Cascade First Harvest 2009 – around $24-ish the six-pack of stubbies – ***
A seasonal beer brewed using fresh green hops. Mid-amber in hue, it starts with a hop-laden nose and develops on the palate into a lightly malted style. A slightly sweet edge leads to a lovely sharp bitterness at the finish.
Monteiths Doppelbock Winter Ale – $16 plus the six pack of stubbies – ***
Another seasonal brew, this one from New Zealand. The colour is a deep russet. Blended from six different malts, it has a lovely rich malty nose. The mouthfeel is velvety and the flavours reminded me of a chocolate malted spiced with a dash of Kahlua. Delicious.
Yellow Tail Moscato 2008 – around $10 – **
A light (7.5% alcohol) spritzig white. Slightly sweet, with a tropical fruit salad nose which continues on to the palate. Soft fruity finish.
Tulloch Verscato NV – up to $16 – **
Hunter Valley, New South Wales. Verdelho, shiraz blend. Rose petal pink. Light (7.5% alcohol) sparkling style. Fruity nose, refreshing in the mouth. Sweetish at the front of the palate with a little tart apple acidity to balance. An easy drinking lunch accompaniment.

Firestick Sparkling Brut NV – up to $12.50 – **
Semillon, chardonnay blend. Citrus, hay and apricots on the nose. Dry and clean on the palate showing more of semillon citric characters. Zesty at the finish. Good aperitif style.
Robert Oatley Chardonnay 2008 – up to $25 – ***
Mudgee, New South Wales. Peachy bouquet along with subdued French oak aromas. The palate shows ripeish stone fruits and fresh lemon crispness – the oak treatment is nicely integrated. Try with pasta entrées.
Domaine Chandon Pinot Noir 2008 – up to $34 – ***
Yarra Valley, Victoria. Dusty, strawberry conserve bouquet. Flavours of cherry liqueur, a hint of white pepper and cedary French oak. Dry in the mouth with medium tannins and youthful, forward acidity – this last will soften off in the short term.
Crittenden Estate Los Hermanos Tempranillo 2008 – up to $30 – ***
Port Phillip, Victoria. Ripened plums, leather and maraschino cherries on the nose. Savoury and secondary wine characters in the mouth along with drying grippy tannins. This is a red that will show up really well when served with well-seasoned main courses.
Moss Wood Ribbon Vale Merlot 2007 – up to $49 – ****
Wilyabrup, Western Australia. Elegant blueberry and blackcurrant nose. Medium bodied, excellent depth of flavour showing firm tannins and ‘fruits of the forest’ berry essence. Cellar to 2114
Wolf Blass Grey Label Shiraz 2007 – up to $41 – ****
McLaren Vale, South Australia. Dense deep crimson. Inky nose of blackberries and sweet American coconut oak. A solid, chewy and warm (15.5% alcohol) red packed with stewed plum and dark berry flavours. The finish is mocha-like, long and moreish. Cellar to 2115.
Rating system
Five stars ***** – outstanding
**** – classy
*** – first-rate
** – good stuff
* – commercial
A $ denotes excellent value for money. Prices in Australian dollars