Innocent Bystander, Victoria, Shiraz-Viognier 2006 It’s very neat how you get the ripeness of Shiraz, the black fruits that we love, with the cooler climate marker of black pepper, all in one bottle. This is a great walk down the middle of Syrah/Shiraz paradigms. In the mouth it is soft and ripe with a nice [...]

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Chambers Rosewood Vineyards, Rutherglen, Muscat nv The nose smells of oranges and brown spices, as if wound into a custard. In the mouth the wine is rich, very complex, soft and luxurious. This wine and others like it from Rutherglen are a great value, giving you a great sense of complexity for the price. Lot [...]

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Innocent Bystander, Victoria, Pinot Noir 2007
This is one of those Pinots that has the smoky character of an ashtray. In the mouth, there are green characters and astringency – a disappointment from this producer. The grapes are sourced from vineyards in Sexton, Quarry Ridge and Tarraford. Produced in Healesville 13.5% $15.99 at K&L Innocent Bystander

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Innocent Bystander Victoria Moscato 2007
This wine is so pretty – it has the essence of Muscat’s perfume in a light-bodied format. It would be perfect with a light dessert of fresh berries in the summer. Produced in Healesville 5.5% $8.99 (375ml) at K&L Innocent Bystander

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On a later date we tasted the substantial Pinot from Amisfield alongside this gem from Australia.
Kooyong Mornington Peninsula Haven Pinot Noir 2004
This is one of the single vineyard bottlings from Kooyong. Tasted a year later in December ‘08, there are stewed red fruits and smokiness. In the mouth, the wine is quite concentrate with plenty [...]

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In this latest taste-off, we look at a Kiwi Chardonnay alongside the Giaconda.
Babich Hawke’s Bay Unoaked Chardonnay 2006
This wine is all stainless steel. P&B in Henderson 13.5% $10.99 at K&L Babich
Two delicious wines, two very different interpretations of one grape.
Yangarra McLaren Vale Un-Oaked Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2007
Full of a bevy of fruits with built up [...]

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Two Hands Barossa Valley Brilliant Disguise Moscato 2006
This wine shows like Moscato d’Asti, not to the same level of fresh orange blossom as the best from Piedmont, but still in a similar vein. Made from White Frontignac or Muscat Frontignan by Two Hands in Marananga 6.5% $16.49 (500ml) at Bottle Barn Two Hands
Chambers Rosewood [...]

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