tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85384465350119516762024-03-18T14:01:38.103+11:00Thomas Girgensohn's Australian Wine Reviews - and BeyondA blog of new and mature wine reviews for the discerning wine consumerAlontinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03303383808768521404noreply@blogger.comBlogger1926125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538446535011951676.post-57445608322033268312024-03-17T14:29:00.003+11:002024-03-17T14:29:56.251+11:00Joshua Cooper Doug's Vineyard Pinot Noir<p> Doug's vineyard is at the outskirts of the little town Ramsey, in Macedon. I previously reviewed Cooper's other Macedon Pinot Noir from the Ray-Monde vineyard, and waxed lyrically about it. I will not do it quite so much about this wine, the <b>2019 Joshua Cooper Doug's Vineyard Pinot Noir</b>. The wine spent one year in oak, before transferred to stainless steel for four months, still on lees. No fining nor filtration, and low alcohol at 12%, similar to its brother. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsdnRXyxi7fSqiiguq4GU1yX9BXtyH8C-YY4wDm73lnt67quFT9qrLz1jBhOLxajkboeIwo3zFf3I9ByCI8w3kjIqGSaf1o1pr_7YX-cCCV-2Sh165kKHk8mmJbVkjdXPVLEoeUfsfDfaS2fXWH1db3kIQj5GsHdEqR0woVKvafwYjBbnpdaVQrybbehbE/s4032/IMG_6659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsdnRXyxi7fSqiiguq4GU1yX9BXtyH8C-YY4wDm73lnt67quFT9qrLz1jBhOLxajkboeIwo3zFf3I9ByCI8w3kjIqGSaf1o1pr_7YX-cCCV-2Sh165kKHk8mmJbVkjdXPVLEoeUfsfDfaS2fXWH1db3kIQj5GsHdEqR0woVKvafwYjBbnpdaVQrybbehbE/w300-h400/IMG_6659.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Red and black cherry fruit with good intensity feature on the palate. Savoury and herbal notes are there as well and deliver a pleasant and elegant mouthfeel. This wine is quite soft and lacks some bite. I found it a little plump against the backdrop of light tannins. The medium finish does not reveal anything new. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This style might suit some, but the wine could have been more.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Score: 91/+ </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p><br /></p>Alontinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03303383808768521404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538446535011951676.post-89101833900797109972024-03-15T16:50:00.000+11:002024-03-15T16:50:46.768+11:00Premium New Zealand Chardonnays<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">New Zealand Chardonnay is nothing like Australian Chardonnay. A closer comparison could be made with Napa Valley, although this is hard as well, as there are so many different styles in both regions. In general, premium New Zealand Chardonnay is often quite rich (get away from the Sauvignon Blanc image?), and flavours are often stone fruit based as opposed to the citrus profile of the majority of Australian Chardonnay. The other day, I tasted four interesting examples. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuOyeH3JrcNJnqZ3Za9T6UVuid4b0Gm5SXOJsGzfscpBtifI3cMtM1ujBZ3Um6e8L1QaB4Ci2bd9W5Yj8iUvsTgk28wlto7Eto4vIvi6sYIzAGVUTi8upguKFMnuvIgXGOYpvsL8m9xt5CIzt0opE69HumyZlzANoQ39N2T2YcB_sHsnNIf9gzvojrGf5B/s1332/PHOTO-2024-03-12-22-08-49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1332" data-original-width="487" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuOyeH3JrcNJnqZ3Za9T6UVuid4b0Gm5SXOJsGzfscpBtifI3cMtM1ujBZ3Um6e8L1QaB4Ci2bd9W5Yj8iUvsTgk28wlto7Eto4vIvi6sYIzAGVUTi8upguKFMnuvIgXGOYpvsL8m9xt5CIzt0opE69HumyZlzANoQ39N2T2YcB_sHsnNIf9gzvojrGf5B/s320/PHOTO-2024-03-12-22-08-49.jpg" width="117" /></a></div>The first wine was the <b>2021 Tony Bish Skeetfield Chardonnay</b> from Hawkes Bay. Tony Bish is a leading figure of the area, known for modern experimentation. He is biodynamic, likes ceramic eggs, you get the picture. 60% new French oak is applied as well. This Chardonnay is opulent and rich, with yellow peach and buttery flavours, and a creamy mouthfeel. No doubt he uses 100% malolactic fermentation. Despite this richness, this wine achieves some elegance on top of its mild acidity (94 points). The second Chardonnay is the <b>2021 Church Road Tom Chardonnay</b>, also from Hawkes Bay. Wow! This wine makes an entry. It is incredibly smoky on the nose - a huge salvo of gun powder. On the palate, it is not different. This is another very opulent wine. It was not clear if the gun powder flavours are the result of the oak treatment or sulphur. It did not change in the glass. Would the smoke reduce with age? Hard to say. I have never tasted a wine as flinty as this. Below the flint, there is some banana and cream, but it is not what this wine is about (90 points).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The third wine is the <b>2020 Pyramid Valley Chardonnay</b> from North Canterbury. The original international owners settled on this special location after a 15 year search in 2000. The vineyard they planted is at high altitude, very rocky, with vines planted in groups on the site. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynhqm5dZTW0IjkxiBJWdiXd8n0JXQxo1M_2hl-i_ET1cR0MSf_Jx3Cm2goYXVydyHjW_WMCk3Ahul6CzAmja3mEdqaP5OYK8MY4RJD12oGDRXpAnmPcadS_F3afFOryNdkr_QPJvTOzPIZNiaQeAt1y6hahUG4jIynVYjtE8EDTedoH1mKYroYXFfBJrp/s1280/PHOTO-2024-03-12-22-08-49a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="992" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynhqm5dZTW0IjkxiBJWdiXd8n0JXQxo1M_2hl-i_ET1cR0MSf_Jx3Cm2goYXVydyHjW_WMCk3Ahul6CzAmja3mEdqaP5OYK8MY4RJD12oGDRXpAnmPcadS_F3afFOryNdkr_QPJvTOzPIZNiaQeAt1y6hahUG4jIynVYjtE8EDTedoH1mKYroYXFfBJrp/s320/PHOTO-2024-03-12-22-08-49a.jpg" width="248" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">However, this wine comes from three vineyards going back to 1982 (the oldest Chardonnay vineyard in the country). The wine has been on lees for a full year and is matured in 25% new oak.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a very balanced wine, with floral aromatics and honeysuckle flavours building an attractive mouthfeel. The wine is quite ripe, yet retains freshness. The creamy aspects are due to the winemaking and lead to a rounded texture. Saline acidity delivers a lifting finish (94 points).