Bone dry, this Head Wines Rosé does the job well. With a delightful fruit presence and onion skin appearance, this is sunset material. Layered with interest, think dried red berries and currants, rhubarb, red apple skin and red cherries, there is a fine creamy drive that keeps the tempo. Soft spices hum along as only Grenache knows how. The versatility this Rosé demonstrates further enhances its appeal. Tidy stuff. Drink now. 91/100 Region: Barossa RRP: $28 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow me: Twitter and Instagram  I ..read more

  Two components of free-run juice and barrel fermentation have been blended to produce this Fiano from Hesketh Wines.  White fleshed nectarines, poached pears, a lick of green apple and a flash of honeyed tones deliver a tasty and food friendly wine. Fine ginger spices and a little almond meal parade before a Mediterranean tonic textural feel rides long. The finish thins out a little, but above all, this would be a reliable lunch time go-to. Drink now. 90/100 Region: Clare Valley RRP: $25 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow me: Twit ..read more

  Curious aromas spill from the glass of this Hesketh Lost Weekend Chardonnay. My initial thought was those cyclone ice blocks. Candied pineapple and mango drive much of that with lime cordial, golden apple and white fleshed peach. Cinnamon and ginger spices loom large and clutch to an elongated finish. It goes okay for an easy Chardonnay hit. Drink to three years. 88/100 Region: Limestone Coast RRP: $16 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow me: Twitter and Instagram  If you enjoy the reviews, consider a donation ..read more

  In a word, excellent. This Castle Rock Estate A&W Pinot Noir speaks of the earth it sinks its roots into. Given its generosity, you could be forgiven for thinking it comes from Central Otago. From the oldest vines on the estate planted in 1986, 27% whole bunches were used and it sees French oak for ten months (18% new). What hooks you in is the length. Wow! It's seductive and never-ending. Dark cherries, freeze dried strawberries, blackcurrants, compost and mushrooms get things on the move. Flirtatious truffle, dried leaves and twigs add savoury nuances. Wonderfully autumnal, ea ..read more

  Pour this and your eyes will light up. There is a polish about its appearance as it glistens before you. Hello to another impressive Upper Tintara Shiraz from Ox Hardy. From twenty-four year old vines, it sees French oak for 15 months (15% new). Swirl the glass and blackberries and dark plums launch at you. Baked blueberries work their way forward with a fabulously attractive spice drive. As much as the fleshy fruit provides plenty to muse over, Dutch cocoa rides on their coattails. Fine brick tannins stretch the length of the straight and refuse to let go on a moreish length. It's ..read more

  Boom! What a delicious Riesling this Hesketh Watervale Riesling is. I suspect you'll find it for less than its RRP around the traps, and if you do, jump on it. It parcels up all the great things about Watervale Riesling - pretty white flower aromas, citrus drive and a flicker of minerality. Green apples and lime zest are the main players. Bright and inviting, fine chalky and powdery feels coat the mouth effortlessly drawing you closer and urging another sip thanks to that lemon sherbet tang. So refreshing and so delicious. Great stuff. Drink to five years+ 93/100 Region: Clare Va ..read more

  A little ray of sunshine, this Sauvignon Blanc showcasing the new Penny's Hill contemporary label is alive and excited. Clean and fresh, this is a very approachable wine that will be sure to find its people seeking easy times with big smiles. Packed with passionfruit, honeydew melon, pink grapefruit and a lemony twist, cut herbs, passionfruit vine leafiness add some savoury interest with crisp acidity to close. Fish and chips, lunch in the sun or an easy drink, most bases are covered. Drink now. 91/100 Region: Adelaide Hills  RRP: $24 Source: Sample Winery Website Su ..read more

  This Hesketh Regional Selections Pinot Noir is more of a lighter-bodied Shiraz than an elegant and fine lined Pinot Noir. Dense and firm cherry fruit drives hard. There is a brutish presence about its mouthfeel. Exotic and woodsy spices flank the edges with a little peppered steak and a dry finish. Perhaps some time will help? If you are seeking a silky and delicious medium-bodied red in the range, I'd happily recommend the Gamay. Drink to five years. 88/100 Region: Adelaide Hills RRP: $30 Source: Sample Winery Website Subscribe to Qwine here Follow me: Twitt ..read more

  Bright with an energetic lift, it was an excellent exercise tasting this beside its siblings. From the Porongurup sub-region of the Great Southern, this Castle Rock Estate Diletti is the wine I kept coming back to. Its presence and feel are captivating. The use of whole bunches (78%) and carbonic maceration are telling and that bunchy savoury appeal brings an intriguing drive. Spending ten months in mostly older French oak (14% new), the strawberry and red cherry fruit is buzzing with excitement and delivers a red apple lick for good measure. Plums add depth along with some earthiness ..read more

  A rustic type, this Kidman Shiraz opens up a treat. The Parker Coonawarra wines have stepped up in recent years with Ox Hardy at the helm and this is a quality drink well worth tucking away. From 50 year old vines that reach deep into the renowned Terra Rossa soil that has made Coonawarra so famous, it opens with scents of cola, licorice and rich earth before dark fruits and berries step forward. Dutch cocoa and chocolate fondant muse with fine, dusty tannins on a moreish and lengthy finish. Stay a while and an ever so subtle shimmer of mint reveals itself. Run with this and it will ..read more