The Top Wines
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2025 La Violetta ‘Lounge Chill’, Geographe $30 RRP
Woodward and Buckland included this wine among their top six selections from the blind tasting. Woodward found “gorgeous rich colour in the glass. An intriguing nose that inspires curiosity – quite complex, including cherry compote, strawberry, and blueberry, with a suggestion of meaty pastrami. Rich, viscous and mouth-filling texture – quite sumptuous. Lovely length – I wanted to drink it, not just taste it!” Buckland described “a vibrant reddish-purple hue, with macerated strawberry, maraschino cherry, plum compote, berry coulis, sweet blackberry, and an almost berry Icy Pole–like vibe – it screams summer and fun to me. It has a vibrant acidity, great energy, good length – and, despite its sweeter fruit profile, is fruit-forward without being overly simplistic. It has everything most consumers want from this category. This is very much pop music in chilled red form – playing all of your summer hits.”
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2025 Meredith ‘New Tricks’ Grenache, Grampians $31 RRP
This wine made the top six lists of Dacey, Woodward, and Scanlon from the blind tasting. Dacey described “the nose is a complex mix of dark fruits and cinnamon, clove, and chocolate spice – perhaps indicating some oak use, contrary to the conventional wisdom of this category – and comes off like a freshly baked blackberry tart, pastry and all, with a little green leafy character to offset the sweetness. On the palate, stewed red fruits and fresh raspberries dance along lines of green apple and mandarin acidity – sweetly fruited, but fermented completely dry. A dusting of tannin around the edges is drying and somewhat refreshing. Elegant and balanced, it’s everything you would expect of a chilled red, elevated by the complexity of the spice and underlying pastry notes.” Woodward found “pretty colour. Lifted joyful nose. Candied and viscous palate showing raspberry lollies, crunchy red apple, and cola. Nothing bland or neutral here! A satisfyingly dry finish, gently astringent.” For Scanlon, “this was probably the most complex and serious of my picks. It jumps between riper red fruits such as cranberry and cherry, but also has lovely darker notes of cassis and black cherry hiding behind that – as well as a lot of anise and dried herb notes that mesh well with the surprisingly prickly tannins and tight acid line. That combination of acidity and tannin leaves the finish quite long and relatively bitter – but in a way that makes it very moreish. This wine’s complexity and seriousness comes at the cost of a bit of its drinkability – I’m not dying to take a magnum of it to Golden Plains, or to Edinburgh Gardens to cure a hangover. However, it would be the kind of thing that would work beautifully by the glass at my restaurant, Magnolia, or alongside a bit of charcuterie before a long lunch.”
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2024 Charles Oliver Wines ‘Jus D’Amour’ Grenache, Pyrenees $45 RRP
This wine appeared in the selections of Becker, Gluck, and Buckland. Becker noted “jalapeño spice, cherry-cola, and a fun Negroni with orange liqueur on ice vibes. Vin de soif and glou-glou – thank you very much. A bit of paprika and clove spice in there too. Raspberry cordial, the first lick of a strawberry Zooper Dooper on a balmy evening, and the white rind of a watermelon all play out on the palate. Out of the Esky, in the glass, and go forth – a wine of great refreshment and interest.” Gluck found it “brick-coloured, showing dusty crushed raspberry notes on the nose. On the palate, it’s refreshingly whole-bunchy and herbal – a wine with a few angles and anarchistic tendencies, edgy and counter-cultural. It’s not a technically flawless wine, but it feels charmingly artisanal. Something about it tells me it’s made with red muscat, or another variety used for fortified wines. An unusual character of a wine – but one well worth talking to if you end up sitting next to it at a bar.” For Buckland, it was “a tad funky on the nose – a bit wild, this one. I love it! Super interesting character here – it has that kind of wild intrigue like a good light red from the Jura, and is a bit rough around the edges. Wild herbs, wild strawberry, wild raspberry, fresh mulberries, sweet spices and a touch of black pepper. Maybe a slight oxidative character, in a good way, with great acidity and good length. Very precise.”
