2012 Gemtree Vineyards Moonstone Savagnin

Since 2011 Gemtree Vineyards at McLaren Vale have had organic certification and have practised biodynamic farming for some years prior to that time. The Buttery family business works on minimal intervention during the winemaking process and the second release of their Moonstone (aka the lover's stone) Savagnin, reflects the clean freshness of this increasingly popular variety. 

Attractive pale straw colour. Fresh lifted aromas of honeysuckle, blossom, Nashi pear and Granny Smith apple. The palate exhibits crisp dry lime and pear with some suggestion of rosewater and minerality. It's viscous, zesty, light in structure and mirrors the bouquet's fruit characteristics. 

Fine crunchy tannins with a nice acid spike mid-palate. Even flavours throughout with a lingering fresh citrusy finish. If you like the texture of a Pinot Gris and the racy acidity of a Riesling, this is the variety to check out. An appealing, delicious and versatile wine for the holiday fare. 


Source: Retail Purchase. ABV: 13.5%. Closure: Screwcap. Price: $18.00. Rating: 90+ Points.

Website: http://www.gemtreewines.com/

2011 Dunn's Creek Estate Mornington Peninsula Barbera

Some people see things as they are and say why. I dream things that never were and say why not?
Robert Francis Kennedy quoting George Bernard Shaw.

Roger and Hannah Stuart-Andrews have been championing alternative varieties on the Mornington  Peninsula for years and their secluded, very picturesque vineyard, accommodation and nature reserve at Red Hill is in star contrast to some of the expanding corporate wineries now seemingly de rigueur on the Peninsula.

Their award-winning Barbera, an unusual variety for the Mornington Peninsula spent 15 months in French oak and was made by Sandro Mosele of Port Phillip and Kooyong Estates. There is also a rare Barbera Rosé and a classically varietal Arneis in the portfolio.

Bright cherry red hue in colour that almost gives the Barbera the appearance of a Pinot Noir. The nose is full of  juicy, vibrant raspberry and cherry with some hints of star anise. Medium bodied, the palate is soft and supple, full of juicy red fruits and chalky tannins. Well balanced and textural. A touch of spicy cedar oak and woody herb complexity with that classic Barbera acidity makes for an intriguing and very drinkable wine. Good.  

Source: Winery Purchase. ABV: 13.0%. Closure: Screwcap. Price: $20.00. Rating: 88 Points.

Website: http://www.dunnscreek.com.au/

2012 Pizzini King Valley Brachetto

The red variety Brachetto originally hails from the DOCG region of Brachetto d'Acqui in Piedmont, the grape used in making not only dry still reds but also rosés and sparkling wines similar to Lambrusco.  

One of the many wines from Pizzini's Italian range, the winery founded in 1994 is the only producer of this variety in Australia to date making this intriguing grape into a slightly sparkling wine. 

A light pink to an orange hue in colour. There's an intense bouquet of rose petal, strawberry and cherry that translates to a light-bodied frizzante wine. A pearl necklace of small beads rings the glass. What you swallow I can only describe is a bubbly fresh rose petal moscato. Creamy, gentle mouthfeel with a smooth fruity, rather than dry finish. 

Subtle and refreshing low alcohol drink. If you were ever wanting to start the day off on a different note, serve this chilled for breakfast. 

Source: Retail Purchase. ABV: 5.5%. Closure: Crown Cap. Price: $17.50. Rating: 89 Points. Website: http://www.pizzini.com.au/pizzini/

2010 Dunn's Creek Estate Babbling Brooke Savagnin

No prizes guessing that the brook runs through the idyllic Dunn's Creek property at Red Hill on the Mornington Peninsula. 

This Savagnin is yet another of the alternative varieties that Roger and Hannah Stuart-Andrews have grown and other than one or two other producers on the Peninsula, is an uncommon grape variety there.

Attractive pale straw colour with subtle aromatics of grapefruit, burnt orange, lime and melon.
Zesty, mineral-edged and showing some lime notes and melon fruit on an off dry palate.
It's light-bodied with a fine crunchy mid-palate. Smoothly textured but a watery, grapey finish that doesn't do this Savagnin justice. 

Pity though, it deserved a better score. Appealing wine nevertheless.

Source: Winery Purchase. ABV: 14.0%. Closure: Screwcap. Price: $22.00. Rating: 89 Points.

