Catch 22 Vineyards Barossa Valley Semillon Sauvignon Blanc
A classic white blend you’ll find in Europe, and of course around the world now. The citrus and floral aromatics of the Semillon pair well with the more tropical notes of passionfruit, blackcurrant and grassy green herbals of the Sauvignon Blanc. Grapefruit, lime, ginger and some savoury sliced fennel and green olive flavours into the palate. A saline minerality and acidity gives lots of bounce and lift, before a texture that is plush and generous fills in the back of the palate. By no means just a simple dry white, this has enough layers and complexity to keep your interest right to the last drop. 91pts

Black Pig Ltd Edition Barossa Valley Grenache Rosé is one of those wines that tends to be bought on colour – this pale salmon pink example is right on trend for increasingly light-toned coppery hues in rosé. Elegant and dry, with redcurrant, rosehip and raspberry flavours – bigger than the colour might suggest, and with a pulse of refreshing acidity keeping those juices flowing. Fleshy and succulent but deftly dry and with a tart nip of fruit tannin – like the skin of a red apple. Dry rosés can make excellent food-matching wines, and I’d see this brightening a lunchtime table this winter. 88pts

RedHeads 1888 Barossa Valley Shiraz
There’s a reason that Barossa is regarded as the epicentre of Shiraz – wines from here have that trick of delivering just what you expect – and often with a little more (as is the case here!) Dark and intense in the glass and on the nose. Blackberry, mint, plum, green capsicum, mulberry and liquorice aromas lead to a spicy palate where cedary oak and grippy tannin gives a spine to the juicy fruits. Look for layers of dark cacao, black pepper, vanilla and cinnamon as you go. A plush, velvet texture and a balanced finish with decent length – a cracking winter warmer. 90pts

Cabalie 2021
Increasingly today, Grenache based wines seem to be split into two camps. There are the lighter, crunchy, chillable versions; and then there are the big, rich ripe ones with more concentration and plushness. Both show the distinctive raspberry fruits – as does this wine from the picturesque landscape of the Languedoc region in the South of France. The Cabalie is a blend of Grenache, herby Syrah, and spicy Carignan grapes from old vines (most over 50 years old). Revelling in a succulent depth of dark cherry, toasted spices, liquorice and berry coulis; it is (for me) holding a touch too much sweetness – but I expect it to find plenty of fans of its smooth, jammy style. 86pts