Castellare di Castellina Chianti Classico 2011
DOCG Chianti Classico, Italy $19.05 (267260) 13.5% alcohol
This delivers a well-priced mouthful of delicious red wine. Heady aromas of cherry, toasty notes and cedar on the nose, it bathes the palate with a well-defined wash of tangy red cherry and blueberry interlaced with espresso roast and wisps of dark chocolate. It’s mid weight with a silky-smooth mouth feel and a lengthy, fruit-forward, lip-smacking finish. (Vic Harradine)


Whitehaven Pinot Noir 2011
Marlborough, New Zealand $23.45 (245696) 14.0% alcohol
Sweet vanilla, ripe, dark berry fruit and toasty oak on the nose, it bathes the palate with a silky smooth flow of dark cherry and ripe mulberry interlaced with roasted herbs and notions of dark toast. Mid weight with balance and sense of purpose, this streams through the deftly balanced finish replaying flavours underpinned by ripe, supple tannin. (Vic Harradine)


Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Marlborough, New Zealand $18.95 (308288) 13.0% alcohol
Gooseberry, gun flint, piquant herbs and spice hustle from the glass of this bursting-with-flavour gem. There’s good weight and mouth feel accompanied by lively, flavours of key lime, passion fruit and oodles of tangy lemon. It dishes up a zingy, full-on finish that’s crisp, refreshing and looking for mesclun salad under crumbled chèvre. (Vic Harradine)