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2025 Troppo Grenache, Riverland $24 RRP
Buckland, Scanlon, and Becker all selected this wine in their top six from the blind tasting. Buckland described it as “beautifully perfumed, with delicious sweet red fruits, crunchy red cherries and a touch of tomato leaf leaping from the glass. The perfect balance of sweet and savoury characters on the palate, with a mouth-watering, crisp acidity. Very pretty and perfumed, light and ethereal – but with this delicious silkiness to it that coats the palate with a super long finish. This wine just felt very alive – so much energy, so seductive, and such a pleasure to drink! It’s this balance of immediate pleasure and energy that sums up everything I want from a good chilled red.” Scanlon noted, “I really love that whole-bunchy, forest floor/sous-bois character in lighter reds – pinot noir, gamay, grenache, etc. – and this character is really evident aromatically in this wine. Perhaps this has been made from one of those varieties, with some whole bunch work or stems left in the ferment? On the lighter side, like ‘rosé and a half’. There’s a good amount of redcurrant and early-season strawberry going on, but also some refreshing watermelon juice and oolong tea notes that cleanse the palate. Really refreshing.” Becker found “strawberries and cream, a big fresh glass of guava juice, and watermelon spritz vibes – just add a mint garnish and you’d be set. A frisky palate akin to a Negroni, showing some strawberry juice and fresh-cut red apple notes. Pretty fun and delicious – what chilled reds should be, really. Nails the brief!”
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2024 Pikes ‘Luccio Novello’, Clare Valley $27 RRP
Dacey and Becker both featured this wine in their top six selections from the blind tasting. Dacey called it “head and shoulders above its compatriots – choosing it was the easiest decision I made all day. Visually beautiful – a gorgeous purple-tinted ruby with a charming warmth seems to leap out of the glass, alluring and exciting. A complex nose – on first approach, jammy redcurrant, blackberry and ooray – aka Davidson plum – all make themselves known. A second inhalation reveals a sudden burst of well-mannered savoury elements: fresh cherry tomatoes, native thyme, a little sea spray. And beneath it all lies a tickle of the tropics – when was the last time you saw lychee in a red wine? On the palate, the unmistakable zest and juice of green and purple Fruit Pastilles dominates. The palate is relatively weighty, with a bright line of Red Delicious apple–like acidity driving the candied aromas down the tongue. The faintest whisper of tannin lends structure to the wine, ensuring that the abundance of fruit and acid is kept in check, and the wine doesn’t overstay its welcome on the finish. A masterclass in poise and balance, this wine encapsulates a vision of creating something fun, delicious, and unique – while still showcasing a sense of place and the flavour impact of grape varieties and process. I cannot express how excited I am to revisit this wine with friends and family this summer.” Becker described “super bright and confected red cherry and raspberry fruits – almost as though someone’s chucked a bunch of Allen’s Red Frogs and blackberry sugar pastilles in the glass. Wowza. Pretty full-on, but I like it for its intensity and distinct identity. The palate is stained with raspberry lemonade notes and refreshing acidity – you’d want to drink this icy-cold, with condensation beads on the outside of the glass. A nicely tight, talc-y tannin structure will help it match up with a snag off the barbecue.”
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2024 Main & Cherry ‘Novello’ Light Red, McLaren Vale $30 RRP
Schofield and Woodward both selected this wine for their top six from the blind tasting. Schofield called it his standout: “This was the rockstar for me from go to whoa. While not being hugely aromatic at cooler temperatures, the purity and quality of the fruit was so clear – and that tension was just too good. Colour- and weight-wise, this sits right in the zone for chilled reds for me. Visually it’s so sexy – it just entices you in. That perfectly just-ripe fruit profile walks the line somewhere between sun-ripened tomatoes and fresh raspberries picked on a cool summer’s morning. There’s also some faint papaya, and more tropical stuff, too, and just loads of watermelon – it’s restrained, not screaming at you, but so beguiling. This would absolutely disappear at an outside table filled with snacks and good friends.” Woodward described “a translucent light red that shines in the glass – very pretty. Aromas of cranberry, pomegranate, Allens raspberry lollies, and tomato leaf. More richly fruited and viscous than most of the lineup – lots of palate weight. A hint of green olive tapenade on the finish – good length.”
