2016 Salena Estate ‘BFR’ Riverland Touriga Langrein Cabernet Sauvignon

Posted on December 18, 2020 by Tony Peters

I don’t swear much.  Well, I try not to swear much.  However, when I pulled this wine out of the box and felt the weight of the bottle, saw BFR in big letters standing out like dogs you-know-whats on the label, I immediately wondered if the initials stood for Big F#*king Red.  Let me add though, it makes for a pretty impressive first impression.  I couldn’t help but wonder if the 750 millilitres of red wine contained within was going to be a Big (beep) Red.  So, let me tell you what I discovered.

OMG (that means ‘oh my god’ for you older folk), it is an incredibly deep, beautiful colour.  The aromas are a bit deceptive really.  It smells rich and there’s dark cherry aromas, yet a fresh red fruit like character as well.  I suppose I was expecting something more into the darker fruit spectrum but, don’t get me wrong, I was not disappointed, not by any means.

The array of flavours you cop when tasting it stimulate the palate in so many delightful ways.  Rich and fulsome flavours of juicy, plump, ripe blackberries and plums are the main attention grabbers.  It’s also a little licoricey, a little spicy and a little chocolatey but a lot of mouth coating wine with lovely, fine, powdery like tannins on the nice, lingering finish.

I thought I had moved away from this style of wine but I can honestly say this one may well have brought me back.  Very good gear!

Region: Riverland, SA

Price: $99

Source: Sample thanks kindly to https://www.salenaestate.com.au/ and https://savvycomms.ninja/

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2020 Clandestine Vineyards Margaret River Chardonnay

Posted on December 15, 2020 by Tony Peters

I read a newspaper article the other day about Verandas, the extension of our indoor living space that is attached to the outside of our homes.  A place to sit, enjoy the view and take in all that is happening around your home.  I haven’t lived in a house that had a veranda, but I have friends who do and, I have to say, it doesn’t matter what the weather is doing, it can be quite relaxing sitting, swapping stories, eating good food and sharing good wine with good people.  And speaking of good wine, you really need to check out this sitting-on-the-veranda-on-a-warm-sunny-day kinda Chardonnay.

I can see why many Chardonnays from Western Australia are regularly finding their way into wine glasses in other states of Australia.  The quality of almost all of the ones I’ve tried from our biggest State have been bloody amazing and this one can proudly sit amongst them.

The aromas were such that I knew I was going to love this wine (my wife said excitedly, “that smells like my kind of Chardy”).  It was certainly varietal with stone fruit aromas coupled nicely with some citrus character, a hint of herbs and a lovely buttery influence was present too.  It was similar when tasting it, and the generous fruit flavours were such that it was difficult to put down.  You’ll get peaches and cream, lemon tart, subtle oak characters, some delicate acidity and lovely texture, all coming together beautifully in the form of a truly delicious Chardonnay! 

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

Margaret River Chardonnay 2020 | Clandestine Vineyards

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2020 Clandestine Vineyards Adelaide Vineyards Pinot Grigio

Posted on December 11, 2020 by Tony Peters

While tasting this wine and making some notes, I got to thinking; when did I first consider this particular variety (I include the Pinot Gris style as well in that thought)? Having been involved with wine shows over quite a few years now, the only thing I could think of was there must have been a standout wine at the show that I just had to try.  The other thing of note when it comes to a Pinot Grigio is, my wife and I can be quite fussy.  We like the variety and I can happily report, this one received four thumbs up from the two occupants of the Peters household.

Bright, fresh and plentiful aromas of (pleasantly surprising) lemons and limes made me wonder what I as actually going to be tasting for a Grigio.  I say this only because (and I know it’s not a good habit to get into) I have come to expect certain aromas from this wine variety. 

Plenty of flavour to savour on the palate that’s for sure.  That lemonyness is present here as well along with some pear like influence and good taste-bud pleasing texture.  There’s a slight herbal influence too as it finishes crisp and dry with a longing for more.  The deliciousness dial has been turned all the way to the right!

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

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2019 Salena Estate “ex-PRESS-ion” Shiraz

Posted on December 8, 2020 by Tony Peters

I always liked to be surprised by a wine, especially from a producer I am not familiar with. I have to say, it is moments like this that remind me just how much good wine is out there being produced by enthusiastic people for the enjoyment of others.

