Jim Barry 'The Lodge Hill' Dry Riesling 2013

Iconic in many ways lets explore!

Wow what a nose, lifted apple, tropical notes, hints of florals and candied lemon. Palate has wonderful searing acidity, amazing length, apples, lemons, limes and light under ripe tropicals. All very crunchy with that acidity. Structure is everything to this wine and it will go the journey!

Great riesling for now or your cellar or impressive for a dinner out with friends. Good citrus fruits an great with food!

Robert Geddes 92pts and a trophy from Queensland Royal mean this is a great wine. Me 94+pts.

Priced at $22 it's in the general pocket for good Rizza and I'm sure it'll be slightly cheaper in the majors, I'd buy some anyways as it'll go the distance in the cellar anyways.

Overall I'd stand behind this one, quite generic in style could be the only criticism but it does stand out from the crowd. Go get some and form your own opinion but I'd be confident you won't be disappointed! Good luck and happy drinking!

Montara Grampians Riesling 2013

When I think Grampians I don't think riesling but why not I guess so here we go.

Lifted white floral notes with varietal lemons and limes, palate has great fruit drive and weight with impeccable balance. Nice acid structure without being aggressive, lime shines with lemon pith and grapefruit. Overall a well rounded and easy drinking riesling.

Simply it's good gear! Got great citrus and nice gentle acidity that is varietal but makes the wine super drinkable.

No critic reviews yet that I know of but it should sit between 89 and 93 I'd have thought. Me a solid 92 because I wanted just a bit more clean lines and definition.

Value.. $19 ish, $23 from the producer, so not terrible and what you'd expect from a boutique producer. If I picked it up for $15 I'd be happy enough.

Summary it's not a bad little number and will be well received but didn't wow me off my feet. Good but not great and god knows there is GREAT riesling out there at this price point. Try it if you can! Happy drinking.

Penfolds Thomas Hyland Chardonnay 2012

Here's another interesting little number that funnily enough has surprised me a little.

This opens up on the nose with some mealy notes, citrus and nectarine, distinctly Chablis esc in it's delivery. Palate mirrors that nose's angle, a little tight but delivers minerality and freshness driven by subtle stone fruit and citrus. Not a big powerful wine by any means but a very clean and modern style that delivers much more than I had expected.

In short a very subtle Chardonnay in a very modern style that most people would really enjoy over a seafood buffet for lunch.

Halliday served this up as a 92pt wine of which I don't disagree in it's pedigree, but I'd say ignoring the price point as a driver for the score I'd say 90pts would be appropriate, of course still labelling this as a very good wine.

Value for money as a separate discussion this is an absolute cracker! $16 bucks in the majors and generally sub $20 how can you go wrong really, it get's the wine another couple of points in my book and significantly helps toward the buying decision.

Summary, for me I won't be rushing out and buying this by the six pack but if I'm looking to top up my basket or find it on a list at a basic restaurant I wouldn't shy away. There are much better Chardy's out there just not for this price point and for this price point I can't say I've had a better Chardy. Happy drinking.

Thomas Braemore Semillon 2012

It's been a while and I've been missing expressing my wine filled journey. Sharing the bottles I conquer regularly gave me an excuse to conquer bottles regularly.. #winwin 

Dug this out of a pile of 'drink whenever you feel like it' wines for a little Sunday arvo quaffer and god I'm glad I did!

Beautiful citrus filled bouquet with herbaceous notes that add complexity. Palate has bright, youthful, linear citrus acidity drive that gives this baby incredible power. Lemons, limes, grassy herbaceousness and kaffir lime are just the beginning of this little ones life cycle, the underlying minerality and complexity ensure its journey.

Simply... Bloody good Semillon!! Not a lot out there better! Fresh, juicy and packed with citrus! Nice!

Various critics landing 94pts on this one and one Jeremy Pringle giving it a healthy 96pts of which I couldn't agree more. 96+ from me and I'm looking forward to watching this grow over the next 10 years.

Value for money... Well this smashes McWilliams Elizabeth out of the park but it is double the price.... And worth every penny!!!

In short, go get some people, it will not disappoint!