Top drop: five great wines for less than $20
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It doesn’t matter whether you’re a wine connoisseur or still working out your Pinot Noir from your Pinot Gris, everybody loves a bargain when it comes to wine.
These selections come with the every day drinking price tag – but there’s something about each of them that makes them a little bit special.
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Yering Station Little Yering Chardonnay 2012.
Price: $18
Why it’s so good: With the market flooded with sauvignon blanc for the past eight to 10 years, it’s nice to move back to an old-school chardonnay. Yering Station’s 2012 Little Yering Chardonnay shows great intensity with mineral notes, white nectarine and citrus flavours. With a creamy, nutty complexity, freshness and elegance, supported by well integrated French oak and balanced acidity. Industry experts at online site The Wine Front scored this 90 out of 100.
Where to buy: From the winery’s website, Dan Murphy’s, Winestar, and most other liquor outlets.
Longhop Wines Mt Lofty Ranges Shiraz 2013.
Price: $16
Why it’s so good: Australia′s most respected wine critic and vigneron James Halliday rates it 91 points out of 100, listing it in his ‘top value wines $20 and under’. Basket pressed and aged in used French and American oak, this drop contains a mild-weight serving of blackcurrant, leather, coffee grounds, boysenberry and mint flavours, all well-sustained through a mildly tannic but essentially fruit-filled finish. Drinks well young, but will benefit from mid-term cellaring.
Where to buy: From the Longhop Wines website, Dan Murphy’s, Winestar, and other liquor outlets.
Trentham Estate Verdejo 2014.
Price: $16
Why it’s so good: Not many wineries are producing this Spanish white variety. But Trentham Estate, in the NSW Murray-Darling region near the Victorian border, has taken a risk – which has paid off – wowing judges at Australia’s alternative varieties competition. It’s pale straw in colour with fresh aromas of citrus and light floral notes, Verdejo has a fleshy softness and abundant fruit flavours reminiscent of tropical and citrus fruits with some herbaceous notes. A great one for the warmer weather.
Where to buy: From the Trentham Estate Winery website.
West Cape Howe Riesling 2014.
Price: $16
Why it’s so good: Because wine guru James Halliday said so. He scored this bright and lively riesling 96 points, saying ‘Everything about the wine screams quality’. It smells and tastes of fresh limes and lemons, with hints of sherbet and minerality. The palate is long, powerful and pure, with more delicious citrus flavours, hints of spice and zingy, refreshing acidity. So much flavour and such great poise. Amazing wine for the price.
Where to buy: For that price, visit the Different Drop website, or mycellars.com.au.
Richard Hamilton Hut Block McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2012.
Price: $19.95
Why it’s so good: Bright crimson-purple; there is abundant blackcurrant, redcurrant and a little choc-mint fruit on the fragrant bouquet and medium-bodied palate alike. Fine-grained tannins and integrated oak (courtesy of some barrel ferment in new French barrels) enliven and lengthen the finish of a very good wine. James Halliday rates this one 94 points.
Where to buy: From the winemaker at the Leconfield website, Dan Murphy’s, and other liquor outlets.