2021 Huntington Estate Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Posted on September 24, 2026 by Tony Peters

Time keeps moving, minute by minute, year by year and has a funny way of leaving its mark on everything. It’s an undeniable fact that everything ages. Some things handle the years well, some better than others. Sadly, plenty of things fall apart before they hit their stride.

Wine is definitely not immune to the passage of time. As we know, wine can benefit from getting older and welcomes those passing years. That’s the beauty of well‑made reds. They don’t fight the years, they work with them.

Huntington Estate red wines sit firmly in that camp and they make it look like part of the plan. They’re generally made with the long game in mind, built to stretch out and settle in. Flavours knit together, tannins soften, and the wine starts to show you what patience can reveal. Five years on, the 2021 Special Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon shows exactly why these wines are worth waiting for. A reminder that time isn’t always the enemy. Sometimes it’s the finishing touch.

Live simply. Laugh often. Wine a lot.

Huntington Estate Website

Region: Mudgee, NSW     Price: $55    Source: Sample thanks kindly to Huntington Estate

The nose is so delightfully inviting from the first swirl that I loved it straight up. Dark berries lead the charge, oak sitting comfortably as part of the whole and a gentle herbal lift too. The palate is fulsome and smooth, carrying nearly all the dark fruits you can think of with purpose and vanilla-like oak notes weaving through the fruit. A delicate herbal thread keeps things savoury, giving contrast to the generous fruit. The lovely tannin profile is fine, supportive and perfectly in tune with the wine’s richness. Length is excellent, carrying both fruit and tannin in equal measure and showing just how well this wine has been beautifully built. It’s bold, balanced and damn good drinking already, with plenty of time ahead if you choose to wait. An absolutely “buy it” proposition.

(Sorry about the photo. I only had this one of the 2019 to use)

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

2024 Beresford Estate Blewitt Springs Cabernet Sauvignon

Posted on September 19, 2026 by Tony Peters

I’ll say straight up, this one caught me off guard but in such a good way. McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon always feels like it’s stuck in the back seat of the Shiraz motor car. Welcome to go along for the ride, but never really allowed to touch the radio. Every now and then though, a producer hands it the keys and you realise Cab Sav can actually steer just fine. It’s the quiet achiever of McLaren Vale, rarely the headline act, but more than capable when the right site and season line up. Give it a patch in Blewett Springs and suddenly it’s not just keeping pace, it’s showing a kind of elegance and poise that makes you rethink the whole “poor cousin” idea.

This vintage does exactly that, reminding you that McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon can shine when it’s not trying to be something it’s not. It’s a wine that steps forward with enough confidence to make you stop and pay attention.

Live simply. Laugh often. Wine a lot.

Region: McLaren Vale, S.A.     Price: $45     Source: Sample thanks kindly to Beresford Estate

This Cabernet opens with youthful aromas of blackberries, a herbal note and a gentle earthiness. Varietal, yes. Simple, definitely no. The palate is fresh and generous, sitting in that medium-to-full‑bodied space with black cherry, blackcurrant, plums and a touch of liquorice. There’s a little top quality dark chocolate in the mix too, adding interest without pushing the other flavours around. The tannins are supportive, as those lovely flavours unfold gracefully across the palate. An unexpected beauty and a reminder of just how refined the Blewett Springs site can be.

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon | Leave a comment

2022 Huntington Estate Shiraz

Posted on September 19, 2026 by Tony Peters

There are so many choices in the Australian Shiraz world these days, and sometimes it can be easy for them to get wrapped up in hype through no fault of their own. Ideas of prestige due to price or reputation, awards or critics’ points, presentation or promotion. And let’s face it, some wines lean into this. Bold, powerful and dressed to impress, and good on them. I can’t deny having had my fair share over the years.

However, more often than not, a wine comes along without all the unnecessary noise accompanying it. Genuinely enjoyable, not pricey, with a trustworthy reputation that has been earned and satisfyingly good to drink. In other words, it comes down to what’s in the bottle. Pretty simple really.

