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| RATING: 94 |
VALUE:  |
CELLAR: 3 - 4 years (2011 - 2012) |
ALC/VOL: 13.50% |
TASTED: 20 Oct 2008 |
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A couple of decades ago, Australians were slowly becoming acquainted with basket Chianti and
Spumante as inexpensive but lower-quality alternatives to French wines. The range and quality of
Italian wines has since shifted away from bulk wine, yet many remain ignorant of the vast and diverse
Italian vineyards that produce roughly twenty percent of the world's total yearly wine output. Why is this
situation only just beginning to change?
The last three decades of creative ferment and serious commitment to quality have transformed the
Italian wine scene - perhaps no more so than in Tuscany, where the famous serpentine countryside
has made the Sangiovese grape famous. Sun drenched slopes at altitudes between 150m and 500m
above sea level ensure consistent ripening while significant day / night (diurnal) temperature
variations further contribute to the wine's quality. The Tuscan renaissance stems from the 1970's,
when in an attempt to give more body, intensity and longevity to Tuscan red wines, non Italian grape
varieties were introduced into traditional blends and small oak barrels, principally of French origin,
were employed for their maturation (a radical break with the local practice of using large casks of East
European oak).
Apart from marking a movement towards a more 'international' wine style, these innovations were also
the vigneron's way of subverting the Italian appellation system, while proving that world class wines
could be made using 'unofficial' varietals and techniques. The quality guarantee of these producers
now resides in their dedication to excellence, rather than in a somewhat misguided appellation system
which continues to bare the brunt of considerable criticism.
This is a top example of relatively full
bodied Chianti.
Produced from a blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep crimson mauve colour
with crimson mauve hue. Very perfumed nose with aromas of black cherries and blackcurrant,
followed by some spice, tobacco and leather end notes. Medium to full bodied with flavours of dark
cherries, spice, blackcurrant and cedar, followed by some earthy undertones. Fine grained dryish
tannins with long aftertaste of dark cherries, cedar, spice and leather.
Cellar 3-4 years (2012-2013)
13.5% Alc
Other Reviews….
Querciabella occupies a stupendous position in the hills of Greve. With one notable exception, this is
another set of strong releases from an estate that in recent years has made some of the most
beautiful wines in its history.
Gorgeous aromatics waft from the glass as the 2006 Chianti Classico Querciabella (95% Sangiovese
and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon) opens to reveal a super-elegant expression of fresh berries, flowers and
tobacco. The plumpness of the fruit makes the wine very appealing today, but there is sufficient tannic
clout to suggest at least medium-term aging potential. In recent years Quericabella’s Chianti Classico
has established a new benchmark for finessed Chianti made in a contemporary style that
nevertheless remains faithful to Sangiovese and the unique qualities of these sites.
Anticipated maturity: 2009-2021.
91 points
Antonio Galloni – Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate
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Retail
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A$41.68 |
Bottle Price
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A$37.99 |
Dozen Price
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A$444.00 |
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| RATING: 96 |
VALUE: |
CELLAR: 3 - 4 years (2012 - 2013) |
ALC/VOL: 12.50% |
TASTED: 29 Jul 2009 |
The Allinda winery was established in 1990, in the foothills of The Great Dividing Range at the northern end of the Yarra Valley by Al and Linda Fencaros. Al originally graduated from the university of Melbourne as an applied chemist. After a short period in the paint industry, Al decided the odours of paint, whilst often intoxicating, were rarely pleasurable. Naturally, he moved on to wine.
An outstanding Riesling! Bright pale straw colour with pale straw hue. Exotic nose, filled with aromas of ripe mango, ripe mandarine, limes and orange. Superb palate, with flavours of lime, tropical fruit, lemon and spice. Quite mouthfilling. Clean acid finish. Long aftertaste of lime, mandarine and orange.
Cellar 3-4 years (2012-2013)
Alc/Vol: 12.5%
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Retail
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A$17.74 |
Bottle Price
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A$15.99 |
Dozen Price
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A$186.00 |
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| RATING: 97 |
VALUE: |
CELLAR: 3 - 4 years (2012 - 2013) |
ALC/VOL: 14.50% |
TASTED: 28 Jul 2009 |
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The 'Global Financial Crisis' has not stopped people from enjoying wine, but it has made many
people more price-sensitive. Reports from retailers, restauranteurs and industry analysts indicate
that consumers are buying as much wine as they did a year ago, though they're spending much less.
Naturally, the big beneficiaries are those that can offer outstanding wines at bargain prices. Chile
is one of these.
