tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89698223211365212242024-02-21T20:56:47.969+11:00Red to Brown Wine ReviewThe Red to Brown Wine Review was Established in 2009 and aims to discuss all things wine related. Comments and thoughts welcome.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger389125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969822321136521224.post-52478183710513798882018-10-31T21:45:00.001+11:002018-10-31T21:45:48.463+11:002000 Clos du Papes Chateauneuf du Pape (Southern Rhone, France)<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9chNmJR3cHtj85fcSJGSIzoG4f2g8fY5MU21Os_S2pB6r-xgSy7NK8Drt3Bc08hz0k1guoreavUDOUq_dEzTdj1pzvZFpv0eSRWGSZ8uIMptypznuua23spIgh8x9FVa6LnNxp2x8lg/s1600/clos+du+pape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9chNmJR3cHtj85fcSJGSIzoG4f2g8fY5MU21Os_S2pB6r-xgSy7NK8Drt3Bc08hz0k1guoreavUDOUq_dEzTdj1pzvZFpv0eSRWGSZ8uIMptypznuua23spIgh8x9FVa6LnNxp2x8lg/s1600/clos+du+pape.jpg" /></a>This was a great wine with which to celebrate my better half's birthday. Given how little Chateauneuf du Pape (CDP) I have drunk it also reminded me of how much more exploration I have to do of the great wine regions of the world, never mind how much exciting new stuff is out there as well. By reputation Clos du Pape is one of the top estates in Chateauneuf du Pape and this wine didn't disappoint.</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Kirsch cherries, florals, and leather on the nose. The entry onto the palate is supple and elegant, but nevertheless has wonderful intensity. Beautiful fruit underpins this wine. It's chock full of spice and still has plenty of lovely tannin at 18 years of age. In turned increasingly earthy through the finish. Superb wine and one that is really in a sweet spot now.</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br />
Rated: 95<br />
Drink: 2018-2023+<br />
Website: www.clos-des-papes.fr</div>
Redhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17360328831125971369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969822321136521224.post-83866618607071110922018-09-06T21:51:00.000+10:002018-10-01T15:47:39.283+10:002017 Chatto Isle Pinot Noir (Tasmania)<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATrailU_4Id-QQ3HVGgFwNVYbl2e4xCunhUY5Fm5ijocQle1h6B6Ue1Kwcv5kq4bcjXjMtqzsVEml6rhv_AOnmHkKqepxtjJP_1n9aJcqtddAVvMbyTNGW25UEInVXDPO9vveNQezmw/s1600/Chatto+pinot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATrailU_4Id-QQ3HVGgFwNVYbl2e4xCunhUY5Fm5ijocQle1h6B6Ue1Kwcv5kq4bcjXjMtqzsVEml6rhv_AOnmHkKqepxtjJP_1n9aJcqtddAVvMbyTNGW25UEInVXDPO9vveNQezmw/s320/Chatto+pinot.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">With a post from Brown recently, and now myself, is it possible that RedtoBrown is coming out of the hibernation induced by young children? Certainly this was a wine that raised me from my slumber.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I've written previously about the long-term journey that Jim and Daisy Chatto have been on to make great Pinot - <a href="https://redtobrownwinereview.blogspot.com/2013/12/2012-chatto-pinot-noir-tasmania.html" target="_blank">https://redtobrownwinereview.blogspot.com/2013/12/2012-chatto-pinot-noir-tasmania.html</a> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Since that first release in 2012, they haven't missed a beat, and for mine they are producing some of the best Pinot in the country.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The Isle is their top wine, coming from a "purple patch" on their Isle Vineyard. Only 180 odd cases made. It's a blend</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> of the 777, Abel, and 667 clones, and is made with sensitive oak input (1 and 2 year old barriques), 1/3 whole bunches, and natural yeast. As with all Chatto wines the vineyard is allowed to speak.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">It's beautifully perfumed from the get go. The stalk influence clearly playing a part in wonderful and expressive aromas of dark cherry and florals. On the palate there is a great intensity of fruit, but it's not at all heavy, with a lovely mouth perfume to match. Hints of smokiness. Fine tannin. It's certainly young at this stage with some stalky spice not yet fully integrated. Time will resolve this though. It's long through the finish with some earthiness emerging as the wine opened up. Needs a few years in the cellar and then it will fly. Outstanding.</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Rated: 95+</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
RRP: $75</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Closure: Screwcap</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #26282a; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Drink: 2020-2027+<br />
Website: www.chattowines.com</div>
Redhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17360328831125971369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969822321136521224.post-59384948218470900172018-06-10T19:00:00.001+10:002018-06-10T21:11:40.165+10:002007 Yelland and Papps Greenock Shiraz<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Reflecting on the wines Red and I reviewed in our “active” period from 2009 to roughly 2015*, one winery that stood out for me was Yelland and Papps. You can see in our archive that several of their wines were reviewed, and rated well. Susan and Michael Papps are indeed, as their website claims, <i>“boutique artisan producers pushing boundaries with respect to the traditions</i>”.<br />
<br />
While their ‘Second Take’ range and creative blends like the Vin de Soif definitely push traditional boundaries, their Greenock Shiraz was, and remains, in the classic Barossa style - made in a bold, traditional style, using old growth grapes from one of the most reliable sub-regions of the Barossa (and a trusted grape grower to-boot). <br />
<br />
This bottle being reviewed was purchased in the dining room of Susan and Michael in 2009 when Red and I were halfway through a very memorable wine holiday in the Barossa Valley. I still recall the enjoyable tasting where Susan and Michael hosted us, telling us of their plans to expand the winery and their love of good Grenache. Looking back on those early days, and where their winery is today, it is a very happy memory - winemakers are passionate about their craft, love life, and are living the dream on so many levels.<br />
<br />
The 2007 vintage was a hot one, and on the whole, I have not cellared many wines from this vintage. However, the wine making and vineyard/grape selection of Y&P have always impressed, and this wine confirms it. Following 9 years of careful (offsite) cellaring, the Greenock Shiraz still showing its fruit profile of blackberries and dark plumb - both on the nose and palate. The oak and alcohol (14.5%) are prominent, but harmonious with the overall package.<br />
<br />
Unlike so many wines in the “Parkerised” era of 2003-2010 (or so) which were alcohol fruit bombs when young and then quickly became soupy, dark chocolate concoctions doused in pure, hot alcohol, this wine is warming, but still integrated with the fruit. It is powerful, alcoholic and dark, but in balance. It finishes relatively savoury, with notes of liquorice and chocolate.<br />
<br />
Given the vintage and the time in the cellar, this wine was a surprise. But then again, it should not have been. Yelland and Papps are a small but elite Australian winery, and the longevity of this wine, from a poor vintage, is further proof of why they are held in such high esteem.<br />
<br />
Rating: 94+<br />
ABV: 14.5%<br />
RRP: N/A (cellared wine)<br />
Drink: Now-2020 (if you still have some, try them and make the call - still has time to develop)<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.yellandandpapps.com/">http://www.yellandandpapps.com/</a><br />
<br />
*RedtoBrown is in hiatus, but we still have a passion for wine, and intend to fire-up the blog at some stage. Keep the faith! Hope to see you soon at a wine event or winery.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969822321136521224.post-29775710126513043072015-07-28T21:47:00.000+10:002015-07-28T21:47:46.800+10:002011 Riversdale Estate Crater Chardonnay (Coal River, Tasmania)<br />
The birth of a second child a couple of months ago has meant that my reviews have been non-existent of late. A state of semi organised chaos has existed in the Red household since no. 2 came along, though as we start to find a routine I'll see if I can't be a tad more productive.<br />
<br />
I'm always interested to try Chardonnay from Tasmania. It's yet to produce the amount of world class chardonnay that a number of mainland regions have, though there is plenty of evidence to suggest that this will change over time.<br />
<br />
Upon opening the thing that stood out was the high, prominent acid. There was some good grapefruit flavour to match but that acid put me in the mind of a young, bracing Eden Valley Riesling or some such. I can see why the winery has held back the release of this wine more than your average chardonnay. On day two, however, the acid had softened considerably and the quality of the wine came to the fore. Some richer stonefruit and creamy notes are balanced by flintiness and a touch of bitter pith. Excellent line and length of flavour. A high quality chardonnay and one that will still benefit from some time in the cellar. 4 stars.<br />
<br />
Rated: 4 Stars<br />
RRP: $35<br />
ABV: 13.5%<br />
Closure: Screwcap<br />
Drink: 2016-2021<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.riverdaleestate.com.au/">www.riverdaleestate.com.au</a><br />
<br />
<br />
RedRedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17360328831125971369noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969822321136521224.post-52225011944057099672015-05-27T21:18:00.001+10:002015-05-27T21:21:57.517+10:002013 Bremerton Malbec<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 2013 Bremerton Malbec is of several single varietal wines sold mainly at their cellar door with a limited retail release.</span><br />
