R.L Buller & Son Valerie Mondeuse 2006

Named in honour of the family matriarch Valerie Buller, this straight varietal Mondeuse comes from vines planted in the early 1920's at the family's original Calliope Vineyard in Rutherglen. The flagship Calliope brand range is used to showcase Buller wines from exceptional vintages, of which 2006 was one. 

 Mondeuse Noire to be exact, is an ancient and obscure red variety grown primarily in the eastern French province of Savoie that it appears had been cultivated prior to the Roman annexation of Gaul (France) in 58BC. The variety was brought to Australia in the early twentieth century by viticultural entrepreneur Francois de Castella.

 Deeply purple-coloured, almost opaque in the glass.
There are complex aromatics showing fresh violets, sweet blueberries and blackberries, dark chocolate and cedar smoke. 
An engaging, fragrant nose arouses the senses to dive straight in.

 In the mouth it sits at medium to full-bodied in the weight stakes. The palate exhibits violets and warm purple fruits that are intense and generous in their flavours. Earthy savouriness, pepper spice and a hint of leather add to its complexity and interest. The texture is soft, silky and with the well-structured drying tannins and the acid good enough to provide an even glide across the mouth and great palate length. 

 Concentrated, succulent, satisfying and immensely drinkable.  

 The old Mondeuse vines have really produced something special here. 
Old Father Time has been kind and repaid cellaring with interest. Glorious stuff. 


Source: Cellar. ABV: 16.0%. Closure: Screw Cap. Price: $45.00. Rating: 95 Points. 
Website: http://www.bullerwines.com.au/default.asp

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Soumah of Yarra Valley Brachetto Tranquillo 2016

To my knowledge, the second Brachetto to be bottled in Australia after Pizzini. Theirs is made into a low alcohol, pink moscato style whilst Soumah make theirs into a still (tranquillo) wine. From Yarra Valley and King Valley fruit. Packed in 500ml bottles. 

It's an alluring rosy, crimson coloured wine.
Candied red berry fruit, strawberry, raspberry and a hint of rosewater on a heady nose.
The wine exhibits a light- to- medium body with a smooth, juicy texture that is so easy to drink. 
Strawberry, sweet cherry, raspberry and spicy musk flavours.
It's semi-sweet but with the vibrant acidity makes the wine fresh on the palate. The finish ends up delightfully savoury and off-dry. 

Houston, we have a ripper wine here to accompany dessert dishes. This will be a real crowd-pleaser. Elegant and fun to drink. Do yourself a favour. Try with chocolate covered strawberries ! 

 Source: Sample courtesy of Soumah of Yarra Valley. ABV: 10.5%. Closure: Screw Cap. 
Price: $30,00. Rating: 92 Points. Website: https://soumah.com.au

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Soumah of Yarra Valley Savarro 2016


What crosses my mind when reviewing a wine are questions such as "Is this the best wine of this particular variety in Australia?" and "Is it value for money?" 

Soumah has named its single vineyard Savagnin as Savarro, a recognition of the ancient variety's original name and homeland in the Bolzano region of northern Italy. It has gone by other pseudonyms since, some of our wineries even getting in on the act with names such as Savinno from Dalfarras, Sentio Wines' Blanc and the quirkily-branded Girl Talk from Tscharke.

 Grown at the Hexham vineyard on the Warramate Foothills in the cool climate of the Yarra Valley, the Savarro has picked up a swag of trophies and medals at wineshows since its first vintage, the latest a Silver Medal at the AAVWS in 2015.


 The duck egg blue label is visually very impressive and informative. Good start.
Pale straw colours in the glass with green tinges around the edges.
The bouquet presents with a clean, fresh fragrance of melon, pear and lemon with hints of grass and fresh ginger adding interest.

Textural palate has surprisingly some weight to it with nashi pear, lemon and minerals with a slight oily Gris-like quality to the mid-palate and a chalky minerality on the back. Super fresh and balanced wine that tastes really good. Dry, spicy mineral finish with flavours that persist and that are drawn out by tangy lemon acids.

It is one of the best Australian Savarro/Savagnin wines on the market that I've tasted. Quality, a little pizzaz, good value for money and a standout food wine to boot. Can't recommend it highly enough.

Source: Sample courtesy of Soumah of Yarra Valley. ABV: 13.0%. Closure: Screw Cap. 
Price: $29.00. Rating: 93+ Points. Website: https://soumah.com.au

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