Hunter Gatherer Shiraz 2022

Grown in one of our favourite Yarra Valley subregions, Dixons Creek, this is a cool climate-styled Shiraz that’s full of true-to-style dark fruits like violets and dark plums, whilst still being easy-drinking in the Bistro way – just like that inspiring Syrah we loved in the Rhône Valley too long ago.

BISTRO Shiraz 2022

There’s texture here and plenty of grip that adds charming length. Don’t worry though, it’s soft enough and full of stone fruits and some honey. It’s wine for LoFi lovers, and devotees to the radikal skin contact wines of Friuli.

Bikicki SO Orange SB Sauvignon Blanc

Orsumella Chianti Classico 2021

Rich, ripe blackberry and a lovely structure that’s wrapped in leather and feels like it's been soaking in mulberry and cassis. Some people will get a little tobacco and others won’t because it’s so subtle.

Chateau Instant Becot Bordeaux Rouge 2018

Very much on the bright side for Sangiovese, complete with all the black and red cherries, and a lot of dusty tannins. Some wines are just honest in the best way and taste and behave, true to style. Pair it with any Tuscan specialty at lunch – Pappardelle with pork.

Sagona Gattorosso Sangiovese Blend 2022

Soumah – South of Maroondah so this wine’s all about place and optimising the conditions to come up with something that speaks for the year, with just a little bit of the winemakers’ inflection. Marzemino is traditionally a Trentino grape that’s robust and full of big, dark fruits, some lovely savoury tones, and chalky tannins. This nails that, but gives just a little Yarra brightness and approachability.

Soumah Single Vineyard Marzemino 2023

Cab. Franc. It’s ‘IN’ at the moment, and why wouldn’t it be? Value-laden, and full of a firm but balanced tannin that’s kept fresh with red currants and a smidge of herbaceous beetroot and lengthhhhhhhhhh. Thought-provoking, delicious, and from a winemaker who’s making everyone stand-up and take notice.

Alessandro Stefani Franc Cabernet Franc 2022

All melody, no naïvety. This is the latest in our series on place and focuses on a darling region, Heathcote. This has everything we love because home is where we want to be, so there’s mulberry, peonies, compote spice and liqueured forest berries delivered glass after glass. There’s no need to speak in tongues, this is approachable and for everyone at the table.

This Must Be The Place Heathcote Shiraz 2023

We love this, and think it applies to refreshing wines in that if you want someone to feel refreshed, you should give them a refreshing, delightful Chardonnay that’s full of lemon leaf, citrus peels and just enough nutty creaminess to make the experience more textural.

Cre Chardonnay 2023

Pours with just a hint of liquorice for a point of difference and a heaps of that plummy, dark mulberry fruit which'll have you returning for more and more and more bottles. Comfortable like thick socks on a cold night in and a little streaming. Buy 6 for 10% off and keep on hand for the odd, chilly summer nights that are coming.

Kurtz Family Seven Sleepers Shiraz 2022

Anim Wines Pinot Noir Pinot Blanc 2023

2023’s vintage comes with a little more plush n pithy lemon fruit and a subtle oxidative edge which gives it some more savoury grip. Will make a trip to Jinda Thai, HuTong or your local BYO haunt even better.

Frankland Estate Alter Weg Riesling 2023

A wine with plenty of complexity that’s bold like a neighbour who never turns the music down, but plays what you love and don’t mind hearing. Fruits are all crunchy and red, but there’s also some blackberry and the tannins are dusty meaning this gets along with a steak – lion’s mane or beef. It also spent just enough time in oak to add a little extra velvet wallpaper.

Amen Break Gravelly Gully Central Otago Pinot Noir 2023

The generosity of New Zealanders is so abundant that it seeps into their wine. That’s why they smile over there when they drink, not because of the ABV. The flavour and depth might also have something to do with it. Take this Chardy with all its grapefruit acidity, and white to yellow nectarine juiciness that’s lined with some creamy oak that dances on the back palate. It’s practically a bottle of balance.

Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravells Chardonnay 2022

Textured wax that plays like the best vinyl, smooth and hitting all the notes you want and a couple you didn’t even know about. From the honey blossom ripeness to the spritely, pithy, mineral feel that flows over the palate, this is one to come back for and to take BYOing.

Velich Welsch Riesling 2022

Sooty and savoury with a black olive edge and some spices that’ll be there for you all through Spring and on cold Summer nights. Cheers to all the generous mulberry, plums and that little leafy, spiced oak. It’s literally the ‘jewel’ in our Merlot/Cabernet section, so if you like shiny rocks and you were meant for me, then I was meant for you.

Gioiello Estate Merlot 2019

If you're just starting to dip your toes into Nebbiolo, start with this. Lovely fleshy fruit and black cherry lead into a nice wash of varietal dusty tannins. A gateway Nebbiolo that will give you plenty to ponder over while you sip.

Beechworth Wine Estates Nebbiolo 2021

A youthful Shiraz awaits! All wound up but will uncoil nicely in your glass while keeping just an edge of compactness. If you want, you can give it a couple of years to really develop and blossom a wider bouquet of peppery spice, blackberry and genuine tannin. A gifting wine if there ever was one.

Paralian Springs Hill Shiraz 2023

A big red to spend the evening with, made with a blend of fruit from Longview's single vineyard in the Adelaide Hills. The Cab Sauv sits upfront on the nose with autumnal leafy characters mingling with blue fruits, before the Shiraz starts shine through on the palate adding a little extra fruit weight, all integrated with some well placed oak.