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/

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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/

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2013 Wirra Wirra Scrubby Rise Shiraz Blend

Posted on February 26, 2016 by Tony Peters

We have been to the Wirra Wirra cellar door in McLaren Vale (which won’t come as a surprise to many who know me) and again we had a great experience.  I suppose we were lucky because, being the only ones there at the time, the lady behind the counter was terrific.  We had her undivided attention.  The other thing that impressed me was, we were able to taste every wine free (we walked away with some goodies too).

When you do taste their range and get to the flagship wines, you tend to forget how good a value this range of  wines are.

Firstly, I love the label.  I mean, how cool is it! Admittedly there is a story behind it so go to the website and check it out.

As much as I would like to tell you what I saw in this wine, it is much easier for me to say, it is a very easy wine to drink.  For the price, it gives you plenty and does so in a humble sort of way.  I also have to admit, this is the first time I have bought it since tasting it at the cellar door three or four years ago.

If you want a good wine that has lots of plummy colours and aromas.  You’ve got it.  If you want a wine that gives you a nice juicy, soft, slightly sweet (fruit), smooth palate.  You’ve got it.  Anything you want in a great value wine, you’ve got it tucked neatly under a screwcap.  Lap it up!

Region: McLaren & Fleurieu     Price: $15     Source: Bottle Shop

http://wirrawirra.com/

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2015 Freycinet Riesling

Posted on February 25, 2016 by Tony Peters

The Freycinet vineyard was planted in 1979 by Geoff & Susan Bull and was the first commercial winery on the East Coast of Tasmania.  They started what is now an area dotted with many established vineyards and cellar doors producing great wines.

Claudio Radenti and his life partner Lindy Bull now make the wines under the Freycinet and Louis labels.  All of their wines are made with particular attention to detail, great cellaring potential and regularly receive high scores from journalists.

Freycinet produce high quality wines including this uniquely Tasmanian Riesling.  Not because it says so on the label but because it is distinctly varietal.  Fresh, floral, clean, citrusy, lemons, lemons and lemons with a touch of lime.

It seems to go on forever on the palate, so much so you want the flavours to stop so you can have another sip of it.

This latest release from the Freycinet stable is so young and raw it probably should be called ‘Riesling Tartare’.  A truly delightful Riesling that will live, well, probably longer than me if left to rest.

Region: Tasmania     Cost: $26 (website)     Source: Wine tasting leftover

http://www.freycinetvineyard.com.au/

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2015 Rogers & Rufus Grenache Rosé

Posted on February 24, 2016 by Tony Peters

Go onto the website and read about these two fellows.  Rogers (fisherman) and Rufus (surfer) sound like a couple of dudes that clearly are enjoying life and love making wine.  The other pretty cool thing is, they make one wine. This wine.  And they do a mighty fine job of it.

The (almost) fluorescent pink colour is just great and make sure you have a good whiff of it.  It is quite an aromatic rosé and you’ll find yourself wanting to reach for some cream or ice cream because the first thing you’ll get is fresh strawberries.

When I tasted it, I got the strawberries again but with a savoury, sort of spicy, cherry flavour too with a soft citrusy, slightly acidic finish.

The worst part about this wine is you just seemed to want to keep drinking it.  This may have been exacerbated by the fact it was 31 degrees in Hobart yesterday when we opened it.  Regardless of this fact, it’s extremely moreish!

Region: Barossa Valley     Price: $17.95     Source: Gift

https://www.rogersandrufus.com/

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