Paul Ippolito Talks Wine: Volume 25

With Paul Ippolito

- Something Special To Impress

Port Phillip Estate Pinot Noir 2005
 
Sandro Mosele, winemaker crafts this Pinot Noir from this excellent Mornington Peninsula winery in Southern Victoria. Purple crimson in colour, it exudes youth. Indeed very tight and restrained at first in emitting its aromas. Then slowly unwinding to reveal layers of complexity. Fragrant violets, rhubarb, red berry fruits, along with dusty characters. Gameyness and black truffles follow suit.  Smooth, velvety plums, sour cherries and black fruits on the palate. Big ripe gripping tannins, well developed oak characters and soft acidity ensues. Try this with grilled pork ribs in a spicy plum sauce.

Drink Now to 2015. About $32. 92/100.

- Go On - Spoil Yourself

Watershed Unoaked Chardonnay 2006

A delightful fruit driven pure style of Unwooded Chardonnay from a Margaret River Western Australian producer that is turning heads with the quality of its wines. Tight fresh nectarines, nutmeg spice and light tropical nuances all exude from this classy wine. Pears and peaches flow onto the palate providing a soft well rounded finish. A balanced wine that lingers long. Excellent value and gorgeous fruit characters make this a wine to remember. One of the best Unwooded Chardonnays I have had in a long while.

Drink Now. About $17. 91/100.

- Bargain Buying

Orlando Gramps Botrytis Semillon 2004

This wine recently took out the best Sweet White Wine award at the Sydney Wine Show and after having a taste of it, it is clear why the judges were so impressed. Two things stood out with this wine – its balance and its structure. The fruit, acidity, alcohol and oak treatment are such that they were all in sync, with one not dominating the other – leading to seamless drinking. The structure is elegant and is such that the luscious and potent nature of dried apricots, honey, burnt butter, toffee and orange blossom aromas and rich smooth flavours of the wine are prominent but not overly cloying, making it pleasurable drinking. Indeed very enjoyable drinking, as glass after glass is taken, coupled with lemon and lime tart with vanilla bean ice cream.
 
Drink Now to 2019. About $15 (375ml). 96/ 100.

- Let's Try Something Different

Mount Langi Ghiran Pinot Gris 2006

An interesting aromatic white wine from this Central Victorian producer better known for its reds and particularly its benchmark Shiraz. A fragrant white full of ripe pears, passionfruit and other tropical nuances. Really soft on the palate with low acidity, a subtle creaminess and richness to the finish. Quite easy drinking on its own or with Chinese Cuisine.

Drink Now. About $20.  88/100.

- Made For Celebratory Drinking

Madfish Premium White 2006

The Madfish label from Howard Park Wines in Western Australia epitomises easy funky drinking, at an affordable price and with consistency of product year in, year out. The wines are well made, well blended and have popular palate appeal. Vibrant lemons and limes meld with tropical passionfruit and lychees. Fresh and uplifted fruit characters are imparted with a clean crisp finish and a hint of natural fruit sweetness on the palate. Nice, enjoyable and value for money drinking. Try it with a prawn risotto.

Drink Now. Under $18. 88/100. 

- Nice White Drinking

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.

- Nice Red Drinking

Juniper Estate Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2003

This wine is powerful. It has power of fruit, most pronounced oak characters and a distinctive Cabernet structure. A big wine indeed. Dominating black fruits with lashings of cedary and mocha oak at first. Think also mulberry, allspice, menthol, tea leaf, tobacco as well as gameyness in what is a complex aroma profile. Then persistent and concentrated distinct blackfruits follow, with smooth ripe tannins and cedary oak characters. A well rounded ample bodied wine that needs time to soften and develop but has a promising future. Try it with a beef casserole.

Drink Now to 2023. About $34. 90/100.

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.