Light gold. Powerful aromas of honey, flowers and fresh grapes. Intensely sweet, with flavours of grapes and citrus and finishing cleanly with refreshing acidity.

The fruit was hand harvested from 8th to 20th September. Fermented in a pressure tank under temperature control using R2 yeast. To retain the luscious natural sweetness the fermentation was stopped by chilling and filtration.

This is a much more stuctured, mineral, briny Moscato than many on the market. No tutti fruiti here. It comes exclusively from Barbaresco vines and is as serious and intellectual as Moscato gets. Fabulous racy finish too.

The charming Angelo Rocca from Albino Rocca has been in Melbourne and Sydney with his daughter Daniela, showing their wonderful wines around the trade. Those of you who had the chance to taste the wines will need no convincing. There is some wonderful value to be found here and a clutch of superb pouring options. It’s easy to forget that Nebbiolo, produced from great sites and mature vines, from certain vintages and in the right hands, can be a wickedly seductive wine to drink young. Angelo Rocca is a master at reminding us of this fact and he has done it again with his current releases. These are plump, textural, seductive Barbaresco’s that are surprisingly forward yet clearly have the stuffing to age. All are from estate vineyards and all are grown 100% within the boundaries of the Barbaresco region. We recommend them without hesitation; for drinking now or for cellaring.

Please don’t ignore the ‘entry level wines’: they are stunning values as the notes make clear.

Angelo Rocca had a revelation several years ago and decided to move away from barriques and back to large format, neutral oak (the ultimate vessel for Nebbiolo maturation). His wines are far better for it. Today, none of the wines, bar a tiny percentage of the Brich Ronchi, spend any time in barrique and very few of these barrels are new. The wines are still “modern” in the sense that they are ripe, pure and meticulously made, but instead of any distracting new oak character you have solely the wonderful dark cherry, floral and savoury structured personality of Nebbiolo in all its glory. The wines of Albino Rocca are superb across the range and the recent price drops, thanks to the exchange rate, make them particularly attractive to those searching for the finest quality Nebbiolo at reasonable prices.

Margaret River has courted this native grape of Portugal to make it, it's very own. Small wonder, as the maritime climes and sultry Indian Ocean breezes have blessed the vines with the perfect conditions to conjure up the heightened flavour profiles and quenching minerality that resides within every grape of Verdelho. Ashbrook is one of the oldest producers in the Margaret River and has been fashioning Verdelho wines of some profile for over a quarter of a century. The vines are fully mature and the vinication techniques are finely honed

Verdelho first came to prominence in the early days of West Australian viticulture when the patriarch of Swan Valley winemakers, Jack Mann, saw the potential of the variety for making fresh, lively table wines that were immediately approachable and aged beautifully. The development of the Margaret River saw Verdelho planted to cooler environments, permitting the grape to fully develop it's clean and frank nature. Surrounded by large eucalyptus trees, the mild, sunny seasons around Ashbrook Estate accentuate the fruit flavours and the natural crisp acidity of Verdelho. The vines have yielded grapes with exceptional concentration of fruit, vinified unoaked and unwooded, to express the vital fruit driven varietal characters

Pale green/ straw colour. Ashbrook displays varietal bouquets of orange and passionfruit. The palate mirrors the aromatics, the naturally assertive acidity of Verdelho complements the elegant flavours and gives the wine a refreshing finish. An excellent depth and fullness of fruit, Ashbrook is sure to develop attractive honeyed characters. But who can wait? Serve chilled as the perfect accompaniment to fresh seafood and spicy dishes.

A fastidious maker of consistently excellent estate-grown table wines which shuns publicity and the wine show system alike and is less well known than it deserves to be, selling much of its wine through the cellar door and by an understandably very loyal mailing list clientele. All of the white wines are of the highest quality, year in, year out. James Halliday

Pale straw-green; a compelling blend of citrus, spice and tropical fruit comes through strongly on the bouquet and palate alike, supported on the palate by perfectly balanced acidity. Margaret River verdelho has always had a little bit extra. Drinking: to 2015; Rating: 96 Points; James Halliday

