The Five Minute Wine Rush
19 May 2012
Lerida Estate Lake George Shiraz Viognier 2006
The purity of the spicy plums and spicy blackberries here really impresses. Light aniseed adds to the overall dimension of it all. Well blended the smoothness and the oak that is seamless really all comes together beautifully. The alcohol is there but not sticking its head out really noticeably. All else is fine with the finish very European in style with a finesse right to the end. Easy drinking and put together very well. Try this with homemade steak and mushroom pie.
Drink Now. About $60. 15.7%. 92/100 – Excellent.
14 May 2012
Cullen Mangan Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2011
Lifted citrine characters really entice you on the nose. The aromas call out lemons, limes and straw, a crispness as well envelopes the senses with an edge that carries through the fruit. The acidity is as I said edgy and delivers a crisp long backbone all the way to the end. The mix of limes, lemons, an inherent mix of fresh grassy herbs make their presence felt in flavours on the palate. Enjoyable drinking with a creamy pasta, say a spaghetti carbonara.
Drink now to 2016. 12%. Margaret River WA. About $35. 91/100 – Excellent.
11 May 2012
Cumulus Shiraz 2009
Beautiful cool fresh uplifting spice filled fruit dominates the nose, crisp lively aromas – think blackberries, cherries and a good dose of oak as well. Deep and full of ripe fruit, yet with an edge to it all as well. Young and with plenty ahead of it, the palate delivers smooth fruit, a medium body and fine tannins on the finish. A classy red wine. Try this with beef tomato and olive pie.
Drink to 2017. 13.5%. Orange NSW. About $30. 90/100 – Very Good.
7 May 2012
Tim Adams The Fergus 2008
You get Tempranillo, Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro in this quality red blend from Tim Adams. Well put together, the synergy of all the varietals really sits well with one another. The oak is in the background, indiscernible and well integrated. The tannins very fine and again in the background. The fruit is not over the top and indeed quite balanced. Drinking well now and for a few more years to come. A medium bodied versatile red that will pair up very nicely with Spanish cuisine, some paella perhaps.
Drink to 2016. 14.5%. About $23. Clare Valley SA. 90/100 – Very Good.
2 May 2012
Zema Estate The Cluny Cabernet Merlot 2008
Bargain and value are scribbled all over my tasting notes. The opulent purple mesmerises you and captivates and charms all at once. A vibrant spicy nose follows. Polished fruit, pure and smooth and deep. A good backbone, long in finish with integrated oak, the time developing it has done it good so far. The fruit delivers blackcurrants, light capsicum, succulent plums and soft dark sour cherries. A few more years can only add to the goodness already there. An excellent match with oven baked lasagna.
Drink to 2016. About $26. Coonawarra. 14%. 93/100 – Excellent.
28 April 2012
Centennial Vineyards Woodside Winery Block Chardonnay 2009
Pale yellow, aromatic, vibrant distinctive and full of fragrance. Obvious varietal fruit, well developed with good length yet with that nice mineral edge to it as well. Quite well balanced despite the fullsome flavours and a good crisp acid structure. Think a litany of peach, melon, tropical fruits when drinking – fresh and fruity, vibrant and lively are the key words. Try this with prawn risotto.
Drink to Now. 87/100 – Good. 14%. Southern Highlands. About $23.
26 April 2012
Schild Estate Sparkling Shiraz 2008
There is something about Friday night that really makes you appreciate what you are drinking. I know it’s a long week of work, but that end of week relief really sharpens and heightens that palate. Anyway this Sparkling Shiraz is just buzzing and rocking my wine world this Friday night. Smooth sweet fruit creamily and yet with a subtle savoury tomato bush vine alongside it to add to its complexity and character. It drinks seamlessly effortlessly and glides ultra fast down the throat. The bubbles are tight and just add to the flavour punch. Try this with slow roasted beef.
About $26. 13%. Barossa. Drink to 2016. 91/100 – Excellent.
25 April 2012
Madfish Shiraz 2009
Seriously for the price you are left shaking your head saying to yourself how do they do it. The wine in this red is top shelf. It delivers on balance, style, drinkability and obviously as I said on price. Deep polished fruit, spicy, concentrated yet with good structure and backbone, fair oak treatment and well rounded tannins. Think blackberry all the way through with spicy plums as well. Will hold but why hold I ask. Drink I say. Try this with grilled marinated pork chops.