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHoJSZO7XTGAvoApf58phhXdsTYlpmxEYjJbwSbi5cGwaKCSMtejiGHP7hDQ_oHAd5sMQfMEEHdw0vMetkRR1oOzHqf938WkMLZyFoErdv5QU5sYajgU9bz743hjJ7nMWXqetALCl753chotgdUAt9-7ZmI1qSU23ZIz3n4SlTfvHN10pIlkUMv3GagqIo/s1465/PHOTO-2024-03-12-22-08-49b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1465" data-original-width="461" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHoJSZO7XTGAvoApf58phhXdsTYlpmxEYjJbwSbi5cGwaKCSMtejiGHP7hDQ_oHAd5sMQfMEEHdw0vMetkRR1oOzHqf938WkMLZyFoErdv5QU5sYajgU9bz743hjJ7nMWXqetALCl753chotgdUAt9-7ZmI1qSU23ZIz3n4SlTfvHN10pIlkUMv3GagqIo/s320/PHOTO-2024-03-12-22-08-49b.jpg" width="101" /></a></div>The final wine in this line-up is the <b>2013 Neudorf Moutere Chardonnay</b> from Nelson. This is a tropical and rich wine, quite oily and buttery. The wine is complex, with stone fruits, such as mango and peach complimented by hazelnut and biscuit flavours. The wine still feels quite young after 11 years. I found there was a bit too much going on in this compote of flavours (92 points). Overall, these wines provided a fascinating mix of flavours and techniques.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Alontinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03303383808768521404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538446535011951676.post-14863816236270685002024-03-11T19:14:00.004+11:002024-03-11T19:14:29.989+11:00A. Rodda Beechworth Chardonnay<p> Adrian Rodda has access to some very high quality vineyards in Victoria. The Smith vineyard in Beechworth is perhaps the best. At 550 meters of elevation, it allows for cooler climate wines, where significant diurnal variation is a major feature.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSNyXBWAWRfP-kLSjRAl6dcoMGABqKqpF0XEOXPZypdoNQaW-lgnVxAwJpU8CFeRw2TVL3v8ITJHqxv4aIZCUGsw8P5iMtA_XdWXAHJakPpf_MKGjfRSF0XoPz1ONr7GJur8Bg1iBT6lAauZsMX3HeYHZosrjubGusKnw1WIYcC5yiV1s49P3_vZ2KpoB/s4032/IMG_6647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSNyXBWAWRfP-kLSjRAl6dcoMGABqKqpF0XEOXPZypdoNQaW-lgnVxAwJpU8CFeRw2TVL3v8ITJHqxv4aIZCUGsw8P5iMtA_XdWXAHJakPpf_MKGjfRSF0XoPz1ONr7GJur8Bg1iBT6lAauZsMX3HeYHZosrjubGusKnw1WIYcC5yiV1s49P3_vZ2KpoB/w300-h400/IMG_6647.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The <b>2022 A. Rodda Beechworth Chardonnay</b> is quite pronounced on the nose. Pineapple and peach flavours jump out of the glass.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the palate, a complex flavour profile emerges. Melon, ripe peach and hazelnut are the major components. The acidity is mild, but enough to drive the flavours down the palate, before saline flavours lead to a satisfying finish.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Given the location, you would expect a citrus focussed wine with firm acidity. However, this wine is more sophisticated and full in the mouth. I really enjoyed this.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Score: 95/+++</div><br /><p><br /></p>Alontinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03303383808768521404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538446535011951676.post-68821434730612684642024-03-06T17:12:00.002+11:002024-03-06T17:12:24.883+11:00Pheasant's Tears Goruli Mtsvane<p> It is refreshing (no pun) to sometimes step out of your comfort zone, the field of the known, and try something new. It sharpens the senses. I visited Georgia last year, the cradle of winemaking, and was particularly impressed by this small avant-garde winery; organic, white wine on lees, nothing added, no fining no filtration, maturing in underground terracotta, of course; avant-garde for us, but traditional for them. A wine I found from them in Australia was this <b>2021 Pheasant's Tears Goruli Mtsvane</b>.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIaoUqnx-VArKNjv_sNDmN9eewpsIxFHubfFl9Fov6OEB0N2LBrUZnSr35DD-Dg5606BOmA22abqsZ_3Rz0jYSCMgYdvPCFrl6Qu32f-WBRqNe2gpZGxUtOgW3wezP7_DwuLraG1VAT1kuFbDpFjEyNkmVNrxpulW316Y7fS5WSp0RmNLYd7g7XshbWEBj/s4032/IMG_6644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIaoUqnx-VArKNjv_sNDmN9eewpsIxFHubfFl9Fov6OEB0N2LBrUZnSr35DD-Dg5606BOmA22abqsZ_3Rz0jYSCMgYdvPCFrl6Qu32f-WBRqNe2gpZGxUtOgW3wezP7_DwuLraG1VAT1kuFbDpFjEyNkmVNrxpulW316Y7fS5WSp0RmNLYd7g7XshbWEBj/w300-h400/IMG_6644.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Comments about the grape variety are very contradictory, so I won't dwell on it here, other than to say the wine should be drunk relatively young to preserve its liveliness. This is truly an orange or amber wine, as you can see in the image below.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqp_kCmxk_j04mQmkETBXfDGoST9ocuoIMy5NECVj5iBjnFSI99SaYXpx2yIAgoi4sss7Zbt3xNHCu-VCjqH91Zp8LhzJV5ikPCKYaB4ezd442FtpDUqO5kndR_NWymNOJkUtOwfcTrPltOGJfmsiJGPsQapZpfkrnu3wvKJq6KV0zWRgZx0tnOgbyZRDV/s4032/IMG_6643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqp_kCmxk_j04mQmkETBXfDGoST9ocuoIMy5NECVj5iBjnFSI99SaYXpx2yIAgoi4sss7Zbt3xNHCu-VCjqH91Zp8LhzJV5ikPCKYaB4ezd442FtpDUqO5kndR_NWymNOJkUtOwfcTrPltOGJfmsiJGPsQapZpfkrnu3wvKJq6KV0zWRgZx0tnOgbyZRDV/w300-h400/IMG_6643.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The wine is medium-bodied with an interesting flavour profile of lemon, orange peel, apple and mint. The wine is rich, but not ripe in the mouth. It keeps going on the palate, balanced by some firm acidity.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Orange wines can be out of kilter. This is certainly not. I find this an attractive wine, building on decades of experience, and instead of choosing a white wine for starters and a red for mains, this wine would go well for the whole meal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Score: 93/++ </div> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Alontinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03303383808768521404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538446535011951676.post-65077491944630529692024-03-03T18:54:00.000+11:002024-03-03T18:54:27.934+11:00Vasse Felix Filius Cabernet Sauvignon<p> Virginia Willcock, the long standing winemaker of Vasse Felix, has been in the top echelon of Australian winemaking for quite some time. She has raised the quality of every wine in the portfolio year after year. This has recently been recognized by <i>Wine Spectator</i>, when the <b>2021 Vasse Felix Filius Cabernet Sauvignon</b> has been named the second best value wine in the world of last year. This Cabernet, which has some Malbec blended into it to fill out the mid palate, gets the royal treatment, and this for $25-30 per bottle; wild yeast fermentation and 11 months maturation in French oak barrels.