2016 Grant Burge Nebu Cabernet Shiraz

Posted on September 16, 2018 by Tony Peters

This is a new wine to the Grant Burge range and it sits in the Icon Wines section.  I have to say, I can definitly understand why.  This is delightful even at such a young stage of its life.

In case you were wondering, and because I was, Nebu is the Egyptian symbol for gold.  I won’t bore you with a details of the symbol but what I will say is, if I was judging this wine, I’d give it 18.5/20 and if my memory serves me correctly, that’s GOLD!!!

Darker fruits and youthfulness dominate the nose.  The palate will give you plenty of blackcurrants, juicy plums (loved what they offered here), dark cherries (yep, true), some lovely creamy vanilla oak and the tannins adding great support.  It had been open for about 5 hours before I got to try it and I was clearly the beneficiary of this ‘airing’.  It had settled, everything was integrated and it was still fresh and approachable.

I’ts pretty full on in fruit flavours from start to finish and I think it is unashamedly so.  I’m guessing it’s built to immediately impress with its juicy upfront fruitiness but still has the tannin structure to sit in a dark corner for a few years.

Grant Burge Website

Region: Barossa Valley, SA     Price: $85     Source: Right place, right time.

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Posted in Red Blends | 2 Comments

2018 Huntington Estate Pinot Noir Rosé

Posted on September 13, 2018 by Tony Peters

Rosé can no longer be taken lightly in the world of wine in Australia.  Because of the current and unrelenting popularity, many producers are putting one into bottle.  As a result, there are many hitting the bottle shop shelves these days.  As I have said before, it’s a good thing.

I’m sure there are others, but I don’t know of any other producer that has had a rosé, and a popular one at that, in their range for 30 plus years like Huntington Estate.  I reckon that’s fantastic!!  Cheers to Tim and the team.

Fresh as the vintage would suggest. Red fruits and, in my opinion, there’s a subtle citrus hit too.

Raspberries, sour cherries, slight dried cranberry sweetness giving balance, lively acid finish and those fruits don’t let go either.  Add to this the fact it’s a dry and elegant rosé, this is going to get a lot of attention with the warmer weather not far away.

Huntington Estate Website

Region: Mudgee, NSW     Price: $23     Source: Sample courtesy of Define Wine and Huntington Estate

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2018 Wobbly Boot Riesling

Posted on September 12, 2018 by Tony Peters

Young Riesling is, as you would expect, energetic, lively and not shy at all.  This also describes Paul and Lynda Williams, the owners of Wobbly Boot Vineyard.  They love talking to everyone about their wines and their enthusiasm is infectious.  They have a great, informal style cellar door and, if you have a pet, they will be just as welcomed and given just as much attention.

Paul loves Riesling.  So much so, he decided to plant some a couple of years ago.  He did the smart thing too.  To make sure he planted the right clone that would do well on his property, he asked his ‘riesling growing’ neighbours.  As a result (roll of the drums and the clang of a symbol) they have their first Riesling in bottle after only two years.

I had the pleasure of being there when it was released and I must say, for such a young wine from very young vines, this hits the mark for me.

Light straw in colour.  It was a bit closed on the nose but give it a good swirl and you’ll get lemon tart aromas and that had me and my wife very interested.  Citrusy on the palate, of course, with the usual suspects of lemons (mostly) with just a hint of limes.  There is softness to the palate, almost a textural feel to it as well and the acid seems so delicate for such a young wine.  This is looking good already and is on my list as a ‘must’ for summer drinking.

It’s not available on the website so click on the link below and contact them.  There were only 1210 bottles produced.  I saw how many were snapped up when it was released and, when word gets out, that number will reduce pretty quickly.

Wobbly Boot Website

Region: Coal River Valley, Tasmania     Price: $32     Source: Cellar Door Purchase

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2014 Huntington Estate Shiraz

Posted on September 10, 2018 by Tony Peters

I don’t receive many wines to review but, you know what, some of those that I have received have opened my eyes up to some winemakers and wines I would not normally, if ever, get to see in Hobart.  I am so grateful to Define Wine for re-introducing me to the wines of Huntington Estate and the mighty fine work of Tim Stevens.

It’s great on the nose.  Even at four years of age, it is still pretty fresh berry-ish and fragrant right here.  It smells like it’s going to lay it on thick and rich preparing you for what’s in store.

