Paul Ippolito Talks Wine: Something For Everyone Edition

With Paul Ippolito

This week's edition is a print off and take to the bottle shop one that shows off wines that should pretty much suit a whole range of consumer palates, budgets and match a variety of cuisines. There should be something for everyone here (well almost) in this selection of very good Australian wine - so go on, grab a couple and share them over a nice meal with some friends.

Knappstein Gewurztraminer Riesling Pinot Gris 2006

This is an alluring and classy wine. Luscious fruit ensues with good hints of spice. Orange blossom, musk, pears, peaches and crisp apple all follow. The purity of fruit is excellent and melds very well with the soft yet lively acidity. A smooth highly drinkable white blend that is medium dry in style. Try this with prawn risotto.
Drink Now. About $23.
 
Southern Highland Wines Triplepoint Singularity Sauvignon Blanc 2006

This is tight and has a certain elegance in its presentation. Lemons and pears emanate as well as minerally characters along with a hint of tropical fruits. Quite soft on the palate yet also lively making for easy drinking. Try this with a chickpea and red onion salad.
Drink Now. About $17.50.

Pirramimma McLaren Vale Petit Verdot 2004

This is aromatic with loads of blackcurrants filling the senses. This is followed by cedary oak and cigar box nuances, smoked bacon, violets and an earthiness. Still a young wine, albeit well structured, balanced and drinkable, it should develop beautifully and gracefully with age. Try this with a grilled New York cut steak and diane sauce.
Drink Now to 2016. About $27.

 Taylors Clare Valley Gewurztraminer 2006

Alluring and aromatic and also quite luscious in fruit character development. A vibrant intense and spicy nose emanates with fragrant lychees, ripe pears, light apricots, crisp apples and more lychees. Lively yet soft acidity plays a good supporting role to the lovely fruits. Smooth, well rounded and approachable in presentation. Try this with Prawn Pad Thai.
Drink Now. About $18.

Giant Steps Yarra Valley Shiraz 2005
 
Youthful and vibrant. Quite distinctive at first then it settles in the glass. Raspberry, roasted meats, liquorice, red earth, violets and cigar box nuances ensue. Medium bodied and stylish in mouthfeel. Drinkable, seamless in oak integration with fine grainy tannins. A good each way bet for now and into the future. Try this with chicken parmigiana.
Drink Now to 2012. About $30.

Chain Of Ponds Pinot Grigio 2006

From the Adelaide Hills region, think ripe lemons and crisp apples off the aromas. All of this lovely fresh citrus fruit is supported by lively and refreshing acidity, as well as a touch of minerallyness, all melding with the distinct fruit characters quite well to produce a dry style. Lean bodied with a medium length of finish as well. Try this with fettuccine boscioala.
Drink Now. About $20.
 
Nugan Estate Frasca’s Lane Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2006

Grapefruit, green apple and lemons emanate with a touch of minerally character to offset the quite forward fruit characters. Elegant and vibrant yet also quite well balanced with crisp refreshing acidity supporting the good fullsome fruit. Try this with a Thai beef salad.
Drink Now. About $19.
 
Centennial Woodside Single Vineyard Unwooded Chardonnay 2006

Citrus lemon nuances emit, with hints of minerality and slateyness as well as some restrained tight stonefruit features. This is an easy drinking white that will marry well with a whole range of cuisines. Try it with pumpkin gnocchi.
Drink Now to 2008. About $19.

Tarrawarra Estate Pinot Rose` 2006

Strawberries, raspberries and watermelon fruit characters emanate vigorously from the aromas. Fruit driven with a hint of good ripe fruit character from the nose. Yet quite savoury on the finish. Lovely easy drinking at a reasonable price. Try it with spinach and feta cheese filled ravioli.
Drink Now. About $15.

Punt Road Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2005

Mushrooms, red cherries, strawberries, rhubarb, earthiness and plums all emanate. Elegantly structured, yet succulent fruit also projects amongst all the classic Pinot aromas. Soft and well rounded in mouthfeel, quite seamless in oak and acidity. Very smooth and drinkable. Light to medium bodied in style with delicious cherry fruit flavours on the finish. Try with veal scallopine.
Drink Now to 2010. About $25.

Pike And Joyce Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2005

Complex and alluring, the aromas emit lusciousness and quite intense nectarine, melon and tropical nuances. A touch leesy character with a hint of matchstick, the palate rewards with a smooth richness of stone fruit flavours with citrus overtones. Quite a robust Chardonnay, full and lightly creamy on the finish. Try it with pan-fried salmon.
Drink 2007-2010. About $30.

Wirra Wirra Church Block Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Merlot 2005
 
This renowned red blend is a glorious crimson purple colour. It is also alluring and quite aromatic. Luscious blackberries and black cherries emanate. Intensity and a touch spicy on the nose as well. The persistent black fruit characters flow, along with smooth fine tannins, integrated mocha oak resulting in a medium bodied, well blended seamlessly drinking red. Try with grilled lamb.
Drink to 2015. Under $20.

Pettavel Evening Star Riesling 2006

Limes, a touch of mineral character, perfumed apples, and some toastiness. Fresh and lively yet soft acidity. A well rounded wine follows that is well integrated with an ever so light hint of honey.  Try it with Pad Thai noodles. Quite an impressive wine that makes me want to try more from the wineries of the understated Geelong region of Victoria.
Drink Now to 2012. About $18.

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.