BK Adelaide Hills Cult Syrah 2012

Last year this wine, the 2011 version, was my wine of the year. Could it be two years running? The BK Adelaide Hills Cult Syrah 2012 is a wine that I believe giving the Adelaide Hills a really bloody good name. Seriously. Blackberry - think Marengo wild if you've been down there, otherwise just think stonkingly good blackberries - earth and spice with a long line of savoury soy and green edgeness. really, its super-great and if I can give a wine like the 2011 the gong for last year, just imagine what this is like coming from a schmicko year. Anyway, I love and dig it.

Drink with sticky beef short ribs
Drink till 2018
98
Screwcap 13.5%v/v $30 Seddon Wine Store

Lucien Muzard & Fils Bourgogne 2010

A very New World Old World this wine. The Lucien Muzard & Fils Bourgogne 2010 is one of the most generous Bourgogne's I have had ever I think with plenty of fruit forward red and black fruit aka Central Otago, and seamless earth and spice all held check by effortless acid balance. Geez, just got a bit glossy mag on you didn't I. In short (like me) a super impressive Pinot with all the bells and whistles for Burgundy's entry level tipple.

Drink with rare beef steak sanga
Drink till 2016
95
Screwcap - finally France, well done; 12.5%v/v $33 Seddon Wine Store

Storagiste - A love story

Rory loves Barney. Barney loves Rory. The Story loves Garagiste and begat Storagiste. I should write smoochy-smoochy books I reckon.

A field blend jobby from Rory of The Story and Barn of Garagiste; The Storagiste Henty and sundry Chardonnay/Riesling/Pinot Gris/Gewurzt 2013 - its smashing and smashable all in one with great notes from all four varieties - real Turkish delight, citrus, pear, wax, kumquat. Get it on Vagabond!!!

Drink with a crab sandwich
Drink now
95
Screwcap 12%v/v $23 Seddon Wine Store

Punch Bannockburn Friends of Punch Syrah 2010

A couple of Mondays I shuffled on down to the Imbibo annual everything-on-show day at the Fitzroy Bowls Club. I got there early so I could get away earlyish. Yeah-Nah. After all was said and done I was the last one to leave at 7.30 where a group of us went down to The Builders Arms on Gertrude Street and well, you know - dusty the next day.

Anywhoo, there were wines aplenty and this was one of my picks; the Punch Bannockburn Friends of Punch Syrah 2010. Everything about this wine rocks, and I'm loathe to say it cos Bannockburn has its own terroir, but this is very Cornas; slate, earth, blackberry, black olive tapanade and soy sauce. Yep, soy sauce. Its delish!!!

And Cath and Beth, youse ace!!!

Drink with bloody lamb

Drink till 2018

97

Screwcap 12%v/v about $38ish

Millton Gisborne Te Arai Vineyard Chenin Blanc 2011

Its been a big November I tell ya....

I just love Chenin Blanc and I love this producer and this is such a beautiful wine. The Millton Gisborne Te Arai Vineyard Chenin Blanc 2011 is all about purity of fruit and balanced acid and phenolic mouth feel; orange citrus - mandarin, tangerine and kumquat all laced together with delicious rich loquat and balanced white phenolics and acid. Its great and its Biodynamic too boot!! Bonza stuff.

Drink with chilli grilled chicken
Drink till 2015
96
Screwcap 11.5%v/v $26 Seddon Wine Store

Robert Johnson Alan Veitch Adelaide Hills Merlot 2010

This is a wine for Neil and Bob.

A beautiful wine this one. The Robert Johnson Alan Veitch Adelaide Hills Merlot 2010 is a wonderfully structured wine with layers of blue fruit, terracotta and tilled earth on the nose. The palate follows suit with blueberries having a very cooling effect on the primary palate which is then followed by subtle tannins with more blue fruit at the back. Not just a super wine, a super Merlot.

Drink with lamb and rosemary sausages
Drink till 2018
96
Screwcap 14%v/v $29 Seddon Wine Store