Champagne Duperrey Premier Cru Brut NV – up to $50 – ˜˜˜***

A chardonnay and pinot noir blend from the house of Martel. Pale gold in colour with the slightest pink tinge; flowers and subtle notes of brioche on the nose. A fuller style, with apricot and dried apple flavours in the mouth along with a hint of citrus. Opens with fruit sweetness and firms up towards the finish.

Hollick Coonawarra Savagnin 2010 – $21 – ˜˜**

Juicy, fresh nose. Zesty, tangy palate with hints of lime and sherbet. Dryish flavoursome finish. Good entrée style.

The Lane Block 2 Pinot Gris 2010 – $30 – ˜˜˜***

Adelaide Hills, South Australia. Perfumey spicy nose. Rich, mouth filling style with bags of apple and pear fruit over soft acidity.

Amberley Kiss & Tell Moscato Rosa NV – $15 – ˜˜**

Rosy pink. Raisiny Turkish Delight notes on the nose. Sweetish palate in this light (only 7% alcohol) style. Slight spritzig on the tongue.

Elmswood Estate Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2010 – $45 – ˜˜˜˜****

Light ruby hues in the glass. Generous strawberry, smoky oak and savoury notes on the nose. Cherries and strawberries lead a dryish, slightly tannic palate in a well constructed take on this difficult varietal.

Penfolds Bin 23 Pinot Noir 2010 – $40 – ˜˜˜˜****

Adelaide Hills, South Australia. Shades of dark cherry to the eye. Powerful, ripe strawberry and maraschino conserves on the nose. A beautifully textured, almost chewy approach. It bursts in the mouth with berry ripeness over well-seasoned oak. One of the few pinots I’ve tasted that would convince welded on shiraz and cabernet drinkers to convert to the Burgundian grape.

Parker Coonawarra Estate Terra Rossa Merlot 2006 – $40 – **** ˜˜˜˜

Deep crimson. Aromatic dark berries and a hint of anise on the nose. Smooth, silky tannic structure. Concentrated redcurrants and blueberries blend well with vanillin French oak and lead to a firm, lip-smacking finish.

Ratings

*****˜˜ – outstanding

****˜˜˜˜ – classy

***˜˜˜ – first-rate

**˜˜ – good stuff

*˜ – commercial

Prices in Australian dollars