Jean Loron Bird in Hand Dune Mitchell Dowie Doole Solaris Longview Katnook Estate Best Wine Deals

Both grown on the estate and sourced from quality growers, the grapes are crushed and destemmed straight into the press to retain delicacy and aromatics and minimise colour transfer from the skins. The wine’s salmon pink colour is matched by a delicate strawberry aroma along with citrus blossom. The palate offers cherry and strawberry flavours and a creamy texture. The refined structure of this wine is highlighted by its subtle acidity and the elegance of very fine beading. Learn More

A wonderful, textural, stonefruit driven and buttery, full bodied Chardonnay. Just the best fruit is taken from Dowies elevated, sandy soiled Blewitt Springs Vineyards. After a gentle press without the use of rollers, a mix of whole berries and juice is inoculated with yeast, and once that is rolling is transferred to older French oak. Ferment finishes and the lees stirring begins, building layers of texture and creaminess which is bolstered by malolactic fermentation. This is fully worked Chardonnay in all its glory. Learn More

Since 1996, Chris Thomas has maintained a shiraz solera which form part of this lip smacking sparkling. The solera contains some of the best shiraz Chris has made over the last 20+ years and is used sparingly and exclusively to add the finishing touches to his sparkling shiraz each year and adds depth of flavour and complexity. This is sparkling shiraz as we love it- opulent, slightly sweet, with richness, complexity, oak and plenty of fine tannins. That structure combined with flavours of blackberry, cherry. dark chocolate and spice making this a perfect accompaniment to protein, like roast chook, bacon and eggs, etc. It's bloody good. Learn More

Only tiny quantities are made of this wine, which is the product of the finest of Dowie Doole's A-grade Cabernet fruit from each vintage. '21 being an incredible vintage has elevated this even further. The previous vintage picked up 96 points from Kim Brebach who said, "Decades ago, I had the privilege of tasting a group of Barolos and Barbarescos made by Giovanni Gaia. These wines had layers of deep flavour, ranging from smoked meats and old leather to licorice, gravel dust and tar. The Dowie Doole Architect reminded me of those wines because it had some of those characters, even if the expression was more restrained. Give it time, and I think you’ll be richly rewarded. If the price seems steep, keep in mind that a Barbaresco from Gaia will set you back $600." The '21 is better again than the exceptional 2019 vintage, and represents a barrel selection chosen from only A-grade parcels from the old, dry-grown Blewitt Springs vineyard. There's black fruits, licorice, richness, density and layers. A stunning wine that will live for a very long time Learn More

Only tiny quantities are made of the Dowie Doole Architect wines, which are the product of the finest of Dowie Doole's A-grade fruit from each vintage ('21 being an incredible vintage has elevated this even further). The '21 is exceptional, and represents a barrel selection chosen from only A-grade parcels from the old, dry-grown Blewitt Springs vineyard. There's brightness with density of blue and black fruits, cedary oak, gravelly tannins and exceptional length. Learn More

Katnook pioneered Chardonnay in the Coonawarra, initially planting vines in 1971 and with the 1980 vintage marking the first commercial release.

Why: Criminally good for $30

When: 1980... Katnoook is the Coonawarra Chardonnay pioneer

Organoleptics: Stonefruit, citrus, butteriness, hazelnut

Drink with: Risotto, roast pork, chook

Drink if you don't like: Spending $50+ for spectacular Chardonnay

The mild to cool 2022 growing season was exceptional for Coonawarra Chardonnay. Small quantities of fruit were pressed straight to oak, 20% of which was new. From there, wild fermentation and lees stirring to build texture and creaminess was employed every couple of weeks. Flavours and aromas here are of stonefruit, hazelnut, cream and spice.

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This Chardonnay has aromas of restrained tropical notes, fresh herbs, grilled nuts and butter. The mid palate texture already hints at butteriness and this will increase over the next few years. Learn More

Made from the northern Italian grapes Nebbiolo and Pinot Nero, this is crisp, easy drinking and fairly dry with a floral red perfume, a lovely texture and dry finish. Excellent with seafood, vege Lasagne, or just by itself.

Made From: Nebbiolo and Pinot Noir

Aromas and Flavours: Raspberry. Flowers. Anise. Zippy. Dry. Mouth-Watering.

Drink if you like: Turkey Flat Rose

Useful: Anytime - catching up with friends, with seafood, when you want something better than a spritz

Awards: Trophy, best Rose Royal Melbourne, plus gold medals and more

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