2022 Angullong ‘Crossing Reserve’ Harriet

Posted on March 22, 2025 by Tony Peters

Henri Matisse was a famous French visual artist. Now, I’ve looked at his work and I liked some of it but, I have to say, some of it is a bit out there…from my perspective anyway. I can only think that he lived by a quote of his I recently read; “Creativity takes courage.” That is so true when you think that most people, no matter their vocation, would stick to the ‘norm’ or the ‘expected’ instead of pushing boundaries.

Winemaker, Ben Crossing has been very creative when it comes to this wine. A unique blend of Sangiovese (40%), Sagrantino (40%) and Montepulciano (20%) that exemplifies “Creativity takes courage” to a tee!

Angulong Website

Region: Orange Region, NSW     Price: $50     Source: Sample thanks kindly to Angullong Wines and Define Wine

I really liked how things started with this wine aromatically. It was quite vibrantly youthful with fresh red and blue fruits, dried herbs, slightly floral and a little earthiness too. On the palate is where it really shows itself. A basket full of fresh, juicy berries of all persuasions come together to form the lush, savoury and flavourful feel to this better than medium bodied wine. There is acidity and tannin present also but I the generous fruit flavours and texture on the lovely long finish. A very good wine indeed.

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2019 Huntington Estate ‘Special Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon

Posted on March 19, 2025 by Tony Peters

I was listening to the radio and a fellow mentioned how computers have been programmed to play chess and, ultimately, win.  I am not surprised at what computers are capable of these days but they are incapable of ‘experiencing’, ‘feeling’ or ‘emotion’ of winning. And, as much as Artificial Intelligence (or AI as it is more commonly referred to) can generate notes about a wine and, obviously, it is unable to live the sensory stimulation, the dopamine delivery or the simple pleasure that actually goes with tasting good wine as I did when I tasted this Huntington Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.

On this occasion, instead of sitting at a computer and seeing my notes appear on a screen, I sat in my favourite chair and verbalised my thoughts about this wine, sometimes with hand and arm movements, sometimes with facial expressions. All of which a computer nor AI can do. It was quite refreshing and liberating.

Region: Mudgee, NSW     Price: $54    Source: Samples thanks kindly to Huntington Estate

There is so much I could say about this wine but I thought it best to curb my enthusiasm just a tad. It is still quite a youthful yet deep purple colour as it sits in the glass exuding aromas of black fruits, a little spice and a touch of oak too. The generous black fruit flavours don’t hold back on the palate either. Blackberries, blackcurrants and dark plum characters aplenty and some nicely played oak and tannins for good measure. While it is rich and generous, there is an elegant and smooth mouthfeel to it on the finish that gives a ‘refined gentleman’ stature to it.

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2024 First Ridge Pinot Grigio

Posted on March 15, 2025 by Tony Peters

I have mentioned previously about the view, by some, that the wine industry can be like the fashion industry. Trends come and go and change regularly. You only need to look at how Chardonnay was the darling of the white wine world (and still is I think) and we cannot forget the wave of Sauvignon Blanc that flooded our shores from across the Tasman Sea. It seems things could be shifting again. Pinot Grigio/Gris had the second biggest increase in tonnes harvested in 2024 behind Chardonnay. 70,757 tonnes of Grigio/Gris grapes were harvested, an increase of 27% on 2023. Sauvignon Blanc increased only by 4% on its 2023 harvest.

I have been fortunate lately to have tried some Pinot Grigio/Gris from a couple of different regions and, it must be said, the quality has been really good. All credit to the winemakers, of course, because the ones I have tried recently seemed to have much more personality and interest to them. I am liking how this trend is progressing.

First Ridge Website

Region: Mudgee, NSW     Price: $29    Source: Sample thanks kindly to First Ridge and Define Wine

An invitingly aromatic wine, it showed all the hallmarks of the variety and then some in a most impressive start. It’s a very interesting wine on the palate where it has balanced those fresh and crisp characters of a Grigio with pleasant textural elements of a Gris. Plenty of pear fruit coats the palate nicely while a lemon like citrus note stimulates the taste buds even more. That textural feel provides a lovely mouth-feel before it finishes with a moreish, refreshing appeal. An excellent example. Nicely done indeed.

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2022 Yalumba Y Series Tempranillo

Posted on March 11, 2025 by Tony Peters

I may well be a wine enthusiast, but I will openly admit to enjoy saying the word ‘Tempranillo’ and rolling my tongue when saying it too (as best I can). This is beside the fact I like the variety, having done so for many years. There are so many reasons I could offer up for this but it simply comes down to being such a versatile food wine and delicious to drink. It must be said though, sometimes you may have to open your wallet a little wider than you would like to grab something that will justify your outlay. How does $15 sound? I have no doubt I have your attention right about now.

