2016 Sew and Sew Adelaide Hills Fiano

Posted on January 6, 2017 by Tony Peters

I was sure Laura Branigan had a hit single in 1984 with a song called “Fi ano” but as it turns out, it was “Ti amo” which means “I love you” in Italian.  Ironic isn’t it when you consider Fiano is a native grape variety of that country.  I have to admit, I have become quite enamoured with the variety.

An excellent start to this wine offering plenty on the nose with subtle lemons and limes, slightly floral but apricots steal the aromatic show.

The palate is quite a rich and textural, almost Pinot Gris like thanks to a pear character too but it’s the length that is a very pleasant surprise.  There’s a viscous Viognier-ish sort of palate weight to the wine that makes it just hang there.  It’s pretty bloody nice I can tell you and, I know I’ve said this before but, don’t let it get too cold.

sewandsewwines.com.au

Region: Adelaide Hills     Price: $25     Source: Sample

sewsew_2016_fiano

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Sew and Sew Adelaide Hills Chardonnay Showcase

Posted on December 30, 2016 by Tony Peters

I have mentioned previously how it’s been great to discover smaller wine producers and this is another you really need to get to know.  Viticulturist, Jodi Armstrong and Sydney based Andrew Mason have formed a partnership that is producing some very smart, very reasonably priced booze in the form of Adelaide Hills Chardonnays and a Pinot Noir, and McLaren Vale Shiraz.  You can be rest assured the wines are going to be pretty special because Jodi looks after the vineyards that produce the fruit that ends up under the screwcap of all the Sew and Sew range.

When I received these Chardonnays, my first thought was to try them separately to give the 2016 vintage a fair chance primarily because it was up against it’s slightly more expensive sibling.  Well, I couldn’t have been more wrong in my thoughts.

2016 Sashiko Series Adelaide Hills Chardonnay

It smells fresh and lively (courtesy of a soft citrusy lift), as you’d expect from a wine so young  but I reckon it may even be a bit better in 6 or even 12 months time.  It just seems to have that, I don’t know, zing about it.  Add to this some stone fruit/slithered almond nuances to the palate and you have a pretty good wine for the price.

Region: Adelaide Hills     Price: $25     Source: Sample

sewsew_2016_sashiko_char

2015 Contour Series Adelaide Hills Chardonnay

This one is all about aromas, texture and length.  The nose hums along more than bursts out of the glass and you can’t help but keep taking it in.  The flavours are no different. Fleshy, textural fruit flavours are perfectly balanced by a gentle layer of acid in a wine that coats every part of your mouth.  It’s quite deliciously moreish.

Region: Adelaide Hills     Price: $35     Source: Sample

sewsew_2015_chardonnay_

You can’t help but love what’s being produced in the Adelaide Hills when there are quality Chardonnays like these.  Both definitely worth seeking out.

sewandsewwines.com.au

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2016 Di Giorgio Kongorong Riesling

Posted on December 14, 2016 by Tony Peters

The Di Giorgio family make some very special red wines.  That goes without saying.  I had no idea they had a Riesling in their range until a cellar door visit in 2014.

Kongorong (thankfully it’s pretty easy to say) is a little further south of Mount Gambier in South Australia.

Don’t be surprised if bees start hanging around your glass.  The aromas will attract them thanks to the spring blossom that rises from within along with the expected citrus fruits.

There’s quite a bit of zip on the palate where limes are showcased, grapefruit sourness is there with a hint of sweetness giving it some balance.  The finish is quite generous too thanks to some zingy acidity.

I’ve decided to nickname this the ‘notathingwrong’ Riesling because that is it-on-a-stick and at less than 20 bucks, is bloody cheap!

www.digiorgio.com.au

Region: Kongorong, South Australia     Price: $19 (website)     Source: Wine Show Purchase

kongorong-riesling-2012-nv-web

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NV Hentley Farm Black Beauty Sparkling Shiraz

Posted on December 12, 2016 by Tony Peters

I am a huge fan of sparkling red.  Whether it be shiraz, cabernet, cab franc, chambourcin…etc.  I love it and we drink quite a bit of it.  This one is very special indeed.

Everything about this example is full on but not heavy going.  Full on flavours that’s for sure. Blackberries are to the fore in every facet of this wine but are supported by a cranberry/red fruit freshness and a touch of sweetness.  The balance comes from a savoury edge that is oh so subtle but still manages to make it’s mark.  It’s all so nicely done and presented.

This is more like Black Caviar than Black Beauty.  It has power, presence, class and is definitely a winner in many ways.  A sure bet when it comes to matching it with your Christmans turkey.

www.hentleyfarm.com.au

Region: Barossa Valley     Price: $62     Source: Sample

black-beauty-sparkling-shiraz

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2016 Ridgemill Estate Riesling

Posted on December 10, 2016 by Tony Peters

The reaction from my mates to me pouring them a Queensland wine is interesting but, when I poured them this Riesling from the sunshine state it was with a certain level of trepidation from them.  They were not particularly enthusiastic but I could tell they were mighty curious.

