Recently tasted
Prices in Australian dollars

Merum Semillon 2004. Around $26. Pemberton, Western Australia. Pale gold. Aromatic with lemon, dried pears and faint smoky oak. Fuller-bodied white with flavours of citrus and nuts, softly textured in the mouth it closes with a zingy finish.

Terra Felix Marsanne Roussanne 2004. Around $15. Central Victoria. Transparent lemon. Nose is a fruity, perfumed mix of stone fruits and floral notes. Velvety mouthfeel showing full flavours reminds me of chewing a just quite ripe peach. Delicious style at a nice price.

Haselgrove Adelaide Hills Reserve Viognier 2004. $25. Pale, hint of green. Nose reminded me of lemon butter – with an edge of spicy oak. Think of a fresh baked apricot Danish and you’ll get the picture. Crisp and vigorous to finish.

Delatite Dead Man’s Hill Gewürtztraminer 2004. Around $22. Mansfield, Victoria. Near water pale. Bouquet of highly perfumed Spring blossoms. Youthful, grapey, refreshing style with undertones of Turkish Delight. Abundant fruit belies the near bone-dry finish. The winemaker has skilfully retained varietal essence in the finished wine.

Trentham Estate Petit Verdot 2002. Around $17. Trentham Cliffs, New South Wales. Mid-crimson. Earthy, spicy nose of cloves and liquorice. Firm, chewy style with savoury undertones and concentrated blackcurrants. A tad young and edgy at the moment but will age well to 2012. I bought a dozen.

Peter Lehmann Barossa Merlot 2003. $15. Dark red. Spicy warm nose with blackberries and chocolate. Big soft style showing fine tannins and ripe jammy fruit.

Shaw and Smith Shiraz 2003. $38. Adelaide Hills, South Australia. Deep ruby. Cracked pepper and cooler leafy notes on the bouquet. Classy dry red with restrained charry oak underpinning juicy black cherries.

Wolf Blass Grey Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2003. Around $38. Langhorne Creek, South Australia. Dense, purple rim. Dusty spice, gumtree undergrowth and mulberries on the nose. Lip-smacking tannins support blueberry conserve, mocha and vanilla flavours leading to a dry finish of continuing fruit intensity.