| ~ Summer Mixed Dozen $199 (Value $247) ~ | |
| This month we’ve had the pleasure of putting together a sparkling and still rosè, an aged marsanne, a German pinot gris, a French picpoul and a local chardonnay from the Yarra Valley. For the reds we have a juicy Barossan grenache blend, two Victorian reds- a pinot and a spicy shiraz, an Italian montepulciano d’abruzzo, a southern French carignan blend and a plump Hilltops cabernet from NSW. De Bortoli Rococo Rosè, Yarra Valley, VIC $24 A new release in an elaborately detailed bottle this delicately structured wine shows characters of strawberry and cream with a fine and persistant bubble that refreshes and enlivens the palate. 2002 Tahbilk Marsanne Museum Release, Nagambie, VIC $23 Tahbilk winery has been part of the Purbrick Family since 1925 and their aged marsanne remains one of the best value and most delicious Australian wines. Toasty notes of buttercake, spice and orange blossom are held together by a ripe and firm thread of acid. A perfect match with roast chicken. 2007 JL Wolf Villa Pinot Gris, Pfalz, Germany $24 Ernst Loosen of the world renowned Dr Loosen (Mosel) bought this estate in the Pflaz over 10 years ago. The wines have progressively gone from strength to strength and this characterful pinot gris typifies the Pfalz- quartz like minerals and earthy notes interlaced with pear drop and white blossom. 2008 Over The Shoulder Chardonnay, Yarra Valley, VIC $21 This is produced by rising star David Bicknell at Oakridge Estate. There are three wines in the range, each representing great value and quality. This generously fruited chardonnay has a lovely core of nectarine and grapefruit with great line and length. 2008 Caves Ormarine Picpoul de Pinet Sur Lie, Languedoc, France $23 Made from the picpoul grape this is a zesty, tangy and minerally wine that really makes the mouth water. Picpoul means ‘lip stinger’ in relation to the grapes lively acidity and sur lie refers to ageing on lees which adds texture and broadens the mouth feel. A great aperitif! 2009 Chalmers Negroamaro Rosato, Mildura, VIC $17 The Chalmers family are amongst the first to introduce Italian grape varietals to Australia. The success of some of these plantings in dry growing areas such as Mildura is great for long term viability. This rosato from the negroamaro grape shows dark berries and black cherries with a savoury dry and gripping finish. 2007 R Wines Chateau Chateau Skull Grenache Mataro, Barossa, SA $20 Chateau Chateau is an experiment in single vineyard Barossa Grenache from distinct sub-regions within the Barossa Valley. This blend of 60% grenache and 40% mataro is their entry level wine that overshoots its mark in quality. Ripe and intense raspberries alongside inky black berries and firm tannins providing structure. 2009 Windy Peak Shiraz Nouveau, Victorian blend, VIC $17 A complementary blend of Victorian shiraz sourced from King Valley, Heathcote & Yarra valley combined with winemaking techniques accustomed to beaujolais (carbonic maceration). An alluring nose of spicy red and black berries leads into a juicy and fine boned red that errs on the ‘too easy to drink’ side. A beauty! 2007 Chateau Coupe Roses Minervois ‘La Bastide’, Languedoc, France $26 Equal parts of carignan and grenache with a splash of shiraz. Supple dark fruits flesh out the palate with hints of aniseed and violets wrapped around a tight bunch of tannins and fine acidity. By the way, coupe roses is French palaver for ‘rosy cheeks’- which are an added bonus after a few glasses of this wine! 2008 Gran Sasso Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Abruzzo, Italy $15 Abruzzo lies in the central belt of Italy along the west coast facing out towards the Adriatic Sea. For historical reasons however it is grouped into the southern Italian region. This plushly fruited wine is a mouth filler – dark chocolate and black cherries dominate with the trademark Italian tannins in the background. 2008 Long Road Cabernet Sauvignon, Hilltops, NSW $18 This is a great example from the upcoming Hilltops region in central New South Wales. Winner of the 2009 Jimmy Watson Trophy for their shiraz, this sister cabernet has a juicy core of spicy red currants, black berries and aniseed. 2008 Mt Moriac Pinot Noir, Geelong, VIC $19 Located to the west of Geelong in the foothills of Mt Moriac this lighter styled pinot noir is a lovely honest drop. Sour cherries and subtle allspice notes dominant the palate while the fine tannins and acidity play a supportive structure role. TO ORDER: Please call us on (03) 9654 6657 |
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