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the nose and palate, use of Hungarian oak infuses some aniseed spice into a nice mix of blackberry, mulberry and black plum. There is a flavour burst from front to mid palate, dropping off a little, though finishing with ripe and pleasantly tart tannin, and a lingering hint of 5-spice and mixed black fruit.</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A spicy, reasonably restrained interpretation of Australian Malbec. Intriguing wine. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Price: $24</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ABV: 14.5%</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rating: 92</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Website: <a href="http://www.bremerton.com.au/">www.bremerton.com.au</a></span><br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969822321136521224.post-48092927332317342712015-04-28T20:56:00.000+10:002015-04-28T23:08:49.040+10:00Bordeaux vs Coonawarra: 1994 Chateau Leoville Poyferre vs 1994 Petaluma Coonawarra Cabernet<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusN2LSrJuCO3ufp6V3tTmz7dT4B2XnKXmhbLvfUYq_ZAz5PWRnNtuih5p41YQrWlR54kUrEdF3M0sOW_DiDWfcWdw6tWoFEYq3sXZ2bjj0BaK4_0SngXspa102u8YAAiXVl578j9b7Q/s1600/20150405_180042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusN2LSrJuCO3ufp6V3tTmz7dT4B2XnKXmhbLvfUYq_ZAz5PWRnNtuih5p41YQrWlR54kUrEdF3M0sOW_DiDWfcWdw6tWoFEYq3sXZ2bjj0BaK4_0SngXspa102u8YAAiXVl578j9b7Q/s1600/20150405_180042.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Two 21 year old Cabernet blends, courtesy of my aunty’s cellar. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The first,
the Leoville Poyferre, is a Second Growth from the Saint-Julien commune in Bordeaux. Having been
established in 1840, the estate has been through some peaks and troughs as
might be expected, however, the past few decades have seen a resurgence in its
reputation and the quality of wine produced. The second wine, the Petaluma
Coonawarra has been one of Australia’s more highly regarded Cabernet blends
over a few decades now. Production for
this wine began in 1979. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">When the Red and Brown clans got together recently, we
decided to take these two wines of pedigree head to head. They are obviously
worthy of enjoyment and contemplation without competition or reference to any
other wine, but I still find comparative tastings like this highly enjoyable and
revealing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Both wines had excellent quality, long corks that happily
had done their jobs, with both wines smelling great in the decanter from the
get go. We then proceeded to drink both bottles over the course of a few hours,
with some slow cooked lamb the accompaniment.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>1994 Petaluma Coonawarra</strong> -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At 21 years of age this has retained an impressive level of primary
fruit that is present from the tip of the tongue through to the long finish.
Blackcurrant mainly. Adding savoury complexity are notes of red earth and black
olive. There’s a bit of regional mint/eucalypt but it’s in no way dominant and
plays its part in a complex whole. What’s really impressive moreover, are the
prominent tannins that really help shape and finish off the wine. There was a
little bit left in the bottle on day 2 and it continued to drink impressively well. It’s in a real sweet spot now where it offers a great aged Cabernet drinking
experience, but still has the stuffing to drink well over the next 5-10 years. 94 points</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>1994 Chateau Leoville Poyferre</strong> – What enthrals me with this wine
is the tightrope it walks between power and elegance. The entry onto the
palate is supple and subtle before building to great mid palate intensity,
which then tapers into a focused and savoury finish. It's the kind of structure that marks it out
as a great wine. Classic cassis and cigar box flavours. Gravel is also a signature, both in terms of the bouquet as well gravelly minerality through
the long finish. Fantastic to drink and wonderful to see it weigh in at only 12.5%
alcohol. It's a wine that ultimately could only be Bordeaux and would never be confused as
anything else. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As with the Petaluma, it
gives great enjoyment now but will age over the next decade without a second
thought. 96 points</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">In the end the Bordeaux was the preferred wine on the night, showing a
class that is rare in the world of wine. That being said the Petaluma is a
great wine in its own right and is testament to the ageworthiness and quality
of the marque and Coonawarra Cabernet more generally. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
Redhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17360328831125971369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969822321136521224.post-79845845416066136492015-04-15T21:27:00.000+10:002015-04-15T21:27:19.260+10:002012 Krondorf growers Barossa Shiraz <span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><img alt="Krondorf Growers Barossa Shiraz 2012" class="product-image" itemprop="image" src="http://www.cellarmasters.com.au/Content/ProductImages/R3192_750.png" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Metric; font-size: 12px; height: 245px; max-width: 100%; padding-top: 3.5em; text-align: center;" /></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">This wine from the Cellermasters stable has a nose with pretty hefty vanilla oak, intermixed with ripe, dark/black fruits. </span><br />
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Fruity and mouth filling, with mulberry blackberry and some stewed black plum supported by soft tannins, slight aniseed notes and mixed spice. Finishes sweet, and the alcohol heat is in balance with the hefty fruit. For sub-$20 a nice smooth, fruity and powerful wine that is not subtle, but with elements in balance. On day two of tasting, this wine had developed nicely and should be drinking well for several years.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
ABV: 14.5%</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
RRP: 17-18</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Rating: 88pts</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969822321136521224.post-45167335459938261792015-04-08T22:55:00.002+10:002015-04-08T22:55:56.336+10:002007 Domaine Epis Pinot Noir (Macedon)<br />
I've long wanted to taste an Domaine Epis Pinot Noir, but for some reason only just got around to it the other day. The Pinot Noir that Alec Epis and his former winemaker Stuart Anderson have made over the years have garnered plenty of praise. Furthermore, I'm a fan of Pinot Noir from the Macedon Ranges with Bindi and Curly Flat two standouts. When I saw a few bottles of the 2007 Epis Pinot at auction at a reasonable price I decided it was time to scratch this longstanding itch.<br />
<br />
Buying at auction, however, always adds an element of Russian Roulette to the pursuit of drinking aged wine, but the risk was very much worth it in this wine, with the diam cork having aged the wine without issue. It opened with a classic, varietal nose of smoky undergrowth and cherries. These flavours carried through to a silky and supple palate, with additional spice and a touch of pleasurable warmth through the finish. It was the perfect foil for some roast pork over a long lunch, though I'd suggest the wine is at its aged peak at the moment. We had it open and decanted for 2-3 hours and it seemed to fade a bit just with the last half a glass. A great introduction to Domaine Epis Pinot Noir.<br />
<br />
Rated: 4 Stars<br />
ABV: 13.2%<br />
Closure: Diam<br />
Drink: 2015-2016<br />
Website: www.domaineepis.com.au<br />
<br />
<br />
RedRedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17360328831125971369noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969822321136521224.post-5598982215909011502015-04-03T23:18:00.000+11:002015-04-03T23:18:44.515+11:002013 Tahbilk Rousanne Marsanne Viognier<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><img alt="Roussanne-Marsanne-Viognier" src="http://az667118.vo.msecnd.net/assets/images/2014/08/05/Roussanne-Marsanne-Viognier-9e3488be-97a5-46fc-b516-fbed2d97a6ec.jpg?w=100&h=420" height="320" id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_ctl00_imgProductPrimary" style="border-width: 0px;" width="94" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I loved the previous Tahbilk labels and branding - very old school; channelling both 1970s and 1870s (fitting, given the age of some vines at their winery, which are even older).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">This new wine sits in between their great value, entry level Shiraz, Cabernet and Marsanne and their flagship wines, and is a new blend from the winery. A solid addition to the range.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">A nose and palate of fresh pear, apricot and green and
red apple. Rounded fruit with orange peel and low key acidity. Nice minerality
throughout, with, some toasty oak and pleasant phenolics on the savoury finish.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">On days 2 and 3 it lost a bit of weight in terms of
textural mouthfeel, and freshened/lightened up.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">RRP: $25-$28<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">ABV: 12.8%<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rating:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>89 pts<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Website: </span><a href="http://www.tahbilk.com.au/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.tahbilk.com.au/</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969822321136521224.post-81366977449060037292015-03-19T18:45:00.000+11:002015-03-19T18:54:24.847+11:002013 Tyrrell's Single Vineyard Reds (Hunter Valley)<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I had these wines late last year, then lost my tasting notes, only
to find them again the other day! </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I sometimes wonder if the past 5-10 years or so will be
remembered as a mini-golden era for wine lovers in Australia. It has been a
period in which an increasing number of wineries across the country have begun
to produce compelling wines that are unique expressions of site or vineyard.
