Paul Ippolito Talks Wine: Volume 11

With Paul Ippolito

Something Special To Impress

Nicolas Feuillatte Palmes d'or Champagne Brut Vintage 1997
This is a classic French Champagne consisting of a Chardonnay (60%) and Pinot Noir (40%) blend. Pale gold, tight, elegant and restrained at first. Citrus lemon and oranges emanating from the glass. All of this leading to a smooth full bodied complexity on the palate along with a extended creamy finish. A great wine with panache and style. Try it with pork belly with caramelised scallops and pea puree. 

About $200. 95/100.

Discover Something New

Hillcrest Estate Pinot Noir 2004
This premium boutique Yarra Valley producer is gaining much acclaim with the high quality of its wines. Reddish crimson in colour, this is young, floral and fragrant in its aroma delivery. Lovely fresh strawberries, resplendent raspberries and deep sour cherries all flow through. Some hints of gameyness and cinnamon add to the wine's complexity. Medium bodied, silky in finish with dominant strawberries on the palate. Purity of fruit emanates all the way onto the finish. Try this with BBQ swordfish with char grilled vegetables. Have now and over the next 3-4 years.

Around $33. 90/100.

Put This Away For A While

Wedgetail Estate Shiraz 2004
This one comes from Guy Lamothe who also operates a boutique winery in the Yarra Valley. The wines are made in the artisan style, hand crafted and tended and the quality of the grapes reflects in the wines. His Pinot Noir, that I have reviewed previously indeed is very good and this Shiraz has also been very well crafted. The ripeness of the fruit is really good and the balance of the wine through oak, acidity and smooth fine tannins, makes it very nice drinking now. Smooth well rounded blackberry and spicy plum fruit on the palate, lingers long, calling for food such as roast pork. Drink from 2006-2014 plus. 

Around $40. 90/100.  

Celebrate Spring With This

Killara Park Estate Chardonnay 2005
These wine folks, the Palazzo family, are serious about their winemaking and this reflects in the quality of their wines. Michael Kyberd is the winemaker who crafted this classically varietal example of Yarra Valley Chardonnay. All peach, melon, ripe figs, a swirl of butterscotch and quite pronounced cashew oak on the nose. The palate reflects a well structured luscious rich creamy palate with loads of character and a long length of finish that is very moreish. It is quite a big Chardonnay but has good soft acidity to maintain its structure and finesse. Drink 2006-2010. 

Around $25. 90/100.

Treat Yourself

Tarrawarra Estate Chardonnay 2004
A stunningly delicious wine. That’s it - review over - back to polishing the bottle off! No, seriously, this light straw coloured white from the Yarra Valley has a gorgeous litany of lemon, grapefruit and minerally aromas. It is tight and elegant, youthful with crisp lively acidity to support the fruit characters. Complexity through wild yeast characters, judicious oak, resulting in balanced and classic drinking with beautiful peach melon creaminess on the finish. Delightful to have whilst sharing a seafood platter. Drink 2006-2016.

About $40. 94/100.

Value Drinking

Jacob’s Creek Reserve Shiraz Rosè 2006
Rosè is the wine buzz drink for this Summer. And why wouldn’t it being a wine style that doesn’t take itself too seriously yet has reinvented itself so well over the past few years through judicious and more considered winemaking across the country. This has turned what was a passé style into a hip happening fun wine. The quality of winemaking from this Jacobs Creek Reserve label has been extraordinarily good and excellent value. This one is just spot on with lashings of sweet ripe fruit, soft well rounded acidity and a lovely finish that just lingers strawberry and blackberry fruit nuances. Perfect with a mezzè platter. 

Well priced at $16, but found for less. 88/100.

Wine Rating Scale - Out Of 100 Points

98-100 – Exceptional – A truly world class wine
95-97 – Superb – A memorable drinking experience
91-94 – Excellent – A wonderful mix of a top wine at a decent price
88-90 - Very Good – Really well made wine that should impress
85-87 – Good – Honest everyday drinking

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.