Paul Ippolito Talks Wine: Wines Of the Week

With Paul Ippolito

Boutique Drinking

Lake Breeze Arthurs Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Petit Verdot 2002

This is a dominant Cabernet blend which has been given structure through the judicious addition of the Petit Verdot component. Succulent fresh aromatic blackcurrants just lash out. Blueberries, mulberries and spicy plums follow. Subtle cedary oak melds with the black fruits making for a seamless and well rounded red with fine lingering tannins. Just lovely on the finish and very drinkable. Try this a beef casserole.

Drink Now to 2017. About $30. 93/100 - Excellent.

Value Drinking

BlackJack Chortle's Edge Shiraz 2005

Pure fruit from the aromas - blackberries, blueberries and spicy plums ensue. Mocha and chocolate follow along with integrated oak and silky tannins. A smooth finish, long and well rounded. Seamless and delicious drinking and understandably why its Bendigo winemakers Ian McKenzie and Ken Pollack call it their Monday to Thursday wine. Try this with spaghetti and gourmet meatballs.

Drink Now to 2012. About $18. 93/100 (Excellent)

Something Different

D'Arenberg The Last Ditch Viognier 2006

This is spot on Viognier drinking. The fruit dimension is quite elegant. It comes through to the palate quite beautifully and not in an over the top fashion in being over cloying nor overly luscious nor too thin nor minerally for that matter. Think apricots, musk sticks, lemon myrtle, citrussy orange with succulent fruit delivered in a structured manner. Balanced in palate delivery, indeed quite seamless on the finish. Very drinkable with baked snapper fillets in a lemon butter sauce.

Drink Now to 2010. About $20. 91/100 - Excellent.

Something Special To Impress

Howard Park Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2003

Just glorious were my first impressions. Complex, alluring and vibrant were words that followed. A stunning red wine, well blended, well presented and well delivered in all dimensions. Intense with ripe blackcurrants, raspberries, smooth plums all with a purity and elegance to them. Slight smoky nuances, hints of black liquorice, cedary as well as cigar box oak in sync, integrated well and with silky fine tannins. A wine with power yet also elegance and structure. Approachable now, delicious in fact, very drinkable but with the goods to deliver pleasurable drinking well into the future.

Drink Now to 2018. About $60. 94/100 - Excellent.

Cold Winter Night Drinking

Morris Old Premium Series Liqueur Tokay

Alluring and rich - luscious and intense, quite a powerful and intense set of luscious and succulent enticing aromas. Persistent deep concentrated purity of fruit ensues. Well blended resulting in an assertive well rounded sweet Tokay with lively acidity and good alcohol. Effortlessly smooth and indulgent drinking.

Drink Now. About $65. 95/100 - Superb.

Cool Climate Chardonnay

Wedgetail Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2005

This Yarra Valley boutique winery knocks out pretty respectable wines under Guy Lamothe. This Chardonnay has quite an upfront nose full of stone fruit characters, surprisingly so for such a cool climate wine. Some citrus lemon and grapefruit nuances also follow. Barrel fermented - buttery and creamy rich on the finish, this is a real Chardonnay with plenty of substance for those seeking gravitas and also finesse in their Chardonnay. Good nutty features, tangy acidity and weld melded oak, together to make a fulsome wine. Try this with lasagna.

Drink Now to 2010. About $40. 90/100 (Very Good).

Quality Blending

Coriole Vineyards Contour 4 Sangiovese Shiraz 2005

This interesting red blend combination works. The two varieties go together really well and produce a delicious easy drinking wine. Spice filled, lively and soft with savoury black olives, raspberry and raisiny milk chocolate along with seamless oak and a long extended length of red cherry flavours. Try this with rabbit and olive pie.
 
Drink Now to 2011. About $20. 92/100 (Excellent). 

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.