19 CRIMES 2017 RED BLEND
I first saw this label in the UK, earlier this year, dismissing it as a standard stereotype that was only missing a kangaroo. It was considerably more expensive than the $10 I've just paid, which was a low enough cost to tempt me.
It was a pleasant surprise with a jammy mid weight palate in perfect balance. The wine is so much better than the silly nonsense on the label.
GRAPE VARIETIES: Not specified
REGION: Not specified but probably some Barossa
A/V: 13.5%
PRICE: $9.90
FROM: Dan Murphy
RATING: 4.5/5 from me at this price
YALLINGUP 2017 SEMILLON SAUVIGNON BLANC
The problem with so many wines like this is that they need to be drunk in their year of vintage. It's perfectly drinkable, dry and austere and really starting to show it's age. It may morph into something complex but that's the risk you take.
GRAPE VARIETIES: Blend of semillon and sauvignon blanc
REGION: Clare Valley, South Australia
A/V: 12.5%
PRICE: $8.90
FROM: Dan Murphy
RATING: 3/5 from me
CLAYMORE "GOD IS A DJ" 2017 RIESLING
I recently placed my first on line order with Dan Murphy. It was an interesting experience. The 4 dozen order was split over two deliveries which partly explains the 18 emails I received advising the evolving status of my request.
I ordered a number of their "Secret Selection" wines available on line. They tell you the vintage, the area and the grape varieties as well as a vastly inflated original price. That's unfortunate because overall the wines have been quality drinking at a very reasonable price. They're just not the huge bargains that Woolworths would like you to believe.
This is a very drinkable riesling. Crisp and dry with a little bit of age creeping into the palate. Enjoy at this price.
GRAPE VARIETIES: Riesling
REGION: Clare Valley, South Australia
A/V: 12%
PRICE: $8.90
FROM: Dan Murphy
RATING: 4/5 from me
FREYA & JULES 2018 WATERVALE RIESLING
This is the best budget riesling buy in Australia that we've seen in a long time. It's understandably fresh and lively as it's one of the few 2018 wines on retail shelves. [and we're just about to hit the end of the year!] Yes, there could be a wine glut out there!
The label is a bit whacky and could be confusing. Watervale is an area within South Australia's famed Clare Valley. It's renowned for Riesling.
If you're looking for a low cost alternative to the ubiquitous sauvignon blanc this is the wine for you
.
REGION: Clare Valley, South Australia
A/V: 12%
PRICE: $7.99
FROM: Aldi, Australia
RATING: 5/5 from me
AC BYRNE 2018 CHARDONNAY
For a budget priced chardonnay this ticks all the boxes. The wood is there without dominating while the fruit is well rounded with an added dash of zing. The palate weight is satisfying and there's absolutely no doubt it's chardonnay. This deserves a try.
REGION: Margaret River, Western Australia
A/V: 13.2%
PRICE: $8.99
FROM: Aldi, Australia
RATING: 4.5/5 from me
ANNIE'S LANE 2017 SHIRAZ
When this first came onto the market back in the mid 1990s it was positioned as a premium label. This isn't. It gives the distinct impression of being made to a price point. So while I can understand the excitement of seeing it at this price, it's hardly a bargain if it's not worth its perceived value.
The problem with this wine is it's so one dimensional. It opens hot and charry and stays that way. We've had two bottles open over 4 and 2 days. There's been no bottle variation and sadly no evolution of the wine. There's nothing subtle, no nuances and certainly no charm. I'm sure this style must appeal otherwise it wouldn't sell in such volume. My rating is based on the current price. Much more and it would slip down to a 2.
GRAPE VARIETIES: Shiraz
REGION: Clare Valley, South Australia
A/V: 14.5%
PRICE: $9.40
FROM: Dan Murphy
RATING: 3/5
TANGAROA $8.55 RATING: 4/5 from me
AMIRI $6.90 RATING: 4.5/5 from me
SILVER MOKI $6.65 RATING: 4/5 from me
They are all from Marlborough's 2017 vintage, they are all sauvignon blancs weighing in around the 12% a/v mark and they are all to be found on Dan Murphy's shelves. I suspect they've all come from the same marketing thinktank - ''Let's do a label design based on a Maori word and then explain it all on the back label". Read them and you'll see what I mean
Thankfully they are all very drinkable and exactly what you're hoping for from a budget priced NZ savvy. Don't laugh but the most important thing to remember is to drink them quickly. We tend to road test wines over at least two days, often more, and these all fell apart on day two. The Tangeroa and Amiri opened brilliantly but were really flat the next day. The Tangeroa had the most palate weight but the Amiri starred with it's zing. The Silver Moki won't disappoint but the others are better.
PAUL MAS 2017 SAUVIGNON BLANC
This is one of their controlled import labels found on the Dan Murphy shelves. That it's not the noted region for SB in France should be no excuse as this just doesn't measure up. Once again it's drinkable but if you didn't know better this would put you off ever trying French savvies again.
GRAPE VARIETIES: Sauvignon Blanc.
REGION: Languedoc, France
A/V: 12%
PRICE: $7.60
FROM: Dan Murphy
RATING: 2/5
SEAVIEW SPARKLING SHIRAZ
First a confession - I LOVE sparkling reds made in that unique Australian style that had its beginning way back in 1880. They are genuine red wines that sparkle and appeal to me far more than similar priced white sparkling.
