Barry Weinman: May 2026

Across various blind tastings conducted over the last few weeks, these are some of the standout wines.

Reviewed

Mann – Cygne Blanc – Sparkling – 2023. Quite a bit richer in colour than a typical pinot/chardonnay blend, taking on a golden straw hue. What struck me most about this wine is just how enjoyable it is to drink. Very supple, with a delicious generosity to the fruit profile. The finish is quite rich and round, but with excellent acid balance to keep things fresh and alive, and very good length of flavour — tending to bold rather than subtle, but not heavy. The residual sugar is an important addition, contributing richness and mouthfeel. A delightfully different expression of sparkling wine, unique to the Swan Valley. 12.5% alc | $50

Singlefile – Great Southern – Chardonnay/Pinot Noir – NV. A very impressive wine. There is real depth and power to the fruit, supported by a degree of richness from the autolytic characters. The blend is 84% chardonnay and 16% pinot noir, with the former the driving force, contributing the citrus fruit characters. The gentle autolytic characters add depth and texture, showing subtle brioche and dough notes. A superb wine equally at home with fine food as it is on its own. A blend of seven different vintages spanning 2015 to 2021, with a proportion of fruit from Pemberton. Spent four years on lees and, with a dosage of only 3 g/l, this could be classified as extra-brut. Available exclusively from the cellar door due to limited production. 12.5% alc | 95 points | $60.

Singlefile – Riesling – 2025. Packed full of lime juice and lifted florals, but it is the minerality that grabs your attention — and the way the palate flows uninterrupted to a very long finish, despite the zesty acidity. A remarkable feat: the palate is supple and textured, with no rough edges whatsoever. Despite being a delicious and brillaint drink now, this will only improve with time in bottle, developing richness and power as the fruit slowly unwinds. The subtle phenolics and whisper of residual sugar elevate it further. The team at Singlefile suggest 2025 was a great year for riesling in the region — and with wines like this, I am not going to argue. A bargain. 12.5% alc | 95 points | $28

Singlefile – Run Free – Pinot Grigio – 2025. A lovely wine. Floral aromatics combine with gentle viscosity and great acid balance. Most noteworthy is the length of flavour, with the grapey fruit making an impact along the full length of the palate. Fresh enough to make this a great afternoon drink, yet with enough savoury structure to be an excellent companion to lighter foods. 12.9% alc | 93+ points | $28

Vasse Felix – Filius – Sauvignon Blanc – 2025. “Yum” is not a term I normally reach for with sauvignon blanc, but it fits here. Not overly complex, yet this has presence, depth and a mouth-coating texture that is quite remarkable. The fruit and texture linger for an age, developing gentle nutty characters. Almost chewy. In the blind tasting I was at a loss to identify the variety, but it is delicious and would be a great counterpoint to a mushroom risotto or grilled chicken. 100% of the wine was matured in seasoned oak barrels. 13.0% alc | 93 points | $28.