Cheap treat
Berton Estate 2015 Classic Chardonnay
This is often one of the best-value chardonnays in the store; and that is certainly the case with the 2015 vintage, which has produced a crisp, fresh and easy-to-drink wine from Padthaway in South Australia with tropical fruit flavours to the fore, hints of citrus and barely discernible oak.
There is plenty of length, it is well balanced and an excellent budget option for sampling with pork chops, or maybe a chicken casserole.
It’s a lot classier than the price suggests. $12.
Ripper red
Wirra Wirra 2014 Church Block
This is always reliably good but the 2014 vintage has produced a particularly impressive red.
With a pedigree stretching back to 1972, this McLaren Vale wine is composed of cabernet sauvignon, shiraz and merlot grapes and it sings with impressive power, quality oak and the structure to age in the cellar, should you be tempted.
I’d rather opt to enjoy this in its flamboyant youth and pair it with a gourmet pizza or maybe some spaghetti al a matriciana. $20.
Worth a splurge
Frankland Estate 2015 Isolation Ridge Riesling
The Great Southern Region of Western Australia is emerging as a producer of wonderfully intense and steely dry rieslings, with family-owned organic producer Frankland Estate leading the charge with a range of outstanding offerings.
This one sits in the middle price-wise, made from fruit grown on ironstone and blessed with a tell-tale minerally/flinty backbone.
There is a lot going on here; great length and cellaring potential. Lovely stuff. $40.
