This RDJ has all the Coal River qualities but with even more depth and drive than a lot of wines coming out of the region. That means blackberries on the palate alongside a cranberry-laced acidity and an almost raspy tannin that’s long and fine.

L'appel Wines Coal Valley RDJ Pinot Noir 2024

These are the kind of wines that’ll have detouring on your next trip to Sicily so you can walk through vines/lava fields and see where and how it all happens. Wines from Etna are extraordinary, especially when they’re silky with red/blue fruits, black pepper and a salty, savoury chewy finish like this one. Deserves some cellaring.

Passopisciaro Passorosso 2022

Has all the bold flavours but serves them up in an elegant profile that tastes like smoked meats, spices, stony minerals and olive tapenade that unfurl in gentle layers.

Natacha Chave Crozes Hermitage 2022

Parley Love Supreme Rose 2024

Unashamedly rich thanks to some time in new and old oak, and 11 months on lees. Think cashew meal and sublime stone fruits in an almost syrupy texture that will glide down and fill your soul with sunny flavours.

Sven Joschke La Justine Chardonnay 2024

Sweet, plummy fruits and a loose-knit texture. It’s LoFi and a little funky but it’s Shiraz for all in our opinion, you just need to be open to a different take. Pour for blue fruits, sage and tapenade that warm the soul. Drink it on the couch with a good movie and better friends.

A & C Ainsworth Saddleback Syrah 2024

Spends three years under flor and comes out all oxidative and super punchy with turmeric, curry leaf and chamomile spices. There’s also plenty of salinity and some driving acidity.

Municipal Flor Savagnin 2021

Billaud Simon Chablis Tete d’Or 2022

Call us weirdos if we love rich, Big Valley Biancos (Bianici?). They’re just so delicious with all those custard apple, citrus, salt and apple pie filling notes. Made with Semillon & Chenin Blanc.

Local Weirdos Big Valley Bianco 2023

There’s a little warmth to this wine but it still has finesse. Is Chateauneuf du Pape the ultimate steak/gifting wine? People who haven’t had the pleasure never forget their first glass.

Chateau de la Font du Loup Chateauneuf du Pape Signature 2022

From the northern tip of Southern Rhône. Has a bright tension, but also some soily notes and a handful of black fruits. Expect some saline-laced acidity and loving every drop!

Domaine la Guicharde Cotes Du Rhone Pur Rouge 2022

Tastes of tropical fruits, rich yellow flowers and a delicate slice of tart pineapple. Very approachable style, get ready to love Chenin Blanc.

Le Pas Saint Martin La Pierre Frite Saumur Blanc 2022

Aside from GSM, there’s also a smidge of Carignan in here to add just a smidge of weight and depth to all the herby stewed plums and give those tannins an ever more rugged edge. A great BBQ wine, and the kind you save for a chilly evening.

Grant Nash GSM 2023

Winding back the stylistic clock. Barrel fermented and aged Chardonnay that delivers Geelong’s trademark lemon and butter flavours, and will have you hitting the highway to visit cellar doors so you can kickstart your Geelong wine phase at the source!

Barwon Ridge Chardonnay 2023

Campo della Fiera Sangiovese 2023

Lovingly nicknamed, Spaghetti Camporeale because it’s perfect with an all'olio sauce thanks to its salinity and chalky grip. Don’t worry, there’s fruit too–pear and crunchy green apple–but they just dial up the freshness.

Alessandro di Camporeale Benede Cataratto 2023

Some wines play out like a song, all perfect with notes and aromas hitting like verses and those precious, but present fruits, pleasing like a chorus. This is comparable to Nat King Cole’s, Autumn Leaves – it's clean and precise with some salinity, gentle tannins and a nice, alluring intensity which you dive into, or sit with your feet dangling in.

Frantz Chagnoleau Saint-Véran La Roche 2023

Vibrant aromatics and some great volume. Imagine falling, ripe orchard fruits and smooth oak notes that add without distracting. There’s also some saline and a flick of pastry. Sounds like a dream. And it will age well too.

Alex Moreau Bourgogne Blanc 2022

An annual treat! After time in concrete with indigenous yeast, the wine is given a stint in oak which comes through in every sip as toasted wood spice. You’ll also get a bracing acidity and plenty of refined cherry liqueur notes.

Poggerino RISERVA Bugialla Chianti Classico 2020

If you’ve never had Brunello before, 2019 was an amazing year, so this will be one to hold onto for a very special occasion. Palate is all silky but bold fruits that'll change your life and have you travelling to Italy ASAP. Decant for perfection.