About $17 .14.5%. Western Australia. Drink to 2015. 90/100 – Very Good.
23 April 2012
Dowie Doole G & T Grenacha and Tempranillo 2011
Funky vibrant hip and happening this is a modern day red with just right Australian climate varietals as Grenacha and Tempranillo as well as being ultra food friendly. I like the way the wine sits with me, plenty of ripe characters but yet a mid weight that doesn’t overwhelm. It drinks a treat smooth long and with plenty of plums and blackberries providing oomph. Try this with marinated pork fillets.
About $25. 14.5%. McLaren Vale. Drink Now. 88/100 – Very Good.
21 April 2012
Fox Creek Reserve Shiraz 2007
There is the wow factor here folks, a wine term that basically reinforces the use of the word wow to describe seemingly every part of this wine drinking experience. Anyway I better give you some other impressions to fill in the space. Pure fruit, seamless oak, luxuriant flavours ever so velvety on the finish. Decadent plums, sweetish blackberries, effortlessly smooth tannins, deliciousness in finish, on and on and on it goes. Wow. Very decent drinking with roast beef.
About $70. 14.5%. Drink to 2020. 93/100 – Excellent.
19 April 2012
Xanadu Chardonnay 2009
This is quite a soft and creamy and smooth Chardonnay. The nose has a citrusy lemony edge. Having said that there is a fair bit of inherent power in it which unwinds and unleashes in the glass and shows the wine’s potential for the future. I enjoyed drinking it now given its softness but there is fair bit more to come. A good each way bet I say. Lingering long in the mouth with classic nectarine and those citrus flavours as well, all allowing the character of this polished Chardonnay to really shine through. Try it with jambalaya.
About $50. 13.5%. Margaret River. Drink to 2014. 91/100 - Excellent.
18 April 2012
Lillypilly Tramillon 2010
This is very easy drinking folks, the ripe fruit providing just right sweetness to really deliver a rolling wave of fresh vibrant flavours on the palate. Lively soft and well rounded it has that drinkability factor all over it. A bbq white for a warm Autmun day it is. Versatile with Asian cuisine as well. BBQ marinated pork salad, Thai style it is then.
Drink Now. About $15. Riverina Region. 11%. 87/100 – Good.
Madfish Gold Turtle Pinot Noir 2008
The gold turtle draws me in. Well it draws me in. A gorgeous ruby red colour as well in the glass. Delicate fragrant soft – all the good things I like in a pinot noir. Lean taut and dry. Lovely dusty sour cherry followed by an inherent earthiness, light cinnamon, a silky pluminess making it light to mid bodied on the palate. Seamless fine intricate to the end. Drinking very well right now. Try it with oven baked chicken and vine tomatoes and a light mozzarella topping, side of peas and speck.
About $32. 14%. Drink Now. 88/100- Very Good.
Tempus Two Limestone Coast Merlot 2010.
Decent enough Merlot may I say. Marked fruit coming very nicely through. Plums, raspberry and spicily so if there is such a word. A touch of earth to add character. The oak is seamless and well balanced, indeed everything is in sync and makes for easy effortless drinking. A mellow yet ever-present style not overwhelming but not shy either. Try this with oven baked pork and fennel Italian sausages.
About $22. 14%. Drink Now. 87/100 – Good.
16 April 2012
Lerida Estate Zenzi Rosato Frizzante
I could dazzle you with an array of Italian words here which would make up for the lack of notes that I took as this went down the hatch so to speak. Things like strawberries, raspberries and a dry savoury finish still enliven the senses. I like it lots. It lifts the senses beautifully and leaves them in a nice place. It is delicious and the light sparkling tingle just really draws you in. Try it with salmon bruschetta.
8.5%. About $13. 500ml.91/100 – Excellent.
Nepenthe Pinot Noir 2008
Garnet red. Quite pure and delicate at opening, light and taut, yet then smooth on the palate. Fruit driven with rhubarb, strawberry, cranberry, sour cherry and violet all making their showing. A spicy drop that delivers well on all fronts. Drinking well right now with roast duck pancakes.
Drink Now. 88/100 – Very Good. Adelaide Hills. About $19.