The last five or six vintages have been very good, with many believing that the 2007 vintage reds
will surpass the exceptional 2005 and 2003 vintages in quality. As challenging as this might make
things for Australian and New Zealand producers, it presents an opportunity for Chilean wines to move
up the scale in price and prestige and enter the middle segment of the market, at least so long as
Chile's winemakers can resist the temptation to return to the 'bargain basement'. With land and
labour costs still far below those of 'premier' regions like Bordeaux or the Barossa, Chilean
winemakers have known for some time that if they can focus on quality, they can over-deliver at
almost any price point.
The perception of Chile as a producer solely of inexpensive but pleasant, value for money wines has
been difficult to shrug off. It was abruptly skewed with the release of Eduardo Chadwick's 'Sena' in
1995. Such truly great (and expensive AU$100+) offerings have now placed the country firmly in the
company of the best wines in the world, despite having little track record in comparison to Europe's
greatest estates. Now the vast gap between inexpensive 'quaffers' and 'icon' wines is gradually being
filled, with the emergence of unique, engaging, mid-priced wines from Chile. While these wines may
not be prestigious enough to woo collectors and high rollers, they will certainly appeal to
bargain-hunters. Quite simply, for those desiring wines with more interest and complexity than the
'cheap and cheerfuls', you can now look to Chile for $20 wines that taste like $40.
The grape variety Carmenère [pronounced car-men-YEHR] offers a style of red unlike anything else in
the world. It is the sixth member of the Cabernet Sauvignon family, and one of Chile's signature red
varieties. Once common in Bordeaux, particularly in the Medoc (where it was known as 'Grande
Vidure'), it is now rarely found in France; firstly because most plantings were wiped out in 1867 due
to the vine disease, phylloxera. Secondly, because it is the last of the red grapes to ripen, and in
Bordeaux often does not fully ripen, resulting in green flavours. This combined with its erratic
tendency to develop a condition called 'coulure', (poor fruit set after flowering) and its resultant
low yields have contributed to the demise of Carmenère throughout Europe.
Long thought to be Merlot vines, Chilean cuttings have thrived for 150 years. It was only in 1993
when the renowned viticulturist, Professor Jean-Michel Boursiquit of Ensa de Montpellier, carried out
a detailed scientific survey that winegrowers realized the two similar vines had been growing
together for more than a century. When Chilean winemakers witnessed the colour and taste of the pure
Carmenère, they realized they had been ignoring a huge asset. Along side Cabernet Sauvignon,
Carmenère now represents one of the country's signature varietals.
Last year we tested the waters with a trial shipment from Chadwick's Vina Sena (including Arboleda
and Caliterra vineyards) based in Anconcagua. The shipment was an instant success, and introduced
Australian wine lovers to what we described as Chile's New World vision of pre-phylloxera France.
Tasting Notes: A superb follow up to the 2006. Opaque black crimson colour with deep crimson
mauve hue. Perfumed nose of violets, spice, fresh blackberry and cherry. The palate delivers
excellent weight and mouthfeel. Flavours of dark cherry, blackberry, dark chocolate and spice. Velvet
tannins. Spicy back palate and aftertaste with black pepper emerging. A New World classic!
Cellar 3-4 years (2012-2013)
Alc/Vol: 14.5%
 Click here to learn more about Chilean
Wines.
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Bottle Price
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A$19.99 |
Dozen Price
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A$237.00 |
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| RATING: 95 |
VALUE: |
CELLAR: 5 - 8 years (2014 - 2017) |
ALC/VOL: 14.50% |
TASTED: 15 Apr 2009 |
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The Balnaves Coonawarra property has been in the same family for 3 generations, but it was not until 1975 that vines were planted, with the first wines produced under the Balnaves label being released in 1990. Today, the vineyard has grown to 58 hectares in size with production normally around the 10,000 case mark. Cabernet Sauvignon, which is the best suited variety to the Terra Rossa soils, accounts for 70% of total vineyard plantings. The rows are planted to a North-South orientation, thus ensuring 22% more sun light which results in perfectly ripe berries without the menacing herbaceous vegetal character that can be found in some cool climate Cabernets.
The 2007 vintage saw unprecedented frosts over Southern Australia with Coonawarra being particularly badly affected – it’s estimated that approximately 70% of the regions vineyards were burnt by the severe frost. Balnaves lost an estimated 90% of their crop, however, fortunately, their two best Cabernet Sauvignon blocks (from which this wine was produced), the Dead Morris and Quarry blocks were under sprinkler frost protection and not adversely affected.
From adversity Balnaves have produced an excellent Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon.
This Cabernet has spent 16 months in tight-grain French Oak casks sourced from a variety of coopers.
