2008 Wines from Brown Brothers

Showing the vibrant magenta colour of youth, this medium-bodied wine has fantastic lifted aromas of red berry fruits, dried herbs, pepper and an alluring floral note. These aromas follow through to the palate which has generous juicy fruit and a fine tannin structure. This supple medium-bodied Shiraz drinks well now but cellaring for 3 to 5 years from vintage will add complexity. This juicy Shiraz would be perfect with eye fillet of beef and a spicy red wine jus. Also try it with a tuna steak that has been encrusted with cracked black pepper and pan seared rare on a light green salad.

Delightfully floral nose - smells of roses, which are echoed on the crisp and crunchy palate.

Soft, perfumed peach and lemon nose and delicate melon and stone-fruit flavours with delicate spicy notes and very good length of acidity.

Rich crimson in colour, the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon . It is an elegant medium-bodied wine which displays aromas of red currant, dried herbs and has some dusty, earthy undertones. The juicy red berry fruits follow through to the palate, which is supple and savoury with fine, powdery tannins. The 2008 vintage enjoyed fantastic depth of colour and intensity of flavour in the fruit, hence this wine's tremendous concentration. It will cellar for up to 7 years from vintage.

Featuring a pale straw colour in the glass, this Chardonnay displays fresh, lifted aromas of pear and peach with subtle oak influences. On the palate the wine displays elegant stone fruit and pear flavours along with green apple notes from the cool climate King Valley grapes. This wine has a light to medium texture, balanced by a refreshing acidity.

This release is pale in colour and displays youthful green hues in the glass. The nose is lifted with aromas of citrus, tropical fruit and honeydew melon. These follow through to the palate which is crisp and fresh with hints of fruitiness. When describing this wine the words zippy and lively immediately spring to mind. This wine is best enjoyed when young and vibrant.

Note the alcohol - this out-and-out sweet red is unique. It has some dry, dusty, herbal characters, but it's awash with sweet, berried, raspberried flavour. The cienna grape has cabernet in its family history, so these flavours make sense. It has almost no tannin but heaps of sweet, juicy fruitiness. This is sweet, yes, but to dismiss it simply as that is nonsense. Make hay. The winemaking team reckons that ¥at fourteen bucks a bottle it's the hardest wine to make'. Which just goes to show the care they take in getting it this good.

This massive seller from Brown Brothers appears to be getting better every year. In the past, I've loved its aromatics but found it too sweet and cloying. No such problem with the last two vintages at least. There's those sweet wild berries, mulberries, brambles, lavish sweetness in the mid-palate and clean crisp cleansing finish. A crowd pleaser - but I can see why.

This wine has a youthful pale yellow colour and boasts aromas of spicy musk, pineapple and honeydew melon. The musk and tropical fruit characters follow through to the palate which is well balanced with a refreshing acidity.

This latest release boasts an intense garnet red colour and delicious aromas of blackcurrent, dried herbs, tobacco and spice. The palate is rich, ripe and full of berry flavours with the trademark peppery character typical to this varietal. The wine was aged in old French oak, allowing the natural fruit characters to express themselves.

Young, tight wine with lively and lifted, perfumed aromas, a long, fine bead and a delicate palate of melons and citrus flavours.

This is one of the Reliables, and it has been present in every edition of Quaff. Once again, it's bloody good. There are marvellous, bold floral aromatics - rose petal and Turkish delight - and vibrant sweet flavours, but also excellent balance from the crisp, cleansing acidity. It's the one.

This current release has a pale gold colour with subtle green hues and a delicate nose displaying stone fruit, pear juice and integrated, subtle oak. These characters follow through to the palate which is complex with hints of nuttiness and balances beautifully with the natural acidity of the cool climate fruit. This wine will gain further depth and complexity with cellaring for up to 3 years.

This Limited Release Heathcote Shiraz boasts a deep ruby red colour with vibrant purple hues and aromas of black berries, white pepper and cedar wood. There is also plenty of generous berry fruit and spicy notes which carry through to the palate - a typical trait of fruit sourced from the Heathcote area. The 2008 Limited Release Heathcote Shiraz also displays balanced acidity, integrated tannins and a lingering palate. This wine will gain complexity with age.

This is the first trial of a Limited Release Pinot Grigio. An enormous effort has gone into the vineyard with crop thinning, canopy management and hand picking. Add to that the wine received the gold class treatment in the winery. In the glass the wine has a straw colour with a youthful green hue. It boasts fresh aromas of citrus, pear and green apple, while the palate offers some distinct savoury characters and a crisp finish of delicate acidity thanks to the cool climate fruit. Unlike the French style which is richer on the palate, Pinot Grigio is dry, crisp and fresh. True to Pinot Grigio style, this is best served chilled and enjoyed within 1-4 years of vintage.

This current release has a nose of minerally, flinty and slate characters, which are closely followed by the classic cool climate lime of Riesling. These aromas follow through to the palate which has lingering citrus flavours and racy acidity. This stunning wine makes fabulous drinking now but will continue to develop in the bottle for 8 years from vintage if properly cellared.

In the glass this wine shows a ruby red colour and lifted aromas of red berries, plum, dried herbs and spices. These aromas follow through to the palate where the juicy plum characters balance the soft tannins. It is a versatile wine that can be enjoyed now, or will reward cellaring for up to 4 years from vintage.

Subdued nose but an open, earthy palate with silky tannins and good acid. 3-5

Smells of bath salts with a lovely perfumed lift, and followed by a sweet, grapey palate.