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2024 Chalari ‘Great Southern Land’ Chilled Red, Great Southern $25 RRP
Dacey and Rajaonarivony featured this wine in their top six selections from the blind tasting. Dacey asked, “When does a chilled red cross the line into a rosé? This wine is very light in colour – a faded brick-red rather than the deep purples often associated with this style. There is a distinct furry gooseberry characteristic – almost sauvignon blanc–like – that sits over the nose of this wine, invigorating the senses, while a plethora of citrus – mandarin, lime, lemon – and a suggestion of underripe redcurrant lie beneath. The palate of the wine is very consistent with the nose, with rhubarb and citrus – lemon, grapefruit – dominating, a hint of cranberry, and just a tickle of tannin on the back-palate to offset the bright acidity and complement the pithy nose. If it weren’t for the colour, I suspect the average drinker would think this was a white rather than a red – and I applaud a winemaker who is prepared to stretch the boundaries in the pursuit of excellence.” Rajaonarivony called it “another highlight for me – light, fresh and vivid, it felt like a breath of pure energy amongst the lineup. It opens with aromas of pithy grapefruit and fresh-cut grass, accompanied by gentle herbal notes of parsley and dill. The palate is clean and bright, carrying those flavours through to a sweet, lemony finish. It’s playful and joyful – a wine that feels made for warm afternoons and good company.”
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2024 De Bortoli ‘Estate Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley $25 RRP
This wine made the top six lists of Rajaonarivony, Scanlon, and Schofield. Rajaonarivony called it “one of my favourites of the tasting. It opens with delicate cranberry aromas edged with soft spice – then the palate gives richer mid-weight strawberry fruit, balanced by savoury hints of tomato leaf and blackcurrant stalk. There’s an earthy freshness that hangs beautifully here. When served chilled, it feels refined, inviting and delicious.” For Scanlon, “we’re getting closer to traditional red wine country here. The fruit character here is in the black-fruit zone: mostly plum, salted plum, and blackcurrant, with a bit of vanilla pod, lavender and cedar wrapped around it. On the palate, it’s really generous, and has a lovely richness which I find relaxing and welcoming. It’s kind of over-the-top, silly and fun – like everything has been dialled up to eleven – but that’s really the charm of this wine.” Schofield found it “sweet and sour – somehow showing apricots and summer plums while remaining tart and zippy. The tannins are reminiscent of firm grape skins. A long, mouthwatering finish redolent of pomegranate juice.”
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2025 Musical Folk ‘Les Grappes!’ Carbonic Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley $32 RRP
Gluck and Woodward included this wine among their top six selections from the blind tasting. Gluck described it as “red-fruited, showing cranberry notes alongside original recipe cola spice and a light Italian amaro character – not overpowering the fruit. The fruit profile may be a little simple, but this wine isn’t lacking in refreshment. It has chewy tannins and a burst of energy, leaving it to finish fresh. It reminds me of Sicilian or Greek reds of its ilk – firm-shouldered, a heavy lifter.” Woodward noted, “This wine shows some satisfying savoury notes, without crossing over into the realm of the underripe or green. It’s light-bodied – very pleasant and pretty on the palate. This wine is really more about the structure and sensation than the fruit flavours – it shows a touch of reduction with gunpowder and ferrous, blood-like characters, plus woody tomato-stem notes.”
