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Australia and New Zealand are both world-class wine regions in the Southern Hemisphere, but each country has its own set of distinctive regions, styles, varieties and talented winemakers. Today's selection, with wines from six different grapes, will give you a head start on your journey through the styles of Australia and New Zealand. Pick up a Cabernet or Shiraz to get you through the cold weather, or opt for a juicy white wine while pretending it's summer just like in the Southern Hemisphere right now.
DUCK HUNTER Pinot Noir Marlborough 2018
WS Review: Supple and elegant, offering fresh strawberry and cranberry flavors that mingle well with mineral and fresh herb accents. A note of matcha lingers on the finish, with powdery tannins. From New Zealand. Drink now. 1,932 cases imported.
Why It's of Note: Duck Hunter is a new winery, tapping the talents of winemaker Kim Crawford, one of New Zealand's most recognized names. Pinot Noir is New Zealand's premier red grape, which does well in the country's cool climates like Central Otago, Martinborough and Marlborough, where this bottling hails from.
BEN HAINES Chardonnay Yarra Valley 2017
WS Review: Soft and supple, featuring notes of crème fraîche and butterscotch and a vivid, juicy thread of pear and citrus flavors set on a light, elegant frame, with spice details on the finish. From Australia. Drink now. 150 cases imported.
Why It's of Note: Winemaker Ben Haines pays close attention to the vineyards he sources his grapes from, showcasing distinct terroirs and microclimates in his wines, which have a focus on red and white Rhône varieties. This Chardonnay from Yarra Valley is made from two sites in Upper Yarra and Coldstream.
PENFOLDS Shiraz South Australia Bin 28 Kalimna 2016
WS Review: The cherry and plum flavors have good intensity and appealing traction from dense tannins and notes of black licorice and tobacco. The tannins firm up further on the appealingly chewy finish, where details of clay and dried olive emerge. From Australia. Drink now through 2029. 9,560 cases imported.
Why It's of Note: Penfolds started making their now-cult cuvée, Grange, in 1952, and the winery has since drawn significant attention to Australia's wine scene, especially to the potential of its Shiraz. Now overseen by winemaker Peter Gago, Penfolds makes a range of diverse reds from Cabernet, Mourvèdre and, of course, Shiraz. The Bin 28 Kalimna is a full-bodied, dense style that would pair very well with a rib-eye steak.
CHATEAU TANUNDA Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Grand Barossa 2017
WS Review: Dense, with sink-your-teeth-into-them tannins and a juicy subtext to the wild blackberry, blueberry and huckleberry flavors. Matcha, cedar and campfire details emerge on the finish. From Australia. Drink now through 2029. 2,000 cases imported.
Why It's of Note: Founded in the late 19th century, Chateau Tanunda is a notable winery in the Barossa valley, a region known for its powerful reds, including Cabernet Sauvignon. Under John Geber's ownership since the 1990s, Tanunda now focuses on low-intervention winemaking. This hearty Cabernet was made with wild yeasts and spent 18 months in French oak before release.
SEASIDE CELLARS Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2018
WS Review: Fragrant, with focused notes of lemon thyme and lime zest. Fleshy melon and mango details add extra dimension on a juicy frame. From New Zealand. Drink now. 12,500 cases imported.
Why It's of Note: With over 55,000 acres planted, Sauvignon Blanc is by far New Zealand's most-planted grape, and has brought international attention to the island nation's wines. Producers here make juicy, fruit-driven styles of Sauvignon, particularly from the South Island. This includes this Marlborough bottling from Seaside Cellars, an international winemaking project that focuses on vineyards with maritime influence. The company also does advocacy for clean ocean water.
WAKEFIELD Riesling Clare Valley 2017
WS Review: Lean and crisp, showing oomph to the lime, pear and Meyer lemon flavors, with a mouthwatering finish. From Australia. Drink now. 1,000 cases imported.
Why It's of Note: Family-owned Wakefield aims to make wine while maintaining environmental biodiversity and sustainability in the Clare Valley, where the continental climate is perfect for Riesling. This crisp white shows a distinct lime note common among Australian Rieslings, and would pair well with hard cheeses—think parmesan from Tasmania's Ashgrove Cheese.