Pale straw. This wine offers a complex burst of flavours on the nose including Turkish Delight, lychee and rose petal. Ginger, spice and citrus peel flavours with a deceptively long and dry finish

Light straw-green; has more varietal fragrance than any gewurztraminer tasted for years, with lychee, rose petal and spice aromas, the palate coming through with the same message. Bravo. Head for China or its cuisine. 94 points, drink to 2014, $, Screwcap, 13% alc James Halliday Wine Companion

This aromatic wine is a pale yellow with greenish tinge.  It displays a fresh, floral bouquet with aromas of ripe pear, musk, tropical fruits and a hint of lime.  It is a clean and lively wine, with a hint of sweetness - but it is in no way cloying, the wine balanced by the crisp acidity of the Riesling component.  This wine should be served chilled and enjoyed within 2 years of vintage.

From Vilanovina, Rias Baixas. Created by Ana Quintela at Pazo de Senorans, Camino del Pelegrino is a pure and fruit focussed Albarino ideally suited for early appreciation and as a versatile partner with seafood. Whilst not as layered or textural as the Pazo de Senorans wines, Camino del Pelegrino possesses a shimmering core of truly beautiful fruit. Sourced from growers vineyards bordering the estate that are similarly established and low yielding.

Fruit purity, pristine acidity and delicate mineral acidity are key and therefore a fast and clean vinification is vital. From small bunch harvesting to anaerobic handling and maturation in stainless steel and bottling in screw-cap, maximum effort is undertaken to maintain natural fruit expression.

Nice label. Take something like this to dinner to trial on the Sauvignon Blanc/Gris/Grigo set. Close with a smug look on receipt of compliments wrt your superior tastes. Crunchy pears, stonefruit and the scent of white flowers - sort of tutti-frutti though nothing quite so vulgar. Touch of flinty reduction. Round and full of flavour but not at the expense of drinkability. Has fine clean acidity and a gentle easy going charm. Bit of the old pie apple flavour on the aftertaste. Refreshing and delightful. And highly recommended. Rated : 92 Points Tasted : Jul10 Alcohol : 12% Price : $28 Closure : Screwcap Drink : 2010 - 2012 By Gary Walsh; The Wine Front

Cortegiara is the négociant label of Allegrini. The wines have a similar stamp of quality and a style and taste that, like their estate range, sets them aside from most of the Veronesi wines produced at this level. The Pinot Grigio is sealed under screwcap, and is showing exceptionally well.

Harvesting started roughly 2 weeks earlier than average, due not so much to a hot summer, but rather because of the very mild winter and spring climate.

Quantity was within the norm and the splendidly sunny days, together with the important temperature gradients between warm days and cool nights immediately prior to starting the harvest, have produced a perfect ripening in terms of both sugars and tannins. The ideal climatic conditions have also protected the grapes from parasites and diseases

Bright straw yellow in colour. The bouquet expresses green notes of the vine, sweetened by acacia flowers. The taste is dry and fresh, franc and decisive, harmonious. Elegant and persistent, it leaves the palate with a wide, full and sapid taste.

One of Australia's most satisfying and consistent, dry Verdelho wines, expressing fine varietal characters, refreshing and crisp with good palate weight and solid structure delivered by the quality fruit and vinification. A superfine construct from the best Victorian vineyards, displaying dry and spicey tropical aromas with hints of white peach. David Traeger will continue to make one of Australia's most popular Verdelho wines well into the future, it always offers mouthfilling flavours of cooler climate orchard fruit, complimenting acids and a lingering, stylish finish

 Something of a signature for David Traeger, his Verdelho remains a stylistic hallmark for Australia. The unique qualities of the Verdelho grape as vinified by the likes of Traeger have achieved a national marketing edge. From an award winning history at Michelton, Traeger struck out on his own, producing one of the country's most widely recognized pure varietal wines. Fruit is sourced from specialised sites which are husbanded to yield grapes which can meet the exacting standards of a demanding winemaker, the Avenel vineyard at Nagambie Lakes and from good sites in King Valley. Bottled early without any oak influence, all handling is completely reductive to aid in retaining vibrant fruit character

Green gold in colour. This crisp clear white has lemon and lime aromas with a touch of white peach on the nose and a lingering display of spice. Clean scents of avocado and snow pea, a nuance of honeycomb. The fascinating bouquet is followed by rich fruit salad flavours, a touch of upfront flintyness brings with it a flavoursome crisp palate, excellent mouthfeel and good length. Drinking beautifully now alongside all good food.

