MAKING WINE GREAT AGAIN

Andrew Thomas is arguably one of Australia’s great modern winemakers. With a focus on regional Hunter Valley champions of shiraz and semillon, he continues to expand his portfolio of amazing individual vineyards to create wines that are exceptional value for money. BRAEMORE VINEYARD, SEMILLON, 2019

Pale lemon gold with a green edge. Lemon skin, lime leaf + skin, crushed lemongrass stalk and an almost rock salt mineral cleanliness. Signature purity and light bodied power: everything tight and coiled. Energetic with exquisite fruit. A quality release for now or 20 years’ time. Rating: 9.25/10

RRP: $35 Alc: 13.5 per cent THE COTE, SHIRAZ, 2018

From the historic Cote d’Or vineyard. Calm and restrained aromas: plum, warm blackberry, crushed musk with creamy chocolate sauce, punctuated by a smoky, earthy base. Serious, medium bodied silky and smooth with crisp, lacy tannin and impressive structure and length. Bargain.

Rating: 9/10 RRP: $35 Alc:

14.5 per cent KISS, SHIRAZ, 2018

Flagship red. Pain a chocolat, rose petal, licorice bullet, kidskin, musk stick, wedding cake + icing. The usual pin-up material fruit, here being a temporary wallflower, waiting to be celebrated by sympathetic oak. Elegant, supple and layered with a long bright tail. Rating: 9.5/10 RRP: $85 Alc: 14.5 per cent