by Martin Field
Veuve Clicquot Rosé Brut NV – seen for $78 – ****
Reims, France. A classic blend of pinot noir, pinot meunier, and chardonnay along with a percentage of red wine to give its delicate salmon-flesh colour. The nose shows complex aromas of strawberry shortcake and a hint of Turkish Delight. In the mouth, we find more flavours of strawberry along with fresh brioche and a refreshing touch of acidity at the finish.
Tyrrell’s Pinot Noir Chardonnay Brut 2005 – up to $27 – ***
Hunter Valley, New South Wales. This wine had two years on yeast lees before disgorgement. Pale lemon in colour. Nose of sweet biscuit and citrus blossom. The palate is dry and full with a pleasant beady tingle, and a tangy finish reminiscent of a squeeze of lemon over a wedge of Granny Smith apple pie.
Angove Butterfly Ridge Riesling Traminer 2008 – up to $7 – **
Generous tropical fruit aromatics. The palate in this quaffable white is soft, stone-fruity and off dry. Good value for a drink any time style.

Sevenhill Inigo Riesling 2008 – expect to pay $18 to $20 – ****
Clare Valley, South Australia. Attractive floral and lemon sherbet nose. The palate is dry, clean and assertive – stacked with essences of lemon and lime and lastingly tangy. Perfect as a lip-smacking aperitif or as an entrée accompaniment. Cellar for up to seven years.
Sirromet Seven Scenes Chardonnay 2007 – around $25 – ***
Granite Belt, Queensland. Noosa-ites and Queenslanders are sniffy about Queensland wine – they don’t drink it. Don’t know why. The range of local product I’ve tasted, if not always top rank, is generally palatable and presentable at any table. This one has a lovely apricot and toasted oak bouquet. The palate is fresh, and the underlying oak supports a slightly acidic nectarine flavour profile. Serve with entrées.
Watershed Margaret River Shades Rosé 2008 – around $17 – **
A blend of 90% shiraz and 10% merlot. Pinkish with a hint of violet hue. Sweet and juicy nose of summer berry fruits. A soft, easy drinking style showing a tang of raspberry and just enough grapey sweetness.
Nautilus Marlborough Pinot Noir 2007 – up to $43 – ***
New Zealand. Medium ruby hues. The nose is savoury, showing understated French oak and a dark cherry fragrance. The palate is well balanced from start to finish and displays aspects of maraschino cherry and a slight, pleasing toastiness from the oak. A relatively high alcohol content (14%) adds warmth and sweetness. Its medium-weighted tannic texture supports persistency of flavour as you swallow.
Jean-Paul’s Shiraz 2006 – cellar door $20 – ****$
Yea Valley, Victoria. A rich bouquet of blackberry, plum, and oak smokiness leap out of the glass as you sniff this one. The palate is similarly generous with upfront, as yet untamed tannins, extravagant blackberry conserve, and – he pauses to pour another glass – a shot of espresso with a splash of chocolate liqueur to follow. A bargain-priced red for serious red wine drinkers. Too young to drink yet – will benefit from at least a year in the cellar and will keep gracefully to 2016.
Rating system
Five stars ***** – outstanding
**** – classy
*** – first-rate
** – good stuff
* – commercial
A $ denotes excellent value for money. All prices in Australian dollars