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2024 Brash Higgins ‘Ripple’ Nero d’Avola Shiraz, McLaren Vale $35 RRP
Woodward and Buckland both selected this wine for their top six wines of the blind tasting. Woodward found “lovely nose – gently seductive. I could be satisfied with a sniff between sips and not feel cheated. Something funky here – jackfruit, or Port Wine magnolia? – alongside strawberries, raspberries, and an essence of Italian Amaro. The wine possesses flavour presence and persistence, and has a lovely weight for a chilled red.” Buckland described “black cherry, juicy blood plum, morello cherry, amaro, and rhubarb, with a touch of dried blackberry. Super crunchy acidity and a touch of vanilla on the finish. Such a crowd-pleaser, this one! I think this is a pretty textbook example of a good chilled red that will satisfy the hordes – the sort of wine that as a wine buyer, you can see moving two or more cases per week in the right kind of venue. It’s just juicy and fun – and what’s not to love about that?”
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2023 Chaffey Bros. Wine Co. ‘Not Your Grandma’s Red’ Grenache Mourvèdre, Barossa $25 RRP
Rajaonarivony selected this wine in his top six wines of the blind tasting, describing it as opening “with ripe cherry and raspberry aromas – bright and inviting, with a soft hint of sea-salt freshness. On the palate, it feels medium-weight, the juicy red fruit giving it some gentle richness. There’s a touch of black tea–like tannin and dried-herb character that makes it interesting, without making it heavy. Chilling this wine keeps it lively and balanced – making it perfect for relaxed drinking.”
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2023 M & J Becker Wines Pinot Meunier, Tumbarumba $40 RRP
Gluck selected this wine for his top six wines of the blind tasting, calling it “very compelling. A botanical garden of aromatics – rosehip and juniper framed by raspberry silk. Earthy, pure and silky on the palate, and quite long. Almost more of a red wine than a chilled red, this has a nebbiolo-like energy and complexity to it. Quite a lot of drama here – which means lots of value, too. It has a gorgeousness to it – a smile of a wine, the most refreshing of them all.”
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2023 Fin ‘Yay!’ Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley $32 RRP
Becker featured this wine in his top six wines of the blind tasting, noting “plum skins, frozen blueberries and raspberries, strawberry tops and watermelon rind. Pretty complex and compelling for a chilled red! A bit of eucalyptus – or, as they say, ‘Aussie bush spice’ – in there too, I reckon, which makes this apt for drinking in thongs while still damp from a dip in the ocean. A palate reminiscent of raspberry tonic water – refreshing and thirst-slaking. You’d be hard-pressed to stop quaffing this out of the Esky if you had a keen thirst!”
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2025 Bloomfield Petit Verdot, Wrattonbully $38 RRP
Scanlon included this in his top six selections, describing it as “red Powerade for grown-ups. This is a pretty simple wine – but I kept coming back to the thought that these wines should be fun, joyous and somewhat frivolous. This style of wine isn’t about pontificating over climats, ageability, winemaking techniques, or any other pseudo–deep thinking – it’s purely about joy. Vin de soif, thirsty wine … this is a glass of redcurrant and red liquorice, with a little bit of fresh herbs hiding in the periphery. There’s enough tannin to keep the creamy, almost-rich palate weight in check, but it doesn’t show any astringency or bitterness, and the acidity is neither tart nor overtly evident. I originally had this wine towards the lower end of my favourites, but I kept coming back to how enjoyable it was – and maybe simplicity is the enjoyment, as it is for Muscadet, Picpoul, central Italian vini da tavola, and most Chablis? There’s no pressure or work required here – just drink and enjoy.”
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2023 Ox Hardy Grenache, McLaren Vale $30 RRP
Schofield featured this wine in his top six wines of the blind tasting, noting “this is a really slick wine – it could easily pass for just a really good glass of lighter-bodied pinot noir. Bright bright bright, so pure and pretty, with a nose of crushed freshly-picked roses and lilacs. The acidity isn’t super high, and neither is tannin a pronounced part of the wine – but it’s just such a pleasurable thing to drink. There’s been real effort and thought put into the making of this and it’s paid off.”
