Clonakilla and friends
For the last few weeks, across the country, Tim Kirk has been hosting a series of tastings, featuring some of Australia's greatest wines. I had the good fortune of attending one such dinner.Grosset Polish Hill Riesling 2010. (Clare Valley, South Austra...
Toolangi Chardonnay 2008
Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia. Chardonnay. 13%. Screwcap. Approx $A25.Not having tried any Toolangi wines prior to this, in my preconceptions I had expected this to be tighter and leaner. Instead this is at the other end of the spectrum. A Rubenes...
Mac Forbes Pinot noir 2008
Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia. Pinot noir. 12.5%. Screwcap. Approx $A28.Fifty years on and the shrill ferocity of Boyd's prose still has the power to confront and unsettle. Each page of his polemic is dripping with scorn and rage. I suspect he woul...
Lauer and Laible
Peter Lauer and Andreas Laible are two of my favorite Riesling estates in all of Germany. Lauer from Ayl in the Saar and Laible from Durbach in Baden in the South. Both visits will be covered in detail in the coming weeks (months). The second picture i...
Some Young Punks Lust Collides 2008
McLaren Vale, South Australia. Mataro. 14.2%. Diam. Approx $A35Ripe and rounded, it's hard not to be swept along by the sweetness, warmth and seductive curves. I was expecting a little bit of animal, but to begin it is all mulberries, vanilla and raisi...
Heemskerk Riesling 2008
Tasmania. Riesling. 12.5%. Screwcap. Approx $A45The 07 edition of this was curious and noteworthy. This is of the same mould, though perhaps with more edge and definition. Flint and sulphur, lime zest and grass. It reminds me of a glacial stream. Momen...
Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages Combe aux Jacques 2008
France. Gamay. 12.5%. Diam. Approx $A25.Readily available and quite rewarding even if not worthy of deep and thorough introspection. Crimson and slippery, this is pert and crossed with banana phloem bundles. It's a neat trick, with each sip, my mouth i...
Savaterre Chardonnay 2008
Beechworth, Victoria, Australia. Chardonnay. 13.5%. Screwcap. Approx $A70.Flinty and full, a bag of wine makers tricks, which I found very enjoyable. Struck match and stones, sulpur and peach skin, while in the mouth, marzipan, butterscotch and cream, ...
Weekend wines
Frankland Estate Isolation Ridge Riesling 2002. (Great Southern, Western Australia. 13%. Screwcap)The re birth of the screwcap started with Riesling at the turn the century, as an avowed convert I still find it surprising and slightly disconcerting whe...
Camplazens Syrah 2008
This wine came in a mixed case, and I admit, I chose to drink it because I liked the label, the cheery coach and horses made me smile. I wasn't required to pick anything specific to go with a meal so Cadbury purple with a nice picture of horses did the...
A meeting of hearts and livers
A Perth wine bloggers meeting of sorts initiated by Tim Cohen @ Mt Lawley's Cantina.Pommery Apanage NV. Arriving late, all the Champagne was gone by the time I arrived, except for a teaspoon of this bright and vigourous fluid. Recently disgorged it is ...
Maryhill Winery 2008 Columbia Valley Viognier Sponsored Wine Review by Billy
Nose: Daisy blossom, dry hay and cantaloupe aromas backed by a spicy warmth.Palate: firm and tight on the palate with a soft nectarine-y core.Finish: nice body on the finish that keeps it long with very nice raw almond and some more nectarine tones and...