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1vOywg2AmAe0CRHZd9Qzy-SBIv59Yg7HZLQysT5akduJdFob2MaDlo6uOztJsy7qxZvIKePjYbcGr73TAZXEqyZErFuxPBpJGCMteVr2CQLTQNEZE4F_KujLZDyeSeq4sZCTcRiIUilTNzRrE3XPvKz58X5Fml6t_ssCulSmEgooj0KeLpG1oUk-J0mqN/s4032/IMG_6640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1vOywg2AmAe0CRHZd9Qzy-SBIv59Yg7HZLQysT5akduJdFob2MaDlo6uOztJsy7qxZvIKePjYbcGr73TAZXEqyZErFuxPBpJGCMteVr2CQLTQNEZE4F_KujLZDyeSeq4sZCTcRiIUilTNzRrE3XPvKz58X5Fml6t_ssCulSmEgooj0KeLpG1oUk-J0mqN/w300-h400/IMG_6640.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a really enjoyable wine. The red currant juicy fruit shows great purity and depth. Some tobacco and herbal flavours lurk in the background. This is a bright and elegant wine saying 'Look at me'. The wine fills the mouth nicely, and the firm tannins suggest good ageability. The finish is medium, not detracting from the vibrant fruit of the wine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Score: 93/+++</div><br /> <p></p>Alontinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03303383808768521404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538446535011951676.post-31164980910453038902024-03-02T19:20:00.001+11:002024-03-02T19:21:05.170+11:00Cirillo 1850 Ancestor Grenache<p> I was a bit slow to post, as I was in Asia in hot weather. It was beer time. Now back to drink some great Australian wine. Cirillo claims to own the oldest Grenache vineyard in the world, and it may well be. The vines grow on deep sands on the flats of Light Pass. As other Cirillo wines are released earlier and provide cash-flow, it is great to see that the flagship Grenache is only released at 7 years of age. So the newly released wine is the <b>2017 Cirillo 1850 Ancestor Grenache</b>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXbnsTouI_OGF813ifOiRt6AjOQde-eMVRvZoQnLkZQpw5gwBW8aOEkBDgLIWio6MatWOqr22xm1RJIrKHYNYkO2-1zWmFfDO0PDPnb21nQ_50rvtmFuR2ORhAkrzng2UmJijTbkbRQamJmeiFzK-oQi5Ob-DNAKjuaIooXWibgI6KKJkMOVZA28WwOOIo/s4032/IMG_6638.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXbnsTouI_OGF813ifOiRt6AjOQde-eMVRvZoQnLkZQpw5gwBW8aOEkBDgLIWio6MatWOqr22xm1RJIrKHYNYkO2-1zWmFfDO0PDPnb21nQ_50rvtmFuR2ORhAkrzng2UmJijTbkbRQamJmeiFzK-oQi5Ob-DNAKjuaIooXWibgI6KKJkMOVZA28WwOOIo/w300-h400/IMG_6638.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The harvesting of Grenache fruit is quite tricky, as the grapes take a while to ripen, but then ripen very quickly with baumé levels shooting up fast and risking an overripe wine. Marco Cirillo has been at this game for some time, so he knows how to manage it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So how does the 2017 shape up? This is a full-bodied wine with raspberry flavours hitting the palate, but immediately put in check by some savoury and herbal notes. These flavours will integrate more over the next 2-3 years. This brand is always dark in colour. At 14% alcohol, it is a very drinkable wine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is one of Australia's leading Grenaches. It is interesting to contrast it with Yangarra's approach. The Yangarra wines are meticulously and I would say scientifically crafted. Cirillo's approach seems more intuitive. As I drink this wine, I taste Italian love and family in the glass. I really enjoy this wine. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Score: 95/+++</div><br /><p><br /></p>Alontinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03303383808768521404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538446535011951676.post-45395018797157267752024-02-19T18:53:00.001+11:002024-02-19T18:53:12.871+11:00E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône<p> The Guigal Côtes du Rhône may well be the world's greatest quality value wine. It is also the greatest equalizer: not too big, not too skinny; not too sweet, not too savoury; structured, but not too tannic.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMAyjUuJg8fsO9-vE3buL1PxocODAY-BQZhx4pJNSGm1R9gLRPbeKqyq8MezRiJBAsgMl-YEesKV8SAYlhP7S_bydC6YFyYOtZXcCRdUDSlom4j78DTNW-MVLMWipe2WQSmuM7i-NBXnJHynOW7QUBeCy1PUyY-7UJyMZuUMDTUs4hFAPXNa1rYw33m_3/s4032/IMG_6579.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMAyjUuJg8fsO9-vE3buL1PxocODAY-BQZhx4pJNSGm1R9gLRPbeKqyq8MezRiJBAsgMl-YEesKV8SAYlhP7S_bydC6YFyYOtZXcCRdUDSlom4j78DTNW-MVLMWipe2WQSmuM7i-NBXnJHynOW7QUBeCy1PUyY-7UJyMZuUMDTUs4hFAPXNa1rYw33m_3/w300-h400/IMG_6579.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I once observed aspects of the production of this huge volume wine at the Guigal facility. The secret may be that the family manages to pay as much attention to each production step, and in particular the blending, as they do to their premium wines. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So what is special about the <b>2019 Guigal Côtes du Rhône? </b>The wine is full-bodied. The Grenache element stands out with its red berry flavours, bu down the palate the wine gets darker and delivers almost a mushroom character. There is considerable complexity in this wine. The finish is dry, savoury </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and with a tannic backbone.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Everybody should have this wine in his/her cellar for enjoyable drinking and as a benchmark for Grenache/Shiraz blends </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Score: 93/+++</div><p></p>Alontinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03303383808768521404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538446535011951676.post-45346826113711661492024-02-11T18:06:00.000+11:002024-02-11T18:06:02.946+11:00An Unknown Barolo<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I do not know if this has happened to you, those who have a wine cellar. Yesterday I came across a Barolo which was totally unknown to me. I do not know the maker nor how I acquired the wine. I have a basic cellar management system, but I decided not to look anything up. This is the wine.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTp9qgNGFL21lmqWSkzZU28MMYFpmgT6qDVMGa5prLwCKdjBPmlrojGJulAeaKbNifzKsxQNPf369tLe2ExuGIfsazPUMSY1xLSRBwoT-WRznyk3LAx9Yas0eMcaBvfxbjdeliErSlJ0MM5A5GvWAYeEXKS5VUjiGLf1l2hY3h5ZyiXKBcVeVlIclLe5X5/s4032/IMG_6569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTp9qgNGFL21lmqWSkzZU28MMYFpmgT6qDVMGa5prLwCKdjBPmlrojGJulAeaKbNifzKsxQNPf369tLe2ExuGIfsazPUMSY1xLSRBwoT-WRznyk3LAx9Yas0eMcaBvfxbjdeliErSlJ0MM5A5GvWAYeEXKS5VUjiGLf1l2hY3h5ZyiXKBcVeVlIclLe5X5/w300-h400/IMG_6569.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2013 is good, Rocche di Castiglione is a great vineyard. The colour of this <b>2013 Arnaldo Rivera Barolo</b> looks very advanced, but with Barolo it is hard to tell, as orange is common in young wines, too. This is a bit brown, though.