After pouring this wine, I asked myself, should I be posting a photo of the wine in the glass and not just the bottle? Gee it’s a lovely, glistening, deep dark red colour. It looks terrific as it sits in the glass. Also, as it was being poured, it was like it exhaled beautiful dark fruit aromas to tease the senses of what’s to come. The palate was a very pleasant surprise. It was rich, generous and flavoursome without going beyond the medium bodied spectrum. Juicy blackberries, plums and dark cherries fill out the palate, and on the finish there’s a touch of creamy oak poking through as do the smooth tannins. For a young Shiraz, this is nicely balanced, very approachable and easy to drink already. Impressive!

Region: Barossa Valley, SA Price: $30 Source: Sample thanks kindly to https://www.salenaestate.com.au/ and https://savvycomms.ninja/

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2020 Castle Rock Porongurup Riesling

Posted on December 6, 2020 by Tony Peters

There is no pre-tasting note story for this wine.  I’m dead-set keen to tell you about this delightful Riesling. 

It smells simply divine!  It’s intense, it’s refreshing, it’s lively, it’s limey, it’s citrusy, it’s delicately floral and it’s ever so inviting.  Can you tell how excited I was after swirling the glass and taking in the aromas?  I could’ve sniffed this wine for ages but, I knew I had a job to do.  Tasting it (he says with a huge grin on his face).  What I said about the aromas can be repeated about the flavours but add to that plenty of citrusy fruit characters, delicate mouth-watering acidity, terrific structure and great length.  This is good, really good!

Castle Rock Estate Website

Region: Porongarup, WA     Price: $25    Source: Sample courtesy of Castle Rock Estate and Define Wine

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2020 Castle Rock Porongarup Chardonnay

Posted on December 2, 2020 by Tony Peters

And summer is here!  Yes, it usually means warmer days and evenings but, more importantly, an increase in the consumption of white wines.  Now, I know the term ‘white wines’ is all encompassing but when it comes to a versatile, any day of the week on the deck with a cheese platter type of white wine, you can’t go past a good Chardonnay.  Let me tell you, this is a very good Chardonnay that will fit the bill perfectly! 

This is going to sound odd but, when I smelt it, the aromas were quite subtle yet plentiful.  By that I mean there were stone fruits, a slight citrus note and creamy like aromas that were not shy, but also not in your face.  It said enough without saying too much. 

Drinking it was so, so easy.  Again, it offered up plenty for the palate without bombarding the senses.  Rich, terrific stone fruit characters get things off to a very good start, along with just a hint of refreshing lemon like acidity.  It feels creamy and textural on the tongue before the fresh, crisp acidity shows up again at the lovely finish.  For a wine so young, everything already seems in balance and, yeah, it will probably cellar in the short term but why bother.  It’s drinking beautifully now in readiness for this new summer season.

Castle Rock Estate Website

Region: Porongarup, WA     Price: $25    Source: Sample courtesy of Castle Rock Estate and Define Wine

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Salena Estate ‘Twisted Sticks’ Organic Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz

Posted on November 25, 2020 by Tony Peters

What a great name to put front and centre on a wine bottle!  Twisted Sticks.  I love it!  Seriously, the name got me in straight away and, when you think about it, that’s what a label and name are supposed to do to us punters.  Twisted Sticks.  There, I said it again!  The picture on the labels just add to the attraction too. This doesn’t take away from the fact both wines come from one of the largest organic producers in this great Southern Land of ours.  Now, I have heard people say, “Huh, organic just means they can add a few extra bucks to the price.”  Not with the Salena crew.  These two, for instance, come in at a measly $24 a bottle.  Yep, and for me, that represents incredible value.  I thoroughly enjoyed both of them and I have no doubt, when you try them, you will too.

2019 Twisted Sticks Cabernet Sauvignon

A lovely deep colour in the glass upon pouring it, then out came some pretty intense, youthful, fruity aromas of plums and blackberries.  Flavour aplenty on the palate.  Dark fruits make a big appearance with blackberries the main player along with dark and spicy cherries having a little say too.  Towards the finish there’s a sprinkle of herbs and the tannins chime in, albeit slightly drying, but I feel the rich fruit is well equipped to handle this.  A good indicator was on day 2 of tasting it.  The tannins had eased up nicely and formed part of a good, smooth, fruit forward finish. 

