The Future's Bright, The Future's Orange*

The Future's Bright, The Future's Orange*

  13:36    Stu.

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The Orange region first came to my attention when, for a while, it appeared I might be posted to West Wyalong, NSW - a mere 220KMs from the town of orange. Being a diligent, and often thirsty, sort I did my homework.  Starting to sample the wines of Orange.  The move never transpired, but the awareness of the Orange GI did. The Orange GI is fairly unique in Australia in that it is...

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Bella Riva King Valley Sangiovese Merlot 2009

Bella Riva King Valley Sangiovese Merlot 2009

  14:16    Stu.

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Like with a blossoming romance, this wine revealed more of itself to me over time.  Initially plummy, savoury aromas following through to a medium bodied savoury palate.  The finish, drying with rustic tannin. It called out for food, Spaghetti alla Puttanesca...

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Hoddles Creek Estate Chardonnay 2010

Hoddles Creek Estate Chardonnay 2010

  14:02    Stu.

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I'd previously only tried the 2005 offering from Hoddles but do have a 2006 and 2007 to look forward too.  Having tasted this wine, I wanted to open a Chablis to compare it to.  A dose of manflu put paid to that and has delayed the posting of this note.   Whilst...

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MDV Eden Valley Grenache 2008

MDV Eden Valley Grenache 2008

  13:18    Stu.

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It's interesting to note that the winemaker calls this wine "the Pinot of the Barossa" for, as a Grenache, it is rather light and perfumed - akin indeed to a Pinot. On the nose, initially quite an intense perfume.  Grenache varietal aromas - that I went looking...

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Grove Estate Shiraz Viognier 2010

Grove Estate Shiraz Viognier 2010

  11:03    Stu.

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For the techs amongst you: 8 day ferment in two tonne open fermenters, 20% whole bunch Shiraz; plunged 3-4 times per day - Shiraz and Viognier together - straight out of the fermenters into barrel.  Mostly hogsheads, 100% French oak, of which 30% is new, across a range of Coopers. The wine, familiar aromatic lift of Apricot and violets from the 6% - 100% whole bunch - Viognier - added on...

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Mike Press Adelaide Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Mike Press Adelaide Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

  10:18    Stu.

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Mike Press represents fantastic value - $150 per dozen anyone?  Well, when you can find the wines that is.  I managed to bag some Shiraz before they sold out and swapped a bottle with a colleague who had bought some of the Cabernet. Undeniably Cabernet with...

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Domaine Vincent Paris La Geynale Cornas 2009

Domaine Vincent Paris La Geynale Cornas 2009

  09:56    Stu.

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I'm a relative newcomer to Cornas.  Limited budget and limited tasting experience have denied me the pleasures until now.  Although the few experiences I have had leave me fearing I'm now like the teenager who has worked out it is not just for pissing out of,...

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Murray Street Vineyards Mataro 2004

Murray Street Vineyards Mataro 2004

  20:35    Stu.

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What I like about an example of Mataro more than a few years old, is that you know the winemaker has an appreciation of the grape and is somewhat ahead of the current trend for producing straight varietal wines. This example, at 7 years old, is from 50 year old(ish) vines in the Dorrien sub-region (it doesn't appear on my map but appears to be around where the North Para river runs across the...

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Vietti Tasting – Luca Currado

Vietti Tasting – Luca Currado

  19:18    Stu.

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As I embark on this journey and pursue my liquid education, there are occasions where I am fortunate enough to come across wines that make you weep.  And then there are those moments when you come across wines that make your nipsy shrink by their sheer dazzling beauty and brilliance.  To find such wines with a storyteller as charismatic as Luca Currado is a truly enlightening experience.  Roero...

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