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2024 Trutta ‘Streamside’, Bendigo $33 RRP
Buckland chose this wine for his top six wines of the blind tasting, describing it as “a super fragrant and well-balanced wine, with plenty of bright red cherries, juicy bramble berries, and an earthy beetroot-like character adding complexity and interest. Such a lively wine, with almost a slight spritz on the tongue as it rolls across the palate. It’s very pretty and perfumed, with a moreish and crunchy fresh acidity to it that makes it very refreshing. So much energy in this wine – I love it! It’s the sort of wine you want to drink with reckless abandon in a park with friends – it smells and tastes like summer in a glass.”
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2023 Frederick Stevenson ‘Pinata’ , Barossa Valley $32 RRP
Scanlon selected this wine among his top six wines of the blind tasting, observing it was “going more down the darker fruit spectrum on this one – and it did feel a bit more ‘made’ compared to some of my other picks. Cassis and mulberry compote doing most of the work aromatically – it was maybe a touch reduced, which I liked, as the reduction lends a kind of roundness to the fruit profile. Some lovely black pepper and nutmeg spice is vaguely evident aromatically, but those spice notes merge into a black tea note on the palate. There’s also a bit of sandalwood/cedar going on, which hints at some time in wood. There’s a nice black cherry and salted black liquorice thing happening on the finish. I know this sounds like a review for amarone, but it was definitely in the chilled red zone, juicy, light and vibrant. Just maybe more on the riper side.”
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2024 Scion ‘Daylight Red’ Durif, Rutherglen $34 RRP
Schofield selected this wine in his top six wines of the day, observing, “This would be called rosé if you were looking at it from spitting distance, but it has this density of fruit on the palate that just elevates it to the red wine world. A slight spritz at first helps give it a pop and feeling of freshness. It feels like thin-skinned or low-colour grape variety made like a proper red wine – it takes me on a nostalgic journey to the OG chilled red, Tavel’s L’Anglore, and I’m here for it.”
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2025 Vinteloper ‘Neonoir’ Pinot Noir, Adelaide Hills $39 RRP
Buckland chose this wine for his top six, describing it as “such a joyful and youthful wine here, bursting with freshness and life. Light-bodied, energetic and fun, with vibrant red cherries, poached rhubarb, rhubarb danish, poached plums and tart cranberry juice – all kept in check by a salivating acid line and a slight grip on the finish with some super-silky tannins. It’s practically bursting out of the glass, it’s kind of electric, with a primary fruit-forward pleasure to it that energises the palate. It’s the sort of wine you want to go dancing with – and it has the moves to match. Ultimately, it’s everything I’m looking for in a good chilled red.”
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2024 Silent Noise Uva di Troia, Riverland $35 RRP
Dacey and Woodward included this wine among their top six selections. Dacey noted, “The nose is predominated by citrus tones of lemon and lime, with a little confected raspberry playing along too. Underneath these lies something inherently tropical – alluringly sweet notes of hibiscus, dragonfruit and pomegranate. On the palate, it is first and foremost a confected, jammy experience – but which finds its own balance remarkably quickly. The cutting acidity cleanses the palate and reveals more delicate floral characters, this time of jasmine and violet, with an undertone of fresh redcurrant and a hint of gooseberry furriness. There’s no apparent tannin in this wine, but the finish carries a tea-like character with a depth and complexity that more than makes up for the lack of traditional red-wine structure. A unique drinking experience for wine lovers of all persuasions.” Woodward described it as “translucent, glowing – very pretty. Enchanting nose: orange sherbet, blood orange, and some bitter Italian aperitivo character. On the palate, the fruit is light, but present. A lovely savoury finish makes for quite a serious wine – and one that would also be ideal if you are nibbling on snacks.”
