Y Series Lighter Cuvée Sparkling Wine

Posted on April 22, 2026 by Tony Peters

In the current world climate, there is much to despair. Yet there is always something to celebrate, no matter the size or nature of that ‘something’. Today is World Earth Day, and Yalumba, through their Y Series range, are not only marking the occasion but contributing to it in a positive way by establishing the Y Series Forest.

The Y Series Forest will take shape at Magpie Lane in Victoria, on Waveroo Country. As part of the Reedy Creek Catchment, the project will help restore native vegetation and wildlife habitat. Working with Greenfleet, the site will be planted with local native species to rebuild the Grassy Dry Forest and Valley Grassy Forest ecosystems. In time, it will provide vital habitat for a vast range of native fauna and birds.

All you need to do to contribute is buy a bottle from the Y Series range during the month of April. You’re a winner, and the Y Series Forest is a winner because of your purchase.

Smiths Wine Store Y Series Wines

Region: South Australia    Price: $16 Source: Sample thanks kindly to Hill- Smith Family Estates

In the spirit of World Earth Day, this Lighter Cuvée feels perfectly placed. A sparkling that keeps things light in more ways than one. It opens with fresh citrus, crisp apple and a little pear, all lifted by a gentle floral note. The palate is clean and bright, carrying a soft bready texture that gives it more interest than you’d expect at 7%. There’s an easiness to it, a sense of refreshment without pretence, and the balance between fruit and fizz is neatly handled. The finish is lemony and tidy, slipping away with a crisp finish. It’s a wine that knows its purpose. Uncomplicated, refreshing, and made with the same thoughtful approach that underpins the Y Series Forest project. A simple pleasure with a positive footprint.

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Y Series – Celebrating Earth Month – April 2026

Posted on April 19, 2026 by Tony Peters

The Y Series has always been about accessibility, but this year there’s a thoughtful story behind the wines.

For more than two decades, the Hill‑Smith family has turned sustainability from an idea into action and kept it front and centre of what they do. Wild ferments, lightweight glass, solar power, and native vegetation through their vineyards. It’s the kind of work that rarely makes headlines.

During Earth Month this year, they’ve taken things a step further. Every bottle of Y Series sold through Dan Murphy’s and BWS helps plant and protect a new patch of koala habitat in Magpie Lane, Victoria, aptly named the Y Series Forest.

Ten thousand square metres of restored native vegetation, part of the Reedy Creek Catchment, where all sorts of fauna, and yes, koalas too, will eventually return. To the Hill-Smith family, sustainability isn’t a slogan. It’s just what they do.

While the wines remain approachable and affordable, there’s something meaningful about knowing each bottle you purchase plays a small part in this project. With that in mind, here’s two of the Y Series wines I’ve tasted of this release, and both are worthy of your well-earned dollars.

Smiths Wine Store Y Series Wines

Region: South Australia    Source: Samples thanks kindly to Hill- Smith Family Estates

2025 Lighter Pinot Grigio 7% (RRP $16)

There’s a slight floral lift on the nose, joined by fresh pear and apple, with a gentle hint of honey adding a soft sweetness. The palate follows with apples and pears working in harmony, offering more flavour than you’d expect from a 7% wine. A touch of cinnamon brings a little interest without distracting from the fruit. The mouthfeel is pretty good, carrying a soft creaminess that lingers nicely through the finish. It’s light, of course, but not lacking with the fruit holding its shape and the texture gives it presence. For those wanting something lower in alcohol without sacrificing varietal character, this is a genuinely well‑made option.

2025 Pinot Grigio (RRP $15)

The nose shows a slight floral note, but it’s the distinctly varietal fresh pear characters that really shine, with a little apple in there too. The palate follows suit with fresh pears and some apple in support, and a hint of cinnamon bringing a subtle layer of interest. It carries a touch more weight than expected, almost a Gris‑like richness, giving the fruit something to sit on. The texture is nicely balanced with enough freshness to keep things lively and enough fruit to carry through to a reasonably long finish. At $15 this is very good value, and when it’s discounted (as it often is), it becomes exceptional value for an easy‑drinking, varietally true Pinot Grigio.

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2023 Angullong ‘Fossil Hill’ Tempranillo

Posted on April 15, 2026 by Tony Peters

“Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves.” Albert Einstein wasn’t talking about wine, of course, but the sentiment still applies. Some wines are so easy to enjoy that we tend not to slow down and give them the attention they deserve. I think Angullong’s Fossil Hill range falls into that category. They have a certain “un no sé qué” that is quietly valued by those who drink them.

Tempranillo might be a Mediterranean variety, but it has found a comfortable home in Orange, where the balance of fruit, savouriness and structure seems almost effortless. It’s the kind of wine you can drink happily without thinking, yet it rewards you the moment you pause and take notice. The 2023 release is another reminder that sometimes the most satisfying wines are the ones that simply earn attention and accolades without the headlines.