There's little difference quality-wise between the 2005 and 2006  vintages of this terrific, amazing-value-for-money botrytis semillon. It is lighter of body than the Noble One and less densely packed with fruit flavour. I don't find that a problem, I loved the Vat 5's finesse and lightness of touch, especially when it's accompanied by intense honey, apricot and lemon curd characters, excellent balance and clean, crisp finish. Peter Forrestal, Quaff, January 2009
 
Trophy -  2009  Sydney Royal Wine Show
Gold Medal - 2009  Sydney Royal Wine Show
Commended - 2009  Sydney International Wine Competition
 
Gorgeous nose smelling of honeysuckle and orange blossom. Rich, sweet and tropical in the mouth, with a bright, zesty citrus finish. 4 Stars * * * * Winestate
 
Quite rich and sweet, showing citrus peel overtones together with some volatile lift. Winewise, February 2008
 
Silver Medal - 2008 International Wine Challenge - UK
 
Quite a strong raisin bouquet; hints of marmalade come through on the finish; very good value. 89 points; James Halliday’s Wine Companion 2009
 
Each year, in vineyards with a proven track record, we leave Semillon grapes hanging on the vines until they achieve the desired level of botrytis. Individual parcels of fruit from each vineyard are fermented separately in tank. The juice is fermented at 13° - 15°C over4 - 8 weeks. The individual components, still kept separate, are then matured in either tank or barrel. Prior to bottling the wine is blended after careful appraisal of each parcel. A small portion, approximately 10% was matured in two year old French Oak barriques.
 
Pale gold straw. Fresh lifted aromas of citrus, peach and nectarine with very subtle vanillin oak. This elegant wine displays citrus and stone fruit characters with a light touch of vanillin oak imparting length. The wine finishes with refreshing acidity that balances the botrytis sweetness very nicely.

This is the 25th vintage of Australia's best known and most highly regarded sweet wine, which has won 104 trophies and 352 gold medals since the release of the 1982 vintage. Brilliant green-gold, it has all the luscious intensity expected of the wine, ranging through citrus, cumquat and vanilla bean, yet is not over the top. Its best features are its balance, line and extreme length, similar to that of 02. 95 points; James Halliday, Weekend Australian, July 2009

A remarkably compete and complex, smooth, polished and luscious dessert wine whose delicate floral perfume of fresh citrus, pineapple and other tropical fruits reveals nutty, brioche-like undertones. It's long, sweet and searingly concentrated; a truly exorbitant and full-blown wine with exceptional elegance and balance that finishes with freshness, tightness and focus.(18.7/95, YTD 2015-2019+) Jeremy Oliver

The 25th vintage is a cracking rendition of Australia's most famous Botrytis Semillon. Citrus zest, peach and apricot freshness offset its honeyed, crème brûlée richness. The balance of tight acidity and sweetness is spot on. 95 points; Tyson Stelzer, WBM Magazine, August 2009

Reserved and complex, still deep fruited three fruits crystallised citrus and pure botrytis sea saltiness. Fine and pure in the mouth too, creamy down the middle with concentrated glace pear and peach flavours. A long, lush finish with just the right balancing acid and oak nuttiness to close. Smart sweet wine this, which will evolve well for a decade. 10/10; Tim White, The Age, September 2009

Australia’s benchmark dessert wine is a bit lighter, fresher and more vibrant in 2007 than in most vintages. It is fine yet intense, with delicate apricot, honey and marmalade flavours and gentle power, before a finish in which crisp natural acidity cleanses the palate. Impeccably balanced. Peter Forrestal, Quaff 2010, October 2009

This is the wine Prime Minister Kev gave the Pope on his recent visit to Rome. Well, almost - it was the 2006 vintage, in fact. Now in its 25th year, Noble One has established itself as Australia's premier sweet white. This is lush and decadent, with mouth-coating honey and marmalade flavours. Grab some blue cheese and you can't go wrong. That's what the Pope told me, anyway. Rick Allen, Manly Daily, July 2009

