There are several wine producers that are reliably good across the board. Wine writer Winsor Dobbin suggest some whose new releases are well worth sampling.
Family favourite
Zema Estate 2021 Cluny Cabernet Merlot
The Coonawarra-based Zema family makes a range of wines at various price points – all of which offer excellent value. This new release – in the zone at four years of age – is an excellent buy for lovers of classy, medium-bodied reds for immediate drinking or short-term cellaring. This is both versatile and quaffable. You can pair with anything from takeaway pizza and pasta to a Sunday roast. The cabernet and merlot have been aided and abetted by small amounts of malbec and cabernet franc to round out a package with impressive balance. $24.
Fresh & Lively
Clonakilla 2025 Riesling
From another family winery – established in 1971 – with a reputation for total reliability, this is a fresh and vibrant dry riesling from the Kirk family at Murrumbateman outside Canberra. It is a wine full of youthful joy with zesty citrus and tangy apple notes and bright acid from a vintage that Tim Kirk describes as “magnificent”. Bone dry with lively slatey minerality, here we have a perfect foil for fresh seafood (oysters or scallops), or paired with Thai or Vietnamese dishes. $38.
Super stylish
Curly Flat 2023 Estate Pinot Noir
Located in the Macedon Ranges of Victoria, Curly Flat produces three labels of site-specific pinot noir and for me this estate iteration just shades the Western and Central version although all three capture the essence of their sites. Powerful but elegant and grown, vinified and bottled on the estate. Eleven batches underwent portions of whole bunch, post ferment skin contact and individual oak treatment before blending. Complex, layered and savoury, we tried paired with duck pancakes, and then duck-fried rice. Classy. $69.
Sweet Thing
Soumah 2024 Late Harvest Viognier
Viognier is a rare grape variety from the Rhone Valley that is often used in blends. In Australia, it is much loved by both Yalumba and Soumah in the Yarra Valley outside Melbourne. While sweeter wines are out of fashion, this is a delight and would pair brilliantly with either pate/rillettes, or a cheese platter, as well as dessert pastries. The fruit was picked late, giving natural sweetness. Think ripe apricot and ginger flavours and some lively acid. $38.
Savoury Hit
De Bortoli 2024 One Line Sangiovese
The De Bortoli family has operations in the Riverina and Hunter Valley in NSW, as well as in the Yarra Valley and now Rutherglen in Victoria, having taken over what was formerly Rutherglen Estates. This is from a new range focussing on Mediterranean varietals. I tried this alongside the tempranillo and this just edged it. There is a nifty combo of bright fruit and savoury nuances here. Impressively food friendly, Try with a weekend barbecue, or a spaghetti carbonara. Impressive balance – definite quaffability. $24.
Italian bargain
Mezzacorona 2024 Pinot Grigio
Spring is just around the corner – and grigio is the ideal accompaniment to warmer days. From the Veneto region in northern Italy – the traditional home of grigio styles – you’ll find a serious bargain from our friends at Single Vineyard Sellers. Hand-harvested grapes produce an aromatic, crisp, fresh and food friendly white that would be an amiable companion with fresh oysters, or maybe a Portuguese chicken from Petersham. Vegan friendly, too. $20.
See more of Winsor’s wine reviews at www.gourmetontheroad.com.