A mélange (coming from me that’s a bit posh) of dark, blue and red fruits make up the flavours of this beauty.  There is definitely lush and fresh blackberries that make you feel as though you are rolling them around your mouth.  A blueberry character is there for me too and having mentioned red fruits, it was a ‘fruit freshness” suggesting age-ability (I hope you know what I mean).

The tannins don’t want to be forgotten either.  They make an appearance but in balance with the damn good fruit that pulls them into line as they both march side by side in unison.  Very much enjoyed this wine.  Get onto it!

Huntington Estate Website

Region: Mudgee, NSW    Price: $32     Source: Sample courtesy of  Define Wine & Huntington Estate

2014-Huntington Estate-Shiraz

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2018 Huntington Estate Semillon

Posted on September 9, 2018 by Tony Peters

Let me introduce you to an old and reliable white grape variety.  It’s called Semillon.  It’s the one variety that seems to have been forgotten in the rush to get to Sav Blanc and Pinot Gris/Grigio onto wine lists, and behind Riesling and Chardonny in the popularity stakes.  Even in these more contemporary times, it is being pushed back even further due to the likes of Rousanne, Fiano and Vermentino.  When was the last time you saw a Semillon on a wine list?  Winemakers and producers seem to be taking all of this on the chin because they continue to come up with some excellent examples like this one, even in their youth.

Fresh as anything can be when it’s virtually brand spanking new.  This smells fresh, zippy, inviting and capable of brightening your day…seriously!

It’s no different when tasting it.  It seems light yet provides some texture for a bit of complexity, it’s lemony and appley and peary too.  I am fan of the slight tang of the grapefruit acidity on the finish that makes you thirsty for more.  When you see ones like this hitting the bottleshop shelves, I can’t understand why people don’t drink more Semillon!

Huntington Estate Website

Region: Mudgee, NSW     Price: $27    Source: Sample courtesy of Define Wine & Huntington Estate

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2016 Dalrymple Cave Block Chardonnay

Posted on September 6, 2018 by Tony Peters

A couple of weeks back I wrote about a Tasmanian Chardonnay.  I commented how this variety in my home state was playing second, third or maybe even forth fiddle to other varieties.  I really hope punters start taking a closer look at Tassie Chardonnay because (winemaker) Peter Caldwell at Dalrymple is coming up with gems like this one that need to be closely inspected and enthusiastically consumed.

There was a lot of time and energy dedicated to this wine beginning with hand-picked and hand-sorted fruit.  Immediately this tells me that attention to detail has been paid to this wine.  It was matured in French oak barrels that were turned to allow for lees contact during this maturation process.  It’s made a scrumptious yet delicate impact on the finished wine.

It did take some coaxing but eventually there were subtle yet pretty aromatics.  Peachy and a touch spicy I thought.  Totally different when drinking it.  Wow! Lovely and rich without having that ‘overdone-ness’ to it if you know what I mean.  Say hello to some creaminess, some macadamia/almond/cashew nut notes and those peachy and (slight) spicy characters show themselves here too, and it finishes long, strong and fresh with the support of good soft delicate acidity.  There is plenty given in this wine for the consumer for very little dollars in return.

Dalrymple Website

Regioin: Tassie     Price: $38     Source: Wine Tasting

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2014 Yalumba The Menzies Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

Posted on September 5, 2018 by Tony Peters

There is no doubting the pedigree of this wine.  The first one was 1987 and this one is the current release.  I’ve tried a few over the years and was going to say this is the ‘greatest’ but my judgement is influenced by just how good this one is in this moment.

I could be going out on a limb here by saying this was not classic Coonawarra Cabernet when I tasted it.  It doesn’t seem to have that mintyness, that herbal/leafy note to it that we’ve come to expect and love in wines from this region.  Natalie Cleghorn has produced a wine that is so, so approachable already yet has the structure to impress just as much in a decade at least.

It’s young so the colour was no surprise.  Deep, dense, glossy crimson red and purple.  What was a surprise was the aroma.  Definitely some charming dark fruits but there was a hint of cherry blossom/floral notes here which made me wonder if there was going to be some fruit sweetness when I eventually tasted it.  I say “eventually” because it’s pretty damn good on the nose, let me tell you.

The ever important part of course is the taste of a wine.  I tasted this and thought, hang on, blackberries and blackcurrant fruits but in a lighter spectrum if that’s possible.  Still rich yet not robust or in your face.  The primary fruit is quite obvious (of course) but sitting really nicely on the tongue and inviting the velvety, (slightly bitter) dark chocolate tannins in to add to the charm and sophistication of this wine that seems to linger for a long time.  I know I mentioned dark chocolate but on the finish there seems to be a really good, high quality, milk chocolate texture too.  It is all class and has time on its side, no doubt.

