2015 Kennedy Vintners Pink Hills Rosé

Posted on September 4, 2016 by Tony Peters

Check out the colour! My wife said, salmon pink but for me it was pale copper but, it doesn’t matter, it looks good!

I’m going to admit to not mucking about with this wine and it was only because we were having Thai food for dinner and it was quite simply a ‘food arrived, wine was poured’ situation.

It’s quite a juicy wine first up and it seems to be most comfortable in this type of skin.  The thing that we liked about it was, even though it had that juicy/berryness to it, it had a bit of body too, finishing dry and moreish.  We like being ‘moreished’.

What also worked for us was, it was only in the fridge for just over 2 hours!  Yep.  Don’t drink this rosé cold-cold.  Cool-cold was spot on with our dinner.

When it’s all said and done, rosé can be made with almost any red grape variety.  This one. Mataro.  The only one I know made from this grape, the first I’ve tried and it is very, very good.

www.kennedyvintners.com.au

Region: Heathcote     Price: $20     Source: Online purchase

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2013 Brand’s Laira Coonawarra Blockers Cabernet Sauvignon

Posted on September 1, 2016 by Tony Peters

I have a confession to make.  It has come to the point where I am taking for granted Coonawarra Cabernert Sauvignon and always have high expectations.  There, I said it.

But…..

When I open and taste wines of this calibre, I don’t think I can be hanged, drawn and quartered.  This is a beauty.

The colour is deep. Deep as a politician’s pocket when it comes to forking out for ‘personal’ expenses.  The aromas are enticing. Juicy blackberries and blackcurrants aplenty.

There’s more.  Taste it.

Those berries are still there, but with a bit more intensity and with a minty/herbal note that fits in very nicely with hints of oak/cedar/shellac (shellac, now there’s a flavour for the ‘oldies’).

Everything is in tune with this wine already.  That’s not to say it won’t last as long as the full term of the current Liberal Party, it will.  If they get re-elected, it’ll last that long as well.  At least this has a screw cap as it’s ‘leader’ to keep it fresh for that period.  Definitely one with the people in mind.

Region: Coonawarra, South Australia     Price: $22     Source: Retail purchase

www.brandslaira.com.au

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2016 Hently Farm Brass Monkey Vineyards Pinot Grigio

Posted on August 30, 2016 by Tony Peters

I’m going to say straight up I love it when wineries, and winemakers for that matter, treat a grape differently than what is generally expected.  It is almost like there’s an attitude of, “let’s give the punter something different but with something the same”.  That’s what has happened here and it’s been done in a very intriguing, captivating way.

The colour, as expected for a 2016 wine, is clear but with a pale lemon hue.  On the nose there is a hint of that ‘something different’ like a spicy character of some description. Then the palate is where, with this wine, it lets you know about the six degrees of separation between the styles of Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris and it is done in such a subtle way.  Confusing I know but that is the intrigue of this wine.

There is the pear character including the smooth texture of it’s skin.  Some stone fruit nuances are flitting about but are soft and complimentary.  It’s lively, crisp and bright with a lovely mouth-feel in a ‘Gris’ sort of way but without the alcohol.

The finish is going to surprise you.  That mouth-feel is back but it has an added dryness which is perfectly balanced out by the fruit.  It is a very good food wine, no doubt.  My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Drink it with Salt & Pepper Calamari and it’s a win/win.

www.hentleyfarm.com.au

Region: Adelaide Hills, South Australia     Price: $21.50     Source: Sample

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2013 Rymill Coonawarra MC² Red Blend

Posted on August 23, 2016 by Tony Peters

No doubt, like me, you look at the ‘MC²’ and immediately think of that famous genius, John Rymill (that’s who you were thinking of, weren’t you?), and his team who thought up the term in light of the Merlot (M) and Cabernet/Cabernet Franc (C²) reference and blend.  I reckon it’s a great idea.

The colour is dense. There is no other word for it.  The nose says “hello blackberries and blackcurrants”.  So the important part, drinking it, is a “Really?!” moment.  Those black fruits come flowing back but there’s the addition of some pepper and spice with the merlot claiming the mid palate as it’s home.

My opinion only of course but, this seems to be much more than a 20 buck red wine.  I have to say straight up that it’s an easy wine to like and drink.  It is also very easy to match with any red meat dish, from snags on the bbq to roast beef but even just a block of hard cheese. Seriously!  It doesn’t take any of Einsteins theories to work out that this is a bargain.

www.rymill.com.au

Region: Coonawarra, South Australia     Price: $20     Source: Swap

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2013 Chain of Ponds The Ledge Shiraz

Posted on August 21, 2016 by Tony Peters

Cool climate Shiraz is gaining momentum on the Australian landscape of this most widely planted variety.  And why shouldn’t it!  When you get to try this very cool spritely little number, you’ll be looking for more of the same.

Okay, yes I realise it’s only 3 years old but it looks so young in the glass too.  Purple is not my colour (and never will be, sorry) but that is the only colour you’ll get when you pour it.  It’s a definitive sign of just how young this wine is and that it has quite a few years ahead of it.

