2015 Cooks Lot Allotment No.1111 Pinot Noir

Posted on April 8, 2016 by Tony Peters

I’ll be the first to admit I know next to nothing about Orange wines let alone Cooks Lot.  I sincerely wish I knew more.  What I do know is, it is cool climate viticulture just like Tassie!  That would probably explain why there is Pinot Noir coming out of the area.

I have to say, this wine scared me when I opened it and tasted it.  It was as lively as my six year old nephew after he’d eaten chocolate for lunch washed down with raspberry cordial! Full on, firing on all cylinders and holding nothing back.

I sat it in the ‘quiet corner’ of our pantry for roughly an hour and it changed dramatically. It was like it was previously experiencing bottle shock or just keen to get out of the bottle. I have no idea.

It settled down to be a lovely, tame, compliant wine in the end.  It clearly needed that time to settle down.

It has all the red fruits you would expect from a young, cool climate pinot but there is also an added edge of spicy cherries.  There is a softness (now) to this wine that hangs around on the palate too.  Clearly the oak and tannins have been left in the ‘quiet corner’ after having made their contribution.

After all my doubts, it is a mighty good pinot at a mighty good price.

Region: Orange, NSW     Price: $20 (2014 vintage)     Source: Gift

http://www.cookslot.com.au/

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2013 S C Pannell Adelaide Hills Syrah

Posted on April 7, 2016 by Tony Peters

 

I tried find out what the middle initial stands for in S C Pannell but I lucked out.  I’m going to say, Collector.  Collector of awards.

The fact his wine won the 2014 JWT and in 2015 he was named Australian Winemaker of the Year and McLaren Vale Bushing King (and this is just the very recent stuff).

The reason actors are awarded an Oscar is because they are good at their craft.  The reason wines win the Jimmy Watson Trophy is because they have been well crafted.

This wine did not win the Jimmy Watson Trophy (JWT) just by fluttering it’s eye lids and showing a Colgate smile.  It did so because it was crafted by a genius wine maker.

Red and black fruits to begin with then some subtle-ish spices cutting in which seems to lift the whole wine giving it a three dimensional aspect (that’s how I see it) and the tannins slide on in towards the end adding dimension 3.5 to the beauty that is this wine.

If you have ever been to a ballet, you’ll agree with me that this wine is like a ballerina; so light on it’s feet, graceful, elegant but, in full flight, is powerful and striking with poise, precision and balance.

Sadly, its no longer available at cellar door but the 2014 is, and from what I’ve read online, is very special indeed.

Region: Adelaide Hills     Cost: $30     Source: Cellar Door Purchase

https://pannell.com.au/

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2014 Main and Cherry Tempranillo

Posted on April 6, 2016 by Tony Peters

It may seem strange to some but, when I’m looking for something to drink on a ‘school night’, I always look for something that is easy to drink but also a damn good wine.  That wine needs to go with the food we are eating because, we don’t just drink during the week for the sake of it.  We always pick a wine to enjoy with dinner.  This fitted the bill perfectly.

Firstly, the colour is bloody amazing.  It’s deep in the guts of it but lovely and bright around the edges.  The nose offers heaps too.  Spicy  dark cherries, a sprinkle of red fruits and boy does it smell clean!  That seems strange but, find a bottle, pour it into a glass and you’ll know exactly what I mean…seriously.

Flavours abound in this wine.  It borders on full body but seems so subtle and approachable when drinking it.  The fruit is a little more dark and brooding and it is so smooth that you wonder if the tannins have gone AWOL.  Don’t get me wrong, they are there but, they are doing the ‘give it some length’ job oh so perfectly.

You know what, as much as this went particularly well with tonight’s dinner, I reckon you could eat a (snack size) cherry ripe with this wine after your main feed and it would hit all of your taste sensations in one go.

Thoroughly enjoyed this wine and Michael Sexton has done an amazing job yet again. Cheers!

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Region: Adelaide Hills     Price: $25     Source:  Swap

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2014 Yelland & Papps Second Take Shiraz

Posted on April 3, 2016 by Tony Peters

The label tells you pretty much everything you need to know about this wine.  “Crushed 24/3/14, 50% whole bunch, wild ferment, 25 days on skins, into barrel (100% French oak with 17% new) 21/4/14 for seven months, out of barrel 28/11/14, in bottle (unfiltered/unfined) on 3/12/14, bottle 863/1400.”  What it also should have on the label is how bloody nice it is!

