I've written before, in Tipping's Tipples, that I would be unlikely to spend more than £10 on a wine. You might notice my get out clause; the use of the word unlikely.

The following three wines cost a good deal more than a tenner. That's not exactly an every-day drinking price for most of us, far from it. But these wines are worth every penny, they would make a good birthday present for a lover of wine or would grace a table at a special occasion.

The trio are from Dalwhinnie which, according to Paul Henry of the Australian Wine Bureau, are "Aussies' best-kept secret in the wine world". Dalwhinnie's boutique winery is situated in the Pyrenees region of Western Victoria, where it produces single varietal wines using shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay.

Dalwhinnie Moonambel Chardonnay 2001 is a well-bred wine. There's plenty of oak but it is integrated nicely with complex flavours leaning towards pear, apple and umm... grapes. It finishes rather nicely with lingering white pepper and vanilla afternotes. Anyone who thinks Australian wine lacks subtlety should think again.

There's only one thing I like better than a good Australian white wine, that's a good red one. Dalwhinnie Moonambel Cabernet 2000 is excellent. Raspberry aromas give way to oak which is permeated by juicy berry fruit, mint and eucalyptus. This pencil-lead textured cabernet sauvignon is very rich, with lots of velvety tannins and superb balance.

If the Aussie trademark grape shiraz is your favourite then you will be more than impressed by Dalwhinnie Moonambel Shiraz 2000. This wine is powerful indeed but with elegance and finesse too. It's full, delightfully smooth and positively oozing cassis and cherry fruit. Aussie shiraz tends to be very fiery and this is no exception with hints of English mustard and cracked black peppercorns. Like the cabernet, the shiraz shows plenty of oak but it's beautifully integrated.

The three wines are available from Thirsk-based vintners Playford Ros, who have just secured an exclusive agreement to distribute Dalwhinnie Wines in the UK. Playford Ros sell by the case (12 bottles) but the wines can be mixed.

Check out the Playford Ros website - www.playfordros.com - or telephone 01845 526777 for a wine list.

Dalwhinnie Moonambel Chardonnay 2001, £13.95 at Playford Ros. 17/20

Dalwhinnie Moonambel Cabernet 2000, £17.95 at Playford Ros. 19/20

Dalwhinnie Moonambel Shiraz 2000, £17.95 at Playford Ros. 18/20

Updated: 10:27 Saturday, April 23, 2005