From Christopher Cannan’s estate in Priorat, this blend of mostly grenache, with a little carignan and syrah and a touch of cabernet, spends a year in mostly older oak to preserve its crunchy berry fruit definition and black plum skin depth. This is a wine of great tannin poise, with very fine structure of soil-derived […]
readArticles
Vosne-Romanée is home to such fabled names as Méo-Camuzet and Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, two of the most revered names in pinot noir on the planet. Value for money in this celebrated village is a different story, hence I was delighted to discover Francois Feuillet for the first time recently. Yes, it’s a three digit […]
readThe balance of acidity is the secret of all truly great sweet wines, and this medium sweet Mosel style from Egon Müller is a benchmark example, its profound backbone of razor-sharp acidity drawing its finish on a knife-edge of linear persistence. Outstanding line and length bring focus and definition to lime, clove, baked apple and […]
readSingle vineyard, high altitude sauvignon is unheard of for $8.50 (direct) and 2013 is one of the best from Mike Press yet. It’s been harvested at the optimum moment of ripeness, capturing crunchy pink lady apples, lemon zest, guava and blackcurrant bud, with a fragrant air of lilies. High altitude acidity defines a taut spine, […]
readHas authentic Heathcote ever been seen before at $10 (Wine List Australia, Aussie Wines, Nillumbik Cellars and No Frills)? Inspired by the shape of Côte du Rhône wines, this is an accurate expression of the savoury restraint, black fruit depth and earthy tannin structure of northern Heathcote, spiced up with the subtle exotic perfume of […]
readThorne-Clarke not only took the top trophy in The Great Australian Red last year, it also secured the trophy for The Best Wine Under $20 with its great value Terra Barossa blend. It sings of the great 2010 vintage in succulent blackcurrants, mulberries, plums and black cherries, with subtle complexity of game, supported by firm, […]
readAn intense, fruity and exotic riesling of pungent frangipane, luscious stone fruit and rich baked apple character, tempered by the acid backbone and citrus zest crunch of the cool King Valley. A wine of considerable persistence and immediate appeal. $13 at Boccaccio.
readThis is what verdelho is about. The exotics of guava, the crunch of nashi pear and the tang of grapefruit, with a fine-grained texture gained from yeast lees. No oak in sight, which is just as it should be. Best price direct.
readA gentle, authentic, immediate and fruit-focused pinot at a great price for weekday drinking. A pretty bouquet of rose hip and brambles leads into an elegantly bodied palate of red cherry and strawberry fruit. Old oak allows fruit to take the lead, supported by soft, supple tannins. $16 direct.
readThere’s quite some sophistication on show here. The primary focus is on grapefruit, white peach and fig fruit of purity drive and definition, but there’s a lot more going on here than you’d expect for $17. A fine, textural mouth feel reflects intricately managed wild fermentation on full solids and eight months in 15% new […]
read