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The fruit is strawberry and raspberry, but tar and roses are the more prominent notes. However far more dominant are the dry tannins. This wine is past its best. That should not be the case. The structure is holding up with a long, but extra dry finish. This was not very pleasant. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Score: 86/-</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p>Alontinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03303383808768521404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538446535011951676.post-63979681222351893192024-02-10T17:27:00.002+11:002024-02-10T17:27:26.318+11:00Aged Sauvignon Blanc<p> Some questions come up over and over again, this one for example: can you age Sauvignon Blanc?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRLlM8QTXpqcDmH2aa-FFKG0OM3LNwGRzF9Rqq8S2kDDipybotDY7P3If792QWSyBO-RsH5FbxJ7CEnwAW5p8AuY_FJI8qWjOblx4WeUmqq-cpySKrmsNmH6hRcTjfHF40HQVrhryBoxJP5gi5xzxx9HAMLKp_AebXIKnbIyde90jbnOEaiAlxdI4ME8C/s4032/IMG_6566.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRLlM8QTXpqcDmH2aa-FFKG0OM3LNwGRzF9Rqq8S2kDDipybotDY7P3If792QWSyBO-RsH5FbxJ7CEnwAW5p8AuY_FJI8qWjOblx4WeUmqq-cpySKrmsNmH6hRcTjfHF40HQVrhryBoxJP5gi5xzxx9HAMLKp_AebXIKnbIyde90jbnOEaiAlxdI4ME8C/w300-h400/IMG_6566.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had overlooked this <b>2017 La Gemière Sancerre</b> in my cellar. Clearly time to open it. The colour had changed from the typical grassy green to a light golden colour. The nose was not pronounced, a bit waxy perhaps.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was pleasantly surprised on the palate. The wine tasted a bit like an aged Riesling: beeswax, lanolin, some honey, and some remaining pear fruit. The wine shows still some freshness due to the healthy acidity of the wine. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So yes, this wine is absolutely drinkable at seven years of age, but one should not expect it to taste like a fresh Sauvignon Blanc. Wood aged Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand also lasts many years.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The question then is, yes some ageing is possible, but why would you want to?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Score: 91/+</div><br /><p><br /></p>Alontinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03303383808768521404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538446535011951676.post-70573341333701888142024-02-06T15:38:00.000+11:002024-02-06T15:38:45.956+11:00Penfolds RWT Shiraz<p> I am opening this <b>2006 Penfolds RWT Shiraz</b> with some trepidation. It is after all the French oaked baby brother of Grange, and I have mainly enjoyed lighter wines during these hot summer months. Also, we are still in the dusk of the Robert Parker period.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzHEHkq6QycV4WozV2EHWjUWpATEsvWTH7AqfZHbHMfqFXli0I5DVv5mi-q9LD8gijb5Jt6eNzca5jxM7iJsSrjvGag4OTmno07QISaHULv2fw1Tmoygbxggex71nIbdCt0E1KRwd6IZfsqV1sm-9Y-t9skJU6WVgByEY0OFluvRkXNKrQb4g9sHLtzr6/s4032/IMG_6557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzHEHkq6QycV4WozV2EHWjUWpATEsvWTH7AqfZHbHMfqFXli0I5DVv5mi-q9LD8gijb5Jt6eNzca5jxM7iJsSrjvGag4OTmno07QISaHULv2fw1Tmoygbxggex71nIbdCt0E1KRwd6IZfsqV1sm-9Y-t9skJU6WVgByEY0OFluvRkXNKrQb4g9sHLtzr6/w300-h400/IMG_6557.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The colour of this wine is deep purple, no orange tint yet. Blackberry and liquorice notes dominate the intense experience on the nose.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the palate, a very complex flavour profile develops. The fruits are predominantly ripe blood plum, mulberry and blackberry. But then there are savoury flavours of tar, charred meat, liquorice and mocca. I taste the vanilla from the 70% new French oak hogsheads. This is a very concentrated wine, built like a house from bricks. The wine is fat and sweet in the core. I find the tannins from this Northern Barossa fruit quite coarse and matching the fruit weight. The finish is long and holding up the wine's complexity.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a good wine, but a bit much for me at this time of year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Score: 95/0 </div><br /><p><br /></p>Alontinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03303383808768521404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538446535011951676.post-17966961642722591232024-02-03T15:44:00.001+11:002024-02-03T15:44:10.621+11:00Bass Phillip Bin 17k Pinot Noir<p> It is interesting that leading wineries find it difficult to replicate the quality of their icon wines in newer brands. Henschke is a prime example. The quality of Hill of Grace, Cyril Henschke, and Mt. Edelstone has never been reached by any of its proliferation of newer wines. Bass Phillip is another example. There have been some attempts to replicate the success of the Estate Vineyard in other Gippsland vineyards near by. One such example is the Bin 17k from a vineyard only 350 meters away from the home vineyard.</p><p>Phillip Jones has always been clear he wanted to make Burgundy wines and the wines from the Estate Vineyard could be regarded as such. Very low yields and high rainfall, in Phillip Jones' view, are key. He then developed a vineyard with extreme dense planting, 17000 vines per ha (8 to 10k per ha is regarded as dense planting) - hence the name of the Bin 17k.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDZCNSuldhwSnUQbnP6dA9hXkFWHSPB-qRfyllrPuzY6xduA213ay3IvctLvDiOjiVogxEJrLwnayCtIH6YrnnIHPthVz2qorsjEWDO8OQy4abXAobGG51y-xndZmaEAFJeR-i7c_SZqwt-pnQ8ACPTQVX4CKf9QJZi2Vv95Fur8sLvgGDybQ0V5pBFuw/s4032/IMG_6552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDZCNSuldhwSnUQbnP6dA9hXkFWHSPB-qRfyllrPuzY6xduA213ay3IvctLvDiOjiVogxEJrLwnayCtIH6YrnnIHPthVz2qorsjEWDO8OQy4abXAobGG51y-xndZmaEAFJeR-i7c_SZqwt-pnQ8ACPTQVX4CKf9QJZi2Vv95Fur8sLvgGDybQ0V5pBFuw/w300-h400/IMG_6552.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The <b>2019 Bass Phillip Bin 17k Pinot Noir</b> comes from a warm vintage. Strawberry and red cherry flavours deliver a pleasant mouthfeel, quite straight forward. Acidity enlivens this medium intensity wine. The finish is medium as well, without the interest the Estate wines normally deliver. This is a wine of balanced fruit weight reflecting the warmer vintage, but nothing special overall.