Clearly this is not the best you'll ever taste but it's a perfect introduction to the style and the best we've tasted under $10. Chill it right down and enjoy with cold Christmas meats or even a curry. If you like the concept get adventurous and spend a few more dollars. There are far more out there than you could believe.
GRAPE VARIETIES: Shiraz
A/V: 13.5%
PRICE: $5.90
FROM: Dan Murphy
RATING: 5/5 from me
LOXWOOD LANE 2017 SAUVIGNON BLANC
The back label promises "fresh and vibrant" along with "citrus, honey and passionfruit". Sadly it delivers none. It's drinkable but why bother?
GRAPE VARIETIES: Sauvignon Blanc
REGION: Adelaide Hills, South Australia
A/V: 11%
PRICE: $6.65
FROM: Dan Murphy
RATING: 2/5 from me
D'Arenberg's Stump Jack label and range has evolved considerably since it was introduced as a budget alternative to the iconic d'Arry's Original. So when you're trapped in the famous Eumundi Market carpark, with no red wine, there was no finer sight than this being offered at 2 for $25 at the local Thirsty Camel Bottleshop.
While the label looks like an eye chart [it comes with a back label justification] it's always the stuff inside that counts. And both really surprised me.
D'ARENBERG "THE STUMP JUMP" 2013 CABERNET MERLOT: At 5 years old I was expecting this to be a little tired. It's the complete opposite with lashings of vibrant berry fruit leaping out of a beautifully balanced, integrated palate. This is worth hunting for.
REGION: McLaren Vale
A/V: 14.4%
PRICE: $12.50
FROM: The Thirsty Camel, Eumundi
RATING: 5/5 from me
D'ARENBERG "THE STUMP JUMP" 2016 SHIRAZ: On Day One of tasting I thought this may just be too young. It was a little bit aggressive on the palate and fairly feral. So we tasted it over the next threed days and while it
understandably softened it was still a wine that disappointed.
REGION: McLaren Vale
A/V: 14%
PRICE: $12.50
FROM: The Thirsty Camel, Eumundi
RATING: 3/5 from me
Aldi have been getting a few huge media wraps recently for their red wines. Unless I've missed it, everyone seems to have missed this one. And I reckon it's the best. This is a seamless red with plenty of berry fruit on a mid weight palate. Acid, tannin and fruit in perfect balance. Impossible to recommend highly enough
ONE ROAD 2017 CABERNET MERLOT
GRAPE VARIETIES: Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
REGION: Blend of South Australian and Victorian fruit from the King Valley
A/V: 14%
PRICE: $6.99
FROM: Aldi, Australia
RATING: 5/5 from me
The Loire Valley is responsible for some of the finest sauvignon blancs in the world. From the steely, austere, aristocratic Sancerre to the more populist Touraines. This is a stunner that has a flavour profile that fits nicely between the two. Please give it a try if you want a change from the sometimes overwhelming similarity of New Zeakand offerings.
RESERVE DE LA FAMILLE DROUETT LOIRE VALLEY 2017 SAUVIGNON BLANC
GRAPE VARIETIES: Sauvignon Blanc
REGION: Loire Valley, France
A/V: 12%
PRICE: $7.99
FROM: Aldi, Australia
RATING: 5/5 from me
If you're a chardy drinker being swamped by the ocean of sauvignon blanc you'll love this at a mere $7. It has sensible wood to balance definite varietal fruit. It's not a world beater but it ticks all the boxes at this price
ONE ROAD 2018 CHARDONNAY
GRAPE VARIETIES: Chardonnay
REGION: A blend from two premium South Australian regions: Padthaway and Eden Valley
A/V: 13.5%
PRICE: $6.99
FROM: Aldi, Australia
RATING: 4.5/5 from me
I expect a retailer's $10 wines to be better than it's offerings 30% cheaper.The fact that this is not the case here reflects the premium that Margaret River wines command more than anything else. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the wine but nor is there anything particularly exciting.
AC BYRNE 2016 CABERNET MERLOT
GRAPE VARIETIES: Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
REGION: Margaret River, Western Australia
A/V: 14.2%
PRICE: $9.99
FROM: Aldi, Australia
RATING: 3/5 from me
CORAGGIOSO 2017 NERO D'AVOLA
A recent newspaper article about this wine caused a huge social media furore. There was outrage over Aldi's perceived evil unsustainable manipulation of the market. And all of it based on the reviewer's claim that this was so much better than so many wines twice the price. Oh really?
I made a career out of finding wines that outperformed others that were twice the price. It's hardly surprising that Aldi, with their resources and expertise, can do even better. The reality is that this, at its best, completely over delivers at $5. It offers a rich berry intensity that has you reaching for the glass and savouring every sip. Unfortunately it's ridiculously variable and we've opened bottles purchased from a number of stores that were well short of the quality of Aldi's $7 offerings. So be warned.
GRAPE VARIETIES: Nero d'Avola - it's Sicily's most important red variety and it's starting to find a growing home in Australia.
REGION: Sicily, Italy
A/V: 13%
PRICE: $4.99
FROM: Aldi, Australia
RATING: 4/5 from me although 5/5 with a star at its best
I first saw this label in the UK, earlier this year, dismissing it as a standard stereotype that was only missing a kangaroo. It was considerably more expensive than the $10 I've just paid, which was a low enough cost to tempt me. 
