Selector Cellar Issue 96

From award-winning drops to fantastic food companions, superb seasonal suggestions and more, this is your at-a-glance guide to what to look out for next time you're entertaining, taking it easy at home, or celebrating a special occasion... specially curated for your drinking pleasure. Be inspired. Get excited. It's time to enter the cellar.

Riesling reverence -

PEWSEY VALE VINEYARD THE CONTOURS RIESLING 2015

Pewsey Vale is of historic importance to high altitude viticulture history in South Australia and to Riesling. Established in the 1800s and resurrected in the late 20th century, this wine is an unmistakable icon. Fresh and developed creamy floral aromatics of lime flower, blossom, lime juice, talc and green apple are all in attractive balance. Supremely structured with a taut, acid frame delivering balance and enormous potential for longevity. A glorious wine, from a glorious vineyard.

Pairing and cellaring

A great match with seafood, fresh oysters, or antipasto. Cellar for up to 20 years.

Pure, practised perfection -

PIKES THE MERLE RIESLING 2024

Pikes Wines hails from one of Clare Valley's undisputed champions of the variety, this is a flagship, and the flag is flying high. Tight, complex and bewitching aromas are freshly layered with lemon peel, lime rind, lime juice, grapefruits, Granny Smith and pretty white flowers. On the palate, this wine is youthful and energetic, with tightly coiled lines of green apple skins, lime pith and lemon rind with mouth watering acidity and slatey minerality. Expressed latent power and potential, this wine is fresh, delicious and dangerously moreish.

Pairing and cellaring

A wonderful wine to serve alongside whitebait fritto misto and aioli. Cellar for 20 years and beyond.

Sublime singularity -

TAHBILK CENTENNIAL MARSANNE 2015

From Australia's masters of Marsanne, the Purbrick family - now celebrating their 100th year as the name and nous behind the Tahbilk legend - this special release has beautifully floral lemon curd, lemon pith and lanolin/white flower aromas. The palate is soft yet elegantly structured with primary and secondary layers of lemon curd, limes, lime butter and a fine, chalky minerality. At ten years of age this wine is hitting its straps, and illustrates beautifully how incredibly this varietal ages. Insane value for such an icon, and one not to miss.

Pairing and cellaring

A classic roast chicken with Yorkshire pudding is called for with this stunning wine. Drink now or cellar for another 20 years.

Eternal peace -

CHAFFEY BROS. PAX AETERNA BAROSSA OLD VINE GRENACHE 2024

Chaffey Bros have done it again. Seductively perfumed with smooth aromas of red and black cherries, sweet plums, smokey maraschino cherry and fine, dark earth. Light yet deceptively complex with delicate lines of baked raspberries, black cherry, dried thyme and rosemary, with hints of liquorice and blackberries. A fresh fennel lift adds a lovely bright finish.

Pairing and cellaring

We'd opt for a Moroccan chicken tagging with couscous. Cellar for 5-10 years.

Delicious delight -
CHAFFEY BROS. DUFTE PUNKT EDEN VALLEY FIELD BLEND 2024

Three aromatic varieties intertwine beautifully to create a unique and highly appealing fragrant mix, bursting with the vitality of spring. Exotic and classic with aromatics of musk, fig, apple, talc, baked apple and Turkish Delight. The palate is equally cool with more fresh Turkish Delight flavours, baked fig, rosewater and sweet meringue. Chaffey Bros have mastered this drop, a delight to drink.