2019 Twisted Sticks Shiraz

This is also a lovely colour.  It has a youthful purple colour around the rim but it’s quite a deep colour at the centre of the glass.  It smells fresh and fruity on the nose (as expected for a young wine) where it’s like a cacophony of dark and red berries are fighting for attention, and it makes for a good introduction.  Generous flavours of black fruits and plums on the palate, a sprinkling of herbs and subtle spices complement the fruit perfectly as it finishes beautifully smooth if just a tad dry.  Yum factor is high!

Region: Riverland, SA     Price:  $24     Source:  Sample thanks kindly to https://www.salenaestate.com.au/ and https://savvycomms.ninja/

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2019 Pig in the House Organic Shiraz

Posted on November 20, 2020 by Tony Peters

What a ripper wine!  Gee I enjoyed this.  I’ll tell you what, if you served this up to friends who enjoy a good red and didn’t tell them the price, I reckon the majority would pick it being more expensive than it is.  Seriously, this has heaps of flavour, freshness and punch for a medium-bodied wine.  And it goes about it in a manner that is without pretentiousness too.  There is no way some big bad wolf is going to blow this pig house down that’s for sure.

A youthful, pretty red/purple colour in the glass, this wine has a lovely rich nose of a fresh juicy berry compote with a hint of pepper and spice.  It’s all primary fruit on the palate, no doubt about that.  Dark fruits, plums and ripe cherry freshness are all front and centre supported by subtle herbs and spices.  Yes, it’s rich but a vibrant rich instead of a heavy rich (if you know what I mean) and it’s mouth filling and smooth on a pretty good, persistent finish to boot.  This is great value!

Pig in the House Website

Region: Cowra, NSW Price: $25 Source: Sample courtesy of Windowrie Wines and Define Wine

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Rare Ozzies. A Hundred Rare Australian Wine Varieties. Author: Darby Higgs (Vinodiversity)

Posted on November 12, 2020 by Tony Peters

I used to read a lot. I still read quite a bit but not as much as I used to or should. I’ve read pretty thick books that involved plenty of pages, almost into the four digits. From what I can remember, this one, consisting of just over 100 pages, took me longer to read than any other book I have read for a number of reason but let me explain the two main ones.

Firstly, the subject. This was always going to attract my attention. It’s about wine grapes! I have been introduced to a number of ‘alternative’ varieties grown and bottled in Australia and, if I see a variety I’ve not seen before, I buy it. This book is only going to feed that curiosity and has provided a legitimate excuse to open my wallet.

Secondly, I couldn’t help myself but research a number of the varieties in the book even more so, which included where I could get the wines mentioned. I didn’t realise just how many vineyards grow these varieties and how many producers are more than happy to bottle them. Have you heard of Arinto, Fernao Pires or Prieto Picudo? As a result of reading this book, I now have bottles of these varieties on the way.

I really appreciate being sent this book by the author Darby Higgs. It is truly a fascinating read for any wine geek (like me).

https://www.vinodiversity.com/rareozzies.html

Rare Ozzies book By Darby Higgs
Posted in Other Reds, Other Whites | 2 Comments

Hastwell & Lightfoot ‘Fat and Skinny’ Pinot Grigio & Rosé

Posted on November 4, 2020 by Tony Peters

How good is it that summer is only a 27 days away. I don’t know about you but I tend to start scanning bottle shop shelves, checking out Instagram and looking at wine websites for summer wines that people are trying and/or buying. Yes, I realise people tastes are different but I can generally get a good idea if a wine is going to be what I like and am looking for. According to my wife, I have a pretty good ‘hit’ rate compared to a very low ‘miss’ rate. I’ve no doubt Pinot Grigio/Gris and Rosé will be very popular.

2019 Pinot Grigio

Quite fruity aromatically with pear and delicate citrusy notes. This doesn’t sound much but it is quite deceiving at this point. There’s a good amount of flavour that greets you on the first taste.  It’s gris/grigio for sure thanks to a good amount of pear flesh while a sprinkle of spice adds more interest as it finishes moderately long.  This is pretty good!

2019 Rosé

It’s all about strawberries.  On the nose and on the palate.  Delve a little deeper and up comes some floral like aromas as well.  Flavours wise you will come across red fruits (as well as those strawberry characters), there’s a little texture and spicyness but then a touch of harsh acidity arrives on a dry, slightly (surprisingly) tannic finish.  It’s an okay rosé but food will be its friend and saviour.

Region: Mclaren Vale, SA Price: $22 Source: Samples courtesy of Hastwell and Lightfoot and Define Wine

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