At $35, this Huntington Estate Shiraz is exactly that kind of wine. It has pleasure in the bottle, pleasure in the glass, and pleasure on your palate without the fuss attached to it.

Live simply. Laugh often. Wine a lot.

Huntington Estate Website

Region: Mudgee, NSW     Price: $35     Source: Sample thanks kindly to Huntington Estate

This is going to sounds a bit strange describing a wine in this way but this is a really cool wine. Everything about it seems mellow, relaxed, and easy. It’s more blue fruits than black, a plummy note fills out the palate, a gentle spiciness and a medium bodied-ness that feels inviting instead of imposing. Yes, there are tannins but they seem apologetic and explanatory at the same time, asking to be excused while they do their thing and carry this wine into the future. Good, good length and a flavourful finish make this such a friend-finding wine.

Posted in Shiraz | Leave a comment

2024 Beresford Estate Blewett Springs Shiraz

Posted on September 17, 2026 by Tony Peters

I’d love to pretend I approached this Blewett Springs Shiraz like a ‘professional’ should, but honestly, I cracked it open with the enthusiasm of a kid in a candy store. There’s just something about Shiraz from this part of the world. You don’t so much taste it as settle into it, like easing back into your favourite chair.

Blewett Springs has that familiar‑yet‑impressive thing going on. You think you know what’s coming, and then the first swirl reminds you ‘the Vale’ still has a few pleasant little tricks up its sleeve. One sniff, one sip, and suddenly you’re leaning back and remembering exactly why the region has such a strong reputation for Shiraz.

It has richness and generosity without the ego. It’s like McLaren Vale just needs to hand you a glass and let you take it all in. This bottle felt like, and absolutely did, exactly that.

Live simply. Laugh often. Wine a lot.

Region: McLaren Vale, S.A.     Price: $45     Source: Sample thanks kindly to Beresford Estate

This is a lovely colour in the glass. Deep, glossy, youthful and vibrant, which bodes well for what’s to come. The aromas are anything but shy due to abundant plums, dark fruits, a gentle herbal lift and a hint of oak weaving through. The palate has a big ‘Hello’ factor. It’s rich, bold, vibrant and generous, packed with black and blue fruits and a touch of gentle spice. Beautifully played oak rounds everything out nicely. There’s real power behind the fruit, yet an elegance that keeps the wine balanced and refined. A fine example of Blewett Springs Shiraz. Great stuff!

Posted in Shiraz | Leave a comment

2026 Huntington Estate Gewürztraminer

Posted on September 16, 2026 by Tony Peters

“The amount of beautiful things in your life depends on your ability to notice them.” Gewürztraminer is one of the most distinctive and expressive white varieties in the world, yet it often slips by unnoticed, usually overshadowed by the familiar comfort of Chardonnay, the reliability of Riesling, or the popularity of Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a variety that seemingly needs you to actually notice what’s in the glass. When you do, you realise just how much beauty it offers.

Part of the reason Gewürztraminer goes unappreciated is that it is not trendy. It is more a wine of curiosity with the broader wine drinker. However, every now and then, a producer comes along who treats the variety with the respect it deserves. Suddenly people start to take notice and, dare I say, thank God!

Huntington Estate is one of those producers. I like how they have never made wines to fit a fashion. They make wines because they believe in their vineyards and in the varieties they champion. Their Gewürztraminer shows their sense of confidence in the variety, and the 2026 release feels like a wine that could help more people see what they have been missing.

Live simply. Laugh often. Wine a lot.

Huntington Estate Website

Region: Mudgee, NSW     Price: $35     Source: Sample thanks kindly to Huntington Estate

Beautifully and vibrantly aromatic, this Gewürztraminer opens with floral, musky and gently herbal notes that provide the perfect introduction to the variety. The palate follows with plenty of tropical fruit flavours, wrapped in bright, crisp acidity that keeps everything lively and refreshing. It’s bone dry, but far from austere. There’s a little ‘frisky’ edge thanks to its youthful energy, and the flavours carry nicely through the mid‑palate. The finish is clean, dry and refreshing inviting another sip. This Gewürztraminer is one of those beautiful things…if you’re willing to notice it. Please do so.

