Paul Ippolito Talks Wine: Winter Wines

With Paul Ippolito

There is nothing better than a glass or two of a good red with some comfort food at the end of a cold day to reinvigorate the body (and soul). So why not try out a few of these reds over the remaining Winter days. 

Juniper Estate Margaret River Shiraz 2003

A brooding dark aromatic black fruit set of aromas ensue - think blueberries, blackberries, blackcurrants, spicy plums along with a certain gameyness to add a savoury dimension as well. Overall a complex, well made and intricate wine put together by respected West Australian winemaker, Mark Messenger. Inviting and seductive it delivers a velvety mouthfeel with silky tannins and a good dose of coffee mocha oak. Try it with roast beef.

Drink to 2013. About $31. 92/100 - Excellent.
 
Lake Breeze Langhorne Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2003

Intense and spicy black fruits, blackcurrants dominating, deep dark plums, with black pepper, black liquorice and cedary oak. Smooth and velvety in mouthfeel, yet imparted with a certain elegance. Fine tannins, a medium to full bodied respectable red wine. Try this with Irish stew.

Drink to 2013. About $22. 90/100 – Very Good.
 
Tim Adams Cabernet Sauvignon 2004.

A classic Cabernet - full of blackcurrants, spicy plums, cigar box nuances, lashings of blueberry violets and mulberry hints. Liquorice and mocha oak as well from the bouquet. A smooth medium bodied, well structured, quite elegant Cabernet with fine tannins and a dry finish auguring for a good cellaring future. Try this with roast lamb.
 
Drink Now to 2014. About $22. 92/100 - Excellent.
 
Water Wheel Bendigo Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Ripe blackcurrants, upfront and rich. Fresh spicy plums ensue along with a hint of black pepper and dried mixed herbs. Cedary oak supports the fruit. Liquorice and aniseed on the finish and a good length of finish make this a very good wine of substance and character. Try it with grilled rump with mushroom sauce.
 
Drink Now to 2015. About $18. 90/100 - Very Good.
 
Chain Of Ponds The Ledge Shiraz 2003

Blended from Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale Shiraz, this is a very user friendly red wine. Liqueury blackberry oozing richly from the aromas – all pure, succulent and quite distinct. Red cherries, a hint of earthiness – all fresh, vibrant and upfront. Some sweet oak as well. A delightful easy drinking Winter red full of luscious black fruits and imparting a velvety and seamless mouthfeel with fine tannins on the finish. Try this with lamb roast.

Drink to 2015. About $33. 92/100 - Excellent.

Seppelt Silverband Sparkling Shiraz

This 2007 release is an intense deep dark reddish purple. Full of blackberries and aromatic plums, it is soothing and smooth. Tight bubbles, unravelling beautifully resulting in well rounded delicious refined flavours on the palate. Drinking perfectly now, it is still youthful and fresh and has a good cellaring future. I would certainly save some for Xmas dinner to have with the roast turkey. Seriously if you aren't on the bandwagon yet, try this one as it may well bring you onto the team, in a big way.
 
Drink Now to 2018. About $35. 93/100 - Excellent.
 
Dindima Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

Coming from a boutique winery in the Mt Canobolas area of Orange in central NSW, this is smooth easy drinking Cabernet made by winemaker James Bell. Full of succulent fresh blueberries, plums and violets, the purity of the fruit character really sticks out. Seamlessly oaked it is soft and silky smooth on the finish with fine tannins and a lovely delicious long berry fruit finish. Try this with chicken tomato and olive casserole.

Drink Now to 2012. About $26. 87/100 - Good.

Bidgeebong The Icon Series Shiraz 2004

Deep dark blackish purple. Dark fruits abound in a gloriously aromatic fashion. Think ripe blackberries, deep rich plums, black liquorice, allspice and mocha oak. Fullsome and generous on the palate. Delicious and smooth, the ripeness evolving well out of the cool climate Tumbarumba (Southern NSW) grapes to produce an excellent well rounded wine with ripe tannins and a very good drinking future. Try this with oven roasted beef.

Drink Now to 2014. About $35. 93/100 - Excellent.
 
Madfish Carnelian 2004

Carnelian is a cross between Cabernet Sauvignon / Carignan and Grenache and a varietal that has its origins in California. This one is an ink staining glorious purple and very deep, dark and alluring. Blackcurrants, spicy plums, blackberries, mocha chocolate and cedary oak all abound from the aromas. Soft and smooth on the palate with a glossy finish and fine assertive tannins. Quite an elegant yet powerful red that drinks well, very well actually. Try this with beef and mushroom pie.

Drink Now to 2014. About $24. 91/100 – Excellent. 
 
