Boutique Wines

Boutique Wines

Take a look at what new and interesting boutique wines Paul has drinking of late.

Five Oaks Riesling 2007

Tight at first, elegant and sharp, then a fair amount of lemons and limes come through, along with cool climate gooseberry and green herbs. The nose then develops with a more intenseness to the characters with a hint of honeysuckle and dominant fresh vibrant lemons on the palate. It finishes light and dry and would be very good with pasta with creamy sauces.

Drink to 2012. About $25. 90/100 – Very Good.

Shottesbrooke McLaren Vale Shiraz 2006

Succulent luscious ripe and rich. Perfumed plums along with red cherries bounding through. Black forest cake like nose – spicy, refined. Medium bodied with a robust stricture, good well integrated oak, fine tannins and a soft finish. Still a youthful wine with plenty to show off in future years. Try this with braised beef.

Drink to 2016. About $18. 90/100 – Very Good.

Conte Estate Over The Hill Reserve Shiraz 2006.

Put this one on the winery watch list folks. This McLaren red is just spot on drinking. Seamless pure balanced and packing quite a punch from the outset, this Shiraz exudes glorious black and red fruits, with integrated oak, providing coconut macaroons as well as black olives and liquorice on the finish. Ripe smooth tannins augur well for the future. And value drinking as well. Try it with a beef stew.

Drink to 2016. About $25. 94/100 plus – Excellent.

Kambinye Vintage Fortified Shiraz 2005

This is a fascinating and interesting blend from this quality Barossa producer. It really sets itself off with the addition of the fortified brandy. The delicious ripe luscious black fruit marries well with it and provides a savoury dimension as well. Smooth ripe and long in mouthfeel and finish, the brandy hits you at the end, calling you to attention as well as asking out for more. A very neat after dinner drink for the Winter months.

Drink to 2015. About $30. 92/100 – Excellent.

Claymore Graceland Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

This is a robust red full of substance yet it also has a certain panache` and style to it. Exuding glorious blackcurrants, spicy plums, liquorice and dark chocolate, it is classic Shiraz and imparted with decent oak, there and promising for the future but in check for current drinking. Nice ripe tannins as well, auguring for a good future ahead of it. Try with a rack of bbq pork ribs.

Drink to 2015. About $45. 91/100 – Excellent.

Flaxman Wines Eden Valley Shiraz 2005

Pure succulent blue fruits abound – blueberries, spicy plums – liqueur and intoxicating – deep and inviting. Along with melded coffee oak and fine tannins, it provides a savoury style of finish, with a soft roundness and a velvety long finish. Try this roast lamb.

Drink to 2012. About $25. 93/100 – Excellent.

Mothi Chardonnay 2007

A vibrant leesy fulsome robust Chardonnay. Cashew oakiness along with a tanginess along with loads of peach melon fruit, fresh figs and a well rounded creaminess to the palate. Classically varietal and delicious to boot. Luxuriant drinking for those that enjoy a complex and oaked Chardonnay. From a boutique winery in Mudgee. Try it with calamari.

Drink Now. About $17. 92/100 – Excellent.

Olssen Bass Hill Vineyard Carmeniere 2006

Cool, classy and elegant are my first impressions – a wine of a certain stature that delights with a raft of characters that intrigue as they unwind before you. Think spicy plums, mint, black olives and raspberries – along with eucalypts, blueberries and coffee mocha oak. What an amalgam of characters. A medium bodied robust red, well put together and deliciously drinking with smooth ripe tannins, auguring for good future development. Try this with a grilled New York cut.

Drink to 2015. About $35. 93/100 – Excellent.

Hahndorf Hill Winery Rose` 2007

This is from an Adelaide Hills boutique winery. It is unique in character, distinctively savoury and dry yet still able to project very decent fruit characters such as raspberries and strawberries. So good with Asian cuisine such as Thai or Chinese as it has the substance and also the elegance and style to match. Lingering dry with rose petals and strawberries long finishing.

Drink Now. About $18. 89/100 – Very Good.

