Words from a Wine Glass

Yalumba Y Series Wines

Posted on March 12, 2016 by Tony Peters

This series of wines is such good value for money I decided to buy four of the twelve available in the range and review them. Admittedly, the bottle shop I went to did not have the whole range which made it a bit easier to select four.

2015 Riesling

This is a surprise packet. For the price it has all the things you expect from Riesling including the colour, aromas and flavours but, the added bonus, it has a soft comfortable citrus acidity that gives it some length. It’s a no brainer when it comes to future purchases of this one.

2015 Pinot Grigio

Certainly in the grigio style. Plenty of up-front flavour with hints of spice, pear and (sort of) apple pie there too. As expected with this style, it doesn’t hang around very long on the palate but is still quite satisfying.

2014 Shiraz Viognier

I have to admit I am a big fan of this particular wine in the series so my mind was set on ‘positive’ when I poured a taste. Cherries and spice and all things nice. White pepper came over the top of a juicy, soft tannin finish.

2013 Tempranillo

I didn’t know there was a Tempranillo in the series but boy am I glad there is. As strange as it sounds, there is quite a bit of uncomplicated stuff going on with this wine. My wife thought blueberries but for me it was more like black cherries and a bit herbal like in a darn good way. A ripper food wine at a ridiculous price. Let’s hope we see subsequent vintages.

I have not tried all the wines in the Y series but if this lot is anything to go by, I may need to hunt down the others (I would have to drive to four different bottle shops to get the other varieties). Terrific value for money wines.

Region: South Australia Price: $13 (picked these up for $10) Source: Bottle Shop

https://www.yalumba.com/

Posted in Other Reds, Other Whites, Red Blends, Riesling | Leave a comment

2013 Wynns Coonawarra Estate Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon

Posted on March 11, 2016 by Tony Peters

I’m pretty sure everybody knows this wine. It’s been around seemingly forever. I think even Noah picked up a 6 pack to put away for a rainy day.

All jokes aside, this has been one of the most consistent wines, in Australia, since it was first produced in 1954. It has a pretty big following both in the retail and auction markets.

I’ve been collecting the Black Label for a few years now and have tended to take it for granted, that when I open one of these wines from any vintage, it will be good. This one literally stopped me in my tracks.

When I poured it, well, it was a mouth watering black fruit aroma barrage. I realise that doesn’t sound particularly inviting but on the palate all that black fruit excitement has been brought under control by some savouriness and delicate oak inclusion (not intrusion). There was a bit of sweetness to it also but not a fruit sweetness. I couldn’t quite put my finger on what it was.

The tannins are there on the finish but you don’t really notice them because everything is so integrated and balanced already. I can only imagine what it would’ve been like had I decanted it.

I recently opened an ’07 (under screwcap) and it was still as fresh as a daisy and if that is any indication, this one has a a few years left in it yet.

I have seen this wine discounted so if you see it below $30, fill your trolley.

Region: Coonawarra Price: $45 Source: Wine Show mixed dozen purchase

https://www.wynns.com.au/

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2012 Seppelt Chalambar Shiraz

Posted on March 9, 2016 by Tony Peters

When it comes to the Australian wine industry there are some names that everybody is familiar with. Seppelt is one of those names. If you haven’t heard of them, you must be living in a Tibetan monastery (and probably wouldn’t be reading this anyway). Not that that is a bad thing, it just means you are not familiar with a piece of Australian wine history.

What I didn’t know about this wine is, it has been produced since 1953. It was called Chalambar Burgundy back in those days, and having been made by Colin Preece, it was a ripper of a wine then as it is today including the bang for buck factor.

If you have ever seen a parade of defence force personnel decked out in their best uniform then you will understand when I say how this wine is presented so immaculately and everything is in sync. Yes you could thank the ideal vintage conditions but you still have to get everything right up until the screw cap goes on.

Black fruits aplenty with this stunner. I half expected some pepper and got it in the form of a gourmet mix which added a nice spicy character to the abundant fruit. The oak and tannins are doing their job without any fuss or bother.

The thing with this shiraz is it gave me the impression of being a sophisticated wine in a King Gee outfit. It will appeal to everyone.

Region: Mount Chalambar, Victoria Price: $27 Source: Online Purchase

https://www.seppelt.com.au/

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2013 Grey Sands Byzantine

Posted on March 8, 2016 by Tony Peters

Surely you have been in a bottle shop or restaurant and you see a wine that attracts your attention for one reason or another. ‘Byzantine’ on a wine bottle would definitely attract your attention.