Far Flung Corner Cabernet Merlot 2005

Aromatically spicy. Persistent and distinctive fruit, concentrated and deep. Quite an intense fruit driven nose. Think blackcurrants, mulberry and plums. Fresh and lively with a long length of finish filled with cherries and plums. Nuances of cigar box, nutmeg oak and fine tannins make for seamless drinking. A medium bodied wine to try with oven roasted lamb.

Drink Now to 2012. About $17. 88/100 - Very Good.

Jamiesons Run Coonawarra Shiraz 2004

Tight and focussed black fruits ensue slowly - blackberry, currants, plums with red earth, aniseed and spice. Evolving in the glass, into quite a well structured refined style. No over the top fruit here rather more considered in its presentation. Fine grainy tannins, a fair dose of oak, some spice and a touch of smokiness on the finish. Try this with roast pork.
 
Drink Now to 2015. About $15. 88/100 - Very Good.
 
Seppelt Silverband Grampians Shiraz 2005

An impressive wine that opens tight but soon evolves with aromatic delight. Spice filled, black pepper, raspberry, blackberry and charred plums abound. Along with aniseed and liquorice. Pure dark fruits, deep in concentration. A serious wine, impressive in stature with a stylish body. Integrated oak, silky tannins and a soft finish makes for an interesting wine. Try this with baked lamb.
 
Drink Now to 2017. About $35. 92/100 - Excellent.

Dowie Doole Shiraz 2004

Distinctive and persistent concentrated varietal Shiraz - McLaren Vale style. Cherries, chocolate and liquorice ensue. Lively acidity supports the fruit making for a medium bodied stylish red with an extended finish. Integrated oak, smooth tannins all augur for a velvety mouthfeel. Try this with marinated steak.

Drink Now to 2012. About $20. 90/100 - Very Good.
 
Wolf Blass Yellow Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
 
Persistent and polished dark fruits abound from a fruit focussed nose - blackcurrants, mulberries and spicy plums. Polished and distinctive fruit at that. A long delicious finish ensues that leaves a lovely lingering aftertaste. A well balanced wine, with good oak, ripe tannins and makes for easy smooth delicious Winter drinking. Still in its youth with a good few years potential in it. Try it with roast pork.
 
Drink Now to 2012. About $15. 90/100.
 
Jim Barry The Cover Drive Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Evocative, vibrant and fresh. A really lovely fruit driven wine emitting lashings of ripe and rich blackberries and plums - luscious and succulent ones at that. The aromas are glorious, the wine is well structured, elegant and well rounded. Hints of Coonawarra cigar box influence and a long finish make this delicious drinking. Try it with meatloaf.
 
Drink Now to 2012. About $20. 93/100 - Excellent.
 
O'Leary Walker McLaren Vale Clare Valley Shiraz 2005

Intense red fruits abound - raspberries, red cherries along with aniseed, liquorice, a subtle earthiness, black olives and roasted meats. Vibrancy and freshness ensue with an invigorating character. Good oak, good alcohol, ripe tannins, savoury nuances and a delicious long moreish finish. Try with gourmet pizza.

Drink Now to 2015. About $22. 91/100 - Excellent. 

Fernfield Eden Valley Juuso Merlot 2004

This is top quality Merlot, and I don’t say those words very often folks. Hand picked and basket pressed by winemaker Bronwyn Lillecrapp from this boutique winery situated in the Eden Valley in Barossa in South Australia, it delivers the goods on all levels. Raspberries and plums emanate from the aromas - all pure, fresh and fragrant. Earthy and mushrooms along with a touch of game add to the wine's complexity. Elegant and well structured yet with a velvety seamless mouthfeel. Oak in check, and ripe tannins all make for delicious drinking. Try this with roast pork.

Drink to 2012. About $15. 93/100 - Excellent.

Shaw Vineyard Estate Cabernet Merlot 2004

This Murrumbateman winery near Canberra has been getting lots of accolades of late for the quality of their reds. Cabernet and Merlot are meant to go together and this is an example of how well they do work together in a red blend. Blackcurrants blueberries and succulent plums - all with purity off the aromas. Fresh, succulent and vibrant fruit ensues. A touch of menthol character as well adds to the wine. Well structured overall with well melded oak along with tight lingering tannins following. Lovely berry flavours velvety smooth on the finish making this very good drinking. Try this with an Indian curry.

Drink Now to 2014. About $20. 92/100 - Excellent.

McKellar Ridge Shiraz Viognier 2005

Ripe rich fullsome blackberries, spicy plums, hints of apricots - all aromatic and with the purity of the fruit projecting beautifully. Integrated oak, seamlessly balanced, velvety in mouthfeel and delicious to savour, you get lovely fresh ripe plums on the finish. Good ripe tannins augurs for a good future. Drink with grilled marinated lamb chops. An excellent red made by Brian Johnston of this respectable Canberra winery.

Drink Now to 2012. About $20. 93/100 - 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.