2013 Bremerton Selkirk Shiraz

Posted on May 11, 2016 by Tony Peters

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/

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2014 Dalrymple Pinot Noir

Posted on May 11, 2016 by Tony Peters

I don’t know about you but I like it when it easy to pick a wine knowing that it is reliable, safe and will be good.  This is one of those types of wines.

I have to admit when I poured it I thought I must’ve picked up a younger version of this wine.  It was so bright, clear and fresh and the aromas that presented themselves deceived me into thinking this way.  Don’t get me wrong, I knew it was only two years old.

This is going to sound weird but, apart from the dark berries, and other berry things going on, there was a flavour that was like bitter cherries but a sweetness too.  This was the flavour that intrigued me no end because it added such a different dimension to the wine, but a good one.

We drank this with Greek food (including lamb of course) and in the company of great friends and it went down a treat.

Region: Pipers River, Tasmania     Price: $35.95 (on line)    Source:  Retail Purchase

www.dalrymple.com.au

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2013 Waipara Hills Pinot Gris

Posted on May 10, 2016 by Tony Peters

Yep, another Pinot Gris review but this time it’s one from across the ditch.  By that I mean across the Tasman Sea.  By that I mean from our mates in New Zealand.

I have to say, when my wife and I travelled there a few years ago, when it came to the white wines, we were not interested in the Sav Blanc and I don’t mean that in a derogatory way.  We wanted to see what they had to offer in the way of other whites including this variety.  Let’s face it, there climate is not dissimilar to Tassie’s.

This wine is not dissimilar to a Tassie version of Pinot Gris either.

It’s all pinot gris on the nose right from the get-go.  Pears and spice and aromas of everything nice.  And that’s what you get on the palate too and, do me a favour (even though you’ve probably never met me), don’t kill it with coldness, please.  Add some of that expected Gris weight and texture and you get a wine offering, and giving, plenty for your money.

It’s at 14% alcohol which isn’t unusual for this style but it gets carried very well by the (obvious) quality fruit that has gone into this wine.

It’s a ‘find some, buy some’ wine for sure.  We did and we did.

Region: South Island, New Zealand     Price: ? (sorry)     Source: (bargain) Retail purchase

http://waiparahillswines.co.nz/

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2014 Rusty Mutt Rocky Ox GSM

Posted on May 9, 2016 by Tony Peters

Rusty Mutt?!  I’d never heard of it until I got onto Twitter and Instagram.  The good, no, great reviews that I kept reading were enough for me to finally bite the bullet and buy some.

Now, the name.  You just want to know why and where it came from, well I did.  So (and I blame my occupation for this) I decided to investigate further and googled it.  And so should you.  While you’re there, buy some of this wine.  It is indeed a bloody good wine.

Grenache…60%.   Shiraz…30%.   Mataro…10%.  Each one of these components has played their part and deserve to walk the Red Wine Carpet, eventually finding themselves together, on stage, showing what a winning combination they are and thanking Decanter Magazine for the ‘Outstanding’ 95 points.

I reckon the speech would go something like this with Grenache leading the way.  “Thank you Scott for letting us be who we really are and for letting each of us play our natural role in an expressive, bright, fresh and true way.  You know how we tick.  You get us.  Our fans will appreciate that.”  (Standing ovation, lots of applause as they leave the stage)

Need I say more.

Region: McLaren Vale     Price: $28     Source: Online purchase (sort of)

Rusty Mutt Wines

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2015 Pewsey Vale Eden Valley Riesling

Posted on May 3, 2016 by Tony Peters

How good is Louisa Rose?!  That’s not really a question, it’s more a statement.  There aren’t many people around the industry, or even consumers for that matter, who don’t know this talented lady.

I’m a big fan of Riesling (as I’ve mentioned about a million times) whether it be young or aged.  The great thing about the Pewsey Vale Rieslings is they are so approachable  when young but you can safely put some away without any hesitation.

Speaking of approachability, this wine is the epitome of that.  It may have the intensity of lemons and limes on the nose yet on the palate, the acidity is so fresh but gee it’s tame. You don’t feel like you’re sucking on a lemon which can be a issue for some when it comes to drinking young Rieslings.

My wife thought it a bit minerally although I didn’t quite get that, however we both agreed it was delicate and had a nice texture to it that hung around on the palate.

If you can find it at the price I did ($10.50 a bottle) scoop it up.  Even at it’s normal price, this is incredible value for what you get when it’s young, but even more so knowing how well this will age.

Region: Eden Valley, South Australia     Price: $28 (RRP)     Source: Bottle Shop purchase

http://www.pewseyvale.com/riesling

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2014 Rymill The Dark Horse Cabernet Sauvignon

Posted on May 1, 2016 by Tony Peters

Everyone knows that the reference to a ‘Dark Horse’ means someone or something (for want of a better word) that succeeds unexpectedly usually because little is known of them or they don’t have the ‘ability’ of its peers to be better than them.

On this occasion, I have to say, the name is not apt for the wine.  This is no dark horse.  It would stand up to any of its peers easily and then some.

And, how ironic is it that 2014 is the Chinese Year of the Horse!

If we homo-sapiens were born in a year of the horse, we would be energetic and active and this certainly has both, along the lines of being both fresh and lively on the nose and palate.  Red fruits combine nicely with dark cherries but there is a subtle hint of eucalypt (is there some Padthaway fruit in there…maybe?).