Aromas are in abundance with this wine.  Dark fruits galore with a nice little herbal touch too.  The youthfulness of this wine is so bleeding obvious when you drink it because of the amount of flavour it gives.  The fruit plays such a calming affect on the subtle cool climate pepper character that shows through too.  I know this might not read well but, it gave me so much more than I expected.  Plenty in fact.  It is delightfully elegant, smooth and generous.  Well done Greg Clack!

www.chainofponds.com.au

Region: Adelaide Hills, South Australia     Price: $35     Source: Tasting

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2013 Montara Grampians Gold Rush Shiraz

Posted on August 20, 2016 by Tony Peters

Grampians Shiraz.  It really doesn’t get enough exposure and I certainly haven’t seen much of it here in Hobart.  I have to admit, I was not familiar with Montara wines but, after trying this example, that simply has to change.

First up, the label is not exactly eye catching but, if people give the contents of the bottle a chance, the label becomes a moot point because it deserves some attention.

On the nose I expected it to be red fruits but they seemed a bit darker than that and gee it’s got some nice spiciness to it.  Not overpowering at all just complementary and that’s what it’s like when you drink it too.  Another upside is how juicy it is and the mid palate is afforded some ‘me’ time which is where I get (maybe strangely but a good thing) some plumminess.

The good thing about this wine is, to get some, you don’t have to go ‘panning’ for it at every bottleshop or restaurant.  Get onto the Montara website and do it the easy way.

www.montarawines.com.au

Region: Grampians, Victoria     Price: $25     Source: Wine Show Purchase

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2014 Teusner Riebke Grenache

Posted on August 16, 2016 by Tony Peters

I have written previously about how Grenache seems to have been buggered around with for a number of years until the smart growers and winemakers knew just how to treat it respectfully.  Teusner are clearly amongst that group.

This one let’s you know it means business right from the start.  Skip the aromas and go right to the taste.

If this was tasted blind you’d be forgiven for thinking it was from Heathcote or Grampians because it is a delicious medium bodied wine with all those (mainly) red berries, juicy dark cherries and spicy/peppery characters.

I have to say, this Riebke Grenache took me from nought to 100 in 60 seconds.  Lots of upfront flavour straight off the bat.  Don’t panic though.  It levels out to cruise mode and continues at that level.  Even to the point where there is no need to strap yourself in.  You feel so comfortable with this wine, seat belts are optional for the entire journey.

www.teusner.com.au

Region: Barossa Valley     Price: $27     Source: Sample

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2015 Yelland and Papps Second Take Vermentino

Posted on August 15, 2016 by Tony Peters

Vermentino is becoming a bit popular these days as people explore different varieties.  I can only guess this has something to do with our multicultural society and the availability of some excellent food styles.  I think this is an excellent trend.

But when someone goes outside the square, a bit left of centre, does ‘different’ instead of ‘normal’, you have to celebrate and appreciate their resolve.

I’ve had a bit of a head cold lately which has killed my sense of smell, but thankfully (and surprisingly) not my taste buds!

It’s a little cloudy, which is to be expected, but it is not a deterrent by any means.  It tells me it’s filled with mystique.  Textural, slippery, packed full of flavour and a creamery drink that seems to have so much confidence to it.  It keeps you sipping to find out what flavour you’re going to discover next!

A very interesting wine…in a really good way.  I reckon it is bound to bring in those that doubt the ‘skin contact’ genre of wines.

yellandandpapps.com

Region: Barossa Valley     Price: $40     Source: Swap

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2015 LiNO RaMBLe Gomas Grenache

Posted on August 13, 2016 by Tony Peters

Grenache.  The poor bugger has been treated quite badly over the years.  Mainly used for fortified wines many years ago, it was one of the varieties that felt the wrath of the vine pull scheme in the mid 1980’s resulting in a lot of old bush vine material being lost. Thankfully, some of the gardeners kept theirs and we, us drinkers, are more than happy and very grateful they did.

What needs to be pointed out is, sometimes Grenache is made into a high alcohol drink that really needs food to help it out.  This one does not.

Get ready for a pinot-esque delivery of spicy cherries both when diving your nose into it or swishing it around your mouth.  The other thing that I loved about this wine is it is so juicy and a little bit sweet but the tannins brought it all back into a line.  They were a little dry but balanced the whole package out so well!  I described this wine on social media as “palate friendly”.  Let me tell you, there was not a drop left by the end of the night.

Andy Coppard & Ange Townsend have created a medium bodied, flavoursome version of Grenache that will please all and sundry.  Very “give-me-more” ish.

linoramble.com.au

Region: McLaren Vale     Price: $30     Source: Sample

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2015 Hentley Farm Zinfandel

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Tony Peters

From the research I’ve done, Zinfandel (aka Primitivo) sounds to me like a grape that should be avoided!  It has thin skin, ripens unevenly (green in appearance to raisins in the same bunch) and can over-crop if not closely monitored in the vineyard.

The guys at Hentley Farm are pretty smart buggers though.  They did the sensible thing and planted it in the ideal location and, coupled with the warm climate of the Barossa Valley, they have given the variety every chance to ripen properly and flourish.

Not having had many Zinfandels I honestly did not know what to expect.  The first thing was the nose.  Chocca block full of red fruits, little pepper & spice and smelling oh so very nice. On the palate, same but there was a surprise there waiting for me.  Medium bodied. Yep, I have to admit, I expected to be on the lighter side but, nope it has a lush mouthfeel. Plus, add the spicy cherry/plumminess on the mid palate and everything is rounded out very nicely.

Just like a problem child, given the correct environment, treated right and with respect, they tend to behave and provide results to be proud of.  If the result of this wine is anything to go by, it is worth the time, effort and commitment.

www.hentleyfarm.com.au

Region: Barossa Valley     Price: $39.50     Source: Sample

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