Soumah Hexham Chardonnay
Of all the premium white wines we sampled last year; it was the Soumah Hexham Chardonnay that rose to the top. This top class Yarra Valley Chardonnay features the perfect amount of oak and a moreish creaminess. Produced from small single vineyard plantings in the Warramate foothills of the Yarra Valley, Soumah Hexham Chardonnay is brilliant now but patience will be rewarded if cellared up to 5 years if you can keep your hands off it that long. One of the real movers and shakers of the industry in recent times, Soumah is without a doubt one to keep a very close eye on. This is a super complex and extremely alluring example. Produced from small single vineyard plantings in the Warramate foothills of the Yarra Valley, outstanding fruit quality works hand in hand with barrel derived complexities. This complexity around a mid to full bodied core lends its self just perfectly to seafood with the traditional butter sauce accompaniment.
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Sauvignon Blanc
One of the most anticipated white wine releases each year, the Leeuwin Sauvignon Blanc may be small in quantities but is big on ripe tropical flavours and tangy acidity.
Moss Wood Semillon
This is a wonderfully concentrated wine. Complex on the nose with aromas of lemon, green apple and fig the palate shows lively flavours of citrus and melon and a beautifully textured crisp and long finish.
Bannockburn Chardonnay
Pale, straw colour with insinuations of green. Overt, ripe varietal fruit characters on the nose - pineapple, citrus and nectarine derived are from the warm vintage conditions. Mineral characters, orange blossom and almond meal along with some lees derived creaminess are all balanced within this multi-dimensional palate.
Pierro LTCf Cabernet Merlot
LTCf stands for 'little touch of cabernet franc'. This classic Bordeaux blend has plenty of rich and concentrated flavours with fine tannins.
Simonnet-Febvre Chablis Premier Cru Vaillons
Pristine concentration and complexity of favour are the hallmarks of Simmonet-Febvre, a revered maker in Chablis. Stonefruits and ruby grapefruit with grilled nuts, owing no doubt to Simmonet-Febvre's insistence on ageing their Premier-Cru wines on lees for over a year. Has all the zippy-freshness you would expect from a high-level Chablis.
Garagiste Merricks Chardonnay
Martinborough Vineyard Chardonnay
Flowstone Queen of the Earth Cabernet Sauvignon
St Johns Brook Margaret River Reserve Shiraz
Aromas of bright boysenberry, blood plums and liquorice. Classy oak adds mocha and spice to palate that's bursting with luscious fruit. Medium bodied with soft tannins and a lingering finish.