Maude Pinot Noir 2004
By Gary Walsh
I’ll come right out with it and say that I really do like Central Otago pinot noir. It is not Burgundy and I don’t think it needs to be either. It has a terroir of it’s own. It nearly always smells and tastes of the place in which it was grown, and although it’s often about as subtle as the front row of the All Blacks, it’s still tastes like pinot noir to me.
Aromas of brandied dark cherry, strawberry, earth, beetroot, caramel, dried herbs and spice. On the palate medium to full bodied with spicy earthy dark cherry, strawberry, briar and dried herb flavours. That may sound intense and heavy but the wine really has a nice sense of balance and refinement. Intense yet quite gentle. It has fine grained lightly sappy tannins and clean acidity to balance. Finishes dry, earthy and spicy. Anyway, never mind the tasting, this is a wine for drinking and enjoying. It’s excellent.
Tasted : Jan07Alcohol : 14.5%
Price : $40
Closure : Screwcap
Drink : 2007 - 2010
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d’Arenberg ‘The Coppermine Road’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
I am supposed to tasting 2004 Coonawarra but this has been tossing and turning and squeeking away at me from it’s little white foam box for a while now. I thought I heard it humming ‘Copperhead Road’ but that may just be a case of mistaken identity.
Lurid purple red. Aromas of cassis, dark cherry pie, licorice, boot polish and rosehip with coffee, cedar and vanilla from the oak. On the palate full bodied with lush cassis, raspberry and dried cherry fruit, flowers, coffee and more meaty toasty flavours. It has marvellous intense pure fruit. Fresh slightly pippy acidity, masses of fine grained powdery tannins and a long creamy finish. I can’t imagine a much better example of McLaren Vale cabernet. This is outstanding wine.
Tasted : Jan07Alcohol : 14.5%
Price : $65
Closure : Screwcap
Drink : 2010 - 2020
Source : Winery Sample
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De Bortoli Yarra Valley Estate Chardonnay 2005
This is my second tasting of this particular wine and I like it very much. It might catch a few people by suprise who have been used to the Estate Chardonnays of yore…It is now ‘out with the melons and cream’ and ‘in with the citrus, mineral and flint’. This sees only 8% new oak.
Pale colour. Aromas of dusty old oak, mineral, a light honey almond sheen and very subdued citrus and melon fruit. On the palate this is dry and minerally with flavours of citrus, a hint of honey nougat and some savoury slightly grubby (but very nice) flavours. Crisp and flinty with a suggestion of lightly grainy tannin. Finishes dry and refreshing with plenty of length. A paragon of style and restraint.
Tasted : Jan07Alcohol : 13.5%
Price : $27
Closure : Screwcap
Drink : 2007 - 2010
Source : Winery Sample
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Gemtree McLaren Vale Cadenzia Grenache Tempranillo Shiraz 2005 ($25) screwcap:
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Gemtree McLaren Vale Bloodstone Tempranillo 2005 ($25) screwcap:
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Wolf Blass White Label Specially Aged Release Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2001 ($40) screwcap:
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Wolf Blass White Label Specially Aged Release Eden Valley Riesling 2001 ($40) screwcap:
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Howard Park Riesling 2006 ($25) screwcap:
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Landhaus Barossa Valley Basket Pressed Shiraz 2005 ($34) screwcap:
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Paradigm Hill Mornington Peninsula Riesling 2006 ($24) screwcap:
While the price might seem high for a Mornington Peninsula riesling (i.e. a region not renowned for the variety), the wine itself is a damn good one. You need a subscription to The Wine Front to see this part of the post
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Howard Park Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2005
