Great grapes: John Lehmann’s favourite Australian red classics and European whites for Christmas

Here’s a Christmas treat for the most discerning wine lovers: juicy shiraz, stylish cabernet, slinky pinot noir, royal riesling and European gems to savour with a seafood feast.

This week’s deal features Australian classics and European gems to offer Christmas guests something a little different.

It’s nearly Christmas so I’m placing an order for a celebratory dozen of my favourites.

There’s five whites, a rose and six reds on my list, available to all of us today from The Australian Wine Club for a festive price.

I’ve focused on Australian classics that are in fine drinking form now and added a couple of European gems on the side to offer my Christmas guests something a little different.

The choice is yours: order a straight dozen of whites and the rose; choose reds only or take the combined case covering all bases. In fact, thinking of the socialising ahead, we may need more than one dozen!

Thank you for exploring the world of wine with me in 2024. It was a hoot. My best wishes for a happy and healthy festive season.

Domaine Dampt Chablis Vieilles Vignes 2022

Chardonnay from Chablis is one of the joys of summer, with those distinctive minerally, seashell characters tailor made for long seafood lunches. This elegant offering opens with fresh scents of white flowers, peach and citrus swirl, ahead of nougat, almond and honey characters. French finesse, indeed. 12.5% alc; RRP $55.

SPECIALS $49.99 a bottle in any dozen; $28.99 a bottle in the Favourites dozen.

Mountadam High Eden Estate Chardonnay 2021

From an iconic cool-climate estate, perched 550m above sea level in the Barossa’s Eden Valley. White peaches, nectarine, fig and citrus characters combine with grilled cashews and soft spice. A lovely balance between fruit and oak is Mountadam’s hallmark. 94 points, Halliday Wine Companion. 13.5%; RRP $40.

SPECIALS $25.99 a bottle in any dozen; $28.99 a bottle in the Favourites dozen.

Pikes Traditionale Clare Valley Riesling 2022

My go-to riesling remains in fine form. Clare’s excellent 2022 vintage delivered another cracking Traditionale: juicy, zingy and flowing with green apples, tangy limes and a touch of talc. Savour the fresh citrus blossom and jasmine aromas, settle back and take in summer. 95 points, The Real Review. 12% alc; RRP $28 a bottle.

SPECIALS $23.99 a bottle in any dozen; $28.99 a bottle in the Favourites dozen.

Jim Barry Clare Valley Assyrtiko 2022

Transport yourself to the white-walled wonderland of Santorini with the Barry family’s unique take on assyrtiko. It’s a long story but Peter Barry fell in love with the grape while holidaying in Greece and spent a decade importing and nurturing the cuttings in the Clare Valley. Prepare for refreshing ripples of lemons, grapefruit and cut grass – and barbecue that seafood. 95 points, Royal Melbourne Wine Show. 12%; RRP $40.

SPECIALS $33.99 a bottle in any dozen; $28.99 a bottle in the Favourites dozen.

Villa Broglia Gavi di Gavi 2022

The wines of Gavi di Gavi from Italy’s north are adored among fans of Italian whites (and myself!). Made from the cortese grape, Gavi di Gavi delivers racy dry wines with floral, citrus and mineral characters. A double gold medal winner. 13.5% alcohol; RRP $40.

SPECIALS $28.99 a bottle in the Favourites dozen.

Ponting Rianna Rose 2024

Fresh, clean and super drinkable: the type of rose that seems to disappear a too quickly. Named after Test legend Ricky Ponting’s wife and partner in their fast-rising wine venture. I love the translucent colour and aromas of strawberries, pomegranate, musk and spice. 13% alc, RRP $25.

SPECIALS $22.99 in any dozen; $28.99 a bottle in the Favourites dozen.

The choice is yours: order a straight dozen of whites and the rose; choose reds only or take the combined case covering all bases.

Kaesler Reach for the Sky Barossa Shiraz 2021

Reach for the Sky is made to be juicier and softer in tannin, creating a full favoured red that’s easy on the palate. You’ll find ripe plums, blueberries and wild cherry flavours framed in a velvety structure. 94 points, Halliday Wine Companion. 14.5%; RRP $35.

SPECIALS $28.99 a bottle in the Favourites dozen.

Dandelion Vineyards Firehawk of McLaren Vale Shiraz 2021

An excellent single-vineyard release from Elena Brooks. Super complex, with bright fruit flavours seamlessly melding with savoury notes. Scents of blackberry, plum and loganberry arrive on time, with a sprinkle of licorice, pepper, anise and baking spices. 95 points, Halliday Wine Companion. 14.5%; RRP $60.

SPECIALS $55.99 a bottle in any dozen; $28.99 a bottle in the Favourites dozen.

Kilikanoon Baudinet Blend Clare Valley Grenache Shiraz Mataro 2019

A heady mix of plum, spice and vanilla aromas, evolving to offer hints of leather, black treacle and pepper. Sumptuous plums, maraschino cherries, chocolate and vanilla flow through the palate. A multi-layered joy. 95 points, Halliday Wine Companion. 14.5%; RRP $55.

SPECIALS $49.99 a bottle in any dozen; $28.99 a bottle in the Favourites dozen.

Yalumba The Cigar Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Confident, stylish expression of Coonawarra cabernet from Australia’s oldest family-owned winery: blackberry and blackcurrant characters mingle with touches of green capsicum, dark chocolate, clove and soy. Excellent value. 94 points, Halliday Wine Companion. 14% alc; RRP $35 a bottle.

SPECIALS $31.99 a bottle in any dozen; $28.99 a bottle in the Favourites dozen.

Howard Vineyard Amos Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Classy cabernet from a superb Adelaide Hills vintage. Swirls of blackcurrant, mulberry and crème de cassis aromas lead to blackberry and black olive flavours combining with hints of dark chocolate, freshly brewed coffee and leather. Sixteen months in 60 per cent new oak. 95 points, Halliday Wine Companion. Drinking beautifully now. 14% alc; RRP $60.

SPECIALS $52.99 a bottle in any dozen; $28.99 a bottle in the Favourites dozen.

Coppabella Sirius Tumbarumba Pinot Noir 2021

My line up of favourites isn’t complete without a cracking pinot. Intense aromas of red cherries, raspberries and red plum, with hints of purple flowers and vanilla essence. Sour cherries and raspberries drive the flavour profile. Superb value from a five-star winery. 13% alc; RRP $80 a bottle.

SPECIALS $55.99 a bottle in any dozen; $28.99 a bottle in the Favourites dozen.

FAVOURITES DOZEN One bottle of each wine above for $28.99. SAVE $205.

WHITES/ROSE FAVOURITES DOZEN Two bottles of each white and rose for $28.99 a bottle.

REDS FAVOURITES DOZEN Two bottles of each red for $28.99 a bottle.

Order online or phone [phone] Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm AEDT. Deals are available only while stocks last. The Australian Wine Club is a commercial partnership with Laithwaites Wine, LIQP770016550