I reckon the 2007 Noble One, as a young wine, is the best yet. There is a taste of dried fruit, but it is subtle. The mandarin characteristics, which tend to dominate with age, are restrained, as is the honey and the acidity already in balance. If you haven't tried it, please do so with your favourite end-of-dinner food. This is a world-class wine, and you won't be disappointed. Jeff Gordon, Melbourne Weekly Bayside, July 2009

A fine meal deserves a fitting end and dessert wine is a supremely sophisticated salute to satisfaction. Our pick, along with most of the world's, is Noble One Botrytis Semillon. Celebrating its 25th Anniversary 2007 vintage, this nectar of the gods has enticing aromas of bush honey and peach, and a palate of dried stone fruits. Australian Home Beautiful, November 2009

Bright yellow-gold; the vast experience of De Bortoli with this style results in a wine with rich, opulent and sweet fruit balanced by the acidity missing from lesser wines; cumquat, mandarin, honey and vanilla are all part of the package. 95 Points; James Halliday, Wine Companion 2012, August 2011

De Bortoli does it again, living up to it’s reputation as the country’s most thrilling sweet Semillon. It’s a celebration of dried apricot, honey, toffee, créme brulée and marmalade but really comes into its own in the way it balances its complexity with a fresh, clean, long palate. 95 Points; Tyson Stelzer, Wine 100, December 2010

A classic Noble One, with balance, finesse, oodles of richness, early complexity, honey, apricot, citrus, opulence, lingering persistence and more. 94 Points; Ken Gargett, Courier Mail, June 2011

Medium gold colored, De Bortoli’s 2008 Noble One gives a youthfully mute, moderately intense nose of orange blossom, clover honey, jasmine, apricot preserves and dried pineapple chunks. The palate is incredibly concentrated and sweet (231 grams per liter of residual sugar) with layers of tropical fruit and honeyed flavors well refreshed by very crisp acid and going into a very long finish. Delicious now, it will reward cellaring over the next 2-10 years. 94 Points; Lisa Perotti-Brown, eRobertParker, May 2011

Trophy - 2011 Brisbane Wine Show
Trophy - 2011 Riverland Wine Show
Trophy - 2011 Rutherglen Wine Show
Trophy - 2011 Adelaide Wine Show
Trophy - 2011 Australian Inland Wine Show
Trophy - 2011 Australian Inland Wine Show
Trophy - 2011 Australian Inland Wine Show
Trophy - 2011 Riverina Wine Show
Trophy - 2010 Australian Inland Wine Show

Gold Medal - 2011 Brisbane Wine Show
Gold Medal - 2011 New Zealand International Wine Show
Gold Medal - 2011 Riverland Wine Show
Gold Medal - 2011 Rutherglen Wine Show
Gold Medal - 2011 AWC Vienna International Wine Challenge
Gold Medal - 2011 Adelaide Wine Show
Gold Medal - 2011 NSW Wine Awards
Gold Medal - 2011 International Wine & Spirit Competition
Gold Medal - 2011 Australian Inland Wine Show
Gold Medal - 2011 Melbourne Wine Show
Gold Medal - 2010 Australian Inland Wine Show
Gold Medal - 2010 Brisbane Wine Show
Gold Medal - 2010 Riverina Wine Show
Gold Medal - 2010 National Capital Wine Show
Gold Medal - 2010 Perth Wine Show
Gold Medal - 2010 Riverland Wine Show
Gold Medal - 2010 Sydney International Wine Competition

From the unyielding plains of Castilla la Mancha comes this aromatic and textural white wine. The blend of Spanish native varietals Macabeo, Viura and Verdejo with just a dash of Sauvignon Blanc results in a uniquely Spanish wine.

It’s grown on (average) 20 year old vines at over 500 metres above sea level in the La Mancha region of Spain. It’s made with a mix of macabeo, viura, verdejo and sauvignon blanc – a classic ‘field blend style’.