Straight away this wine’s lightness and freshness make it very appealing to the eye and the taste buds.  It has beautiful colour and aromas to it.  The nose picks up morello cherries, red fruits, spice and it’s even a bit floral actually (I’d almost swear there was a small percentage of an aromatic white variety in the mix).

The juicy ripe red berries steal the show on the palate, a bit of sweet/sour thing happening, and a nice savoury edge to it.  There is a herb in there too, putting in an appearance, but I just can’t seem to put my finger on what it is.

Another dimension to this wine that was a winner for me is the texture on the palate and the finish.  There is something to be said for whole bunch, old world wine making.

A fun and relaxing wine which keeps you going back for more…and I did!

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Region: Barossa Valley     Price: $40     Source: Swap

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2012 Yalumba The Scribbler Shiraz Cabernet

Posted on April 1, 2016 by Tony Peters

Never, ever judge a book by it’s cover. Never.  Now put that into a wine perspective.

This wine, at a ridiculous price, is an amazing story that sticks in your mind and has you doodling while you drink it.  It is thought provoking.

An affable, congenial, not so shy little number that keeps you coming back for more (well, it did me anyway).

Black and blue fruits aplenty with soft tannins that are oh so welcoming and (will) go on as long as the debate over the new tax plan the Liberals want to introduce.

The fruit, the winery, the winemaker and mother nature have collaborated to produce a story that you just want to start to read but makes you tempted to skip to the last page.  And you can with this wine because it has a ‘happy ever after’ ending.  Certainly for the consumer at the very least.

The notes on-line say, and I quote, “…it is an elegant, complex and bright wine that is designed to drink now but can also be cellared for medium term enjoyment.”  This is true but, and this is only my opinion of course, feel free to wait for a bit longer than “medium term”!

If you can still find it, buy as much as you can…please.  That’ll reduce the amount I’m going to buy.

Region: Barossa Valley     Price: $23 (RRP)     Source: On line purchase

https://www.yalumba.com/portfolio/wines/scribbler

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2015 Petaluma Piccadilly Valley Chardonnay

Posted on March 31, 2016 by Tony Peters

You know a winery is serious about producing quality, ultra-premium (buzz word) Chardonnay when they go to the trouble to find the precise location to grow the grapes to make that ‘distinquished’ wine.  Petulama is that type of winery.

There are chardonnays that are truely flying the flag and bringing Chardonnay back (if it’s not already).  This is one of them.  Admittedly, I’ve always been a fan.

Yesterday, for some unknown reason, I wanted a Chardonnay when I got home and my wife just happened to put a bottle of this in the fridge.  Crikey has she got good taste (and I’m talking about her taste in wine of course).

As young as this is, it just screamed to be let free.  Seriously, when I poured it, it was so restrained it seemed to let out a huge sigh of relief and you could tell with the aromatics. A bit riesling-esque on the nose complimented with a touch of toastiness.  It was the same on the palate to a certain extent. Citrus (lemons/limes) was obvious but more so some peachiness.  It was lovely and rich and creamy and long and lush and delicious and succulent and…

This wine has heaps to offer into the future, let me tell you.

Region: Picadilly Valley, Adelaide Hills     Price: $40     Source: Online purchase

https://www.petaluma.com.au

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2011 Wendouree Shiraz Mataro

Posted on March 30, 2016 by Tony Peters

Established in 1895, Wendouree is heralded in Australia, their wines avidly sought after and collected.  With very old vineyards comprising shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, malbec, mataro and muscat of alexandria, the wines have incredible age-ability.  Even the 100 year old stone winery remains the same since the day it was built.

I haven’t tried many young Wendourees.  Actually, I haven’t tried many old Wendourees either.

With that in mind, I have to admit to deliberating picking this 2011 vintage to open.  The decision was, quite honestly, because of the wines from this vintage (apparently) being a bit ‘sus’, not up to the normal standard.  This was a very pleasant surprise package.

It is a lightish colour, lighter than I expected, but this is not an indication of what is to follow.  Ripe raspberries and spicy cherries say hello immediately with youthful exuberance.

