Pooley Coal River Riesling, Tasmania 2012 $27 The Pooley family have been growing and making outstanding riesling since the mid-1980s, formerly as Cooinda Vale. Third-generation Matt Pooley is winemaker. This is their second-level riesling, the top being Margaret Pooley Tribute, in memory of Matt’s grandmother.
Peter Lehmann Portrait Dry Riesling, Eden Valley 2012 $18 The packaging of all Peter Lehmann wines has been revised, with the old art-label jettisoned and a fresh, modern design featuring a silhouette of the boss introduced onto all wines, with slight variations. It’s an improvement
Chalkboard Barossa Shiraz, Barossa Valley 2010 $15 This wine, under Vintage Cellars’ proprietary label, is simply amazing value for money. The colour is deep-ish with a touch of development showing in the brick tinges, as well as youthful purple tints. The bouquet is savoury and
De Bortoli Deen De Bortoli Vat 8 Shiraz, South East Australia 2009 $12.90 This must be among the best value for money wines I’ve tasted for a year – one of several excellent reds under this humble label, which bears a portrait of second-generation winemaker,
DogRock Single Vineyard Shiraz, Pyrenees 2011 $25 DogRock wines are grown and made by Allen Hart, who used to be Southcorp’s research winemaker at Seppelt’s Great Western winery. This is an elegant, beautiful, medium bodied shiraz which is lively and invigorating, intense and penetrating in
Gemtree Vineyards Uncut Shiraz, McLaren Vale 2010 $25 Gemtree is biodynamically farmed and certified organic. It’s owned by the Buttery family, with the help of recent Chinese investment. The founders’ daughter Melissa is vineyard manager and her husband Mike Brown is winemaker. This wine is a