And isn’t it great to see a chewy, briney white selling at pittance or quaffing rates? Glory be. It boasts lifted aromatics. Stonefruits and brine. And at every turn it comes across as highly textural. Accordingly it’s tight through the finish – phenolic and grippy. It has lift and fruit and yet it tastes old world. Tastes cool. The Aussie winemakers who think they’re at the vanguard of savoury, drinkable styles need to taste this snappy little number. And note its price too. Bowled me over with how good it tasted. Rated : 90 Points; Alcohol : 13% Price : $12.95 Closure : Screwcap Drink : 2011 - 2012 By Campbell Mattinson; The Wine Front

This motley white blend of macabeo, verdejo, viura and sauvignon blanc represents killer value. Matt Skinner, Sunday Life Mag, 24 Oct 2010

Tremendous complexity - apricot, honeysuckle, lime blossom, vanilla bean, orange spice scented oak notes and a whisker of funky matchstick for good measure.

The palate is rich, long, and harmonious with just the perfect amount of "fat" on the body. Once again the oak is acting here as a savoury additive and has been used with great care. Glorious endnotes of citrus and minerals (almost like small pebbles) that offer a tingling sensation whilst pulling the palate longer. It is hard to believe given the myriad of aromas that flow from the wine that it could be outdone by palate. This is truly a great wine.

Deeply perfumed, musky and spicy, exotically scented with honeysuckle and rose water. Its luscious, opulent and powerful palate is lavishly coated with concentrated spicy, citrusy fruit before a fresh and tightly balance finish of exceptional length. 94 Points; Jeremy Oliver

Giant Steps seek to make wine that is less overt and obvious than most. Approximately equal proportions Gordo Muscat (Muscat of Alexandria) grown to the Boulton vineyard, and Black Muscat grown on the Burge estate vineyard. The fruit is always picked at healthy levels of baumé and fantastic natural acidity. Fruit is harvested at night, chilled and crushed and then given six hours skin contact to develop the shocking nipple pink colour. Fruit was then pressed to stainless steel tanks and filtered bright before inoculation. Juice is fermented long and cold until full natural carbonation was achieved and the optimum balance between sugar and alcohol was reached. Cold filtered and cold bottled at 0°C, crown sealed, try cellaring for ten minutes (on ice) or twelve months. Approx alcohol 6.0%
 
Pretty in pink with a slight petulance. Fairy floss, sherbet, pink grapefruit and mandarin bouquets. Tastes like kisses. Rhubarb crumble, toffee apple flavours and fizz on the palate, a fresh pear and tamarillo skin finish. To accompany apple tart tatin and strawberry crepes, soft blue cheeses and fruit.
 
One sip of this Moscato and I came over all Emily Howard. I found my inner lady, put on a flower print dress and went and sat by the pool. Yes, Moscato is that kind of wine. It’s a well worn cliché to say it’s a feminine wine that’s generally marketed to ladies, but just look at the bottle. 375Ml’s of cuteness, blushing pink with packaging so arty and clean it could be perfume. Just one crack of the crown seal and the perfume analogy is fitting. It’s a pretty wine showing delicate florals, hints of musk and persian fairy floss as well as a heightened scent of red berries. For me, most Moscato’s don’t deliver, they may be heady and fragrant but are often too sweet. This version at just 5.5% defies the norm and delivers an effervescence not disimilar to a fine sparkling. There’s a delicate bead and a creaminess to the palate, evocative flavours of rose and liquid fairy floss, a burst of sweetness but in no way cloying and then the refreshing hit of balanced acids. It’s refreshing and mouth-watering and makes you head back for more. Well done Innocent Bystander, you channeled my inner female and to paraphrase Shania Twain: “Man, I feel like a woman.” Patrick Haddock - Wining Pom, 2011-09-02

The following reviews are for the previous 2010 vintage:

The Hon. Minister of Transport says you can’t get a Moscato that points within 10 of a good Grange, but I disagree. I point on joy and entertainment rather than super- and infra-structural technicalities and restrictive budgets, and this little honey deserves 94. Its pink but adult, sweet but complex, incredibly fresh and fruity, yet with enough desert dust to balance ones miasma, and it has highly determined acidic tropical fruits to balance its frivolous musk. One cruel Sunday morn, after a surfeit of Saturday night 94 point red, the Hon. Minister will slurp one of these wicked cuties and agree with me. Betcha! Rating - 94 Points; Independent Weekly 2010
 