Tasting this wine, again I had certain expectations that were definitely met.  Add a touch of white pepper to the mix of fruit, with some plummy notes filling out the palate nicely, and you have a balanced, elegant wine that may not live as long as other Wendourees but is still an absolute pleasure to drink.

Region: Clare Valley     Price: $45     Source: Mail Order Purchase

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2008 Grey Sands Merlot

Posted on March 28, 2016 by Tony Peters

This wine is not trying to be anything other than what it is.  A damn good expression of Australian merlot.  The other thing I have to clarify, this is the current release for Grey Sands.

This is a merlot that does not disappoint right from the start.  It is a beautiful garnet colour.  No, let me rephrase that.  Royal garnet in colour and still showing some youthfulness.

Poke your nose in the glass it’s all plush plums, a touch of spicy black cherry and other black fruits.  I felt a bit weird because I realised everyone was watching me swirl and sniff this wine for, what seemed to them, like a hell of a long time.

All that yumminess is there too when you finally decide you’d better have a taste or a drink (before the guests start thinking you’re a bit odd).  The oak and tannins have become very comfortable and relaxed while wrapped in a doona of dark fruits that this wine seems to possess in spades.  This wine has a warm, friendly feel about it and you can’t help but like it.

I have been a fan of this wine for a number of years but don’t drink enough of it but only because I can see it’s potential and tend to put it away for a rainy, roast lamb, kinda day.

Region: Glengarry, Tasmania     Cost: $40     Source: Sample

http://greysands.com.au

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2015 Guthrie Wild Grüner (Veltliner)

Posted on March 28, 2016 by Tony Peters

There is a lot we have to thank Austria for.

Arnold Schwarzenegger (debatable).  Weiner Schnitzel (a given).  Apple Strudel (goes without saying).  Sachertorte (yes, yes, yes).  And of course, Grüner Veltliner.

I’ve had some wines lately with very trippy labels and this is certainly up there.  You have to admit it is great.  And so is the wine.

It took a bit of teasing to get something out of it that would fire up the senses and when it did, it was like scooping out the contents of a cool, sugarless, spicy apple and pear pie.

After this, everything starts to get interesting with this wine!  Plenty of flavour with the pears taking the driver’s seat with the apples happy to be the passenger.

But!  It is all about the mouth feel with this Grüner Veltliner.

It was the creamy texture that was a (big) hit with the (small) crowd here.  The response? “I didn’t know I liked Grüner Veltliner.”(it was on the tip of my tongue to say, “Of course not because you’ve probably never heard of it” but I let that slide).

I have to admit I haven’t tried many (read 3) Grüner Veltliners and they were good, don’t get me wrong, but I really like this style.  It just seems to have that funky, cool, ‘different’ factor that keeps you feeling funky, cool and ‘different’ from the rest of the GruVe (I can’t take credit for that) crowd.

Region: Adelaide Hills     Cost: $27 (?)     Source: Online purchase

http://www.guthriewines.com.au/

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2010 Taylors St Andrews Cabernet Sauvignon

Posted on March 22, 2016 by Tony Peters

My brother has developed quite a taste for red wine and he blames me for that.  The upside to this is, he has developed a taste for good quality wine.  When you think about the old adage of, “life’s too short to drink bad wine”, you can’t blame him.

When he contacted me (about a week ago now) to tell me he was opening this one and would I like to try it,  the google maps app on my phone automatically came up with the fastest way to get to his house.

The wine had been opened for about an hour by the time I got there but I didn’t pick that.  I thought he had opened it as I flew up his driveway.  It was just so…what’s the word…great!

Rich but elegant (even on the nose) black fruits rise from the glass telling you, you are in for a treat.

Those rich black fruits are still abundant in the mouth but this time the richness & elegance transitioned into power, opulence and smoothness.  There are very subtle flavours and aromas of oak but they are playing the supporting role perfectly.  Yes the tannins are there but they are velvety and, coupled with the fruit, so so long on the palate.  There is still so much life in this wine.

A truly delicious wine that deserves its 8 gold medals and The Warren Winiarski trophy for the World’s Best Cabernet at the International Wine & Spirits Competition.

Put some away if you can still get your hands on it.

Region: Clare Valley     Price: $65 (?)     Source: Generous sibling

http://www.taylorswines.com.au/

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