*Except Northern Territory

2007 VOYAGER ESTATE SHIRAZ - $26.95

"The Penguin 2010 Good Australian Wine Guide has given Voyager Estate 2007 Shiraz 96 points, one point more than Penfolds 2004 Grange. The guide, written by Nick Stock, also rated other wines higher than the Grange, but it was the Voyager Estate that stood out for its exceptional value.

In the guide's tasting note, Nick Stock described the Shiraz as having, 'Superb elegance and poise here, the hallmarks of Voyager Estate across their entire range... Beautifully crafted and balanced.' Voyager Estate's general manager, Alex Wright, said, 'We are both excited and humbled by this outstanding result. It's not just great news for us, but also for Margaret River and other cooler climate styles of Shiraz.' At $32 a bottle, the Voyager Estate 2007 Shiraz represented the best value of the wines that beat the Grange in the guide." Voyager Estate

"Superb elegance and poise here, the hallmarks of Voyager Estate across their entire range. The nose smells of red summer berries, some lighter perfumed nuances and musky frangrance - a really pretty, vivacious and alluring shiraz. The palate has intricate detail and fine sheets of tannin that build in impressive shape, carrying red berry, berry blueberry, plum and pastry flavours in bright up-beat style from start to finish, adding some anise and licorice as it fades. Beautiful and balanced. Alc/Vol. 14% Drink 2012 Closure: Screwcap." Nick Stock, The Penguin Good Australian Wine Guide 2010 - 96 points, Quality *****

"I'm currently tasting a whole raft of wines from Western Australia for the next edition of The Big Red Wine Book, and while this has only just been released, it was in last year's book. Mattinson went one point higher than me, although I'd not quibble with his score.

Blackberry and boysenberry with a little pepper and meatiness and liquorice lurking in the background. It's only medium bodied, not a thumper, but lithe and charming with fresh berry, spice and nuts flavours and fine dry tannin. Length is excellent, as is the overall drinkablity factor. Drink : 2009 - 2017." Gary Walsh, The Wine Front - 94 points

"Bright hue; elegant, but complex, with distinct cool region overtones of spice and licorice to the black fruits; the tannins and oak are well-balanced and integrated. Screwcap. 14% alc. Drink Now - 2020 $32 Date Tasted Feb 09." James Halliday - 93 points

2006 SONS OF EDEN 'REMUS' OLD VINE EDEN VALLEY SHIRAZ - $49.95

"Sons of Eden was formed from the partnership of Simon Cowham (one of Australia's most accomplised vignerons) and Corey Ryan (one of Australia's most accomplised winemakers). They make a formidable team and their exceptional skill and experience is expressed in the Sons of Eden Wines - named in "Ten of the Best" by James Halliday Wine Companion 2010.

Simon, who had been managing vineyards for Yalumba, nurtures the vines that are used in some of the Eden/Barossa valley iconic wines. Indeed, 98% of the crop is sought after by the likes of Henschke, Yalumba and Torbreck. Only 2% of the crop (mostly old vineyards) is selected for Corey to craft into exquisite reds of considerable flavour, complexity and length. Corey's extensive winemaking experience was at Yalumba, Henschke and Villa Maria. It is hard to imagine a better pedigree behind any wine label.

The 2006 Sons of Eden Remus is sourced from 70+ year old vines in the Eden Valley - the best shiraz Simon can find - hand plunged, cool fermented and aged for 21 months in the highest quality French oak. The wine is magnificent; complex and beautifully structured, opulent yet supple and smooth, with intense spicy flavours that are specific to the Eden Valley. Deep, bright purple-red; the rich bouquet has abundant dark berry fruit and spice; a high class velvety full-bodied palate follows, with a cascade of black fruits and spices balanced by quality oak. Sumptuous and satisfying, it's an essay in restrained strength and style; the iron fist in a velvet glove.

