Margaret Swaine’s Wine Pick: Aussie artisan wines

I highly recommend these acclaimed Aussie artisan wines from last Saturday’s Vintages release. Full of personality and taste find them via WineAlign.com/MargaretsPicks.

Paxton AAA Shiraz Grenache 2010, $19.95

This McLaren Vale red from South Australia gives you a warm feeling in body and soul. Biodynamically farmed and part of an organization that donates 1% of sales to environmental causes, the wine has nice warmth to its smooth ripe berry flavours. Supple and full on the palate with notes of smoke, mocha and oak, it’s value priced and perfect for fall days.

Spinifex Papillon 2010, $29.95

Barossa Valley’s Spinifex is known for achieving Old World elegance in their New World wines. Winemaker Peter Schell has worked many vintages in France and his French born wife comes from a long line of vignerons. This blend of grenache, cinsault, carignan and shiraz has cool climate, Rhone-like flavours full of bright red berry, gamey and savoury garrigue notes. Medium bodied with supple tannins, it’s balanced and food friendly.

Yabby Lake Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2010, $39.95

Mornington Peninsula in Victoria is blessed with the cooling effect of the Indian Ocean and ideal soils for cool climate viticulture. This Yabby Lake chardonnay from there may be costly but it’s worth every penny. Intense, poised with Meursault-like smoky, toasty flavours, it has length and focus. Citrus and mineral notes add freshness and precision. Crack open with fine company.