Argentina
fuZion Rosé 2009
Mendoza $7.45 (122424) 13.5% alcohol
This earned its final ½ star on value. There are delicate aromas of candied red berry fruit followed by a nice rush of seriously good tang and zest from strawberry, cranberry and ripe red cherry flavours. It finishes dry and refreshing with a nice bite of racy ruby red grapefruit. Good sipping on its own, it has the pizzazz to be a versatile food wine, pairing with pan-seared salmon, lightly herbed chicken or a deli-food platter. (Vic Harradine)
Australia
Katnook ‘Founder’s Block’ Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Coonawarra $17.95 (620070) 13.5% alcohol
Winemaker Wayne Stehbens, the ‘King of Coonawarra’, has sculpted another beauty—unfortunately, there isn’t much around and it’s been de-listed (?)—hurry and pick up a few. Rich and luscious on the nose, this really delivers on the palate with a succulent burst of well-balanced flavour—juicy black ripe cherry, spiced plum and cassis. There’s a glorious nuance of mint-infused dark Bing cherry on the lingering finish. (Vic Harradine)
Penfolds ‘Koonunga Hill’ Shiraz Cabernet 2008
South Australia $16.45 (285544) 13.5% alcohol
This is rich and perfumed on the nose releasing dark dusty aromas of cherry, mint and mixed dark berry fruit. On the palate there’s a delicious wave of flavour with mouth-coating succulent Bing cherry mingling with ripe mulberry and lip-smacking tart cranberry. It finishes balanced, lingering and delicious. Leaving little to be desired, it’s full value, and then some. (Vic Harradine)
France
Loron & Fils ‘Montavallon Bourgogne Blanc’ Chardonnay 2008
AOC Burgundy $13.95 (167155) 12.5% alcohol
Light-straw coloured and brimming with apple, peach and citrus aromas, this opens with gentle flavours of green apple and racy lemon that persist throughout. It’s light weight and lightly textured—a pleasing deck or patio-sipping wine, for certain—it finishes clean with lip-smacking zest. This will also pair well with steamed mussels or calamari rings. (Vic Harradine)
Patriarche Mâcon-Villages ‘Unoaked’ Chardonnay 2008
AOC Mâcon-Villages $14.45 (171322) 12.5% alcohol
Lovely aromas of floral, mineral and delicate hints of lemongrass open this delicious light-on-its-feet, aperitif-styled white. It’s beautifully balanced, crisp and refreshing with green apple, juicy pear and ripe citrus setting the gastric juices flowing. There’s good texture and enough oomph to pair well with all manner of fish and seafood. Well paced and well priced. (Vic Harradine)
Rigal ‘The Original’ Malbec 2008
Vin de Pays du Lot $11.95 (159178) 12.5% alcohol
Earthy notes, plum and spice box on the nose, this coats the palate with quite a rush of tangy fruit flavour underpinned by ripe soft tannin. It’s mid weight well textured and brimming with chalky flavour with racy cherry, ripe succulent mulberry and espresso roast to the fore. Ready to drink—you’ll search a while for a rustic robust red like this under $12.—it earned its final ½ star on value. It’s an easy choice for summer-time grilled meats—from bangers and burgers to beef tenderloin. (Vic Harradine)
Italy
Castello di Gabbiano Chianti 2008
DOCG Chianti $13.95 (78006) 12.5% alcohol
Highly perfumed and persuasive aromas abound with lilac, exotic spice and bramble berry fruit galore. There’s a good rush of tangy red cherry with splashes of mulberry on the palate followed by a mid-length aftertaste of bramble berry and dusty earthy tones. More than expected at this price point—it’s balanced, tangy with good flavours and a bit of structure. Splendid with a variety of dishes—veal marsala, meat-laden pizza and pasta in tomato sauce all fit the bill. (Vic Harradine)
New Zealand
Nobilo ‘Monkey Bay’ Pinot Grigio 2009
New Zealand $14.95 (93666) 13.0% alcohol
Floral, slate and mineral aromas dance from the glass of this medium-bodied nicely textured sipper. Delicate flavours of nectarine and citrus along with a fruit salad bowl of tropical fruit bathe the palate. It finishes dry, crisp and refreshing—lovely sipped on its own, the perfect dance partner to lighter-styled appetizers. (Vic Harradine)