Website: http://www.dunnscreek.com.au/

2010 Torbreck Woodcutters Roussanne Viognier Marsanne

There are some decent Australian blends of these noble Rhone Valley varietal divas around but nothing as yet compares to the synergistic trifecta that Barossa Valley's Torbreck Woodcutters brings to the table. Better known for their unsurpassed stable of red wines and on the success of The Steading Blanc, the Torbreck Woodcutters is - you know I can't resist - a cut above the rest and a delicious revelation !

A 61/21/16 blend, it's mid straw to gold in colour. The nose offers up lifted floral fragrances, apricot and honeysuckle. The fusion draws on the strength of each component variety. The Roussanne does the hard lifting here with its textural backbone and weight while the Viognier provides the apricot and floral aromas and the Marsanne, palate richness and secondary aromas.   


The palate experience is quite remarkable. Rich and dry initially, flavours of honey, candied fruit, clotted cream, doughy less, cashews and notes of flint. The fruit flavours match the bouquet. It sits in the medium-bodied range, seamless and silky, but not flabby in texture.

A big flavoursome white wine. Slippery, poised and very drinkable. Feminine, masculine, seductive, beguiling, decadent, powerful yet elegant with a fresh length at the finish. Has developed alluring complexity with age but not a flamboyant in your face wine.

If there is an opportunity, do something I don't often say. Buy !  Highly Recommended. 

Source: Retail Purchase. ABV: 14.5%. Closure: Screwcap. Price: $21.50. Rating: 94 Points.

Website: http://www.torbreck.com/

2011 Guildford Vineyard Viognier

I struggle with Viognier. I try to like it and it tries to like me back, it has two loyal friends it blends in well with and is a great companion by itself at meals but I just haven't found the one that pops my cork yet.

Located at the far northern part of the Macedon Ranges Wine Region towards Bendigo, the boutique Guildford winery has been around for about a decade and the Viognier grows well alongside the vineyard's more celebrated Shiraz vines.

This mid-weight Viognier is pale yellow in colour. Muted aromatics of apricot kernel, ripe pears and nutmeg spice. Notes of honey, apricots and marmalade on a zesty acidic backbone. Fine pear tannins. Competently made but the palate peaks midway leaving it a little short. 

Taken out for a second date night, it did open up somewhat but sad to report, remained ultimately unloved.

Source: Winery Purchase. ABV: 12.2%. Closure: Screwcap. 
Price: $22.00. Rating: 87+ Points.

Website: http://www.guildfordvineyard.com.au/index.html

2013 Chrismont La Zona Mezzanotte Rosato

An interesting blend of Sangiovese and Barbera made into a rose style similar to those in Italy's Garda Lombardy DOC region. Previous vintages saw Chrismont add the rare Marzemino, a red variety native to Trentino Alto-Adige. Chrismont and its Alpine Valley neighbour Michelini Wines appear to be the only Australian producers of this variety outside of Italy.

Given the wine's name Mezzanotte, I'm guessing the grapes for his rose were picked in the wee small hours to maximise freshness. It is indeed that but it would have been interesting to see what the Marzemino could have brought to the mix.

Pale pink to an orange salmon coloured wine with fresh aromas of strawberry, cherry and grass. Dry and crisp acidity upon entry. Poached strawberry dominates the palate with cranberry and savoury cherry nuances towards the back end. Light-bodied, slightly candy sweet. But it's one-dimensionally strawberry. A quaffer to be sure. 

Source: Retail Purchase. ABV: 12.0%. Closure: Screwcap. Price: $18.50. 
Rating: 87 Points. Website: http://www.chrismont.com.au/index.html

2011 First Drop Wines Lush Touriga Rose

I'm always on the look out for roses produced from the non-mainstream varieties and the Lush from the innovative guys at First Drop Wines, fits the bill. The Portuguese variety Touriga National is well suited to the diversity of the McLaren Vale region from which this dry rose is made.

Neon pink colour here. Loads of beautiful red fruits aromas, strawberry, cranberry and raspberry and herbal florals. Zesty strawberry and spicy watermelon palate with some creamy honey nuances at the back end really appealed. The mouthfeel from this lovely textured, beautifully-balanced rose, finishes dry. An exciting, delicious and refreshing wine. 

Source: Retail Purchase. ABV: 12.0%. Closure: Screwcap.          
Price: $20.00. Rating: 90 Points.

