McGuigan’s 2015 Black Label Chardonnay - South Eastern Australia

EXCELLENT value with dinner party starters, and equally
main course fish, chicken, pork or creamy pasta dishes.

GREAT BUYING $10 DINNER PARTY WHITE

David Ellis

IF a bulk-buy looks to be in order as the white for that next dinner party but you don't want to appear to being something of a cheapskate by sacrificing quality for price, satisfy quality and price with McGuigan's 2015 Black Label Chardonnay.

Because here's a great drop that's just $10 a bottle – and as little as $8 by the half- or dozen-bottle lot at some of the major chains – and when you taste it, you'll be wondering why it's not up to nearly double that.

Blended from fruit from across south-eastern Australia, this is a wine that's rich with tropical-fruit and melon flavours, has a touch of oak and an almost creamy palate, and not surprisingly has been the cornerstone white of the highly-popular Black Label range for many years.

Great to kick-off that dinner party with pre-mains finger foods, it's then equally at home with a whole range of main-course fish, chicken, pork or creamy pasta dishes.



for week beginning 29 August 2016

2014 Angus the Bull Cabernet Sauvignon

'FESSING up has brought Angus back to a
more balanced and food-friendly drop.

#winewednesday

ONE TO NOTE:  HAMISH MacGowan had a confession when he released his 2014 Angus the Bull Cabernet Sauvignon mid this year – and that was that he had fallen into the trap of making a wine for himself in recent vintages rather than for his loyal fans, and so with his 2014 had gone back to a more balanced and food-friendly drop.

And those loyal fans will be glad he did, for here is a traditional Angus the Bull to go with a good piece of prime beef: medium to full-bodied with ripe black-fruit flavours and firm tannins, Hamish blended fruit from Central Victoria's Heathcote (61%,) Goulburn Valley (37%) and Strathbogie Ranges (2%) for this most rewarding drop that's got a nice $22 price tag.


 26 Aug 16

2016 Leo Buring Clare Valley Dry Riesling

UP with the world's best Rieslings,
a great example from the Clare Valley.

#winewednesday

CLARE RIESLING UP WITH WORLD'S BEST

David Ellis

THE Clare Valley is the undeniable home of Australian Riesling, the first vines being planted there well over 150 years ago and the region today recognised internationally as producing amongst the world's best-of-variety.

And a now-released stunner from one of the oldest labels in the Clare is interesting in that it's not been sourced from a single carefully nurtured vineyard to result in a wine of such quality. Rather it's fruit from a company vineyard in Watervale, blended with that from a number of local growers who have been long-term suppliers.

This is the 2016 Leo Buring Clare Valley Dry Riesling, and further adding to its appeal is the price: it's just $20 a bottle, and a wine that on pouring gives off delicate floral aromas and an earthy spiciness, while on the palate it is all about forward lemon and lime flavours, steely minerality and a rewardingly crisp and acidic finish.

A drop that's ready for enjoyment now, it's also one to consider a half-dozen of to put a few away for years to come, as this is one that will get seriously better over the next six or eight years.

Pair it up with whole baked fish, or if you're after something with more flavour, Thai fish cakes and an accompanying sweet chilli sauce.


 26 Aug 16

Yellowglen 2009 Perle Vintage

PEARLER of a bubbly for
all-occasion celebrations

ONE TO NOTE: IT'S hard to believe that it is 45 years since Yellowglen first hit hotel and bottle-shop shelves across this country, and since then showing that Australia can be up there with the best when it comes to making stand-out bubblies for all-occasion celebrations.

One such that's now available and worth looking at for special events or festivities is their 2009 Perle Vintage, made from the classic sparkling wine grape varieties of Pinot Noir (60%,) Chardonnay (30%) and Pinot Meunier (10%) harvested from across select of Yellowglen's vineyards in Victoria and South Australia.

At $25 its prominent lemon zest and mineral flavours are coupled with grapefruit and nougat to make for a wonderfully elegant and memorable celebratory drop.


for week beginning 15 August 2016

Wynn’s 2013 Michael Shiraz - Coonawarra

SOMETHING of a legend, and one of the
most highly-regarded of Aussie Shiraz

SUPER SOMETHING FOR CHRISTMAS TURKEY

David Ellis

IT'S not often we get the chance to taste a $150 bottle of what is obviously up there with the very best of the best, so when that opportunity did come our way recently it proved not only one of our most memorable tasting experiences, it decided us on just what we'll be putting with the family Christmas turkey this year.

We're talking about a Wynn's Michael Shiraz from the best-of-vintage fruit off their best vineyards in Coonawarra, and made only in exceptional years when the most extraordinary of fruit is available, in this case 2013. First labelled in 1955, company proprietor David Wynn released the wine as a one-off in that year after noticing the outstanding quality of two particular barrels, and naming it Michael after his son.

It has since gone on to become something of a legend of the Australian industry, and one of the most highly-regarded of Aussie Shiraz – which is saying something. Endless layers of fruit, spice and texture are centre to this 2013, together with powdery tannins, nutty oak and suggestions of ginger.

And all of which make for it being the perfect partner with the Christmas turkey, and why all our family will be pitching-in for a couple of bottles with ours this year.

for week beginning 15 August 2016

2014 Blass Noir Barossa Valley Shiraz

AN innovative Wolf Blass label from low-yielding Barossa Valley
wines to pair with crispy duck legs roasted with plums and five-spice.

ONE TO NOTE: WOLF Blass have released a range of innovative wines under a new Blass by Wolf Blass label it says have been inspired by "a new wave of unconventional winemaking, and hand-crafted in the spirit of contemporary style and experimentation."

One stand-out is a 2014 Blass Noir Barossa Valley Shiraz that was made from fruit harvested at optimum maturity from low-yielding vineyards near Greenock on the western side of the Barossa Valley. Fruit from here is noted for its intensity and rich, bright dark-fruit flavours… in the case of this wine, blood-plum and fresh berries.

Pay $35 and pair with crispy duck legs roasted with plums and five-spice.



8.8.16

McGuigan 2010 Shortlist Eden Valley Riesling - Hunter Valley

TREAT yourself to one of the few remaining bottles of
2016's "Best Australian White Wine" from
the Hunter's Neil McGuigan, and a treat with lobster.

SPECIAL MCGUIGAN FOR SPECIAL DINING

David Ellis

IF you're a Riesling buff and the Hunter Valley's on the agenda, ensure a visit to McGuigan Wines – and that you've a lazy $65 in the wallet for a bottle of their 2010 McGuigan Shortlist Eden Valley Riesling for that next extra-special-occasion dinner.

Because they've just a few bottles remaining of this incredible drop, that won itself Trophy for Best Australian White Wine at the 2016 International Wine Challenge.

A naturally ecstatic Chief Winemaker, Neil McGuigan says the win reflects just how well this wine over-delivers at its price point. And while it's one to buy now on that upcoming Hunter visit – it's available only at the cellar door as all retail outlets have sold-out – it's one you'll also be able to pop in the cellar for some other extra-special occasion down the track, particularly with its exceptional cellaring potential.

Made from fruit off two select Eden Valley vineyards in the Barossa Ranges, this is a drop with a lovely fresh, crisp and zippy palate, wonderfully fresh-cut lime acidity, and has that beautiful minerality that the Eden Valley is so renowned for.

For that special celebratory occasion, think matching with oysters to start, and for mains grilled lobster with corn on the cob, or lobster cold with coleslaw on the side.


for week beginning 08 Aug 2016