This has all happened at a time when Australian wines were on the nose as far
as many international critics were concerned, the Australian dollar was incredibly
strong (further weakening export demand), and there was a general glut of
grapes. The result has been a wonderful array of exceptional wine at more than
reasonable prices. As with all cycles, things eventually turn, and in the past
two to three years we have seen a gradual positive changing of opinion amongst
international critics, and there has been some easing in the oversupply of
grapes (while still remaining problematic). Importantly, in the past 12 months we
have also seen the Australian dollar drop substantially, particularly
against the US Dollar. All of which would point to a likely increasing demand
for Australian wine. Some quite remarkable price rises by individual wineries
on their premium wines in the past year or two would seem to be at least in
part an early indication of this.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Which leads me to these Tyrrell’s single vineyard reds. Here
you are indeed getting compelling wines that are unique expressions of their
respective sites. Furthermore, they are scarce (not much made in terms of
production), and they age a treat. Finally they have an amazing history behind
them, being made by a winery established in 1838 and still in family hands, and
sourced from 100 year + old vineyards. While $50 is never a small amount to pay
for a bottle of wine, I would argue that with all these things considered, these wines are
great value at that price. I feel fortunate then to be a part of the Private
Bin club at Tyrrell’s through which you can buy these wines, and have been
stocking up in the past few years. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I believe something in this favourable equation for these special
wines will eventually break. It might be large price rises, a closing of the
Private Bin club to new entrants, or something else. Either way, I struggle to
see how these wines will remain so accessible, given both growing local
awareness and interest, and the turning, even just marginally,
in international demand. If these wines are your type of thing and you’re not a
member you might want to get in before it’s too late.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To the wines at hand -</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>2013 Tyrrell’s Johnno’s Shiraz</strong> – <span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Univers BQ";"><em>Johnno’s block was planted in 1908 and sits is on
alluvial sandy loam soils.</em></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is somewhat unyielding at present, only gradually
revealing its true appeal and potential over a few days. It’s light to medium
bodied and very much a “Hunter Burgundy” in style. Lovely cherry fruit meets
regional earthiness, with just a hint of oak at play. Acid driven. One thing
that does stand out at this stage of its life is its great length of finish.
This should largely be left alone for its first 10 years, and then savoured
after that. Rated: 93++<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Drink: 2020-2030+</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>2013 Tyrrell’s Old Patch Shiraz</strong> – </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #5c5a53; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 4.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">The ‘Old Patch’ vineyard was planted in 1867,
making it nearly 150 years old, and sits on red clay loams. .</span></em></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While remaining medium-bodied, there’s a bit more of
everything with the Old Patch as compared to Johnno’s. A bit more joy and
drinkability early in its life. That being said this is just as much a monty
for the cellar as the Johnno’s. A slightly darker, richer fruit profile here,
while remaining in the cherry spectrum. Earthiness and a beautiful cinnamon
note. The tannins are subtle yet firm, and help shape the wine through its long
finish. Rated: 93++<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Drink: 2018-2030+</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Red</span>Redhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17360328831125971369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969822321136521224.post-26689247164301626392015-02-25T21:26:00.002+11:002015-02-25T21:26:52.136+11:002013 Montalto Estate and Pennon Hill Pinot Noir<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a class="woocommerce-main-image zoom" data-rel="prettyPhoto" href="http://montalto.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/PH-Pinot-Noir-2013.jpg" itemprop="image" title="PH-Pinot-Noir-2013"><img alt="PH-Pinot-Noir-2013" class="attachment-shop_single wp-post-image" src="http://montalto.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/PH-Pinot-Noir-2013-600x801.jpg" height="320" title="PH-Pinot-Noir-2013" width="239" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">More quality Pinot Noir from Simon Black and the team from Montalto. 2013 was a superb vintage for them, as displayed by the wines below.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2013 Montalto
Estate Pinot Noir <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Strawberry, vanilla musk nose, Luscious, silky ripe
strawberry, red and black cherry fruit and mixed spice, finishes with an
intense, long flavour flurry backed by clean natural acidity. Powerful and
flavoursome yet with a lovely balance. Vibrant fruit, flavour, balance and
length make this a very typically moreish wine.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">RRP: $48<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
ABV: 13.6%<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
Rating: 93pts + (crowd pleaser)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2013 Montalto
Pennon Hill Pinot Noir<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Fresh, soft, vibrant and savoury red-black cherry fruit, hints of
raspberry, vanilla and dried mixed herbs. Juicy red fruit at the front, framed
strongly in the middle by stalky, savoury notes. Earthy and spicy, though fruit-forward,
refreshing and flavoursome. Very approachable. A wine getting better each vintage.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">RRP: $30<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">
ABV: 13.7%</span><br />
<o:p><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Rating: 93pts</span></o:p><br />
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span></o:p><br />
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Website: <a href="http://montalto.com.au/">http://montalto.com.au/</a></span></o:p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969822321136521224.post-9829246035752318302015-02-15T08:16:00.000+11:002015-02-15T08:16:01.465+11:00Murdoch Hill - 2013 The Landau Syrah (Adelaide Hills)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Murdoch
Hill is a relatively new name to me, but it’s a winery with a bit of history, a
good family story, and importantly some exciting wines.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I
visited the winery in November last year, where I was hosted by Charlie Downer,
the family patriarch, and his son Andrew who looks after the marketing for the
winery. The farm has been run by the Downer family since the 1930s, with cattle