Lovely floral nose that exudes citrus fruits. Lemons and limes tickle the sinuses but a hint of sweetness shows itself.  Similar on the palate but, with an added touch of crunchy apple acidity, there is no sweetness to speak of (dare I say, thankfully).  While it doesn’t hang on the palate, it fills out on the finish with a subtle dryness that I really liked. (One fella said, “It’s so deliciously cool climate, yum!”).

A hint.  Don’t underestimate the Granite Belt when it comes to cool climate varieties.

ridgemillestate.com

Region: Granite Belt, Queensland     Price: $26     Source: Sample

ridgemill-estate_riesling2016_front-247x300

 

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2016 Yelland & Papps Vermentino

Posted on December 8, 2016 by Tony Peters

Some people may think it weird that sometimes, and probably more often than not, when I’ve finished a big day in the garden, or like on this occasion, completed some demolition work, I make a b-line for a white wine.  Not beer or water (god forbid) but a cool, tasty white wine and this one fitted the bill perfectly.

Quite aromatic thanks to it’s youth but it was in the drinking that it proved it’s worth.  The freshness and juiciness was a welcome relief, and the lively flavours of citrus fruits, almonds and a little hint of spice provided an ideal epilogue.

A hard earned thirst needs a nice cold wine.  And the best cold wine is Vermentino.  Yelland & Papps Vermentino.

yellandandpapps.com

Region: Barossa Valley     Price: $25     Source: Sample

bottlepage-ypvermentino-nv-1

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2016 Hentley Farm Blanc de Noir

Posted on November 28, 2016 by Tony Peters

Unique.  Intriguing.  And I love it!  How’s that for a start.

When I read the notes saying it was “…a blend of red varieties…” I couldn’t help but be interested.  Who wouldn’t?!

There’s no mucking about with this bottle of bubbles right from the start.  It has a blush that tells me it’s almost embarrassed to be so nice.

Red fruits are evident on the nose (light pinot-esque) and they presented again on the palate too.  It’s fresh, lively and flavoursome, and it lingers thanks to the bright acidity and some texture (I’ve not seen that in a bubbles.  A nice touch).

This is a lovely, fun sparkling wine that has the added bonus of being great value too!! Festive frivolity drinking at its best.

www.hentleyfarm.com.au

Region: Barossa Valley     Price: $27.50     Source: Sample

blanc-de-noir-sparkling-white

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2016 Irvine Eden Valley Riesling

Posted on November 25, 2016 by Tony Peters

The youthfulness is obvious as soon as you pour it.  Almost water-like in colour.  The floral and citrus aromas that rose from the glass were a sign of things to come.

Lemons, limes do their bit, of course, but with some added texture hangs on the palate, then a fresh ‘biting-into-an-apple’ acid tang to finish it off.  Actually, everything is so fresh and new about this wine, and so attractive too (even the label!).

I’m going to take my hat off to the crew at Irvine.  To produce a Riesling for the first time from a region well known for the quality of this variety is pretty gutsy.  If they felt any pressure in doing so, it is not reflected in this excellent example.

irvinewines.com.au

Region: Eden Valley     Price: $22 (Bargain!)     Source: Sample

springhill_riesling_bottle

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2015 Yelland & Papps Sete Di Vino

Posted on November 22, 2016 by Tony Peters

The night I opened this wine, it proved to be an evening of interesting blends.  The first wine I had was a smart, ‘dare to be different’ white blend followed by this partnership of Primitivo and Barbera that works very well together too.

What a lovely deep colour this wine is!  Do your sense of smell a favour a dive your nose in. There are red fruits, blue fruits, dark fruits and probably fruits I’ve never met before.  You’ll encounter similar flavours when you try this wine with the added dimension of a savoury note that balances out the lush fruit.  There’s a deliciousness, sort of freshness about it too on a medium bodied palate.  Okay so it’s not built for the long haul but that’s not an issue. While it’s offering all of this, tuck in now I reckon!

yellandandpapps.com

Region: Barossa Valley     Price: $25     Source: Sample

bottlepage-ypsetedivino2015x

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2012 Grey Sands Chardonnay Viognier

Posted on November 20, 2016 by Tony Peters

A curriculum vitae (CV) is something someone puts together hoping that somebody will be impressed by it.  Well here is a Chardonnay Viognier (a CV of sorts) that has been developed knowing it will attract attention across the board.

I found the aromas to be a very interesting and pleasant surprise.  Soft floral aromas, a hint of apricot (thank you 10% viognier) and just a touch of a spice (that I couldn’t put my finger on) adds some character.  On the palate, the chardonnay provides the stone fruit characters you expect but the Viognier chimes in with some lovely texture and there’s a deft touch of acid on the finish.  I thought it was still pretty fresh for a 4 year old wine too.

This Chardonnay Viognier offers everything up front both on the nose and the palate. But it is not forceful or pushy.  It is ‘this is who I am’ until it calms down and eases into a lengthy tête-à-tête allowing you get to know it very well.

Sadly, this is the last vintage of this white blend, so click the link and scoop some up while it is still available.

greysands.com.au

Region: Glengarry, Northern Tasmania     Price: $40     Source: Sample

grey-sands

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