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2024 Hesketh ‘Woodside’ Gamay, Adelaide Hills $32 RRP
Schofield and Rajaonarivony both selected this wine in their top six wines of the day. Schofield found “red ripe mulberries straight off the tree, with some dried herbs too. This travels so nicely across the palate – it has great shape, with a tight, clean finish that’s more about acid than tannin. The ripeness is absolutely in the pocket here – this feels effortless in the making, and is effortless drinking too. It has complexity, interest and balance – a wine that really plays in three dimensions.” Rajaonarivony described it as opening “with fruity, pastry-like aromas of cherry and strawberry tarts – soft and inviting. The palate is deeper and richer, with ripe red fruit wrapped in gently savoury complexity. A touch of black forest cake on the finish makes the wine exceptionally moreish. Medium in weight and layered with character, it deserves to be sipped slowly – especially if it has been properly chilled. A good companion for a warm evening!”
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2024 Mount Towrong Vineyard Grenache, Murray Darling $45 RRP
Rajaonarivony featured this wine in his top six wines of the day, noting “the nose gives sweet strawberry and raspberry – bright and playful, like opening a jar of jam. The palate is simple and charming, carrying those candied red berry notes through to a soft, toffee apple–like finish that lasts. Light but generous, chilling this wine adds lift and freshness, making it an approachable, easy-drinking wine.”
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2025 Somos ‘Fresquito’ Barbera Grenache Nero d’Avola, McLaren Vale $33 RRP
Schofield chose this wine for his top six wines of the day, observing it was “pale – just one peg above rosé. Really perfumed: black cherry and heliotrope flowers with wisps of aniseed and blackcurrant cough syrup. Dense and ripe flavours on the palate: plums and maraschino cherries. While it’s beautiful chilled, this would also be okay to drink closer to room temperature. Slightly lower acid, with some fine powdery tannin just hinting through on the finish.”
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2023 Rusden ‘Wildwood’ Cinsault, Barossa Valley $30 RRP
This wine appeared in the top six lists of Gluck and Dacey. Gluck called it “a rollercoaster of a tasting experience – the technocrats won’t like this! Herbal and juicy-fruited on the nose – likely indicating carbonic maceration and some stem inclusion – with a gamey, meaty note. The palate is refreshing and juicy, but with nice length. This feels like a taverna/bistro wine in a quality European holiday destination, in the best possible way – it has a great body, with some hair under the pits. Wild but compelling – a real avant-garde wine.” Dacey described “a vibrant brick red, with a clearly savoury and red-toned nose of tomato, lightly roasted capsicum, olive tapenade, a little leafy tarragon complexity, and a bright balsamic character reminiscent of southern French wines. The drinking experience is equally savoury, and in stark contrast to the confected nature of most chilled reds on the market, although the savouriness is offset by a red cherry acidity that builds gently throughout the drinking experience. A tickle of tannin coats the cheeks and acts to refresh the palate. It’s like a boozy consommé stuffed with layers of complex savouriness – how good!”
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2023 La Violetta ‘Two or Three Pinos’, Great Southern $30 RRP
Becker selected this wine in his top six wines of the day, noting “almost a ramato vibe here – a coppery orange tinge in the glass. Smells like Campari and Aperol with some blood orange squeezed through it. Delicious and thirst-slaking blood orange and Aperol on the palate, too. Probably more suited to pairing with a summer salad rather than barbecued meats, as it leans to the lighter, friskier side – straddling somewhere between a darkish rosé and chilled red. Regardless, drain the bottle with a friend on a balmy Friday evening, and you’ll have a great time doing so. It’s fun, it’s easy, it’s the wine equivalent of cheesy pop music – an all-round crowd pleaser.”
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2024 Saeke Wines ‘Light Dry Red’, Pyrenees $44 RRP
Scanlon included this wine among his top six selections, noting “blueberry is a fruit characteristic I love in red wine – I don’t see it enough, and that’s a shame. This wine has it in spades – it has both an under-ripe and over-ripe blue-fruit thing happening, which is really fun, and also a bit of flinty gunpowder reduction, which I think aids in making that fruit character a bit more complex. A nice lick of rosewater adds refreshment, whilst minty herbs – think genepy and peppermint – and some white pepper add some savoury elements to keep it all interesting.”