one of the mainstays till the present day. Vines were planted in 1998, and for
a number of years the wine was made offsite.</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p>The site itself is a gently sloping one, with <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">soil types varying between blocks. It is predominantly sandy loam of red clays, with varying levels of quartz, ironstone and schist metamorphic rock. The Red varieties are typically planted on the hardy shallow soils, and the Chardonnay and Sauvignon on the more fertile richer soils</span></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
2012 marked a significant turning point for Murdoch Hill with the return home of winemaker Michael Downer (Andrew’s
brother). Michael had worked at a number of wineries both in Australia
and overseas, including Shaw & Smith in the Adelaide Hills, Vietti in
Piedmont, and Bests in the Grampians. He evidently learnt a thing or two during
that time, for the range of wines that he has produced from the 2013 and
2014 vintages are very impressive. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Highlights include the 2013
Cronberry Shiraz, a cracking entry level wine, that finds that great balance
between ripe fruit and elegance. The </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">2014 The Surrey Pinot
Meunier is a unique, delicious, and highly drinkable wine. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Perhaps my favourite wine,
however, is the 2013 Landau Syrah - the fruit for this wine</span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> comes off a part of the vineyard heavy with Ironstone. The
grapes are hand tended and picked, before undergoing ferment </span></span><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">with 50% whole bunch and then being aged in old french oak. It opens
with a seductive nose, with the whole bunch seemingly having contributed to a
berry perfume tinged with pepper and meatiness. To drink it is loose knit and
medium bodied but displays perfectly ripe fruit. It’s underpinned by an unforced and integrated
acidity and finishes with impressive length. So drinkable, but will be better
again in a few years time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
Rated: 4 Stars +<br />
RRP: $50<br />
ABV: 13%<br />
Closure: Diam<br />
Drink: 2015-2020+<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.murdochhill.com.au/">www.murdochhill.com.au</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Red<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
Redhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17360328831125971369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969822321136521224.post-24550067185387976092015-02-11T22:25:00.001+11:002015-02-11T22:27:17.306+11:002013 Lark Hill Sangiovese<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">I always associate Lark Hill with top quality Gruner Veltliner and my personal favourite of theirs, Viognier (amongst others). However, this Sangiovese is a pleasant surprise. A proudly biodynamic winery, Chris Carpenter and family at Lark Hill manage to deliver consistently high quality wines across their diverse range.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsaL6LIwKsbJaqONzOVOL6lKksWYDSH_pXLaObnlA3sNm1jFWJJsQPHDwvUJvLrDVVnilyO6pIrPc0-xOqeA9E8UnwhBHO-Jmgr_gkCQePil3LQhx_gCLCt3VqPcEptFAnEuj1TiYUvqCZ/s1600/Lark-Hill-2013-Sangiovese-HQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsaL6LIwKsbJaqONzOVOL6lKksWYDSH_pXLaObnlA3sNm1jFWJJsQPHDwvUJvLrDVVnilyO6pIrPc0-xOqeA9E8UnwhBHO-Jmgr_gkCQePil3LQhx_gCLCt3VqPcEptFAnEuj1TiYUvqCZ/s1600/Lark-Hill-2013-Sangiovese-HQ.jpg" height="320" width="84" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">The 2013 Sangiovese has an initial herbal, tobacco nose that blows off with air, with a palate of juicy
black fruit, sweet at the front, transitioning to savoury on the finish. Loose
knit structurally, light-medium bodied and texturally slippery. Minimal tannin.
Finishes savoury and refreshing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
A light-medium bodied wine screaming out for early drinking alongside range of
summery dishes (BBQ meats, Pizza, tapas, etc).<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">RRP: $30<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">ABV: 13.0%<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rating: 88 pts<o:p></o:p></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969822321136521224.post-70307939738639289412015-01-30T23:23:00.001+11:002015-01-30T23:26:01.253+11:002013 Montalto Estate SingleVineyard releases<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Simon Black and the team at Montalto Estate are in the middle of an ambitious expansion process. In the last few years, Simon and the Montalto crew have released a series of single site wines to reflect the different types of terroir in their Mornington Peninsula vineyards. Following a tour of the winery and an intimate barrel tasting of earlier vintages back in 2013, it was clear that the team at Montalto were on the right track, and after a few days on the tasting bench, their new release 2013 single vineyard wines confirm this assessment.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>2013 Montalto Estate Tuerong Block</strong> <strong>Pinot Noir</strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some fresh red and black fruits on the nose, mixed with
fruit cake spice and vanilla.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Initially shows juicy, primary red/black cherry and a bit of
strawberry fruit, opening up with darker blackberry and sour cherry with some more air.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over the course of 3 days on the tasting bench, the Tuerong
became more brooding and complex, developing earthier and stalky flavours in
the mid palate, and increased savouriness on the finish.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Should develop along these lines in the next 2-3 years, but
is drinking well now</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ABV:13.8%</span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">RRP: $65</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">
</span><span style="color: black;">Rating: 93pts+ nice journey ahead</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><br /></strong></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>2013 Montalto Estate Merricks Block Pinot Noir</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Juicy fresh red fruit, varietal; strawberry and red cherry, backed by vanilla. Fresh black cherry and plum on the palate, brooding yet light on its feet. A flavoursome Pinot Noir that has nice intensity and power, yet is well structured, with nicely balanced acidity.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ABV: 13.7% </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">RRP: $65</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rating: 92pts </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="color: black;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></strong></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="color: black;">2013 Montalto Estate</span> </span>Main
Ridge<span style="color: #1f497d;"> <span style="color: black;">Pinot Noir</span></span></span></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fresh and flavoursome dark
cherry and blue plum, supported by a decent amount of vanilla oak on the nose.
