Recommendations from Australian walk-around

I went to an Australian Growers walk around on Friday and I wanted to share the best wines I tried – all quite reasonably priced as well!

Vanguardist Wines – It Takes a Village, Australian Grand Vin 2025 (£75 for three in bond) – Currently available en primeur, so tasting it needs to project where it’ll be in 5-10 years time. Very concentrated, it wants to open. Ripe black fruits with herbal and floral notes.

Wildman Wine – Astro Bunny South Australia Pét-Nat 2024 (£17) – Very recognisable bottle that I’ve seen in many natural wine shops around London. Deep colour, achieved by blending 10% Nero d’Avola that underwent a very small amount of skin contact. The colour degrades during fermentation. No added sulphur and minimal (if any) clarification leaving a haze. This is off putting, BUT it manages to retain pleasant fruity aromas like peach. Soft fizz. Absolutely delicious. Would drink again.

Robert Oatley – Pennant Margaret River Chardonnay 2020 (£36) – King of the whites. Oak, flint, stone fruits. Textured mouthfeel. Free run juice ONLY, the end result is focused and structured.

Pewsey Vale – ‘The Contours Museum Reserve’ Eden Valley Riesling 2012 (£40) – Developed intense kerosene aromas. Almost overpowering. Crisp lemon and lime notes on the palate. Very acidic leaving you with a crisp and refreshing aftertaste.

Yalumba – ‘The Signature’ Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz 2019 (£40) – At the Yalumba annual dinner, the “employee of the year” gets a barrel of the latest vintage and their signature is displayed on the label. Powerful but delicate. Violets and black fruits. Lots of tannins.

Henschke – Keyneton Euphonium Barossa 2018 (£37) – Wow. Best vintage and expression of the three. Violet. Fruit crumble. Leather. Mushroom.

Prices listed are from the Wine Society.

I did try a lot more but these were definitely the best. Feel to check out the all of the wines I tasted here