From Shaw Vineyard Estate, this is a very precise expression of riesling, a variety that produces excellent wines in the Canberra region. In the glass, the wine has aromas of stones, lemons, white flowers and smoke. The palate gives the impression of dryness with a very lemony expression and high, racy acidity. Drink now and…Continue readingShaw Riesling Isabella Canberra 2017
This wine is from Punters Corner in Coonawarra and is a blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and shiraz from the 2002 vintage. It was purchased in South Australia at release, when travel outside of Victoria was a thing. The wine opens to tertiary aromas of cedar, smoke and earth. The palate is full bodied and…Continue readingPunters Corner Coonawarra Triple Crown 2002
This wine, a cabernet sauvignon merlot blend from Paul Mas and the Languedoc in the south of France, over delivers for its price. It has correct varietal aromas of blackcurrant, smoke and leaf. The palate is full bodied with savoury fruit and medium tannins that are ripe. Ready to drink now. Rating: Good. Website: https://www.paulmas.com/en/home/;…Continue readingDomaines Paul Mas Vignes de Nicole Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2019
This is a more straightforward expression of Sonoma chardonnay. From the 2015 vintage, it has aromas of cashews and yoghurt. The palate is full bodied, loose knit and viscous. Sound drinking. Rating: Good. Website: https://www.simiwinery.com; wine-searcher.com. Reviewed: September 2020.Continue readingSimi Chardonnay Sonoma County 2015
February seems both long ago, yet only recent, with both the rhythm of seasons and life partly frozen and confused by lockdowns. This tasting took place in Napa in February 2020. Writing in September 2020, in Melbourne, we remain in lockdown. In our city, this means being permitted only to travel up to 5 kilometres…Continue readingBordeaux 2015 in bottle tasting in Napa
This is more or less what I am searching for, but irregularly find, in a Bourgogne rouge. It opens to brooding aromas of blackcurrant, with a cedar backdrop. The palate is medium bodied with game notes, medium tannins and lingering length on the finish. This rather delicious Burgundy overachieves for its quality classification and is…Continue readingSC Guillard Bourgogne Rouge 2018
This is a sound rosé from Robert Stein made in the current style. It is pale in colour, with a mineral and strawberry aroma. The palate is dry, has fresh acidity and a medium body. The styling is French. Ready to drink now. Rating: Good. Website: https://www.robertstein.com.au; wine-searcher.com. Source: Sample. Reviewed: September 2020.Continue readingRobert Stein Rosé 2018
In just one small sticker, the key components of this sparkling wine are communicated incredibly effectively. Here it is: Transparency in labelling benefits both wine producers and consumers. Although the words chosen are the French ones, we swifly learn: Cepages (grape varieties): 82% pinot noir and 18% chardonnay Vintages: 81% from 2017 and 19% reserve…Continue readingDaoso Natural Reserve Sparkling Piccadilly Valley NV
This is a good pinot grigio from Angullong in the Orange region. It is a suitable substitute for Veneto pinot grigio, but positioned in qualitative terms above the ubiqutious entry level offerings from that region. The wine opens to saline and light floral aromas. The palate is unoaked and a fine pin point like high…Continue readingAngullong Pinot Grigio 2019
This McLaren Vale wine is made with the traditional Rioja blending partners of tempranillo and garnacha (grenache). It is a ripe and juicy wine in the style of a Rioja Joven. In the glass, there are blueberry and sweet cherry aromas. The palate is full bodied with a blueberry and fruity, gluggable character. Suitable for…Continue readingFat ‘n Skinny The Red Fury Tempranillo Garnacha 2018
We see so few Bordeaux wines in Australia that are from the left bank appellations of Pauillac, Saint-Estèphe, Margaux and Saint-Julien and are not a cru classé. This is a mistake, as with the improvements and price increases in Bordeaux, there is wonderful value in these villages at below cru classé level. This wine, from…Continue readingChâteau Capbern Saint-Estèphe 2015
I rather sensed that this producer and vineyard were headed towards producing a fine wine. This wine has seen considerable attention to detail and is outstanding. A blend of 68% cabernet sauvignon, 16% shiraz and 16% cabernet franc, it is from the Crayères vineyard in the Wrattonbully region on the South Australian/Victorian border. In terms…Continue readingTerre à Terre Crayères Vineyard 2016