Innocent Bystander is the entry-level range from Phil Sexton at the Giant Steps winery in the Yarra Valley. Who's Phil Sexton, you may wonder? He's been a pioneering micro-brewer in Western Australia - Matilda Bay, Redback and little Creatures - and a Margaret River winemaker, the founder of the reputable Devil's Lair. All the Bystanders are worth at least a glance, but the rose especially appeals for its bright cherry and strawberry fruit, its neat balance and its seasonable relevance. A simple style maybe, but a handy option for spring and summer meals. Paddy Kendler in 'Quaffing', Herald Sun

Fine racy and floral. Classic white flower and citric aromas lead to a crisp and refreshing palate. Perfect aperitif - and great with seafood

Domaine Jean-Luc Mader is a small quantity, high quality wine producer based in the picture postcard village of Hunawihr in the middle of vineyards on the Route des Vins. The family own just 7 hectares of vineyards, including prized holdings of vines in the famous ‘Rosacker’ Grand Cru vineyard. All vineyard work is carried out by hand and since 2005 their son Jerome is now running the estate having studied and gained a Diploma in Oenology. Quality continues to rise for the whole range while prices have remained very attractive.

Rated top 10 Best Value Producers in Alsace - Tom Stevensons “Global Report”

Fine racy and floral. Classic white flower and citric aromas lead to a crisp and refreshing palate. Perfect aperitif - and great with seafood

Domaine Jean-Luc Mader is a small quantity, high quality wine producer based in the picture postcard village of Hunawihr in the middle of vineyards on the Route des Vins. The family own just 7 hectares of vineyards, including prized holdings of vines in the famous ‘Rosacker’ Grand Cru vineyard. All vineyard work is carried out by hand and since 2005 their son Jerome is now running the estate having studied and gained a Diploma in Oenology. Quality continues to rise for the whole range while prices have remained very attractive.

Rated top 10 Best Value Producers in Alsace - Tom Stevensons “Global Report”

Very fragrant peach, apple and tropical fruit characters on the nose and palate. Round and supple in texture, with wonderfully precise flavour. Great concentration and depth with a hint of residual sugar. The rich texture and cleansing acid balance gives this wine great appeal.

Domaine Jean-Luc Mader is a small quantity, high quality wine producer based in the picture postcard village of Hunawihr in the middle of vineyards on the Route des Vins. The family own just 7 hectares of vineyards, including prized holdings of vines in the famous ‘Rosacker’ Grand Cru vineyard. All vineyard work is carried out by hand and since 2005 their son Jerome is now running the estate having studied and gained a Diploma in Oenology. Quality continues to rise for the whole range while prices have remained very attractive.

Rated top 10 Best Value Producers in Alsace - Tom Stevensons “Global Report”

The 2009 Lawson's Dry Hills Gewürztraminer is a wonderful expression of a great vintage. The wine is luscious and round with gentle acidity, balanced by a hint of sweetness(9.2g/L). Lemon peel, marmalade, candyfloss, coriander, ginger and floral notes can all be found on the nose. The palate is mouthfilling and rich with lovely concentration. Lychee, lemon and Turkish delight flavours lead on to a long spicy finish. As the wine develops it will become more expressive on the nose and increasingly complex.  Enjoy in moderation with Asian influenced dishes. 

Both vineyards were harvested and gently pressed with minimal skin contact. The resulting juice was fermented in stainless steel tanks with specially selected aromatics yeasts. The pressings from each parcel were fermented in older French oak barriques. Post fermentation the wine was allowed to sit on yeast lees for three months prior to blending. 

At the foot of Marlborough's dry Wither hills adjacent to our winery, the Lawson's and the Woodward vineyards consistently produce intensly flavoured Gewürztraminer grapes. After flowing both vineyards were shoot thinned and lightly leaf plucked to improve sun exposure. Post veraison, late bunches were removed to help achieve even ripening. The weather was kind to us and we picked as the flavours reached optimum levels. The Lawson's vineyard was picked in three parcels, with the latter two being included in this wine.  Drink now if you wish or over the next six years.