2015 Main & Cherry Sangiovese

Posted on April 22, 2016 by Tony Peters

I know it seems like I drink a lot of Main & Cherry  wines.  Well, as a matter of fact, I do.  To not put too finer point on it, they are well made, easy to drink and both my wife and I like them.  It’s that simple really and nobody I know buys or drinks wines they don’t like.

Open, smell and taste this wine and you will get full on, in your face, but lovely fruit…of course.  It’s a young wine.  Give this wine some time to come out of it’s shell and it reveals itself to be typically Sangiovese.  Savoury, a touch acidic and some herbs sprinkled in there too and it embraces food like a long lost friend.

When it’s had the time to relax it is such an easy, congenial, laid back style of wine you can’t help but want to introduce it to friends and foe alike.  Not that I have any ‘foe’ but, in my job, if I was able to take this wine (or any other Main & Cherry wine for that matter) to certain situations, I’d come away knowing everybody’s happy  and I’d have no paperwork to do.

It’s a lovely, juicy, ‘may I have some more please’ type of wine.  Snap it up folks!

Region: Adelaide Hills     Price: $25     Source: Gift

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2013 Serafino McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon

Posted on April 21, 2016 by Tony Peters

It’s a great story, the one about Serafino (Steve) Maglieri and how he came to Australia in 1964 with a suitcase, about $20 in his pocket and a dream to grow grapes and make wine.  Having tasted this wine, I’m so glad he followed through with his dream.

Most people would associate Cabernet Sauvignon with Coonawarra or Margaret River and McLaren Vale usually gets forgotten about when it comes to this variety.  Well, I can tell you, this may not be the first McLaren Vale Cabernet I’ve had and it definitely won’t be my last that’s for sure.

A group of mates and I found this (and two more bottles) on a wine list at a local restaurant and it was very reasonably priced.  A couple of the fellows thought it smelt ‘new’ like it had just been bottled while another thought it was ‘fresh’.  It certainly is exactly that and what got me was the obvious bold dark fruit aromas that burst from the glass and which were lapped up by my nose and palate.

When it comes to the flavours of this wine, it’s like watching the Umbilical Brothers. There is plenty going on, but what is going on is so well structured and presented.  Plus, at the end of it all, everyone is blown away by  what they have experienced and are pleased with the great return for their dollar.

I have to add, I had enough of my steak left to accompany the wine and it worked perfectly together!  A testament to it winning a couple of gold medals including a blue gold.

Region: McLaren Vale     Price: $28 (on line)     Source: Restaurant purchase

http://serafinowines.com.au/

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2012 Yalumba The Menzies Coonawarra Cabernet

Posted on April 19, 2016 by Tony Peters

It would be easy to mention that this wine is named after Sir Robert Menzies, the longest serving Prime Minister in Australia (18 years total).  I could also mention that such a wine is dedicated to the same man who founded the Liberal Party in 1945.  Sir Robert Menzies was also the recipient of numerous medals and honours during his time (just like this wine).  I suppose it’s worth mentioning he was a fan of red wine.

Not quite sure where to start with this wine.  When I opened it and poured myself a small taste before it went into the decanter, it was quite a harsh wine.  Lots going on, disjointed but with lots of black fruits.  Well, I’m pleased to say, the decanter and the wine combined beautifully to do the job they knew they had to do.

The presentation, if you like, spoke of full on, bold as brass, and rich.  But it wasn’t.  Yes, it showed it’s youthfulness but, for me, it was such that it has lots of flavour but seemed so slinky.  I’d say it sits between medium and full bodied.

This is typical Coonawarra, no doubt.  Blackberries, blackcurrants, plums with a touch of liquorice (maybe) and clearly the tannins are happy to meld into the hint of oak on the finish that seems to go on as long as an election campaign in the United States.

As strange as it sounds, this is a subtle ‘wow’ factor wine.  A contradiction in terms maybe but, that’s how I see it.

