Wither Hills 2012 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc

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RRP: $ lots more than this
Our Price: $15 per bottle by the doz

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Delatite 2008 Riesling

James Halliday selected this in his TOP 100 Wines [Weekend Australian Magazine November 14-15 2009] giving it a huge 96 points
" ...... reflecting the very cool, high altitude vineyard. Light bright straw green; lime and lemon blossom aromas lead into a briliantly fresh palate, where green apple joins the lime of the bouquet; perfectly balanced acidity draws out the long finish.
Drink to 2020"

It's also picked up a few Gold Medals as well as a place in the 2010 Sydney International Wine Competition's Top 100.

RRP: $23
Our Price: $18 per bottle by the doz

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Tyrrell's 2009 Fordwich Verdeho

We were first impressed by the 2007 release and here are my notes from February 2008: "This is from the same quality/price range as the Rufus Stones and Brokenbacks so while we expected a top wine we didn't know what to expect in terms of a verdelho. It's a funny old grape which rarely has the zing of riesling, complexity of chardonnay or intensity of sauvignon blanc. This though is up there with the best we've tasted with lashings of fruit salad and a delicious balancing crisp acidity. If you enjoy quality whites and you're looking for something different, this is very highly recommended."
This is now the 2009 vintage and the only change has been the price - it's come down from $18.
A quality white without blowing the budget.

Cellar Door $25
Our Price: $15 per bottle by the doz

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Tyrrell's 2010 Moon Mountain Chardonnay

I was gobsmacked with how good this is. Don't particularly like the name but it's the stuff inside the bottle that counts. It combines old fashioned crunch with New Age zing. A glorious complex chardy that would still over deliver at $25.

Cellar Door $25
Our Price: $15 per bottle by the doz

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Tyrrell's 2006 Brokenback Shiraz

I am forever grateful to Helen from Tyrrells who showed us the 2004 vintage of this wine in June 2007. Once again here are my notes:
"The nose is unmistakeable, classic earthy Hunter. I've never been comfortable with the "sweaty saddle" adjective as to me it's not a particularly compelling endorsement. This one has it but in an attractive appealing way that I've rarely encountered.
The earthiness continues on the palate but there is none of the dirt stink that characterises so many Hunter shiraz. This also offers a rich roundness of fruit that carries on to an incredible length. This is an outstanding red that is a must for lovers of Hunter quality and an absolute must for anyone who's never been convinced. Enjoy now or confidently cellar."
This was the wine that rekindled my enthusiasm for Hunter reds and let me tell you that this 2006 release is even better. The label is a huge improvement and the stuff inside the bottle is sensational. $15 is ridiculous.

Cellar Door $25
Our Price: $15 by the doz

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Haselgrove 2008 Bella Vigna Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

Haselgrove website notes
COLOUR
Deep cherry with a cherry red hue.

AROMA
The aroma displays blackberry, red currants, cassis with underlying menthol and eucalypt.

PALATE
Fresh blackberry, clove and spice abound on the palate with an underlying tone of menthol, Matured in new and old French oak barriques for 15 months, this Cabernet Sauvignon was selected by the method of barrel classification and has a smooth tannin finish with great length.

ALCOHOL 13.5%

SERVING
Enjoy now or cellar for up to ten years to enhance complexity. Serve this wine at room temperature with Beef Ragu or a platter of matured cheeses.
Our Price: $18 per bottle by the doz

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Mt Monster 2005 Shiraz

Mt Monster website tasting notes:

"Deep crimson red with brilliant, purple hue. Rich, ripe black berry fruits on the nose with Satsuma plum softness and generosity. Subtle oak use adds complexity and provides the structural framework whilst allowing the primary fruit to shine through. A fruit driven and focused palate,with dark chocolate, berry fruit, spices and Christmas pudding characteristics. Fine, soft tannins complement the fruit and lingering soft finish."
Couldn't agree more.

http://mtmonster.com.au/winebox/winedetail.asp?productID=4&vs=&vcat=

RRP: $???
Our Price: $ 12 per bottle by the doz

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Mt Monster 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon

On first glance it may appear to be a wacky made up name but there is definitely a Mt Monster vineyard and winery which you can find 300km south east of Adelaide.
The Bryson family have been farming in South Australia for over 150 years. Wine is a more recent enterprise but it still very much a family business that utilises the winemaking talents of Ben Riggs. Yes, it's that ubiquitous Mr Riggs who has a well deserved reputation as a very talented winemaker.
There are quite a few things that I REALLY like about their two current release reds. For starters they taste like their variety should and for cabernet, in particular, that's a rare thing nowadays. They are both extremely user friendly and while short term cellaring is an option they are ready to enjoy now. Fruit dominates rather than wood and there are nice tannins and acids supporting the fruit. And best of all they are brilliant value.
Not a huge fan of the label but as we all know, it's the stuff inside the bottle that counts.

RRP: $ No idea????
Our Price: $12 per bottle by the doz

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Rockridge 2009 Watervale Riesling

Up to about 10 years ago it was easy to rave about Riesling and smugly buy up the bargains because the variety offered such great value compared to chardonnay. But those days are long gone and I wondered if I'd ever find another great value riesling that wasn't a producer's stuff up [like Simon Pemberton Pearse and the unlabelled Palandri].

Well I have and it's from Watervale, that classic riesling region, in South Australia's Clare Valley. The intensity on the nose is almost overwhelming and the same fruit flavour carries through on the palate. Which goes on and on and on with lovely crisp acidity completing the experience.
This doesn't have the steely minerality that some of you love. This one's all about intense fruit in the citrus/honeysuckle spectrum. While it has the acidity to warrant cellaring I can't see the point. This is THE wine for this summer if you're a little bit over sauvignon blancs. It has the flavour to both handle a serious chill and justify a $20+ price tag.


RRP: Should be $20
Our Price: $12 per bottle by the doz

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Buller 2007 Beverford Durif

Please don't be fooled by the price of this. It's a very classy, quality red wine that has been grossly underpriced by its maker. [Something that Buller also do with their fortifieds].
Colour is a dazzling deep purple and there's enticing sweet fruit on the nose and then the really interesting stuff starts. I often write about "quality fruit supported by underlying tannins". But this is all about really appealing tannins supported by underlying fruit. It may sound weird but it works beautifully. Alcohol is 15% but there's no hint of overextraction and it's just not an issue with this one
Three days after opening the wine is drinking even better and I suspect the back label "cellar to 2012" recommendation may be well short of the mark. I'm whacking some in the cellar to see how it evolves.

Our Price: $12 per bottle by the doz

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