Middle of winter  in Melbourne, with some seriously frosty mornings and cold windy days, required some digging into the cellar. Reds with some age provided softer warming characteristics and the opportunity to savour added complexity. Still plenty of room though for recently released reds as well. An impressive pair from Spinifex, both with fruit from the Adelaide Hills (instead of the Barossa Valley) – a 2012 Aglianico and a shiraz called La Colline, from 2010. Both excellent, approachable in their youth but will equally reward some cellaring.

I’ve been particularly enjoying aged nebbiolo-based wines, and this has prompted seeking out some replacements to hide away in the cellar for a few years. While waiting for those though, I will happily drink some SC Pannell By SCP Nebbiolo 2012 and it’s sister wine, By SCP Touriga 2012. Both very good value.

From Spain wines made predominantly from Tempranillo, Garnacha or both have also been impressive, including the Capcanes Lasendal Garnacha 2012 and a pair from Palacios Remondo, the ‘La Vendimia’ 2012 and ‘La Montesa’ 2010.

As for whites, texture has been the key element and wines such as these all have it – Mount Mary Chardonnay 2012, Onannnon Chardonnay Gippsland 2012, Farr Rising Chardonnay 2013, Domaine Paul Blanck Riesling 2013, Heymann-Lowenstein Scheiferterrassen Riesling 2012 and Brokenwood Maxwell Vineyard Semillon 2006.

Happy drinking.