Paul Ippolito Talks Wine: Volume 22

With Paul Ippolito

Something Special To Impress

Kay Brothers Amery Vineyards Block 6 Shiraz 2004
This is the pinnacle label in the Kay Brothers Amery collection. This McLaren Vale wine is produced from handpicked grapes and off 112 year old vines. The first word that comes to mind after the initial taste is opulence, shortly followed by indulgence. Deep dark blackish in colour, the wine exudes power and concentration from the nose. Alluringly and intense ripe blackberry and succulent plum liqueur like characters emanate. Still quite young and assertive, the tannin structure is huge, the oak is starting to meld with the fruit and whilst it is quite good drinking now, you can just tell this is building to a crescendo in year to come. A big rich back palate to the wine that reflects the fruit, oak, tannins and alcohol with a lingering velvety finish ensues. Try this with a medium grilled New York cut. Drink Now to 2024. $50ish. 95/100.

Value For Money Drinking

Tyrrells Old Winery Chardonnay 2006
This is a really successful label from the Tyrrells stable that has delivered more than its fair share of good quality wine at an affordable price consistently over the years. A lovely vibrant greeny straw colour that exudes succulent fruit characters such as typical peach and melon, luscious ripe figs and nutty oak. Aromatic and appealing on the nose, the wine delivers with long well rounded fruit flavours, soft acidity and subtle oak nuances. Try with seasoned roast bbq chicken. Drink Now. $15ish. 90/100.

Spoil Yourself

Capercaillie "The Cuillin" Hunter Valley Chardonnay 2005
This is one of the best Hunter Valley Chardonnay's I have tried in ages. Not surprisingly it is crafted by highly regarded winemaker, Alasdair Sutherland. Lemony yellow, it is an alluring and classy white wine that does have its share of oak treatment but delivers the goods in a balanced and highly drinkable fashion. You get your classic varietal peach, melon, touch of citrine, figs and butterscotch along with a hint of allspice as well as a touch of leesy character. Delivered with accompanying soft acidity, it provides creamy finish and what ensues is a well rounded drop made in a medium dry style with seamlessness. Try this with grilled prawns. Drink Now to 2011. About $21. 93/100.

Cellar This One

Jamiesons Run Coonawarra Winemakers Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec 2002
This is the top shelf wine for this label and a damn fine example of what they are capable of doing through an excellent vintage, very good winemaking, judicious blending and maturity prior to release. Yes I did enjoy this fine drop so be prepared for me to wax lyrically hereon. Deep rich opulent blackish purple. Powerful and complex – alluring luscious and intense ripe fruit. Yet also balanced and seamless drinking. Pure, distinct and concentrated black fruits – blackcurrants, blueberries and blackberries abound. Smooth velvety tannins, integrated seamless oak with nutmeg and spicy oak nuances – this just lingers and lingers down the throat. Bring me more please. Try this with roast beef.  Drink Now to 2022. $55 ish. 95/100.

Let's Try Something Different

Austin’s Wines “sixfootsix” Pinot Noir 2005
This wine caught my attention for a number of reasons – the Geelong region of Southern Victoria is an underrated region when it comes to recognising Pinot Noir, winemaker Richard Austin makes a wide range of highly drinkable well styled varietal wines and finally this particular wine’s relatively affordable Pinot price tag. A glorious plum red in colour, the wine exudes dark red cherries, spicy plum fruit and liquorice nuances. Fruit driven in style, it is well rounded and has a lovely velvety mouthfeel of sweetish ripe rich black fruits which makes for a delicious wine. The oak is there as are fine tannins, but the balance and drinkability is what makes this wine so good. Try it with a few grilled lamb cutlets. Drink Now – 2010. $16ish. 91/100.

Made For Holiday Drinking

Lindemans Bin 65 Chardonnay 2006
The ability to produce such consistently good Chardonnay, year in, year out for the under $10 marketplace, places Lindemans in a class of its own, particularly when you consider how much of this wine they make. For countless years, I have been drinking this as a quaffer and it always delivers the goods in the consistency stakes in line with my expectations. You get typical peach melon characters, along with citrine influences delivered in a medium dry style with soft acidity and a long well rounded finish. Try this with a Chicken Caesar salad.  Drink Now. Under $10. 86/100.

Good Red Drinking

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. Around $20. 93/100.

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, the internet and overseas. Read more of his work at www.paulippolito.com.au

About Paul Ippolito.