Kilikanoon Mort’s Block Watervale Riesling 2020
A classic Clare Valley Riesling in style – bone dry and mineral-laden with a lean, bracing acidity. The nose is quite restrained, with lemongrass, dried pineapple, green apple, lime sherbert, grapefruit and a light floral note. Light and pithy, the buoyant acidity giving immense drive and energy to this young wine. The finish stays tart and tense, with a quartzy mineral element in the lingering finish. 91pts

16 Little Black Pigs Shiraz 2021
A South Australia wine – made from their signature grape, in the signature style. A dark purple in the glass, with a perfume that’s ripe and plush. Brimming with plum, bramble, black pepper, cherry compote and a distinctive medicinal, eucalypt note on the nose. Rich and plump with great fruit, underlined with toasty oak and the right amount of acidity to keep those flavour flowing through the palate. A bold, full and plush finish. 90pts

Opi Malbec 2021
From Argentina – labelled ‘Opi aka Rodolfo Sadler’. Varietally pure Malbec, with signature notes of liquorice, boysenberry, pepper and plum and cloves on the nose – alongside some blackberry, violets and mocha. Supple tannins, integrated acidity and smoky, spicy oak form the core, with a silky smooth texture rounding the palate out. Some savoury, umami nuances and a little green herbal mint adds to the interest. An easy to like, straightforward ‘quaffable’ bold, dry red with a swagger and style. 90pts

Orange Grove Merlot 2021
From the Valencia region in Spain, in a modern, bright and fruit-forward style. Merlot’s easy-going soft charm in evident on the nose – lush and fruity, with plum, menthol, green capsicum, cherry, white pepper, and cassis. Rounded and balanced, with acidity, oak and fruit in a soft, approachable harmony. The tannin is really supple, slightly spicy and attractive as well. I can see this working for a lighter, succulent red at a summer BBQ.