A bit of stalkyness and liqueur cherry on the mid palate. Overall, on opening a
ripe, fresh and juicy Pinot, enriched by some seductive oak.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ABV: 13.7%</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="color: black;">RRP: $65</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rating: 91pts (did not taste on subsequent days)</span></span></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>2013 Montalto Estate The Eleven Chardonnay</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On opening (double decanted) the wine was quite lean and clean in texture, yet with a powerful smoky, toasty oak, cashew and citrus nose.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /> </span><span style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On day two the wine was in a
great groove – elegantly integrated oak, cashew, grapefruit, white and yellow
nectarine, enlivened by unobtrusive acidity. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Eleven is not going to blow
you away with overplayed flavour (in a good way), nor is it a chardonnay in
need of a figurative big square meal. Happy medium and a win-win. Given how
this evolved on opening, give it a good decant to draw the best out of it, or put it down for a
few years as it is an elegant yet sumptuous chardonnay.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ABV: 12.9% </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">RRP: $55</span><br />
<span style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rating: 93+ (91 on opening,
though improved markedly on the tasting bench over the next few days)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1f497d;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Overall, a premium range of wines from a winemaker and high quality winery hitting their straps.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<span style="color: #1f497d;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<span style="color: #1f497d;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<span style="color: #1f497d;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969822321136521224.post-10597113956132618382015-01-11T21:21:00.000+11:002015-01-11T21:21:32.443+11:002009 Rosby Cabernet Sauvignon (Mudgee)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is great value
to be had here.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gerald Norton-Knight
tends a small but quite unique vineyard in Mudgee. I have written about it
previously in more detail </span><a href="http://redtobrownwinereview.blogspot.com.au/2010/04/2006-rosby-shiraz-mudgee-16-cellar-door.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. The wines are as such subject to the vagaries
of the vintage, and the lesser vintages tend to produce enjoyable quaffers. The
good vintages, however, result in lovely medium bodied Cabernet that is
fantastic value.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2009 was a
pretty good Mudgee vintage and the wine speaks to this. It delivers lovely
ripe, plummy fruit with some liquorice notes, all, however, within a medium bodied
frame. Where the interest comes in through is in the earthy rusticity it
displays, something on show with many a Mudgee red. I had it at 3.5 Stars on
day 1, but as it continued to integrate and lengthen on the finish over a few
days I nudged it up to 4 stars. Superb value at $13.30 a bottle in a case and still available
from the cellar door. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rated: 4 Stars</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">RRP: $160 per case from cellar door</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ABV: 13.5%</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Closure: Screwcap</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Drink: 2015-2019+</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Website: </span><a href="http://www.rosby.com.au/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.rosby.com.au</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Red</span>Redhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17360328831125971369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969822321136521224.post-36072621331742611372014-11-09T10:47:00.001+11:002014-11-09T10:47:17.724+11:002014 Lark Hill Gruner Veltliner (Canberra District)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A quality
addition to the Lark Hill Gruner stable, albeit that it doesn’t quite reach the
heights of the superb </span><a href="http://redtobrownwinereview.blogspot.com.au/2014/01/2013-lark-hill-gruner-veltliner.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2013</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. Given the challenges of the 2014 vintage in Canberra district, moreover, it is testament to the Carpenter's pursuit of this unique variety (unique in Australia in any case) over the past decade. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With this
wine there is always a flavour profile that offers plenty of interest
while still delivering on the yum factor. Citrus and pear is offset by some
green bean and root vegetable flavours. Somewhat weird if you weren’t expecting
it, but it nevertheless works and is very enjoyable to drink. Good quality fruit is
underpinned by a prominent acidity and a nice chalky texture. A worthy
change-up to my summer diet of Riesling and it should drink well over the next 5
years and beyond. Over the line for 4 stars.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rated: 4 Stars</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">RRP: $45</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Closure: Screwcap</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Drink: 2015-2020+</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Website: </span><a href="http://www.larkhillwinery.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.larkhillwinery.com</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Red</span></div>
Redhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17360328831125971369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969822321136521224.post-39190249148257222992014-10-27T21:49:00.000+11:002015-02-08T15:12:11.155+11:002012 Marius Simpatico Shiraz (McLaren Vale)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is
possibly the best Shiraz I have had this year. It takes a day or so to really
open up at this stage of its life, but once it does it's all glory. The
Simpatico, of course, sits behind the Symphony, which is Roger Pike’s top wine and comes off a select block of fruit in his vineyard. At the moment, however,
the Symphony is raw and way too young to be drinking. For now there is more on offer from
the Simpatico.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seductive
nose. Aromas of berries, McLaren vale chocolate, a deep earthiness, and roses.
Indeed those floral notes really mark the wine out, with rose notes flowing through to
a beautiful mouth perfume that envelops the wine. It never gets much above
medium bodied, but the fruit has an undoubted power and ripeness. Persistent
tannins help shape the wine through its long finish. Top shelf and one to
cellar.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rated: 4.5 Stars</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">RRP: $35</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Closure: Screwcap</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Drink: 2016-2027</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Website: </span><a href="http://www.mariuswines.com.au/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.mariuswines.com.au</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Red</span></div>
Redhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17360328831125971369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969822321136521224.post-51859359786334674612014-10-16T20:48:00.000+11:002014-10-16T20:59:51.817+11:00What’s 97 points between friends?<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’ve been
meaning to write this piece for a couple of years now but in the ensuing time a
little boy, moving house, and a new job have all conspired to give me an excuse
not to write it. Recent events, however, have brought back a bit of fire to the
belly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The issue is
the growing irrelevance of the 100 point scoring system, rendered largely useless
by the artificially inflated scores of many prominent wine critics.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Without
going into the full detail of the 100 point scoring system,
historically wines scoring in the 70s had significant issues/flaws, wines in
the 80s were decent quality drinkable wines, while wines of 90 and above were
excellent, and 95 and above were benchmark, world class wines. There will be
debates at the margins in terms of what I have just described, but it roughly
captures the original design and usage of the scoring system that has dominated
wine appraisal over the past 3 decades. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like any
scoring system it has strengths and weaknesses. One of the strengths is the
ability to have a wide range of scores available to you to make both nuanced
and large score differentials between wines. When you score one wine 92 and
another 91, you are making a distinction that isn’t available to say a 5 star
system (something I still use). This advantage of the 100 point system, however,
has been much diminished in recent years. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong><em>Points Inflation</em></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The past
decade or so has seen an inflation of points scoring from a significant number
of prominent critics. It has been a gradual but undoubted trend. In particular, wines scoring
95 and above abound in a way they never have before. Examples are legion, but
perhaps the most infamous of recent times was the eighteen 100 point scores
Robert Parker delivered for 2009 Bordeaux.
Only a few years previously he had delivered only two 100 point wines from
a similarly lauded Bordeaux vintage, that being 2005.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The local
example, but by no means the only one, is James Halliday. He is undoubtedly
Australia’s most famous wine critic, and someone I have always greatly admired. What has happened over the past decade however, has been an
increasing points creep in his scoring that has almost moved to the point of
farce. A decade ago, had I read a review of his that rated a reasonably priced
wine at 93 points, my interest would have been piqued. In more recent years the
equivalent quality wine would almost inevitably get something like a 96 point
score. Accordingly, I’ve found myself in what seems like the ridiculous
situation of largely ignoring any Halliday reviews for wines scoring less than
96 points. It seems like I will have to revise that up again now, with Halliday
awarding a 97 point score to a whopping 166 wines in his latest annual guide, 98 points to
24 wines, and 99 points to a further two. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Undoubtedly
in this tally are some genuinely world class, benchmark wines. But looking
through those awarded 97 points, there are many that are not. A case in point is
the 2012 St Hallett’s Blackwell Shiraz from the Barossa Valley which Halliday gave 97. It’s a wine I’ve
generally really enjoyed most vintages and when I tasted the 2012 over 3 days recently
I once again found it to be an excellent wine. It was to my mind a 92/93 point wine, which
particularly given the $25 price tag makes it a fantastic buy if you enjoy your
Barossa Shiraz, and a wine I would highly recommend. Having said this, it is
not a benchmark wine, and I don’t think any serious consideration of this wine
would label it as profound.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Moving
beyond just Halliday, more recently there has been a frenzy around the release
of the 2010 Penfolds Grange. This is undoubtedly one of Australia’s greatest
wines and 2010 was a very good vintage in South Australia. That it would
therefore get some very high scores upon release is no surprise. However, as
with the broader trend of points inflation, Grange score inflation has
followed suit. To the point now where this wine has already received 100 point
scores upon release from critics like Andrew Caillard MW, Nick Stock, and Tyson Stelzer. Never mind that this is
a wine that typically takes a couple of decades to reveal its full potential,
it has been given a hat-trick of perfect scores straight off the bat. What happens when these
critics taste and score the wine in 20 years time, once the wine is in full bloom, is anyone’s guess. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course
not every critic has joined in this arms race, and I hope those that continue
to show restraint<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>will hold the line.
