The 2005 Jinglers Creek Pinot is an earthy but smooth maturing pinot. When drunk on it's own we found the fruit a bit flat but it perked up a treat when matched with our homemade meatball pasta. We grow our own veggies so the pinot had to work with an intense and acidic pasta sauce. It managed that pretty well with the tannin backend providing an interesting balance.

The 2008 Coal Valley chardonnay has a fan in James Halliday, which will make it popular with many people. But we wanted to know what local punters think so we gathered a few of them together and gave them a taste. The considered opinion once the bottle was empty was that it was a pleasant light chardonnay. Although a couple of people found it too light "it's a bit watery" they said. This solid unwooded chardonnay would make a good lunch companion and so is worth some of your hard earned cash ($28 at the cellar door). Make sure you let this wine warm a little before you drink it. Straight from the fridge it is tasteless.

Nick Glaetzer makes great rieslings. There we've said it! The 2009 Uberblanc is the Ferrari of white wine. Frankly it's a "hot lap*" in a bottle. Not everyone is going to enjoy the ride but it's certainly an experience! Lovers of mellow wines should look elsewhere but if intensity is your thing then it's time to introduce the uberblanc to the ol' taste buds.  If you like the top of your head to stay where it is put this wine in the cellar for a few months. This enhances the flavours, takes the edge of the acid somewhat and means you don't leave home without the top of your head.

We were a bit lucky when Gav turned up with this. If you think people don't find and then buy new wines on the open winery weekend you're wrong. Gav liked his first introduction to Clarence House wines and Dr David Kilpatrick "He's a unit!" he enthused. Readers of this humble website will know that Clarence House is a bit of a favourite of ours mostly because of their cheap but fantastic JV pinot. But David has shown he can produce a very tidy merlot as well. If you like merlot then you'll like this one. If all you know about merlot comes from the movie 'Sideways' then give this one a go. It surprised us with its lively fruit and overall smoothness. Very satisfying.