Wine Talk, December 2006 - Something Special To Impress

Something Special To Impress

Tempus Two Pewter Label Pinot Gris 2006

This is spot on Pinot Gris. Really good stuff made very well by winemaker Liz Jackson and actually tastes like a Pinot Gris is supposed to! A gorgeous vibrant straw colour. All fresh, lively and invigorating from the nose. Ripe glorious and resplendently fresh pears, a touch of almond meal, more pears and a hint of minerality all delivered seamlessly on the palate with a luscious well rounded and balanced finish. Take a bow Liz. Try it with penne with pesto sauce. Around $30. 93/100.





Discover Something Different

Brokenwood Semillon 2006

A pale light greeny straw. Vibrant, fresh and uplifting. Citrine lemons and limes, a touch of herbeceousness, green apple and crisp acidity. Dry, light and delicate, you get essences of toast and straw on the nose then it flows easily and deliciously lightly on the palate. Nice, refreshing and juicy to drink with oysters natural. Drink 2006-2012. Around $17. 92/100.





Put This Away For A While

Tatachilla McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

Tatachilla make really good varietal red wines. This one is a deep crimson purple. Blackcurrants, plums, hints of pepper and spice emanate in what is an intensely aromatic wine. Good firm oak, warm alcohol - assertive tannins, this is a still a young wine. Needs a bit of time to develop. Lovely smooth ripe black fruits on the palate. Try it with roast lamb. Drink 2007 - 2014. About $23. 88/100.





Celebrate Summer With This

Wyndham Estate Bin 505 Shiraz Rose`2006

This is like drinking liquid strawberries and raspberries. Alcoholic ones at that. Really good Rosé making here with seamless perfectly balanced fruit driven flavours alongside soft acidity. Succulent, fresh and lively, this just drinks beautifully. One of the best Rosé I've had lately and I've had quite a few. Try it with salt and pepper calamari. At about $14, there really isn't any excuse not to try some. 91/100.









Treat Yourself

Yarraloch Pinot Noir 2003

This Yarra Valley boutique winery has come up with a very nice Pinot Noir at quite a respectable price. A glorious purple red, it is really fruit driven with loads of cherries and plums dominating the aromas. You also get a touch of game, spice and forest floor complexity. Smooth silky fine tannins follow in what is also a good food wine to have with Peking duck. Drink 2006-2011. Around $25. 89/100.









Value Drinking

Taylors Promised Land White Cabernet Rose`2006

Gorgeously strawberry fire engine red in colour. Vibrant, succulent and lively. All fresh fruit driven with loads of strawberry, raspberry and blackcurrants. A touch of savoury on the finish with good accompanying acidity. A well balanced wine that makes for delicious easy drinking. Very well priced at about $14. Try it with chicken kebabs. 88/100.





Stock Up For Christmas

Water Wheel Bendigo Sauvignon Blanc 2006

Peter Cumming and his crew from this Bendigo winery make really good wines at respectable prices. This one is a vibrant pure pale straw colour. It is succulent and delicious to savour with its array of thirst quenching tropical fruits of pineapple, banana and guava. Coupled with good minerally acidity, these are soft easy drinking well rounded fruit focussed wines, with lingering features. Drink this Summer with a prawn and avocado salad. A bargain at about $12. 88/100.





Wine Rating Scale - Out Of 100 Points

98-100 - Exceptional - A truly world class wine
95-97 - Superb - A memorable drinking experience
91-94 - Excellent - A wonderful mix of a top wine at a decent price
88-90 - Very Good - Really well made wine that should impress
85-87 - Good - Honest everyday drinking

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Paul Ippolito writes about wine for publications across Australia, overseas and the Internet. He speaks on radio and writes a free monthly wine newsletter for consumers. Paul can be contacted by email at Paul_Ippolito@hotmail.com where you can also request to be placed on his mailing list for his newsletter. or visit his website at: www.paulippolito.com.au

2007 Reviews

Wine Talk - January 2007
Wine Talk - February 2007
Wine Talk - March 2007
Wine Talk - April 2007

2006 Reviews

Wine Talk - January 06
Wine Talk - February 06
Wine Talk - March 06
Wine Talk - April 06
Wine Talk - May 06
Wine Talk - June 06
Wine Talk - July 06
Wine Talk - August 06
Wine Talk - September 06
Wine Talk - October 06
Wine Talk - November 06
Wine Talk - December 06

2005 Reviews

Wine Talk - March 05
Wine Talk - April 05
Wine Talk - May 05
Wine Talk - June 05
Wine Talk - July 05
Wine Talk - August 05
Wine Talk - September 05
Wine Talk - October 05
Wine Talk - November 05
Wine Talk - December 05

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