2015 Craigie Knowe Pinot Noir

Posted on July 15, 2017 by Tony Peters

I’m sure I’m going to get a bit of a ribbing about this, but when I saw the name Craigie Knowe, I automatically thought of some sort of little English country town.  You know like Ellesmere Port or Paddock Wood or Shepton Mallet (thanks Widipedia).  It just has that sort of ring about it.

Thankfully it is a vineyard on the East Coast of Tasmania.  A hop, skip and jump from my doorstep.

Established in 1979 this little pocket of Tassie sits in a tiny place called Cranbrook.  It was sold in 2009 to those who really didn’t treat the vineyard with the respect it deserved.  The vines welcomed new owners Glen and Sandy Travers in 2013 and it has now been lovingly brought back to life with a lot of hard work.  They have been richly rewarded with wines  of exemplary quality.

This Pinot is not for the faint hearted.  Not that it’s over the top, it’s just packed full of varietal characters but still elegant.

Colour: dark and  alluring.

Flavours: delicious and lingering.  Cherries, yep, black as you can find.  Currants, yep, black and juicy.  Both friendly and also best of friends not fighting for front position.

Enjoyment factor: hits the high notes for me.  This’ll hold it’s own in a battle with any game meat you care to pair it with.  It has the oomph but the elegance to go with it.

Loved it!

craigieknowe.com.au

If you intend on grabbing some of this (and their Riesling) don’t think about it for too long.

Region: East Coast, Tasmania     Price: $40     Source: Purchase

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2007 Mitchell Wines McNicol Shiraz

Posted on July 9, 2017 by Tony Peters

I thought I would google 2007 to see what happened in Australia 10 years ago.  I must say, there wasn’t much in the way of positive results from the search.

Thankfully, Mitchell Wines bottled a McNicol Shiraz to brighten up not only 2007 but 2017 when they decided to release this wine.  Hallelujah!!

I tell you what, everything about this does not point to a 10 year old wine and it starts with the colour.  It’s still deep, it’s still dark and it’s still looking good.

The nose gives a bit of a hint there is some life in it thanks to dark berries hanging about, but it’s tasting this that’ll make you think about hiding it for a few more years. Presenting those dark berries again but throw in black cherries, an ever so slight hint of fruit sweetness and a dusting of tannins and you have a bloody gem of an aged, current release, wine that has come together beautifully.

Richness, elegance and integrity pretty much sums up this wine for me.

mitchellwines.com

Region: Clare Valley     Price: $45     Source: Sample

McNicol_Shiraz_NV

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2013 Mitchell Wines Peppertree Shiraz

Posted on July 5, 2017 by Tony Peters

I’m a huge fan of wineries that seem to be not so ‘obvious’.  They have been around so long they don’t have to say or do much because people recognise them and respect them for their humble nature.

This Mitchell Wines shiraz fits neatly into this description.

I initially found it to be a reluctant, shy young soul to start with but as it’s confidence grew, it showed just how good it is and there was no rushing it either.  It’s aromatics came out of their shell beautifully with patience.

Taste it and this is where it comes into it’s own without fanfare or fireworks, just quietly impressing.  Medium bodied, red fruits at the riper end of the spectrum, a delicate savouriness all come together in an unpretentious, generous kind of way…and it keeps on giving.  You’ll get more than you bargained for at the price too.

mitchellwines.com

Region: Clare Valley     Price: $26 (seriously)     Source: Sample

Mitchell_Shiraz_NV

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2016 LiNO RaMBLe Red Rover Pinot Noir

Posted on July 2, 2017 by Tony Peters

Politicians can be so frustrating at times.  They don’t seem to be able to make a decision with something that is difficult to deal with for fear of stuffing it up or upsetting their supporters.

Pinot Noir producers are no different…sort of (but they don’t frustrate me like politicians).  They have a difficult ‘subject’ to deal with and if treated the right way, the result will prove popular.  Muck about with it and you could find yourself being voted to the back bench of Pinot Noir Parliament.

This is a very interesting wine.  Aromatically, it’s light on it’s feet like red fruits and cherries but has a darker fruit weight and texture to it.  Think black currants and dark cherries on the palate.  The tannins are not trying to be difficult here that’s for sure.  They may sit in the bleachers of this wine but they have their say at the most appropriate time.

This wine’s winemaker is clearly the Speaker of the House.  Maintaining control of the subject matter from its conception to its finalisation,  ensuring a positive result for his constituents.

It gets my vote.  It should get yours too.

linoramble.com.au

Region: Adelaide Hills     Price: $30    Source: Sample

Lino Ramble Red Rover Pinot

 

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2015 Yelland & Papps Greenock Shiraz

Posted on June 26, 2017 by Tony Peters

The 25th day of June means different things to different people.  I doubt, however, there are those who would remember this day in 1630 when the fork was introduced to American dining.  Others may remember it as the day in 1984 when Prince released his best selling album ‘Purple Rain’.  Some will remember it for the day in 2006 when two world famous Aussies, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban tied the knot.

The 25th day of June in the year 2017 was the day I was introduced to the 2015 Yelland & Papps Greenock Shiraz.  I’m sure this specific moment is not going to be a Trivial Pursuit question like the other significant events in history but it’s all relative I reckon.

I’m very familiar with the Greenock region of the Barossa having been introduced to wines from the region many years ago.

Fast forward to now and here is a team that has captured all the goodness of rich and plump, dark, slightly sweet fruit aromas and flavours, with a lingering smooth mouth-filling richness that reeks class.

What also needs to be said is the deft use of new & old, French & American oak that has assisted in producing a sumptuous Shiraz capturing the Greenock region perfectly for me, all at a modest 13.7% alcohol.

