Cabernet Merlot by Brad 2008

Cabernet Merlot by Brad 2008

  14:28    Stu.

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Perception can be a dangerous thing.  I have this image of "Brad" (based purely on his twitter stream) as a cool, surf riding dude who, whilst often falling foul of his partner Becky, manages to knock out some top notch well packaged wines in his spare time.  When...

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Karra Yerta Eden Valley Riesling 2006

Karra Yerta Eden Valley Riesling 2006

  11:34    Stu.

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A wine tasting fail. Before I explain myself, I must say that this is nigh the perfect Australian Riesling: a greenish hue to a core of gold. Now, I opened this one night and just shared a glass with the good lady, taking some new Riedels she had gifted me for a spin.  I didn't take any notes, thinking I would revisit the following day. However, on revisiting the following lunch...

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David Franz Old Redemption x.o.

David Franz Old Redemption x.o.

  14:45    Stu.

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I love wine stories.  David Franz Lehmann is one of the sons of Barossan legend Peter Lehmann.  David has had a rather interesting career; graphic designer being one of them and this shows in the beautiful packaging that all his wines are renowned for.  The...

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Teusner Avatar 2005

Teusner Avatar 2005

  14:37    Stu.

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I opened this for my wife the day after Boxing Day, she was looking for something "good" and knowing her fondness for Barossan beauties, I pulled this number out. This was a perfect example of how a good decant can help a slightly older wine shake off its cobwebs...

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Dutschke Gods Hill Road Four Vineyards 2005 Shiraz

Dutschke Gods Hill Road Four Vineyards 2005 Shiraz

  08:48    Stu.

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Suffice to say I'd never really known what "funkiness" was in wines, or more specifically what a writer was referring to when it was referenced in a tasting note. On Christmas Day my wife and I cracked a Witches Falls 2006 Syrah (see previous post) and the immediate...

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Christmas Day Wines Round-Up

Christmas Day Wines Round-Up

  11:52    Stu.

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Being a 1 grand Pom (10 pounds adjusted for inflation and about the cost of a flight these days), I find it hard to discard the need to have a full on roast dinner for Christmas. That said, eating in our household is all about over-catering and focussing on Boxing Day where we eat Boxing Day Pie - a pie made from left over Christmas dinner ingredients.  Not to be missed. Here's a round-up...

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Ashton Hills Vineyard 2008 Pinot Noir Estate

Ashton Hills Vineyard 2008 Pinot Noir Estate

  08:45    Stu.

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I had the privilege of participating in what I termed a "Cultural Exchange" with Chris Plummer of the Australian Wine Journal.  Chris had commented on one of my previous posts, for a rather unmemorable wine, that he had been yearning to try some Queensland for a while now.  My end of the deal a Robert Channon Verdelho, in return I receive this.  Chris wins. First up, I tasted this...

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Rabbit Ranch 2008 Pinot Noir

Rabbit Ranch 2008 Pinot Noir

  11:40    Stu.

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I believe this wine has the dubious honour of being the first non-Australian wine posted up on the site.  I'm not waging my own one-man "All for One Wine" campaign, it is more a reflection on my budget and the fact that in the main buy my own wines. Typical Central...

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Teusner Salsa Rosé 2009

Teusner Salsa Rosé 2009

  16:55    Stu.

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"Spicy, seductive and alluring..." leads the intro on the back of the bottle.  I probably need not write any more of this offering from Teusner in the Barossa Valley. Teusner are a winery that have really engaged social media, to the point where their daily weather...

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Logan Hannah Rosé 2010

Logan Hannah Rosé 2010

  16:52    Stu.

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Another wine received for the Rosé Revolution. Made from Shiraz (60%), Cabernet Franc (20%) and Pinot Noir (20%), the Hannah offers delicate aromas of Strawberry and Raspberry.  Having been perusing some cook books, prior to tasting, in preparation for some Christmas drinks my wife and I are hosting, I was minded that the colour of the wine is very similar to baked rhubarb, of which...

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Domaine Lucci 2010 Wildman Pinot Noir

Domaine Lucci 2010 Wildman Pinot Noir

  16:49    Stu.

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Domaine Lucci and Anton van Klopper seem to have a profound affect on me.  I'd never heard of either until about early November 2010, then in one of those strange moments of synchronicity, I came across Mr Klopper, or the fruits of his labours about four times in...

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KT & The Falcon 2009 Peglidis Watervale Riesling

KT & The Falcon 2009 Peglidis Watervale Riesling

  21:28    Stu.

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I really like single vineyard wines, I just feel they have a bit more of a story to tell with the ability to point to a block of vines and a patch and say "this is from where I came".  To that end its a shame when a winery doesn't back up that story with having an up to date website. The aroma provides hallmark Watervale Riesling fruit: varietal apple and citrus, particularly the familiar...

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Vinteloper Wines 2010 McLaren Vale Rosé

Vinteloper Wines 2010 McLaren Vale Rosé

  12:09    Stu.

