Nangwarry Station, Pinot Noir 2005, Mt Gambier ($22)

A good value pinot for drinking now. It was difficult to see how this might improve with ageing as it was already well integrated in an uncomplicated kind of way. Yet, it avoided being pinot jam type stuff. Great to drink by itself and good for social occassions. I drank it while on the overnight train with two Belgians. Since one can hardly ever get drinkable pinot under $30, this was good value for money. Much better than the Kono I reviewed a few weeks ago.

Mount Cole Wineworks, Shiraz 2004, Grampians ($22)

I won this bottle. Woo-hoo!!!! Any good? You bet. A shirz with some considerable individuality and is a far departure for the tyranny of Barossa style & alcohol levels shiraz. This was about as mineral and cool climate as you can get. Nicely balanced tannins across the whole palate. I loved this wine by itself, or with a soft cheese. The austerity of this stuff was a joy. At $22 a good buy, but won't please the easy drinking barbie crowd.

Mr. Riggs, Tempranillo 2006, Adelaide Hills ($27)

Three days before drinking this I became a total Adelaide Hills convert while visiting Ashton Hill winery. This is a nicely balanced cool climate tempranillo, quaffable too. Would be good value at sub $20, so I think $27 is too much.