2014 Coriole Galaxidia Shiraz

Posted on August 12, 2017 by Tony Peters

I’m happy to admit to being one of the ‘older’ generation.

I saw Star Wars when it was shown in cinemas in 1977, Star Trek in 1979 and of course, Battle Star Galactica television series in 1978.  Galaxidia was the prompt that took me back to those bygone years simply, and quite basically, because of the name.  It’s doing the same to you right now, isn’t it?

However, this wine is contemporary but has been made so as not to forget the terroir and more importantly, the bones of McLaren Vale, and presented by a ‘new generation’ of the regions winemakers, Alex Sherrah.

It’s a brilliant deep colour that prepares you for what is to follow.  Lovely aromas of fresh dark fruits that exemplify the region.  Plush, lush and rich black fruits galore on the palate complimented beautifully with those typical silky McLaren Vale chocolatey notes. And the finish?  Well, it goes on for as long as the prelude to that first Star Wars movie.

This is certainly more Starship Enterprise than it is Millennium Falcon that’s for sure and it is going to survive for the next generation to look back on and enjoy.

I picked this up at cellar door and, to quote Captain Lee ‘Apollo’ Adama from Battlestar Galactica, “Boy, when you take a souvenir, you don’t screw around.”

www.coriole.com

Region: McLaren Vale     Price: $60     Source: Swap

Galaxidia

Posted in Shiraz | Leave a comment

2016 De Bortoli Woodfired Heathcote Shiraz

Posted on July 30, 2017 by Tony Peters

It’s not uncommon to have wines recommended to me and I don’t mind it even more so when it comes from someone in the know.

I must say though, I was not particularly enthralled when I saw the label.  In one word, dark.  ‘Woodfired’ was there for all to see.

In the glass is where the darkness continues.  It’s certainly a deep colour but with a youthful vibrancy and the aromas, Bang!  Full on, delicious, mouth-watering.

I was a little surprised when I tried it though.  I expected that punch to continue but, while it’s rich, it is still quite smooth, mellow and damn approachable.

Black fruits aplenty, a hint of licorice allsorts in there balanced out thanks also to a touch of cool climate spice/pepperiness.  All in all a nicely rounded, generous, no nonsense wine at a very reasonable price.

shop.debortoli.com.au

Region: Heathcote, Victoria     Price: $20 (retail)     Source: Retail Purchase

400x400_de_bortoli_woodfired_heathcote_shiraz_nv

Posted in Shiraz | Leave a comment

2015 Angoves Organic Shiraz Cabernet

Posted on July 24, 2017 by Tony Peters

Hands up those who love tradition.  Okay, those who put their hands up, put your hands down…please.  If I asked you about something your family has repeatedly done for years, you’d be able to tell me a story about it AND how you wouldn’t change it.  That’s tradition.

I can’t use the word ‘tradition’ when it comes to the Angoves family because they are based on generations.  Tradition comes naturally to them.

Claret is traditional, and as much as Aussie wineries can’t use that term, Shiraz/Cabernet will remain in the psyche of punters thanks to this wine.

It has a dense colour that defies it’s aromas and flavours.  That doesn’t sound right i know but you’ll know what I mean when you smell and taste it.  It’s red fruit specific on the nose but in a cheery, fresh way.  The palate is where it speaks to all and sundry.  Those red fruits hang around but add blackcurrants and plums, a hint of oak and spice (they are probably joined at the hip) and you have a bargain wine.  I’ve heard and read great things about the rest of the range too.

Okay so it doesn’t say much about where the fruit was sourced but I think you should ignore this and enjoy it for what it is.  A very good wine at a very good price.

www.angove.com.au

Region: South Australia     Price: $15     Source: Retail Purchase

shopping

Posted in Red Blends | Leave a comment

2016 De Bortoli La Bossa Pinot Grigio

Posted on July 23, 2017 by Tony Peters

Let’s be honest right from the start.  Nobody expects much from a bottle of wine that only costs you a tenner (that’s a $10 note in case you were wondering).  I will admit to only deciding to try this wine because it had the name ‘De Bortoli’ attached to it, pure and simple.

Well, well, well! How on earth do they make this wine for the price?  I also have to admit to approaching this as a $10 bottle of wine and, quoting a famous (or infamous depending on your view) female Queensland politician, “Please explain?”

Don’t get me wrong, it is definitely grigio but it taps on the door of the gris style both on the nose and palate.

The surprises start on the nose.  Quite aromatic, not necessarily punchy but sort of “hello”.  The palate is where it impresses.  It’s quite light but textural, pinot grigio pears are evident,  a slight spicy nip…just, and very satisfying.  I clearly underestimated this wine.  This is easily a summer go-to white wine that will please plenty of punters without a doubt.

www.debortoli.com.au

Region: South Australia     Price: $10     Source: Retail Purchase

400x400_La_Bossa_Pinot_Grigio_web

Posted in Other Whites | Leave a comment

2016 Craigie Knowe Riesling

Posted on July 23, 2017 by Tony Peters

It is not uncommon for me to walk around my garden and come across a plant or flower I had forgotten about.  The only reason I remember it is because it finally shows itself after some sort of hiatus.  Craigie Knowe riesling is that flower in everybody’s garden that has been forgotten about.

After tasting this wine, I’m sorry and embarrassed to say, I can not remember the last time I saw or was told about a Craigie Knowe Riesling.  I hope it never happens again!

Okay so it has those lovely citrusy characters we’ve come to love about Tassie rieslings. Limes grapple over the top of lemons while a slight, almost cheeky, minerality adds to the freshness.  A line of racy acidity that oysters would gravitate to (not that I eat them but I’m sure they would) providing length as well.  You’ll be happy to know, this is not going anywhere for a while yet.

craigieknowe.com.au

Region: East Coast, Tasmania     Price: $26     Source: Gift

 

IMG_7837

Posted in Riesling | Leave a comment

2009 Mitchell Wines Sevenhill Cabernet

Posted on July 16, 2017 by Tony Peters

The only people happy about a wine being made available to the punters at 8 years old would be the punters themselves.  The accountants would be pulling what’s left of their hair out.

As far as Mitchell Wines is concerned, it is all about wanting people to be able to enjoy their wines when they are at their (almost) best.

The colour is a good place to start, obviously.  There is still a slight purpleness to the rim and still has some depth to it.

The nose ain’t shy, not one iota.  Fragrant, a mix of berries and still a little oaky even (cedar, shellac maybe). It belies it’s age that’s for sure.

None of this alerts you to what you get when you taste it.  Although not primary, the black fruits are evident yet there is a berry that pulls it back into balance giving it elegance.  That berry could be red, it could be blue or it could be purple, but it doesn’t matter really.  Add the perfunctory dusty tannins and you have a wine that is showing it’s graceful grey hairs but is yet to show any wrinkles.

I tip my hat to Mitchell Wines for being so bold as to hold back wines then release them at such measly prices.  Good on you guys!

www.mitchellwines.com

Region: Clare Valley, South Australia     Price: $40     Source: Sample

Mitchell_Cabernet_NV

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon | Leave a comment

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

Craigie_Knowe_PN_2015_large

Posted in Pinot Noir | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Shiraz | Leave a comment

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

Posted in Shiraz | Leave a comment

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

 

Posted in Pinot Noir | Leave a comment