Welcome to James Halliday’s 12 wines of Christmas. James has selected 12 stunning wines guaranteed to please over the festive season.
All wines featured should be readily available at retail outlets or from the wineries themselves. Enjoy!
Wine One: 2005 Peter Lehmann Margaret Barossa Semillon
Rating: 94, Release price: $30, Drink by: 2020, Alc: 11.5%
A complex wine; when compared next to Hunter semillons it has a different DNA code; tasted separately, it looks as much Hunter as Barossa; manages to combine ripe citrus flavour with delicacy; long, satisfying finish.
Wine Two: 2009 Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Black Label)
Rating: 96, Release price: $34.99, Drink by: 2024, Alc: 14%
Deep colour; it spent 15 months in a mix of old and new French and American oak barriques, giving rise to a fragrant and expressive bouquet of black fruits, spice and cedar nuances. The palate really sings with dark berry fruit, oak and tannins the supporting orchestra. Right up there with the best Black Labels. Screwcap.
Wine 3: 2011 Cape Mentelle Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc Semillon
Rating: 95, Release price: $27.95, Drink by: 2017, Alc: 13%
Bright quartz-green; this is the unwooded version of Cape Mentelle's sauvignon blanc semillon, but shows the fruit intensity and complexity that allows the (oaked) Wallcliffe version to succeed so well. Here there is a panoply of aromas and flavours spanning citrus/grapefruit, stone fruit and tropical fruits (whatever you care to mention) sustained by lovely natural acidity. Screwcap.
Wine 4: NV Stefano Lubiana Brut
Rating: 94, Release price: $30, Drink by: 2015, Alc: 12.5%
Bright colour; lemon curd, hazelnut and a suggestion of brioche; the palate is fine and fresh, with a refreshing backbone of chalky acidity; detail, freshness and length, working seamlessly together.
Wine 5: 2010 Penny’s Hill Cracking Black McLaren Vale Shiraz
Rating: 95, Release price: $22, Drink by: 2025, Alc: 14.5%
Crimson-purple; an enticing bouquet full of fruit and hints of spice and oak draws you into a juicy, textured palate with dark plum, blackberry, licorice and bitter chocolate all having their say on the long palate, the extract well constructed.
Wine 6: 2011 Devils Lair Fifth Leg Rose
Rating: 91, Release price: $17.99, Drink by: 2012, Alc: 13%
Made at Devil's Lair from Western Australian shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and merlot, by no means all from Margaret River. Vivid magenta-pink, it is all about red fruits, from strawberries to cherries to wild strawberries with their faintly savoury edge. There is the barest hint of sweetness - softness, really - on the finish, making it a top aperitif style.
Wine 7: 2009 Hay Shed Hill Pitchfork Margaret River Cabernet Merlot
Rating: 94, Release price: $16, Drink by: 2018, Alc: 14.3%
Pitchfork is Hay Shed Hill's second label, but the skill of Michael Kerrigan means you don't realise that if you simply taste the wine without investigating its antecedents. The fragrant red fruit bouquet has herbaceous rolled-leaf and cedar notes, the palate is lively and accessible, with plenty of stuffing providing a classic Margaret River ride. This is outstanding value for such quality, its controlled alcohol giving you the best of both worlds for consumption now or later - say 7 years.
Wine 8: 2009 Port Phillip Estate Mornington Peninsula Chardonnay
Rating: 96, Release price: $30, Drink by: 2018, Alc: 13.5%
Bright colour; a savoury and complex wine showing charcuterie, lemon blossom, grilled cashew and fennel; the palate is tightly wound, fresh, vibrant, long and complete, offering texture, crunchy acidity and a linear conclusion.
Wine 9: 2009 Nugan Estate Frasca's Lane Vineyard King Valley Chardonnay
Rating: 94, Release price: $19.95, Drink by: 2016, Alc: 13.5%
Light straw-green; a most attractive wine that has totally absorbed the barrel fermentation and maturation for 15 months in new and seasoned French oak; the bouquet is delicate but very fragrant, the palate fine and long, with white peach and citrus to the fore.
Wine 10: 2009 Mount Langi Ghiran Vineyards Cliff Edge Shiraz
Rating: 96, Release price: $30, Drink by: 2029
Bright crimson; a fragrant bouquet encompasses spice, plum, black cherry and blackberry aromas that flow through to the medium-bodied palate, there picking up quality oak, and finishing with polished tannins. Great bargain.
Wine 11: 2011 Bay of Fires Riesling
Rating: 96, Release price: $31.50, Drink by: 2026, Alc: 12%
Pale straw-green; intense lime blossom and lime zest aromas leads into a superb palate with lime juice flavours a la the Mosel Valley lengthened by perfectly balanced acidity. Something quite special. Screwcap.
Wine 12: 2007 Heemskerk Coal River Valley Chardonnay Pinot Noir
Rating: 95, Release price: $59.99, Drink by: 2012, Alc: 12%
Pale straw-green, with persistent mousse; most, if not entirely, sourced from the Tolpuddle Vineyard in the Coal River Valley, and fermented in its elegant bottle. It has a base of white peach and nectarine fruit, a sprinkle of spice, and excellent length. Overall, has elegance and harmony. Cork.