New Release highlights – June 2024

Barry Weinman: 2 July 2024

Across the month, there were a few wines that stunned the panel for their ridiculous value and quality. Wines that will delight this winter at a variety of price points.

Reviewed

Xanadu – Stevens Road – Cabernet Sauvignon 2021. OMG, this is good. Very good. Outstanding even. The quality of the fruit is superb, but it is the winemaking that takes this to another level altogether. Silky, supple and seamless, the gentle intensity and subtle power (Is there such a thing?) coalesce on the palate to make for an amazing experience. Age-worthy? Yes, but I can’t recall another cabernet of this quality drinking better than this on release.
That said, as this sits in the glass, the intensity and structure start to really build. Fabulous. 13.5% alc – 96pts.

Singlefile – Grenache – 2023. Oooo, I like this a lot. Really pretty and supple with wonderful fragrant fruit characters. The palate is slurpable, gently spiced and downright fun. Yet this is a serious wine that should appeal to the connoisseur. The winemaking is very slick, serving to highlight the fruit, rather than colour the wine in any way. May age, but why bother? This provides huge drinking enjoyment right now. 13.6% alc – 95pts.

Singlefile – Run Free – Shiraz – 2023. There is a degree of gravitas to the wine which is surprising for a wine at this price point. There is decent density, texture and structure, yet this remains approachable and very enjoyable at this early stage of its development, with a supple mouthfeel and gentle tannins/acid on the finish. An excellent current drinking affordable shiraz. 13.6% – 93pts – $28.

Mount Langi Ghiran – Pepper Series – Shiraz – 2022. A very smart wine. Supple, savoury notes, red currant/berry fruit. Little in the way of oak. Excellent acidity carrying the finish. A bargain from Aldi. 14.0% – 92pts – $16.