2007 Scarborough Shiraz (Hunter Valley)

I tasted this wine alongside the 09 De Iuliis Steven and 09 Pepper Tree Coqunn. Stiff competition to be up against, especially when Scarborough are better known for their Chardonnay and Semillon. To Scarborough’s credit, however, it performed well and served to highlight what a good vintage 2007 was for Hunter Shiraz.

Tasted over 4 nights, it was initially a touch disjointed and primary fruit dominant, though on days 2 and 3 it had integrated nicely. Then by day 4 it had become distinctly “huntery” with notes of earth and leather coming to the fore.

To the specifics, it smells lovely with aromas of cherry, musk and some nice oak. On the palate it’s medium bodied, well balanced between fruit and savoury flavours, has some lovely spice, and delivers a long sour cherry finish. I initially gave it 3.5 stars on Day 1, but the wine’s subsequent performance over 4 days warranted a nudge. 4 Stars and a big tick of approval from my wife as well. It should drink nicely over the next 5 years.

Rated:


RRP: $25
ABV: 13.5%
Website: www.scarboroughwine.com.au
Source: Sample


Red

2008 Westend Calabria Private Bin Aglianico (Riverina, NSW)

Aglianico is sometimes referred to as the Barolo of the South (Italy that is), and this wine would seemingly support that notion,with real echoes of the Nebbiolo grape, except that it’s not from Campania, but rather the Riverina in NSW. At the price I would have been happy with an enjoyable, if slightly different quaffer. As it turned out I got a wine of substance and genuine interest for $15.

There’s a slightly brickish colour to this wine, but don’t let that put you off (or with any wine for that matter). It has an enticing, floral bouquet with aromas of cherry and strawberry. As it opens up, it also begins to show some more savoury, tarry notes. The palate is one of grip and texture, and is decidedly savoury. It feels substantial without being overly heavy, and tastes of sour cherry, liquorice, tobacco and some meatiness. It looked a touch disjointed on day one, but by day two it was drinking beautifully.

I really enjoyed drinking this, and everything seems in place to suggest it will age well over the next five years, and possibly longer. Early doors, but this wine will certainly be a contender for Red’s Top 5 in 2011. Stunning value.

Rated:


RRP: $15
ABV: 14.0%
Website: http://www.westendestate.com.au/


Red

2010 Hoddles Creek Estate Chardonnay (Yarra Valley)

I’ve consumed a superb pair of value wines this weekend. The first of these was an Aglianico which I’ll write about soon, and the other was this 2010 Hoddles Creek Chardonnay. Having tasted this in barrel last year and talked it up then (http://tinyurl.com/24osofq), I’m probably not entirely impartial with this wine, but given that my wife and I ended up fighting over the dregs, it's fair to say that it won us over! It captures everything I like in modern Australian Chardonnay without going too far down the lean and mean path.

The nose presents that expressive and lovely marriage of oak and fruit that make Chardonnay so, so appealing. Grapefruit, peach, milkiness, nuttiness, and cloves are all there. Moving onto the palate, what I love is this wine’s weight. It’s got richness and power, but keeps everything in check, retaining a sense of elegance. Spicy oak, fine acidity, and some phenolics give this wine a lovely texture to. Wonderful length and persistence in spades are there to finish it all off. Ripper wine.

With a bit of air its great now, but I’ll be putting a couple of bottles in the cellar.

Rated:


RRP: $22
ABV: 13.2%
Website: http://www.hoddlescreekestate.com.au/


Red

2009 Tarrawarra Chardonnay (Yarra Valley, Tumbarumba)

2009 was a tough, smoke taint affected vintage in the Yarra, and accordingly this wine has seen an addition of Tumbarumba fruit to the tune of 45%. It’s a multi regional blend that’s worked out pretty well I reckon.

This is a good value Chardonnay that’s for drinking over the next couple of years. It strikes that nice balance between being quaffable while also having enough complexity and structure to be worth contemplating. It tastes of peach and citrus, has some nice barrel work evident with lovely cloves and spice, and displays a nice touch of creaminess. Good acidity underpins the wine and there’s some appealing citrus pith through the finish. 3.5 Stars.

Rated:


RRP: $22
ABV: 13.5%
Website: www.tarrawarra.com.au
Source: Sample


Red