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Score: 91/+</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cooler vintages in later years meant the vines had to struggle too much. The dense planting was simply too demanding for this Gippsland vineyard. The experiment, and therefore this wine, was discontinued.</div><br /> <p></p>Alontinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03303383808768521404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538446535011951676.post-22495381505270279362024-01-29T09:11:00.000+11:002024-01-29T09:11:14.084+11:00Chatto Isle Pinot Noir<p> Chatto's Huon Valley vineyard, a warm site facing north in a cool region, was first planted in 2007. A small part of the vineyard was first bottled separately in 2014 as the Isle Pinot Noir. While the whole vineyard is planted with nine Pinot Noir clones, only three go into the Isle Pinot Noir, with clone 777 dominant. Limestone, calcareous mudstone and a lot of fossils form the soil. The wine is made with a significant proportion of whole bunches.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGuke9okOi-eiPqdh6CAxzfbai7_YXgjftlSRAHUZLxCkDY70QaK8JhZ4PNZuagM59h1x1lMrtYxf0mEjtyr8_8Hk05ojLTV2oTVMjtJR145ARe7KKb_NMViW4mKm47jxceWp-K2vLuOKbE2fZUEdfAER-46N5N6PYgiynEQoHLqYk_GxEZiEFjfqRu8E9/s1024/093bb4ba-124e-4419-afb2-93d18eb14c9a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGuke9okOi-eiPqdh6CAxzfbai7_YXgjftlSRAHUZLxCkDY70QaK8JhZ4PNZuagM59h1x1lMrtYxf0mEjtyr8_8Hk05ojLTV2oTVMjtJR145ARe7KKb_NMViW4mKm47jxceWp-K2vLuOKbE2fZUEdfAER-46N5N6PYgiynEQoHLqYk_GxEZiEFjfqRu8E9/w300-h400/093bb4ba-124e-4419-afb2-93d18eb14c9a.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Vintages vary a lot in Tasmania's marginal climate leading to great variability in wine quality. It is clear that the <b>2018 Chatto Isle Pinot Noir</b> is very special. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The wine is complex and layered with dark cherry, cranberry and soft spices on the palate. Earthy and underbrush flavours add to the intense mouthfeel. Fine tannins drive these flavours across the palate to a harmonious finish. This is how Australian Pinot Noir should taste.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The volumes of the Isle Pinot Noir are small. I came across this wine for the first time now. I encourage you to seek it out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Score: 96/+++ </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Alontinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03303383808768521404noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538446535011951676.post-44392483478309921432024-01-26T10:57:00.002+11:002024-01-26T10:57:18.231+11:00Mauro Molino Barbera D'Alba<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3SUdwE73_LResqtH8LeXjCQvRAHU6jSAM96iqnI4DqZ-bCrNqv-TyZk4YioKBroVFzis_HEhVV6dJp41JXjI9_Gq4hfhr0si9N-qiFaOUWSAA1jGhzGmlDmo1bhHL5g9DPKFD6Jh-p8FWXkf5IEm7FSB2TlGr-6deobrxdHWANcecifI10AaKLNs9k2yT/s4032/IMG_6534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3SUdwE73_LResqtH8LeXjCQvRAHU6jSAM96iqnI4DqZ-bCrNqv-TyZk4YioKBroVFzis_HEhVV6dJp41JXjI9_Gq4hfhr0si9N-qiFaOUWSAA1jGhzGmlDmo1bhHL5g9DPKFD6Jh-p8FWXkf5IEm7FSB2TlGr-6deobrxdHWANcecifI10AaKLNs9k2yT/w300-h400/IMG_6534.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mauro Molino is one of the stalwart wineries of the La Morra subregion of Piedmont. I described the Rosso in the last post as a pizza wine. Well, Barbera goes pretty well with pizza, too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This 2021 Mauro Molino Barbera d'Alba tastes of fresh red cherry, getting darker down the palate. There is a bit of underbrush, too. This is a medium-bodied wine with quite good intensity. The acidity is very high and remains a dominant feature of the finish.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a very lively wine. The acidity is perhaps a bit much.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Score: 91/+ </div><br /><p></p>Alontinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03303383808768521404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538446535011951676.post-19280196801309041422024-01-21T20:19:00.005+11:002024-01-21T20:19:33.437+11:00J.D. Vajra Langhe Rosso<p> There are mainly two styles of entry level wines involving Nebbiolo in Piedmont. One is the Langhe Nebbiolo, a 100% Nebbiolo which for one reason or another does not go into Barolo or Barbaresco, the other is a Rosso, which is a blended wine, often involving a Bordeaux variety, mainly Merlot. The <b>2020 J.D. Vajra Langhe Rosso</b>, however, focusses on Piedmont varieties; Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, and Albarossa. Some Pinot Noir is included as well. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH47-BcVa35x6xeW2NFSmoi_lcaOG4puwiOXtXeJiUDeOo8rLmRLRj0WMVt00uhwDU2BW4kTcqmVPe_2J4D0y4_o0SsWmQMiURY1uY_YAk-p2hDHJerpgBCiO5-oHbRDDgMVZ9wJyy0F0ypJAl1chEwybCiIAm5rrZHnj8kAbgx2ZIQxDlALmEORC8gfVW/s4032/IMG_6530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH47-BcVa35x6xeW2NFSmoi_lcaOG4puwiOXtXeJiUDeOo8rLmRLRj0WMVt00uhwDU2BW4kTcqmVPe_2J4D0y4_o0SsWmQMiURY1uY_YAk-p2hDHJerpgBCiO5-oHbRDDgMVZ9wJyy0F0ypJAl1chEwybCiIAm5rrZHnj8kAbgx2ZIQxDlALmEORC8gfVW/w300-h400/IMG_6530.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This wine is medium-bodied, with a bright red colour. Fresh red cherry flavours jump out of the glass. The fruit is backed up by firm acidity. You may call this bright and lively wine a pizza wine, but there is a solid structure behind the fruit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I probably prefer a good quality Langhe Nebbiolo, but this is also a great choice on warm summer nights.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Score: 89/++</div><br /><p><br /></p>Alontinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03303383808768521404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538446535011951676.post-52701929293392592012024-01-12T14:17:00.004+11:002024-01-12T14:17:59.184+11:00Giant Steps Applejack Pinot Noir<p> Giant Steps is one of the success stories of the Yarra Valley. Like few others, Giant Steps have emphasised the characteristics of different vineyard sites. Still, we have perhaps not conclusively progressed past the differences between the Valley Floor and the Upper Yarra Valley.