This one, and others from the Y Series from Hill- Smith Family Estates, is incredibly sympathetic to the wine consumer during this cost-of-living crisis we are negotiating our way through. If you are a staunch red wine drinker, regardless of the variety and looking for a bargain, then look no further. Here is a wine that will not let you down.

Y Series Wines Website

Region: South Australia    Price: $15     Source: Sample thanks kindly to Hill- Smith Family Estates

I realise the price of this Tempranillo is what is going to attract wine drinkers to this but there is so much more that will easily convince them to return to the bottle shop and get some more. Let’s start with the plentiful aromatics. Dark cherries, plums, blue fruits, delicate spice, and herbs. The palate is no slouch either. Black cherry, dark berries, a touch of dark chocolate, a little spice along with a leafy note too and soft smooth tannins show up on the damn good finish to this wine. Impressive to say the least. Widely available and accessibly priced.

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2019 Huntington Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Posted on March 7, 2025 by Tony Peters

George Burns, the cigar-smoking American entertainer who passed away at 100 years of age, is quoted as saying, “You can’t help getting older but you don’t have to get old.” I realise this was generally meant for people but, it is relevant when it comes to other things too. Depending on many factors, when it comes to wine production, I think this is also pertinent to wine and, to break it down even further, red wine.

A bottle of Huntington Estate red wine gets older in the ‘number of years since vintage’ but the contents has historically had the structure to not get old at the same pace. Now, I’m not saying they will live as long as Mr Burns did but they have proven that, you don’t have to get old just because you are getting older. Here is another good example, well crafted by Tim Stevens at Huntington Estate.

Region: Mudgee, NSW     Price: $34    Source: Samples thanks kindly to Huntington Estate

This is a very good Mudgee Cabernet Sauvignon with plenty on offer both on the nose and palate. It is generous and rich while maintaining a slightly better than medium bodied palate feel. Black fruits take centre stage with nice support coming courtesy of some plummy notes, smooth dark chocolate and slightly drying tannins with just the slightest hint of oak showing itself on a pretty good finish. As is well known, Huntington Estate Cabernets age very well, however, this one, at 6 years of age is drinking very well now. The great price of this wine allows for both options to be exercised.

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2024 First Ridge ‘Alira’ Prosecco

Posted on March 5, 2025 by Tony Peters

I must admit that the word ‘Prosecco’ used to frighten the daylights out of me if it was being poured at a function or dinner. I, unashamedly, used to wait for the next wine on offer. You are probably thinking, ‘wine snob,’ and fair enough too. My fears have since been allayed.

 It mainly came down to the misconception that this variety was a fizzy sweet wine of very little character and interest. Up until a couple of years ago, I could count on one hand the number of glasses (not bottles) of this variety I had consumed. I was kindly sent one to try and it, honestly, changed my attitude. That is why, again honestly, I can say I was really keen to try this one when I received an email alerting me to its impending arrival.

First Ridge Website

Region: Mudgee, NSW     Price: $32 each    Source: Sample thanks kindly to First Ridge and Define Wine

It didn’t offer much aromatically but I was able to pick up a slight floral character and some citrus notes. At this point, it was a quizzical frown from me. However, the flavours turned that frown upside down (cheesy I know). Lots on offer here. Fresh, vibrant lemons and limes lead the way, stimulating the palate. Crisp and zesty for most of the way yet it seems to taper off nicely with an almost textural like finish. What a pleasant and delightful Prosecco this is! (And, it is under screwcap)

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Huntington Estate 2021 & 2019 Special Reserve Shiraz (Pre-release wines)

Posted on February 28, 2025 by Tony Peters

I come from a big family and second in line with a brother almost two years my senior. Growing up, I would often hear the words, “you can’t half tell you two are brothers” but it was generally about our appearance and many mannerisms we displayed. But, that was pretty much where the similarities ended. We had different (some would say obviously different) personalities that set us apart. On that note, personalities can be shaped by family traits, external influences and/or lived experiences.

The same can be said about wine. These two (pre-release) bottles of Reserve Shiraz were ‘born’ of the same winemaker, using 100% Huntington Estate fruit and are only two years apart in age. However, they present with different and likeable personalities. What is also well known is, wine can change over time but having read the notes about the vinification of these wines, they were always going to turn out to be individual souls in their own right.

(Photo is of the 2018 due to these two wines being pre-release and a photo is not available at this time)

Region: Mudgee, NSW     Price: $54 each    Source: Samples thanks kindly to Huntington Estate

2019 Special Reserve Shiraz

At six years of age, I was surprised by the primary-ness it showed. Dense and bold, dark cherries and plums show the way with a nice creamy dark chocolate feel across the palate. A hint of spiciness is in the mix too while finishing a little dry due to the tannins but, that just tells me this will age very nicely. The notes provided indicated this wine sat in well-seasoned French and American oak for 18 months and it shows, but is supported by, and complements, the healthy fruit profile.