"Corey Ryan worked as a winemaker at Henschke for six years before he and viticulturalist Simon Cowham, who had been managing vineyards for Yalumba, started up their own winery. It's called Sons of Eden, and since its first vintage (2000) it has quickly emerged from the pack. One of my top picks among the hundreds of new small wineries coming out of Australia, it specializes in wines that manage to build grace and harmony into those ripe, opulent Aussie flavors… The Sons of Eden wines all strike me as exceptionally supple and smooth… It's a balancing act, creating those refined textures without losing the effusive flavors. Sons of Eden makes three Shiraz-based reds. Romulus is the biggest, a plush Barossa red. Remus uses Eden Valley fruit, and it's brighter and spicier, but still on the ripe end of the scale." Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator

Awards:
Trophy, Best Shiraz Vintage 2006 and Older - 2009 Barossa Wine Show
Gold Medal - 2009 Barossa Wine Show

2008 BRANKEN HILL MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC- $12.50

A delicious sauvignon blanc from the Omaka and Raupara districts in the Wairau Valley of Marlborough. Beautifully balanced, elegant, harmonious palate with fresh, vibrant and concentrated gooseberry, guava and lime flavours. Finishes crisp and clean thanks to the fresh acidity that lingers on the tongue. Outstanding value.

2006 ESK VALLEY MERLOT CABERNET SAUVIGNON MALBEC - $27.95

Made from a blend of grapes from several vineyards in the Hawkes Bays' Gimblett Gravels region, this fragrant, finely structured, beautifully proportioned wine can not be recommended highly enough for those looking for affordable alternatives to quality Bordeaux. A wonderful example of the modern "claret style", this delicious wine is all about fineness and structure, subtle oak treatment, and great depth of fruit without any hints of over-ripeness.

"When looking back over my notes from this Esk Valley tasting, the words I see repeated throughout the wines are 'restraint', 'elegance' and 'balance'. It was difficult to see a weak link in the lineup, and previous tastings of the wines bolster that impression. Gordon Russell (winemaker) acknowledges Esk Valley generally has more fruit than needed, allowing them to select the best for their own needs with owner, Villa Maria, finding a home for the rest. No doubt Esk also benefits from the experience and capital of Villa Maria, as the care and attention to detail and dedication to quality have long been a hallmark of all in the Villa Maria stable. The combination of the skill and obvious passion of Gordon, the quality and care of their vineyards and a hands-off approach to winemaking has given a superb range of wines, displaying character, elegance and individuality. This is winery with plenty of history, and an exciting future too.

… Bordeaux varietals are what Hawke's Bay - and Esk Valley - have made their name from, and we started with two vintages of the very good value Esk Valley Black Label Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2006 is very merlot-dominant (76%)and shows a lushness and red fruitedness common to the variety. Aromatic and gently fleshy, this wine offers very attractive drinking now, elegant and medium-bodied with a savoury spiciness to its finish." Emma Jenkins, Independent Wine Monthly

"If the more expensive reserve version of this wine is one of the best examples of the style in the country, then this is one of the most keenly priced. It's substantial, loaded with flavour and personality and can happily be spared till next Christmas if necessary." Warren Barton, The Dominion Post - Top 100 Wines

2008 CLOUDY BAY SAUVIGNON BLANC - $29.66* (WAS $32.95)

 *Straight Dozen Purchase

2005 VOICE OF THE VINE ACAPPELLA PINOT NOIR - $29.95 (WAS $43.95)

Voice of the Vine Vineyard is a family-owned specialist pinot producer located on the northern plains of Mornington Peninsula. The Estate currently has 35 acres of premium producing vines, with around 90% of the vineyard planted to five clones of Pinot Noir on a variety of spacings and trellises.

The aromas swirl from the glass, fragrant and seductive sour cherry complexed with sappy/foresty/savoury overtones; the palate is multi-dimensional and loaded with style - deep sour cherry with underlying exotic spices and forest flavours. The wine is still in its infancy and positively demands lengthy decanting to reveal its wares. Not for everyone as it walks a little on the wild side, but for those that like exceptionally complex pinot this is AN ABSOLUTE STEAL AT THE HEAVILY DISCOUNTED PRICE.

"Tight, structured, pure and imposing. Excellent quality. Hints of earth and forest and undergrowth, but essentially a sour, black cherried wine of power, balance and distinction. Really good wine. Drink: 2009-2014." Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front - 93 points

Awards:
People's Choice Award - Federation Square

2007 ASTROLABE MARLBOROUGH PINOT GRIS - $25.95

This was the first time I have tasted an Astrolabe pinot gris and I was simply blown away by the exceptional quality of the wine. It is a stunning pinot gris and truly world class. And certainly not a one-off, as my research discovered that it's predecessor, the 2006 Astrolabe Pinot Gris, won the Trophy for Champion Pinot Gris at the 2006 Air New Zealand Wine Awards.