However, my inbox now receives so many daily offers of wines that have been rated
95, 96, and 97 points by a prominent critic that it would appear that world
class wine is simply a mouse ckick away. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What has happened in the past decade has made the distinction between
truly great wine and very good wine difficult to discern.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br />
<o:p><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong><em>Does any of this even matter?</em></strong></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Plenty of people have suggested it’s not really a big deal, and
that we should just take a cup of tea, a bex and a good lie down. Some of the
typical refrains are -</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scoring wine is a nonsense in the first
place, so who cares<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A score
stakes a claim as to your genuine opinion on the wine, or anything that you’re
critiquing for that matter. People argue to the contrary that you should just
read the tasting note and make an assessment from there. For mine, with a tasting note alone it is virtually impossible to both genuinely convey the quality, flavours and textures of a wine in a way that
consumers can easily get their heads around, while also subsequently enabling them to compare and contrast different options available to
them. I’ve increasingly come to the view that a tasting note without a score is
a bit meaningless. They compliment one another. Scoring wine remains important.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As long as the range used is consistent what
does it matter?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have a think about anything else in life that is scored (movies,
restaurants, the credit ratings of banks). Imagine now that you just decide to
move everything up a notch. A David and Margaret reviewed 3 star movie (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">At The Movies</i>), which has always been
the kind of solid, ok movie that you would watch if it’s in your style or there
is nothing else to watch, now becomes a recommended 3.5 or 4 star movie. In
this new regime, the scoring might be consistent, but it is far less
meaningful. The critic is not doing their job of sorting the wheat from the chaff. With the scoring of wine it is no different.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you don’t like the way the critic scores
just ignore it?<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unfortunately
that’s not really possible. I
guess if it was largely irrelevant bloggers like myself that were throwing out
97 points with gay abandon then yes it would be possible to ignore. People like
Parker and Halliday and other critics, however, are too ubiquitous in their
respective areas of focus. They have an affect. If you are passionate about
wine, you can’t just ignore them or the issue more broadly. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em><br /></em></strong></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>Integrity</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wine criticism is a profession riven with conflicts of interest (a topic for another day). However, I used to be of the belief that these conflicts could largely be managed. However, it seems I was wrong. The plethora of overrated wine about the place would appear to be evidence of this. Ultimately I believe
it’s incumbent on people who are scoring things in their professional fields to
show a level of restraint and integrity in the way they rate things. Giving
everyone a guernsey does no one any good in the long term. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In my day job I’m
involved in reviewing and rating investment opportunities for clients. I know
that if I were to adopt the Parker or Halliday approach to my scoring I might
make some fund managers happy in the short-term, but my credibility would
ultimately come under question, and in the end I would be out of a job.
Admittedly overrating a wine won’t have the same consequences as putting
someone’s life savings in a dud investment, but I’ve got no doubt that if this
points inflation trend continues, critics might ultimately find themselves out
of a gig. There are only so many times a
consumer will buy what they are told is a 96 point wine before it starts to become
shorthand for just a solid bottle of wine, at which point how relevant is a wine critic?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></o:p><br />
<o:p></o:p><br />
<o:p>Red </o:p></div>
Redhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17360328831125971369noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969822321136521224.post-83736644256073516582014-09-27T17:28:00.001+10:002014-09-27T17:30:47.605+10:002013 Montalto Chardonnays - Mornington Peninsula<br />
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Simon Black
is starting to produce some pretty smart wine at Montalto. Brown and I had the
chance to visit him last year at the winery and taste through a range of barrel
samples and there was plenty to like then. You also got the sense that things
are on the up as Black improves the vineyards he has, and
comes to understand these sites more intimately over time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I tasted
both the entry level Pennon Hill and the Estate Chardonnay over 3 days.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>2013
Montalto Pennon Hill Chardonnay</strong> – This punches well above its entry level tag
and registers very highly in terms of yum factor. Lovely fruit has gone into
this wine. Stonefruits, cashews, creaminess, and a bit of oak spice. Generous
yet restrained, it’s all underpinned by a fine acidity. Pushes through to a savoury,
citrusy finish. If this was your house chardonnay over the next few years you
would be very happy.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rated: 92 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
RRP: $23</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ABV: 13.5%</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
Closure:
Screwcap</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
Drink:
2015-2018</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<strong>2013
Montalto Estate Chardonnay</strong> – Just shows a bit more class than the Pennon Hill.
More palate weight but also greater definition in the wine’s line and length.
Generous stonefruit, grapefruit, cashews and a nice input from the oak. It also
displays a bit of flintiness, adding complexity. Classy chardonnay, and worth
leaving alone for a couple of years before opening.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rated: 93+</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
RRP: $39</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
ABV: 13.2%</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
Closure:
Screwcap</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
Drink:
2016-2020 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Red</span>Redhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17360328831125971369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969822321136521224.post-50163197234621142812014-09-21T19:22:00.002+10:002014-09-22T10:31:11.481+10:00Nickleback's Chad Kroeger to release a shredding range of new premium wines (RedtoBrown News EXCLUSIVE)<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfynSbtrGMCqsUUfzZsHDgRbxtuQbER-2S6owOj3b23zvjEgb-Hi1aTOgdqXxMpHfgQZQVwom_Na-A99TkmzuG_FmlvPAqoh40QqbrleIRdK4zcnkGrys80R_xH8UQ4IhEe4Bq_8IDxDm/s1600/Nickleback+shredding.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfynSbtrGMCqsUUfzZsHDgRbxtuQbER-2S6owOj3b23zvjEgb-Hi1aTOgdqXxMpHfgQZQVwom_Na-A99TkmzuG_FmlvPAqoh40QqbrleIRdK4zcnkGrys80R_xH8UQ4IhEe4Bq_8IDxDm/s1600/Nickleback+shredding.jpeg" height="258" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><em>Chad hopes his new range of wines </em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><em>shred as much as his soft rock mega-hits.</em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> The wine world is utterly abuzz at the news Chad Kroeger from
Canadian rock band Nickleback will be joining the ranks of Rock n Roll wine
makers by releasing his own range of premium wines under the Chateau Kroeger label. The announcement puts Chad
in the same company as Maynard James Keenan of rock band Tool, and was
confirmed during a press conference in the Nickleback tour bus as the band
moved east to New York as part of their worldwide tour. In the conference,
Kroger outed himself as a born-again wine fan. “My wife, Avril is part-French,
so she was weaned on Beaujolais nouveau and loves moscato, tequila and
grapefruit shooters. I also love the stuff, having drunk lots of Kristal and
Grey Goose in my time. Her passion has been infectious on so many levels, and
wine is one of them”. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first wine in the Chateau Kroeger range will be the “How
You Remind Me Cuvee”, an ambitious non-vintage blend of Zinfandel, Chardonnay
and Moscato, matured in new American oak and infused with maple syrup essence
and vanilla musk. It comes in a black glass bottle shaped as a fender
Stratocaster. The second in the range is the “Photograph Sparkling NV” a blend
of white zinfandel, Thompson seedless, and brandy, topped up with 1982 vintage
Kristal. Each bottle of the Sparkling NV will have a 50ml vial of a Chad and
Avril perfume to really add to the romance of this premium wine.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZY5vGGui4w-5wTkMlV0RUPN0Rmlonlf-kailabiGIRW2bxzitRltIXMYd0LZOtiORDFOXvuCOfXMvq7XjytWFTJNfCU0K3huuMiLyWQWCwA-L8mP25D3a7Cbije_NU6gJeybm1e2HIa1/s1600/avril-and-chad-engagement1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZY5vGGui4w-5wTkMlV0RUPN0Rmlonlf-kailabiGIRW2bxzitRltIXMYd0LZOtiORDFOXvuCOfXMvq7XjytWFTJNfCU0K3huuMiLyWQWCwA-L8mP25D3a7Cbije_NU6gJeybm1e2HIa1/s1600/avril-and-chad-engagement1.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><em>The Photograph Sparkling NV is in many ways</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><em> a tribute to Chad's love of wife Avril (inset). </em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"These wines rock, but have a softer, more stylish side, just
like me and my buddies” Kroeger gushed. “We drink the test batches in the
dressing rooms all the time. It gets us pumped before we shred on the power
ballads”.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kroeger described his wine making philosophy and the genesis
of his wine label during an interactive portion of the announcement. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I aim to make honest wine, with minimal
intervention from the winemaker, sincere and true wine, just like my tunes”. Kroeger
revealed his wine making techniques to the enthusiastic crowd, including
playing acoustic versions of Nickleback’s greatest hits to the truckloads of
grapes shipped-in from Nevada.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“I reserve the love songs I have written for
Avril when playing to the grapes that go into the “Photograph Sparkling NV”. I
think they taste sweeter and more sincere as a result. It is hard for the
winery staff to go about their day jobs when I go to that special musical place.