Schild Estate Shiraz 2009
A classy red full of vibrancy. Spicy and racy with purity of spirit, I like the way this Shiraz announces itself. Youthful, fruit driven, fresh and all things new. A delicious medium bodied red that delivers true Barossa, true Shiraz and a truly good red wine drinking experience. Raspberry, blackberry and liqourice make for interest. Not overdone in the oak department. Nice easy drinking – well rounded and smooth and delicious to the end. Try this with an aged piece of grilled Angus beef.
Drink to 2016. 14.5%. Barossa Valley. About $25. 90/100 – Good.
14 April 2012
Stella Bella Chardonnay 2007
A smooth rich Chardonnay with just right light creaminess that just delivers beautifully on the palate with delicious peach melon flavours. Intricate unwinding long – quite a few levels to this as light butterscotch as emerges. The oak is seamless and integrated. The acidity and finish is softish. Delightful drinking as I said, it is very decent and food friendly to boot. Try with pan fried pork dumplings.
13%. Drink Now. Margaret River. About $25. 91/100 – Excellent.
Kingston Echelon Shiraz 2008
Presses the buttons for me. Full of obvious strong pure concentrated fruit. Deep and strong on all counts. Generous and lively even gregarious in its aroma profile. Full bodied and with a strong backbone. A solid red with smooth well rounded tannins and good oak. Spice filled, with dominant black fruits, charred plums, an underlying meatiness and good chocolate as well. Try this with bbq pork ribs with plum sauce.
Drink to 2015. 14.5%. SA. About $28. 91/100 – Excellent.
13 April 2012
Howard Park Abercrombie Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
This important red has high expectations attached to it every year it is released. One of the country’s best red wines, it delivers consistency and quality and a certain style of Cabernet year in year out. Priced accordingly it is at the top end of the wine drinking experience for aficionados. Rest easy folks as 2009 will be no exception in the high expectations being again delivered stakes. I think it is an absolute cracker of a wine, albeit a young one. It has all this potential and restrained power there with its classic blackcurrant nose, just sitting there waiting to be slowly unleashed upon the drinker. Big but not OTT. Fine grainy tannins, there oak, enough to go the distance. Classic coffee mocha oak at that. This has all the hallmarks of a very fine wine to follow. Oh and it drinks very well right now for those who can’t or don’t want to wait. Try it with a big juicy aged steak, medium rare.
About $100. Western Australia. 13.5%. Drink to 2019. 95-96/100 – Superb.
O’Leary Walker Pinot Noir 2009
A pleasant subtle polished Pinot, well spiced to make the fragrances waft. Lively and soft on the palate, the cranberries, strawberries, cherries and plums all make their appearances. Light to medium bodied in finish with dryness at the end. Easy drinking and drinking now, this Pinot delivers well at all levels. Try it with spinach and chicken risotto.
About $25. Drink Now. Adelaide Hills. 89/100 – Very Good.
10 April 2012
Sideways Shiraz 2009
I scribbled value at the bottom of the tasting sheet in big letters so it must be. And I gave it 91 so it must be pretty decent as well. I must have really liked it then. Anyway it is distinctively spicy Shiraz, concentrated and deep in nature, intense yet with plenty of pure fruit, yet it is still a stylish wine with a good backbone supporting the fruit. The spicy blackberries made their mark, as did the plums, underpinned by an earthiness and good liquorice, black ones. Full bodied an impressive wine as is aid esp. at the price.
Try this with roast pork and crackling.
Drink to 2015. About $22. Margaret River WA. 91/100 – Excellent.
4 April 2012
Centennial Vineyards Woodside Winery Block Chardonnay 2009
Pale yellow, aromatic, vibrant distinctive and full of fragrance. Obvious varietal fruit, well developed with good length. Quite well balanced despite the full flavours. Think a litany of peach, melon, tropical fruits – fresh and fruity are the key words. Try this with prawn risotto.
Drink to Now. 87/100 – Good. 14%. Southern Highlands. About $23.
2 April 2012
Five Oaks Cabernet Merlot 2007
This has a classic nose when it comes to development. A crimson purple ripe plum colour, quite glorious to stare at on a prolonged basis. Finally the taste comes. Persistent obvious deep potent cabernet with good oak, there and making its presence yet alongside is drinkable plum, ample in presence as well. Blending all in check I say and carrying time quite well. Lovely classic may I say again cassis flavours, some mulberry and a light mint underlying this all. Complex with a light smokiness to intrigue at the end. I like it. Try this with bbq beef kebabs.
