2012 Head Old Vines Grenache (Barossa Valley)

The 2010 of this wine remains one of the best bottles of Grenache I have had. The 2012 is not as immediately impressive, but in fact everything is there to suggest that it may give the 2010 a run for its money in 5-10 years time.

It’s just medium bodied, lithe, juicy, and with a lovely core of drying acidity that will sustain the wine through extended cellaring. Redskins, raspberries, florals, spice and just a hint of aniseed. A bit of stalkiness too. It turns very savoury as it pushes through to a long finish. Another 5 years should see more flesh, complexity and ultimately enjoyment here. Impressive.

Rated: 4 Stars +
RRP: $40
ABV: 14.5%
Drink: 2015-2022+
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.headwines.com.au


Red

2011 Oakridge 864 Chardonnay (Funder & Diamond Vineyard, Yarra Valley)

I reckon Sorrenberg, Hoddles Creek 1er, and this wine, the Oakridge 864, are currently my 3 favourite chardonnays.

This takes a day or so to open up at this stage, but once it does it reveals a superb, exciting Yarra Valley Chardonnay. It’s fine boned, but still has a beautiful lime intensity to the fruit. A dry, almost spritzy undercarriage is balanced by a lovely touch of creaminess, subtle oak spice, and an appealing cheesy note. It fairly bristles through the long finish. In another couple of years, once it has built some more weight, it will drink beautifully.

Rated:



RRP: $75
ABV: 13.4%
Drink: 2015-2021
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.oakridgewines.com.au


Red

2012 Scarborough Green Label Semillon

If asked to describe the Scarborough winery to friends, two things spring to mind: they provide one of the best cellar door experiences in the Hunter Valley and have a range of wines with clear intent and purpose.  

In regards to the latter comment, Scarborough has two semillons in their range that offer a clear point of difference. The Green Label Semillon is Scarborough’s early drinking, approachable take on the variety, with the pricier White Label being more austere-when-young and cellar-worthy.

The Green Label Semillon has a ripe nose of lemon, with crunchy granny smith apple, passionfruit, apple blossom and a hint of green pear. On the palate the wine has refreshing acidity that cleanses, is not sharp or harsh and has generous lemon/lemon pith flavours at the back. The finish is clean and dry.

The Green Label is arguably ripe in the context of young Hunter Semillon while not trying to be something the variety is not– a positive example of a ‘drink now’ white wine that is approachable with broad appeal, yet does not have to imitate the hegemonic Sauvignon Blanc style.

This would match nicely with seafood, poached chicken or even pork fillet in the approaching spring months.

Rating: 90pts

ABV: 11.2%

RRP: $20

Website: www.scarboroughwine.com.au

2006 Helm Classic Dry Riesling (Canberra District)

     (Bottles of Helm wine from around the world)

While Shiraz and Shiraz Viognier have been the stars during Canberra’s emergence as a wine region, its Riesling is also very impressive. Ken Helm has been to the forefront of the development of this synergy between variety and region. Helm is one of the Canberra pioneers, having established his vineyard in 1973. Riesling has evidently been his passion since then, and his offerings are arguably the best in the region.

In relative terms the Classic Dry is the approachable, entry level wine, while Helm’s Premium Riesling is built to age. In saying that the Classic Dry is no simple quaffer, warranting plenty of consideration and taking age. The 2006 is a prime example. At 7 years of age it is right in the groove and drinking beautifully. It’s still fresh and vibrant, but with age has come some generosity and complexity. Flavours of citrus and apple blossom are married with some beautiful honeyed notes, all of which are underpinned by lovely acidity. There’s a minerality akin to driveway gravel that accompanies the long finish. This will continue to age, though personally I’d reckon it’s at its peak about now and I’d struggle to keep my hands off it such is the enjoyment to be had.

Rated:

Drink: 2013-2016
RRP: $25
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.helmwines.com.au


Red

2011 Yelland & Papps Devote Greenock Shiraz (Barossa Valley)

A good wine from a tough vintage. A seductive nose of berries, chocolate and a hint of tar. To drink its medium-full bodied, with an appealing liquorice all sorts note. A creamy texture is underpinned by good acidity. Just a hint of mulch a signpost to the wet vintage. If you like your Barossa Shiraz just a touch understated this is lovely drinking.

Rated:

RRP: $35
ABV: 13.7%
Closure: Screwcap
Drink: 2013-2016
Website: www.yellandandpapps.com


Red