Posted in Other Whites | Leave a comment

2024 Beresford Estate Classic Shiraz

Posted on September 11, 2026 by Tony Peters

“Don’t aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally.” There’s something quite profound in that statement. When it comes to winemakers, I think most simply set out to make the best wine they can from the fruit the vineyard gives them. I could be wrong, but I doubt many begin a vintage thinking they’re about to craft a wine destined for gold medals, trophies or world acclaim. They simply love what they do, have confidence in what they do, and believe in their vineyards.

Head Winemaker at Beresford Estate, Natalie Cleghorn, is quoted as saying, “When you let the fruit and the site do the talking, the quality speaks for itself.” Among other varieties, they make McLaren Vale Shiraz the way they believe McLaren Vale Shiraz should be made. That approach and that attitude resulted in success finding them in the most extraordinary way through the 2023 Classic Shiraz. 97 points, four major trophies, and the highest‑scoring Shiraz at the world’s largest wine competition, the 2026 International Wine Challenge. Number one out of 111 entries. How good is that! And, I read a little snippet suggesting this wine, the 2024 vintage release, may well be even better.

Live simply. Laugh often. Wine a lot.

Region: McLaren Vale, S.A.     Price: $25 (Another Absolute Bargain)     Source: Sample thanks kindly to Beresford Estate

Youthful and fruit forward on the nose, offering a mix of red and black fruits with a gentle touch of oak. The palate is generous and lush, full bodied but in a pretty, balanced way. Blackberries, dark cherries and plums lead the charge, joined by that McLaren Vale dark chocolate character but in a, nice subtle way. There’s a juicy elegance here too, with soft, mouth filling tannins carried by the wine’s vibrant and abundant fruit. It finishes with good length, plenty of charm, and approachability in spades. I’m a big fan!

Posted in Shiraz | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

2026 Huntington Estate Pinot Noir Dry Rosé

Posted on September 10, 2026 by Tony Peters

Some wines are made for unplanned moments and who hasn’t experienced those? The nice ones, the tasty ones, the ones that surreptitiously work their way into any given situation. This Rosé fits right into those moments with bright, effortless charm. A sip becomes a small celebration with your friends before they or you even realise. It’s the kind of wine that lifts the mood without even trying. It’s honest, fresh, and full of that Huntington Estate spirit that is almost tangible. A Rosé that feels right in the hand, and even better on the palate. The sort of wine that makes you smile without knowing why. That’s what a good wine, let alone a Rosé, is all about. Whether it be lunch time, dinner time, an afternoon soiree or just because, here is your Rosé. And, let’s face it. Rosé is no longer a summer wine. It’s an any day, every day wine if you want it to be.

Live simply. Laugh often. Wine a lot.

Region: Mudgee, NSW     Price: $29 Source: Samples thanks kindly to Huntington Estate

A red‑fruit cacophony excites the olfactory senses. A great start. There’s just as much to be excited about on the palate. Flavour, flavour, and more flavour. Those red fruits shine in the spotlight, with lovely acidity adding freshness, lift, and great carry. There’s a fine, gentle texture too, while the fruit remains beautifully focused. Yes, it’s dry, which I like, but the fruit is so giving and fulsome you barely notice. This is delicious. Simply delicious. It’s the kind of wine that leads to that second pour you don’t even think about. Did I go back for more? Sure did…and you will too. Trust me.

Posted in Pinot Noir, Rosé | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

2024 Mesh Riesling

Posted on September 6, 2026 by Tony Peters

Some collaborations are born from necessity. The Mesh Riesling is born from respect. Jeffrey Grosset and Robert Hill‑Smith have shaped Australian Riesling in their own distinct ways, and this wine feels like the natural extension of that shared commitment. It isn’t a partnership chasing novelty or headlines. It’s two steady, industry‑experienced hands exploring a simple idea that Eden Valley fruit, handled with clarity of purpose, can speak even more confidently when guided by a shared vision for a wine. In doing so, they’ve set aside the borders we tend to draw between producers rather than regions, letting their philosophies meet in the same glass without fuss or fanfare. Mesh feels less like a statement and more like a reminder that good fruit, and good intentions, can travel further when the lines aren’t so rigid.

