Lindeman's Aussie wines may be a pleasant surprise

Regulars may remember I've been off the Aussie train, except in select items. I'm pleased to report that Lindeman's may have a few pleasant surprises for you. Best of all, the 2015 will show up at very favorable price points for summer parties. Believe it or not, these should hit your shelves under $8 and depending on how hard the Delaware tax and the distributors hit, maybe under $6. I have seen them on sale in New Jersey at $4.95 if you buy a mixed case. Let's go lighter to more body. The Bin 85 Pinot Grigio is pale straw with green-tinged rim. It is aromatic with jasmine, ripe apple and pear aromas. On the mid palate, look for white peach, more apple and pear. Finishes cleanly with grapefruit notes, 85McD. Bin 65 Chardonnay was very surprising for me. It is rare that an inexpensive Chardonnay is finished in oak, but these showed up. Pale straw-colored, opens to stone fruit and apple aromas, accentuated by oak-driven spices.. Medium body carries fruit flavors plus peach and melon notes balanced with proper acidity. Finishes long and cleanly, 86 McD with 2 price points. Check it out at under $7 then buy a case for discount. Lovely summer sipper. Finally, the Bin 45 Cabernet Sauvignon is also priced around $7. These exceeded my expectations. It is rare to find Cab at this price that stands out. Very dark ruby with purple rim. A swirl released cassis and brambleberry aromas with hints of oak. On the palate, aromas repeat with a hint of mint and chocolate and soft tannic grip. Long, juicy finish. A lot of wine at this price.

If you wish to go upscale to a $14 Pinot Grigio, take a look at Peter Zemmer 2015 from Cortina, Alto Aldige in Italy. Lovely straw-colored with green tinge, it opens to floral bouquet with wet stone and lime. Full bodied for a PG with minerality (very mild salty), lemon, stone fruit and grapefruit riding a perfectly balanced fruit/acid frame, 92 points McD. Lovely clean finish; try some with flounder or crab cocktail. Hold the lemon please.

For my Malbecian pals, I looked at Domaine de Theron Cuvee Prestige 2011. Both the Zemmer and these were recommended by my pals at Creative Palate. These two charming women have yet to steer me wrong. Thanks ladies! Anyhow, the Malbec is from the Cahors region of France, which most acknowledge as the birthplace of Malbec. Historians have noted that these "black wines" were favored by popes, Peter the Great and many of the nobility back in the day. Then until very recently Malbec, in France, was primarily employed for blending in order to provide additional tannin/color for red blends. Didier Pelvillain, owner of Domaine de Theron, recently decided to produce 100 percent Malbec with extended aging, to allow the tannins to soften. It looks like he has succeeded. I've seen these go $170/case but expect to pay $17/bottle, 92 McD. Dark opaque-colored, it is ripe with opulent nose of blackberry with chocolate accent. On the creamy palate graphite, spice and fulsome tannins. Huge finish puckers you up and continues the palate flavors. Can you say, "smoke grilled red meat”? Should easily cellar through 2020.

So, let's clean up the palate for today with a delicious Prosecco Superiore DOCG extra dry named Ruggeri Giall'Oro from Conegliano-Valdobbiadene. If you are regulars you will remember these are typically made from 100 percent Glera juice. Giall'Oro has scant amounts of Verdiso and Perera blended in, adding nice accent fillips. The wine is very pale straw-colored and has a lovely small bead.

The bouquet is floral with apple notes and a tad of nougat. On the medium-bodied palate is a fruit-driven sweetness but don't be deceived; this is an extra dry bordering on Brut. The finish is clean with green apple and citrus to clean up your palate. Try with smoked salmon or other seafood canapes. 90 McD priced under $20. I have observed cases at $180.