2014 Serafino Grenache Shiraz Mataro

Posted on July 29, 2016 by Tony Peters

The Three Stooges, The Three Musketeers (okay there may have been four), The Brothers Gibb (The Bee Gees for the young-ish folk), fit in with GSM (Grenache Shiraz Mataro of course) when it comes to world famous trios that have worked well together.

This particular blend screams, “Share me with friends and food” which is fine, and I did for 50% of that.  I had it with food (the other 50%, sharing it with friends didn’t happen) but it has all the hallmarks of a wine that is perfect for the ‘crack me, pour me, share me’ factor.

Sure, throw some chops on the BBQ, order some pizza or throw together a charcuterie plate and crack a bottle of this delicious blend but I challenge you to drink but one bottle. It is not that simple.  It is the consummate ‘user friendly’ wine.  Delicious!

http://serafinowines.com.au/

Region: McLaren Vale     Price: $28 (Bargain!)     Source: Wine Show Purchase

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2013 Tom Rogers Yarra Valley Syrah

Posted on July 27, 2016 by Tony Peters

Up until now, I did not know Tom Rogers…or his wines…if indeed there is a connection with a fellow by the name of Tom Rogers and this wine.

Nonetheless, if Tom Rogers does exist, I can just imagine him walking into a room and, with a good hand shake, introducing himself.  “Hi.  Tom Rogers.”

Everything with this wine seemed so natural and smooth.  The opening, the pouring, the drinking.  Somehow in the whole situation, by no fault of his own, Tom Rogers seemed to dominate the room.

His appearance is dapper yet understated.  His demeanour is suave yet modest.

A wine that has the hallmarks of a cool climate ‘Syrah’ with white pepper but red/blue fruits carrying it nicely.  Plummy mid palate showing the medium bodied weight that I’ve no doubt the winemaker was aiming for and hit the target.

I can understand Tom Rogers, whoever you are, putting his name to this wine.

http://tomrogerscellar.com.au/

Region: Yarra Valley, Victoria     Price: $25     Source: Gift

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2015 Lino Ramble Tom Bowler Nero d’Avola

Posted on July 26, 2016 by Tony Peters

Two things captured my attention with this wine.  The label and the name. This wine is appealing on both counts.  The label is intriguing enough but the wine’s name drags me in from a nostalgic point of view too.

For those old enough to remember, how cool is the old lino print on the label?!  I don’t remember this one but it has reminded me of others that were so hip at the time.

The name, Tom Bowler, brings such a smile to my face.  When smart phones were not the norm in kids hands, you used to challenge your mates with a game of marbles and the ‘Tom Bowler’ was used to bring the game back to level pegging or complete the mission.  The marble that could end all marble games.

The wine.  Well, it seemed to be a bit shy to start with but the tendency was for it to want to show itself but needed some encouragement.  Surprise, surprise, all it took was a bit of patience, some nice food and voila!!

The aromatic nose reminded me of a, sort of, robust Pinot with dark cherries and was a bit earthy.  Add to that the juicy, plump, lush, generous and delicious fruit on the palate and you have a Sicilian wine that paired very nicely with a Russian dish, Beef Stroganoff.

Like the ‘marble to end all marble games’, this would go close to being the Nero to end all Nero games.  A winner for me!

www.linoramble.com.au

Region: McLaren Vale     Price: $30     Source: Sample

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2015 Main and Cherry Sauvignon Blanc

Posted on July 24, 2016 by Tony Peters

Family and friends would be shocked and horrified to know I’m tasting let alone drinking Sauvignon Blanc.  Yep, I’m drinking this one (truth be known, sharing it with my wife).

I could go into any number of reasons why I don’t drink this variety but that would be taking away from the reasons I am drinking this one from Main and Cherry.

Let me start with the fact it is not blousy.  It seems to have an individuality of its own that, for me anyway, separates it from, well you know, those ‘others’.

It has plenty of fruit characteristics not dissimilar to a Riesling with some residual sugar. There’s some passionfruit but added citrus/lemon/limeyness too that seems to come to the fore when served not too chilled down.  Something else that I really like about this particular version is, there’s a bit of texture on the palate.  It’s not lean but it’s not ‘fume’ either.  Mike Sexton has put this Savvy in a spectrum I could easily warm to.

There will be people out there who will be applauding Mr Sexton for getting me to drink Sauvignon Blanc.  I’m doing the same.  Thank you Mike.  You may have opened a whole new world for me.  Cheers!

www.mainandcherry.com.au

Region: Adelaide Hills     Price: $25     Source: On line purchase

MAinCherry_NV_Sauv_Blanc_web__39806.1444879770.1280.1280

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2014 Yelland and Papps Vin De Soif

Posted on July 23, 2016 by Tony Peters

This is a wine where the label does not have to say much because the blend of Grenache (74%), Mataro (17%) and Carignan (9%) liquid inside the bottle says it all.

It looks like a Pinot Noir in the glass (my wife actually thought that was what I’d poured her) and with the nose being quite perfumed and red fruity, you’d be mistaken for thinking it was.  The palate is where it is a little more ramped up compared to a Pinot.  The red fruits are still there but some darker fruits appear with a sort of plummy, savoury mid palate.

Tannins?  Move along, there’s nothing to see here.  It’s all about the delicate, lush fruit flavours that actually give it a bit of length too.

Google tells me “Vin de Soif” means a wine for thirst.  I’m not sure this wine is supposed to quench your thirst but I sure have a thirst for it.  More please!

www.yellandandpapps.com

Region: Barossa Valley     Price: $25     Source: Swap

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2015 Hentley Farm Cabernet Sauvignon

Posted on July 9, 2016 by Tony Peters

Are you familiar with the Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família (in English means Basilica and Expiatory Church of the Holy Family in case you were wondering) in Barcelona?  If you’re not, let me tell you something about this church. 

They started building it in 1882 (the year Brisbane became the first city to install electric lighting).  Expected completion date (with the emphasis on ‘expected’) is 2026 so, not that far away (he says tongue in cheek).

I’ve no doubt you’re wondering what this has to do with this wine. Well, it’s because, for a wine at this price point, the time, effort and attention to detail that has gone into providing a wine of this quality is not dissimilar to the building of that Basilica.  It all comes down to the end result. Not the cost, time or hours it took to get there.

However, unlike the Basilica, everything about this wine is, well, new and fresh right from start to finish.  The nose is lifted and fruity as you’d expect and this is what the palate is like too.  The one thing that is really surprising is, it doesn’t have that cabernet mid palate ‘hole’.  There’s a pluminess that seems to fill that void.  The other thing is, for such a young wine it seems to be weighty but not so.  Rich but subtle. Know what I mean?  I like how it seems to glide around your mouth too.  For a young Barossa cabernet, it surprised the hell out of me.  Mind you, we drank it over 2+ hours in big Reidel glassware so it the time and space to settle down.  Loved it.

www.hentleyfarm.com.au

Region: Barossa Valley, South Australia     Price: $28.50     Source: Sample

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2015 Hentley Farm Barossa Valley Shiraz

Posted on July 7, 2016 by Tony Peters

2015 Barossa Valley Shiraz. Sounds scary doesn’t it.  But, on this occasion it is a warm, friendly, pretty (my wife’s descriptor) and approachable wine.

There’s a lot to be said for wineries producing wine and putting them out there for the punters at such a young age.  Pretty bold really but on this occasion, Hentley Farm have hit the mark and are on a winner.

I have to admit there were certain expectations with this wine due to it’s youth.  Lots of red (but mainly) black fruits on the nose and palate, of course.  Fresh as the proverbial daisy, of course.  Plenty going on, of course. However, this gem has come together nicely already.

The smoothness of this wine is definitely it’s ‘WOW’ factor. The fruit is so ‘clean’ it carries the alcohol and tannins so (and I don’t use this word often) perfectly (for me anyway).

An absolute pleasure to taste, drink and share.

www.hentleyfarm.com.au

Region: Barossa Valley, South Australia     Price: $28.50     Source: Sample

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A Thomas Wines Shiraz Tango

Posted on July 3, 2016 by Tony Peters

I decided to use the ‘tango’ when it came to describing these two wines because I felt the only way to get to know them was to ‘dance’ with them in a close and personal way.  It involved using both the Open Embrace and Close Embrace version of the dance.  Mind you, I have to admit straight up that I have no idea how to dance and I had no idea what to expect from these wines not having tasted many Hunter Valley reds.  So, I decided to learn about both (metaphorically speaking of course.  I have no plans to take up the Tango but I reckon I will be taking up drinking more Hunter Valley Shiraz).

The open embrace is the style of tango that is best suited  when tasting the 2014 DJV (short for Déjà Vu) Shiraz. It’s the ideal place to start when you’re unfamiliar with your partner. Keep a distance, get to know them better and eventually a mutual confidence in each other begins to build and you find yourselves gliding through the routine.

The close embrace tango is without doubt the dance for the 2014 Sweetwater Shiraz.  It would be a combination of the Argentinian version (chest to chest) and the American (hip to hip, thigh to thigh).  A whole body tango if you like!!  This one has concentration and intensity but with grace, poise and balance and could go the distance in a dance-a-thon.

I thoroughly enjoyed both of these wines and accepted them for what they represent. Different versions of the same variety, made using a different approach for each, but showcasing the region in a most profound way.

http://www.thomaswines.com.au/

Region: Hunter Valley    Price: $30 & $35     Source: Tasting

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2013 Rusty Mutt Shiraz

Posted on June 30, 2016 by Tony Peters

McLaren Vale Shiraz.  Okay, there is plenty of it about, no denying that.  Pretty much all of what I’ve had the pleasure of trying is very smart indeed.

What separates this one from the others? Well, to be honest, not a lot really.  I say that in a positive way.  This is also a very smart indeed, very smart.

The one thing I struggled with when it came to this wine is the price.  Yep, the price.  If this was on the stock market and you bought some of it, you would be more than happy with the return on your investment.  It pays some damn good dividends already.

The colour is quite dense looking but has a youthful purple rim (I have to mention my wife thought it was going to be a BIG wine) but on the palate is very smooth and elegant thanks to the black fruits and plums that are mouth-filling.  My wife picked up a very nice subtle licorice flavour too.  If you’re looking for oak and tannin in this wine, you may as well go looking for the share price of Wine Investment Services.  In other words don’t waste your time or money!  Use both to find this wine and buy this wine.

Region: McLaren Vale, South Australia     Price: $33     Source: On line purchase (sort of)

Rusty Mutt Wines

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2012 O’Leary Walker Wyebo Adelaide Hills Shiraz

Posted on June 29, 2016 by Tony Peters

Now, the first thing that I wanted to know about this wine was why it was called “Wyebo”.  I did the website check and the google thing.  Nothing came up.  So, I decided to make up my own definition.

Wyebo: adjective Used to describe an O’Leary Walker Shiraz wine (noun).  Meaning: From a singular cool climate vineyard, packed with aromas, flavours melded together to attract attention, share amongst friends and be enjoyed with food.

It was about this point my wife alerted me to the back label on the bottle.  I read it. There was history stuff about the “Wyebo” property at Oakbank in the Adelaide Hill being in the O’Leary family since 1912 but I still think my definition best sums up this wine.

I must say though, it’s a lovely juicy wine that has a white/black pepper influence sharing space under the bottle’s screwcap with a tad dry-ish tannins (who must thank the fruit for its support).  I also know the last bottle I have of this wine is going to be in my cellar longer than Donald Trump will be in office.

Couldn’t find it on the O’Leary Walker website, so google it, find it and buy some.  It is damn good ‘n’ nice!

Also, and it has to be said, the cellar door in the Clare Valley is an amazing set up.  A great line-up of wines, great staff, terrific outlook and the platters?  Well, you’ll have to go there and find out for yourself.

Region: Adelaide Hills, S.A.     Price: $35     Source: Cellar Door purchase.

olearywalkerwines.com

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