We all need more R&R. Introducing the epitome of delicacy in Barossa rosé, which the cool 2011 season has toned it to hitherto unheard of restraint. You’d never imagine that hand picked old vine Barossa grenache, wild yeast fermented in barrel, could produce such a gorgeously pale salmon hue and such subtle nuances of pink […]
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Late harvest anything in 2011 faced a looming threat from rot, but not this wine. A particularly pristine release for Pauletts, singing with lifted lemon blossom, fresh, juicy white peaches and pears, accented by lime zest, cool season acidity and perfectly-tuned sweetness. $18 at WineSeek.
readIf you’re hunting for bargain chardonnay for the cellar, 2011 Hyland sets a new benchmark. It may not have not hit the stratospheric complexity of 2009 and 2010, but such is its pedigree and sheer longevity that it outplays virtually all others at this price. True to the season, the 2011 is more tightly strung […]
readThe way this wine’s zippy energy and vibrant acidity lifts its waves of complexity and flavour is nothing less than captivating. A little touch of oak multiplies its complexity in hazelnut cream, lifting the ginger, lantana and nashi pear of its fruit. A tightly defined cut of lime juice acidity flows through a palate of […]
readThe four 2011 releases of riesling specialist Auburn present a compelling case that there’s more to the subregional distinctiveness of Central Otago than pinot noir. They have learnt from the styles of the Mosel, while unashamedly portraying the unique fruit flavours, acid profiles and mineral expressions of their distinct sites. Crafted in tiny quantities from […]
readThe picture-perfect season has put forward one of the longest-lived Vasse Felix cabernets to date. This is a textbook cabernet of exacting definition and precision. The bouquet has a gorgeous lift of violet petals while the palate carries all the hallmarks of blackcurrants, high cocoa dark chocolate and classic, Margaret River graphite-fine tannins. Impeccably ripe, […]
read2009 presented more than its share of challenges across Victoria, but high in the Macedon Ranges, it seems Curly Flat escaped unscathed. This is a pinot of restrained elegance, with a perfumed lift of rose hip and a core of bright red cherries. There are notes of brambles and a touch of French oak wood […]
readI opened this alongside a much more famous Margaret River chardonnay, and this was the unanimous favourite of the room. It’s holding a pale straw green hue and pristine concentration of grapefruit and white peach. Subtle cashew nut French oak and lees complexity contribute texture and length without detracting from a vibrant citrus profile. Outstanding […]
readPio Cesare’s classic, restrained and long-lived Barbaresco outclassed its Barolo in 2006. Imported by Dan Murphy’s, they’re both now $40 cheaper than they were last year. Barbaresco is nebbiolo, and this wine captures its lifted allure of dried rose petals and its depth of black cherry, pitch, anise and high cocoa dark chocolate flavours. Nebbiolo’s […]
readSalon is a fabled name in champagne circles, and ranks in the top four houses in all of champagne. It makes but one cuvée and Australia’s entire allocation of the 1999 was sold wholesale in just 31 days. This warm vintage makes for a Salon of immediacy and accessibility, within Salon’s classic style of honed […]
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