2017 Levantine Hill Katherine’s Paddock Chardonnay

Posted on February 27, 2022 by Tony Peters

A small part of my morning walk takes in a track that winds through a bush area and overnight rain released an array of aromas from the eucalypts, wattles, native flowers and grasses. It was truly invigorating.  I decided to change my normal path home and walked through this area again, this time slower. I just wanted to take it all in again. It was like the air had been refreshed and renewed.

Pouring this wine in the glass had a similar effect in that it released an abundance of fresh, clean and captivating aromas. Pausing to take it all in before picking up the glass and swirling it.  This time it was like a tropical fruit forest.

Tasting the wine made the aromas more tangible, more real, giving a sense of actuality to the sensory arousal provided. Palate stimulation created a fascination in the flavours that coated and caressed every part of the mouth. This wasn’t going anywhere in a hurry either. It dawdles across the path of persistence and presence that seems like an enchanting eternity and you just have to take that walk again. An absolutely beautiful Chardonnay for all the senses.

Levantine Hill Website

Region: Yarra Valley, Victoria     Price: $125     Source: Generous Gift

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2020 Clandestine Vineyards Margaret River Shiraz

Posted on February 25, 2022 by Tony Peters

Margaret River is not the only wine region on this big island continent of ours where Shiraz plays second fiddle to an apparently more ‘noble’ grape, Cabernet Sauvignon.  It’s a shame really.  I say that only because it’s almost a bit of a slap in the face to those who had the confidence to plant the variety in Margaret River knowing it was suited.  For fear of stating the obvious, they wouldn’t have wasted their time planting it if it wasn’t going to produce quality grapes for quality wines like this one.

It’s a youthful, rich purple colour in the glass and this youthfulness is evident right across every facet of the wine.  The aromas are abundantly fruitful, a little spicy and very inviting. A generous, fresh palate of juicy dark berries present immediately, complimented by smooth tannins and a gentle oak influence.  It has a nice little savoury edge, a textural feel and good carry on the finish.  This is good…really good!

Region: Margaret River, WA Price: $30 Source: Sample thanks kindly to https://clandestinevineyards.com.au/ and https://savvycomms.ninja/

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2020 Clandestine Vineyards Mount Barker Cabernet Sauvignon

Posted on February 16, 2022 by Tony Peters

How could you not like the colour of young red wine. It’s a shame you can’t see this one. It is such a deep, lush and appealing purple colour. Even the fruitful and slightly herbal aromas reel you in because of the youthfulness and freshness it exudes.  The palate is plentiful, plush and persistent. Lovely dark fruits to the fore combined with a nice textural and elegant feel across the palate, even if it is more towards being full-bodied, and tannins arrive late on the scene adding to the Cabernet culture.

Don’t be concerned about drinking this wine in its youth.  Yes it will age but it has much going for it now, and is so well priced, that it will easily sit alongside your lump of lamb roast.

Region: Adelaide Hills, SA Price: $30 Source: Sample thanks kindly to https://clandestinevineyards.com.au/ and https://savvycomms.ninja/

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2018 Patina ‘Sticky Tea’ Riesling

Posted on February 7, 2022 by Tony Peters

I’m not sure what you would call this but, what I am about to tell you is bizarre, spooky even.  Firstly, a confession, ‘sticky’ wines are not my ‘thing’. So, when I received this, I have to admit to not being sure how to approach it.  Conversely, I have a mate who is a big fan.  I contacted him and told him I had a wine for him to try and suggested he buy a cheese to have with it.  Long story short, when I arrived at his home, he had purchased a terrific blue cheese, not knowing what the wine was, however a perfect accompaniment to this wine. I’m not sure what you would call this ‘occurrence’ but clearly the stars aligned for the perfect wine/cheese combination.

This was nothing like I expected.  It’s like a sticky tea and quite light, refreshing and delicious as opposed to similar wines that tend to be cloyingly sweet and a bit heavy on the palate (don’t get me wrong, wines like this have their place). There’s an abundance of flavours making it quite complex, not confusing, meaning it has you excited about what they are. It has lovely texture and balance too. There are delicate citrus characters that are in tune with, not dominating, the sweet side to this wine and it all finishes lovely and clean.  A very pleasant surprise and it has changed my view about this style of wine.

Patina Wines Website

Region: Orange, NSW     Price: $25     Source: Sample courtesy of Patina Wines and Define Wine

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2016 Levantine Hill Colleen’s Paddock Pinot Noir

Posted on January 30, 2022 by Tony Peters

I’ve no doubt everyone has heard of the Rolls Royce motor car.  Between 1908 and 1928 there were almost 8000 of the Rolls Royce Silver Ghost built and they were handmade.  Every…single…one of them (that’s why to buy one in 1921 would’ve set you back US$11,000+).  If something wasn’t precise, it was filed or cut or machined until it fitted perfectly.  They were so well built, of those almost 8000 vehicles produced, there are still about 6000 still in existence and in working order.  Clearly luxury and longevity were the ethos of the Rolls Royce company.

I feel this wine has had the same treatment as the Silver Ghost.  There seems to be the same hands on treatment and perfect attention to detail. The resulting wine that is structurally sound, so precise with its flavour profile, so luxurious in its palate presentation and just a pleasure to experience.  It is plush, comfortably rich and generous yet perfectly tuned, in balance with exquisite Pinot Noir characters and has longevity on the finish. 

I have to be honest and say, sure, the price is up there for a bottle of wine but, in saying that, you get what you pay for and this is in the category of the Rolls Royce of Pinot Noirs and deservedly so.  As a Pinot Noir, this may not survive as long as the Silver Ghost but it will reward those who can garage it for a few years.

