Spring has sprung and wine writer Winsor Dobbin has selected some standout recent releases for your seasonal drinking pleasure.
Mudgee Magic
Lowe Bio-Logical 2023 Rosé
Mudgee winemaker David Lowe’s excellent range of David Lowe’s Bio-Logical wines tick a whole lot of hipster boxes. They are organic, preservative free and vegan friendly, for starters. But just as importantly they also extremely drinkable with this young rosé, made from shiraz and cabernet sauvignon grapes, and the table wine shiraz both outstanding. I loved the vibrancy of this, and it is a perfect choice for spring quaffing. Bright fruit, minerality and sparky acid combine impressively. $45.
Italian stallion
Corte Carista Chianti Superiore DOCG 2020
Good Chianti is a terrific partner for most Italian dishes, particularly pizza and pasta. This is a seriously good Chianti, made by internationally renowned consultant Alberto Antonini, that offers exceptional value. It is a delightful wine ideal for midweek drinking with black cherry and plum fruit to the fore and a mellow vibe. It is a blend of sangiovese and canaiolo grapes, two favourite Tuscan varieties. It is ready for immediate enjoyment, and you’ll find it in Aldi stores for a wickedly cheap $12.
Tread Lightly
Pewsey Vale Lighter 9% 2022 Riesling
There are far too many low-alcohol wines that taste as if they have been diluted with water. Thankfully, this is not one of them. Weighing-in at 9% alcohol this actually tastes like a quality Eden Valley riesling. Tasted blind I would not pick it as having reduced alcohol. Fresh and zingy thanks to grapes being harvested as the first ripe flavours develop, It has all the varietal character you would hope for, plenty of fresh citrus notes, lively acid on the palate and would pair well with fish and chips or a range of Asian dishes. $27.
Red Devil
Wickhams Road 2022 Cabernet Franc
Wickhams Road is the entry- level label of Hoddle’s Creek, a family-owned Yarra Valley winery that is known for great value across the board. The Wickhams Road wines are made using fruit from growers rather than the estate and this cabernet franc, delightfully light on its feet, is sourced from the little-known Yea Valley – around 110km north-east of Melbourne. It is the first release of this wine, and it is an immediate hit at a more than fair $20.
Sprightly white
Feudo Arancio 2022 Grillo
I’ve written about the wines from Feudo Arancio in the past, but my excuse is that they make some of the best-value Italian drops that you’ll find in Australia. This is a lovely summer wine from Sicily, fresh and composed with delightful balance. It has floral and nutty aromas leading on to a savoury palate. Enjoy well chilled with a picnic. Imported by Single Vineyard Sellers. $20.
Alpha red
Warrabilla 2022 Reserve Shiraz
There is still a time and a place for a big, robust red wine with plenty of flavour. When it is time to cook a big juicy steak, or maybe fricassee some mushrooms, wines like this make a joyful pairing. This is from a family-owned and -operated estate outside Rutherglen that has a reputation for bold, powerful reds. This weighs in at 16% alcohol and has oodles of concentrated dark fruit flavours, well integrated oak, and lots of length. A fun throwback. $35.
See more of Winsor’s wine reviews at www.gourmetontheroad.com