2021 Special Reserve Shiraz

I really liked the lively aromas this wine sent from the glass. Like freshly picked black and red berries with just a hint of oak. Juicy black fruits, dark cherry and plum notes are the highlights of the abundant fruit flavours. Dark chocolate appears in this wine also as do some nice spice characters too. The oak and tannins sit neatly amongst all of this as it finishes lovingly long. A totally different personality to the 2019, this one seemed to have a little more ‘shine’ to it (I’m not sure how else to describe it).

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Yalumba Y Series Pinot Noir

Posted on February 22, 2025 by Tony Peters

When someone is looking at the Pinot Noir shelves in a bottle shop, they generally don’t look toward the bottom where the ‘cheap’ ones are usually placed. Let’s be honest, to most people who enjoy a Pinot Noir, the price is usually indicative of the quality. Sometimes, that is not always the case.

I can’t remember where I saw this quote ‘Rough diamonds may sometimes be mistaken for worthless pebbles‘ (thank you English Author, Sir Thomas Browne) but I noted it, and I feel it had some relevance when it came to this Yalumba Y series Pinot Noir release. It is certainly not a worthless pebble; more like a diamond of the lower priced Pinot Noirs in the rough…if you like.

Y Series Wines Website

Region: South Australia    Price: $15     Source: Sample thanks kindly to Hill- Smith Family Estates

It’s a youthful, bright and a pretty ruby colour in the glass, giving the impression it’s going to be a light-bodied Pinot Noir and, let’s be honest, at $15 it’s a fair assumption. The aromas certainly exude Pinot Noir with ripe strawberry, dark cherry, slightly floral and a hint of spice all on show. Although it sits in the ‘slightly better than light-bodied’ spectrum, the fruit-driven, fruitful, flavoursome palate made my eyebrows raise as I nodded my head in instant approval. Plump strawberries and juicy dark cherries provide the bulk of the fruit flavours while plum characters add a little weight and a dash of spice to round it out on a pretty good finish. An absolute bargain!

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2018 Huntington Estate ‘Block 3’ Cabernet Sauvignon

Posted on February 20, 2025 by Tony Peters

I was listening to a radio station recently and the person being interviewed was a cetologist. You know, someone who studies whales. She was speaking about the sounds whales make and how it was their way of communicating. I have to admit the sounds seemed incomprehensible but, somehow, they have worked out what the sounds mean and they can be projected to great distances. Nature is bloody amazing, isn’t it?!

Why am I mentioning this you ask? When I tasted this wine, I made noises that I reckon would attract a pod of excited whales. However, when it came to my body language and facial expressions, anyone and everyone would see the sheer delight I was experiencing tasting this wine. This is, without doubt, a great, Tim Stevens expression of Huntington Estate and Mudgee Cabernet Sauvignon.

Region: Mudgee, NSW     Price: $80 (worth every cent!)    Source: Samples thanks kindly to Huntington Estate

A deep, dense and vibrantly youthful colour in the glass really kicked things off for me. A great introduction of what lies ahead. Delightfully youthful on the nose thanks to an array of primary dark fruits indicate that, even aromatically, this wine is destined for great things. Rich, bold and generous flavours on the palate and so, so silky smooth. Blackberries, dark cherries, licorice, and a nice sprinkle of spice to top things off on the flavour front. The oak and tannins sit neatly in the background, almost out of sight actually, thanks to the fruit intensity and it has a lovely long finish. Gee this is good!

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2023 Yalumba Y Series Lighter Shiraz

Posted on February 12, 2025 by Tony Peters

Shiraz. Arguably the most consumed red wine in Australia. There are so many iterations of the variety on the market from any number of regions and countries. It makes perfect sense to offer up a Shiraz that is ‘consumer friendly.’ I have been lucky (or unlucky in some instances) enough to have had the opportunity to try some that have zero alcohol or are low alcohol. Just my opinion but, this is a very ‘hit and miss’ category.

When a reputable wine company, who have been around for 175 years, decide to throw a ‘Lighter Shiraz’ into the market, you know it’s going to be, at the very least, good. When you think that the ‘zero’ or ‘low’ alcohol market is expanding at a rate of knots, there needs to be careful consideration as to what you put in the glass of today’s wine consumer. The Hill-Smith Family do not do anything on a whim, hence you would not be seeing this wine in your bottle-O if it were not up to scratch.

Y Series Wines Website

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

This looks bright and youthful in the glass and quite translucently appealing to the eye. I really liked the vibrant aromas it gave off with a good swirl of the glass. Lovely red fruits showed the way with a little pepper and herb characters coming through too. The flavours that came through on the palate were a pleasant surprise indeed considering the 8% alcohol. Strawberries, red cherries, plums and just a hint of spice all played their part as it finishes soft, smooth, and pretty damn moreish. Nicely done I say!

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