Drink to 2015. 92/100 – Excellent. 14.5% Yarra Valley. About $30.
1 April 2012
Moss Wood Chardonnay 2010
Luxuriant is the buzz word here. It is a sensual wine, one that captivates with its charm and elegance, personality and stature. All parts in sync and in harmony with one another. A Chardonnay that rewards at all levels. Fruit profile, drinkability, oak integration, composure, providence, seamless mouthfeel and cellaring potential. A Chardonnay that gives its all and delivers such. Fine winemaking. The peach nectarines and light honey all come through beautifully alongside the well melded oak and the length well it just goes on and on leaving a wonderful legacy. Try it with lobster.
About $55-$60. 14.5%. Margaret River. Drink to 2016. 95/100 – Superb.
31 March 2012
Sirromet 820 Above Verdelho 2011
The last days of warm weather call for something like this – upfront, well structured good crispness and full flavours right to the end. Peaches, melons, tropical fruit all come through here ripe yet well defined. I like the array of aromas as they spread far and wide, inviting and not shying away from the ripe luscious fruit. As I said good acidity supports this all the way, making it very easy white wine drinking. Try this with tagliatelle al pesto.
About $18. 13.9%. Granite Belt Qld. Drink Now. 86- 87/100 – Good.
30 March 2012
Mud House Central Otago Pinot Noir 2010
Luscious ripe cherries flood the senses here – they don’t overwhelm though. Just right is the balance here with a lovely softness imparted on the palate that just coats the throat full of cherries, allspice, light aniseed and liqourice. It impresses with its sensibleness in not pushing itself too far but yet making its statement to all about its impressiveness. Try this with bbq marinated beef.
About $29. Central Otago NZ. 13.5%. Drink Now to 2016. 91/100 – Excellent.
23 March 2012
Guinness Extra Stout
This is made under licence here and seriously whoever made it should take a bow because it is really top notch stuff. It has the most exquisite and pronounced nose full of captivating soy. The smell is just glorious and the light creamy head just sits there perfectly. The hops are fresh and good, and well it drinks damn well as well with a lovely smooth bitter savour finish. Until I get to try the original back in Ireland, this is a worthy Guinness.
6%. Excellent. $4 per bottle.
21 March 2012
Raidis Estate Cheeky Goat Pinot Gris 2011.
Pinot Gris cops a bagging in wine world. Why partly because it’s trendy to do so, partly because quite a lot of times it’s not up to scratch. It is a tough nut to call because of style differences but this French influenced Gris does deliver a lightly rich mouthfeel full of pears, musk, lychees and passion fruit – a litany of descriptors that in my wine world says welcome show me more. Anyway it does the trick in the down the throat department very well for me and matches well with Asian food. I had it with stir fried Chinese chicken with asparagus and corn, Kylie Kwong style. Beautiful may I say on both fronts.
Drink Now. About $17. Coonawarra. 12.7%. 90/100 – Very Good.
20 March 2012
Wandin Valley Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2007
Smashing Chardonnay for the want of a better wine phrase. Does it for me on all counts – fruit set, softness in mouthfeel, tempered oak, smooth and delicious on the taste buds and on and on I go. This is the real deal Hunter Valley Chardonnay lively upfront lightly buttery smooth and moreish. A gutsy Chardonnay that has calmed and matured in every sense with time. Good stuff. And good stuff with a rack of lamb I say.
Drink Now to 2014. About $30. 14%. Hunter Valley. 94/100 – Excellent.
16 March 2012
Postcode 2320 Reserve Shiraz 2004
Pulled this out of the cellar the other night to pair up with some osso buco Milanese I was cooking. Yes yes I know I should be on one of those TV shows given the level of my culinary skills as evidenced by the vast repertoire of dishes I pair up for you wine buffs every day. Eating so well for the cause in the process. Enough waffle, bottom line is this is good Hunter red, which you can tell is Hunter red both now and when it was made. 8 years on its makers would be pleased with this fine solid red. Oh and it does go a treat with the osso buco.
