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!

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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.

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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.

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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

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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!

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2024 Huntington Estate Barrel Fermented Chardonnay and Special Reserve Chardonnay

Posted on September 2, 2026 by Tony Peters

The line “A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it. It just blossoms.” (by Sensei Koshin Ogui) carries a deep sense of wisdom. It’s a reminder that success and acceptance aren’t about comparison. It’s about being genuine and authentic.

There’s almost a simple truth in that idea. The notion that things flourish best when they’re not driven by rivalry or the need to impress. True quality doesn’t need to do either. It doesn’t jostle for attention. It just occurs naturally, and people notice because it feels honest.

Huntington Estate has always reminded me of that sentiment. They don’t chase trends or try to outshine anyone. They simply make wines that reflect who they are and what Mudgee is all about. Balanced, thoughtful, and unpretentious. These two wines are a fine example of that longstanding ethos.

Live simply. Laugh often. Wine a lot.

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

2024 Estate Barrel Fermented Chardonnay ($35)

Freshness is the first impression. An inviting nose of stone fruit and citrus that feels bright, clear and purposeful. The palate brings juicy peach and bold fleshy stone‑fruit generosity, all carried with a lovely sense of fruit purity. A gentle creaminess threads through the mid‑palate, adding a nice extra layer of interest. Acidity is spot‑on, giving energy to the richness, while a savoury note and well‑judged oak build texture and good depth right across the palate. It finishes long and deliciously moreish. An excellent Chardonnay at a just-as-excellent price!

2024 Special Reserve Chardonnay ($45)

Stone fruit and citrus‑led aromas make a bright, inviting start, with a gentle nudge of oak adding interest. Those stone fruit characters flow onto a deliciously flavourful palate, joined by a macadamia‑cashew creaminess that brings a luxurious like texture. There’s fresh acidity too, providing balance and vivacity to the mouth‑filling richness. It’s a Chardonnay that keeps giving, offering generosity, texture and a sense of composure as it slowly fades from the palate. A lovely, lovey wine indeed.

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Beresford Estate Emblem Wines

Posted on August 30, 2026 by Tony Peters

There’s something about Mediterranean holidays that stay with you. The warmth, the relaxed pace, the easy days of sunglasses, shorts and bare feet as the afternoons roll by. McLaren Vale, known for its Mediterranean climate, has a touch of that same feel, and it shows in Beresford’s Emblem Fiano and Grenache, both bright, expressive and comfortably at home in that sun‑soaked style. They’re wines that suit long afternoons and simple food in a convivial atmosphere.

The Pinot Noir, from the cooler Adelaide Hills, brings a different kind of perspective, yet still carries that same sense of ease, the kind of wine you’d happily open on a mild evening out on the deck, or at a relaxed dinner with friends.

The three wines share a theme of freshness, balance and varietal clarity, each offering its own personality while fitting neatly into the broader rhythm of any situation.

Live simply. Laugh often. Wine a Lot.

Beresford Estate Website

Samples thanks kindly to Beresford Estate

2025 Fiano (McLaren Vale, S.A. $25)

There’s an immediate aromatic lift offering honeysuckle, pear and a little citrus brightness. It’s expressive without being over the top, inviting you in from the first swirl of the glass. The palate follows through delivering plenty of flavour with tropical fruit notes, a touch of peachiness and even a quiet little spicy note having its say too. It’s crisp, fresh and nicely textural, with acidity that keeps things lively. A gentle creaminess emerges as it opens up, adding interest and rounding out the finish. Damn good!

2024 Pinot Noir (Adelaide Hills, S.A. $35)

A lovely colour sets the tone. The nose is a little shy at first but opens with a fragrantly varietal ‘prettiness’ with red fruits, cherry, a hint of spice and a gentle leafy note. The palate is light to medium weight, youthful and bright, carrying red fruits and strawberries with spicy red cherry taking the lead. Tannins are gentle and unobtrusive, letting the fruit do the talking…as it should! It finishes with good carry and persistence, where the red cherry and spice make themselves known again. An enjoyable Pinot Noir with plenty of appeal.

2025 Grenache (McLaren Vale, S.A. $35)

Lovely, bright, fruitful nose with cherries, berries, a slightly herbal lift and an earthy character underneath. The palate is perfectly medium‑bodied, juicy and flavourful, delightfully expressive with strawberries, plum, delicate spice and dry herbs. There’s plenty to contemplate, yet it stays smile‑evoking and effortlessly enjoyable. An impressive wine. Loved it! A ripper example of the variety. Enough said.