Marius Symphony Shiraz 2004

The Marius brand, the words single vineyard and the McLaren Vale region all taking pride of place on the front label are all pretty good indicators for a memorable drinking experience. Roger Pike from Marius makes very respectable reds. This is an excellent Shiraz from Marius’ four acre home block. Given the works through new tight French oak and barrel ageing of nearly 2 years, the resultant wine is a smooth integrated and balanced red of McLaren origins, and comes as no surprise in terms of its high quality. Dark berry fruits ooze from the aromas, tight then unwinding slowly and beautifully. Savoury dimensions ensue as does good coffee oak, essences of soy all marrying well with the fruit. A wine of substance, gravitas and along with a meatiness and fullness in mouthfeel yet also seamlessly long in finish. A long future ahead of it. Try with Wagyu beef.

Drink to 2024. About $35. 94/100 – Excellent.

Mount Majura Rose’ 2007

In the resurgence of Summer here where I sitting, here is a delightful drop to have with the grilled sausages on the bbq tonight. Aromatic fresh and luscious, a delicious wine of persistent fruit character, deep red fruits, ample sweet ripe fruit with lively acidity. Yummy smooth and laden with raspberries, strawberries and red cherries. Very nice Summer/ Autumn drinking.

Drink Now. About $17. 90/100 – Very Good.

Lazy Ballerina Shiraz 2006

This is boutique McLaren Vale material crafted by winemaker James Hook. Ripe, rich smooth classy and sexy Shiraz all rolled into one. Pure succulent and luscious black fruits – luxuriant and seamlessly delivered. Good coffee mocha oak, hints of cedar along with ripe tannins. Well balanced in mouthfeel with an effortlessly long delicious palate delivery. A long future as well. Try it with lamb stew.

Drink to 2018. About $25. 94/100 – Excellent.

Kay Brothers Amery The Cuthbert Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Blackcurrants, blackberries, boysenberries, spicy plums and raspberries all ensue from the aromas, all deep and intense. Coffee oak with cigar box nuances follow, as does liquorice, aniseed and dried mixed herbs. This is fruit focused in one dimension and savoury in another. Well melded and drinking well now but with a long future to it. Try it with beef and mushroom pie.

Drink to 2018. About $45. 92/100 – Excellent.

Higher Plane Margaret River Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2007

Gooseberries, citrus lemons and grapefruits, cut grass, green herbs and straw make up a complex set of aromas. Classy and elegant in structure. Well blended and very MR in structure. Crisp green youthful acidity complements the fruit. A very well put together blend with a long crisp finish. Try this with cheese and spinach pie.

Drink to 2010. About $25. 91/100 – Excellent.

Fox Gordon Abby Viognier 2007

This Adelaide Hills establishment has put together a neat impressive little Viognier here. With magnificent aromas, it exudes uplifting, fresh and lively aromas. Full of ripe apricots, honey, succulent oranges and tropical fruit, the nose has it all. You could linger here indefinitely. The palate is intense, rich and luscious. Smooth soft acidity supports the fruit well and results in balanced well crafted Viognier that is seamless drinking. Try it with Thai chicken salad.

Drink Now. About $20. 93/100 – Excellent.

The Olssen Six 2005

This is a classic red blend from this boutique winery. Consisting predominantly of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, the remaining of the “six” are Carmenere, Malbec and Petit Verdot. What ensues is a powerful, robust and complex red. It is also quite restrained at first and takes some time to unwind, such is the stature of this red. The red and black fruits are well melded and blended together, forming good alliances. Deep dark blackberries, spicy pure plums, blueberries, cherries all ensue along with licorice and dark chocolate as well as spicy fruit cake. Quite thick and viscous in mouthfeel, good but not overwhelming alcohol, this red is not for the faint hearted. Yes the oak is there quite firmly but it has the fruit to support it as well and quite good acidity along with assertive lingering tannins, all auguring for a long future. Try this with roast beef.

Drink to 2020. About $65. 92/100 – Excellent.

Mulyan Block 9 Shiraz Viognier 2005

A really enjoyable drinking experience ensued from this red blend from this boutique winery from the Cowra area of Central Western NSW. Complexity abounds from the aromas emanating from gaminess, dark sour cherries, forest floor and blueberries. Hints of mushroom and red earth as well. Seamless in mouthfeel, balance and integration, the Viognier is indiscernible but present. Fine tannins, melded oak all augur for a glorious long lingering finish of lifted red and black fruits.

Drink to 2010. About $25. 91/100 – Excellent.