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2024 Vino Intrepido ‘Cherry Pick’ Frigo Montepulciano, Heathcote $33 RRP
Gluck featured this wine in his top six wines of the blind tasting, describing “raspberry jelly, orange oil and roses on the nose – a kid’s birthday party in a glass. The full-flavoured palate has a real start, middle, and end – a more serious wine than most in the lineup, and therefore one with a few more edges to it. Those edges don’t make it any less likeable, though! Ultimately, this is a wine that speaks of its terroir – it tastes of quality fruit grown in sandy soils.”
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2022 Hoffmann Family Vineyards Grenache Carignan, Barossa Valley $40 RRP
Dacey chose this wine for his top six wines of the day, describing “the deep colour of this wine is in contrast to its initial bright cherry aroma – but this is then deepened with blueberry and blackcurrant, along with a touch of vanilla and nutmeg and a whisper of violets. It’s a joy to smell, and a joy to taste – the palate delivers on everything that the nose promises, with a sweet honeyed character that’s offset by a mild, sherbet-like acidity. While this wine may not be as structured or brightly acidic as many of its compatriots, that doesn’t make it any less fun to drink – served fresh from the fridge or chilly-bin, this will bowl everybody over with its juiciness.”
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2024 Sven Joschke ‘La Rouge Clair’ Shiraz, Barossa Valley $32 RRP
Buckland picked this as one of his top wines of the blind tasting, saying that it “leaps from the glass – highly aromatic! Sour red and ripe black cherries, blackberry, raspberry, and blackcurrant, underpinned by a hint of baking spice and dried rose petals. Pinot-like in many ways – light in both colour and mouthfeel, with silky tannins and elegant palate weight defined by fruit lift and bright acidity. A pleasing amount of tannic grip at the finish. Wherever this is from and whatever varieties it is made of, it reminds me of some compelling natural-wine examples of Gippsland pinot noir – delicious and interesting stuff.”
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2025 Fin ‘Le Vin du Rosier’ Garnacha Zinfandel Negroamaro, Nagambie Lakes $32 RRP
Rajaonarivony selected this wine in his top six wines of the day, describing it as “pure energy – bright cherries and fresh red fruits leap from the glass. The palate feels lively and invigorating, while a zesty finish with a hint of sweet bitterness keeps its character sparkling-fresh. Light in body, but full of personality, this wine makes you just want to keep sipping, and sipping, and sipping …”
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2023 Gant & Co ‘Nouveau’ Semillon Merlot Touriga, Margaret River $32 RRP
Becker included this wine in his top six wines of the blind tasting, noting it “smells like a cabernet-based wine here, which is cool with me – cabernets are cool again! Lifted blueberry fruit on the nose, with a pleasing fresh tobacco and fresh sage vibe going on, alongside a bit of rhubarb, pomegranate juice, and blueberry sugar pastilles. A frisky palate, with a nice acidity that quenches appropriately – think raspberry lemonade and fresh blood plums. Another chilled red for your barbecue, with some slip and thrust – this would be good fun out of a tumbler in the park.”
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2025 Wedded to the Weather ‘Evening Breeze – Fridge Red #1’ Montepulciano, Riverland $26 RRP
Gluck chose this wine for his top six wines of the day, describing “Dr. Pepper energy – confected cherries, herbs, kola nut and black pepper on the nose. Silky-smooth on the palate, with a lot of chew in the body. It’s got that Aussie ‘Sunshine in a bottle’ thing going on, but the UV factor has been tamed with a little bit of sensible slip-slap-slop. Quite refreshing – undemanding, simple, and uncomplicated. I certainly wouldn’t be too upset if it was served as the house pour in my favourite pub!”
