What we’re drinking this month, including fiano, syrah, shiraz and whisky.
2014 Bellwether Shiraz Malbec, Wrattonbully, SA
2014 Bellwether Shiraz Malbec, Wrattonbully, SA
Right now this wine’s youthful bright purple fruit and slurpy juiciness are clamouring for attention, but there’s also serious spice and grippy tannin in there, waiting to emerge with more time in bottle. $28, bellwetherwines.com.au
2015 Oliver’s Taranga Fiano, McLaren Vale, SA
2015 Oliver’s Taranga Fiano, McLaren Vale, SA
With a few vintages making fiano under their belts, the team at Oliver’s Taranga has really nailed the variety: this has a rich pulpy texture and fragrant mouth-perfume but it finishes dry and super-refreshing. $24, oliverstaranga.com
Westons Caple Rd Cider, Herefordshire
Westons Caple Rd Cider, Herefordshire
Well, I’ve found my favourite summer drink. And it’s only December. This is real, good West Country cider – golden, rich, with some apple sweetness balanced by bitter-sharp tannin – in a cool can. For three bucks a pop. Fill your fridge. $3, wbaustralia.com.au
2015 Turkey Flat Quinquina, Barossa Valley, SA
2015 Turkey Flat Quinquina, Barossa Valley, SA
This is Turkey Flat’s first foray into aromatised wine and I reckon they’re onto a winner. It’s marsanne infused with citrus peel, cinchona, lemongrass and green tea: a punch of lychee aromatics dissolves to a gentle hug of bitterness. 500ml, $30, turkeyflat.com.au
2015 Luke Lambert Crudo Rosé, Yarra Valley, Vic
2015 Luke Lambert Crudo Rosé, Yarra Valley, Vic
Luke Lambert has nailed the pale, dry rosé this year: floral aromatics and a fine balance of soft satisfaction and crisp refreshment. The 2015 Crudo Shiraz is also delicious. $27, lukelambertwines.com.au
2013 Eastern Peake Walsh Block Syrah, Ballarat, Vic
2013 Eastern Peake Walsh Block Syrah, Ballarat, Vic
There’s a fabulous earthiness to many Eastern Peake reds – a primal quality, like the rich smell of compost. This has plenty of earthy scent, lurking in the black fruit and pepper, among the gravelly tannins. $38, easternpeake.com.au
2014 Pepper Tree Tallawanta Shiraz, Hunter Valley, NSW
2014 Pepper Tree Tallawanta Shiraz, Hunter Valley, NSW
I knew the 2014 vintage in the Hunter was special, but nothing quite prepared me for how unbelievably intense and dense and yet effortlessly balanced and complex this wine is. A classic Hunter red for the ages. $145, peppertreewines.com.au
2013 Kangarilla Road “The Veil”, McLaren Vale, SA
2013 Kangarilla Road “The Veil”, McLaren Vale, SA
Modelled on Jura’s vin jaune, this is white wine made from savagnin aged in the barrel under a layer of flor yeast. The result is stunning: enticing aromas of grilled nuts and fresh bread, powerful, grapefruity intensity on the tongue. $30, kangarillaroad.com.au
2014 Domaine Simha “Rani” Riesling, Hobart, Tas
2014 Domaine Simha “Rani” Riesling, Hobart, Tas
Winemaker Nav Singh’s lo-fi techniques – whole-bunch ferments, no fining or filtration – and high prices have ruffled a few conservative Tassie vignerons’ feathers, but the result is insanely good, textural, grape-pulpy riesling. $75, domainesimha.com
Ardbeg Supernova Single Malt Whisky, Islay
Ardbeg Supernova Single Malt Whisky, Islay
Named in honour of the distillery’s scheme to send whisky into orbit, this is Ardbeg with the volume knobs turned to 11. One for lovers of extremely peaty Islay malt (guilty, Your Honour), it saturates your senses with smoky seaweed. $245, moet-hennessy-collection.com.au
