Dromana Estate, Shiraz Viognier 2005, Mornington Peninsula ($22)

At $22 probably at the top end of what can tenably called 'everyday drinking' wine - and I'm not sure many would go as high up as $22. Nonetheless this is good quaffing stuff drinking straight from the bottle without the need to air. Inevitably I would compare this with the $9 Yalumba Y series shiraz viognier and the $16 Innocent Bystander offering. Certainly Dromana's has better balance that Yalumba's and less acidity making it more pleasant. And it has less tannin than Innocent Bystander's offering meaning it does not require airing. The bouquet was not strong, but the mouthfeel was nice, thick and rounded in all areas in that way you would hope a shiraz viognier would be. We drank this in Dromana's restaurant so at $22 a good price for a bottle. A safe crowd pleaser.

McClay Road (Giaconda), Shiraz 2005, Beechworth ($20 at auction, $35 new)

What a beauty! The smell, the mouthfeel, the whole kit and caboodle. Lovely stuff and at $20 a steal. At the retail price of $35 still a good wine. For me, a hint of dark cherry when drunk by itself, maybe other red fruit when eaten with blue cheese. Easy the drink and go, go, go. I'd raved about Mount Cole Shiraz a few weeks ago. This is completely different. I'm tempted to give Mt Cole the edge but this is still formidable stuff. Awesome - a pleasure to drink.

Yrsa's Vineyard, Ursa Major Pinot Noir 2003, Mornington Peninsula ($13 at auction)

2003 pinot should be a nice drop by now with secondary flavours taking their rightful throne. The Red Hill Estate stuff I had two months ago showed the way - thick, unctuous, powerful and even. By comparison this offering pales by comparison, not having anything like the lushness of flavour or the punch that Red Hill had across the whole (or any part of the) palate. So at $13 we ended up with a drinkable wine, but not one you'd think of buying again even at $13. I'm told the 2004 was heaps better. Missable.

Brown Magpie, Shiraz 2006, Geelong,($27)

In my book Geelong region is representing great value wines. Wines costing $20 from this region would be well over $30 from the increasingly over-priced Mornington Peninsula. This wine was recommended when I went to the Fed Square Victorian Regional Wine Showcase and it wowed. Well integrated and smooth across the whole palate. There is some depth coming from dark fruit. Those nose is lovely. Great value, and will be better in 6 months time as that incy-wincy bit of acidity from youth mellows out. Buy if you can. Will be trying the 2005 tomorrow.