Tears flow, I have to admit”.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75uAn70Ze6zJ80yxqbdMF16Xv_wyhd0kDK4zjMo5mMccCoU_SJYCClGhSGtL8OqhPyWJy-fVRw0k0aIWMtpWKZFo2JeGkicCZsRL8mwr13rHQlnI9_ar-_CHERo6hr8UCjCEMyYZsJo0l/s1600/nickelback-Thinking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75uAn70Ze6zJ80yxqbdMF16Xv_wyhd0kDK4zjMo5mMccCoU_SJYCClGhSGtL8OqhPyWJy-fVRw0k0aIWMtpWKZFo2JeGkicCZsRL8mwr13rHQlnI9_ar-_CHERo6hr8UCjCEMyYZsJo0l/s1600/nickelback-Thinking.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><em> Chad has been know to connect with</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><em> the grapes prior to them</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><em>going into his premium wines.</em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When asked about the inspiration behind Chateau Kroeger, Chad
recounted the moment he spoke to Maynard from Tool about his Caduceus wine
label – a discussion that convinced him to pursue his wine making dream. “I
told Maynard that his wines rocked even harder than his Lateralus record. He
called me a lightweight and told me to fuck off, but his enthusiasm and energy
was infectious. My wine dream was born that day”.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnWg60Oq2oY_Hau8BJPHbDoiHBKKv7GBug6IkqMbVw0KtVfjc4fO6pAN3_G7W-Sjd7wUAMWVo4aN3oBSMd-yagrv9Zog6k5y1WLabze4JRa0l0vlGbWSKTBL-Z9q3QbtDz-vPGXB-7g-Ws/s1600/tool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnWg60Oq2oY_Hau8BJPHbDoiHBKKv7GBug6IkqMbVw0KtVfjc4fO6pAN3_G7W-Sjd7wUAMWVo4aN3oBSMd-yagrv9Zog6k5y1WLabze4JRa0l0vlGbWSKTBL-Z9q3QbtDz-vPGXB-7g-Ws/s1600/tool.jpg" height="174" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><em>Maynard James Keenan (inset) </em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><em>refused to be quoted for this article.</em></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Chateau Kroeger How You Remind Me Cuvee and Photograph Sparkling NV go
on sale next week for $US 450 and $US 790 respectively. They can be purchased
from any Wallmart or 7-11 Stores across the USA and Canada.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969822321136521224.post-9367415626520498342014-09-12T22:08:00.002+10:002014-09-12T22:08:58.740+10:00Harkham Wines - Natural wine with a smile (Hunter Valley)
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>Maintaining a wine blog when you have a young family is
tough, tougher when you combine it with a busy day job. The wine appreciation
never stops, (nor do the recording of tasting notes, TBH) though the volume of
articles being posted tends to inevitably decline. The post below should have
been put on the blog over a year ago – the hospitality and enthusiasm of Richie
Harkham demanded it, even if the quality of the writing in the post doesn’t
quite. Regardless, this post was lost in the mix, and I have stumbled-upon it,
dusted it off and posted it for the record. Tasting notes are from early October
2012. Thanks to Ritchie for taking time out of his day back in 2012.<o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The wine making industry loves ‘the next big thing’,
especially when it polarizes opinions and has the potential to attract new
customers to wine. In the last few years organic/biodynamic wine making
practices and in particular, ‘natural wine’, have assumed this status. The
growing trend of producing, selling and drinking natural wine polarises
opinions amongst industry types, wine nerds and the wine cognoscenti.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While RedtoBrown have made light of natural wine in some
of our posts (the ongoing ‘Wine Wars’ series of video clips being the most
obvious example), on a serious note we have never shifted our focus away from
the subjective assessment of the quality of the wine in the bottle for any
given wine maker – be it natural or not. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I like the taste of the wine, I like the
wine: a tear-inducing, inspirational story behind the making of a wine does not
mean I will enjoy drinking it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With that elongated intro out of the way, my family
headed to the Hunter Valley last October (editors note: 2012), for a relaxing few days. On
recommendation of a wine friend, one of the wineries we visited was Harkham
Windarra. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Owner and winemaker, Richard Harkham (Ritchie) has an infectious
passion for his craft. Harkham is one of the few, (if not the only) Hunter
Valley-based wineries making natural wine. This may be due to the regions
successful battle with bret over the last 20 years, though it does seem strange
that the major wine region closest to Sydney (the natural wine consumer capital
of Australia) is not jumping on the bandwagon with more gusto.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When we met, Ritchie summed-up his winemaking philosophy
as aiming for a wine that will be “as close to nature as you can get”. Ritchie
noted winemakers tend to intervene too much in the winemaking process, and he tried
to intervene only when necessary in a way that is done through positive energy
in the cellar. As Ritchie noted, “wine is alive and always living and changing.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our tasting was a bit rushed, with Ritchie kindly fitting
us in on a weekend prior to the arrival of a Chinese delegation keen to try his
wines. The most impressive of the wines tasted had pure fruit flavours and
refreshing, natural acidity. The least impressive strayed towards some
left-field tropical fruit flavours and less structure. However, none of the
wines tasted slotted into the cheap throw-away natural wine stereotype of faulty,
funky barnyard reds and cloudy, orange, apple cider whites. Quite the opposite.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We left the winery with 4 bottles of wine (one of them a
wine that Ritchie admitted did not turn out the way he would have liked, but
was a wild wine to taste). The tasting notes below are for three of the wines,
tasted in early November (Rose) and mid-November (the two Shiraz). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(As for the delay in posting the notes – blame
my day job and downtime with my beautiful baby boy).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Harkham Aziza’s
Shiraz 2012<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">An earthy, meaty nose with crushed grape stems, some
dried florals, blueberry and dark cherry fruit. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On the palate, a bit salty, with minimal tannin. Largely
driven by juicy black cherry fruit and fresh acidity. The finish is earthy,
meaty and savoury though clean, with a hint of residual salt.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After two days on the tasting bench/fridge, the nose
opened up, with sweeter fruit coming out on the front palate, and a finish with
additional dried herbs.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Given the difficult vintage conditions, and the
minimalist natural wine making philosophy, this is a surprising result. Drink
now. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Price: $22<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rating: 88pts<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Shiraz Nouveau
2011<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This wine hits home to me the razors-edge natural
winemakers tread each vintage. If the winemaking is not at fault (and in this
case it definitely isn’t), the fruit and vintage conditions can do their best
to hijack a wine. Especially if the scientific – dare I say it, ‘industrial’
wine making work-arounds are not available. The wine had a banana-like nose
with tropical undertones on the palate, arguably variable acidity, yet a core
of ripe red cherry and raspberry fruit. Finished with an almost white wine
textural mouthfeel. Ritchie noted that this was made from super ripe, small
berries that were carbonically macerated in whole bunches in stainless steel
tanks and bottled 3 months later. It was a tricky wine to make, and it shows in
the glass.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rating: 87pts<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Harkham Rose 2012<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Attractive light, pale strawberry colour. Nose – Sweet
red fruits and a hint of spicy stonefruit (white nectarine). Juicy yet delicate
fruit flavours, primarily strawberry, light and vibrant with lovely fresh,
cleansing, integrated acidity. The finish is dry, with some mixed citrus peel
lingering at the end. A very drinkable, refreshing wine, sweet on the nose, yet
largely dry on the mid-back palate. The fresh, integrated acidity a standout.