To make things a little easier for everyone, let’s for a minute or two pretend that Byzantine means a blend of Chardonnay, Viognier and Malvasia. Now, if you have no idea what Malvasia is, you are not alone. No it’s not slang for a Malvern Star bicycle built in Asia. It is a vine that has Greek origins that has spread around the Mediterranean area.

This wine dares to be different in many ways because, for a white wine, it gives you plenty. Not only in flavour but to think about as well.

It will surprise many because the colour belies the richness. To look at it you wouldn’t think it borders on full bodied. It is massively textural and everything adds to the long, long flavour that just stays with you.

I can remember when Pinot Gris was dubbed the red drinkers white. This wine will take over that mantle don’t you worry about that. A delicious wine indeed.

Region: Northern Tasmania Price: $40 Source: Sample

http://greysands.com.au/

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2012 Tahbilk Old Vines Cabernet Shiraz

Posted on March 7, 2016 by Tony Peters

Tahbilk (originally known as Chateau Tahbilk) is a founding member of Australia’s First Families of Wine. The Purbrick family purchased the property in 1925 and it already had shiraz vines which were planted in 1860. They also have Marsanne vines which were planted in 1927.

They continue to use traditional wine making methods that have pretty much been the same since 1860. Their wines are very approachable in their youth but have exceptional ageing capabilities.

I have a small amount of Tahbilk wines in my collection but I must admit to not purchasing any for a while. I think the youngest one I have at the moment is a 2002 Cabernet so we were very lucky that friends visiting from Melbourne (who are big fans of Tahbilk) brought this with them on the weekend.

This is a generous medium to full bodied wine. Generous with its black fruit aromas on the nose and palate with a blanket of spicy plum over the mid palate. The black fruits contain the soft tannins right through to the long finish. It was like this wine was hang-gliding its way around your mouth and tongue before the generosity of this wine eventually fades away and you ease back to earth. Put it on your ‘must try’ list.

Region: Nagambie, Victoria Price $45 Source: Generous Friends

http://www.tahbilk.com.au/

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2012 Bremerton Tamblyn Cabernet Blend

Posted on March 6, 2016 by Tony Peters

I can’t remember how I came to know about Bremerton Wines. What I can remember is, a little while ago, opening the last of my 2008 Coulthard Cabernet so that tells me I have been buying them for at least 5 years.

Sisters Rebecca (winemaker) and Lucy (marketing) have done a terrific job in showcasing the Bremerton wines and the Langhorne Creek area to, not only Australia, but to overseas markets as well.

They produce a great variety of premium wines such as Cabernet, Shiraz and Chardonnay, and also have some special limited release wines made in small amounts such as Fiano, Vermentino, Malbec and Barbera.

This particular wine of theirs is an easy ‘go to’ wine for me. It is one that is very approachable when released but you can be confident of putting some away too. Maybe not long term but just long enough for it to develop in the bottle especially if you like older wine.

A blend of Cabernet (44%), Shiraz (35%), Malbec (15%) and Merlot (6%), everyone with us could smell and taste a lovely mix of different berries and I thought there was a hint of eucalyptus. Quite generous with plenty of flavour and very smooth. It is very well balanced and integrated now with no oak poking its nose through. One of our guests said it was a “nice, soft wine” and that tells you just how easily it went down.

I have said it before and I’ll say it again, this blend is a bit like that suit, shirt, tie and shoes deal you sometimes see offered. It is a smart combination, very good value for money, has immediate appeal and will impress.

Region: Langhorne Creek Price: $18 (2013 release) Source: Wine Club purchase

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

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2015 Holm Oak Riesling

Posted on March 3, 2016 by Tony Peters

Situated at Rowella in the picturesque Tamar Valley just north of Launceston, Holm Oak is definitely a place to visit if you are in the north of Tasmania.

Owners, Bec and Tim Duffy consistently produce premium quality wines which are readily available for tasting at their recently completed cellar door and outside deck area. We were lucky to have visited when Bec was behind the counter. She is more than happy to chat about the wines and answer any questions you may have or, on the rare occasion she doesn’t know the answer, she may direct you to the General Manager, Pinot ‘d’ Pig.

As most people would have gathered by now, I am a big fan of Riesling. I never used to be and, thanks to my wife working with a lady whose husband was connected to the Tasmanian wine industry (are you still with me), I was introduced to Tasmania Riesling and I was hooked.

This is a delicious wine right from the start. It’s fresh, clean, zingy, minerally and so refreshing. If you ever find yourself in a pristine rainforest in the Tasmanian wilderness, find a running freshwater stream, splash the cool water on your face, even taste it, and you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. Or, do the bleedin’ obvious and buy yourself a bottle of this Riesling.

