Wine Talk - June 2005

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Wolf Blass Yellow Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2003

A gorgeous deep ripe plum brick red colour. An alluring nose follows with vibrancy and intensity. In particular, you get lots of rich blackcurrant aromas, coupled with a bouquet of liquorice and milk chocolate. Oaky, smoky and spice filled characters all in accompaniment. Obvious and distinct cabernet fruit integrated with smooth fine tannins, a subtle touch of sweetness in the ripe fruit, and a lingering length and aftertaste. Spicy oak maturation with a hint of smokiness. Have this with a char grilled rump steak. Should cellar 3-5 years. Good value at around $12.

Giant Steps Sexton Pinot Noir 2003

Stop the press. This is quality Pinot Noir, from the Yarra Valley in Victoria. Ripe blood plum to brick red in colour. Quite a complex wine that has an alluring nature. Vibrant, spicy and slightly smoky aromas. Deeply concentrated with potent fruit characters that are intensely varietal. Lovely strawberry and cherry flavours abound. The palate exudes silky smooth and well rounded fruit flavours. A medium bodied meaty wine with a lingering length. Quite intricate in its composition and deportment of flavours. You also get some forest floor and truffle. Exhibits vanillan oak influence which is well integrated with the fruit. Overall an excellent wine. Try this with roast pork. Should cellar for upwards of 5 years. Very well priced at around $25+. Go to www.giant-steps.com.au

Huntington Estate Cabernet Merlot 2001

From the Mudgee region in NSW, experienced winemaker Bob Roberts brings us this easy drinking mature crimson violet coloured red wine. Quite a complex nose which is also elegant and yet vibrant. Aromas of blackcurrant and mulberry. The bouquet delivers liquorice and cedary nuances. A measured level of oak and spice support the structure of persistent, distinct and potent fruit characters. Smooth silky fine tannins help make the wine well rounded. A dry earthy style of wine with medium length and good balance. Have this with some grilled lamb fillets with babaganoush. Cellaring potential of up another to 3 years at least but drinking well right now. A very good wine at around $17. Go to www.huntingtonestate.com.au

Step Rd Shiraz 2002

A lovely purple crimson colour for this Langhorne Creek South Australian red. Accompanied by a powerfully complex wine that is aromatic through its varietal characters. Spicy blackberry, plum jam on the aroma and chocolate and liquorice on the bouquet. Vibrant and intense fruit which is spicy and has some smoky hints. Obvious deep strong concentrated potent fruit. Well rounded approachable yet puckering tannin. Still a young gripping wine made in the dry style. Ample bodied with a lingering length. Cigar box smoky mocha oak characters. Try this with kangaroo fillets or some roast beef. An excellent wine that should cellar for 5 years plus and is priced well at around $20. Go to www.steprd.com

Kay Brothers Amery Vineyard McLaren Vale Merlot 2002

The 2002 vintage was an outstanding one especially in the McLaren Vale area of South Australia. So providing such good quality grape stock to the winemaker here, has led unsurprisingly to a very well made Merlot. Mid ripe plum to brick red in colour. An alluring nose emanates from the glass with a vibrant earthiness coupled with some smoky hints. Mulberry and blackberry fruit abounds, ripe in nature. Firm fine persistent tannins on the palate. An extended length with a lingering aftertaste. Good fruit and American oak treatment as well as integration. Good alcohol component providing some warm characters to accompany the ripe fruit. This is not a Merlot for the faint hearted. Have this with some pork spare ribs or some Moussaka. A very good wine and one of the better examples of Merlot I have had recently. Will improve over next 5-7 years, at least. Available from www.kaybrothersamerywines.com Well priced at around $25-30 mark.

Bremerton "Tamblyn" Cabernet Shiraz Malbec Merlot 2002

A brilliant purple crimson red blend from the Langhorne Creek area of South Australia. A powerfully intense nose emanating spicy fruit with subtle oak. Lots of berry - blackberries, blackcurrants and cherries as well as plum and a subtle mintiness. A young dry style of wine which is ample bodied and provides an extended length. It is made in a rich juicy style. The blending results in a well balanced wine that is drinking well right now but should cellar for at least 5 years. Have this with lamb biryani or steak diane. An excellent drop representing excellent value at around $17. Go to www.bremerton.com.au

Bidgeebong "Triangle" Shiraz 2003

This is a very nice easy drinking red which is sourced from a diversity of southern NSW areas such as Gundagai, Hilltops (Young), Wagga Wagga and the Riverina region. A lovely crimson violet colour, it exudes an alluring nose with a gorgeous intensity of persistent deep and concentrated fruit. Aromas of blackberry, plum, liquorice and subtle crushed pepper. The tannin structure is velvety and well rounded and the style of wine resulting is a soft medium dry wine with good length. Its components are all in sync making it an approachable and well balanced wine. Its subtle oak character work well with the fruit flavours. Have this with a plate of lasagna. Should develop over the next 3 years. Very good winter drinking at around $14. Go to www.bidgeebong.com.au

Charles Melton Nine Popes Shiraz Grenache Barossa Valley 2002

Deep broodingly opaque black with purple hues. Powerful and complex. Distinct, deep, strong and concentrated aromas. Think blackberry, plum, black olive, dark chocolate and soy. Full bodied yet remarkably well balanced for a wine given its youth. Slight spicy and coffee oak characters currently subsumed by restrained tight elegant fruit. Try with Wagyu beef. An outstanding wine that is still an infant and that should develop into a classic over the next ten years. Go to www.charlesmeltonwines.com.au and expect to pay around $45 -50 but be quick as this Aussie legend sells out quickly.

Jeanneret Clare Valley Riesling 2004

This is quality Clare Riesling. Quite an austere tight wine at first which opens up like a flower over the ensuing minutes. A lovely pale straw colour that exudes class and subtle elegance. Loads of citrus aromas - perfumed apple, lemon, grapefruit and limes. Minerally with fresh crisp and lively acidity supporting the good firm fruit flavours. Its zestiness abounds. Lean bodied with a medium length. A refined level of complexity ensues from this wine. Should cellar at least 3-5 years. Have it with King Prawn Tempura. Priced very well at around $18. Go to www.ascl.com/j-wines

Austin's Barrabool Geelong Chardonnay 2003

This is a lovely classy elegant Chardonnay which is exhibiting a brilliant lemon yellow colour. The wine is fruit driven and has an alluring and luscious nose that evokes varietal Chardonnay aromas of peach, melon, pears and green olives. Some nice creamy smooth vanillan oak characters emanating from the subtle French oak accompany the soft acidity of the fruit. Quite a superbly integrated wine. A medium bodied dry style of wine with an extended length and refined complexity. Have this with chicken and mushroom wrapped in filo. Drinking beautifully now but should develop more over the next 3 years. Priced at a good price of around $25. Go to www.abwines.com.au

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

Wine Talk - June 2005

Wolf Blass Yellow Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2003

Giant Steps Sexton Pinot Noir 2003

Huntington Estate Cabernet Merlot 2001

Step Rd Shiraz 2002

Kay Brothers Amery Vineyard McLaren Vale Merlot 2002

Bremerton "Tamblyn" Cabernet Shiraz Malbec Merlot 2002

Bidgeebong "Triangle" Shiraz 2003

Charles Melton Nine Popes Shiraz Grenache Barossa Valley 2002

Jeanneret Clare Valley Riesling 2004

Austin's Barrabool Geelong Chardonnay 2003

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