James Oatley ‘Tic Tok’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Mudgee & Frankland River, Australia $15.95 (187179) 14.5% alcohol
Displaying a subtle nose of red berries, spice, dark toast and kitchen herbs, this medium-full-bodied red has luscious, spiced red and black berry flavours, underlain with supple, ripe tannin and pleasing acidity. Attractive hints of charry toast and mint linger on the warm, extended finish. A good choice on a cool evening, it’s also great with pepper steak or lamb with fresh mint sauce. (Susan Desjardins)
James Oatley ‘Tic Tok’ Chardonnay 2008
Mudgee & Pemberton, Australia $14.95 (187104) 12.8% alcohol
Apple, pear with hints of melon and toast on the nose, this is mid weight with good mouth feel and a mid-length aftertaste that’s quite crisp and refreshing. Look for citrus and orchard fruit—apple, pear and white peach—on the palate and finish. This is uncomplicated and straightforward pouring well alongside supermarket take-away, rotisserie chicken. (Vic Harradine)
James Oatley ‘Tic Tok’ Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Pemberton, Frankland River & Mudgee, Australia $14.95 (187039) 12.5% alcohol
A bouquet of aromas drift from the glass—floral, citrus, gooseberry, nettle and a whiff of tropical fruit. On the palate, bracing acidity and tangy flavours of lemon-lime, gooseberry jam and a hint of pineapple refresh. Tangy citrus and herbal notes persist on the finish of this medium-bodied wine. A great match for fish or shellfish with a lemon sauce. (Susan Desjardins)
James Oatley ‘Tic Tok’ Shiraz 2008
Frankland River, Mudgee & McLaren Vale, Australia $15.95 (187187) 14.0% alcohol
This tri-State blend offers up an alluring nose of black licorice, spice and luscious dark berry fruit. Fully flavoured, there’s a persistent ,delectable, balanced wave of black, juicy cherry, plum and pomegranate. It’s medium-full bodied and silky smooth with a long lip-smacking aftertaste. It’s rock-solid four stars offering very good value. (Vic Harradine)
Masi ‘Costasera’ Amarone Classico 2006
DOC Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, Italy $38.95 (317057) 15.0% alcohol
Sourced from premium grapes grown in ideal soil, aspect and climatic conditions, this reflects its provenance and the passion of Masi to produce and preserve decades of winemaking excellence. Fig, cherry and toast on the nose, it rips from the glass with warm, full-bodied, palate-coating dark berry, plum compote and spice-laden cherry. It’s rich and concentrated with deft balance and a lovely mouth feel. It dishes up good complexity and a tell-tale Amarone bitter-sweet bite on the lingering finish. (Vic Harradine)
Masi ‘Masianco’ 2009
IGT delle Venezie, Italy $14.95 (620773) 13.0% alcohol
Crisp and refreshing, this opens with aromas of floral, mineral and orchard fruit before washing over the palate with mid-weight, very generously textured flavours of crisp green apple and ripe, juicy pear. It finishes dry and racy with lip-smacking notes of white grapefruit and faintly honeyed tree fruit. It’s the perfect pairing with pan-seared white fish under a squirt of fresh lemon. (Vic Harradine)
Masi ‘Modello’ 2009
IGT delle Venezie, Italy $10.45 (564674) 12.0% alcohol
Bistro styled and great bang for your buck, this aperitif wine really struts its stuff with seafood and lighter-styled appetizers. Look for a silky smooth mouth feel and flavours of lemongrass, minerality and tree fruit—yellow plum, spiced pear and white peach. It’s racy, dry and crisp on the palate and finish with nuances of toast in the background. (Vic Harradine)
Red Knot Shiraz 2008
McLaren Vale, Australia $18.05 (619395) 14.0% alcohol
This is delectable and lip-smacking good with a silky-smooth texture and a lingering, fruit-forward aftertaste. Alluring aromas and flavours abound on the nose and palate with fleshy, dark berry fruit, sweet, ripe mulberry and spice-infused cherry to the fore. It’s medium-full bodied with good balance and structure. Good to go now, especially with grilled rack of lamb. (Vic Harradine)