2009 Kirrihill Single Vineyard Tullymore Vineyard cab Cabernet Sauvignon – Clare Valley

I was a fan of the 2008 edition of this so was keen to try the 2009. Tasting it upon opening, it smelled and largely tasted of blackcurrants, blackberries, menthol, mint and freshly turned soils/earth. On the palate the tannins stood out – they were grippy, a bit bitter and dominated the wine in the middle and back palate (even for a tannin fan like me). On the finish there was considerable cedery oak.
On the second and third days the fruit was more prominent, a bit of black plum was present and generally more fruit sweetness, and less intense dustyness and tannins.

One to cellar for a few years to allow the tannins to soften, not as good as the 08 edition, but pretty nice value for the price- a considerable step up in terms of complexity and structure from the entry level Kirihill Cabernet as well as many other Australian Cabernets in the $13-17 range.
Rating

/ 89pts + ('+' for being a cheap single vineyard wine that will get better in the cellar).

Price: $16.95
ABV: 14.5%
Website: http://www.kirrihillwines.com.au// and http://winexpress.com.au/

2004 Bodega Catena Zapata - D.V Catena Cabernet

One of the (many) wines tasted during my relaxing holiday in Argentina. :-)


Faded crimson in colour, with brickish red on the rim, a nose of menthol, salted liquorice, cassis and x factor pong I can only put down to site/ bottle age.
The wine is ripe- varietal without knocking you over. Cassis on the nose follows through on the palate, the texture is velvety in an almost warm climate Australian Cabernet way. Tannins are fine and understated, and French oak (80% new) has been largely absorbed.

Reasonably intense and fruity at the start, it drops away quite quickly in a classic doughnut cabernet way, and though it does not finish with a whimper, there is minimal length. On the finish is a herbal, leafy bitterness that adds a bit of interest and steers this away from sweet fruit bomb territory, though there is some acidity on the finish that is a bit harsh (especially if you are sensitive to it). The longer it was opened the more the acidity stood out as not being properly integrated or prominent, possibly as a result of the wine being in the process of falling over.

While not a bad wine, there are superior Australian and New Zealand Cabernets to be had locally at the same price. Furthermore, if you were buying an Argentinean red, Malbec would definitely be my preference based on what was tasted in-country.

Rating:

 / 88*  possibly 2 years past its best.

ABV: 13.5%

RRP: $30 (retail in Argentina)

Website: http://www.catenawines.com/

Odds & Sods . . .

Some random tasting notes from wines I’ve had over the past few weeks

Dal Zotto Prosecco Pucino NV – $19 - King Valley - This is not far off challenging Brown Brothers NV as my go to inexpensive sparkling. Plenty of generosity in the apple and citrus flavours along with a lovely creaminess here, but this is nicely balanced by savoury notes and a nice acidity. Very enjoyable drinking and you could do worse than to have the Dal Zotto as your house sparkling. 3.5 Stars

2009 Cono Sur Pinot Noir – $9 - Chile - This wine delivers everything you could realistically hope for from a $9 Pinot. Its varietal and provides good, easy drinking. It smells of cherry and raspberry, while also having a hint game meat. On the palate it tends more towards sour cherry with some nice spice in support. Used about a third of the bottle for duck dish I was cooking, and then drank the rest with the meal. Simple pleasures. 3 stars

2009 Kangarilla Sangiovese – $20 - Mclaren Vale - This is a wine that is both true to its region, while also being varietally correct. It tastes like both the grape variety and the terroir have had an equal input into the end result. It’s got the cherry, acidity, and drying tannin bit (Sangiovese), while also having the rich, ripe, chocolate bit (Mclaren Vale). Enjoyed drinking this, and reckon it would be a real crowd pleaser to. 3.5 Stars.



Red

2010 Tim Adams Riesling (Clare Valley)

I’ve not been a huge fan of a number of 2010 Rieslings from the Clare Valley. They’ve tended to be a bit broad and tropical for my tastes. Happily, the Tim Adams mostly avoids these traits.

To smell it has that classic floral bouquet with aromas of citrus, apples, and slate. The same flavours flow through onto the palate along with some lovely spice. There is some generosity of fruit, but this wine is largely defined by its refined acidity. While I’ve always been quite partial to a battery acid-like young riesling, I’m increasingly appreciating Rieslings whose acidity is less overt, while being no less insistent. This is one of those wines. Excellent length of finish as well.

It should age a treat over the next 10 years, and under screwcap, for possibly a lot longer.

Rated:
+

RRP: $20
ABV: 11.5%
Website: http://www.timadamswines.com.au/


Red