Website: http://www.firstdropwines.com/mm.php

2011 Marq Margaret River Gamay

The grape from Beaujolais has a home at the boutique Marq Winery in Margaret River. Accomplished vintner Mark Warren has championed alternative varieties and innovative winemaking techniques to produce among others, a grape diversity that includes Fiano, Vermentino, Petit Manseng, Tempranillo, Malbec and Gamay. All are varieties unusual to this part of the world.

The 2011 Gamay has a clear ruby red colour. Very pinot noir-esque on the nose and palate. Forest floor aromas, fresh cherry, pomegranate and some gamey notes. Silky smooth mid-palate supported by supple tannins. Laden with spicy cherry, strawberry and cream flavours. The twelve months on lees in French oak gives the wine a woody, caramel leather-type character. Medium-bodied wine, fuller and more intense than some cooler climate styles you would encounter. Persistent and satisfying finish of spicy red fruits. With the 2012 available, this is still a cracker to drink.

Source: Retail Purchase. ABV: 13.8%. Closure: Screwcap. Price: $25.00. Rating: 93 Points.

Vendor: http://www.differentdrop.com/

Website: http://marqwines.com.au/

Vale Jeremy Pringle

Very sad news and a great shock. 

Jeremy Pringle was a mentor to me but he didn't know it as we had never met. 
His passion for wine was genuine and infectious. I marvelled at his concise, authoritative, witty and insightful commentary. He was assertive yet wrote in language everyone could understand. 
The amount of posts he got through was phenomenal. They were always the first ones I'd read.  
A great loss to the industry but his memory and legacy will live on. Condolences to his family and friends.

Tonight's drink is for you mate.

2009 Bellarmine Wines Pemberton Petit Verdot

In viticulture terms, the Pemberton Region in Western Australia's lower south-west is a recent phenomenon. With a maritime climate and relatively fertile soils, it is emerging as a premium grape growing region. Bellarmine Winery established at the turn of the new century has been a prominent player with a range of consistently well made, award-winning wines.

Bordeaux varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and recently Merlot in particular are growing well in the region and it appears their vastly underrated cousin Petit Verdot has that potential as well. 

This dry red wine has been matured for 12 months in French oak. 

Outstanding dark ruby red in the glass. Heady fresh aromas consist of blueberries, blackberries, violets and pencil shavings. Flavour-packed palate of smooth smokey black fruits, spice and well-integrated tannins that have tempered with age. There is a refined personality to this mid-weight and well balanced P V. Drinking well now but there is much more mileage in the tank with this one. Recommended. 

Source: Retail Purchase. ABV: 15.0%. Closure: Screwcap. Price: $26.00. Rating: 92 Points.

Vendor: http://www.differentdrop.com/

Website: http://www.bellarmine.com.au/index.aspx

2012 Chalmers Heathcote Sagrantino

Some wines should have cautions labelled on them regarding their contents and Sagrantino is one such beast. If you happen to be averse to a hell broth of dark fruits and intense masculine tannins, the suggestion would be to stick to Cabernet-based wines. Apologies to those who enjoy these but for the uninitiated or unwary punter, the variety is a challenge but well worth the journey.  
  

Whether Sagrantino was originally brought to its present homeland in central Umbria by monks or if St Francis of Assisi was responsible for its plantings, either way the variety appears to have had a divinely-inspired beginning belying its reputation for the devilish brew its reputation has bestowed upon it today. 

The variety almost became extinct in the 1960's before visionary vintners saw its potential, resurrecting it to the point where in the Montefalco Region - Italy's largest area of its plantings - DOCG status was attained in 1991. 

This first vintage from Chalmers' Heathcote vineyards is a dark ruby red colour with a black core in the glass. Aromatically, cherries, plums, floral earthiness and liquorice proliferate but there is smokey meat note with hints of oregano and unusual tropical fruit component to tail off. The palate betrays the bouquet. The impression is it will be lighter bodied. The Lagrein for example was the opposite. Big aromatics but a smooth, medium-bodied wine.

Tongue-coating tannic dark fruit and bright acidity kicking in. Medium to full-bodied wine from those extraordinary Cambrian soils. Earthy, dark plum, blackberries and savoury bark notes. Grippy and brambly mouthfeel characteristics. Dry, rich palate of dates, stewed dark fruits, sour black cherry. Enough warming alcohol despite the volume. Brooding, earthy but approachable tannins. A big wine with plenty of grunt and intensity yet has a sense of refinement about it too. 

