I’ve been meaning to do this for ages. Here’s a few wines i’ve tried over the past 6 months that are awesome.

Absolute Favs

  • Geoff Hardy’s Handmade Sparkling Shiraz/Petit Verdot $30
  • D’Arnenberg ‘The Custodian’ Grenache (about $20)
  • Tahbilk Shiraz 2002 (about $20)
  • McPherson’s Reserve Shiraz 2001 $30

Under $20:

  • De Bortolli Sacred Hill Cabernet Merlot 2004 (approx $6 AUD)
  • De Bortolli Sacred Hill Rhine Rheisling ($6 drinkable cooking wine)
  • Goundrey Estate Unwooded Chardonnay 2004 (approx $16 AUD)
  • Jimmy Watson Merlot 2002 ($11)

The Geoff Hardy Hand made sparkling we got at a wine sale, but it really is something special. People who don’t much care for wine find themselves asking if there’s another bottle. When first opened it tastes like fairy floss but then mellows into a great little Shiraz, perfect for any occasion. It’s got a bit of petit verdot in there (I think 25%) which really adds to the complexity. If you find it, get a case. It really is that good.

D’Arnenberg have a full range, but for now this is the only straight Grenache of theirs i’ve tried. It’s a real, gruff, full bodied red that’s got a heavy alcohol content and a bit of pepper in it. It’s from the McLaren vale region north of the Barossa in SA, where they still crush the graphes by foot and do things a bit differently. Some of Australia’s oldest Grenache vines too. Be careful though, at Dan Murphy’s it was $16, at David Jones $26. If the budget doesn’t suffice, there’s always the ‘Stump Jump’ for about $8. It’s a blend but a remarkable blend at that.

The Tahbilk Shiraz is nice because what it lacks in spice, it has a sort of licorice, plummy taste to it. As far as full bodied, fruityish Shiraz’s go, this really is something special. The Nagambie region it’s from is steadily becoming a fav. McPherson’s wines are from Nagambie also, and their Reserve Shiraz is similar and well worthy of praise.

Now the cheapies. The Sacred Hill range you really can’t go wrong with, but the Cab Merlot topped a lot of people’s recommended list this year. I cottoned onto it after it got a mention on the RRR ‘Eat It’ program. You’d expect to pay far more for a wine of this quality so don’t let the label put you off. It might only be good for two years on the rack, but it shouldn’t last that long anyway! It’s a lovely winter warmer.

The Jimmy Watson too is the best way to warm up this winter. Only available from Cellarbrations bottle shops (that I can find) it’s a real velvety, delightfully warming Merlot. If you have a glass of Shiraz prior, it will taste like water. But it’s subtle and not too fruity.

Enjoy!