The good thing about this wine is, it is going to survive longer than Sir Robert Menzies was Prime Minister of Australia.

Region: Coonawarra, South Australia     Price: $55     Source: Wine Show leftover purchase

https://www.yalumba.com/

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2015 Moores Hill Riesling

Posted on April 17, 2016 by Tony Peters

I have tasted and drunk plenty of Tassie riesling and I don’t remember ever being disappointed with one.  I may have been but I doubt it.

Something that did surprise me, and may surprise you, is that Moores Hill were established in 1997.  For the many years I have visited Launceston, and consequently the Tamar Valley, I did not realise they were there.  In that time, I have only visited twice.  Sad I know.

It will come as no surprise however that this wine greets you with an intense floral nose with a hit of lemons and limes.  Typically Tasmanian I hear you say.  Yes it is but, it still has quite an individual charm to it that will, or should I say does, seduce you.  The citrusy flavours conspire with the lovely, almost spritzy, acid to keep you topping up your glass.

And let’s not forget the hint of residual sugar that I got on the palate.  It’s not a ‘sweetener’ but an equaliser.  To remind the aforementioned co-conspirators that it’s not all about them.  It’s about “the whole is the sum of all its parts”.  All of these parts have combined beautifully to produce a pure, fresh, delicious Riesling.

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Region: Tamar Valley, Tasmania     Price: $30     Source: Retail purchase

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2012 Thompson Estate Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon

Posted on April 11, 2016 by Tony Peters

Looking back over some of the wines I have posted on social media, it became clear to me I do not drink enough wines from Western Australia. Drinking this wine made me realise exactly what I am missing out on.

Now, it goes without saying that when you have Bob Cartwright making the wine, you are always, ALWAYS, going to get a quality product.

This reeked of ‘young’ as soon as I opened it.  So much so I felt I could’ve slapped in on it’s backside and it would have screamed and cried it’s eyes out!  Instead of that I thought it best to pour it into a decanter and let it breathe and come to life over time.  And time is exactly what it needed.

When we (our dinner guests included) tasted this wine, it was obvious to us it was powerful but smooth, (red & black) fruity but spicy/savoury at the same time, mouth-wateringly juicy but ever so slightly dry on the finish.  That all makes it sound a bit unbalanced but, believe me, it wasn’t.

Just out of interest, and for no other reason than that, I tried to find something I didn’t like about this wine.  I don’t know why I bothered wasting my time.  I enjoyed it immensely!

Region: Margaret River, W.A.     Cost: $45     Source: Gift

Thompson Estate

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2013 Grey Sands The Mattock

Posted on April 9, 2016 by Tony Peters

You have to wonder what some people think when the decide to plant grape vines in particular locations.  There must be a certain level of confidence in the environment, soil, location and ability to make something from the resultant fruit.

Bob and Rita Richter are an amazing couple who invested so much time in finding the ideal location to grow alternative varieties, especially when it comes to doing so in Tasmania. Pat on the back, high fives and the clink of glasses.  They’ve certainly achieved it with this wine.

The Merlot stamps it’s 60% authority on the wine with juicy plums while the 30% Malbec and 10% Cab Franc give it the purple edge colour and seems to add to the aromatics.  I’ll even go out on a limb and wonder if there has been an ‘intersection’ with Gewürztraminer because it seems to have a slight pot pourri hint to it (just my opinion of course).

This is no shy 3 year old on the palate I must say.  The plums and red/black fruits are singing out above a chocolatey flavour (so says my wife) but it could well be a sweetish fruit character that I like in these varieties.  There’s that cool/cold climate peppery/savoury character chiming in oh so slightly but adding a nice dimension to the wine.

Not sure what the tannins were doing when the wine was being made but clearly they knew they were not required to add to the intrigue this wine already has.  I loved it!

http://greysands.com.au/

Region: Glengarry, Tasmania     Price: $35     Source: Sample

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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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