For me, the tannins and acidity are challenging but it is an impressive wine and a great ride to boot. Not a drop you would drink without food. Be warned !

Source: Retail Purchase. Alcohol: 14.5%. Closure: Screwcap. Price: $45.00. Rating: 91 Points.

Vendor: http://www.differentdrop.com/

Website: http://www.chalmerswine.com.au/Home.aspx

2011 Oak Works Lagrein

Oak Works Wines was established in 2001 and said to be the birthplace of alternative varietals in the Riverland Region. Although not possessing vineyards of its own, co-owner and winemaker Peter Rogers purchases premium fruit from local Riverland plots for its extensive portfolio of alternative varietals. My impression is that this is a labour of love where traditional handmade techniques with the use of oak barrels, can only benefit the final product.  

Lagrein is an ancient Italian red variety from the Trentino Alto-Adige region in north-east Italy, some manuscripts dating it back to the fourteenth century. Genetic research suggests the variety is a direct descendant of the Teroldego grape, a geographical neighbour and a grandchild of Pinot Noir. That evidence appears to have put paid to the original theory that Lagrein's origin was Greek.

Deep inky purple colour from the first splash, almost black in the glass. Visually, you might expect a big wine but this is not heavy by any means. Lifted licorice, violet floral notes and dark fruit aromatics going on. Savoury dark plums, sour cherry, lively acidity and intense grainy tannins greet the palate. There is a savoury chocolate mid-palate with gamey characters, which I liked. Mid-weight and silky textured wine. Persistent savoury finish with a touch of cherry pip bitterness on the aftertaste. Fourteen months in older American oak has mellowed the wine, ironing out the earthy chewiness typical of the variety and making it very approachable. 

Peter Rogers has it going on with the no wood no good, back to the future approach to winemaking and it shows. Great stuff. Thoroughly enjoyed this drop.

Source: Sample. Alcohol: 13.5%. Closure: Cork. Price: $20.00. Rating: 92 Points.

Website: http://www.riverlandwine.com.au/wine-of-the-riverland/the-wineries/16-oak-works-wines.html

2012 Taylors Estate Clare Valley Tempranillo

Founded in 1969 Taylors Wines has had three generations of wine-making experience since establishing vineyards in the Clare Valley's terra rossa soils and is one of the twelve members of Australia's First Families of Wine (AFFW) initiative.  

The 2012 Tempranillo is dark, opaque crimson in the glass. 
Takes a while to open but then shows a bouquet of dark cherries, blackberries with wafts of tobacco and vanillin oak. 
The mouthfeel exhibits a smooth leathery texture over a background of spicy dark berries, confectionary and sarsaparilla with some cinnamon and black olive action in there too. 
It's a mid-weight wine of depth and balance. Fine grained mouth-coating tannins supported by a fine acid line to the end. Persistent dried herbs and spicy black plum on the finish. 
Very much a fruit-driven Tempranillo with Australian palates in mind.  


Source: Sample. Alcohol: 14.0%. Closure: Screwcap. Price: $18.00. Rating: 88 Points.

Vendor: http://www.liquidideas.com.au/index.asp 

Website: http://www.taylorswines.com.au/

2012 Taylors Estate TWP Riverland Vermentino

The Taylors Winemaker's Project (TWP) highlights new frontiers in Australian winemaking, in this instance using the promising Vermentino variety. It is the Clare Valley producer's second vintage, taking advantage of Riverland Region fruit, an area where Australia's most significant plantings of Vermentino now occur.  

Pale straw hue with green tinges, the 2012 TWP Vermentino opens with bright aromas of citrus, bathroom talc, nashi pear with wafts of jasmine and ginger. A lively citrus zing upon the first sip that flows well across the palate with a pithy lemon grip line. Fine grained crunchy tannins. Granny Smith apples, green capsicum, minerals and almond paste. Generous mid-palate. Light-weighted and textural throughout. 

It finishes with slate acid notes that are salivating and invigorating. An attractively packaged, elegant and refreshing wine. Recommended.   


Source: Sample. Alcohol: 12.2%. Closure: Screwcap. Price: $18.00. Rating: 90 Points.

Vendor: http://www.liquidideas.com.au/index.asp 
Website: http://www.taylorswines.com.au/