</p><p>The Applejack vineyard fulfills many conditions for great Pinot Noir; it is closely planted with seven clones; a sloped vineyard at higher altitude; east facing. The only drawback; clay soil, not ideal for energetic Pinot Noir.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28F7QT_TeE0ufLcRwj0aZpOrcy3NOlz5rSwk-fzUW34lcy724joTloFfdwkhqgRePHqABhdVPCtvDL9BO0EjHRB9bpNX7gbKwB_GEzfVUeRlkHbnGWfJC17QqdEldXU2MDnwZnqTQ80Po3Js5nithJuHjwsNh3ji4lS6aBKoBdVxmX8kxwOQ_15KD1GGU/s4032/IMG_6520.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh28F7QT_TeE0ufLcRwj0aZpOrcy3NOlz5rSwk-fzUW34lcy724joTloFfdwkhqgRePHqABhdVPCtvDL9BO0EjHRB9bpNX7gbKwB_GEzfVUeRlkHbnGWfJC17QqdEldXU2MDnwZnqTQ80Po3Js5nithJuHjwsNh3ji4lS6aBKoBdVxmX8kxwOQ_15KD1GGU/w300-h400/IMG_6520.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The <b>2021 Giant Steps Applejack Pinot Noir</b> is very perfumed, with rose petals so present.<div><br /></div><div>On the palate, we experience a typical Yarra Valley fruit profile; strawberry, raspberry, red cherry. The flavours are not overly complex, but the texture is very appealing with silky tannins present along the palate, and on the long finish.</div><div><br /></div><div>The wine presents a little fruity now, but with time is likely to deliver more complexity.</div><div><br /></div><div>Score: 94/++<br /><p><br /></p></div>Alontinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03303383808768521404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538446535011951676.post-12002494691784938942024-01-10T13:25:00.000+11:002024-01-10T13:25:25.935+11:00Tyrrell’s 4 Acres and 8 Acres Shiraz<p>Over the last couple of days I had some protein dinner and given relatively warm, but not hot summer temperatures, I was wondering what to pair this with. South Australian Shiraz would have been too heavy, a different grape variety did not seem right. Why not Hunter Valley Shiraz, a lighter, less alcoholic style, often with velvety tannins. It gave me an opportunity to drink two highly regarded Tyrrell’s wines side by side.</p><p> In Burgundy, it is easy to find maps of all vineyards; not in Australia. It is unfortunate in the case of Tyrrell’s, as it would be instructive to see the location and size of their so called Sacred Sites vineyards. The four Sacred Sites vineyards (an unfortunate name?) have been planted well over 100 years ago. The 4 Acres and 8 Acres vineyards sit right next to each other, both on the same red clay over limestone.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2slvt1ui0Gre1jeiG1H39UX72gZ-B5kyKadr3ZComf44z_wxJEBdoq33c1HG2SM-I13Wh38Inl_oEw5a9dMtVthlFQhXwddIzyVQCHF1jLbibnh0_9lyVanaZ-rar6wX4DLrWUdBowrjZ_eUh42uNuenVxwqTDnAQKlL1SkV3OG5cvXkQ_gGsVNbpr9mA/s1280/IMG_6518.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2slvt1ui0Gre1jeiG1H39UX72gZ-B5kyKadr3ZComf44z_wxJEBdoq33c1HG2SM-I13Wh38Inl_oEw5a9dMtVthlFQhXwddIzyVQCHF1jLbibnh0_9lyVanaZ-rar6wX4DLrWUdBowrjZ_eUh42uNuenVxwqTDnAQKlL1SkV3OG5cvXkQ_gGsVNbpr9mA/w400-h300/IMG_6518.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>So will the <b>2019 Tyrrell’s 4Acres Shiraz and the 8 Acres Shiraz</b> taste very similar? There seem to be one major difference: the 8 Acres vineyard is planted North to South, the 4 Acres East to West.</p><p>There is already a big colour difference: the 4 Acres has a crimson colour, whereas the 8 Acres is purple. On the palate, the 4 Acres is red fruited, with great energy, edgy even in the mouth. There is a fair amount of acidity and tannins in this wine, but the elements are in balance. The wine is long on the palate, and perhaps more of a challenge, in a good way, than the 8 Acres. This wine will clearly add complexity with age.</p><p>Score: 95/++</p><p>The 8 Acres is a much softer wine, with a velvety mouthfeel. It is medium bodied with soft tannins. The wine is great on the mid-palate, but loses towards the finish.</p><p>Score: 94/++</p><p>These two wines are quite different. I don't think the treatment in the winery would have been different. Is it all due to the different vineyard orientation. Could be. Or are picking dates different, for example. Unfortunately, such data is not available. In any case, it shows how decisions over a hundred years ago can still impact the flavour and taste of a wine.</p><p><br /></p>Alontinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03303383808768521404noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538446535011951676.post-81740820075289512622024-01-05T19:37:00.008+11:002024-01-05T19:37:44.024+11:00Te Mata Gamay Noir<p> This <b>2022 Te Mata Gamay Noir</b> is a great find. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4FM13GbRs2N1kI7gj_wBOfbozVWz8TF5u5bdJwXfwxo3u1-mAVk327oKGbsgUY2nczFOUysyZJjuYcgkUUZdwxnPuNE0-jEWZKe4e1qZzAZwNQSyIwzyfp0WU4v59h66Z2fX-a0CoUGYmWahGGyp-8J1FeicWQSw8MV1dOjoMOU5IGSVmdBM9MvBRD5fw/s1280/IMG_6517.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4FM13GbRs2N1kI7gj_wBOfbozVWz8TF5u5bdJwXfwxo3u1-mAVk327oKGbsgUY2nczFOUysyZJjuYcgkUUZdwxnPuNE0-jEWZKe4e1qZzAZwNQSyIwzyfp0WU4v59h66Z2fX-a0CoUGYmWahGGyp-8J1FeicWQSw8MV1dOjoMOU5IGSVmdBM9MvBRD5fw/w300-h400/IMG_6517.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div>There is a lot of talk about the improvement of Beaujolais cru, and some of this is justified. And then you get a Gamay from left field, at half price or less, which is quite exciting.<div><br /></div><div>The colour is carmine (ruby with a bit of blue), very appealing.</div><div><br /></div><div>On the palate, there is raspberry fruit, but also a lot of savoury flavours, game and green tea. The mouthfeel is velvety. The wine is not very concentrated, but the flavours create an intriguing complexity. Acidity and tannins are medium.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is a good quality, very drinkable great summer wine. Highly recommended.</div><div><br /></div><div>Score: 90/+++<br /><p><br /></p></div>Alontinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03303383808768521404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538446535011951676.post-10096127281780050962023-12-28T16:40:00.000+11:002023-12-28T16:40:23.575+11:00What Did We Drink For Christmas?<p> My Christmas was quite small in scope and the wines were mostly disappointing.</p><p>A Pipers Brook Late Disgorged Sparkling was fine, but not very distinctive. The Tyrell’s Vat 47 was better, quite traditional with a nice peachy mouthfeel. On the red front, I was disappointed by two different Mataros (see post below). I then needed something special. I opened a 2009 Robert Chevillon 1er cru Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Vaucrains. The fruit profile was fine, but nothing special. I enjoyed the silky finish.