I have quite often said how, at the end of the working week, instead of grabbing a beer, I’ll reach for a Riesling and I suggest you should do the same. Even make it a Tassie one and go that one step further. Make it this one.

(These notes are as a result of having tasted the wine at a recent event. I bought some from cellar door late last year & they are sitting quietly waiting a couple of years or so before I open one)

Region: Tamar Valley, Tasmania Price: $25 Source: Wine Tasting Event

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2014 Wines for Joanie Chardonnay

Posted on March 1, 2016 by Tony Peters

The Wines for Joanie twitter bio reads, “Two Queenslanders in Tassie growing grapes, making wine & having fun doing it.” Good on them I say.

What it doesn’t say is, Andrew & Prue O’Shanesy were cattle and crop farmers in Queensland but, due to certain circumstances, they decide they needed to do something else. After a few other ideas were floated, someone told them about a vineyard for sale in Northern Tasmania so, long story short, they moved to this magnificent state.

I knew nothing about Wines for Joanie until I saw them pop up on social media and, because I’m always interested in new Tassie wines, my interest was piqued.

I was at Festivale in Launceston recently so decided to head on over to their tent to check out the wines and who should be there, Andrew himself (and I met Prue there also). We had a good chat and I discovered that Pete Dredge makes the wines and, with that man in charge, coupled with high quality 2014 vintage Tamar Valley chardonnay fruit, you’re definitely on a winner.

I also tasted this one at a recent event in Hobart and was lucky enough to be offered the opened bottle to take home. I didn’t have to be asked twice.

It’s a lovely floral wine but it was when we tasted it that got me and my wife’s attention. The colour is lightish but it has plenty of flavour and texture don’t you worry about that! My wife thought it was nice and peachy while I got a creamy/buttery character (I almost wanted to dunk some fresh sour dough bread in it). It finished with a touch of acidity but was very clean and rich. As far as the Peters’ are concerned, it definitely has the ‘yummy’ factor. There is not much around either so get in quick!

Region: Northern Tasmania Cost $48 Source: Wine Tasting Event

http://www.winesforjoanie.com.au/

WinesForJoanie_Chardonnay2014_DeepEtched

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2012 Grey Sands Pinot Gris

Posted on February 28, 2016 by Tony Peters

Pinot Gris, Pinot Grigio. Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish the difference. I have even seen it labelled Pinot G. This one is unashamedly in the Pinot Gris spectrum.

A lovely pale gold in colour, the nose is almost like smelling a genuine Belgian wheat beer but a bit more refined. You know how it can have that hint of banana to it.

Tasting it is where it comes into it’s own. It is luscious, deliciously textural and, on the palate, it seems as though as soon as the flavour starts to fade, it comes back again. It’s like there is layer after layer after layer of flavour being laid on the palate that contributes to the whole mouth feel of this wine. It seems to just keep going too.

Bob and Rita Richter, the proprietors of Grey Sands, have been making this style consistently for a long time now. I have been lucky enough to have recently tasted a 2000 vintage and it was pretty good…still. A very good indication that this wine, actually all their wines, are “made to last”.

There is still some of this vintage available online.

http://greysands.com.au/vineyard/

Region: Northern Tasmania Price: $45 Source: Cellar Door Purchase

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2014 Raidis Estate The Kid Riesling

Posted on February 27, 2016 by Tony Peters

If you have met Steve & Emma Raidis, you know how easy going but hard working people they are. They continually travel the country to promote their wines because they are fiercely proud of the wines they produce, and so they should be.

The cellar door has a family home atmosphere about it and that is how you are made to feel when you visit, right at home. Steve, Emma and the staff are most welcoming and are more than happy to chat. You will be surprised just how much time you will spend there. You get so comfortable that time soon slips by.

Riesling is not normally associated with Coonawarra, and vice versa, but there are now quite a few produces that have one on their list.

I know it’s only a couple of years old but, I think everything has come together with this wine. Nothing stood out for me and that is a good thing! I still tasted some citrusy/limey characters and the acid and fruit were so in sync, I reckon they could easily win a three-legged race. The bonus for me was the lovely dry finish.

A very slurpable, thirst quenching Riesling. A bit of a favourite too.

They have moved onto the 2015 vintage that won the trophy for the best White Wine (other than Chardonnay) at the Limestone Coast Wine Show. I’m going to have to get some of this too.

Region: Coonawarra Price: $20 Source: Cellar door purchase

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