A welcoming, giving wine from start to finish that sits proudly in the upper middle class of the Y&P range but presents as a high end member of Barossa Society.

yellandandpapps.com

Region: Barossa Valley     Price: $40     Source: Sample

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2016 Yelland & Papps Devote Rousanne

Posted on June 20, 2017 by Tony Peters

Have you ever watched a Quentin Tarantino movie?  They are so cool to watch.  Always interesting, always thought provoking and always leave you satisfied with the money you spent going to the movies to see it.

What I also love about his movies is the little sub-plots going on inside the main plot that makes sense when it comes to the end of the movie…if you get what I mean.

This Rousanne has all the sub-plots, intrigue and main players coming together perfectly. Here’s a preview:

You’ll see through all the intro stuff as soon as it’s poured.  That’s the only time everything seems…regular if you like.

The aromas are where the little side stories start.  There’s the fruit aromas that are doing their thing then the senses pan across to the hint of oak that is lifting the spice and nuttiness into the picture.

The palate is where the direction comes into it’s own.  The rich, ripe, textural prelude eases along while the spice, creaminess and slithered almonds come into the frame before that texture returns to bring it all together with lovely soft acid, hint of minerality, and length.  That’s where you realise, the script was so perfectly structured and all the players have been working together to bring the whole thing to an incredible, unsuspecting, satisfying finish.

Just like Quentin Tarantino, Michael and Susan have developed a cult following of wine lovers that are continually intrigued and impressed with their wines, and wait patiently for the next installment.

yellandandpapps.com

Region: Barossa Valley     Price: $40     Source: Sample

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2016 Mitchell Watervale Riesling

Posted on June 12, 2017 by Tony Peters

I don’t know if you have ever eaten at Rockpool in Sydney.  It doesn’t matter when you dine there you are guaranteed a dining experience like no other and it is consistently like that…so I’m told.

Clare Valley Riesling is the same no matter how you look at it.  Every time you drink it, you are guaranteed a memorable experience.  Here is one from the guys at Mitchell reinforcing the thought and it does so with a lot more ease and at a very small percentage of the cost of eating at Rockpool.

Okay, so it’s definitely Riesling on the nose, no bones about that, but tasting it is where it really impresses.  Youthful and zesty right from the word go which stays with the wine, however it also has such a lovely texture about it giving a delightful balance and generosity that I just loved!

If you prefer your Rieslings with a little bit of age then you’ll have no problems with this one rewarding your patience.

This Riesling has everything going for it when it comes to drinkability, enjoyability, respectability, cellarability but most importantly, affordability.  Buy up I say.

mitchellwines.com

Region: Clare Valley     Price: $24     Source: Sample

Mitchell_Watervale_Riesling_NV

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2015 Oliver’s Taranga Al Fresco Grenache

Posted on June 4, 2017 by Tony Peters

This is very much Al Fresco in a bottle.  Add to that the verstility of Grenache and you have a match made in food and wine heaven on a lazy Autumn afternoon

The fresh and lively flavours of red fruits and a lovely hint of spices provide an invitation to chorizo, herb, tomato & buffalo mozzarella pizza or a fettuccine Matriciana to dance together in a country Italian Piazza.

It has enough depth of flavour to be more than a rosé. It is light enough to be an easy wine to settle in with. You could easily throw it at your wine loving friends & it would get devoured…along with that pizza and pasta.

I really can’t get enough of this wine.

oliverstaranga.com

Region: McLaren Vale     Price:$24 ($17 at cellar door)     Source: Cellar Door Purchase

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2017 Jim Barry Wines Watervale Riesling

Posted on May 30, 2017 by Tony Peters

I have never known movies to be released the same year they were made.

Thankfully, prisoners rarely get released the same year they are sentenced for a serious crime.

If there is one thing I am more than happy to be available the year it is released it is Riesling, and I have this one to thank.

There are always ‘components’ talked about when it comes to the early release of Riesling but it is the acid that cops it from all angles.  It should not happen on this occasion.

Aromas.  Lemons, limes and floral.  Same on the palate but add texture, mouthfeel, pleasure, drinkability and a great price.  A hint of residual sugar puts this gem in the ideal location for the Riesling critics to take a step back and revisit the variety.

Everything seems to work in conjunction with each other with this wine almost like they had a game plan for the world of wine.  It’s hit the mark perfectly as far as I’m concerned.

I like this a lot!

www.jimbarry.com

Region: Clare Valley     Price: $20     Source: Retail Purchase

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2016 LiNO RaMBLe Bastardo

Posted on May 24, 2017 by Tony Peters

The grape variety Bastardo is also known as Trousseau or Trousseau Noir.  Neither of those words have anywhere near the impact or interest as ‘Bastardo’!  I love the word…and the table wine version of the grape.  I say that because, in Portugal, they use it mainly in port.  Why they choose to do that with it is a matter for them but if they tried this LiNO RaMBLe version, they would most definitely decide to make a table wine instead.

As a side bar, apparently, in Australia, it is known as Gros Cabernet.  Let’s not go there.

It’s an interesting thing right from the start.  It looks lightish in the glass but there is something impressive about it’s appearance.

Don’t even think about backing away at this point.  It’s aromatic personality is pretty, congenial and attractive.

Although it’s from young vines there’s plenty on offer.  Thanks to red and blue fruits and some dark cherry influence, it’s a little bit sweet, a little bit spicy, a little bit rustic and a little bit rock and roll!  Juicy, lovable and gluggable, a wine that reeks of genuineosity (I made that word up just in case you didn’t realise).  If only I could go back for more and more and more, but there ain’t that much of it unfortunately.

I think I’ve found a new ‘wine variety’ friend. 😉

linoramble.com.au

Region: McLaren Vale     Price: $30     Source: Online Purchase

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