Chambers has always labelled this “Muscadelle”, because this is the name of the grape (not to be confused with muscat). It’s the same style others label “Tokay” or more recently “Topaque.” Chambers is considering adding “Topaque” in brakets on the label. Confused? Never mind. The latest release was blended late 2012, a sweet and luscious […]
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For a bargain chardonnay, there’s a lot of sophisticated complexity paked in here. No surprise, from the talented duo of Bill Downie and Jason Searle. Impressive lees-derived complexity of flint, gunpowder and charcuterie ride over an elegant and textural core of crunchy grapefruit zest. $18 at Dan’s.
readA versatile grigio of multifaceted personality, simultaneously crunchy with grapefruit and apple fruit, succulent in its guava and pear notes and finely textural, with an undercurrent of savoury phenolics. Pale salmon tints hint at great fruit presence, while pressings stirred on lees in oak barrels for four weeks build depth of mouth feel, finishing long, […]
readClassic Margaret River cabernet at a silly price. A fragrant and distinctive style of crunchy black- and redcurrants, leaf and high cocoa dark chocolate. Crisp acidity meets lively fruit, dark chocolate French oak and chunky tannins, promising a confident decade in the cellar. $14 at Our Cellar.
readHere’s a gris that proclaims structure and subtlety before impact and fruit. With its elegant pear flavour, fine, crunchy texture and tangy grapefruit finish, it’s just the thing with the lightest sashimi you can procure. Less is more with gris. $20 at My Cellars and Simply Wines.
readAfter 28 years in Rutherglen, Chris Pfeiffer is proof that it doesn’t take centuries to build a great heritage of fortified winemaking. The average age here is ten years, building depth of walnut complexity to primary characters of fig, tea leaves and glacé orange. Sweetness is well balanced and persistence is impressive. $28 at Dan’s.
readStanton & Killeen’s vintage fortifieds hold legendary status, an essential inclusion in the back corner of every cellar, because we can’t all afford to drink Vintage Port all the time. These are wines to leave undisturbed for a very long time, and 2008 has more endurance than ever, thanks to a cool summer blessing it […]
readSuch textural finesse is rarely found in McLaren Vale. Mealy, leesy complexity is juxtaposed by the primary freshness of grapefruit blossom and the zesty linearity of the cool 2011 season to produce a style of honed restraint and fine-grained structure.
readDrop for unctuous drop, this full-sized bottle represents one of the best value fortifieds you’ll find on the streets at just $13 (Dan Murphy’s). I have no idea how they can make a wine of six years average age at this price (and there’s a touch of 20-25 year old material here to add depth). […]
readWith blend components dating back to 2007, this is a young, fresh muscat with a potpourri and apricot jam fragrance. It’s intense, viscous and fruity, with a long, sweet, pure finish. Brilliant value at $17 for a full-sized bottle direct from the cellar door.
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