrowth adding complexity.  Silky smooth, deep and long - this graceful beauty has a big future.