decanted

Cullen is one of those wineries whose wines you can buy with unerring confidence that the product will always be, at the very least, good. Often Cullen’s wines ares very, very good. This is their cheapest white wine, a Sauv Blanc (51%)/Semillon(28%)/Chardonnay(18%)/Verdehlo (3%) blend that pleases the palate and offers something more too. I’d […]

Not everyone in the wine business would agree with me but I really admire David Powell’s attitude to pricing the Torbreck wines that he makes. He sets a price he thinks they are worth and if that means an extra $20 a bottle in a good vintage, then that is how much the wine […]

Its is apt that I am posting reviews of some of the wines of Centennial Vineyards, probably the Southern Highlands region’s leading wine producer, at Easter. For it was two years ago that I spent Easter in Bowral, with a very boozy lunch and afternoon at the Centennial winery the focal point. It […]

The insider’s tip is that 2006 was a cracker year for McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon, and going by this relative cheapie from Coriole, the insider could be right.
A bright purple colour, this is has a really attractive nose of cassis, chocolate, cigar box and spice. Its not overdone and its not jammy. Medium to full […]

Logan’s Weemala range of wines get their fair share of shelf space in Sydney’s smaller bottle shops, a testament to Peter and Hannah Logan’s efforts to market the wines as flavoursome, food-friendly wines at a fair price point. And I really, really like the Merlot. But then, I’m really, really liking Merlot from […]

With all the tales of doom and woe about the challenges facing Australian wine producers, from drought to the ever rising value of the Australian dollar, its good to know that some producers are continuing to push the boundaries in the name of innovation, excellence, and just being that little bit different. And to hell […]

I don’t get the chance to look at much Chablis so it was nice to have a peek at this on a Manic Monday. Or Tuesday. Or whatever day this is.
The nose is closed, with hints of flint, citrus and not much else really. Deliciously dry and lean on the palate, with light […]

I’m an Orange man, I am. And no, dear Scottish readers (Hi Mum), I don’t mean I’ve taken up the sash, the flute and sworn allegiance to King Billy. I’m referring to my growing admiration for the premium wines being produced from the Orange region of New South Wales, about 300kms west of Sydney. […]

You might not know the name Austin Wines, from Geelong in Victoria, but if you have been to any self-respecting bottle shop in Sydney and browsed the Pinot Noir section, you will have noticed, and possibly even bought, a bottle of SixFootSix. I only found out last year, from owner Pam Austin herself, that Austin […]

I feel like I’ve stumbled across something special here…
Paul Petagna is a young McLaren Vale wine maker better known in the US than he is on home turf. Yes, Parker ratings have helped his cause, BUT, this is not a “Parker Wine”.
His straight Shiraz from the Vale is under the Piombo brand name and […]