The days are starting to get longer, our wine selections are starting to change. Wine writer Winsor Dobbin reveals some of his favourite new releases.
Quality Buy
10 X 2025 Chardonnay
This is the entry level wine for top-notch Mornington Peninsula winery Ten Minutes by Tractor, and it offers excellent quality for the price, coming from a Victorian vintage owner Martin Spedding describes as “magnificent”. This is fruit-driven and full of youthful vitality with mainly older oak used to create palate interest. Fresh and lively with some citrus notes, stone fruit and bright acid, this would pair with an old school roast chicken. $40.
Orange star
Cooks Lot 2025 Handpicked Pinot Noir
Former chef turned winemaker Duncan Cook believes hand-picking his grapes from the cool Orange region of New South Wales gives them an extra edge. This is a very stylish pinot noir grown at high altitude that would seem to make his point. It may be a young wine, but it already has style and sophistication. You could pair this with lamb or poultry dishes, but my pick would be a gourmet burger. $35.
Italian Job
Feudo Arancio 2025 Inzolia
Inzolia, also known as ansonica, is an Italian grape variety that remains virtually unknown in Australia. It is largely grown in Sicily and produces white wines with a savoury, nutty character that is very food friendly. This recent release comes from Feudo Arancio, a sustainable Sicilian producer that is part of the Mezzacorona group and imported by Single Vineyard Sellers. This has stone fruit flavours and Granny Smith apple flavours to the fore and is unoaked and designed for enjoying when young. I’d pair this with a mushroom pizza. Top value for $20.
Something Different
Unico Zelo 2025 Fresh A.F. Nero
Brendan Carter and his team at Unico Zelo are not afraid to push the envelope. This cheekily named take on nero d’Avola is made to be enjoyed in its youth, and even slightly chilled if that is your preference. The nero, from the warm Riverland rather than its homeland in Sicily, is aided and abetted by 11% zibibbo and 9% fiano, two white varieties. The end result is a lively, crunchy and fresh unoaked red that would be perfect for a barbecue or picnic. $28.
Winter warmer
McWilliam’s Hanwood Estate 10-Year-Old Grand Tawny
There are still a few chilly nights before spring makes its debut, and this would a perfect budget treat for Father’s Day, or for enjoying in front of a wood fire with a slab of dark chocolate. From the Riverina in southern New South Wales, this is rich, but not too rich as to be unapproachable. There are definite raisin flavours on offer here, some nuttiness, chocolate and oaky notes. For anyone who loves “port” styles this delivers – and without a big price tag. $28.
Big name
Henschke 2025 Stone Jar Tempranillo
The Henschke family is one of Australia’s highest profile winemaking families, producing wines from the Barossa/Eden Valleys and Adelaide Hills of South Australia. Their greatest wines are expensive, but this new release made from the Spanish grape tempranillo offers a delicious taste of Henschke at an affordable price. Dark berry and plum fruits are showcased with a melange of spice and cedary oak characters to deliver a wine of impressive length, depth and drinkability. Match with a late winter casserole, $50.
See more of Winsor’s wine news and reviews at www.gourmetontheroad.com