Levantine Hill Website

Region: Yarra Valley, Victoria     Price: $200     Source: Generous Gift

Levantine-Hill-Colleens-Paddock-Pinot-Noir-2015_1565317001-200
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2020 Clandestine Vineyards Malbec

Posted on January 22, 2022 by Tony Peters

You know when someone gets really excited about wanting to tell you something. They tend to talk flat out like there is only a set amount of time to tell you before it becomes old news. I tend to let them go for a bit before I suggest they calm down. It is usually after this they tend to revert back to speaking normally and make much more sense.

This Malbec is similar in a way.  Skipping past the colour and aromas (which are excellent by the way), it seemed a bit nervy, like it wanted to give me everything it had in the flavour department in the first couple or so tastes.  It was pretty full on and I used the words, “Woh” and “Crikey”. So, I gave it some time to calm down a bit, take in some air and gather some composure.  Sure enough, plush dark berry flavours presented along with a touch of plum-like mid-palate richness and it became much more affable, approachable and delicious.  Tannins aren’t shy on the finish but in a good, complimentary way.  I like this Malbec and I have no doubt it will attract many fans.

clandestinevineyards.com.au

Region: Adelaide Hills, S.A. Price: $30     Source: Sample thanks kindly to Clandestine Vineyards and Savvy Comms 

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2021 Clandestine Vineyards Adelaide Hills Pinot Grigio

Posted on January 13, 2022 by Tony Peters

A lot of people have 9-5 jobs.  They rock up, do their job and go home.  I’m not saying it’s a boring thing because I have no doubt there are those who know they have done an 8 hour day by the time they have taken their shoes off at their front door.  I also know there are those who, because of their personality, just seem to add that little bit more to their 9-5 day at the office.  The type of person who brings a positive vibe, the cool calm collected one, the colourful clothes wearing one…you know what I mean?

This Pinot Grigio is similar to your ‘9-5’ grigio but it brings more life and interest to a person’s day (not before midday of course).  It has a vibrancy that appears when it’s poured, and the aromas of fresh pears and citrus fruits are released.  A calmness takes over as you taste the flavours of those fresh pears, delicate acidity, lovely texture and carry through the palate.  At the end of the day, this’ll make you kick your shoes off, put on your sloth gear and slump into your favourite recliner.  A second glass is a given.

clandestinevineyards.com.au

Region: Adelaide Hills, S.A. Price: $25     Source: Sample thanks to Clandestine Vineyards and Savvy Comms 

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2021 Clandestine Vineyards Tempranillo Rosé

Posted on January 10, 2022 by Tony Peters

I’m sure I am not the only one who is not happy with how summer has been for the last 40 days.  There doesn’t seem to have been enough sunny summer days.  I mean, yes, plenty of warm-ish days but there seemed to have been more cloudy and rainy periods don’t you think.  So, what do we need to do to prise some ‘summer’ out of the remaining 49 days of the season?  Well, after tasting this delicious wine, this is a good place to start.

Bright, fresh and ready to go, this delightful Tempranillo rosé offers plenty, from the attractive aromatics to the bountiful palate, right down to the lack of impact it has on your bank balance.  Aromas and flavours of ripe strawberries and red cherries with the addition of a sprinkle of herbs, lovely texture and delicate acidity on the palate adding to the all-round drinkableness of the wine.  Open one of these and I reckon warm, sunny, summer afternoons will follow.

clandestinevineyards.com.au

Region: Geographe, W.A. Price: $25     Source: Sample thanks to Clandestine Vineyards and Savvy Comms

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2018 Grey Sands Shiraz

Posted on January 4, 2022 by Tony Peters

Way back in the early years of ‘the law’, if a group or gang was involved in an offence, all those charged would have to be in court for the matter to be heard.  If one was not present, the matter could not continue.  The way it was viewed in those times was, you had to have every part of the evidence for the matter to be judged fairly.  It’s a bit similar with wine.  When it is being judged, all the facets, details and characteristics need to be present for it to get a fair trial, if you like, by those tasting it.

This wine presented all the evidence required in an articulate, sound and confident manner during the tasting trial.  This included the lovely aromas redolent of fresh dark berries with a gentle hint of spiciness.  This was followed by a generous, medium bodied palate of juicy black-ish fruits, blueberries, a smidge of black pepper and supportive tannins.  The jury didn’t take long to return a unanimous verdict.  Guilty of being a very good wine!  Sentence, 5 years in the cellar.  No parole.

Grey Sands Website

Region: Glengarry, Tasmania     Price: $45     Source: A generous gift

Grey Sands Shiraz 2018 bottle shot
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2018 Patina Orange Region Pinot Noir

Posted on December 29, 2021 by Tony Peters

When tasting a wine, I like to make notes.  Tasting this wine, I wrote: “this is not your normal Pinot.”  After re-reading my notes I thought, gee, that’s subjective.  One person’s ‘not normal’ could be another’s normal.  This can relate to anything I know, but for me, who drinks a lot of Tasmanian Pinot Noir, I immediately but not deliberately, compared it which is unfair and I should know better.  And my comparison, or judgement if you like, was also unjustified.

A bright, youthful cherry red colour in the glass, it’s quite fragrant and definitely Pinot Noir in the aroma category.  Think cherries and ripe plush raspberries, it’s a little earthy and some oak presents as well.  The palate is generous but still elegant.  Dark cherry, plums (weight watchers style. Flavour without the fatness if you know what I mean), there’s like a sweet/sour red fruit character, the oak is nicely in balance, the tannins fine and it finishes reasonably long.  This may offer a little more for a Pinot Noir than what I’m used to, but it’s a very good wine in its own right and we definitely enjoyed it.

Patina Wines Website

Region: Orange, NSW     Price: $45     Source: Sample courtesy of Patina Wines and Define Wine

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