Monday, May 31, 2010

Josef Chromy 2008 SGR Delikat Riesling


Made in a German off-dry style, this is a cracking Tasmanian riesling with 60 grams of residual sugar and just 8.5% alcohol. Picked at under 11 baume, it has delicate aromatics, searing acidity on the lively palate and really vibrant flavours. Sweeter wines like this are not just for the blue-rinse set. While it would be lovely with desserts, it would also shine if paired with terrines, pates, blue cheeses, or even calves liver dishes. Thoroughly modern, thoroughly delicious. $25.

Monday, May 24, 2010

Riposte by Tim Knappstein 2010 The Foil Sauvignon Blanc


I'd just written some tasting notes on the fabulous 2009 The Foil when the 2010 landed on my doorstep. Seems the 2009 was so popular that the 2010 has been rushed into the marketplace in all its fresh, zesty glory. The 2009 was a lovely laidback wine by the time I tried it while the vivacious 2010 is upfront with its vibrant gooseberry and tropical fruit salad flavours and steely acid on the finish. Knappstein was one of the first Australian winemakers to get to grips with sauvignon blanc and he certainly hasn't lost his touch. $20.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Rosabrook 2009 Chardonnay


Another ripping chardonnay from Margaret River; thoroughly modern in style and extremely drinkable. This is the complete package. It's got elegance, linear minerality, zingy citrus and white peach flavours, nutty nuances, plenty of length and complexity but most of all is beautifully balanced. This is a fresh, clean and crisp wine for enjoying over the next couple of years. It rocked my socks and can be found for under $25.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Caillard 2008 Mataro


Andrew Caillard, Master of Wine, head of the Langton's auction house and one of Australia's foremost wine experts, has released his first wine - and what a cracker it is. Using 100% mataro from a hot year in the Barossa Valley, Caillard and his wife Bobby have artfully crafted a wine that is very much European in style; medium-bodied, elegant, complex and muscular; with sensible alcohol levels (13.5%), new oak very much in a support role and just the right balance between dark berry and savoury characters. To top it all off, Caillard painted the label artwork. A brilliant debut. Purchase at www.caillardwine.com. $45.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Bremerton 2008 Tamblyn


A gutsy and delicious blend of cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, malbec and merlot from the vastly under-rated region of Langhorne Creek. This boasts generous flavours with mouhfilling dark fruit and hints of mint, eucalypt and cedar. It's a big rich wine, earthy and long,that’s heaps of fun to drink – and a great partner for meats, cheeses, pasta and pizza. $20.