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2025 Cooks Lot ‘Handpicked’ Pinot Noir

Posted on August 26, 2026 by Tony Peters

These two words of the wine world excite me when I see or read them on a bottle of wine. Pinot Noir. Having lived in a cool‑climate region like Tasmania, I was spoilt by the sheer diversity this variety can offer even across the state. Years of sipping, swirling and savouring have shaped an appreciation, bordering on obsession, for truly well‑made Pinot.

That curiosity never stopped. Whether at tastings, in wine regions, or simply choosing from a restaurant list, I’ve always made a point of exploring how different places express this beautiful and elegant variety.

Thanks to David Cumming of Define Wine, I’ve again had the chance to taste another quality example from the Orange region in New South Wales. Cooks Lot ‘Handpicked’ Pinot Noir is quite a remarkable wine for the price.

Live simply. Laugh often. Wine a lot.

Cooks Lot Website

Region: Orange Region, NSW     Price: $35     Source: Sample thanks kindly to Cooks Lot and Define Wine

Starts off really well with dark cherry leading on the nose, joined by gentle spice and a delicate savouriness. Cherry and red fruits follow through on the palate with a touch of spice and plenty of youthful flavour. It’s beautifully medium‑bodied, sitting neatly across the palate with good length. The oak is present but well judged, a nice addition not a distraction. There’s even a hint of cool‑climate boldness, like a little extra ‘oomph’ of flavour you don’t always expect at this price. A very tidy, well‑made Pinot Noir that shows both purity and intent. It’s no surprise it’s already picked up three trophies…so far.

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2025 Cooks Lot ‘Handpicked’ Chardonnay

Posted on August 15, 2026 by Tony Peters

I have read a bit about Cooks Lot wines but I have never tried them. From all accounts, all of which were positive, Cooks Lot is one of those Orange producers who know exactly what they’re about. Their ethos is simple enough. Pick well, treat the fruit gently, and let the cool‑climate character of the variety speak for itself, with confidence in the vineyards they source fruit from.

Winemaker Duncan Cook seems to embody that same philosophy, favouring regional clarity over complication. He talks often about texture, balance and varietal expression and to be fair, Orange Chardonnay gives him plenty to work with. It’s a style built on freshness, stone fruit purity and that unmistakable cool‑climate line of acidity. Thoughtful, well‑made, and true to the region, this Chardonnay feels like a clear expression of what Duncan Cook wants to say about the variety. And after tasting it, I’m very glad he decided to say it in this way because it is exactly the sort of quality wine that makes me grateful for the opportunity to try it.

Live simply. Laugh often. Wine a lot.

Cooks Lot Website

Region: Orange Region, NSW     Price: $35     Source: Sample thanks kindly to Cooks Lot and Define Wine

A little shy to start with, this opens with inviting stone fruit and melon aromas, with a gentle citrus influence. The palate is rich but nicely restrained, carrying vibrant, generous cool‑climate varietal fruit flavours. Stone fruits lead the way, joined by honeydew melon that fills the mid‑palate nicely. Lees work brings a lovely, flowing texture that adds to the wine’s appeal. The oak is present in a supportive way without taking centre stage. The acidity is gentle and balanced, giving the wine good structure as it finishes long, clean and very impressive. A well‑made Orange Chardonnay that delivers depth, poise and genuine drinkability.

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2021 Slow Wine Co. Blanc de Noir

Posted on August 2, 2026 by Tony Peters

“What I am looking for is a blessing not in disguise,” wrote Jerome K. Jerome, the English writer and humourist. It’s a line that made me smile when I read it. Partly for its honesty and partly for its subtle impatience with anything that hides its true nature. The 2021 Slow Wine Co Blanc de Noir is a blessing in plain sight. Nothing about it is shy, concealed or held back. Four years on lees have given it depth and complexity, yet the wine still greets you with an unashamed honesty. There’s something refreshing about a wine that doesn’t pretend to be anything other than what it is. No disguise, no theatrics, nothing getting between you and the wine. Just a beautifully made Blanc de Noir that offers its best self straight away and trusts you will appreciate it…which I most certainly did.

Live simply. Laugh often. Wine a lot.

Slow Wine Co Website

Region: Orange Region, NSW     Price: $60    Source: Wine Swap (Thanks Jen)

On the nose it opens with raspberries, red cherries, gentle spice and citrus, and brioche. The palate is vinous and intriguingly complex. Its red‑fruited delicacy is brightened by lemon and subtle sherbet notes. There’s some lovely texture and a creaminess that gives it depth without weight then the fine mousse adds a calm, composed palate feel. It’s long and gently savoury with a freshness that gives it a nice lift on the finish. A characterful Blanc de Noir. Distinctive, textural, and a fine example of cool‑climate sparkling Pinot Noir.

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