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I've had the good fortune to meet winemaker David Bowley and to try a number of wines from his portfolio.  I have disclose that I am a fan of his work.  What most impresses me is David's passion in letting the fruit shine through in his wines.  As...

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2010 Swinging Bridge Rosé

2010 Swinging Bridge Rosé

  13:11    Stu.

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Swinging Bridge Vineyard was first planted in 1995, with initial plantings of Shiraz and Chardonnay. Located to the South of Canonwindra (which I've learned is pronounced Canoundra) in the Central Ranges of NSW. This wine came to me via David Cumming at Define Wine. Whilst...

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Sparrow & Vine 2010 Eden Valley Grenache Rosé

Sparrow & Vine 2010 Eden Valley Grenache Rosé

  13:11    Stu.

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The Grenache for this Rosé is from Noel Doecke's vineyard in Gawler Park Road, not too far from Angaston I am informed.  It's made by Wayne Ahrens, the proprietor of Smallfry Wines, and is made to specification for Brendan Hilferty who many may know on Twitter as @thewinepoint.  Whilst that is Brendan's day job and the one that pays the bills, this Rosé is the first release from a...

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Cirillo 1850 Old Vine 2010 Grenache Rosé

Cirillo 1850 Old Vine 2010 Grenache Rosé

  18:30    Stu.

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A good friend of mine, he masquerades as TwoGlassTaste on Twitter, stocks some of Cirillo's wine via his own website southerncrosswines.com.au. He was generous to bring this around as part of the RoseRev festivities (or the Toowong Revolutionary Planning Council as I started to think of it). The first thing about this wine: a beautiful bright fuschia pink. Its a dark wine, I've seen lighter coloured...

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De Bortoli Yarra Valley Estate Grown Pinot Noir Rosé 2010

De Bortoli Yarra Valley Estate Grown Pinot Noir Rosé 2010

  18:30    Stu.

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Feeling a touch under the weather in the lead up to the Rosé revolution left me a little unsure as to how my palate was going to hold up to a significant tasting - more importantly, could I do the wines justice? Rosé to me just speaks of Summer. The perfect accompaniment...

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McWilliam's Mount Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon 2005

McWilliam's Mount Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon 2005

  08:45    Stu.

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The Mount Pleasant "Lizzy" typically offers excellent drinking for a wine that has been winery aged for four years. However "Lizzy" has caused much discussion amongst wine folk of late, for McWilliam's has released an Elizabeth branded wine as a young 'un - a 2010 Elizabeth. Further, for many of the pro reviewers, it appeared that this wine, the 2005, had skipped a release cycle and hasn't been...

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Call Out The Instigators: The Rosé Revolution

Call Out The Instigators: The Rosé Revolution

  09:33    Stu.

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The Rose Revolution is nearly here!  On Tuesday 30th November wine lovers across the world will unite physically and virtually to share in the revolution aimed at increasing awarenes of pale, dry textural Rosé wine. To help you get involved, the website www.meetup.com/RoseRevolution has a graphical representation of where events are happening.  Do yourself a favour, get yourself along...

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2009 Moppity Vineyards Estate Shiraz

2009 Moppity Vineyards Estate Shiraz

  19:35    Stu.

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It was this wine that first brought Moppity Wines to my attention.  An excellent review on the Winefront had me yearning to find some.  Jason Brown, proprietor and winemaker, was gracious enough to point me in the direction of some stockists in the Brisbane...

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Zema Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

Zema Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

  21:24    Stu.

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If there were such a thing as a BYOFaves... family tree, then there would be a direct link between this blog and Zema Estate. In a previous post I wrote of some shared great times and of some great wines that were introduced to me as a result of a Wine Without BS dinner held in South Australia. Present at that dinner was none other than Zema Estate winemaker Greg Clayfield. At the recent Brisbane...

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De Bortoli Windy Peak Yarra Valley Dry Rosé 2010

De Bortoli Windy Peak Yarra Valley Dry Rosé 2010

  19:35    Stu.

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Revolutions start for a variety of reasons: ideology, challenging the orthodox view, seizing a moment when a groundswell of opinion carries an idea forward. It could be said that the Rosé Wine Revolution is about all three of those; or it could just be about promoting a great style of wine that hasn't been too prominent in Australia. The Rosé Wine Revolution is being championed by one of Australia's...

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Sirromet Seven Scenes Finito Rosso NV

Sirromet Seven Scenes Finito Rosso NV

  08:57    Stu.

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Purchased on a visit to Sirromet's Mount Countain Cellar Door and Winery with in-laws. Whatever your views on Queensland's wine industry, Sirromet's CD is a worthy tourist destination. The grounds are well kept, the CD a pleasant environment and Lurleen's restaurant is an excellent dining proposition. The wine is a tawny brown colour wine with a fairly bitter hint of black strap molasses on...

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Tamburlaine Hunter Valley 2007 Member's Reserve Verdelho

Tamburlaine Hunter Valley 2007 Member's Reserve Verdelho

  10:19    Stu.

