Paul Ippolito Talks Wine: Volume 12

With Paul Ippolito

Something Special To Impress

Seppelt Mt Ida Heathcote Shiraz 2004
This is a new label under the respected Seppelt premium red range. Deep dark blackish purple in colour, it is still youthful. Intense, spice filled and broodingly aromatic in nature. Exotic dark chocolate, aniseed, spicy plums and ripe blackberries, all meld together and ooze from the glass. An elegant yet luscious wine through its ripe intense dark berry fruits on the palate. Tight at first then slowly evolves and unwinds. Good acidity, well pronounced oak and fine quite firm tannins ensue. This is a wine that needs time both in the glass and through further cellaring. Having said that it is drinking very nicely right now. Try it with Wagyu beef. Drink 2006-2020. 93/100. About $50.

Discover Something New

Fox Gordon "Abby" Viognier 2006
This single vineyard inaugural Viognier release from this Barossa Valley producer has resulted in one top notch white wine. This is luscious drinking - big time. Aromatics from the nose carry through beautifully to the palate with classically varietal apricots along with a citrine influence. Good lively acidity accompanies the fruit resulting a well balanced wine with a long finish, smoothness and subtle creaminess. Nice stuff. Try it with grilled chicken breast marinated in mango sauce. About $20. 90/100.  

Put This Away For A While

Paxton McLaren Vale Shiraz 2003
This is a really good complex Shiraz from this boutique McLaren Vale producer. Youthful deep dark purple. Earthy aromatics, pure blackberry, spicy plums, fresh black liquorice, a touch of aniseed and coconut spicy oak nuances all combine to produce a unique and really charismatic wine. Smooth, velvety and seamless through black fruits on the palate, it is well balanced and lingers long. Will develop beautifully into the future. Drink 2006-2015. Try with grilled pork cutlets. About $39. 92/100.

Celebrate Spring With This

Yarraloch "Stephanie's Dream" Chardonnay 2004
This is a classically elegant Chardonnay from a high quality boutique Yarra Valley winery. Your typical peach melon influences are underpinned with citric influences and minerally characters. Judiciously oaked, this is well structured and put together wine with a soft lingering finish. A beautiful wine to have with ocean trout, this is very nice drinking even on its own. Drink 2006-2014. About $40. 93/100.

Treat Yourself

Brokenwood Forest Edge Vineyard Orange Chardonnay 2005
This is Chardonnay from the cool climate Orange region of mid western New South Wales, not to be confused with some new found varietal that emanates into an orange coloured and flavoured Chardonnay.  Now that I have that off my chest, can I just say this drop surprised me through its complexity and yet quite forward fruit driven features. Indeed it opens up quite tight and winds up but then develops into  classically varietal peach, nectarine and almond meal in composition, with lovely lees character, quite pronounced yet with well rounded acidity and good cashew oak nuances. It comes together really well into a Chardonnay with finesse and quite a bit of power. Drinks beautifully with Thai bbq caramelized pork fillets. Around $25. Drink 2006-2012. 91/100.  

Value Drinking

Juniper Estate Cabernet Merlot 2004
This is a Margaret River West Australian winery that you should have firmly on the winery watch list. Winemaker, Mark Messenger has crafted out a respectably priced very good quality seamless drinking red wine here that has been really well blended, is balanced and really hits the mark. Rich opulent purple, you get lovely earthy blackcurrants, spicy plums and deep sour cherries in the aromatics. Good acidity, coffee oak nuances and fine tannins make up the rest of this lovely wine. Drink with bbq pork ribs. Drink 2006-2012. About $16. 90/100.

Stock Up For Christmas

Rosemount Gold Label Chardonnay 2006
A pale greeny yellow straw exhibiting its youthfulness. Light and fresh. Typically peach and melon, hints of nutty oak and good minerally acidity, with the lightest touch of ripe fruit essence as well as being lightly oaked, make this a more elegant than upfront Chardonnay. Drink 2006-2009. About $16, but can be found for less. Try with roast turkey. 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.