Paul Ippolito Talks Wine: Volume 27

With Paul Ippolito

Something Special To Impress

Meerea Park Epoch Semillon 2006

Gorgeously light and breezy. Fresh limes, citrus lemons, green apples, straw and a touch of spice all fill the senses. Delicate acidity yet refreshing and lively. A soft well rounded finish makes this a lovely food wine to go with grilled bbq octopus. Very good Semillon producing by the Hunter Valley based Eather brothers.
Drink Now to 2010. About $16. 92/100.
 
Brown Hill Estate Chaffers Shiraz 2005

From the Margaret River in Western Australia, comes this dark deepish blackish purple red. Intensely black fruit driven - blackberries, blackcurrants as well as a strong earthiness and forest floor nuances all ensue from a distinct set of aromas. Robust purity of fruit emanates with liquorice and dark chocolate ensuing. The length is good and lingers long. Try it with a lamb roast.
Drink Now to 2017. About $16. 89/100.

Majella Shiraz 2004

Deep blackish purple. Pure blackberries, ripe plums, hints of menthol and cedary oak ensue. Smooth luscious and velvety in finish, this is delicious wine drinking. Soft and mellow, a touch of spice and a lovely mouthfeel of lush plums. Try this with beef stew.
Drink Now to 2016. About $30. 91/100.

Coriole Sangiovese 2005

Mark Lloyd of Coriole fame has been crafting Sangiovese well before it became trendy to do so here in this country. The obvious head start he has had to others reflects in the quality of his wines and how they retain a link to their varietal origins, in this case the Italian version. Dark reddish in colour with purple hints. It oozes red cherries, violets, blackcurrants, allspice and has an accompanying intense earthiness to it. Alluring and complex in its overall presentation, the purity of the fruit characters really shows itself. Savoury in mouthfeel with fine tannins, seamless oak all make for a balanced and highly drinkable food friendly wine. This is one the better Sangiovese made in this country that I have tasted. Enjoy it with veal saltimbocca.
Drink Now to 2012. Under $20. 93/100.
 
Wynns Coonawarra Riesling 2006

Light straw. Wonderfully aromatic. Limes, lemons, green apples and grapefruits abound. A touch of chalkiness and minerality as well a certain toastiness emanating. Quite a forward nose, fruit focussed with a fullsome mouthfeel coupled with lively and tangy acidity. Creaminess on the finish makes it quite delicious drinking now and a good food wine. Try it with grilled whiting fillets.
Drink Now to 2014. About $14. 90/100.

Frogrock Wines Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon 2003

From the Mudgee region of central NSW, comes this well aged red made by David Lowe. The  fruit is intense, deep and full of juicy rich black fruits. Think blackcurrants, coffee nuances, cedary oak, with a tinge of smokiness, a whiff of tomato bush vines and a savoury dimension overall. Smooth, well rounded in mouthfeel and an integrated medium bodied wine. Try this with spaghetti bolognese.
Drink Now to 2010. About $25. 89/100.

Sirromet 820 Above Pinot Gris 2006.

This comes from the high altitude Granite Belt country in Queensland, thus the name. Sirromet is Queensland’s biggest wine producer. Light copper straw – and typically varietal Pinot Gris characters ensue. Citrine, pears, tropical nuances with slatey and minerally characters follow. Lively and fresh with a soft well rounded finish. An easy drinking wine with a good structure that will support a range of cuisine such as Thai or Indian. Try this with a king prawn curry.
Drink Now. About $16. 88/100.

 Penley Estate Reserve Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

This is the flagship wine of the Penley Estate brand. It is where Kym Tolley, its winemaker/ owner utilises his best fruit, the finest oak barrels and his craftsmanship and commitment to create something special. Deep dark purple black, it is an intense robust wine that is in its relative infancy, a wine that promises much from a brooding nose full of black fruits – a nose, distinctively Coonawarra. Hints of cedary and coconut oak with light mocha as well as smoky nuances follow, the oak is there unquestionably, discernable yet but not overly pronounced. Quite an upfront and pretty big wine on the back palate as well, lingering very long in black fruits, plums, and coffee mocha flavours. Try this with pot roasted beef.
Drink Now to 2024. About $50. 92/100.

Nepenthe Unoaked Chardonnay 2006

Minerally, tight and slatey at first. Quite restrained. Citrine limes and lemons slowly emanate. Has a soft light spritz to it as well. A lingering crisp acidity also ensues. An easy drinking wine with an ever so light creamy texture along with a hint of peach melon character on the finish. Try this with oysters natural.
Drink Now. Under $20. 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, the internet and overseas. Read more of his work at www.paulippolito.com.au

About Paul Ippolito.