Angulong Website

Region: Orange Region, NSW     Price: $30     Source: Sample thanks kindly to Angullong Wines and Define Wine

The nose opens with blackberry and black cherry, a gentle herbal edge and a touch of spice. The palate follows with those dark fruits sitting comfortably alongside a savoury note, a welcome addition that doesn’t weigh the wine down. The tannins feel fine-grained, offering a food‑friendly structure that sits true to the variety. There’s a lovely persistence here too, the fruit carrying through with good varietal focus. It’s a delightfully approachable, well-made Tempranillo that brings both generosity and a genuine ‘yum factor’ in equal measure.

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2023 Angullong ‘Fossil Hill’ Shiraz

Posted on April 9, 2026 by Tony Peters

The 2023 Shiraz yield in Australia was well below average at 340,000 tonnes (normally it is closer to 417,000). To the everyday punter that still sounds like a mountain of grapes. In fact (thanks, Google) the juice from that amount would fill roughly 255 million bottles of wine. That’s a lot of Shiraz by anyone’s standards.

When you think about how many wines sit around the $30 mark in Australia, there must be hundreds. To stand out in that crowd, a producer has to lean on the essentials. Quality, consistency, and value. And while the Orange region isn’t always front‑of‑mind for Shiraz, it damn well should be, and here’s the perfect example of why.

Angulong Website

Region: Orange Region, NSW     Price: $30     Source: Sample thanks kindly to Angullong Wines and Define Wine

Aromas of cherries and mixed berries rise easily from the glass, joined by a little oak and spice…all things nice, as the saying goes. The palate follows with black and blue berries that feel plush and plentiful, sitting comfortably in that just‑better‑than‑medium body. A gentle touch of spice and oak sit nicely amongst the fruit, without taking over. The tannins glide across the palate, fine and steady, carrying the fruit along a line of a genuinely lovely length. I…am…a…big…fan!

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2023 Angullong ‘Fossil Hill’ Sangiovese

Posted on April 3, 2026 by Tony Peters

Samuel Johnson (18th‑century English writer) once suggested that wine can make a man mistake words for thoughts, and I’ve always taken that as a reminder to stay thoughtful rather than simply sounding thoughtful. I know I can get carried away when a wine excites me. Sometimes the words rush out faster (I tend to talk a lot and I can’t type that fast!) than the thoughts behind them .

However, every now and then a wine has a way of keeping things grounded. It doesn’t ask for big statements or eager praise. It leans toward a calmer, more measured approach that keeps the focus exactly where it should be… on what’s in the glass.

The 2023 Angullong Fossil Hill Sangiovese is very much that kind of wine. Full of character and charm, generous and expressive, it is genuinely honest and doesn’t need embellishment in any form. It speaks for itself with confidence.

Angulong Website

Region: Orange Region, NSW     Price: $30     Source: Sample thanks kindly to Angullong Wines and Define Wine

Lovely aromatics with cherries, red plums and a touch of herbs along with a freshness I really liked. On the palate it’s juicy dark cherries and plums for sure, a lovely savouriness, a delicious fruitfulness that you can’t help but be drawn to. A little earthiness comes through along with some fine tannins on a finish that is the savoury heartbeat of the Fossil Hill range…well, for me anyway. An excellent example of the variety that you could be excused for keeping all to yourself.

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2023 Angullong ‘Fossil Hill’ Montepulciano

Posted on March 28, 2026 by Tony Peters

“In order to explain the name, first you must drink the wine.” I wish I could credit whoever said that (if you know, please tell me) but it stuck with me.

For this bottle, though, I’d tweak it slightly: “To explain the name, you must say the name… then drink the wine.”

So let’s say it together: Mon‑te‑pull‑chee‑ar‑no. Say it quickly and you’ll sound like a natural.

Now, onto the part that needs no explanation at all: drinking it. And this particular one made that very easy.

Montepulciano is a medium to full-bodied Italian red grape variety, primarily grown in the Abruzzo region, right in the middle of Italy. Often described as crowd-pleasing wines perfect with pizza or pasta. Italian wine with Italian food? Makes perfect sense to me.

Angulong Website

Region: Orange Region, NSW     Price: $30     Source: Sample thanks kindly to Angullong Wines and Define Wine

The aromas of this wine really get things started in such a positive way. Fruit forward and inviting thanks to an abundant dark cherry and plum with just a slight herbal note. The palate is rich and generous and moreish and…I could go on. Blackcurrant, plums, dried herbs and lovely subtle oak are what I found. There is a great, juicy mid- palate appeal with smooth tannins being carried along by the lush fruit to a really good, long finish. This is a crowd pleaser. This is amazingly good value. This is your go-to Montepulciano. No doubt!

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2023 Ekin Wine Co Langhorne Creek Sparkling Pinot Noir

Posted on March 26, 2026 by Tony Peters

Sometimes wine writers and bloggers (myself included) get a little caught up in the role sparkling wine is supposed to play as the drink for celebrations, milestones, and big moments. And sure, it can be that, but it doesn’t have to be. Walk into a bottle shop and pick up a $25 bubbles and you’re usually buying for the enjoyment factor rather than the ‘fine-detail factor’ (no disrespect intended).

But this one? It has both. There’s plenty of delicious detail here, yet it still sits comfortably in that ‘easily enjoyed, please partake’ space, and let’s not forget the ‘cause for celebration’ factor. This Sparkling Pinot Noir is definitely good for that too! It’s approachable, inviting, and far more interesting than the price might suggest.