Mesh Riesling Wine Store

Region: Eden Valley, South Australia     Price: $35    Source: On-line Purchase

Aromas of fresh lime, grapefruit and green apple. The palate is ‘focused’ delivering bright citrus fruit wrapped around lovely acidity and an almost palpable energy. Vibrant without being aggressive and precise without sacrificing generosity of flavour. Lime characters show their wares but the overall citrus influence is obvious, drawing you back for another taste while finishing long and mouth-wateringly inviting. What impressed me the most is the balance. Intensity matched by elegance, fruit by minerality. Young and quite exhilarating now, it hints at greater complexity in the years ahead…if you have the patience.

Posted in Riesling | Leave a comment

2026 Huntington Estate Nouveau

Posted on September 5, 2026 by Tony Peters

A Nouveau style of wine is crafted with brightness, immediacy and pure enjoyment in mind. Huntington Estate’s 2026 blend of Shiraz, Pinot Noir and Grenache absolutely leans into that spirit.

An absolute delight of a wine! Normally I’d start with colour, aromas and palate. The usual rhythm. However, this Huntington Estate 2026 Nouveau doesn’t fit neatly into the usual boxes. Instead, it hits you from nose to toes, or maybe toes to nose, depending on how quickly you realise you’re smiling, or dancing, before you’ve even finished the first sip.

You’re probably going to think I’m a tad crazy and that’s fine, but when I tasted it, that’s exactly what sprung to mind. There’s an energy to this wine, a brightness, that feels less like analysing it and more like being welcomed into enjoying it. It’s the kind of wine that reminds you why Nouveau exists. To be a joyful and an immediate experience, and just a little bit cheeky too. Go on. You know you want to try it now.

Live simply. Laugh often. Wine a lot.

Huntington Estate Website

Region: Mudgee, NSW     Price: $32     Source: Thanks kindly to Huntington Estate

Posted in Grenache, Pinot Noir, Red Blends, Shiraz | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

2024 Beresford Estate ‘Barrel Select’ Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre 

Posted on September 3, 2026 by Tony Peters

This may seem a bit odd, however, as I’m not a well-known wine reviewer, when I am lucky enough to receive some wines to check out, occasionally from a new producers like this one, there’s a bit of fanfare from me. When the Beresford wines arrived, this GSM seemed a bit of an outlier amongst the number of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz from the same range. Funny how often those unassuming bottles end up being the ones that shift your whole thinking. A couple of swirls, a sniff, a taste, and suddenly you remember why you love doing this.

McLaren Vale. The region that seems to have a sixth sense for knowing when you need something that is not your ‘usual’ GSM. Delightfully flavoursome but never over the top. A region that has been doing GSMs long enough to know exactly how to walk that line. This one didn’t try to impress me with swagger, not in the slightest. It just seemed to wander over with a cheeky grin and say, “Relax my friend, I’m about to take you on a enjoyable journey.” And, it really did…in the best possible way!

Live simply. Laugh often. Wine a lot.

Region: McLaren Vale, S.A.     Price: $25 (Absolute Bargain)     Source: Sample thanks kindly to Beresford Estate

Bright red fruits lead the way. Cherries, raspberries and a touch of strawberry giving the nose a lively and fruit forward lift, even a plummy-ness adds depth to the brightness. The palate is mid‑weight and juicy, with red currants, blueberry and plum bringing clear, defined flavours and a nice little bit of toastiness (yep, best way I can describe it) makes an appearance. Silky tannins keep everything smooth and balanced. The finish is fruit driven, lightly spiced and very approachable. A flavoursome, delicious, easy‑drinking GSM with plenty of charm that I just adored. Gee this is good!

Posted in Grenache, Red Blends, Shiraz | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment