Words from a Wine Glass

Sam Scapari may not be the most widely known of winemakers in Australia but you really need to find his wines and try them.  He knows what he’s doing and he knows how to treat good fruit.

I have tried his 2012 Cabernet and that was enough for me to keep in contact with the man himself so I know when he is releasing his new wines.  This was one I had to get my mitts on.

As we all know Heathcote shiraz is certainly making it’s mark on the Australian shiraz scene and there are a few of the big players of the industry buying fruit and proudly displaying ‘Heathcote’ on the label.  This wine makes a considerable contribution to the regions reputation.

I liked how it has the Heathcote white pepper character but it didn’t dominate the (plenty of) black fruit characters in this medium body wine.  There was blue fruit on the mid palate as well (my wife’s description and I have to agree) that adds some length.  The tannins, soft and a bit juicy.  It’s a “more-of-that-please” type of wine and, with the winter season officially starting today, I may have to get some “more-of-that-please Sam”.

To purchase this wine, email Sam at seraphim wines@gmail.com

Region: Heathcote     Price: $25     Source: Direct from Seraphim

I’m not quite sure how to put this.  Picking this wine was a great idea but difficult at the same time.

A great idea because it is a damn good wine.  Difficult because, and only because, it was my only bottle and it has time on it’s side.

The lovely ripe raspberries showed their class among the plum (ish) mid palate notes, all of which combine to form a delicious mouth-filling wine.

Tannins.  They deserve a mention for their cameo role so…tannins.

This wine speaks Adelaide Hills Shiraz and speaks it so succinctly but so eloquently at the same time.  It is vivacious but so poised.  Brash but refined.  As I said before, damn good!

Region: Adelaide Hills     Cost: $25     Source: Swap

Home

I am one lucky duck.  Knowing I have to go to work tomorrow, I had to find something to drink that was a no fuss, no bother, grab-it-open-it-have-a-glass-with-dinner type of wine.  Tadaaah!

True story this.  I walked into my wine storage area (it doesn’t qualify to be called a cellar) and the purple capsule was directly in front me.  It was an easy pick for tonight’s wine.

There is one word that sums this wine up.  Casual.  It seems so laid back, it’s virtually horizontal!  I mean that in a good way because, you just like it and you don’t have to have a reason.  It’s just that casual.

Don’t get me wrong, it gives you plenty of red fruit flavour, a hint of savouriness (is that a word?) and the tannins.  Okay they are dry, not mouth-puckering dry.  The best way I can put it is, they are ‘nice’ dry tannins.

Region: Coonawarra     Price: $28     Source: Cellar Door purchase

http://www.raidis.com.au/

I’m sure I would’ve have mentioned the talented winemaker, Rebecca Willson, at Bremerton by now.  I’m on their mailing list and get there wines delivered relatively regularly and drink the wines too regularly.

This was in the last box that arrived and picking it tonight was with such nonchalant ease made me think that maybe I’ve become too used to drinking their wines, whenever, knowing I won’t be disappointed.  I think I’m suffering from ‘take it for granted when it comes to wine’ syndrome.  That ain’t a bad thing…is it?

This is a well balanced wine.  Everything is there but it’s all happening at the same time. No particular characteristic is trying to be the shining light.  Fruit, spice, tannin, oak and flavour. Dark fruit, red-ish fruits (just), pepper and personality.  They are all friends here and getting along particularly well.  A very good wine.

Region: Langhorne Creek     Price: $22     Source: Wine Club purchase

http://www.bremerton.com.au/