Paul Ippolito Talks Wine

With Paul Ippolito

Something Special

Diamond Valley Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir 2004
This has to verge on benchmark Pinot Noir. David and James Lance must be very proud of this one which emanates from their Yarra Valley vineyard. Dark garnet red with brick red tinges, the aroma profile is quite stunning. Classical Pinot aromas emit with power, complexity, impressiveness and vibrancy. Think earthy forest floor, a touch of game, truffles, and strawberry, raspberry and red cherries. A polished fragrant wine with soft lively acidity - refined, stylish and elegant - smooth fine tannins - exotically spicy and savoury in style. Drink 2006-2014. Around $60. Sensational stuff.

Boutique Drinking

Maxwell Wines Four Roads Shiraz 2004
Coming from the McLaren Vale region of South Australia, this is an elegant style Shiraz that has substance. The addition of Grenache and Viognier has assisted the smooth silky stain presentation yet does so by retaining the McLaren origins of the wine. Purple crimson violet in colour, it has a litany of aromas of blackberry, deep red sour cherry and satsuma plums. A touch of earth and a hint of spice accompany the deep fruit characters. The oak is seamless and well integrated. Drink 2006-2012. Try with pork spare ribs. Around $16.

Discover Something New

Tempus Two Copper Range Moscato 2006
Moscato should be the next big wine style, the new white sister for the burgeoning Rosé market. You heard it here first. Well it will be if I have anything to do with it and especially if these folks keep making stunning examples like this one. Winemaker Liz Jackson has made this gorgeous light yellow wine that emanates a delightful sensory awakening array of fresh tropical fruit aromas with vibrancy and vitality. What follows is gloriously ever so slight spritzy tight bubbles accompanied by ever so lightly sweet essences of passionfruit, guava, kiwifruit, musk and spice. This is just perfect Summer drinking but seriously why wait until then. Try it now with a seafood antipasto and really there is no excuse not to as it is widely available at well under $20. Oh and check out the beautifully crafted award winning copper labels on the bottle as well!

Cellar This

Mitolo Jester McLaren Vale Shiraz 2005
An inky bright purple young fresh and vibrant wine. Lashings of sweet dark liquorice with good cedary oak and coconut and spicy overtones. Deep, rich and promising. Classic blackcurrants, blueberries as well as a savoury dimension. Dark fruits follow which are well pronounced on the palate. Fine grainy tannins as well along with a good length. An excellent food wine, Try with braised lamb shanks. Value at around $28. Drink to 2015.

Indulge Yourself

D'Arenberg "The Lucky Lizard" Chardonnay 2005
Lemony yellow. A vibrant wild yeasty barrel fermented complex nose. Think an amalgam of aromas such as peach, melon, green olives, cashews and vanillin oak. Quite aromatic and impressive in nature. Distinctive and concentrated fruit flavours follow accompanied by fresh and lively acidity. A stylish Chardonnay with good length and lovely classic fruit and oak nuances on the finish making it very easy drinking. I won't tell you how they named this wine, you can read all about it on the back of the label (after you drink it and needless to say both you and the lizard should consider yourselves lucky!) Try it with fettuccine carbonara. Around $25. Drink 2006-2010.

Value Drinking

Madfish Premium White 2005
Howard park make some of the best value for money food friendly value wines on the market. This is no exception. A gorgeous light pale straw. Its aromatic nose exhibits a litany of classic white peach and sweet melon characters along with lemon and lime essences. Zesty young and fresh, the acidity is well melded with fruit flavours to deliver a smooth soft fruit driven easy drinking white wine. A good bistro style wine that will go with an array of modern Australian cuisine. Good value and respectable drinking at under $20.

Paul Ippolito is a Sydney wine writer who writes for publications across Australia, overseas and the Internet. He has spoken on ABC radio and writes a free monthly wine newsletter. Email him to subscribe..

About Paul Ippolito.