Profiles of the major wineries in the Cabernet Sauvignon Panel Tasting, 2012
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The big, black beast that is durif may not be a regular on your drinking calendar, but you’re going to love getting to know this value-for-money character. De Bortoli has masterfully coaxed out the deep, succulent black fruits and soft appeal of this plush, immediate style. Fine-grained tannins provide balanced support to a fruit-focused finish. […]
readLaurent Delaunay is a champion of the classical appellations of the Languedoc in the south of France, and his new premium range showcases some of the remote, high quality vineyards of the area. His Minervois exemplifies sensational restraint within a rich and concentrated style. There’s an exotic air here – pipesmoke, spice, dried herbs and […]
readThis wine exemplifies the adage that opportunity comes out of adversity, and I can only guess that some serious declassification from Pipers Brook’s more senior pinot noirs has lifted its lowest tier wine in this challenging season. If elegance is to be prized above impact, this is a remarkable pinot for the price. It’s unashamedly […]
readThis wine is apart in that it exemplifies a real density of black pastilles and plush, dark berry compote without for an instant compromising its Margaret River signature of honed tannins, gravelly texture and graphite-like finesse. There is a lift of violets and anise, perhaps reflections of whole berry ferment with a portion of viognier. […]
readOn one side, the mafia declare the modern trend in Yarra Valley chardonnay to be too lean and mean. On the other, De Bortoli winemaker Steve Webber celebrates the cool, classic 2011 vintage as defining the best chardonnays De Bortoli has ever made. Who to believe? The wine, of course. True to the season, this […]
readOn the surface, this new label appears to be quite a deviation from PHI’s home of Lusatia Park Vineyard in the Upper Yarra. In truth, it’s a perfectly natural fit for the brand, communicating the detail of its place every bit as articulately as PHI has in the Yarra. The deep red Cambrian volcanic and […]
readThere is an elegantly medium-bodied restraint that sets Voyager Estate apart from most renditions of 2010 Margaret River shiraz. A refreshing 13.5% alcohol provides space for its beautifully textured, graphite-fine, mineral tannins to speak amidst vibrant acid definition. To achieve such depth of fruit within this mould is the true victory of this wine, with […]
readLoudenne has made countless star appearances in my corporate tastings and masterclasses this year because Bordeaux of such accurate fruit profile and tannin chassis at this price is a tough find. All hail the great 2009 vintage! This is a blend from across the Medoc, showcasing the character of Bordeaux better than anything else I’ve […]
readIf you love pinot but can’t afford decent Burgundy (hello there!), I’ve found the wine for you. Mercurey is a lesser outpost of proper red Burgundy, but the low-yielding and high quality 2010 vintage has produced a cracker from Faiveley’s Clos des Myglands vineyard. There is a delightful focus of red and black cherry fruits, […]
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