The wine has a beautiful nose, lightly floral and deliciously perfumed. Classic Pinot Gris on the palate - spicy and exotic, pristine pear and peach fruit abound, wonderful fresh acidity and a long, lingering finish. This is an elegant pinot gris with great finesse and subtlety; one for the purists.

"I was surprised to find that as many as nine of my 45 favourite New Zealand wines from recent tastings were Pinot Gris. Again I liked the… Brightwater Pinot Gris 2006 Nelson seemed to have the balance between pure, bumptious fruit and refreshing acidity just right, and Astrolabe Pinot Gris 2007 Marlborough seems similarly sophisticated." Jancis Robinson, MW

2006 CHALK HILL McLAREN VALE SHIRAZ - $17.95

Chalk Hill are producing immaculate wines across the board under French winemaker Emmanuelle Requin-Bekkers. Having studied in Marseilles and Montpellier, and having worked in many of France's regions including Bordeaux, Bourgogne, Langue-doc Roussillon and the smaller appellations of Bandol and Sancerre, it is no wonder she has taken this producer's wines to a different level.

Wow, what a wonderful wine for under $20! A group of us had this wine over dinner recently - in a masked line-up of pretty handy wines - and it was unanimously voted the wine of the night. An archetypal generous McLaren Vale Shiraz from a great vintage with masses of dense, sweet, potent fruit beautifully interwoven with spice and quality oak on an intense and long palate. Lovely balance, structure and mouthfeel. Succulent, cuddly and soft, a must for lovers of big shiraz. Back-up the truck.

Please note that for each bottle of wine sold, Chalk Hill donates 25 cents to Greening Australia for the planting of trees. This is the largest per-bottle donation in the Australian wine industry and translates to a tree planted for every 6 bottles sold.

2007 HELM CLASSIC DRY RIESLING - $27.95

Riesling has been Ken Helm's passion for 30 years and he fully deserves to be recognised as Canberra District's top riesling producer. His 2007 Classic Dry Riesling is an absolute stunner and has already won the Trophy for Best Riesling at the 2007 Cool Climate Wine Show and the Top gold medal in the riesling class at the 2007 Royal Melbourne Wine Show - against 45 of the best Rieslings in Australia!

"Made by respected winemaker Ken Helm from free run juice of Canberra district Riesling vines. Brilliant greeny straw in colour. Limes, lemons, more lemons and lime cordial abounds. Juicy and fresh fruit - aromatic, vibrant and impressive in stature and composition. Delicious pure polished fruit oozes down the throat effortlessly. Smooth and a tad creamy on the finish with lively balanced acidity. Seamless drinking indeed. Try this with bbq octupus. Drink to 2020." Paul Ippolito - 95 points [95-97: Superb - A memorable drinking experience]

"A ripper - winner of bronze, silver and gold medals in Winewise, Cowra, and Melbourne shows respectively. It has brilliant, green- tinted pale lemon colour and tremendous volume of ripe varietal aroma and flavour - more than you usually see in Riesling this young. But the flavour volume doesn't come at the expense of freshness. This is as crisp and youthful as they come." Chris Shanahan, Canberra Times

"Without question, his (Ken's) 2007 classic dry Riesling measures up with the finest Rieslings I have tasted. Its lively and crisp lemon-lime flavours triggers an incredible palate explosion. John Vickery and Geoffrey Grosset, Australia's foremost Riesling specialists, would be among the first to salute Helm's efforts." John Fordham, The Sunday Telegraph

"Citrus, herb and spice aromas; tightly focused, but has lovely lime juice flavours with perfectly balanced acidity; very good length. 11.8º alc. Drink Now - 2017." James Halliday - 92 points

Awards:
Trophy, Best Riesling - 2007 Cool Climate Show Murrumbateman
Top Gold Medal - 2007 Royal Melbourne Wine Show
Gold Medal - 2007 Cool Climate Show Murrumbateman