Paul Ippolito Talks Wine: Volume 24

With Paul Ippolito

- Something Special To Impress

Majella Coonawarra Merlot 2004
Alluring, aromatic, a touch spicy and upfront with ripe fruit. Pure, persistent and distinct fruit flavours dominate. Indeed it is all plums, plums, plums, and more plums - all ripe and rich, with a touch of black cherries and a hint of mint. Distinctively Coonawarra in style, making it well balanced, not over done and seamless drinking. A long finish ensues with ultra fine tannins. One delicious Merlot. Try it with roast lamb. 
Drink Now to 2010.  About $35. 93/100.

- Value For Money Drinking

Printhie Shiraz Viognier 2005
Winemaker Robert Black put this very good value red together from grapes off vineyards near Mount Canobolas in the cool climate region of Orange in central NSW. I'm impressed by its drinkability and its price. All blackberries, plums, allspice, black olives, a hint of apricots and a touch of red earth off the nose. Soft, silky and smooth on the palate with fine tannins, integrated oak, good acidity with delicious long black fruit flavours on the finish. Try this with roast pork.
Drink Now to 2010. Under $15. 89/100.

- Go On - Spoil Yourself

D'Arenberg Adelaide Hills The Broken Fishplate Sauvignon Blanc 2006
If you asked me what Sauvignon Blanc from this region should taste like, I'd point you to this one by D'Arenberg. Light straw in colour. Classic cool climate Savvy blanc. Green peas, gooseberry, asparagus and capsicum - typically varietal. Upfront and lifted with some tropical fruit nuances.  Lean bodied with lively crisp acidity. A medium length of savoury finish with lanolin, straw, gooseberry and dried herbs ensues. A really lovely wine that Sauvignon Blanc lovers should appreciate.
Drink Now. About $15. 90/100.

- Bargain Buying

Knappstein “K” Cabernet Merlot 2004
Paul Smith, the winemaker of this red should take a bow for this one. Indeed it is one of the most drinkable reds I’ve had in a long time. Seamless and gluggable, delicious to boot. Deep dark purple crimson, it positively exudes black fruits. A fruit driven robust nose of blackcurrants, mulberries, spicy plums, blackberries, a touch of liquorice, earthiness, menthol and smokiness ensues. Alluring, complex and evolving. Sweet coconut oak, with cedary undertones, the ripe fruit and alcohol is all in sync together. The palate though is where it is really happening. Seamless, effortless drinking – velvety black fruits – pure, well balanced, well rounded and not out of kilt in any dimension. Try this with Indian cuisine.
Drink now to 2012. About $20. 93/100.

- Let's Try Something Different

Grove Estate Wines The Partners Reserve Sangiovese Nebbiolo Petit Verdot and Barbera 2004
This is an interesting red blend from this Hilltops region winery in Young, South Western NSW. A unique blend of red grape varieties. Young and fresh, purple to garnet red in colour. A touch restrained at first - needs time to open up. Deep dark red sour cherries, spicy raspberries, slight pepper and quite firm oak. The alcohol is there, the tannins are fine and you get blackberry, ripe plums and an earthiness on the finish. Try this with oven baked lamb shanks.
Drink Now to 2012. About $25. 89/100.

- Made For Celebratory Drinking

Centennial Extreme Brut
Made from this Southern Highlands winery in Southern NSW, this is a classic Pinot Noir Chardonnay blend made in a bone dry style. Tight fine bubbles on opening. Citrine influences of lemon, orange blossom are followed by toasty, dry, flinty and marmite nuances. Quite intense lemon and grapefruit flavours on the palate finishing in a dry tight and long lemon finish. A well structured sparkling wine. Drink Now. About $30. 89/100.

- Nice White Drinking

Shottesbrooke Adelaide Hills/ Fleurieu Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Light greeny straw. Vibrant and fresh. Green pea, a touch of asparagus, lemon and limes and a hint of tropical fruits. Soft acidity with a lively finish. A sound wine, medium dry in style with a long citrus fruit finish. Try it with pasta with ham and mushrooms in a cream sauce. About $18. 87/100.

- Nice Red Drinking

Southern Highlands Wines Triplepoint One Eighty Shiraz Sangiovese 2005
Eddy Rossi is the winemaker of this 60% Shiraz and 40% Sangiovese blend that seems to be just right in terms of good blending and easy drinking. It got the vox populi award the other night when I took it (and my wife) to a dinner party. Indeed it was so popular I had to wrench a taste of it before the entire bottle was heartedly consumed by the others at the rest of the table - always a good sign. Garnet red with purple hues, the wine was fresh and vibrant in its fruit profile with plums and cherries dominating. Fruit driven, ripe yet well balanced on the palate, a delicious tasting wine, medium bodied in nature, good acidity and with a savoury finish of black olives. Try it with tapas.
Drink Now to 2009. About $18. 89/100.

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.