This wine passed the ‘Wife Test’, with the better half giving it two thumbs up.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rating: 94pts<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Website: </span><a href="http://www.harkhamwine.com/"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #1122cc; font-family: Arial;">http://www.harkhamwine.com/</span></span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969822321136521224.post-83870740552269856282014-09-06T10:12:00.000+10:002014-09-06T10:12:33.357+10:002013 Tahbilk Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre (Nagambie Lakes)<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><br />
<o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tahbilk
wines tend to cellar well beyond their supposed station in life, so it will be interesting
to see how this new range of rhone blend wines go in this regard.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There’s some
nice oak input here, but its mainly berry and raspberry fruit in a medium to full bodied
frame. It turns very savoury with notes of leather, spice, and a soy finish.
Has a good sense of balance. Enjoyable drinking now but will likely be better integrated in another couple of years.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rated: 3.5
Stars</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">RRP: $25</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ABV: 14.0%</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Closure: Screwcap</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Drink: 2015-2020+</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Website: </span><a href="http://www.tahbilk.com.au/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">www.tahbilk.com.au</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Red</span> </div>
Redhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17360328831125971369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969822321136521224.post-51986815388730805192014-08-27T21:49:00.000+10:002014-08-27T21:49:42.603+10:002007 Cirὀ ἉVita Rosso Classico Superiore<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGqcO9hnJMmXflxg5_iMQCqYxFmaIotfC9jEOPFsBZ-gGg2psAa6yTi4_D4i8kOjh_E07RsWOS03YHs2oZgF5mEqINe97KdbirJFWlmy84BgAPBl_2AQ3sxGp-c4Ipv6DErmV9i2JMWU2/s1600/368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGqcO9hnJMmXflxg5_iMQCqYxFmaIotfC9jEOPFsBZ-gGg2psAa6yTi4_D4i8kOjh_E07RsWOS03YHs2oZgF5mEqINe97KdbirJFWlmy84BgAPBl_2AQ3sxGp-c4Ipv6DErmV9i2JMWU2/s320/368.JPG" height="320" width="208" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>A tasting note that was lost in the mail - Wine tasted early July 2012. Posted for blogging posterity. Interested if people have tried this wine, or later vintages recently.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Purchased from one of the most impressive bars in a blossoming
Sydney wine bar scene (121BC), this Calabrian wine is defined by its tannins: if
you are not a fan of tannic wines, a trip to merlotville might be advisable. The
Cir<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ὀ</span>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ἁ</span>Vita
Rosso Classico Superiore is made using the indigenous Calabrian Gaglioppo grape, and in
the glass, the wine looks and smells a bit like a Pinot – light crimson with a
sappy, cherry nose. On the palate it is light to medium bodied with dark and
sour cherry fruit, some all spice and sappy, earthy flavours with nice savoury intensity
at the finish. The tannins are prominent and lingering in a good way – you find
yourself pondering the tannins long afterwards. The drying characteristic of
the tannins demands and greatly compliments food – a good start would be some
rustic Calabrian pasta dishes.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rating: 90pts<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">RRP: $32<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">ABV: 14%<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Supplier: 121BC Cantina </span><a href="http://www.121bc.com.au/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.121bc.com.au/</span></a><o:p></o:p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969822321136521224.post-45099937978230669052014-08-19T21:37:00.000+10:002014-08-19T21:37:18.750+10:002012 Star Lane Nebbiolo (Beechworth)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">Australian
Nebbiolo. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.4pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-indent: -12pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Somebody
said that it couldn’t be done <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">But he
with a chuckle replied <o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">That
“maybe it couldn’t,” but he would be one <o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Who
wouldn’t say so till he’d tried. <o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">So he
buckled right in with the trace of a grin <o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On his
face. If he worried he hid it. <o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">He
started to sing as he tackled the thing <o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">That
couldn’t be done, and he did it<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.4pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Edgar Albert Guest<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.4pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-indent: -12pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.4pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’ve lost count of the number of
times I’ve read or heard that Nebbiolo isn’t really worth pursuing outside of Piedmont in Northern Italy.
The theory goes that there exists such a unique synergy between grape and
terroir there, that nowhere else will be able to produce wine worthy of this
King of grapes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.4pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well I’ve tasted enough good
Australian Nebbiolo over the past 5 years or so to state emphatically that this
is not the case. SC Pannell, Luke Lambert, Coriole, and Pizzini are all
examples of wineries that have produced Nebbiolos that would sit comfortably in a line-up
of Langhe Nebbiolo, albeit that the flavour and texture profiles might be
somewhat different from a wine from Piedmont. The only question to my mind is
whether Australia will end up producing profound, long lasting Nebbiolo such as
one gets with top Barolo and Barbaresco. This is as yet unanswered. I am,
however, increasingly of the view that Australian Nebbiolo is like Australian
Pinot Noir of twenty years ago or so. Another decade or two will likely see a handful
of vineyards and wineries making great Nebbiolo.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 14.4pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: small;">To the wine at hand, the 2012 Star
Lane Nebbiolo. Somewhat pale and translucent in colour as per the variety. The
nose is initially somewhat closed but it opened up over the course of a couple
of days to reveal cherry, tar, and a note of orange peel. There’s nice fruit on
the palate, but all within a medium bodied Nebbiolo frame. That orange peel
note, along with some appealing bittnerness puts me in the mind of a Negroni.
No bad thing. Oak is there but unobtrusive. The overall balance of the wine is
excellent and it finishes with proper, drying tannin and a lovely earthiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On day one I had it at 3.5 Stars, but my last
glass on day 2 was impressive enough to give it a nudge. 4 Stars, and a wine
that needs a few years in the cellar yet.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
Rated: 4 Stars<br />
RRP: $55<br />
Closure: Diam<br />
Drink: 2016-2022<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.starlanewinery.com.au/">www.starlanewinery.com.au</a><br />
<br />
<br />
RedRedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17360328831125971369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8969822321136521224.post-24367671806839881952014-08-13T21:20:00.002+10:002014-11-16T23:10:13.504+11:002010 Yelland and Papps Divine Shiraz<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIAMH-K_CTE814pAQ4gCVwSzibvIrdC8OCObeIK3VG9CoL5VydkJSDE6WfSoAbPC2Ps_MgmxedLOTLMrJ_tIL-Bjkt_98je6YpUkE4snLpRXBKDjyykP0AxSwCpm8uoeglkQY2ukXZbrq/s1600/bottlepage-YPDivShiraz2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIAMH-K_CTE814pAQ4gCVwSzibvIrdC8OCObeIK3VG9CoL5VydkJSDE6WfSoAbPC2Ps_MgmxedLOTLMrJ_tIL-Bjkt_98je6YpUkE4snLpRXBKDjyykP0AxSwCpm8uoeglkQY2ukXZbrq/s1600/bottlepage-YPDivShiraz2.jpg" height="320" width="95" /></a></div>
A typically seductive, ripe, full bodied wine in the Divine range by Yelland and Papps, smelling and tasting of
plush, juicy blackberry, black plum fruit, supported by good quality sweet cedary oak. With air,
liquorice and mixed spice open up on the nose. <br />
<br />
At 14% abv it has some
alcohol heat, though fully in step with the powerful fruit across the
palate. A real crowd pleasing wine from a great Barossa Valley vintage. Drink now or cellar 10+ years.<br />
<br />
Rating: 95+<br />
ABV: 14%<br />
RRP: $75<br />
Website: <a href="http://www.yellandandpapps.com/">http://www.yellandandpapps.com/</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0