Angullong ‘Fossil Hill’ Tempranillo 2023: 93 Points
“Very good tempranillo. Good flavour, good emphasis, some gravity and an extra push through the finish. Red berry flavours, spice notes, an all-round freshness and an excellent balance between bass, mid-range and treble. It’s a delight to drink, and it’s more than that.” Campbell Mattinson, The Winefront
Angullong ‘Fossil Hill’ Chardonnay 2023: 93 Points
“This is $30 well spent. This has a bit of class, a lot of length, and is just plain attractive from start to finish. It tastes of grapefruit, oyster shells, lemonade and nectarine, and while it’s pretty racy there’s texture and there’s enough flavour to hold onto. I dare say that it will continue to build with extra time in the bottle too. Allow this wine to breathe and both fennel and vanilla characters whisper their way in. I’m a fan..” Campbell Mattinson, The Winefront
First Ridge ‘Uova Bella’ Fiano Vermentino 2025: 95 Points
“From the first swirl of the glass, this brand new blend from First Ridge wines immediately announces its individuality.
“A blend of Fiano and Vermentino was fermented for three weeks in a terracotta egg. I suspect this may have been the first experiment with this vessel at First Ridge. The rounded feels, time on skins and phenolics shine.
“It opens with scents of lemons, lemon curd and white fleshed stonefruit. A sheet of citrus flowers and elderflower is draped over the top adding a delightful perfume. Mid-palate focused, the grip and green tea like texture from time on skins adds a chewy phenolic detail. A thread of soft spices ripples through with a lashing of cinnamon for good measure. The longer I sat with it, the more infatuated I became as it reminded me of an excellent textural Fiano I tasted late last year. Impressive, considered and superb drinking.” QWine Reviews
First Ridge Fiano 2025: 95 Points
“Super Fiano! What a beauty we have here from Mudgee producer First Ridge. Waltz into the room with this and you’ll win a horde of friends. Gee, this is impressive. It absolutely nails the brief. Lemon blossom, lemon zest and juice thrive with pie apple and green apple skin adding further interest. A delicate, lacy creaminess is etched into its fabric with a fine textural appeal feathered throughout. Softly spiced on close to keep you itching for more, go here.” QWine Reviews
Cooks Lot ‘Allotment 333’ Riesling 2025: 95 Points
“This young & fragrant cool-climate Riesling from Duncan Cook & team delivers an upfront blast of floral aromas channeling honeysuckle blossoms, soft verbena and wafts of rosewater. The clean and zippy acid mid-palate allows the fulsome flavours to unfurl and entice. This delightful Riesling is generous in characteristics, albeit in a boundary-stretching way, and shows some intrigue and complexity which would reward short-term cellaring. It is well priced and already the winner of 1 Trophy, undoubtedly with more to come.” Winelines, Gilbert Labour
