2015 Holm Oak Ilex Sauvignon Blanc

Posted on February 21, 2017 by Tony Peters

It’s no secret that I am not a fan of Sauvignon Blanc (commonly referred to as SB).  I have tasted some that have changed my opinion in the short term but they have been few and far between.  I much prefer the styles that have been carefully wrapped in a large cask of oak.

This one?  Well, it hasn’t helped my opinion on SB.  Grassy.  No surprises there.  Italian herbs.  A pleasant surprise on the nose.

When I tasted it freshly opened, unfortunately those grassy herbal flavours were drowned by a quite sour note and really tight acid making it unpleasant to drink. Admittedly, I tried it again a couple of days later and, thankfully the sour note had all but disappeared but it didn’t help much.  It was varietal but one dimensional.

This was not a wine for my taste but I’ve no doubt it will appeal to hard-nosed SB drinkers…and good luck to them.

Bec and Tim Duffy make great wine so I’m not quite sure what happened with this one. Dud bottle maybe?

www.holmoakvineyards.com.au

Region: Tamar Valley, Tasmania     Price: $20     Source: Gift

2015-ilex-holm-oak-vineyards-sauvignon-blanc

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2015 Holm Oak Pinot Noir

Posted on February 15, 2017 by Tony Peters

It used to be, when we would go out for a meal, I would select a wine brand off the list that I was familiar with.  These days, I prefer a pinot noir and Tasmanian at that because I know it will be good.  On this particular occasion, we took an interstate visitor out for dinner and he chose this one because, in his words, “you can’t go wrong with Tassie pinot”.

It’s quite a lovely, deep colour for the variety and it looks beautiful (strange but true). Thanks to an aromatic, red/dark fruit nose you’re virtually invited to taste it without an RSVP required.  Initially the flavours were a bit all over the place for me but, after some time in the glass, those red/black fruits and cherries and soft tannins and smooth texture all came together to form a very nice wine that leans toward the richer end of the pinot spectrum.

www.holmoakvineyards.com.au

Region: Tamar Valley, Tasmania     Price: $32     Source: Restaurant

2015-holm-oak-pinot-noir

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2015 Sew and Sew Sashiko Series Shiraz

Posted on January 22, 2017 by Tony Peters

This wine taught me a lesson.  Just because a wine is $25 a bottle don’t assume it is a quaffer or a wine to have on a Saturday night with pizza.

Firstly, let me say, I had been drinking Pinot Noir all week and I thought this would be the perfect segway into a more gutsy shiraz.  Well, it’s not quite a gutsy shiraz but it sits pretty close to it and a fair way away from a pinot noir.

Lovely red fruits on the nose, cherries mainly, but a deft touch of black pepper says cool-ish climate shiraz.  The palate is where it screams “don’t under estimate me as a cheap and cheerful” shiraz.  A mid palate spicy plum influence along with the dark cherries that continue to impress, provide for a richer wine than the colour presents to the eye.  Be prepared to be impressed with the quality and price.

sewandsewwines.com.au

Region: Adelaide Hills     Price: $25     Source: Sample

sewsew_2015_shiraz

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2016 Moores Hill Riesling

Posted on January 21, 2017 by Tony Peters

I read an article today that used the word ‘leitmotif’.   Sorry, but you should highlight it, right click and google search it because it is the perfect word when it comes to Tasmanian riesling.  This wine is one of the pillars that holds up the mantle that showcases how good the island state makes this variety.

Such a lovely floral nose that just drags you in to taste it.  As you’d expect it’s lively, fresh, full of life and literally singing in the glass.  The acid is such that it grabs the fruit and carries it along the palate very slowly and doesn’t seem to want to let go.  You’ll find yourself keeping it in your mouth, not wanting to swallow it.  A refreshingly zingy wine that will excite the discerning riesling drinker.

www.mooreshill.com.au

Region: Tasmania     Price: $30     Source: Tasting

riesling2013

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2015 Sew and Sew Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir

Posted on January 9, 2017 by Tony Peters

I’ll be the first to admit to being bias when it comes to Pinot Noir.  I’m usually Tassie through and through but there’s always going to be something else that comes along which causes me to have an attitude adjustment.  That’s a good thing.

Hello Sew and Sew Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir.

Great presentation straight up.  Run your fingers over the label.  I’ll say nothing else because it is bound to get you intrigued.

Red fruits are singing on the nose so much so you have to wonder if they are drowning out something else that wants to have an influence on your olfactory senses.

The red fruits want to dominate the palate yet again but plums show their presence on the mid palate and cherries ask not to be forgotten with their, albeit, gentle influence.  It’s definitely varietal.  It’s definitely pinot noir.  It’s definitely a good, good, good wine.  It’s definitely worth seeking out.

It is these sorts of wines that give me a new respect for Adelaide Hills pinot noir and I thank Jodie Armstrong for that.

sewandsewwines.com.au

Region: Adelaide Hills     Price: $35     Source: Sample

sewsew_2013_pinot_

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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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