Yalumba Website

Region: Coonawarra, SA     Price: $60     Source: Gift

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2015 Levantine Hill The Coldstream Guard Rubeus

Posted on August 30, 2018 by Tony Peters

What first captured my attention with this wine was, “The Coldstream Guard”.  I figured it would have some sort of history behind it and I love history (regardless of whether it had anything to do with the wine or not).

As it turns out, The Coldstream Guard is part of the Guards Division, Foot Guards regiments of the British Army.  It is the oldest regiment in the regular army in continuous active service originating in Coldstream, Scotland in 1650 (thanks Wikipedia).  I don’t know if this has anything to do with the wine but it makes for interesting reading…for some people.  🙂

This is predominately Cabernet Sauvignon but it has some Pinot Noir (true), Shiraz and Merlot in support.  Sorry, I’m not sure of the percentages but it doesn’t matter because winemaker extraordinaire, Paul Bridgeman, (to use the back label) “unites these batches to create a blend unique to each vintage that is indisputably nulli secundus (‘second to none’)”.

I liked how things started.  The cabernet influence was always going to be front and centre and it was.  Blackberries and blackcurrants aplenty on the nose but it was on the palate where these fruits really shone.  Juicy, fruity and lush but still fresh thanks to some red fruit influence.  I sense there was some whole bunch in there adding a really good, balanced, herbal dimension to the wine with just a smattering of spice at the back end.

It’s a lovely rich wine but it is such that it does not sit heavy on the palate.  This is where the Pinot Noir, Shiraz and Merlot are clearly best friends and have worked together in doing their job perfectly with this wine.  The tannins are really gentle and don’t upset what’s happening in the grape variety group.  They seem to know their place.  The Scottish Coldstream Guard will have trouble keeping this deliciously drinkable Yarra Valley blend from being snapped up by all and sundry that’s for sure.

Levantine Hill Website

Region: Yarra Valley, Vic     Price: $50     Source:  Cellar Door Purchase

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2017 Serafino Reserve Chardonnay

Posted on August 26, 2018 by Tony Peters

I’m sure I’m not the only person who does not associate Chardonnay with McLaren Vale.  I don’t mean this in a bad way, it’s just that other varieties, mainly red, are more associated with the region.  Now, with this in mind it is great to see the time and care that goes into producing such a lesser known variety from McLaren Vale and at such a damn good price.

Being such a young wine, you get a bucket load of freshness and vitality right from the beginning on the nose and the palate.  Mind you, that youthfulness is nicely balanced by good palate filling peach and pear, flesh and texture components (I hope that makes sense) without taking anything away from the long, citrussy and minerally finish.

It won’t be long now until there’ll be more daylight and the days will be warmer.  Perfect for that relaxing, sigh of relief, end of the day Chardonnay and here is one that should be a default.

(If you live in Hobart, call into the Tasmanian Wine Centre They have the Serafino range of wines including this one)

Serafino Wines Website

Region: McLaren Vale     Price: $25     Source: Wine Tasting

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2016 Best’s Great Western Cabernet Sauvignon

Posted on August 22, 2018 by Tony Peters

There are regions in Australia that are more commonly known for their Cabernet Sauvignon than Great Western in Victoria (I was going to say more popular but that would be an incorrect assumption).  Although Great Western is known more for its Shiraz, I would not be at all surprised if the words, “Best’s Great Western Cabernet Sauvignon…of course” are not uttered around dinner tables more often.

No surprises with the colour.  A youthful, dense vibrant purple.

Plenty of berries on the nose, and I mean plenty.  I joke you not, I could’ve smelt it all afternoon.  It’s indicative of just how young this wine is.

Goodness me!  The full on flavours don’t hold back when you sip it either.  It’s unmistakably all dark fruits and berries, plums seemingly spread across the palate with ease, nuance of cloves too and the tannins don’t hide behind the quality fruit either.  As strange as this may seem after you’ve read this, I found this wine to have a certain elegance and approachability about it.  This clearly has time on its side but don’t be afraid to open one and drink it with a slab of hard cheese or a hearty red meat dish.

Best’s Wines Website

Region: Great Western, Vic     Price: $25     Sourc: Wine Tasting

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