With no clue to the disgorgement date or base vintage on the bottle, it’s impossible to say whether the latest shipment of Pierre Péters is the same base wine as it was last year, but the immaculately pristine and beach-fresh bottles that we showcased around the country at the Negociants Working With Wine masterclasses suggest […]
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How can a wine possess such monumental concentration and impact of flavour at fifteen percent alcohol, and yet such poise and finesse, with no suggestion of heat or stewy fruit? Simple. Let the grapes dry and shrivel after they’re picked rather than before! This is the Italian Amarone method, producing concentration while retaining acidity and […]
readThe Barossa’s hot, low-lying western fringe is the subject of no shortage of controversy, but it can certainly deliver a punch when its vines grow up, as they clearly have here. This brand new Dan Murphy’s exclusive puts on quite a show of generous depth and persistence in its flavours of sweet black plums, spicy […]
readWater Wheel has achieved cult status for producing deep, classical Central Victorian shiraz of outstanding value for money, and this is one of its most balanced releases of the modern era. Black plum and blackberry fruit mesh with dark chocolate and firm, drying tannins, leaving the finish savoury and true to its region. Good value […]
readCliff Royle is one of WA’s most astute and intuitive winemakers, capturing the essence of Margaret River Cabernet even in his easy-drinking quaffer. Its primary, crunchy blackcurrants taste like cabernet straight out of the fermenter, speaking volumes of the juicy appeal of this warm vintage. Fine, rustic fruit tannins provide some structure to the finish, […]
readAuntsfield doesn’t make sauvignon like everyone else in Marlborough. The point here is expressing the mineral texture of this old site, achieved through all manner of clever winemaking tricks including use of a bit of old oak and months of lees ageing and stirring. The result is released later, will live longer and speaks more […]
readThere’s always been an authentic, hand made feel to Troy and Tony Kalleske’s wines, but it seems the lads have refined a sense of polish in recent years, reinforced by the advent of their ultra-slick, retro, embossed bottles. There’s nothing shy about the second release of their foray into single vineyard cabernet, a concentrated and […]
readDomaine Chandon has built its fame on sparking wines, but with Mount Langi Ghiran legend Dan Buckle recently taking the reins, watch this estate transform into a still wine epicentre of Victoria. It already has plenty to show for itself, as this wine exemplifies. An alluring core of black plums, perfectly ripe blackberries, anise and […]
readLove it or loathe it, the moscato revolution is in full swing, and why fork out $25 when you could spend $7 at Winesaver? OK, so it’s short, simple and a little lacking in fruit concentration – but it’s grapey, with all the right flavours of honey, ginger, cane sugar and lemon. And, hey, you’re drinking […]
readD’Arenberg is setting new Olympic records in the number of new super-premium wines to emerge in one year, but it’s at the value end of the league that this grand estate showcases its true prowess. D’Arry’s is an even mix of shiraz and grenache, with a touch of carbonic maceration for bubblegum complexity. Berry compote […]
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