Stella Bella 'Suckfizzle' Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Margaret River, Western Australia $39.00 (53538)
Inky-black in the glass, this is a ripper of a red. Mint, savoury and ripe black fruit aromas form a segue to this medium-bodied, chock full of flavour beauty. The deep, rich concentrated flavours include bramble berry, chocolate, cassis and spice box. It's extremely well balanced and beautifully-textured. The finish is lengthy and adds a layer of espresso roast and black licorice flavours. Very well priced. (VH)
Stella Bella Wines Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot 2004
Margaret River, Western Australia $24.95 (47639)
This winery is an outstanding discovery. Medium bodied and exuding restrained elegance, look for a lifted nose of cherry and mulberry then a delicious mouthful of ripe fruit flavours—black plum compote and spicy black cherry to the fore. You'll also find hints of chocolate, vanilla and spice box. The charming finish delivers more of the same along with finely grained tannins for structure and just a dash of moderating acidity. Great balance, honest value and a lovely wine. (VH)
Thorn Clarke 'Shotfire' Shiraz 2005
Barossa Valley, South Australia $24.40 (18796)
This is a gargantuan Shiraz providing a huge mouthful of concentrated (from low yields of only 1 ½ - 2 tons per acre) and rich flavours. Look for sweet and expressive aromas and flavours of bramble berry, Bing Cherry, black licorice, dark chocolate and mint. There's also perceptible ripe and friendly tannins and lashings of oak (American and French - 40% new). Good to go now with lamb or beef grilled rare to medium rare. It could also be cellared until 2010 and enjoyed until 2015. (VH)
Peter Lehmann 'Futures' Shiraz 2004
Barossa Valley, South Australia $34.95 (606780)
Look for full-bore Barossa Shiraz here that delivers what most wines can only promise—superb now, with careful ageing it will provide excellent drinking until 2015. Aromas of cherry, spice box and oak provide the segue to this full-bodied and racy, rich red. The mélange of flavours include chocolate mint, cassis, mulberry and generous ladles of wonderfully-moderating acidity. It's warm (14.5% alcohol), but very well structured and balanced. The finish is lengthy and luxurious. Pick up 3 or more. (VH)
Stella Bella 'Skuttlebutt' Sauvignon Blanc / Semillon 2006
Margaret River, Western Australia $17.95 (47621)
The wine is as delightful as the name. Expect a very robust and racy nose of citrus (lemon and lime) with some notes of minerality. The flavours are zingy and refreshing with pineapple, red grapefruit and peach included. It's medium bodied and the clean and refreshing finish is also medium in length. Steamed mussels in a white wine sauce pair perfectly. (VH)
Leasingham 'Bin 56' Cabernet Sauvignon 2202
Clare Valley, South Australia $24.95 (39545)
The warm days and cool nights of the Clare had a hand in fashioning this rich and concentrated red. Above all, expect understated elegance and absolutely perfect balance. The aromas and flavours are redolent of sweet kirsch liqueur, bright red cherry and savoury notes. Nothing over-the-top (14% alcohol) and everything is in synch including the fruit-forward (more cherry and spice) lengthy finish. This is a lovely drop at a price that clearly favours you, the purchaser. (VH)
Peter Lehmann Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Barossa Valley, South Australia $19.95 (605741)
This is a wonderful drop reflecting the 3 Rs - rich, robust and really good value. It was matured in French and American oak 12 months, explaining the aromas of vanilla and coconut that are intermingled with mint and notes of pepper and cloves. The flavours are rich, racy and concentrated with black currant, red cherry and kirsch. The finish is clean and fruit-forward. The quality to price balance is ratio is skewed in your favour. Pair with pasta in a spicy and rich meat and tomato sauce. (VH)
Stella Bella Semillon / Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Margaret River, Western Australia $19.95 (48546)
We're beginning to see more and more of these blends and that's a very good thing. Alluring aromas of honeycomb and floral notes form the lifted nose. The flavours are spicy, racy and refreshing. Look for vibrant hits of gooseberry and pineapple along with generous portions of delectable orange rind and assorted citrus flavours including white grapefruit. The finish is zingy and looking for a fillet of freshwater fish (bass or trout) under a generous squirt of freshly-squeezed lemon. (VH)
Stella Bella Shiraz 2005
Margaret River, Western Australia $22.95 (48553)
Just what you would expect from well-made Shiraz from Margaret River—spice and pepper on the nose and in the flavours along with a gusher of gorgeous red and black berry fruit. There are perceptible, but acceptable tannins, loads of tang for balance and a gloriously-lengthy and gorgeously-flavoured finish. This pairs well with steak (beef, elk or venison) grilled rare to medium rare. (VH)
Château de Flaugergues 'La Mejanelle' Cuvée Sommelière 2006
AOC Coteaux du Languedoc $18.45 (65896)
This is a beautiful blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre that over-delivers for the price. The texture is full and smooth and the flavours—dominated by raspberry coulis and spicy red fruit and berries—are rich and complex. Dry and well-structured with moderate tannins, it achieves excellent balance between fruit and acidity. I sipped it with well-seasoned (garlic, rosemary, lavender, pepper), grilled lamb chops. I recommend you do the same. (RP)