Under $20
Trentham Estate Pinot Gris 2016, Murray Darling $16
Score 87
The colour is light brassy straw and it has a typical ripe gris bouquet of spice and apricot. The palate is light and soft, rounded and straightforward, and finishes clean and dry. It has some length as well as distinctive, intense fruit character. An attractive wine at an appealing price. (12 per cent alcohol; screw-cap.)
Ageing? Best within two years.
Drink with Chicken fricassee.
Stockists include Piedimonte's Supermarket, Fitzroy North (Vic); Summer Hill Wine Shop (NSW).
$20-$35
Grace Farm Chardonnay 2015, Margaret River $30
Score 95
This a fruit-driven wine with powerful, almost pungent regional chardonnay flavours of grapefruit, nectarine and tropical touches, including pineapple and passionfruit. In the mouth, it's intense and penetrating, with excellent length and precision. (13.8 per cent alcohol; screw-cap.)
Ageing? Drink now to seven years.
Drink with Spaghetti marinara.
Stockists include City Wine Shop, Melbourne (Vic); Wine Culture, Roseville Chase; GPO Wine & Cheese, Sydney (NSW).
Indulge yourself
Jim Brand Glenroy Shiraz 2013, Coonawarra $70
Score 96
This outstanding shiraz is concentrated, ripe and delicious, with great depth of rich chocolate and black fruit aromas and flavours. It boasts a sumptuous, fleshy blackberry palate, supple textured and almost decadent. (14 per cent alcohol; screw-cap.)
Ageing? Drink now to 25 years.
Drink with All hard cheeses, such as cheddar.
Stockists include L Maestro, East Killara (NSW); Red, White and Amber, Hawthorn (Vic).
Wine of the week
Fraser Gallop Parterre Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Margaret River $45
Score 96
The best cabernet yet from this consistent winery, it has a few per cent of petit verdot, merlot, malbec and franc thrown in. Clean, fresh, primary aromas of violet, rose petal, crushed leaf and berry are captivating. It's medium-bodied but concentrated, intense and charming with measured tannins. (13.5 per cent alcohol; screw-cap.)
Ageing? Drink from 2018 to 2037.
Drink with Roast leg of lamb and roast vegetables.
Stockists include Best Cellars (NSW); Armadale Cellars (Vic).