Opaque, black crimson mauve colour with black crimson hue, Showing excellent cling to the glass. Superb nose - Perfumed with violet top note followed by blackcurrant, dark chocolate and spice. The palate structure is relatively tight knit but fares well for bottle aging. Flavours of cedar, blackcurrant and cigar box over dark chocolate showing excellent varietal character. Fine grained tannins showing excellent balance. Very long aftertaste of cedar, dark chocolate and blackcurrant.
Cellar 5-8 years (2014-2017)
Alc/Vol: 14.5%
Procork
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Retail
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A$40.80 |
Bottle Price
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A$29.99 |
Dozen Price
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A$359.88 |
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| RATING: 97 |
VALUE:  |
CELLAR: 5 - 8 years (2014 - 2017) |
ALC/VOL: 15.00% |
TASTED: 6 Oct 2009 |
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Before becoming involved in the wine industry in 1971, Doug Balnaves was a sheep shearer. Like other shearers, he was paid by the number of sheep shorn as recorded in a tally book. The higher the tally, the greater the recognition amongst his peers for his skill and labour. Since 1990, the Balnaves family have been vying for recognition for the place of Australia's top Cabernet with their 'Tally' reserve, a wine which some already believe to be Australia's finest expression of the variety. Maturation for this wine took place for sixteen months in new fine-grained barrels from prestigious French cooperages, Seguin Moreau, Saury and Sylvain. The result is a monumental Coonawarra Cabernet, rated 97 points by James Halliday, the highest scoring Cabernet in his latest wine companion.
An outstanding Coonawarra Cabernet... a wine which some already believe to be Australia's finest expression of the variety.
Tasting note: Saturated, opaque black purple colour with black purple hue. An amazing Cabernet colour! Aromas of violets, blackcurrant, dark chocolate and spice, followed by some cedar and cigar box end notes. Richly structured palate with flavours of dark chocolate, blackcurrant, confectionary, dark plum, spice and cedar. Fine grained, firm, dry tannins but in balance to the
voluminous fruit. Monumental structure and concentration with exceptional depth of flavour. Very long aftertaste of blackcurrant, dark chocolate, spice and cedar. An outstanding Coonawarra Cabernet.
Cellar 5-8 years (2014-2016)
15.0% Alc
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Retail
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A$97.56 |
Bottle Price
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A$79.99 |
Dozen Price
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A$924.00 |
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| RATING: 98 |
VALUE: |
CELLAR: 5 - 8 years (2014 - 2017) |
ALC/VOL: 15.00% |
TASTED: 6 Oct 2009 |
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The Barossa Valley is home to Australia's most iconic wine brands, but what are the qualities that make these wines so special (and expensive)? The age and rarity of the vines is one factor. Many of the world's oldest Cabernet and Shiraz vines are still growing there, some planted in the early 19th century. Miniscule yields inherent to their age are compensated by a purity & concentration of flavour, a remarkable persistence on the aftertaste and silk-like tannins, making for extraordinary sensory experiences.
One of the best E&E’s produced in recent memory and one that re-establishes the wine as a Barossa benchmark.
Some historical perspective helps one appreciate these wines all the more. When you next pour a glass, consider that around the same time that many of Barossa's viticultural pioneers were producing their first vintage, Giuseppe Verdi had completed the opera Aida, the Suez Canal was opened and a record was set by the sailing ship Thermopylae - reaching Port Melbourne from England in a record 61 days 11 hours. A little later the four cylinder internal combustion engine was to be
invented and Pasteur had discovered 'germs'. It's little wonder these wines continue to be collected and celebrated as treasures of world viticultural history.
Barossa Valley Estate (BVE) was formed in 1984 by 80 grape growers who formed a co-operative to produce their own wine. Each year, the group carefully hand picks the finest Shiraz grapes for their renowned E & E Black Pepper Shiraz.
Tasting note:This wine is a super saturate of colour with paint like cling to the sides of the glass. Opaque black purple colour with black purple hue. The nose displays lifted notes of dark plum, mocha, vanilla and confectionary followed by some liquorice allsorts displaying excellent varietal character and intensity. The palate is a flavour concentrate with mouthfilling voluptuous flavours of dark chocolate, ripe plum, blackberry, liquorice and confectionary, with some spice and black pepper making an appearance on the back palate. Outstanding depth of flavour. Very fine grained velvet like tannin structure. Long aftertaste of blackpepper, ripe plum, liquorice and confectionary. One of the best E&E’s produced in recent memory and one that re-establishes the wine as a Barossa benchmark. A magnificent example of Barossa Shiraz.
Cellar 5-8 years (2014-2017)
15.0% Alc
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Rec
Retail
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A$108.20 |
Bottle Price
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A$79.99 |
Dozen Price
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A$959.88 |
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