Wanted Man Marsanne Viognier 2006

From this boutique Heathcote winery in Victoria, comes this very respectable white blend of French origin varietals. Citrus lemon, orange blossom, a touch of honey and a mineral edge complement the more influential aromas of pears and white peach. Quiet a complex nose and a classy and elegant nature to it. A touch of subtle spice on the palate adds to the polished fruit mouthfeel along with lively and crisp acidity making for an equally long crisp finish. A well put together white. Try this with smoked salmon and potato salad.

Drink Now. About $30. 91/100 – Excellent.

Rookery Peak Cabernet Shiraz 2004

A boutique red wine from this Kangaroo Island producer demonstrating yet again why Cabernet and Shiraz marry so well together. Intense, spicy and elegant in presentation, it is a blend that evolves in layers. Tight cedary oak complements the blackcurrants, blueberries, blackberries – all pure and distinctive in character. Well put together, this is a stylish highly drinkable red with a long aftertaste of black fruits that makes for delicious drinking even in the warmer weather. Try this with bbq pork ribs.

Drink to 2012. About $50. 92/100 - Excellent.

Fernfield Eden Valley Shiraz 2004

An interesting Shiraz from this Barossa boutique producer. Savoury in one sphere yet also laden with plenty of fruit character. Blueberries, blackberries, cherries, spicy plums and mulberries ensue. Coffee oak, a touch of aniseed along with dark chocolate and liquorice as well. Good alcohol melded with a smooth dark black fruits. A well rounded fulsome mouthfeel, long and smooth in finish. Try with salt and pepper pork ribs.

Drink to 2014. About $22. 90/100 – Very Good.

Kabminye Barossa Valley tres doux Muscadelle 2005

A really lovely dessert wine from this boutique Barossa producer. Burnt honey orange. Gloriously viscous and luscious. Aromatic and soothing as well. Honey, apricots, figs and toffee ensue. Caramel and golden syrup follows with raisiny fruit and a hint of nuttiness. Pure succulent and luxuriant in mouthfeel. Try it with fruit tart.

Drink to 2012. About $30 (5ooml). 94/100 – Excellent.

Windowrie The Mill Central Ranges Chardonnay 2006

Gloriously upfront but in a balanced way. Classically varietal as well. Typical peach melon flavours, well melded oak, a touch of butterscotch, cashews and other grilled nuts. Long and luscious in mouthfeel, luxuriant in palate delivery. One damn fine Chardonnay folks. Try it with fish and chips.

Drink Now to 2009. About $18. 93/100 – Excellent.

Helm Classic Dry Riesling 2007

Made by respected winemaker Ken Helm from free run juice of Canberra district Riesling vines. Brilliant greeny straw in colour. Limes, lemons, more lemons and lime cordial abounds. Juicy and fresh fruit – aromatic, vibrant and impressive in stature and composition. Delicious pure polished fruit oozes down the throat effortlessly. Smooth and a tad creamy on the finish with lively balanced acidity. Seamless drinking indeed. Try this with bbq octupus.

Drink to 2020. About $25. 95/100 – Superb.

Hahndorf Hill Winery Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2007

Vibrant and refreshingly lifted Savvy Blanc fruit. Not over the top but quite balanced in aroma profile. Tropical fruits abound along with ripe apple and other citric undertones such as lemons. Crisp and lively acidity supports the good fruit characters along with a slight tangy aftertaste. Lingers long and with a very pleasant finish. Would go well with seafood.

Drink Now. About $21. 89/100 – Very Good.

Little Rebel Chardonnay 2006

Made out of the Yarra Hill winery in the Yarra Valley of Victoria, this is one very quaffable Chardonnay. Classically varietal and with loads of aromatic nectarine melon along with light cashew oak. A lusciousness ensues that invites fast drinking. Tangy acidity supports the fruit, bringing a crisp finish and a lovely mouth feel. Delicious and affordable drinking. Try it with grilled chicken caser salad.

Drink Now. About $ 15. 90/100- Very Good.

Schild Estate Barossa Shiraz 2005

Blackberries, blueberries, plums, red cherries and raspberries abound in the aromas. A hint of sweet coconut oak and roasted meats balance each other off as well. A medium bodied well rounded red with smooth ripe but fine tannins. Seamlessly integrated with a long dark fruit laden finish. Try it with grilled lamb fillets.

Drink to 2015. About $22. 92/100 – Excellent.