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In researching the winery, I was surprised to learn that they are Australia's largest producer of organic wines. I had to revisit to see if this was a recent accreditation, but no there on the bottle, discreetly, was the word organic. It leads you to think that organic production is more a philosophy than a sales gimmick. The wine's aroma speaks of stone fruits, a touch of lychee and typical...

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Feedback

Feedback

  11:19    Stu.

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Hello... If anyone is out there, reading/ following...I'd be grateful if you have feedback. * If you're familiar with the wines mentioned, do they convey how you found the wines? * If you're not familiar with the wines, do you get a 'feel' for them? Wine is probably one of the most subjective 'things' out there, but also one that generates much opinion, comment and debate. I would be...

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Mount Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon 2006

Mount Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon 2006

  20:17    Stu.

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Many consider Semillon to be the Hunter Valley's signature variety. I'm not going to argue with this viewpoint, there are many far more informed than I, and I'm certainly starting to enjoy what the region has to offer as I take myself on this vinous journey. Mount Pleasant's Elizabeth Semillon is traditionally released as a four year old wine - as is the case here. However, starting in 2010...

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Moppity Vineyards Lock and Key Shiraz Shiraz 2008

Moppity Vineyards Lock and Key Shiraz Shiraz 2008

  13:06    Stu.

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The 'stain' of having convict ancestry was something not many folks spoke of in the early and mid parts of the last century.  Not so for Moppity owner Jason Brown who embraces his 2nd fleet convict lineage, paying tribute to humble beginnings with his Lock and Key range. The range features single vineyard wines,  from mature, low-yielding vines and represents extraordinary value. ...

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Couple of Quick Tastings

Couple of Quick Tastings

  18:06    Stu.

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Popped into the brilliant Purple Palate {www.purplepalate.com.au} in Brisbane. The guys put on regular tastings toward the back of the store, dispensed from the Enomatic. There were a couple of standouts for me:  Riorret The Abbey Pinot Noir 2008 Made by De Bortoli Chief Steve Webber, the wine displayed typical aromas of ripe cherry; an incredible lightness both in the glass and on the...

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An Ode to Riesling

An Ode to Riesling

  13:48    Stu.

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One thing I failed to mention from last  week's outpouring of love for the Rizza, were a couple of ditties that were penned in its honour.  The first was from myself: With your acid, length and line; With your flavours of citrus: lemon & lime; Oh #Riesling what you mean to me; Perfectly refreshing summery. The second came from Angela Clifford of New Zealand's...

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Riesling

Riesling

  13:10    Stu.

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A road trip from Melbourne to the Barossa Valley in early 2009 introduced two grape varieties that had, until then, not been at the forefront of my mind: Grenache and Riesling. My fondness for Grenache has already been documented in an earlier post in support of International Grenache Day. This is Riesling's turn in the spotlight. Living in Queensland, there comes a certain point in the year...

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International Grenache Day - 24th September

International Grenache Day - 24th September

  14:43    Stu.

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It was a little like the girl at school you know of, but have never spoken to. Your paths have crossed on a few occasions, how could they not? But you’d never plucked up the courage to talk.  She wasn’t one of the girls in the “cool-kids” group, but is certainly attractive. Maybe, to you, she was a late bloomer. Then, an introduction through some mutual friends leads to you hitting it...

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Black Pearl Epicure: Exclusive Hand Picked Wines

Black Pearl Epicure: Exclusive Hand Picked Wines

  10:18    Stu.

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I was fortunate enough to be invited to a tasting of some exclusive French imports. The wines haven't been seen in Australia as yet and are being imported by the The One Hundred Wine label on behalf on well known Brisbane providores Black Pearl Epicure. My first thought, maybe naively, when it comes to French wines is "expensive". Thus I was very impressed by the quality on offer at what I...

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Samuel's Gorge Tasting

Samuel's Gorge Tasting

  11:37    Stu.

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To me Twitter has been a fantastic way of hooking into the Australian wine community, enabling me to connect with local scribes, wineries and distributors. It was through said medium that I learn that renowned McLaren Vale producer Samuel's Gorge is coming to Brisbane on the 9th September to conduct a public tasting at the Grand Central Hotel on Ann Street - immediately in front of Central Station. There...

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A Couple of Stickies

A Couple of Stickies

  14:38    Stu.

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My good wife sneakily arranged to take me to dinner recently, even going as far as to deceive me by arrange for some friends to look after our daughter. I'm not complaining mind. The destination was a local restaurant where we have eaten on a few occasions previous: Two Small Rooms. As ever, the food was sublime. Good quality fare, probably best placed in the 'bistro' category. Its name...

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Wine and Friends

Wine and Friends

  13:02    Stu.

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There is something rather warming in being able to share a bottle of something with friends. It doesn't necessarily have to be something special; some cheap sparkles to celebrate a birthday, a chilled Rose at a BBQ, a bottle of that great Shiraz from your holiday to the Hunter - each has a place, a moment and an opportunity to introduce friends to a part of you. So it was that I invited some friends...

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