I’m going to continue to steal characteristics of those born in the Year of the Horse and say this wine’s pleasant, easy going and amiable nature sums it up perfectly.  You really need to try this wine and you will (to use a gen y term), ‘so like’ get it.

I’m going to quote one more thing because I think it hits the nail on the head (and thank you chinahighlights.com).  “All these guarantee their popularity and a large following of friends”.  This wine’s popularity is guaranteed and it will gather a large following of punters.

Region: Coonawarra, South Australia     Price: $23     Source: Swap

http://www.rymill.com.au/

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2014 Moorilla Pinot Gris

Posted on April 29, 2016 by Tony Peters

Real men don’t drink Pinot Gris!  A bit like ‘real men don’t eat quiche’.  Well have I got news for you.  Real men drink Pinot Gris and real men eat quiche (real man’s quiche of course).

The colour was enough to let you know this was going to be ‘left of centre’.  Fresh out of the glass is where it all starts.

Have you ever gone to one of those country agricultural shows where there is (sometimes) a fellow with a chainsaw and he carves something out of a tree stump or similar and then see what those guys create?!  With raw products comes something that everybody clearly identifies with.  No different with this wine.

Hand-picked, wild yeast fermented, lees stirring and French Oak has resulted in a pear (expected) & cashew nose, linked perfectly with a lovely textured, minerally, slightly vanilla cream and long, elegant palate providing an amazing Pinot Gris experience.

I’ve no idea where the acid went but it may be looking into the grey area of Gris and Grigio. There’s no need when it comes to this wine.  It’s Pinot Gris and, not as you would normally know it.  It gives much more than you would expect.  Delicious!

Region: Tamar Valley, Tasmania     Cost: $30     Source: Moorilla Cellar Door

https://www.moorilla.com.au/

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2014 De Bortoli Regional Reserve Chardonnay

Posted on April 28, 2016 by Tony Peters

I feel sorry for Chardonnay.  It copped some flak a few years ago for being too oaky and buttery.  When some of these types of Chardonnays developed over time they became flabby and horrible (for want of a better word).  Thankfully things changed for the better. Regardless, I’ve always like Chardonnay.

Balance was the first word that came to mind when both my wife and I tasted this wine.  It was so ‘even’ in smell, taste and drinkability.  We both thought it seemed such a kind, considerate wine.  Generous with its flavour, subtle with its power, attention to detail and stays long enough to be interesting without losing its appeal.  I could easily drink quite a bit of this wine any time of the year.

I could say quite a bit more about this wine but it’s not the type that wants to be the centre of attention.  It’s more a wine that wants to be a part of the attention.  If you know the De Bortoli portfolio, you’ll know exactly what this means.

Region: Yarra Valley, Victoria     Price: ?     Source: Wine Show Purchase

http://www.debortoli.com.au/home.html

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2014 Teusner Wark Family Shiraz

Posted on April 27, 2016 by Tony Peters

Switch on…now!!  That’s what the label tells you to do and precisely what happened when I opened then poured this wine.  No muckin’ about with this Barossa Shiraz I gotta say.

Straight up it gives you what you would expect, and want, from a Single Vineyard Barossa Shiraz.  Blackberries dominate the up front, fruit driven nose and palate, no question. Spicy plums give a bit more on the palate with some subtle herbs going about their business.

It seems such a busy wine.  Heaps going on but so diarised.  It knew where it needed to be at a particular time.  I found I wanted to slow the process down while drinking it but it was a struggle.  I thought about putting a Enya CD on but, I don’t own one so I ended up sloshing it into a decanter and it immediately mellowed out (I don’t know if the threat of Enya or the decanter caused this). Tannins were not as hyperactive as expected so I was able to put the phernergan away.

This is an incredibly delicious wine that reminds me of the ‘cat coming out of the dairy’ scenario.  Very satisfying, smug Cheshire cat smiling kinda wine.  Loved it!

Region: Stonewell, Barossa Valley     Price: $29     Source: Gift

https://www.teusner.com.au/

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2014 Josef Chromy Pinot Noir

Posted on April 25, 2016 by Tony Peters

Just because a wine is readily available and easily accessible doesn’t mean it is another mass produced, commercial, cash-crop sort of wine.  Mind you, even some of those wines seem to hit the mark regularly.

Okay, this is a Pinot Noir that is both easily accessible and readily available but it’s still varietal and true blue Tassie.  It’s also one you don’t have to analyse too much.  Unless you want to waste those few minutes.

At this price point,  you expect a little more than a quaffer and, yes you get that but it is so drinkable already and mighty impressive.

Cherries are the obvious fruit in this wine but strawberries and raspberries are partners in crime.  I’m guessing you’re thinking, “that’s what Tassie Pinot is so well known for but what is the point of difference”, especially when it comes to young Tassie Pinot.  That’s a fair comment.

Answer.  Palate weight and length.  Simple as that.

The light-ish colour bluffs you because it is more medium bodied than light, and yeah, those fruits I mentioned earlier are still there but plums chime in to fill the mid palate very nicely indeed.  The oak and tannins?  The only reason you know they played their part is because of the ‘team photo’ taken at the end of the season where they are named as part of the entire line-up.

I have no idea how long this delicious and juicy wine will cellar but, to be honest, I don’t care.  It is very easy to drink now without even thinking about that.  I’ll let you make that decision.

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Region: Relbia, Tasmania     Price: $38     Source: Online purchase

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