Paul Ippolito Talks Wine: Volume 15

With Paul Ippolito

Something Special To Impress

Chain Of Ponds The Ledge Shiraz 2002
Notwithstanding modern day winemaking advances that allow the release of good easy drinking reds within 18 months of vintage as well as the wine consumers general propensity to drink the stuff almost immediately upon purchase, here is a very fine example as to why we should leave this red wine stuff alone for a good whilst we let all its elements meld together. This Adelaide Hills cool climate Shiraz is just spot on drinking. Aromatic deep and broodingly rich blackberry and earthy plums, dried herbs and subtle liquorice characters emit to make for a complex nose. Smooth black fruits lingering with lively acidity, fine grainy tannins and seamless oak make for a very well balanced red, with a savoury style finish. Try this with roast rack of lamb. Drink 2006-2014. $30ish. 93/100. 

Value Drinking

Majella Coonawarra Riesling 2006
This is one delicious Riesling. It is so well balanced and seamless and brings together its fruit and acidity components beautifully to reflect what I have been telling you for so long now - Riesling is an undervalued top quality varietal especially when the right people are making it. This is very good stuff, made by the right people, albeit they are even more renown for their reds. This has lovely fruit driven aromatics of lemons, pears, ripe apple and a touch of passionfruit. An ever so slight developed fruit ripe character on the nose makes it very appealing to drink and it just glides effortlessly down the throat that you will be seriously regretting it if you didn’t buy at least a second bottle. Try this with tuna carpaccio. Drink 2006-2016. $20 ish. 93/100.

Indulge Yourself

Mount Majura Rose` 2006
This Canberra produced wine made from Pinot Noir is a lovely salmon cherry red and has a glorious ripe fruit driven nose full of strawberries and raspberries. Succulent and luscious, a delight to drink. Very good acidity with a lively fresh texture. A touch savoury on the finish. Try this with gourmet pizza. $15ish. 91/100.

Put This In Your Cellar

Nugan Estate McLaren Parish Vineyard Shiraz 2003.
McLaren Vale Shiraz rocks. It really does. Especially this one – made in the European rather than typically Aussie bold fruit driven style. A litany of red and black fruits on the nose. Think earthy plums, sour cherries, rich blackberry then complexity through layers of subtle liquorice, dried herb nuances, black olives and coffee nuances. Succulent, lively fresh integrated fruit on the palate. Lingers long, with grainy fine tannins and good oak influence. Try this with grilled scotch fillet with mushroom sauce. Drink 2006-2015. 93/100.

Something Different

Taylors St Andrews Bottle Aged Riesling 2001
Intensely and advanced floral characters on the nose with lemons, limes and apples, dried herbs and a touch of classic aged kerosene notes. Aged, complex and developing fruit characters. Soft well rounded citrine and toasty characters on the palate. A touch minerally with lively fresh crisp acidity. Drink now - 2016. Try with grilled barramundi fillets. $35ish. 89/100.

Holiday Drinking

Mitchelton Blackwood Park Riesling 2006
This comes from the Goulburn River region of Central Victoria and Blackwood Park has long been one of the established and respected names in Australian Riesling circles. I remember examples in my vinous youth being more fruit driven in style whereas this more modern version is drier, more austere, minerally and citrine in nature. Classy and well structured are my early impressions, the lemon and lime characters being quite forward but with very good firm lively acidity supporting it. Lean and lemony with a long crisp finish. Try this with grilled perch. Drink 2006-2016. $15ish. 88/100.

Good White Drinking

Mount Langi Ghiran Riesling 2006
Pure white in colour. Tropical fruits on the nose, quite intense with lychees and passionfruit flowing. Quite floral and fragrant. Soft lively acidity follows with minerally overtones and a smooth finish. Try this with steamed dim sims. Around $16ish. Drink Now to 2016. 87/100.

Good Red Drinking

Pirramimma Stocks Hills Shiraz 2004
Youthful vibrant purple crimson. Aromatic and fragrant dark fruits. Think blackberries, blueberries and raspberries. Fruit driven and generous in style. A soft well rounded mouthfeel, lingering long with good alcohol and oak influences. A balanced red. Good value at about $15ish. Try with grilled lamb patties. Drink now to 2014.  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.