Ekin Wine Co Website

Region: Adelaide Hills, S.A.     Price: $25 (Bargain!)    Source: Samples thanks kindly to Ekin Wine Co

The nose offers a gentle mix of strawberries and apple, with a little stone‑fruit that’s so inviting.  On the palate, the wine is bright and zippy, carried by a sherbet‑like acidity that keeps everything lively. Red‑berry flavours take the lead, joined by a light citrus note that adds to the freshness. The bubbles are soft, giving the wine an easy, approachable texture, and the finish is clean, refreshing, and genuinely satisfying. It’s not trying to be complex, just honest, well‑made sparkling that delivers pleasure with a good dose of charm too.

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2024 Angullong ‘Fossil Hill’ Barbera

Posted on March 23, 2026 by Tony Peters

Being honest, this variety was never something I sought out in a bottle shop or on a wine list, but that attitude has since changed.

Adjunct to that, I’ve generally steered toward the familiar varieties simply because they were, well, familiar.

Real wine boffins (that’s me) are always on the lookout for something a little different to impress or enthuse other wine boffins.

Barbera is one of those varieties. Definitely a little different, and absolutely worthy of attention.

Ever since starting this blog, I’ve been lucky enough to have been sent a few Barberas to try, and I’ve been mightily impressed.

Raising the bar each time, the Angullong ‘Fossil Hill’ version is exactly the kind of wine I’d happily keep at home as a constant.

Anyone yet to try the variety should do so, and this is the ideal place to start. A version true to Barbera’s character.

Angulong Website

Region: Orange Region, NSW     Price: $30     Source: Sample thanks kindly to Angullong Wines and Define Wine

The colour is the first thing to impress. Deep, glossy and full of promise of what is to come next. Dark fruits aromas rise from the glass with a slightly herbal edge, vibrant and almost filling the air around it. The palate is juicy and generous, led by dark plums and blackberries. A lively red‑fruitiness brings brightness and energy, giving the wine a lovely, lush palate feel. It’s abundantly flavourful yet still sits comfortably in the medium‑bodied spectrum. The length is impressive too with those flavours lingering incessantly. A vibrant, flavour‑packed Barbera that shows just how charming this variety can be.

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2023 Angullong ‘Fossil Hill’ Chardonnay

Posted on March 20, 2026 by Tony Peters

Some time ago, I lived in a home in Hobart with magnificent views. The wide River Derwent stretched out in front of me, leading up to the city and the shadow of Mount Wellington/Kunanyi. At any time of day or year, the river colour and form shifted with the sky and the weather. Colours changing, wind stirring the surface, and always some kind of activity be it a yacht race, a cruise ship easing into port, or someone out in their little pleasure craft enjoying the moment.

At the end of a working day, whether from my job or a few hours in the garden, it was easy to pour a glass of wine, step out onto the deck, and simply watch the river. Chardonnay often played a big part in that ritual. Bright, refreshing and tasty, it was the kind of wine that completed the day. This one from Angullong would have suited that moment perfectly. Here’s why.

Angulong Website

Region: Orange Region, NSW     Price: $30     Source: Sample thanks kindly to Angullong Wines and Define Wine

Mainly citrus fruits on the nose with just a hint of oak. The very appealing palate has abundant flavour but maintains its freshness. A melon-like texture and a macadamia-like nuttiness and creaminess are beautifully complemented by a good balance of acidity, with a little spice and oak influence adding nice layers as it finishes with great length. I have three words for this wine. Precision, restraint & great!

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2025 Shanahans Wines ‘The Barking Dog’ Grenache Shiraz Mataro

Posted on March 19, 2026 by Tony Peters

When it comes to Grenache, Shiraz & Mataro blends they can come in all shapes, sizes and proportions. I’ve never asked a winemaker how they arrive at their final mix, and I’m not about to speculate, but the thought of shapes and proportions immediately brought triangles to mind. More specifically, the Scalene and the Equilateral. This wine manages to reflect both.

The Scalene part is obvious. Grenache at 57%, Shiraz at 33% and Mataro at 10%. Uneven sides, no arguments there. But when you taste it, the wine changes shape. That’s where the Equilateral triangle comes in. Flavour, elegance and finesse sit in equal measure, each supporting the other without a single side dominating. Speaking of ‘taste,’ here are my thoughts on the wine.

Shanahans Wines Website

Region: Barossa Valley, SA     Price: $25 (Absolute Bargain!) Source: Retail purchase

This wine’s common denominator is Flavour with a capital ‘F’. As full‑on as it is, it’s been handled with real thought and balance by winemaker John Harris. Each variety contributes in a meaningful way, bringing its best attributes to a blend that’s so well loved here in Australia. Vibrant, inviting aromas of fresh berries with just a hint of herbs drift from the glass. The palate is delightfully fruit‑forward, showing dark cherry, plum, blackberry and dried herbs. Tannins are soft and lithe, adding to the abundant fruit before a finish of impressive length and persistence. A balanced, flavourful, well‑shaped GSM blend.

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