</p><p>What did you drink over Christmas? Get on the board! I would like some American or European contributions, too.</p>Alontinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03303383808768521404noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538446535011951676.post-32386257090645273562023-12-27T13:49:00.003+11:002023-12-27T13:49:20.814+11:00Mataro (Mourvèdre) Time<p> The days around Christmas have been quite cool in Sydney, so I decided to open some Mataro. This variety is found most often blended with Shiraz and Grenache as a Southern Rhône or Australian wine. Mataro tends to produce tannic wines, with gamy notes. It is also difficult to grow. However, there are some straight variety wines.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTeyZVc-qqGv52Lo0ksC0Y5CQmNatZZ6c_IqNqoOz5vROst4II8-Kp4T0cBueGolOTq2L7Ir4hWiCZq9syyu1MtZkCBNdLrkdIt71XSKcDbqa86VdV1W4ezI-mStONpdW5-Xw_pQDL-iDj9DczDG4Vf-OixszbUfSb0LdRIGkh-Pny7nCR2uf94LqRNhCo/s4032/IMG_6503.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTeyZVc-qqGv52Lo0ksC0Y5CQmNatZZ6c_IqNqoOz5vROst4II8-Kp4T0cBueGolOTq2L7Ir4hWiCZq9syyu1MtZkCBNdLrkdIt71XSKcDbqa86VdV1W4ezI-mStONpdW5-Xw_pQDL-iDj9DczDG4Vf-OixszbUfSb0LdRIGkh-Pny7nCR2uf94LqRNhCo/w300-h400/IMG_6503.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The first wine I opened was the <b>2016 Powell & Son Kleinig Vineyard Mataro</b>. Seven years seemed like a good age. However, the wine showed very ripe and burnt. Mulberry and earthy flavours were dull. Tannins had mellowed. The wine clearly lost its energy and had aged too quickly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Score: 82/--</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The second wine was an entry level <b>2021 Alkina Mataro</b>. I expected this to be much fresher, due to the winemaker and its young age. It had a similar dark colour to the Powell. The typicity was quite good, with mulberry and savoury flavours. The wine had more energy than the Powell, but it was still very full-bodied and quite thick in the mouth - not very exciting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Score: 88/0</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think I prefer to enjoy Mataro as part of a blend.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Alontinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03303383808768521404noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538446535011951676.post-21470818406628564822023-12-23T16:10:00.004+11:002023-12-23T16:10:54.086+11:00Wild Duck Creek Shiraz Reserve<p> A few days ago, I was given a <b>2009 Wild Duck Creek Shiraz Reserve</b>. It came with a warning: 17% alcohol. Wild Duck Creek used to be one of the Australian Parker cult producers. How did this wine hold up after 14 years? I was concerned.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3a_CkB82dwbnziZEsbZbwNgIrrChyOGXSItUhAiVaGbLAyiBBasUE7TttkwoCVvsoxUAb-K8-UQSnPACOAAx9Og_z784RLQNuxu41WW2gJ8QeIwABUsCNI9ma9F2_Jxv5yjbrz_DbzqSAu4CD2YeJTr1tCC2FVtQJOlL0pxYnPb97iYRMukIe7FmUC2u/s4032/IMG_6487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3a_CkB82dwbnziZEsbZbwNgIrrChyOGXSItUhAiVaGbLAyiBBasUE7TttkwoCVvsoxUAb-K8-UQSnPACOAAx9Og_z784RLQNuxu41WW2gJ8QeIwABUsCNI9ma9F2_Jxv5yjbrz_DbzqSAu4CD2YeJTr1tCC2FVtQJOlL0pxYnPb97iYRMukIe7FmUC2u/w300-h400/IMG_6487.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The colour was a deep purple-brown - not a good sign. I could smell the alcohol.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the palate, the wine was overripe, tasting of raisin and alcohol. I was inclined to say this wine was past its best, but did it ever have a best? It was hard to drink one glass.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So here we have a producer who liked to make ripe wine, in a drought year, and an attempt to enjoy this wine after 14 years. This could not work. It was a stark reminder how crazy some Shiraz got in the 90s and 00s. It was so misguided.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Score: 70/--- </div><br /><p><br /></p>Alontinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03303383808768521404noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538446535011951676.post-63179867252854694822023-12-17T18:59:00.003+11:002023-12-17T18:59:36.507+11:00Felton Road Bannockburn Pinot Noir<p> I have been collecting Felton Road Pinot Noir wines for many years. They produce about five single vineyard wines, and then there is the blended Bannockburn wine from the remaining grapes. Obviously, the single vineyard wines are more expensive. Over the years, I have observed an almost perfect correlation between the price points of the single vineyard wines and the blend and the scores. Blind tasting? I found the blend often more layered and complex than some of the single vineyard wines.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLloOysxdi3DOvDBo_LmQcJK8pqs5G5g1ALGA2-0UTYG62MQ5QL82lBsdRCxezmljR3dkW2LjwQFWpRCkt798PoepUYKYuMJvhZpdB2WORrV9BoLcwCPCLGZdpKy5Vct89WVaadarqmYdK0lklZ9Rt6JIiF7uX_6hg3_zsEMnJes0OuwNQDX4AFGBx8jl/s1280/IMG_6481.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLloOysxdi3DOvDBo_LmQcJK8pqs5G5g1ALGA2-0UTYG62MQ5QL82lBsdRCxezmljR3dkW2LjwQFWpRCkt798PoepUYKYuMJvhZpdB2WORrV9BoLcwCPCLGZdpKy5Vct89WVaadarqmYdK0lklZ9Rt6JIiF7uX_6hg3_zsEMnJes0OuwNQDX4AFGBx8jl/w300-h400/IMG_6481.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The labels of these wines are very similar and quite boring, but the content is anything but. This is the <b>2019 Felton Road Bannockburn Pinot Noi</b>r. There is a dark cherry and forest floor aroma arising from the glass. On the palate, red and black cherry flavours are matched with some underbrush and excellent oak integration. Fresh acidity and solid tannins produce a perfect balance. The finish is long and lingering.<div><br /><div>Score: 95/+++</div></div>Alontinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03303383808768521404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538446535011951676.post-26686896201925050752023-12-07T07:58:00.001+11:002023-12-07T07:58:41.749+11:00Don Melchor<p> It has been a long time between drinks, drinks of Don Melchor that is. My last taste of Chile’s Grange was over 20 years ago, but yesterday I allowed myself a bottle of the <b>2020 Don Melchor</b> Cabernet Sauvignon. Like Penfolds in Treasury Wine Estates, Don Melchor has become a separate identity within Concha y Toro.