Yelland and Papps 2012 Vin De Soif

The Yelland and Papps Vin De Soif returns for 2012 after the surprisingly good debut in 2011 (given the vintage).

Having purchased a few bottles of the 2012 Vin De Soif late last year, I was curious to see how this early drinking wine had developed after 6 months extra in the bottle:

An upfront sweet black and red fruit nose with hints of spice, vanilla and a slight earthy meatiness.

Energizes the palate with a juicy, medium bodied combination of blackberry, dark cherry, A mix of crunchy citric acidity, earthy stalkyness and soft, barely-there tannins at the back palate. The finish was initially savoury, though opened up with more expressive sweet fruit over time. 

A smart, affordable blend of 65% Grenache, 27% Mataro, 5% Shiraz & 3% Carignan, the Vin De Soif is consciously a drink now, enjoy now, and think about it later style of wine, though offers much more to the casual and enthusiastic drinker than a similarly priced single varietal or conventional blend ‘done by the numbers’. Food matchings are numerous – this vintage Vin De Soif would go particularly well with thin crust Italian pizza, pasta with a red sauce, bbq meats or chargrilled eggplant Turkish pizza – as versatile as it is gluggable. Day two tasting confirmed the MO of this wine – drink early and enthusiastically.

Rating: 88 pts

ABV: 14%

RRP: $20

Website: http://www.yellandandpapps.com/

2010 Henschke Johann's Garden Grenache Mourvedre Shiraz

Henschke - a classy, historic winery. I don’t try or buy as many of their wines as I would like.

The Johann’s Garden, Henschke’s Grenache, Mourvedre, Shiraz blend,  opens with a nose of fresh Black and red fruit, largely raspberry and black cherry.  Similar juicy, vibrant fruit continues on the palate, supported by some mixed spice and low key, ripe tannin. Finishes with a meaty, herbal, Mourvedre-charged edge. Surprisingly savoury on the finish and mellows-out with air yet the savouriness becomes more pronounced.
I like the fact this is blended with 66% Grenache, 26% Mourvedre and 8% Shiraz: I tend to prefer Australian GMS/GSM blends that have a backbone of Grenache, a capable 2IC of Mourvedre and a cameo support of a small amount of Shiraz. There are too many GMSs out there that have marginally more Grenache than the other two varieties (or a 33-33-33 ratio), and the end result suffers, or the wine becomes a vehicle to move on the lesser shiraz in a given vintage. Not a problem with the Johann’s Garden.

There are plenty of GMS/GSM blends available in Australia, and this is arguably priced a bit high given the competition. However, the quality is up there and it should please many.

91pts

ABV: 14.5%
RRP: $37-45+
Website: http://henschke.com.au/

2011 Yelland and Papps Vin De Soif (Grenache Mataro Shiraz Carignan)

The new vintage release of the entry-level Yelland and Papps ‘Delight’ range see’s the bottles kitted out in a new, contemporary label that fits snugly with the spirit of the Delight wines.

The Vin De Soif, a new addition to the range, leaps out of the blocks with a surprisingly fragrant, spicy nose of cloves, dried green herbs and salted liquorice. On the palate, the wine is a bit more mellowed; relaxed but generous. Medium bodied with juicy blackberry, dark cherry and raspberry fruits flavours, herbaceous and meaty on the mid and back palate, finishing with soft, drying tannin.
The 14.5% abv does not stand out or throw-out the balance of the wine.
‘Vin de Soif’ can be broadly translated into English as ‘thirst quenching wine’, and as such, this wine is aptly named. You could easily serve it slightly chilled in summer or more conventionally alongside Mediterranean food in the cooler months. Moreish and approachable,  I found it a good value wine to enjoy here and now, saving the contemplation for conversations at the end of the night.

Rating: 89 pts

RRP: $19.95
ABV: 14.5%
Winery Website: www.yellandandpapps.com