Nobilo ‘Monkey Bay’ Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Marlborough, South Island $14.70 (620062) 13.0% alcohol
Restrained and pleasing aromas of herbs and tree fruit waft from this dry, crisp and refreshing Kiwi. It’s bistro-styled and fashioned for easy sipping with sea food and friends. Light-medium weight and delicately textured, it dishes out a mouthful of lip-smacking racy flavour with tangy citrus, green apple and pineapple to the fore. It finishes crisp and refreshing. (Vic Harradine)
Stoneleigh Chardonnay 2009
Marlborough, South Island $16.95 (288795) 13.5% alcohol
Delicate aromas of vanilla and tropical fruit waft from this mid-weight very generously textured gem. Racy and refreshing on the palate, there’s a persistent wash of citrus, green apple and tangy citrus—with good purity of fruit showing on the palate and throughout the lingering crisp aftertaste. Lovely on its own, it pairs well with crab cakes, pan-seared white fish or shell fish, especially steamed green-lipped mussels. (Vic Harradine)
Stoneleigh Pinot Noir 2008
Marlborough, South Island $19.95 (54353) 13.5% alcohol
Spice and bramble berry on the lifted nose, it’s full of allure and promise. On the palate it’s chockfull of verve and vitality with racy cranberry, red currant and mixed field berry flavours mingling with spice box nuances. It’s medium bodied and nicely textured sporting a lingering well-balanced aftertaste. Give it a go with smoked duck breast over a bed of mango chutney-drizzled arugula greens—delicious. (Vic Harradine)
Stoneleigh Pinot Noir Rosé 2009
Marlborough, South Island $16.95 (122275) 13.5% alcohol
There’s good value here. Aromas of mineral and sweet berry fruit roll easily off the nose of this gorgeously textured and well-structured rosé—one of the best I’ve tasted of the 2009s, it’s pure summer in a glass. There are loads of flavours—mixed red berry fruit, red plum, mineral earthy tones and spice with a lingering juicy lip-smacking finish. Pick up a few for spring and summer. (Vic Harradine)
Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Marlborough, South Island $16.95 (293043) 13.1% alcohol
Herbaceous, lemongrass and tropical fruit aromas dominate the perfumed nose while the palate’s treated to a generous splash of tangy, racy flavour. Racy lemon, white peach and zingy white grapefruit flavours persist throughout. The crisp dry finish signals a pairing from the sea—had mine chilled only slightly alongside freshly shucked oysters with a gentle squeeze of fresh lemon in each and it was a memorable treat. (Vic Harradine)
Portugal
Grão Vasco 2006
DOC Dão $8.95 (14977) 13.7% alcohol
Dusty, mineral, spice and berry fruit aromas waft from this tang-laden red blend. Flavours of bright red cherry and raisined dark berry wash over the palate and persist through the mid-length aftertaste along with nuances of spice and over-ripe berry fruit. This is medium bodied and nicely textured, ratcheting up a notch with burgers or gourmet sausage. You can’t beat the price. (Vic Harradine)
South Africa
the beach house Rosé 2009
WO Western Cape $9.95 (164343) 13.5% alcohol
You won’t go wrong sipping this in the summer sun! A blend of Pinotage, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, the aromas dance off the glass with fresh-picked field berry and alluring spice nuances. It’s clean and crisp on the palate with a zesty rush of tangy red berry fruit flavour and a crisp, clean refreshing finish. (Vic Harradine)
Spain
Julian Chivite ‘Gran Fuedo Rosado’ 2009
DO Navarra $11.95 (165845) 13.0% alcohol
Iridescent pink and brimming with aromas and flavour, this punches well above the price and you wouldn’t go wrong keeping a few bottles around the house given its versatility with food. Spice and mixed field berry fruit on the nose, there’s a lively wash of tangy fruit flavour—cranberry, strawberry and red currant. It’s light-medium bodied, balanced, nicely textured and sports a crisp, clean finish. Good to go now and paired perfectly with deli platter items, goat cheese, fish and seafood—earning it’s final ½ star on value. (Vic Harradine)