Drink Now. About $30. 14%. Hunter Valley.90/100 – Very Good.
15 March 2012
Sarantos Merlot 2010
Soft pressing this really does preserve the luscious fresh soft succulent plums. Pure lively and really lifted. The stand out in the glass calling everything else to attention as they show off themselves in the best possible light. Crimsony purple deep and ripe yet not overdone the aromas and palate here is all plum, plum and plum. Nice stuff for easy drinking. Try this with hoisin pork.
About $15. SA. 14%. Drink Now to 2015. 89/100 – Very Good.
12 March 2012
Nepenthe Chardonnay 2010
No mucking around here this is real Chardonnay – fulsome fruit, classic peach melon, good oak there and making its mark felt, good solid luscious flavours on the palate with a lovely clean finish that really accentuates flavour. Drinking very decently now. Try this with chicken salad.
Adelaide Hills. $19. 13%. Drink Now. 87/100 – Good.
11 March 2012
Brokenwood Forest Edge Vineyard Chardonnay 2011
May I say I love the modern Australian take on Chardonnay, fruit there making its presence felt classically and regionally so. Check. Oak there but tempered and making its presence only in a supporting role. Check. Acidity, good creamy soft, but not over the top or overly crisp. Check. Drinkable now with imparted flavours and yet with enough fuel in the tank to develop a richness and complexity with some further time. Check. All boxes ticked for this modern Australian Chardonnay. Oh and it goes well with chicken and mushroom risotto.
Drink to 2015. About $30. 12.5%. Orange. 91/100 – Excellent.
10 March 2012
Tim Adams Reserve Riesling 2008
Remarkably soft and lightly creamy, yet still well imparted with classic lemons and limes and also with a refinement that calls our Clare Valley. Easy to savour with a light zest on the palate this is not crisp or sharp but rather more composed and mellow, yet with inherent minerality that says there is more to come. Try this with chicken and mushroom and pancetta and leek pie.
About $35. Clare Valley. 10%. Drink to 2015. 90/100 – Very Good.
7 March 2012
Tim Adams Cabernet Malbec 2006
It was Tim Adams day here at our place today and I must say he didn’t disappoint. This one from the cellar is an intriguing blend that really comes off – the spiciness has tempered and the fruit merges well with the oak to create a very decent well drinking red that whilst having a degree of mellowness also has a presence that augurs well for a few more years yet. Try this with pizza, thin crust, wood fired, olives anchovies a bit of cheese, homemade tomato sugo and voila a match made in heaven.
Drink to 2016. Clare Valley. 14.5%. About $30. 92/100 – Excellent.
5 March 2012
Madfish Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2011
You are in a hurry. Yes more so than usual. You are disorientated as you are somewhere newish and unfamiliar near your hopefully new latest find restaurant - you are directed accordingly to the bottl0 just a few doors up (they are always only a few doors up irrespective of where they may actually be aren’t they) and again you become disorientated and overwhelmed by the layout and sheer volume of choice in such a small space. Alas my friends here is the “go to” wine in this scenario. Full of freshness, packed with flavour a good crispness and a deliciousness that will reward the palate and the wallet. Thank you Paul you say. You’re welcome I respond. Drink with Thai, Indian, Burmese or Chinese, your call.
Drink Now. About $17. WA. 13%. 90/100 – Very Good.
4th March 2012
Moss Wood Ribbon Vale Vineyard Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Don’t mind this at all. Indeed I’m quite taken by it. Is it the regionality, the classic white blending, the purity of the fruit, the ying and yang of these two seminal varieties, or the way it glides so effortlessly down the throat imparting it true value all the way to the end. I think it is a bit of all of these that makes everything seem so good. Nice drinking with grilled pork and mango salsa.
13%. About $30. Margaret River. Drink to 2015. 91/100 – Excellent.
1st March 2012
Stella Bella Viognier 2010
This Viognier has a lovely crisp edge to it that really adds to the fruit. A good backbone you could say. Yes you get all the classic tropical fruits, pears and honey essences but not overwhelmingly so. Enough for each part to say what it has to but not overspoken in an way. Crisp and lively on the finish with a pleasant set of flavours. Try this with Chinese pork and chive dumplings and soy sauce.
About $30. Drink to 2014. Margaret River. 14%. 89-90/100 – Very Good.