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkxnPlk4GoeJJlydUy-e0iIHh7Q7LLws3-4gcl9IKDI88jxUE_rGy0PHw3YGRtE2_OYB0JZO7n62XNoI_zzpQMAZnAzWvC9mchhodF7bx68s9CZb0YVBeIr5FMguqoBbVO7XNF5s1G82UwL33wT1TNoHlvz6DTXH-ZWMYs3DPWCF5dGJA57IeJn3hkTC11/s1280/IMG_6462.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkxnPlk4GoeJJlydUy-e0iIHh7Q7LLws3-4gcl9IKDI88jxUE_rGy0PHw3YGRtE2_OYB0JZO7n62XNoI_zzpQMAZnAzWvC9mchhodF7bx68s9CZb0YVBeIr5FMguqoBbVO7XNF5s1G82UwL33wT1TNoHlvz6DTXH-ZWMYs3DPWCF5dGJA57IeJn3hkTC11/w300-h400/IMG_6462.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The wine is 92% Cabernet Sauvignon. Red and black currant flavours, as well as blue fruits (the Cabernet Franc influence?) deliver a complex profile on the palate. The wine is quite concentrated and generous in the mouth. A stony element keeps it energetic. The wine has substantial fruit weight, but not as much as Grange. It is a majestic and elegant wine. The racy acidity delivers good energy. The firm tannins are substantial and very dry, leading to a medium plus finish.<div><br /></div><div>Based on this bottle, Don Melchor deserves the status of the classically fashioned top wine of Chile.</div><div><br /></div><div>Score: 96/+++<br /><p><br /></p></div>Alontinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03303383808768521404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538446535011951676.post-37215967711485632402023-12-04T02:35:00.001+11:002023-12-04T02:35:12.590+11:00Castello Banfi Summus<p> When one thinks of Super Tuscans, the first names which come to mind are probably Sassicaia and Ornellaia, which are very expensive. However, Super Tuscans simply means world grape varieties, in particular Cabernet Sauvignon are added to Sangiovese, often in the majority. However, not all are expensive. Let’s see how this<b> 2018 Castello Banfi Summus </b>shapes up.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9GQtGtjnEceVAlQqBlgwM63yXfV5Vr4O36SAKfazVHyIcrO0laE6BTpoeOJCqxW9Q4NjOzkwuq5QNQ9eZxPkdFJIHDUt9sPdRb4TaqioBcCPVto9hB9GapmynWOWMOXEtCPLq4lCybmq11KGxAeZoiZ67hcaSxnk27KNOieJExIbtUvHOMN8fa8Fqu5V4/s1280/IMG_6425.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9GQtGtjnEceVAlQqBlgwM63yXfV5Vr4O36SAKfazVHyIcrO0laE6BTpoeOJCqxW9Q4NjOzkwuq5QNQ9eZxPkdFJIHDUt9sPdRb4TaqioBcCPVto9hB9GapmynWOWMOXEtCPLq4lCybmq11KGxAeZoiZ67hcaSxnk27KNOieJExIbtUvHOMN8fa8Fqu5V4/w300-h400/IMG_6425.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>This Summus is a blend of 40% Sangiovese, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Shiraz. Red cherry and currant fruit flavours are added to by mocca, tobacco and herbal notes. The wine is quite spicy on the palate and tastes a touch underripe, despite its 14.5% alcohol. Acidity and tannins are quite pronounced. I found the wine a bit unbalanced. A super Tuscan? Maybe not.</p><p>Score: 89/-</p>Alontinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03303383808768521404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538446535011951676.post-58512964276149000982023-12-01T08:11:00.005+11:002023-12-01T08:11:30.449+11:00Paul Hobbs Russian River Pinot Noir<p> I am writing this tasting note after this <b>2020 Paul Hobbs Russian River Pinot Noir</b> has been opened for two days. This is a good thing, as this wine is obviously young and a bit overwhelming.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNouXRDUJN48fWVaYwYLobm3RdLDRqmfprrlfviQoTzEtZtX6rZxPebsa03833mkrQh9Ve1SMvxCgy3QZealVdvhoxU4f-hNNUbnZg1k6WJGHHBvOHoxPHczCxxSxfkWDye2Kt4FepeP1HpgoJoxijTZH932QV4y_emXRcqUkULvUXtl6TtAahSxcBG9YP/s2016/IMG_6415.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNouXRDUJN48fWVaYwYLobm3RdLDRqmfprrlfviQoTzEtZtX6rZxPebsa03833mkrQh9Ve1SMvxCgy3QZealVdvhoxU4f-hNNUbnZg1k6WJGHHBvOHoxPHczCxxSxfkWDye2Kt4FepeP1HpgoJoxijTZH932QV4y_emXRcqUkULvUXtl6TtAahSxcBG9YP/w300-h400/IMG_6415.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a concentrated and rich wine. Selected from premium growers across the valley, the fruit delivers dark cherry, plum, beetroot and forest underbrush flavours. This is a brooding wine with firm, somewhat coarse tannins. The finish is long.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This wine is certainly on the big side for a Pinot Noir. Alcohol comes in at 14.3%. Paul Hobbs is a highly regarded winemaker, with operations in different continents, particularly in Argentina. He has a full throttle style, which you may or may not find appealing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Score: 92/0</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Alontinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03303383808768521404noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8538446535011951676.post-22622970473237465222023-11-21T16:15:00.002+11:002023-11-21T16:15:19.008+11:00Lowestoft Best Barrels Chardonnay<p> Following on from the impressive first release Lowestoft Pinot Noir reviewed a few posts below, I am now reporting on the <b>2019 Lowestoft Best Barrels Chardonnay.</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Iqp15tgqg4fPV2yrN22higBUQPxTZMFvexHVmfESK5PtdAtEJM5nH0N5yDqvkqlde4LPH8s15ApFkte07_8xbzKqxkDxi5iXMjnBvAQlt6VZpNGnl6RSmK5-BOO0Wc1PDqK26dF_Sx3slH8nr4JE6g1v_qd0JjokMayB6_VAn5XE2QtNXQhsfCOUEBLA/s4032/IMG_6378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Iqp15tgqg4fPV2yrN22higBUQPxTZMFvexHVmfESK5PtdAtEJM5nH0N5yDqvkqlde4LPH8s15ApFkte07_8xbzKqxkDxi5iXMjnBvAQlt6VZpNGnl6RSmK5-BOO0Wc1PDqK26dF_Sx3slH8nr4JE6g1v_qd0JjokMayB6_VAn5XE2QtNXQhsfCOUEBLA/w300-h400/IMG_6378.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tasmania has become a hot bed for Chardonnay. And like the Pinot Noir, this is a blended wine of the best barrels from Tamar Valley, Coal River Valley and Tasman Peninsula. This wine was matured in large format oak (I think French), 35% new.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The flavours are complex, with citrus, grapefruit, and a hint of pineapple, added to by the cashew nut of the oak. This is a fresh wine with a balanced texture, and a firm line to the finish.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I would characterize this Chardonnay as occupying the middle ground between the lean types, currently so popular, and the full-blown Chardonnays, say California style.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Score: 94/++ </div><br /><p><br /></p>Alontinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03303383808768521404noreply@blogger.com0