Alternative Australia

Stephane's family has been wheeling and dealing in Beaujolais for generations. Based in Fleurie, his father owned an oenological laboratory and worked as a wine broker where, after completing his studies, Stephane returned to work in the family business as a wine consultant and a winemaker in Chénas. His experience there and history in the region brings a depth of knowledge and intimate detail of the terroirs he now works. That, when combined with Stephane's obvious talent makes for a formidable combination.

Black cherry and bright raspberry with a hit of heady, whole peppercorn spice, touch of cola and lovely burst of five spice that drives the inviting nose home. Super crunchy, raspberry fruit layered in with fine slippery tannins. Bursting with red fruit flavour, bright and bouncy. It's fine and tight with a lovely core of fruit that feels light and airy and at once concentrated and precise in its delivery. A fine Villages.

The 2022 Montlouis-sur-Loire Touche-Mitaine is an aromatically restrained style that focuses more on the lemon, mineral side of Chenin Blanc, displaying notes of autolysis from a year on lees and creaminess through the mid-palate. It’s rather nicely made—hands-off and with delicate juice. The 2022 spent a year maturing in very old 228-liter barrels, allowing the purity of fruit to shine and shaping its edges. REBECCA GIBB MW, Vinous

Torre Zambra is a historic Abruzzo estate with deep roots in the village of Villamagna. Founded in the 1960s, the family has always championed Montepulciano d’Abruzzo as the region’s signature grape, focusing on traditional farming and respect for the rolling hillsides that surround their vineyards. Today, the new generation continues that vision, producing wines that balance authenticity with a polished, contemporary edge, all while remaining true to their terroir. The Madia bottling is their flagship expression of Montepulciano — approachable yet distinctly regional.

Aromas of ripe cherries, plums, and wild berries laced with hints of spice and violet. The palate is supple and fruit-driven, with soft tannins and a fresh line of acidity giving energy and lift. Generous yet balanced, it’s a wine that’s equally at home on the table with hearty pasta and grilled meats or enjoyed on its own for its easy charm and honest expression of Abruzzo.

Coming in at 13% alcohol, the 2023 Saint-Péray Roussanne unpacks vivid herbal tea, linden blossom, lemon zest and honeysuckle notes. Medium-bodied at most, the aromatic 2023 glides across the palate with discreet chalkiness, walking off the stage with a touch of wet stone on the lingering finish. NICHOLAS GREANACHER, Vinous

Fragrant and savory, with aromas of cherries, pomegranates, rose petals and touches of pepper and spices. The palate is medium-bodied and lively with polished tannins, offering purity and clarity of fruit with a subtle earthy note in the finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold. JAMES SUCKLING 

... Dark cherry, plum, leather, incense, menthol and mocha infuse the 2022 with striking textural depth and resonance. There's real substance here, not to mention tons of character. ANTONIO GALLONI, Vinous

Medium ruby red. Fragrant bouquet redolent of red berries and dried herbs. Pure, fresh and concentrated in the mouth with a hint of astringency and firm tannins. From organic vineyards, fermented in cement, then aged in 20 hl botti for a year followed by another year in cement. INTERNATIONAL WINE REVIEW

The young red 2023 LZ is Tempranillo, Graciano and Garnacha from organically farmed vines. It fermented with indigenous yeasts in small concrete tanks for 15 days and matured in those concrete tanks for one year, a longer élevage for a smaller production. It's pure and fruit-driven, expressive (it has some full clusters, a little à la Morgon), with some herbal notes. It has contained ripeness, 14% alcohol, a juicy texture and mouthfeel and very fine, polished tannins. (92+) LUIS GUTIERREZ, The Wine Advocate

The 2023 LZ is a blend of Tempranillo, Graciano and Garnacha from Lanziego, aged for up to eight months in concrete. It delivers floral and fresh plum notes before the smooth, slightly plump texture defines a light character. Overall, there is enough energy, structure, purity and flavor here. JOAQUIN HIDALGOI, Vinous

With generations of winemaking behind him, Telmo Rodriguez continues to be at the forefront of the Spanish wine scene. This wine, one of his most well-known and well-loved exports, reflects his philosophy of site-driven wines. A pioneer of village blends before it was fashionable, he has helped reshape Rioja and Spanish wine more broadly.

Single-site montepulciano from the Stansborough Vineyard in the southern parish of Williamstown. Flush with ripe blueberry, boysenberry and plum fruits. Earthy, deeply etched with spice and crushed herbs with some citrus blossom lift. I really like the velvety purity of the fruit flowing on the palate here; fine, tight tannins in support with a bright acid cadence driving things along nicely. DAVE BROOKES, Halliday Wine Companion

Deep, bold red-purple colour; also bold aromas, dark plum and a sniff of iodine as well as a nutty note. Full-bodied in the mouth, with abundant firm and fine grained tannins that run throughout the medium-length palate. Very good depth of flavour with a core of fruit sweetness swaddled in tannin. Plenty of potential. HUONE HOOKE, The Real Review