French winner
Le Chat Noir 2012 Pinot Noir
It can be hard to track down decent pinot noir for under $20, but this reliable label comes up trumps year after year with juicy, slurpable and affordable French pinot from the Aude region in the south of the country.
It’s at the more powerful end of the pinot spectrum with lively red and black berry/plum flavours leading the way, but it is also a lot more stylish and supple than the price tag would indicate.
Match it with, of course, French cuisine. $18.
Saucy sauvignon
Hardy’s 2012 William Hardy Sauvignon Blanc
The Hardy wine label has been under various ownerships in recent years but to mark the 160th birthday of Hardys, a new range under the William Hardy banner has been released.
This is a cracker, made from Adelaide Hills fruit, which is bright and lifted and astutely balanced with citrus and tropical fruit notes, and a certain softness on the palate that makes it both easy to drink and extremely food friendly.
A terrific after work tipple. $20.
Black magic
Wynns 2011 Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon
There’s a lot less of this wine than was made in 2010; winemaker Sue Hodder said she had to be ruthless to ensure only quality fruit was used from a difficult vintage.
The proof is in the pudding, however, and this is a lovely drink with depth and structure that would be perfect to take to a dinner party right now. I suspect it also will probably cellar well for a decade or more.
An Australian classic. $40.
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